So Levi has been saying that he is trying to peak during the race. How much longer will it take. He is currently hanging with the best but when will we see him dominate or accelerate away from the leaders even a little like Contedor has. He has less than 2 weeks to get it done.. He better be ready to unleash a huge can-o-whoopa$$ during the time trial. Just looking for another American to win the TDF...

He says he wants to peak in the Pyrenees, but he couldn't even hold the pace today with 1km to finish. Then in his interview after the race today, he claims he was one of the better climbers, he must have been racing someone else because the 5 riders who finished in front of him were much better. He didn't work the last 15KM, he coasted.
I want him to win too, but something special better happen within the next 2 weeks.

>>scottmilk
Yea, I was watching the same after-race interview, when he was smack-talking about one of the Saunier Duval guys... not to be disrespectful to the man or anything, but damn he was just chilling in the pack letting other guys do the work. Levi needs to make a move one of these days.

Levi is a fraud. Top 10 guy, but that's it. He's past his peak, but the tour is weaker now for many reasons so he stays in the top 10.

He also said something in an interview yesterday about Contrador being good support for him. Right now Contrador could ride his legs off.

Also, what was Levi's strategy today? Doesnt he know that you have to finish ahead of the yellow jersey to take time back? what a waste of an opportunity to not try to attack and get some seconds back on that final downhill and run-in.

While watching some videos on Velonews post race today Hincapie actually states that Levi is the leader of the team... At this point I think Contedor should be the leader.

Seems like you guys don't know how a bike race works. Levi was sitting in because he had two teammates up the road that he didn't want the group he was with to catch. He's not going to pull back his teammates.

He yelled at the SD guy because he wouldn't help pull back the yellow jersey group that got a gap because Cadel Evans is an idiot.

Also, he was climbing pretty well today and the 1K climb to finish is more about explosive climbing power, which he doesn't have, as opposed to the big as climbs of sustained power. He did as well as he could have today.

Seems like you guys don't know how a bike race works. Levi was sitting in because he had two teammates up the road that he didn't want the group he was with to catch. He's not going to pull back his teammates.

He yelled at the SD guy because he wouldn't help pull back the yellow jersey group that got a gap because Cadel Evans is an idiot.

Also, he was climbing pretty well today and the 1K climb to finish is more about explosive climbing power, which he doesn't have, as opposed to the big as climbs of sustained power. He did as well as he could have today.


Exactly....People always seem to forget that the Tour or any GT is about conserving energy. Those that do it best, generally win. I guess years of Lance blowing the competition out of the water, everybody expects that now.

Levi has rode a great race to this point. He has extended energy only when he's had to, has sat back and let other teams do the work, he has some great help in the mountains and the break today with Contador was perfect. Should the main group have taken off, Levi had two riders up the road to help him out should he have got into trouble. Since he didn't they were given the go ahead to run with it, but couldn't hold off the larger packs down the descent.

So far, Levi is riding smart, team Discovery is riding a smart race and they are positioned to do very well this year with two riders in the top ten after the first week of racing. Levi is the obvious team leader at this point unless something happens to him, then Contador takes on the lead and he's currently positioned to take over if needed.

To those insisting that Contador is now the team lead....If memory serves, Lance wasn't always the strongest man on the team on a given climb, but he saved himself for when it really counted (not that that's a competely fair comparison, but you get the point). There's not a huge gap between Levi and Chicken (considering ITT), so he's ridden conservatively, but he'll have to let it hang out on the TT's and the Pyrennes. So far he's been boring, but smart. Contador will get his chance - he's still young.

Damn the Spaniards are impressive, regardless of team.

have been Levi and Sastre, I'm not saying either will win, but they seem the wisest at saving something for week 3

Levi is a fraud. Top 10 guy, but that's it. He's past his peak, but the tour is weaker now for many reasons so he stays in the top 10.
I didn't want to have to post something that harsh, so thanks. It's true. Even if Disco starts to believe Contador is riding better, they'll stick with Levi for loyalty sake. Anything Alberto can get on his own is out of Levi's hands.

have been Levi and Sastre, I'm not saying either will win, but they seem the wisest at saving something for week 3
would you stop saying all the things I want to say before I have a chance to say them?

Whoever said Levi is a fraud needs to follow more bike racing. It isn't safe living under a rock.

So Levi has been saying that he is trying to peak during the race. How much longer will it take. He is currently hanging with the best but when will we see him dominate or accelerate away from the leaders even a little like Contedor has. He has less than 2 weeks to get it done.. He better be ready to unleash a huge can-o-whoopa$$ during the time trial. Just looking for another American to win the TDF...

It is not so much Levi getting better as it is the more agressive riders wearing out.

If you discount The Chicken for yellow (and I do) there are 8 riders within 1:18 of each other. I think everyone else is too far back to podium with the possible exception of Vino who is too far back to win the whole thing. The question for Levi then is how to beat those other 7 riders?

