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From the last paragraphy of the 'big hearts' that as a result, are even more susceptible to the dangers of epo Bove said that in athletes with bigger hearts, doping could prove potentially more dangerous than for normal people.
Athletes with bigger hearts have more red blood cells, which deliver oxygen around the body. These cells are thicker than normal cells. So if athletes decide to use an illegal agent like the blood-booster EPO, they run the risk of making their blood too thick. That puts them in danger of a clot, stroke, or heart attack.
"These athletes already have hearts that have increased in volume to adapt to their training workload," Bove said. "If they then go and use drugs, that could potentially erase the natural advantage they already have."
It may have been Tyler's mom!..sorta appropo to your lamenting about the cycling woes crossing with biotech news..actually not..this talks about 'maternal microchimerism' where a few of mom's cells make it thru the placenta and could potentially be involved in bad autoimmune diseases like Lupus..
Chip Off the Old Block
When mom gives you some cells, she's probably just trying to help -- but Anne Stevens says it may not always work out that way.
LAB JOURNAL
By PETER LANDERS
August 22, 2007 [WSJ]
Some of the cells in your body may not really be yours at all. They may belong to mom.
A decade ago, that was just a far-out notion. But evidence is mounting that a handful of maternal cells slip through the placenta and make themselves at home in a developing fetus. They appear to stick around for decades, maybe for life.
Anne Stevens, pediatrician at Children's Hospital in Seattle.
Anne Stevens first heard about the idea in 1999, when she attended a talk by J. Lee Nelson, a pioneer in the field. After a stint in Dr. Nelson's lab at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Dr. Stevens opened her own lab at Children's Hospital in Seattle. Today, the 44-year-old pediatrician is a specialist in maternal microchimerism, the study of how we resemble, in a small way, the mythical monster called a chimera that featured body parts of many creatures.
Dr. Stevens is trying to figure out whether mothers' cells can trigger disease in their offspring. Most of the time, these maternal hand-me-downs seem to be harmless or maybe even helpful. But sometimes, she believes, the body's immune system may react violently against them. "Maternal cells are probably in all of us, in all tissues," Dr. Stevens says. "We don't know why the immune system loses tolerance."
Her research is part of the bigger quest to understand diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissue. Dr. Stevens sees the toll in her practice at Seattle Children's. Though rheumatoid arthritis is far more common in adults, a form of the disease strikes children too. "A lot of doctors don't recognize it," she notes.
The study of microchimerism is still in its infancy,[lol, at least it's beyond the fetal stage] and scientists debate whether the phenomenon is as widespread as Dr. Stevens believes. The field has yet to fully explain any autoimmune disease, much less lead to a cure.
One rare disease she has studied is neonatal lupus syndrome. In adults, lupus is usually found in women in their 20s. But antibodies passed by mothers to their unborn children to protect them against disease may play a role in triggering the neonatal syndrome, which can lead to a fatal heart condition.
In 2003, Dr. Stevens and colleagues published an analysis in the medical journal Lancet of tissue taken from eight infants who had died. Four had lupus and four died from other causes. The examination showed that the damaged heart tissue of infants with lupus had many maternal cells. In one sample, more than one in 50 of the infant's heart cells were actually from its mother. In other children the figure was at most one in 1,000. The results suggested that the maternal cells could be triggering a lethal immune reaction.
Scientists, including Dr. Stevens, aren't sure why we have the maternal cells in the first place. If the cells were broadly harmful, it seems likely people would have evolved ways to get rid of them. One intriguing possibility is that mom is actually giving a helping hand by transferring some of her cells to her kids. They may be stem cells that pitch in to repair damaged tissue.
That hypothesis leads to another interpretation of the Lancet results. Perhaps a separate cause led the infants' immune system to attack their hearts, and the maternal cells rushed to repair the damage.
A team led by Dr. Nelson took a favorable view of the maternal cells' contribution in a study of type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder affecting pancreatic cells. The team showed this year in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that young people with the disease have an unusually large number of maternal cells in their blood. The team also analyzed maternal cells in the pancreatic tissue of deceased diabetes patients. The researchers suggested that the maternal microchimerism "most likely contributes to efforts to restore function and regenerate diseased tissue."
