Ever hear the expression “age and treachery will always triumph over youth and skill”? As Team Radioshack continues its exhaustive search for the perfect combination of strength and skill for the 2010 roster, age appears to be a prime, and positive, attribute. As for the treachery, there is no real subterfuge but a whole Mont Ventoux of “been there, done that”. So far, signed team members average 33 years old with Gert Steegmans and Bewley being the youngest turning 30 and 23 respectively next year.
What must peers be thinking about this group of competitors, well into their third decade of breathing, but coming hard and fast to an Alp near you…better get used to finishing second. Why, because experience wins races, especially stage races, where teamwork is tantamount to success. Look at this years Tour de France. Astana and Bruyneel assembled a juggernaut of “experienced” pros that sans Levi Leipheimer’s crash in Stage 12 would have most certainly finished with four riders in the final GC top ten. Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong have quickly reassembled the core riders of that success story under the banner Team Radioshack.
So, still think Radio Shack is crazy for entering the pro cycling arena at this time and with this team? Okay, but remember the infidels that said Lance Armstrong was too old and too long out of the sport to succeed at last years TDF. He only finished on the podium…again! Yeah Radio Shack is crazy…crazy like a fox. What do I think? Let the “treachery” begin!
By Todd Huff, staff writer.
Team Radioshack – The Age Factor
That is a well done and enthusiastic article. It will be a interesting season next year and sure to be a epic battle in le tour 2010
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And there is another saying that is highly appropriate for this situation:
“beware of an old man in a hurry”
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I think this is one smart move by LA and Johan. They have grinders to wear teams down, climbers to lead into the climbs…and most are over 30 with about 3-4 TDF finishes atleast. Meaning as LA did last year on a team that was pretty much AC. This team has skills that like Lance did in this past TDF…stole time using his brain. He saw small gaps or escapes and went with the ones he knew could gain time and help him gain a higher finish spot. Not till AC got the yellow did LA work for him or vise versa really. Then, as the TDF unwritten law states, LA worked for AC…kinda. Now, with LA the no doubt leader from day 1…all the tactics of this “older” team will be in effect and should produce results as good or better than 2009.
No shock to me if LA wins #8 the way the team is made.
Sorry… forgot to say great post – can’t wait to read your next one!
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Let me lead out by thanking Todd Huff for an excellent article and by agreeing with much of his arguments for the strong team that Lance, Johan and probably several less visible members of Team Shack. However, in putting together and managing the team’s older racers, they must have realized and planned for several unique challenges, including: loss of fast twitch muscle fibers; increased levels of lactic acid; more injuries; decreasing VO2 max; and “burn-out” from years of racing.
To be sure, everyone on Team Shack are extraordinarily unique, not just in past accomplishments, but in future potential. I am confident that Team Shack’s medical support and coaches are among the best in the world and as a 50 something cyclist, I will be very interested in their approach to minimizing the aging racers’ challenges, even as they maximize their experience advantage.
I would love to know their nutritional and training regimens, as I bet their competitors would want to know. Hopefully, we will get to see some UTube training vignettes to motivate the rest of us regular humans.
In my opinion, it will take the best team Lance has ever had to pull off a win, or even a podium at the TdF 2010. Not just Contador, but Schleck, Wiggins and others will be very strong.
OK Lance fans – back on the bike!
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A good perspective on Team RadioShack. It would still be great to see Andy Schleck on the team. I believe I read that LA talked to him. When does his current contract end?
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The question – So, still think Radio Shack is crazy for entering the pro cycling arena at this time and with this team?
This is a brilliant move by Radio Shack. They don’t need a finisher in the top three, although they’ll have one, as entering pro cycling and partnering with Lance has already paid them dividends.
Personally, I’ve been to the Radio Shack website several times looking for the new jersey. Let’s not forget this an advertising opportunity for RS and they have the man who brought cycling back into the US mainstream and millions of new fans to the sport. Its a win, win.
Looking forward to seeing them in France!
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