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6394. alistairConnor - 7/24/2009 9:47:20 PM It may have escaped you iii, Lance opened the hostilities on one of the early stages, making his team ride like hell when Contador was trapped in a second peloton.
Realistically, they were the principal favorites from the start, therefore necessarily rivals. And each has attacked the other at every opportunity. I think Contador probably feared Lance more than he feared the Schleck brothers. So in that respecthis tactics were correct.
And this stuff about not following the script. Spare me. Bruyneel writes the script, and he makes only the vaguest pretense of being impartial between his two leaders.
At the end, Contador is being criticised for not being at Lance's service. I can think of one example of a rider capable of winning who sacrificed his chances in order to help his ageing leader. It was Miguel Indurain, before he won his first Tour. Once in the Pyrenees, at the top of a pass, he actually turned and rode back to help his leader, Pedro Delgado. Now there's a team player. 6395. iiibbb - 7/24/2009 11:02:05 PM I'm just giving you a little shit Alistair 6396. alistairConnor - 7/25/2009 1:57:23 PM The Giant of Provence on the program today. Mont Ventoux, a legendary stage.
One has done it oneself, of course. It's a steep hill. Today the wind is blowing at 110 km/h at the summit, the guys will be head-on into it in the last kilometres.
For the moment, there's a group of 16 who have nine minutes on the pack. They're still in the rolling foothills, in half an hour or so they will start the climb.
I don't expect Contador to take any prisoners. Probably the Shleck brothers will go with him, and will be 2nd and 3rd overall tonight, and in Paris tomorrow.
Lance is frankly too old to develop the power required for a climb like that. We saw that the other day already. 6397. anomie - 7/27/2009 5:06:18 PM AC, I've been watching some of the bike race. I wish they would talk more about the equipment of the sport. I noticed time trial equipment looks much different. Why? Is it that they can use more combersome, but aerodynamic equipment when not jostling in the peloton? But the bike frames look thicker too.
And what is the purpose of that rear wheel spoke cover? I see it only on the time trial bikes?
Beautiful shots of the countryside throughout the race! 6398. anomie - 7/27/2009 5:07:05 PM cumbersome, for Pete's sake. 6399. alistairconnor - 7/27/2009 5:58:43 PM The big shots use carbon fibre frames for the time trials, several kilos lighter, but too expensive for everyday wear (possibly too fragile too).
The lenticular wheels are similarly specialised. They are more aerodynamic, unless there's a cross wind. 6400. anomie - 7/27/2009 8:51:31 PM Hmmm, I thought carbon fiber was fairly common on all the bikes, but that makes sense. I guess the long helmets with tails would be too unweildly when riding in large tight groups, but serve a purpose in reducing drag in the time trials. They look strange though. 6401. wabbit - 7/28/2009 4:17:45 PM It doesn't happen very often, but Michael Phelps actually looks vulnerable in one of his signature events. He'll dive in for the finals of the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships Tuesday against an up-and-coming German, a guy who's already shown he has no regard for the swimming elite. Paul Biedermann erased Ian Thorpe's name from the record book. Now he's ready to take on Phelps. Bring it on, Phelps replied.
But this isn't just Phelps vs. Biedermann. You see, at a record-breaking meet that is as much about what everyone is wearing as it is about the swimmers, the German will dive into the water in an Arena X-Glide, a polyurethane suit that is generally considered faster than Speedo's once-revolutionary LZR Racer. Acknowledging the disadvantage, Speedo gave all its swimmers a chance to switch to another suit if they felt it would improve their chances. But that wasn't really an option for Phelps, who's been sponsored by the company since he was a teenager and earns millions for wearing its suits. Biedermann believes the Arena suit improves his times by as much as two seconds, a staggering edge in a sport often decided by hundredths of a second.
The door is ajar for Michael Vick to return to the NFL. Only Vick, and any team willing to sign him, can open it fully.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Vick on Monday, with conditions. Free after serving 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring, Vick could participate in regular-season games as early as October. Vick can immediately take part in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games — if he can find a team. A number of clubs have already said they are not interested. Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.
I'd still like to feed him to the tigers at the San Franscisco zoo, then reinstate him, but that's just me.6402. wabbit - 7/28/2009 4:18:03 PM Formula One driver Felipe Massa was awake and talking to family members Monday, making significant improvement after his high-speed crash two days earlier. The chief surgeon at AEK hospital said Massa is now breathing unassisted and moving his limbs. In addition, a drain from his skull wound was removed. Chief surgeon Lajos Zsiros said the 28-year-old Brazilian is groggy but able to answer questions. Zsiros says further improvement can be expected. Zsiros said Massa didn't have a fever and remained in stable condition in the military hospital's intensive care unit alongside family members, including wife Anna Rafaela.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday that was overshadowed by the absence of Felipe Massa. Massa crashed into a tire barrier at 120 mph Saturday during qualifying and was near death for two days.