But Dr. Stevens is leaning a bit more toward the notion that the maternal cells can be troublemakers. Her lab has done work, still unpublished, suggesting that children with lupus produce more of certain immune-system proteins in response to maternal cells. That work is funded by the Arthritis Foundation, while some of her other work draws support from the National Institutes of Health.
She is testing her theories in mice. In these experiments, a mother's cells are manipulated to carry a gene that makes them glow green. Half her offspring do not inherit the gene, so any cells of the youngsters that glow green must have been passed directly on from mom. Dr. Stevens's team temporarily wounded the kidneys of the offspring and found that the maternal cells didn't rush to the kidney to regenerate tissue. That suggests maternal cells aren't part of the normal repair process.
Even as Dr. Stevens's and other researchers struggle to understand the role of the transferred maternal cells, the field is producing some interesting philosophical questions. What does it mean to be you, if 1% of your cells are your mother's? "It could be comforting or disturbing," says Dr. Stevens. She quotes the title of an article by Judith Hall of the University of British Columbia: "So you think your mother is always looking over your shoulder? --She may be in your shoulder!"
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118773314342904520.html?mod=hps_us_editors_picks
I guess the '6 degrees of separation' theory may be right after all!
now I have to read about CNBC being compared to blood doping excuses.
Jenzzz wins Tour of Deutchland..very nice, indeed..
http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2007/aug07/germany07/index.php?id=/photos/2007/aug07/germany07/ger...
Meanwhile, organizers of Hamburg's Cyclassics - a ProTour event slated for August 19 - made it clear Wednesday that they will not welcome Contador to the race because of the Puerto connection.
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/13062.0.html
God bless the Germans!..I have no idea of the politics to know the level of benevolence for humanity this all entails, but.......
I think the good news is that this is all being talked about..opening the dialogue for the young and developing riders, the high schoolers..your post should have been an editorial in a major cycling magazine..the youngsters esp. and fans need to hear arguments like this back and forth..why is it that blood doping and testosterone patches are equally wrong or are they?..upthread, I also took a 'have no mercy' kind of stand for blood dopers but upon further reflection, it's cheap moral relativism that does nothing to develop the rider's integrity that is needed to guide them throughout their very long life(hopefully) after the saddle..
I get angrier and angrier with the all the owners, trainers, DS's, and heroes like Merckx who created this culture..it appears that Simpson's death 40 years ago taught them how to be smart about ped regimes..and they've failed here too..as evidenced by the untimely deaths of so many guys..
But, I can't have not even a gota(drop) of mercy nor forgive the Ferrari's, Fuentes and other unnamed doctors..they betrayed the most sacred oath..
"There is doping and doping. I wouldn't ban Alessandro Petacchi for a couple of sprays too many, particularly since he has a medical certificate. But I'd have no mercy for blood transfusions." [Eddie Merckx]
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news;_ylt=AiMMa5xcD6wG_IfoprRBn2V.grcF?slug=ap-doping-merckx&prov=ap&...
Sinkewitz passes on B sample testing..I'm impressed although the cynics[more experienced folk] on the cycling sites are taking a wait/see approach to assure it's a genuine mea culpa..I have no idea but nevertheless, I"m glad we won't be subjected to lies and rants about Pound, McQuaid, Lemonde, oh yeah, those awful lab techs that hate foreigners..
Sinkewitz fired after waiving right to B sample test
By Agence France Presse
Filed: July 31, 2007
The T-Mobile cycling team has fired Patrik Sinkewitz, the rider who failed a drugs test in the run up to the Tour de France, after he decided not to have a second urine sample analyzed.
The 26-year-old's decision means he accepts the test's result and concedes that he violated T-Mobile's Code of Conduct after he was found to have abnormal levels of testosterone following an out-of-competition test taken on June 8th by the German anti-doping agency (NADA).
the 2004 Tour of Germany winner said he had been using widely-available gel Testogel - a replacement therapy for low testosterone levels in men - to help recovery, which had cause the failed out-of-competition test taken on June 8th.
Now the rider has insisted on his website he will speak to the German Cycling Federation to explain his situation and wants to return to cycling as soon as possible.
"I have withdrawn my application for the opening of the B sample," he said. "I want to answer for what I have done and deal with the consequences of my actions. I do not want to hide, but explain the truth."
"I had been using a product called Testogel, which is supplied by the company Jenapharm, to balance testosterone deficits," he said. "The gel is applied on the skin and absorbed into the body. It helps the body to recover after hard training.
"Without thinking, in a moment of huge stupidy, I applied some to my upper arm in our training camp in France in the evening before the dope test. I did this instinctively and without thinking of the possible results. It has proved to be a huge mistake and lack of responsibility has let down the team, our sponsors and cycling as a sport.
"My actions have caused great distress and I have done exactly what T-Mobile is striving to avoid to act a role-model for others.
"I regret this profoundly. My admission should be my first step in my redemption. I will make myself available for the German Cycling Federation (BDR) and the independent committee it will set up.
"I want to do whatever I can, so cycling can exist without doping and all it's sporting fascinations can be realized. I wish that all bicycle teams, above all ‘my' T-Mobile team, will be allowed to continue and not discouraged by events. I am ready to take part in a new cycling. I am willing to take up this challenge."
After his firing, T-Mobile is also insisting Sinkewitz return a year's wages for his doping violation which breaks the team's Code of Conduct.
"He broke his commitment to us, so his contract has been terminated," said T-Mobile's boss Rolf Aldag. "Of course the positive doping test came as a shock to us, but it shows the effectiveness and importance of our internal testing and NADA's testing."
Christian Frommert, Deutsche Telekom's senior spokesman, welcomed the action.
"The fact that Mr. Sinkewitz passed on the opening of the B sample means that he is accepting the results of the A sample," Frommert said. "We thus have a clear-cut doping case."
According to Aldag, Sinkewitz will now face a two-year ban from competition - and will be obliged to repay a year's salary for a doping violation.
T-Mobile moved swiftly to sack Sinkewitz after he revealed his decision on Tuesday to not have his second urine sample analyzed.
Sinkewitz's positive test was announced on July 18, three days after he had abandoned this year's Tour after crashing into a spectator at the end of the eighth stage
I think blood dopers and the doctors who administer/support it should serve a prison sentence..imo, it's egregious arrogance of the highest level..there's something different morally{for me] about injecting clear colorless medicine like epo or growth hormone or pasting a testosterone patch on your skin..but to go thru all the channels that it takes to secure a blood transfusion, for what? to beat another healthy elite athlete? Nah, that's sick..imo!
I wholeheartedly agree..What to say..I'm struck by the 'haves and have-nots..'..Rasmussen is obviously a 'have-not friends' and 'have many enemies' ..Cadel didn't have enuff guys to tow him thru the mountains..Levi is the most rested guy in the peloton..maybe tomorrow he'll work for a livin'..
I can't sympathize with someone like Rasmussen that when essentially caught, continues to lie and whine..but I also can't feel good about someone whose tracks were cleaned for him, winning the Yellow Jersey..
That said, it's still a beautiful sport.. bon courage to those who are fighting to clean it up..
Sebastien Hinault (FRA/Crédit Agricultural): Finally, Rasmussen outside, it are well what one wanted since the departure. It's a pity that that arrives in third week of race. I think that Evans would make a better winner of the Turn than Contador. Evans, one sees it suffering in mountain, one sees the grin. It is not the impression which one given Rasmussen and Contador.”
this is a google translation from http://lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2007/20070726_183111Dev.html
Thanks, I missed the beginning..hope springs eternal..who knows, maybe Phil and Paul cut a deal with him to be their surrogate..nothing would surprise me..
I heard that I made a transfusion with my father's blood," Vinokourov said. "That's absurd, I can tell you that with his blood, I would have tested positive for vodka."
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/showsports.aspx?id=SPOEN20070020220
Oh my..I've been traveling all day and my friend left me updates the cell..I'm speechless..Levi on Evans' wheel right now on the last climb..
Meanwhile, Vino denies..something happened to his blood after his 5th Stage fall..another slap in the face to his fans[me included]
http://www.todociclismo.com/tour/noticia.asp?id=39296
Vinokurov niega haberse dopado. "Dice que puede haber habido un problema con su sangre ligado a la caída que se produjo" en la quinta etapa.
I think this Tdf should be terminated..or even better, we fans should stage a world wide rally while the dopers are parading down the Champs..
I read in an editorial how by yesterday, Rasmussen was isolated on and off the bike..he's not alone anymore..in a way, poetic justice of sorts..it was bothering me that he was the one being reviled when we knew that there were other guilty folk riding along side him..
