VeeshanVault

Age, sabotage, fan violence.. discuss!

I voted yes, but I'd like to add that it's completely dependent on his team. He was clearly the strongest rider last year, but he won by the margin he did because of his near perfect team. If Discovery can put together a team similar to last year, and if Ekimov can still ride like a young man, I think it won't be a problem.

Other than bike handling, training your aerobic system, maintaining an appropriate diet, cycling is a very mental sport, and I think there are very few cyclists with Lance's focus (especially), and also his attent to detail.

I think no. Well actually I think it is way too easy to say. I also think that Ullrich got a wake-up call this year and that he will come back with a vengeance (he wasn't in the best of shapes). If Vinokourov and Ullrich both are in shape and together.. that is a scary team. Hamilton will have more experience as a team captain and will be looking for revenge (not to mention he wont have the internal injuries that made him quit this year).

There are a lot of really hungry cyclists out there, but it will come down to wether or not somebody gets a good enough team together to beat Team Postal. Even though the team captains are important, the teams don't get half the credit they deserve. And personally, I hope for Ullrich.. he is a beast and I would like to see him win again.

Edit: Bah noel replied while I was typing and took all my team glory!

Based on his Olympic performance, and his performance in the Tour, I think Jan has given up. (just my opinion)

I think Kloden had a good year, and I think Vinokourov is a monster, probably the most likely to challenge Lance, but overestimated due to Lance's shitty form in the '03 tour.

Again, all just my opinion.

I believe Ullrich feels defeated and in the shadow of Armstrong and I doubt he'll be back next year as a pro cyclist.

Well, he's said multiple times he wants to spend more time with his girlfriend/child. I thought his preparation sucked only slightly less than that of Heras and Beloki, but clearly the man can still TT with the best of them. Clearly he's still on good form, but I was frankly surprised with his performance in this year's Tour. I just didn't really feel like he started fighting until it was far too late. Ullrich lost the ability to contend in the Pyrenees, and by the time he reached the Alps, and was ready to challenge, it was just too late. I saw him compete, but I really didn't see the fire I had in years past. Not sure if that had more to do with the way T-mobile is managed, and what his role was supposed to be once Kloden was on top, but it was still surprising.

Frankly, I think it was the biggest mistake of his career (and probably the best thing to ever happen to Ivan Basso) that Ullrich didn't sign with team CSC. I definitely think he would have won last year had he been riding for CSC, and I think he would have been far more competitive this year. An impression that I have that's largely based on the snippets I read in the media is that T-mobile is not really the best environment to ride in unless you're German and you're winning. Zabel and Ullrich are two of the greats of cycling, and you can't argue with T-mobile's accomplishments, but I just see Jan stagnating there which is sad.

Yes he should have signed with CSC.. which I rank as the best team at getting as much as possible out of their riders (yes I rank them ahead of US Postal for that.. their team overall is NOT as good as US Postal but yet they ride with such intensity that it is amazing to watch).

As for Ullrich giving up.. he might have.. although I'll keep hope up that he wins another race. I like him, I have liked his "raise hell" attitude on the bike, I like his insane strenght.. and he has been one hell of a competitor. I'd also dare say that if he had Armstrong's place on TP he would have had a nice collection of wins by now.

As I've said before Bjarne Riis is one of the best sport directeurs in cycling, and can motivate individuals to excel better than anyone, even Johan Bruyneel. If Ullrich signs with CSC for 2005 he may be able to regain his lost form and contend again next year, I douby he will be able to if he stays with T-Mobile. The Pro Tour may change cycling immensely next year though so it's anyone's guess.

I think Ivan Basso and Andreas Kloden will be Armstrong's biggest threats next year if he decides to attempt a 7th win next year.

From what ive seen that man has more determination then any athlete alive atm. If he really wants to, he will...its all up to him though

Basso will be dangerous if he manages to improve his time trial skills.