Levi Leipheimer's Disappointing 2006 Tour de France
http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/28/1/Levi-Leipheimer039s-Disappointing-2006-Tour-de-France/Page1.html
By James Raia
Published on 06/20/2007
After 21 days and more than 2,200 miles of racing in six countries, Levi Leipheimer concluded the Tour de France safely and absorbing the final stage's celebratory waning miles along the famed Champs Elysees.
But Leipheimer, a pre-race favorite, finished a disappointing 13th overall after finishing 35 inthe final stage in the main field.
Leipheimer was the second of six American finishers trailing compatriot race winner Floyd Landis by 19 minutes and 22 seconds.
Leipheimer has three top-10 overall Tour finishes and his sixth place last year made him the leading returning 2005 entrant.
But the part-time Santa Rosa rider's chances for top finish were squelched in the seventh stage to Rennes when he finished 96th in the race's first of two individual time trials.
After 21 days and more than 2,200 miles of racing in six countries, Levi Leipheimer concluded the Tour de France safely and absorbing the final stage's celebratory waning miles along the famed Champs Elysees.But Leipheimer, a pre-race favorite, finished a disappointing 13th overall after finishing 35 inthe final stage in the main field.
Leipheimer was the second of six American finishers trailing compatriot race winner Floyd Landis by 19 minutes and 22 seconds.
Leipheimer has three top-10 overall Tour finishes and his sixth place last year made him the leading returning 2005 entrant.
But the part-time Santa Rosa rider's chances for top finish were squelched in the seventh stage to Rennes when he finished 96th in the race's first of two individual time trials.
(This article originally appeared in the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat on July 24, 2006.)
PARIS — After 21 days and more than 2,200 miles of racing in six countries, Levi Leipheimer concluded the Tour de France safely and absorbing the final stage's celebratory waning miles along the famed Champs Elysees.
But Leipheimer, a pre-race favorite, finished a disappointing 13th overall after finishing 35 inthe final stage in the main field.
Leipheimer was the second of six American finishers trailing compatriot race winner Floyd Landis by 19 minutes and 22 seconds.
Leipheimer has three top-10 overall Tour finishes and his sixth place last year made him the leading returning 2005 entrant.
But the part-time Santa Rosa rider's chances for top finish were squelched in the seventh stage to Rennes when he finished 96th in the race's first of two individual time trials.
"It's not a mystery what happened," said Leipheimer, who wouldn't elaborate. "But I'm past it. It was a bad result and that's all that counts."
Four stages later, Leipheimer was in position to claim the race's second mountain stage at Pla de Beret in the Pyrenees. But Leipheimer was beaten at the line by Russian Denis Menchov.
Again disasppointed, Leipheimer was near tears at the end of the stage.
Leipheimer tried again in subsequent mountain stages and he often went to the front. But each time, he the was caught by the field. He was award the most aggressive rider in the 17th stage to Morziine after riding at the front of the race, but eventually falling back to the field.
"All of was doing at that point was going for stages," said Leipheimer. "If I wanted to race for 9th or 10th place I would have suffered more to Morzine, But I didn't really care (about the overall standings) at that point. I was just going for stage wins.
"There was so much that went on. Strasbourg seems like a year ago, so I can't come up with a word or sentence that describes the whole Tour."
As expected, Leipheimer was also the leading finiser for Gerolsteiner, the squad sponsored by tghe German water manufacturer.
Leipheimer is in the second year of a two-year contract and he confirmed he's completed negotiations for a new contract. But he wouldn't reveal for which team or the contract's details.
Hans-Michael Holcczer, the Gerolsteiner team manager said, "The major problem is that in the time trial we still don't know what happened But what can I say? That made the difference. He wasn't bad in the mountains. But yet in then end, he had no more motivation."
Leipheimer will defend his Tour of Germany title beginning August 1.
"I'm going, yes," he said with a chuckle. "But I have no expectations."
PARIS — After 21 days and more than 2,200 miles of racing in six countries, Levi Leipheimer concluded the Tour de France safely and absorbing the final stage's celebratory waning miles along the famed Champs Elysees.
But Leipheimer, a pre-race favorite, finished a disappointing 13th overall after finishing 35 inthe final stage in the main field.
Leipheimer was the second of six American finishers trailing compatriot race winner Floyd Landis by 19 minutes and 22 seconds.Leipheimer has three top-10 overall Tour finishes and his sixth place last year made him the leading returning 2005 entrant.
But the part-time Santa Rosa rider's chances for top finish were squelched in the seventh stage to Rennes when he finished 96th in the race's first of two individual time trials.
"It's not a mystery what happened," said Leipheimer, who wouldn't elaborate. "But I'm past it. It was a bad result and that's all that counts."
Four stages later, Leipheimer was in position to claim the race's second mountain stage at Pla de Beret in the Pyrenees. But Leipheimer was beaten at the line by Russian Denis Menchov.
Again disasppointed, Leipheimer was near tears at the end of the stage.
Leipheimer tried again in subsequent mountain stages and he often went to the front. But each time, he the was caught by the field. He was award the most aggressive rider in the 17th stage to Morziine after riding at the front of the race, but eventually falling back to the field.
"All of was doing at that point was going for stages," said Leipheimer. "If I wanted to race for 9th or 10th place I would have suffered more to Morzine, But I didn't really care (about the overall standings) at that point. I was just going for stage wins.
"There was so much that went on. Strasbourg seems like a year ago, so I can't come up with a word or sentence that describes the whole Tour."
As expected, Leipheimer was also the leading finiser for Gerolsteiner, the squad sponsored by tghe German water manufacturer.
Leipheimer is in the second year of a two-year contract and he confirmed he's completed negotiations for a new contract. But he wouldn't reveal for which team or the contract's details.
Hans-Michael Holcczer, the Gerolsteiner team manager said, "The major problem is that in the time trial we still don't know what happened But what can I say? That made the difference. He wasn't bad in the mountains. But yet in then end, he had no more motivation."
Leipheimer will defend his Tour of Germany title beginning August 1.
"I'm going, yes," he said with a chuckle. "But I have no expectations."