Former boxing champion Vernon Forrest exchanged gunfire with robbery suspects before being shot to death, Atlanta police said Monday. The 38-year-old former two-division champion, who gained notoriety when he became the first boxer to defeat Shane Mosley, was killed Saturday night. Investigators believe between 20 and 24 shots were fired from two guns, said Lt. Keith Meadows. Police recovered Forrest's gun and one shell casing belonging to that gun, he said. Forrest was putting air in his car tires at a gas station when a man asked for money, his manager Charles Watson said. When he pulled his wallet out, the man snatched it and started running, and Forrest took off after him, Watson said.
This is the third high-profile death of a boxing champion in recent weeks. Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello, the mayor of Managua, Nicaragua, was found dead at his home on July 1 in an apparent suicide. Two weeks ago, popular brawler Arturo Gatti was found dead in a condominium in Brazil. Gatti's wife remains the prime suspect in that case.6403. iiibbb - 7/29/2009 8:41:57 PM So they should ban running shoes?
If you ask me, technology is part of sports. I think they only requirement should be that any technology introduced to international sport be made available to all competitors.
In small sailing competition they've standardized everything, and have even made certain movements on a boat illegal (certain kinds of rocking during tacks and jibes) because they've been shown to add thrust. The competitors run the ragged edge on this rule. If you ask me, if there's a way to make the boat come off a turn faster, that's part of sailing.
Besides, people like records to be broken, now that they've banned these suits, are they going to rescind the records? The genie is out of the bottle.
6404. alistairconnor - 7/29/2009 10:32:55 PM As I recall they rescinded one cycling record, the one-hour distance mark, in the 90s, because they determined the device used was not a bicycle. Sure looked like one to me.
Logically, that record could be pulverised with a recumbent bike, because it's more efficient. But the record wouldn't be validated. Silly.
What I don't understand is how those swimsuits make you go faster. Would it work for me? 6405. iiibbb - 7/29/2009 11:27:24 PM They use low drag materials and stiff materials to prevent the suit from pulling away from the swimmers skin. All the more reason I think they should be allowed. It's only an unfair advantage if, say, only one country had them. If they are freely available it should be allowed.
The cycling comparison is a very good one too. They are very rigid about what constitutes a bicycle. It would be interesting as heck if they let recumbents in a major tour. 6406. wabbit - 7/30/2009 3:00:25 PM The problem is the sponsorship deals. If Phelps wasn't obligated to Speedo, there is no way he would not have worn The Arena suit and the field would be level. 6407. wabbit - 8/1/2009 12:39:57 AM OMG, I hope Belichick can pony up the stones to just say no: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick won't rule out the chance that the team will sign quarterback Michael Vick.
But he won't rule it in, either, at least not publicly.
Asked again about Vick on Friday, Belichick repeated his Thursday comment. He said he's concerned about the players the Patriots have in camp, not ones they might acquire.
But Belichick also said any player who isn't in camp has the potential to be in camp at some point.
Vick served 18 months in prison in connection with a dogfighting ring he was running. He was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday.
Many NFL teams have said they won't consider signing the former Atlanta quarterback. I seriously don't want to see the Pats pissing money away down this hole.6408. wabbit - 8/1/2009 12:44:30 AM So much for the swimsuit problem: No need to worry about a boycott from Michael Phelps anymore.
Swimming's governing body FINA set a firm date on Friday of Jan. 1 for banning record-breaking bodysuits, a move that comes partly in response to a threat from Phelps' coach to pull his swimmer from competition until the suits are outlawed.
Earlier this week, FINA announced a ban but said it might not come into effect until April or May -- three or four months later than expected.
"Now, without a doubt, the rules are applying Jan. 1, 2010," FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu said. "The manufacturers are ready and can begin (suit) submissions Nov. 1 or before."
The comments from Phelps' coach, Bob Bowman, came immediately after the swimmer was upset by unheralded Paul Biedermann of Germany in the 200-meter freestyle Tuesday. Biedermann wore a 100 percent polyurethane Arena suit, while Phelps stuck with last year's LZR Racer from Speedo, which is less than half polyurethane.
"It's going to be cool come Jan. 1 to be able to have all of us pretty much wearing the same suit," Phelps said Friday after swimming the leadoff leg as the Americans broke the world record in the 800 freestyle relay. "All of this is going to be finished and then we're going to be able to talk about swimming again, notsuits." At least until Speedo has the polyurethane suit figured out.6409. wabbit - 8/3/2009 1:18:26 AM Watched the Haskell today. Favorite Rachel Alexandra ran 2/5 seconds off the track record for the distance, in the mud, beating Birdstone and Munnings. I thought Birdstone was poorly handled this time out, too close to the pace, especially with the very fast fractions. It may not have mattered, but he wasn't running his usual kind of race.
I didn't stay tuned to hear Calvin Borel's tearful thanks to his parents and connections. Enough of that already.
