Move over Discovery
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 11/07/2005 at 15:16 GMT
Be afraid Discovery Channel. This Michigan penny-farthing band could follow the lead of Jozef Zimovcak and take on the Tour next year. Unassuming Ivan Basso, showy Bodrogi, and a revolutionary (old) way of getting around France in this edition of Inside t
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
NO BLUFF SAYS JAJA
"Was it a real alarm bell that went off in the Schlucht," wonders Tour de France legend Laurent Jalabert in Monday's L'Equipe.
The Frenchman doesn't believe the Discovery Channel team-mates that left Lance Armstrong all on his own Saturday did it on purpose. Rather, "Discovery is maybe finally attainable for the other teams."
So why the fact that T-Mobile didn't try their luck again on Sunday?
"Several reasons: the Ballon d'Alsace was far from the finish... The presence of the Discoveries in front maybe intimidated some. Finally, Armstrong's rivals maybe weren't at their best."
The rest day is indeed welcome after a frenetic first week.
NOW THE FUN BEGINS
Ivan Basso confirms Jalabert's thoughts:
"Nobody moved because we all needed to catch our breath," the CSC leader told L'Equipe.
Besides a Stage 5 spill that was without consequences, the affable Italian has kept quiet throughout this campaign. But now he's ready for the Alps and moreover the two high mountain stages in the Pyrenees:
"I've always said that the Tour would start in the Alps and would play itself out in the Pyrenees. I'm more than ever convinced of that."
GO LASZLO !
While Basso's been quiet, Credit Agricole's Laszlo Bodrogi has been photo-op king so far, spending a sum total of 233km in front during the first nine stages.
The Hungarian has spent 13 more ahead than Stage 5 breakaway companion Juan Antonio Flecha and Stage 9 hero Michael Rasmussen.
JOZEF, PLEASE CALL YOUR MOTHER
When David Harmon and Sean Kelly last saw Jozef Zimovcak, he was hanging on for dear life Saturday on his way down the Col de Schlucht aboard with his feet in the air while the pedals of his penny-farthing spinned freely.
Alert eurosport.com forum user Filip from the Czech Republic, (who by the way says he's a big Tom Boonen fan) tells us more:
"I have heard that you were talking about Jozef Zimovcak (don't try to pronounce it, it is very difficult for non-czech people). He is definitely not mad. He is six times world champion on his historic bike (in Czech it is called "kostitras" - bone-shaker) and world record holder (24hours - 522 km).
"His plan is to travel whole distance of Tour, he starts a day ahead of the official riders, but he knows that most of the mountains etapes he will have to step of his bike and push it."
Frankly, it's the descents not the climbs that have us worried Filip. If you have news of Jozef, please email to reassure us.
LINK: Official website of the Michigan High Wheel Band
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement