For anyone to think that Garmin can do what they want when they want is ludicrous. Okay, yes, technically they can, but this is cycling and that crap will come back and bite you in the ass every time. I don't know all the unwritten rules in cycling, but I'm pretty sure Garmin broke one with that late push to the line. AG2R was spent, and Garmin had no obvious tactical reason to take over. Unless of course you are just trying to f the other American team over.
I thought there was a brotherhood among cyclist that transcended team colors. That's why you don't attack when there's a crash or at the feeding zone. There's a code of ethics that is well understood. And to reiterate, driving the peloton without a single tactical reasoning to do so is far from conforming with that code.
And worst off, it was a former teammate of Hincapie who told the Garmin boys to put the hammer down. I mean, I can understand why Matt White is jealous of a guy a year older than him who is still racing...and racing better than White ever did.
facmanpob wrote:
Anyone remember Columbia ripping into Garmin about the TTT in the Giro?
Revenge is a dish best served cold!
What's the story behind that controversy?
Basically, there was a 'war of words' between Cavendish and the Garmin team prior to the Giro d'Italia. Cav said that the Garmin team is disrespectful to the race and to their sponsors due to their 'sole focus' on the TTT.
As for your previous post, yes, there's lots of unwritten rules - and teams will remember this. But keep in mind that this was Garmin's way of 'answering' a previous fight, the one mentioned above. So while they didn't have any tactical reasoning, they did have a different one - revenge.
davidthgnome wrote:
For anyone to think that Garmin can do what they want when they want is ludicrous. Okay, yes, technically they can, but this is cycling and that crap will come back and bite you in the ass every time. I don't know all the unwritten rules in cycling, but I'm pretty sure Garmin broke one with that late push to the line. AG2R was spent, and Garmin had no obvious tactical reason to take over. Unless of course you are just trying to f the other American team over.
I thought there was a brotherhood among cyclist that transcended team colors. That's why you don't attack when there's a crash or at the feeding zone. There's a code of ethics that is well understood. And to reiterate, driving the peloton without a single tactical reasoning to do so is far from conforming with that code.
And worst off, it was a former teammate of Hincapie who told the Garmin boys to put the hammer down. I mean, I can understand why Matt White is jealous of a guy a year older than him who is still racing...and racing better than White ever did.
as i said before, this must be the only sport where a team can ride as hard as they can and get flak for it while the other teams have been ambling around the countryside for the last 2 weeks.
if it was any other sport and the players were obviously not going 100% there would be uproar. everyone always says that this is the hardest race in the world but try saying that and backing it up with this years edition. it's been a joke how easy everyone is taking it.
as for Hincapie, the yellow jersey is a privilage not a right. there are many other cyclists who ride for others who have never worn the jersey. he wasn't fast enough so doesn't get the jersey, simple as. you can't blame other teams no matter what the relationship is like.
davidthgnome wrote:
Hincapie said right after the stage and the next day that he was extremely disappointed and hurt by Astana and Garmin driving the peleton, taking it as a personal attack. Also, I read his brother say, "...there have been an awful lot of excuses flying around. Why do they feel like they have to explain anything if they haven’t done anything wrong? They are obviously guilty or worried.”
Now, I think we can all agree that Garmin had no legit reason to drive the peleton to the line the last 10 or 15 k. And I think we can all agree Astana wasn't chasing at all, but just riding tempo.
So I'm curious as to everyone's opinion on whether Hincapie has a right to be upset, and is he acting extremely spoiled as if he is owed the yellow jersey?
I'm extremely biased seeing as I'm from Greenville, SC (Hincapie's home for many, many years now) and most of my family still lives in Greenville. Hincapie is a local hero there. He is the reason people are on their bikes in Greenville. He's the reason the US Pro Championships are being held there now for 4 consecutive years. So, what is the general opinion of the board?
I guess anybody has a right to be upset, but maybe GH should not be upset with Astana. You see, GH has known Armstrong and crew for many many years and he should know by now that Lance rides for Lance and ONLY Lance. My heart went out to GH!
Edited by nigel25840 on 28-07-2009 18:25
