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Imagine my surprise when pulling up Cyclingnews.com a short while ago, and seeing that Vino has won my second favorite classic (first fav = Flanders, I mean, is there any doubt about this call?). I guess, on one hand, it’s good to see that the race was an attack fest. Also, what I’m happy to see is Cadel riding in at 5th place, sure, he didn’t win, but he’s already having a better year this year than in any other years before. He’s sort of whiney, but for reasons unknown to me, I like him. I usually hate guys like that, but have always had a soft spot in my heart for Cadel Evans, maybe it was his former mountain biking past. I don’t know.
Looking at the write up, it looks like Gilbert, and A. Schleck threw it down, and were joined by Contador (good to see him throwing it down in the classics as well by the way). With those 3 a pretty big threat, that got knocked back, and another attack took off with Vino, in his general attacking attitude, and Kolobnev went with him, that was your 1-2 finish right there, with Vino pimpin’ him out with about 200m to go. Gilbert, Valverde, and Evans all took off in pursuit, but Gilbert would break the other 2, but could never catch the front 2. He rolled in 4th, after playing a little too much at the end, and getting schnookered by Valverde.
Going back, I think Evans should just give up his freakin’ grand tour hopes. Sure, he rides well, but he’s never going to win one. Stick to week long stage races, and plus the harder hillier classics (like LBL and Fleche), and I’m pretty sure his career will flourish even more. He doesn’t NEED grand tours. Sure, it would be nice to win one, but where have his biggest successes been? Not in grand tours.
Now, Vino, doper extraordinaire. Does anyone think he’s NOT on the juice still? Sure, I tend to forgive and forget, but he always impressed upon me that he’s a unrepentant doper, as in, he didn’t care that he did it, he cared that he got caught. I mean, for crying out loud, look at the size of his forehead (my wife and I have nicknamed him Forehead for easy identification)! Christ! It’s like an orange on a toothpick. They don’t grow that way normally (I’m looking at your Barry Bonds). So I was sad to see him win this race. He, in my opinion, doesn’t deserve it. But, maybe that’s just me. I don’t know.
Do you guys like Vino or hate Vino? I think there is a lot of hate out there for him, no doubt about it.
Anyway, been traveling for work, been moving from NC to Northern Virginia, and finally, it’s all done. There’s been 0 time for riding so far, so I have come up with the plan for myself. I am calling it Cross Project 2010. I can start training now for ‘cross season here in the mid-atlantic region of the US, and probably be somewhat fit by the time September/October rolls around. Also, it is a good excuse to get a new bike. Any recommendations out there? Anyone willing to throw me a good deal on a bike, or frame? Yeah, that’s right, I’m asking. I’ll blog about my cross prep through the rest of this summer and early fall.
Over and out.
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How can I have Vino? 2008 Tour de France, doper or not, the guy crashed twice and was still at the starting line. He had me at both knees in bandages.
Successively, I found a few pictures of him and made him my background for a while. Meanwhile, guys in my club at the time in Wisconsin were also fans.
I was in tears when his whole team, Astana, was booted from the Tour
I am in tears today to know of his victory. He deserves this. Count me with ‘love’ for him.
For those who don’t realize who he is talking about or what race:
The man’s name is: Alexandre Vinokourov
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-liege-bastogne-liege-his/results
I would never doubt his toughness, he’s from Kazakhstan for crying out loud, and I was right with you before he got busted for doping, and now, not so much.
Never been a fan of Vino’s, but he was the best man today. Bravo!
…vino was always batshit crazy aggressive through the years so i hadda admire that but the jury’s still kinda out, in my book…
…nonetheless, he deserved the win today…everybody marks contador but let’s vino go away w/ kolobnev @ 17k’s ???…really ???…w/ his reputation & a race win under his belt just this week ???…okay, speaks for itself…
…& cadel evans, no rainbow curse for he…never been a fan, still sounds sorta whiny to me but props to the man…carries the responsibility of those stripes on his back exceedingly well…
…gotta agree, giantcu92…the man ought a’ stick w/ this new turn in a revitalized career…riding/writing a whole new chapter to his legacy in a few short months…
…one point, re: vino’s forehead…the “now” heavy facial features of our world champion have had me wondering for years if mr evans had perhaps invested in human growth hormone awhile back…
…just sayin’…
Dude’s a total douche…
What can I say, he was not among my list of favorites. Is he talented? Yes, immensely. Is he still riding on dynamite? I think the answer to that is yes, most likely.
I’m going with Big Jonny, Alexandre “Douchey McDouchestein” Vinokourov. I got to get on board with the talent part, of course he’s talented. Still doping? Yeah, probably most likely, call my cynical if you must.
@bikesgonewild: Cadel has always had a big noggin’, check out pictures from his Volvo-Cannondale days on the mountain bike. Maybe he hit up the HGH early on? Don’t know, but nothing would surprise me at this point in time.
…ya…slippery slope, that ethics thingy, huh ???…where is your personal line as a pro athlete drawn ???…
…ideally there can be no compromise whatsoever BUT the moral dilemma vs the reality of a “need to win” has compromised more than a few who set out w/ the best of intentions…& of course there have always been those whose “win at all costs” attitude precludes ever questioning themselves…
…sad, human nature being what it is, in that we seem to be programmed for survival of the fittest through our dna (the ol’ “kill or be killed”) & yet in intellectually accepting to participate in “healthy activities” we’re willing to be anything but fair…we compromise our intelligence & morals on the playing field because we can’t override that need to win at all cost…
…”winning” at sports or games is great but only when it’s done honestly…we have the ability to evolve as a species but i don’t see much desire for progress & that’s not just in sports…
…oh, ya, bike racing…sorry, i got distracted…just trying to wave the ethics flag & i got hoisted by my own petard…
Nice win for Vino. Dude served his time, and is back riding tough – although he benefitted from Contador being there. What’s the difference between Vino, Valverde and Lance? One got caught and paid, the second got caught and is going down, and Sir Lancelot just never got caught. They all doped at one point, and now we move forward, hopefully, in a cleaner light. Go Vino!
and whats up with Hincapie’s ears? and Van Petegem would have to stop and shave at least twice during Paris Roubaix or all that beard would have slowed him way down.
You mean Boonens ears ………
Boonen’s huge ears lay back against his head, Hincapie’s stick straight out, which is why he didn’t win the sprint in the velodrome in 2005.
The ears are an obvious tribute to La Pirata, Mr. Marco Pantani. They make you climb faster.
Where in Northern VA do you now reside?? I assume you have a knobby fat tire bike too???
BK
I always liked Vino (pre-bust) for his aggressive style, and I want to believe that his win today was clean, but it’s just a little too hard to believe. For the last couple years, I’ve been wondering if Cadel Evans, though a whiny douche at times, might be the best rider in the world, but the only one who’s not doping. Or maybe he’s doping too and just not as good as Contador, Schleck, etc. Who knows… all I can do is speculate. Despite rampant speculation, I can’t help but watch and enjoy.
If Vino is as clean as the Bathroom in Bandidos… I’d be much suprised.
Desperados I mean…