The Cycliste Moderne, June 10, 2005

Americans Continue Outstanding Time Trialing

Wednesday was the time trial stage during the Dauphine Libere. Following up on Sunday’s strong Prologue performance, Levi Leipheimer of Gerolsteiner finished second in the 47km time trial by one second to Colombian Santiago Botero of Phonak. However, with his strong performance, Leipheimer moved into the lead.

Lance Armstrong had a strong performance on his new Trek time trial bike, finishing just twenty-six seconds behind Botero. Floyd Landis of Phonak finished fourth on the stage, thirty-nine seconds behind his teammate Botero. George Hincapie finished just over one minute behind Botero. As a result of their strong performance in the time trial, the four Americans moved back into the top 5 of the Dauphine GC.

Clearly Leipheimer is in excellent time trialing form, finishing second in both the prologue and Wednesday’s time trial. Armstrong answered critics who were concerned by his poor performance during the Tour of Georgia’s time trial stage. It is clear that Armstrong did not go all out in Georgia on the rain slicked course in his first long time trial of the year.

Landis has certainly improved as a time trialist as well. In light of the projected Tour de France line up for Team CSC, with David Zabriske probably making CSC’s Tour team together with Bobby Julich, it would not be surprising to see half a dozen Americans in the top ten during the Tour’s time trial stages.

Mont Ventoux for Vino

Thursday’s stage of the Dauphine took the riders to the summit of the famed Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. Although Armstrong had expressed his desire for a win on the slopes of the famed climb, it was unlikely that he would sacrifice his Tour preparation just to get the win on Ventoux that has eluded him. The stage was not particularly difficult with an essentially flat run up to the final climb to the summit.

T-Mobile’s Kazakh rider Alexander Vinokourov rode to victory today showing the form he exhibited in the spring. Vinokourov will certainly be a concern for Armstrong and Discovery Channel in July. It is questionable, however, whether Vinokourov will be able to ride for himself or be stuck supporting Jan Ullrich, a rider who has yet to really indicate how his Tour preparation is coming. Ullrich will be riding in the Tour de Suisse that commences this weekend which will indicate how ready Ullrich will be for his final showdown with Armstrong.

Although Armstrong did not win the stage, his form is obviously where it should be leading up to the Tour. Armstrong finished fourth on the stage, just thirty-seven seconds behind Vinokourov. Landis and Leipheimer finished just behind Armstrong showing that the American team leaders are all in good form headed to the Tour in three weeks.

The most surprising finisher of the day was Belgian Wim Van Huffel of Davitamon Lotto who finished third on the stage. Van Huffel had a strong performance in the Giro and is one of the emerging Belgian riders that may mark a new golden age for the country. Davitamon has shown itself committed this season to developing stage racers and climbers, something that the team had not done in the past with the exception of Rik Verbrugghe.

Simoni On His Way Out?

Internet reports have Gilberto Simoni not being offered a new contract by Lampre Caffita while his teammate and rival Damiano Cunego has been offered a contract extension. Cunego is clearly the young future of the team even though his Giro performance was not what last year’s Giro champion had expected.

It appears that team management may have grown tired of Simoni’s incessant whining about the emerging talent of his teammate and Simoni’s own lack of production. Simoni is a great climber but he certainly does not inspire his teammates and grates upon his opponents. Simoni should not have any difficulty finding a ride for next season but it will likely not be for a team as strong as his teams have been over the last few years.