Vino is passing through the mobs right now up the summit..damn..
I had to attend to some things right after I posted the Vino headline..My God..yes, I too feel like crying..I've got Versus on right now, they're repeating Stage 15..Vino breaking from his breakaway.."He's riding like a man possessed"..by someone else's hemoglobin..
Vino tests positive for blood doping after
Albi ITT and Astana quits the tour..anyone else hear anything?..I was just browsing over at Lequipe.fr and found this news..
http://lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2007/20070724_174418Dev.html
Lang, you nailed it re: Vino attacking..great call!..no transformation to generous teammate yet..
Dissembling of the 'old way'(as Gerdemann put it during his stage win interviews) is never pretty..whether in cycling or medicine(where I've got experience) ..as disappointed as I was about the Rasmussen bomb from VeloNews, it's more believable than most I've read about any other rider..I happen to like Rasmussen..just today, he was humble enuff to attribute his drier conditions to his win..when I met him briefly at Toc, there was nothing about him that made me feel creepy..but that's neither here nor there..
I think it speaks to Velo and Walsh's integrity that they were aware of this and nothing leaked out into the cycling community..although I wish it had come out sooner..
Sinkewitz..I'm sure you've read what I have..that Stapleton made it seem that last week's announcement was the first he'd heard about it..
I'm bracing for it to get uglier
I remember that crash at TOC and it was here[your comentary]that I learned how Jens and others were denied proper placement..
I can only imagine what the morale has been at Dsco[entire peloton for that matter] this past year..I hear rumors that SlipStream is trying to court Hincapie over..have you heard anything? Johann is a jerk..flitting from one cyclist leader to another..Levi, Basso, Levi, Contador..just pieces of flesh to use for his own interests..
Btw, I watched Levi's prerace interview..he looked so fresh and fit..I'm so looking forward to seeing if he does good by his protectors tomorrow and next week..
Sinkewitz riding with Landis..wow..thanks, I didn't know..I still disagree with these people..someone's not working together..the Tour organizers and team deserve to have had those results..isn't it weird/stupid that T-Mobile doesn't test for testosterone in its own controls?
Liggett..I get a creepy feeling that he may have some dementia going on..yesterday Sherwin stepped in and gave the correct name of a village..It reminded me of how relatives of someone with dementia or Alzheimers step in to cover..I probably didn't have the knowledge to know, but I don't recall him making these kinds of mistakes last year..do you know if he's worse this year?..
Who are some names that you'd like to see replacing Liggett et. al?
Sinkewitz positive for testosterone
my Q: why did this take so long?..taken on June 8th..
By Agence France Presse
This report filed July 18, 2007
T-Mobile rider Patrik Sinkewitz reacted in amazement on Wednesday after he was informed he had failed a doping test as he prepared for the tour de France last month.
The German Cycling Federation (BDR) announced on Wednesday that the 26-year old's A sample, taken on June 8, had a raised testosterone level and he must now decide if his B sample will be tested.
The up and coming rider has been suspended by his team who say that if the B sample confirms the first test then he will be sacked.
Sinkewitz was forced to pull out of the Tour de France after suffering a broken nose and shoulder injury on Sunday after colliding with a spectator when occupying 50th place in the overall standings.
Currently recovering in a Hamburg hospital, Sinkewitz reacted with bewilderment when he was told the news.
"Me? Why me? I don't know anything about it. This can't be," was his reaction, reported in German on-line sports magazine Kicker. "I am due to have an operation and I can't think about it now."
Sinkewitz, who won the 2004 Tour of Germany, now has five days to decide whether he wants his B sample to be tested.
"If he has the B sample tested and that confirms the positive findings, the BDR will ban Patrik Sinkewitz from all teams," explained BRD in a press release.
T-Mobile manager Bob Stapleton was taking a similarly tough line.
Speaking ahead of the tour de France's 10th stage Stapleton said: "Patrik has been suspended and if the B sample confirms the first result his contract will be terminated."
It has been a bad week for Sinkewitz who collided with a spectator on Sunday immediately after the end of the eighth stage in Tignes suffering a broken nose and a head injury.
But the latest developement is more bad new for T-Mobile who have seen several former riders confess to taking banned blood-booster Erythropoietin in the last few months.
