cfforum

Any more Levi doubters? Where are you, you who said he didn't have it! 4th fastest TT in the tour's history!........... Even though the tour was littered with inuendo and positive negatives, it was a really fun event to watch. And no part of this tour was more enjoyable than watching the old guy smoke everyone in the Time Trial!! He said at the beginning that his plan was to peak at the end and he succeeded. Who could account for the Spanish phenom who came out of nowhere? I plan to enjoy the pedal bouncing Spaniard for many years to come!! My only hope is that some day he has the chance to face the Raz again............And Cadel is a whiner!!

Yeah - the ITT was awesome - I was literally yelling at the TV, which I don't do for most sporting events.

I didn't catch Cadel's whinings - what did he say?

Cadel feels that the doped up Rassmussen provided a wheel and a lift to Contador as they battled up the Col d'Galibier and the Col d'Aubisque. In other words, he's saying that Contador gained time on him because Rassmussen was there lift the pace.

My contention is that Contador was not only strong enough ride with Rassmussen, but for most of the climbs was the rider leading and attacking. Rassmussen may have provided the impetus for the attacks, but it was Contador with the wheel out front when all other riders were dropped and the battle became mano-y-mano.

The opportunity was there for Cadel join the two climbers and gain time on everyone else, he just wasn't strong enough to go with the breaks when the hills got steep.

Cadel did a great ride and has progressively improved in the standings each of the three years he has competed. He has gained a great deal of respect within the peloton, but I think his "whining" has hurt his reputation just a smidge.

I like Cadel, and I understand his point, but it's cycling and this is the way the game is played. It's not unthinkable that in the next few days Contador will test positive considering his prior association with teams where doping was systemic. I hope that doesn't happen.

He was complaining about Stage 16 and how other teams wouldn't help him so he lost 52 seconds to Contador. Guess he forgot about Stage 14 when he fell off the back! Why can't the guy just admit that Contador out rode him?