This was recently reported on velonews and thepaceline.com. Hincapie will be a protected rider next year, and they expect him to get a top 10 result with the possibility of stage wins as well.

Does anyone else think that this is completely nuts? Sure, he'll do well in the TTs, and he has a chance to win stages, but is he going to be even close to climbing with Basso, Ullrich, Valverde, or whoever ends up leading in the mountains next year? I don't think he has a chance. He did a good job on that mountain stage last year, but he was able to sit in all day. I just scanned over the results, and he started the final climb with a 12 minute lead, and finished it 5 minutes ahead of Basso. Doesn't sound good to me.

On another note, if it did happen, he could be the first guy to podium in PR and get top 10 at le tour in at least 10 years.

Silas

This was recently reported on velonews and thepaceline.com. Hincapie will be a protected rider next year, and they expect him to get a top 10 result with the possibility of stage wins as well.

Does anyone else think that this is completely nuts? Sure, he'll do well in the TTs, and he has a chance to win stages, but is he going to be even close to climbing with Basso, Ullrich, Valverde, or whoever ends up leading in the mountains next year? I don't think he has a chance. He did a good job on that mountain stage last year, but he was able to sit in all day. I just scanned over the results, and he started the final climb with a 12 minute lead, and finished it 5 minutes ahead of Basso. Doesn't sound good to me.

On another note, if it did happen, he could be the first guy to podium in PR and get top 10 at le tour in at least 10 years.

SilasFinished 14th. Don't you think Disco can get him another 4 places? Another 8 minutes? - TF

But is that really worth it? I loved it when George won the mountain stage, but he outsprinted Oscar Pereiro at the end of that stage, not exactly a feared climber so far as I know. Does anyone know whether George went up Pla d'Adet fast enough to suggest that he can stay anywhere close to the big climbers?

Personally I'd rather see George win PR, focus on the classics, and maybe head up the Pro Tour classification.

This was recently reported on velonews and thepaceline.com. Hincapie will be a protected rider next year, and they expect him to get a top 10 result with the possibility of stage wins as well.

Does anyone else think that this is completely nuts? Sure, he'll do well in the TTs, and he has a chance to win stages, but is he going to be even close to climbing with Basso, Ullrich, Valverde, or whoever ends up leading in the mountains next year? I don't think he has a chance. He did a good job on that mountain stage last year, but he was able to sit in all day. I just scanned over the results, and he started the final climb with a 12 minute lead, and finished it 5 minutes ahead of Basso. Doesn't sound good to me.

On another note, if it did happen, he could be the first guy to podium in PR and get top 10 at le tour in at least 10 years.

Silas

I think it would be possible if George switched his focus from classics to more of, some classics riding, and then training for the Tour and all. Top 10 could be possible if he keeps time trialing like he was last year, and if he takes off a few more pounds, and increases his power output just slightly, he might be able to climb somewhere near the big boys in the mountains. A top would be possible. Look at Danielson who got dropped repeatedly at the Vuelta when the heat got turned up, and he still finished in the top 10.

Top 10 could be possible if he keeps time trialing like he was last year, and if he takes off a few more pounds, and increases his power output just slightly, he might be able to climb somewhere near the big boys in the mountains.

Lose weight? During Tour time he already looks like a human stick. I would much rather see him shift his training back by three months and do the Ardennes classics in the same climbing shape he has at the Tour.

Backing George for g.c. seems strange to me. Why not Savoldelli along with Popovych?

Lose weight? During Tour time he already looks like a human stick. I would much rather see him shift his training back by three months and do the Ardennes classics in the same climbing shape he has at the Tour.

Backing George for g.c. seems strange to me. Why not Savoldelli along with Popovych?

Why not? Because Salvodelli refuses to give up the Giro for the Tour and Discovery still thinks that Popovych has a lot of learning to do..Ever wonder why Boonen bought out his contract from USPS?

I think that a top 10 finish for George is within reach. On this year's tour, it seemed like he was pulling the peloton most of the time..

A top ten tour finish and a podium on Paris-Roubaix would be a great accomplishment for Georgie..Although I still think that his main goal is winning PR..

This was recently reported on velonews and thepaceline.com. Hincapie will be a protected rider next year, and they expect him to get a top 10 result with the possibility of stage wins as well.

Does anyone else think that this is completely nuts? Sure, he'll do well in the TTs, and he has a chance to win stages, but is he going to be even close to climbing with Basso, Ullrich, Valverde, or whoever ends up leading in the mountains next year? I don't think he has a chance. He did a good job on that mountain stage last year, but he was able to sit in all day. I just scanned over the results, and he started the final climb with a 12 minute lead, and finished it 5 minutes ahead of Basso. Doesn't sound good to me.

