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9 June 2005

Double-L and Botero Work It

Leipheimer New Leader, photo: T-Mobile

Stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré confirmed that Santiago Botero is Back. The green-yellow Phonak rider powered into Roanne, setting a mark that none of the greats could match. Covering the 46.K course in an average of 46.9K/hr, just a nip above an hour. Hot on Santi's heels was the blue double-L, Levi Leipheimer. Leipheimer was just short of Botero's time, by 1 second, but took consolation in the leader's yellow jersey. Leipheimer traded his blue Gerolsteiner top for the GC leader's jersey in yellow.

Botero is really showing solid form and now has to be considered a strong threat for final victory this week. Depending on how the Dauphiné Libéré goes for the 32 year-old will indicate his potential in la Grande Boucle. The Gerolsteiner water boys are going to have a hard time keeping the Hearing System boys in check if the Landis and Botero powers unite. Tomorrow is Mont-Ventoux, stay-tuned for explosions. Read the entire stage 3 report.

Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré: Overall Map, Startlist, Main Page

The Dust Devil on Stage 3, Dauphiné Libéré

BiciRace.com caught up with the Double-D late last night. The Dust Devil had a long day, following Stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré with a keen eye. We asked the DD to get some sleep and write us in the morning (today). Here are his thoughts on what Stage 3 meant to Lance Armstrong. Read on ...

What exactly does this sort of beating mean to Lance Armstrong's bid for a seventh straight victory in the Tour de France? Not very much in my opinion.

We all know that he is about as calculating and cunning a tactician there is alive today. At this stage of the game in his Tour build up, he is probably only looking to test out his equipment, adjust his position and test his legs a bit. I would seriously doubt he was going at 100% in Roanne. I would think it would be far more worrisome if he beat everybody readily today-tipping his hand that his form was a little too far along.

Armstrong In Charge, photo: T-Mobile

No, Armstrong is clearly in the driver's seat here. He has the benefit and the comfort of being the defending champion (6X over), and there has never been anybody capable of pinpointing peak form with the kind of ruthlessness that he has.

Take Levi Leipheimer for example. He rode a great TT that put himself in the leader's jersey. Leipheimer has got to be hungry for victory at this stage of his career. And, I don't think he has the cold-calculating ability (or the luxury) to pass up a win in the Dauphiné Libéré and bank on his form being just right come July. I believe he has prepared himself well, but is going to take what he can get. I think Lance Armstrong knows himself too well to need to fully lay his cards on the table right now. You don't get to be a 6X Tour winner by accident.

And I believe the same to be true for all the other challengers today. Botero, Landis, Vinokourov, etc. The Dauphiné Libéré is historically a great test of someone's form for July but it is not the end all be all. The Tour is still a month away. And the decisive points of the race are a week and a half to 2 weeks beyond that! A lot can happen between now and then. Look at 1996. Miguel Indurain won the Dauphiné Libéré in very convincing fashion, everyone thought for sure he was heading for #6. And last year Iban Mayo mopped up the field with his Mont Ventoux TT and he abandoned the Tour mid way through.

But, I have to believe that Armstrong knows what he's doing, has the benefit of knowing how to prepare to perfection. He has the luxury of not having to prove anything to anyone (unlike most of his competitors) and is on track for number 7. He has a team and a director who are 100% behind him with confidence and loyalty.

Point is, the Dauphiné Libéré is nothing more than an indicator. It's not over 'til the fat lady sings-as they say.
- The Dust Devil

Cunego Probably not in the Tour

Damiano Cunego, winner of the 2004 Giro d'Italia, has a viral infection. Kid-Cunego will undergo a series of examinations in Milano which will determine the seriousness of his infection. Cunego could be down with a case of mononucleosis, but that has yet to be determined. Based on the exams, the Piccolo Principe and Lampre-Caffita will determine if the 2005 Tour de France is possible. Stay tuned to your news source, based in Italy, BiciRace.com.

Nicola Loda Hopes for the Tour

Nicola Loda of Liquigas-Bianchi took a spill last week in the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. During the first stage he tried to avoid some crashed riders and took his Bianchi off-roading. Initial exams to his left calf muscle showed a lesion, but now Loda will visit another doctor in Italy. This visit will be key to determining his participation in the upcoming Tour de France. Loda adding, "I hope to be able to come back riding on Sunday... If my recovery is longer, my presence in the Tour will be definitely compromised." We wish Loda and Liquigas-Bianchi the best.

Botero with Confidence

Botero Waves, photo: Dauphiné Libéré

"A cyclist is in the public eye and as such exposed to the encouragements of that public, but also of their critical comments. I want to prove the extent of my hard work by getting the results, it's that simple. You cannot worry about what people say, read or write, only patience and results count." This was Santiago Botero post stage 3 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, a man who was obviously happy with his performance. Botero is back on track after a drought.

And it is partly the team. After spending some bad years with T-Mobile, the Colombian is now with Phonak. Botero added, "On paper, people say that we are the strongest team, but these predictions scare me. All I can say is that we are going to try our best, and then we'll see."

Referring to today's stage four to Mont-Ventoux and the remaining 3 stages. "I have worked really hard in the mountains and I think I'll be stronger than I was in 2002." And why not, Santi now has the confidence of a winner. Adding, "I think that I am much more consistent in my riding and above all capable of negotiating the steep slopes."

Mont-Ventoux, Lance for Levi

Lance Armstrong was handed a small defeat in stage 3 of the Dauphiné Libéré, but his goals are in the Tour de France. Armstrong even joins with the cycling fans in making predictions on today's famed Mont-Ventoux stage, "My favorite for the Mont-Ventoux, and for the whole Dauphiné race, is Leipheimer." Armstrong then went on to remark on the strength of the Gerolsteiner water boys, "He should win, even if - and maybe I shouldn't really say this - he does not really have a very strong team to carry him along to the end of the week." This might work in team Gerolsteiner favor, a little something to edge them on to prove the 6X champion wrong. Lance Armstrong knows a thing or two regarding Levi Leipheimer, they live in the same city in Spain. "But he's in the best physical condition, you can believe me on that one. I live in the same city as him and I have first hand evidence on his form..."

Jan Ullrich Ready for Tour de Suisse

Jan Ullrich, 2004 winner, leads the T-Mobile Team for Saturday's 69th edition of the Tour de Suisse. The race will be a warm-up for the Tour de France. It will be quite a warm-up, nine days through the Alps!

Ullrich adds to this, "Defending my title is not on my mind, this is all about a measured build-up to the Tour de France." The 31-year-old German won last year's edition in the final TT in Lugano, just nipping out Fabian Jeker (Saunier Duval - Prodir).

Still have not read the Suisse Preview? Read here. (Overall Map, Startlist)

8 June News ...