Too bad Steve Asmussen seems so determined to avoid running Rachel Alexandra against Zenyata. RA was pulled from one possible confrontation a month or so ago and is already out of the Breeder's Cup.
Zayat Stables’ 23-to-1 longshot Soul Warrior shocked the field as he wore down the Kentucky Derby winner and Big Drama in succession to win the G3 West Virginia Derby, his first stakes win. Ridden by Dale Beckner, the three-year-old Lion Heart colt closed from fourth at the three-eighths pole to win by a neck. Soul Warrior covered 1 1/8 miles on a track rated as fast in 1:51.46.
As expected, Big Drama immediately seized the lead. He opened up a six-length advantage through a quarter-mile in :23.73 and extended his lead to ten lengths after a half-mile in :46.56. Mine That Bird was reserved in his customary place at the back of the field while Soul Warrior saved ground in third. Mike Smith edged Mine That Bird forward on the backstretch and gave him his cue on the far turn as the classic winner started to advance near the three-eighths pole. Entering the stretch, Big Drama tired while Mine That Bird and Soul Warrior started to accelerate. With about furlong to go, Mine That Bird failed to find another gear as Soul Warrior split his tiring rivals en route to his first stakes win.
Big Drama, the 4-to-5 favorite, held on for second. He was 1-1/2 lengths in front of 9-to-10 second betting choice Mine That Bird. The Birdstone gelding entered the race off a third-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 6 and a runner-up finish to Rachel Alexandra in the BlackBerry Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 16.6410. wabbit - 8/3/2009 1:18:55 AM  Tiger Woods won the Buick Open for a third time and claimed his 69th PGA Tour victory. Woods shot a 3-under 69 and coasted to a three-shot victory with a 20-under 268 total at Warwick Hills, which hosted its first Buick Open in 1958 and seemed to stage its final one Sunday. Roland Thatcher (64), Greg Chalmers (68) and John Senden (70) tied for second.
Woods improved to 36-1 when he has the outright lead after 54 holes. He has four wins this season - doubling the total of his nearest competitors - in just 11 starts since returning from knee surgery.
GolfWeek Magazine reported on its Web site that General Motors Co. would end the PGA Tour’s longest partnership, and The Associated Press confirmed it with a person briefed on the decision. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement wouldn’t be made until after the tournament.
6411. judithathome - 8/17/2009 3:47:24 PM I thought Keoni would go into cardiac arrest yesterday when Tiger lost to Y. E. Yang, the Korean.... 6412. wabbit - 8/25/2009 12:11:59 AM 
Eric Bruntlett became the second player in major league history to get the final three outs on one play without any help, preserving Philadelphia's 9-7 win over the Mets and making Pedro Martinez a winner in his return to New York on Sunday. It was just the culmination of a game of crazy occurrences. Making his first start against the Mets since signing with Philadelphia on July 15, Martinez made his first appearance on the field — as a batter. The Citi Field crowd of 39,038 stood and cheered as Martinez walked to the plate in the Phillies' road gray-and-red uniform, a jarring sight for sure after he spent the previous four years with the Mets. Martinez worked the count to 3-0 and Mets manager Jerry Manuel came out to remove Perez, bothered recently by a tender right knee that sidelined him earlier this season. The move got a loud ovation, and Perez (3-4) was soundly booed as he walked off the field having thrown 47 pitches — 20 strikes — and getting just two outs. The Phillies scored six times in the first inning off Oliver Perez on three-run homers by Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz. Perez didn't get his first out until he threw his 29th pitch.
CC Sabathia against Josh Beckett loomed as a low-scoring duel between two of baseball's best pitchers. Neither lived up to the hype, especially Beckett. The Boston Red Sox ace gave up a homer to Derek Jeter on the first pitch of the game, served up four more fence-clearing hits and lost to the New York Yankees 8-4 Sunday night. Sabathia became baseball's first 15-game winner despite allowing three earned runs in 6 2-3 innings, matching his total for his three previous starts. Sabathia (15-7) allowed two runs in the second inning, one in the fourth and one in the sixth. But Beckett gave up runs in each of the first five innings, then settled down before Hideki Matsui hit his second homer of the game and 23rd of the season in the eighth. Beckett (14-5) allowed eight runs on nine hits after yielding seven runs in his previous start. The Yankees' 16th win in 20 games increased their AL East lead over the Red Sox to 7 1/2 games.
Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of which team he's on. That's why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade this week to the Red Sox, who already have an All-Star closer in Jonathan Papelbon. "I don't want to end my career as a setup man," Wagner said. "I'd like to have that option."
MLB news
6413. wabbit - 8/25/2009 12:18:52 AM I hate doing this, but I don't archive the Cafe and this is a fun conversation, so apologies in advance, but imho this conversation fits nicely in Sports. I'm taking the initial post by Dubai that got things rolling and posting the pertinent bit here: 25589. Dubai Vol - 8/24/2009 12:21:21 PM
...It's like my experience engineering race cars. You change one variable at a time. If you change two things and go faster, which change did it? ...
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