Seven former Telekom cyclists, including 1996 Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis and top sprinter Erik Zabel, admitted they took EPO in the 1990s. And Sinkewitz's failed drugs test comes almost exactly one year after T-Mobile sacked 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich for being linked to a doping scandal in Spain.
Lang..I've been waiting patiently for one of your summaries of the Tdf, etc..thanks in advance-g-..seriously, of all the websites I navigate, it's yours that I get the most from..
He must be getting schooled by your garden variety junkie..actually, I shouldn't judge, I've not followed Kloden..
Edit: I don't judge junkies, addicts in a negative way..ie, as bad people..I've had enough relatives and friends throughout my life who fell into these vicious traps..but for the grace of God..
"I swear it, I'm clean"..
Wow, yellow jersey may need to be banned..Rasmussen is talking like a guy pumped up-g-
Today:
I'm happy with how today unfolded. For sure there is no doubt about who is the captain of the team," Rasmussen said after doping control. "It was disappointing that Menchov couldn't get his ass over the Galibier."
http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/news/articles/12797.0.html
"This yellow jersey feels like doping to me," he said.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.asp?message_id=21293261
What do you guys think pre stage 9?..I can't wait..eom
It's really hard for me to like Levi..from bits and pieces of his interviews since the TOC..he says things that I just don't like..this is a recent example when talking about Astana:
"That definitely set them back[the crashes] and I think that they've used that as a way to avoid taking responsibility. Obviously for good reason, because we saw that Vino is among the best right now. He'll get better. I wouldn't count him out, that's for sure. It would be a mistake to write Vino' off."
Give me a break Levi!..unless of course you have inside info that they are bluffing..otherwise, let's see you take some responsibility!..He also slammed Vino as a self destructive person because of his attack style last week during a Versus interview done before the Tdf started.
"This yellow jersey feels like doping to me," he said. "It motivates me more than anything. I will fight to keep it."
by Michael Rasmussen at rest day press conference when he fielded pointed Qs from the press..
http://www.velonews.com/tour2007/details/articles/12785.0.html
Linus Gerdemann..I did a google search to find that he'd been with CSC in 2005 and went to (in what seemed a surprise to TMobile) in early 2006 before all the Operation Puerto scandals came out and Ullrich was still intact..I can certainly see why he'd want to be with a German team but it leaves me wondering why else he moved..
I also watched his post stage 7 interviews and was really impressed..he's got a still boyish face but his poise, humility and confidence was a pleasure to witness..
An interview with Linus Gerdemann, June 12, 2006
The next German wunderkind?
At the 2005 Tour de Suisse, a young CSC rider had his first big moment. Linus Gerdemann, then 22 years-old, won the seventh stage by attacking out of a highly-experienced, six-man breakaway group. Bjarne Riis' model student gave a flash of his talent for the first time in his career as a pro. Björn Scheele believes there's plenty more to come.
Linus Gerdemann
Photo ©: Hedwig Kröner (Click for larger image)
Everyone was thrilled, most of all his team manager. For Riis, Gerdemann is the greatest talent since Jan Ullrich. So far so good. But Linus Gerdemann showed that not only his legs can create surprises. His sudden change to T-Mobile this season was totally unexpected to most.
After a mediocre spring, Gerdemann is now getting back into gear and showed great tenacity at the Volta a Catalunya, still relishing his sixth place overall. "In the first quarter of the season, my results didn't really reflect my form," he says. "After Rund um Köln I got very ill. The Volta a Catalunya was pretty important to me because it made me realize that I can actually keep up with the Tour favourites in the mountains."
Reflecting back on his breakthrough win last year in Suisse, Gerdemann keeps saying it is his favourite race and wants to do as well, if not better, this time around. But he does not feel under pressure, because he knows his strength and knows he can impress. Along with Jan Ullrich, Gerdemann is going to tackle the Swiss Alps - some say because he wants to warm up for the Tour de France just like his captain.
"To me, the Tour de Suisse is one of the most beautiful races in the world. Our team will be strong. My form keeps getting better and I will try to shine at the next races," he says.
"Let's face it: Ivan Basso will be the man for Riis for years to come. I think, my team will open more doors for me."