The Chicken took yellow too early which is going to wear out his team defending the jersey and the other teams won't allow him another long escape where he could get big time. I do think he has a good chance of being on the podium in Paris-just not in yellow.

With the last week of the tour being so difficult it makes a lot of sense for someone like Levi who has won some quality 1-week stage races to save it for that last week. The idea is sort of don't lose the race in the first 2 weeks and try to win in the last week when the other contenders won't have many days left to do anything about it.


This is a fun tour.

This is a fun tour.

You said it! Tons O fun so far and setting up for an interesting conclusion.

It is not so much Levi getting better as it is the more agressive riders wearing out.

And everybody has to keep in mind it's an art not a science and influenced by so many variables. I'm sure Levi is hoping he'll stay good or improve but it could just as likely go the other way.

And quite naturally given what is known about the doping situation everyone is expecting a lot out of the Spanish riders.

So Levi has been saying that he is trying to peak during the race. How much longer will it take. He is currently hanging with the best but when will we see him dominate or accelerate away from the leaders even a little like Contedor has. He has less than 2 weeks to get it done.. He better be ready to unleash a huge can-o-whoopa$$ during the time trial. Just looking for another American to win the TDF...


Levi is stuck thinking he has to mark Vinokourov. Vino is now 8 minutes down. Levi has to realize he has to mark Vino - and then who ever else comes faster - Valverde, Kloden, Rasmussen.

Levi only knows of half of Armstrongs plan. Armstrong would have dropped Vino when he got in trouble and went after Valverde and MADE the race..

Discounting chicken (110 kms of ITT are too much for him in my opinion), there are eight guys in contention now for the podium. Because Levi is far from a sure thing, Bruyneel must play both these guys, not just Levi. I wouldn't expect Contador to wait for Levi in the Pyrenees.

P.S. What's up with Cadel? I like the guy because he comes from a mtn biking background, and he actually tried to go with Contador yesterday, but letting that gap form on the run-in was pretty amateurish. He always looks like he's in too big of a gear when he's out of the saddle compared to everyone else.

I didn't want to have to post something that harsh, so thanks. It's true. Even if Disco starts to believe Contador is riding better, they'll stick with Levi for loyalty sake. Anything Alberto can get on his own is out of Levi's hands.

PLEEEEEEEEEASE.... Levi has steadily climbed with very respectable times so far through the tour. He might be going 100%, but there is no indication that yet. He hasn't been dropped once. Yes, he might not have taken off after every attack, but he hasn't been dropped from a steady tempo yet.

If Contador can keep making these accelerations through the pyrenees with out zapping his legs out, then he is the man. But my prediction is that Contador is an excellent climber, but is a little too gitty with his accelerations which will come back to haunt him later in the race.

And to the guys wondering why Levi was coasting behind on the downhill- you might be educated racers, but you sound like NBA fans who watch one bike race a year, and love Bob Roll's commentary on the basics of cycling. :D

I think Levi has/is riding a smart race which, if he does well in the time trials and does something in the Pyrenees, most will agree he was smart now, looking back. However, if he doesn't deliver, for whatever reason, his riding now won't seem so smart, just hiding that he is not a podium contender. I believe Johan knows Levi's strengths (time trials?) and weaknesses as well as others (Contador probably expected to be strong in Alps and Pyrenees and weak on time trialing) and has a good idea based on past results how most will do in the time trials and the Pyrenees, and his strategy is based on those calculations, with the uncertainty being that people can have good and bad days. Some riders are strong one day and not so strong the next, so stay consistent. I believe this is how Levi is to ride. It will be very interesting to see if he is explosive on the steeper Pyrenees slopes as I don't recall that being his strength, but time will tell. These guys are trying to get others to burn matches while saving their own and it's interesting to watch. The riders the most exciting to watch now for the fans may be using up energy they wish they will have this weekend.

Discounting chicken (110 kms of ITT are too much for him in my opinion), there are eight guys in contention now for the podium. Because Levi is far from a sure thing, Bruyneel must play both these guys, not just Levi. I wouldn't expect Contador to wait for Levi in the Pyrenees.

P.S. What's up with Cadel? I like the guy because he comes from a mtn biking background, and he actually tried to go with Contador yesterday, but letting that gap form on the run-in was pretty amateurish. He always looks like he's in too big of a gear when he's out of the saddle compared to everyone else.


As a matter of incident, Rasmussen/the Chicken is a former world champion mountain biker.

I think Levi has/is riding a smart race which, if he does well in the time trials and does something in the Pyrenees, most will agree he was smart now, looking back. However, if he doesn't deliver, for whatever reason, his riding now won't seem so smart, just hiding that he is not a podium contender. I believe Johan knows Levi's strengths (time trials?) and weaknesses as well as others (Contador probably expected to be strong in Alps and Pyrenees and weak on time trialing) and has a good idea based on past results how most will do in the time trials and the Pyrenees, and his strategy is based on those calculations, with the uncertainty being that people can have good and bad days. Some riders are strong one day and not so strong the next, so stay consistent. I believe this is how Levi is to ride. It will be very interesting to see if he is explosive on the steeper Pyrenees slopes as I don't recall that being his strength, but time will tell. These guys are trying to get others to burn matches while saving their own and it's interesting to watch. The riders the most exciting to watch now for the fans may be using up energy they wish they will have this weekend.