On another note, if it did happen, he could be the first guy to podium in PR and get top 10 at le tour in at least 10 years.

Silas


They all said the same things about Lance in 1999.

Lose weight? During Tour time he already looks like a human stick.

Man, everyone looks like a twig at the end of the Tour because their bodies are slowly digesting themselves. I remember seeing an interview with Lance after Luz Ardiden in 2003, and I couldn't help thinking "what the hell is wrong with his face?" I know he was sick that year, but man, he looked f-ed up.

I wouldn't worry about Hincapie. Being a "protected rider." It didn't help him at all at Paris-Roubaix until this past year. In 2004, he rode the last 100k of the race without teammates, and anyone who's seen "The Road to Paris" can tell you about the "Domo Sandwhich."

Man, everyone looks like a twig at the end of the Tour because their bodies are slowly digesting themselves. I remember seeing an interview with Lance after Luz Ardiden in 2003, and I couldn't help thinking "what the hell is wrong with his face?" I know he was sick that year, but man, he looked f-ed up.

True statement, but I remember seeing Hincapie in Georgia a couple years ago and he was freaky thin then. That was 3 days into the race. I can't see him losing any more weight than what he is right now.

This was recently reported on velonews and thepaceline.com. Hincapie will be a protected rider next year, and they expect him to get a top 10 result with the possibility of stage wins as well.

Does anyone else think that this is completely nuts? Sure, he'll do well in the TTs, and he has a chance to win stages, but is he going to be even close to climbing with Basso, Ullrich, Valverde, or whoever ends up leading in the mountains next year? I don't think he has a chance. He did a good job on that mountain stage last year, but he was able to sit in all day. I just scanned over the results, and he started the final climb with a 12 minute lead, and finished it 5 minutes ahead of Basso. Doesn't sound good to me.

On another note, if it did happen, he could be the first guy to podium in PR and get top 10 at le tour in at least 10 years.

Silas

I think he'll suprise many people. In fact, to toot my own horn last year I predicted Hincapie would ride for the tour overall in the coming years. Miguel Indurain was perfectly capable at Georges size in winning 5. I think George has shown the ability to recover and stay out of trouble in three week races and his climbing is certainly on par with a top 10 finish.

how strong he'll be if he doesn't have to do all the work he's done. guy finishes 14th overall and takes a mountain satge while doing MASSIVE turns at the front on both flat and mtn stages
go George!

Think about what the big sponser Disco Channel wants.. Would they prefer the 'protected' rider to be an extremely popular american who is capable of a top ten finish, or a Italian unkown to the american public who is perhaps capable of top 5??

Methinks the sponsor favorite is Hincapie

btw - I'm a big fan of both George and Savoldelli, both very classy deserving guys in my opinion..

Think about what the big sponser Disco Channel wants.. Would they prefer the 'protected' rider to be an extremely popular american who is capable of a top ten finish, or a Italian unkown to the american public who is perhaps capable of top 5??

Methinks the sponsor favorite is Hincapie

btw - I'm a big fan of both George and Savoldelli, both very classy deserving guys in my opinion..Discovery Channel sells its programming world wide. They would love to increase their European market share. They will go with the rider that will get them the most exposure world wide, not just in America.

Maybe this is lance's way of paying him back for years of faithful service and sacrafice. That's all I can think of.

I think he'll suprise many people. In fact, to toot my own horn last year I predicted Hincapie would ride for the tour overall in the coming years. Miguel Indurain was perfectly capable at Georges size in winning 5. I think George has shown the ability to recover and stay out of trouble in three week races and his climbing is certainly on par with a top 10 finish.


I'd like to think you're correct.

how strong he'll be if he doesn't have to do all the work he's done. guy finishes 14th overall and takes a mountain satge while doing MASSIVE turns at the front on both flat and mtn stages
go George!


I think those a valid points but we'll see.

But is that really worth it? I loved it when George won the mountain stage, but he outsprinted Oscar Pereiro at the end of that stage, not exactly a feared climber so far as I know. Does anyone know whether George went up Pla d'Adet fast enough to suggest that he can stay anywhere close to the big climbers?

Personally I'd rather see George win PR, focus on the classics, and maybe head up the Pro Tour classification.


George did no work that day for the break away, he sat on everyones wheel and was fresh.

No wonder he could sprint away at the end.

I think after all he's done, he deserves the chance.

Maybe not for several years, but at least for one!

George did no work that day for the break away, he sat on everyones wheel and was fresh.

No wonder he could sprint away at the end.

And we all know that LA always pulled, don't we? :rolleyes:
Lou.