- Despite enjoying a healthy relatiionship with Bjarne Riis, Linus Gerdemann says his change from CSC to T-Mobile is better for his future prospects
But he does not want to reveal all, Tour de France or no Tour de France. That is the question: "After the German [road] championship, I don't know what's coming," he says with a secretive smile, maybe with his thoughts travelling to the ascents of the Alps or the Pyrenees at the Grande Boucle...
But to turn back to the past again for a moment: Linus Gerdemann and Bjarne Riis seemed meant for each other. The CSC manager was raving about the new German and saw a new Ullrich in him. Yet Gerdemann decided to leave.
"Yes," he admits, "my change over to T-mobile was pretty short notice, but I had been in touch with Mario Kummer for a long time before. Hypothetically, we had been talking about a contract for 2007 and 2008. But I always let Bjarne Riis know that I was having these talks."
Most importantly, Gerdemann says, he feels very happy in his new team and has not regrets so far. "The cooperation with the sport directors is perfect, as you can see in my good results. Last year I wasn't this strong."
However, there are wild speculations as to why he changed teams so suddenly. Was it the money? Was it the prospect of taking Ullrich's throne? "Money really didn't matter for me," insists Gerdemann, although he admits T-Mobile is an excellent deal for every rider.
That winning feeling -
Photo ©: Sirotti (Click for larger image)
"What attracted me was T-Mobile's 'rejuvenation cure' nowadays. There are so many young talents, who will strengthen the team in the long run over the next few years. I see it as a challenge to be part of that.
"Prospects are very good at CSC, but they are even better for me with this young squad."
The now 23 year-old is particularly pleased to be in a German team because it makes him feel at home. And he believes it is the key to greater personal success. "Let's face it: Ivan Basso will be the man for Riis for years to come. I think, my team will open more doors for me," Gerdemann says.
But when asked about the general difference between CSC and T-Mobile, Linus Gerdemann knows no definite answer: "Every team is different. You can't compare structures at CSC and T-Mobile.
"I always enjoyed being at CSC and never regretted riding for Bjarne Riis. Both teams have their good sides. And they are both really excellent."
This may raise several questions: why was T-Mobile so keen to recruit Linus Gerdemann? Where does he see himself in this battle of the giants? And what is the wunderkind capable of? Only time will provide the answers.
Even though the young German comes across as friendly and modest, he does not lack the necessary confidence. "I started very young in this sport and caught on extremely fast. Not many do," he says.
And he is certainly proud to be one of the few.
he slammed the controls
By that I mean WADA, lndd and all that he's been trashing..
I listened to Landis' NPR interview today..sheesh, he was so friggin articulate..It took me by surprise..but he lost points from me..he dodged questions right and left..he wouldn't answer a caller's question about his personal opinion on doping!..instead he slammed the controls[yet again]..he kinda scared me..I was initially very sympathetic and believed him..not anymore and his interview gave me more reason..damn..
I'm so glad Lance is gone..his domination is the only TDF I know..his surgical style stands out for me this year..one reason I developed an affection for Vino was his constantly pushing in 2005..
I was so touched watching Linus Gerdemann
here he's on the podium for his stage win..my eyes got misty too..I was allowed to believe with much certainty that I was cheering for someone who did it without dope..
Indeed, Horner is impressive..I like how he put notice to potential employers about the pay-g- Zabriskie doesn't seem mature enough..although, I must admit that "waht game play" took me by surprise and I lol'd..
My biggest gripe about the VS coverage is that they've not dealt with the doping issues with the kind of depth that we viewers need and deserve..a striking example for me was when they did the segment about Tom Simpson's tragic death..Bobke explained that the controls[I learned began upon his autopsy findings] are about keeping cyclists from hurting themselves as current controls are..that's it..one sentence..
If I had your experience and caliber in this sport, I'd be super frustrated..but folk like me learn tidbits that we can research further..
More Liggettisms: I love #5 “He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever talk to, he doesn’t speak English”
Truth be told, I've had the TV on Versus all day/eve whenever I've been home..I love this sport..
Liggettism #1 “Listen now as you hear the swish of the carbon fiber wheel.”
Wow! Discovery has gone green. Good on you guys! Disco looked strong.
Liggettism #2 “…as he gets the power to those beautiful bronze legs”
Liggett gave a shoutout to his local pub. I see a free one in his future. Paul went on to add, “there will be a few pints tickled today”
Arizona gets a mention from Paul. Unfortunately, he pointed out that we bought the wrong bloody bridge.