Consistency generally rules the day. LL main discipline is as a consistent climber. Not a rocket/explosive but ability to climb at a strong even pace. Which for some reason makes people mad.

Maybe he should tie some lit sparklers to his handle bars or attach some baseball cards to his spokes. Then he would be "cool" or if he painted shark teeth on his helmet or had a razor blade earring like a punk rocker. :rolleyes:

Anyway, he has improved his TT'ing.:thumbsup:

I think Levi and Sastre may be in the best positions of all the GC guys. They have had a pretty cushy ride thus far. Sat on wheels, conserved energy, taken notes on who is riding well and who isn't. I was just checking the course this morning and the Pyrenees look nasty. Sastre is a more explosive climber than Levi so he will have the edge there. Levi has been a better TT'er in the past so he will have the edge there. If these two have truly been waiting and the waiting will pay off they are the favorites for me. So far, the racing has been awesome, but I think the top GC guys are burning themselves early and we are going to see major changes the last week.
Fun days ahead. Let's hope for a new leader everyday in the Pyrenees, guys riding until their eyes are popping out and they are puking in the ITT's, and time bonuses on the final stage deciding the podium.

i told a buddy of mine at the start of the tour, Levi doesn't have what it takes to win the GC. he is only getting play by Vs. because he's an American - i don't think he is getting as much press in the rest of the world...

all good points, but i still wanna see levi actually DO something. he never seems to put time into anybody.
i hope his handlebars are tight in his TTs this year.


levi reminds me of that simpsons episode where there was a mob/yakuza showdown on the lawn. there was a little guy in a white suit just standing there. homer knew he was gonna do something awesome, but his attention was distracted. by the time he looked back the only guy standing was the lil guy in the white suit.

i don't think he is getting as much press in the rest of the world...

He is in Belgium... My Dad is over there now and they are playing Levi up as one of the major contenders and they dubbed him yesterday as (roughly translated from flemish) the "sleeping giant"...

i told a buddy of mine at the start of the tour, Levi doesn't have what it takes to win the GC. he is only getting play by Vs. because he's an American - i don't think he is getting as much press in the rest of the world...


Well of course as on outside hope for the overall he gets a disproportionate amount of coverage in the US media, just like Rasmussen probably does in the Danish or Moreau in the French. Medias typically play to their audience, and at least after the Alps he's still in with a shot. Console yourself with the fact that Vs. isn't listing Hincapie as a favorite anymore :)

PLEEEEEEEEEASE.... Levi has steadily climbed with very respectable times so far through the tour. He might be going 100%, but there is no indication that yet. He hasn't been dropped once. Yes, he might not have taken off after every attack, but he hasn't been dropped from a steady tempo yet.

If Contador can keep making these accelerations through the pyrenees with out zapping his legs out, then he is the man. But my prediction is that Contador is an excellent climber, but is a little too gitty with his accelerations which will come back to haunt him later in the race.


Kestreljr and Levi sitting on a tree...



And to the guys wondering why Levi was coasting behind on the downhill- you might be educated racers, but you sound like NBA fans who watch one bike race a year, and love Bob Roll's commentary on the basics of cycling. :D

Oohh!!! Ooooh! good one!

We get it - you are "serious racer" who knows everything, everyone else here is a newbie!

Why don't you just put it in your signature, dude?

Kestreljr and Levi sitting on a tree...



Oohh!!! Ooooh! good one!

We get it - you are "serious racer" who knows everything, everyone else here is a newbie!

Why don't you just put it in your signature, dude?

real mature... :thumbsup:

Levi winning the tour-is NOT going to happen. While I'm hoping he proves me wrong, I just don't see any better than 3rd (if he "rides" into better form) thru 5th. He hasn't shown me anything thus far (this or prior tours) to suggest he can actually win. His TT's are no give me either. He has been known to really lay in an egg in a few TT's-sometimes losing minutes.

RLY and SRSLY. Way more fun to watch than the Lance tours. Maybe now that they presumably aren't using (as much) pharmacuticals, they'll have to carefully meter their efforts or risk blowing up.

Levi is stuck thinking he has to mark Vinokourov. Vino is now 8 minutes down. Levi has to realize he has to mark Vino - and then who ever else comes faster - Valverde, Kloden, Rasmussen.

Levi only knows of half of Armstrongs plan. Armstrong would have dropped Vino when he got in trouble and went after Valverde and MADE the race..


I stand corrected. Watching the rest of stage 09. Levi went with the valverde/rasmussen/cadel evans/contador/mayo group when valverde attacked.

Time will tell. I'm pulling for him, and I hope he's sandbagging to show us something spectacular in the Pyrenees and TTs, but as other have pointed out, he hasn't exactly been burning up the climbs so far.