Liggettism #3 “the crowd will shout out to him in English” ya think?
VERSUS doing a bit of PR with their Tdf promo mentioning the crowning of “…the one PURE champion”
O’Grady DOWN but certainly not holding anything back. McEwen might as well have ridden a cruiser.
Liggettism #4 “Karpets, painfully on the nose of that saddle”
Oh to have a live non-commercial feed!
Pre race interview with Hincapie. I could have sworn I saw a photo of Lindsey Lohan wearing those same sunglasses.
Liggettism #5 “He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever talk to, he doesn’t speak English”
Liggettism #6 (referring to Valverde) “He was in Crackin form last year. I shouldn’t say Crackin cuz he broke his collarbone”
Liggettism #7 (referring to Rasmussan) “Every time he got on his bike he promptly fell off again”
Anyone notice Levi’s Tigershark tooth helmet?
Liggettism #8 (Wiggens) “Although he was born in Belgium, he won’t remember that.”
Cancellara takes it. (or, “Canchalara” as Phil pronounces it. Or “Canchalada” as Boll Roll pronounces it)
I do believe our own Efraim is 1 for 1 in predictions.
Loved Liggett's exclamation: "Well, it serves them right!" in trashing the sprinters for looking around at each other and letting Cancellara get the jump on them.
I loved it too..I found a pointer to these "Liggetisms' over at DP..some of these are too funny..like #3
Liggettisms: Stage 1
Liggettism #1 (guy riding the back wheel of a breakaway) “He’s certainly the least happy of the men”
Liggettism #2 (Roads in England) “We’ve got roads in every direction.”
Liggettism #3 (goudhurst hill) “a rather famous hill for club rides. Now that I’ve seen it, I’ll make sure I never go there on my bike.”
Liggettism #4 “Thighs tapping out the tempo”
Liggettism #5 (with 90km to go) “These folks will not be thinking about Belgium right now or even the boat trip to Dunkerque”
Liggettism #6 “Nobody knows this road because no one’s standing on the side.”
Liggettism #7 (Castle flyover) “Hat’s off to the gardener”
Liggettism #8 (Train) “Must have a fine head of steam to keep playing with his whistle like that”
Liggettism #9 (points sprint) “Millar says, ‘I’ll have none of that’”.
Liggettism #10 “The pace is upping now”
Liggettism #11 “We’re on British Roads here”
Liggettism #12 (breakaway getting caught) “These are the leaders in a spot of bother”
Liggettism #13 (crash) “There’s Lancaster taking a hard sit down”
Sherwinism #1: “You can’t spend a lot of time on the ground thinking about whether you’re hurt or not”
Liggettism #14 “Sprinters are out now, they’ve got their bear teeth” (sounded more like “bird teeth” but…)
Liggettism #15 (McEwen) “Robbie still has those twitch fibers to deliver the blows”
Liggettism #16 “…stamping away on Farthing Common”
Liggettism #17 “Is this the first or last day of the Tour de France?”
Liggettism #18 “Blue skies overhead. Blue jerseys at the front”
Liggettism #19 “Another tactic is to just block the road so no one gets through”
Liggettism #20 “Robbie McEwen the man from nowhere. Welcome home!”
Sherwinism #2: “Like a magical poker player”
Liggettism #21 “There’s the two arm salute”
Liggettism #22 “Someone said something he didn’t like to leave the peloton at that speed”
And a Robbie McEwen win wouldn’t be complete without the “Harry Potter invisibility cloak” reference.
http://www.bicycleradio.com/blog/?p=23
I too was quite surprised re: Saul Raisin..here's a web reference to it..
http://www.daveshields.com/Saul.html
It's toward the bottom in the "More about Saul' section..
btw, He's marrying Dave Z's sister..they met in an airport after a Tour of Utah..she'd come to see Dave<how sweet!>
As a teenager Saul Raisin was teased because of his curved spine. He responded by standing unusually erect for someone with his condition and training incredibly hard on his bicycle. It wasn’t until he reached the elite level of cycling that tests revealed this unique combination of factors had produced an amazing result: Saul’s lungs had double the normal capacity and his heart approached three times the average size. He’d effectively turned a significant social challenge into a major physiological advantage.