Standout TTs
rick_chasey
Posts: 63,443 Lives Here
Time for a bit of off season fun.
Now, I'm not one for TTs. Find them a necessary evil, but treat them like an off-day watching more often than not.
However, even though they're riding on their own, with (usually) no visual reference, occasionally, there's a TT which is such an athletic achievement that just comes alive from the TV.
I'm not talking the most exciting in terms of a contest, like the the closest TT. We can all think of that Lemond TT for example, and many other close run TTs. Not talking the TT victories if your favourite riders, I'm talking where you sit back, jaw dropped, astounded by the athletic achievement. It's so good, it makes you sit up and notice.
Here's 2 for starters.
Cancellara's Mendrisio TT in the 2009 Worlds. So good he literally passed every rival, and still had enough time to sit up and take it easy, salute the crowd for the last 500m. Even the speed with which he passes his rivals is just bonkers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha26GN_RLNc
Ulrich, Stage 12, 2003 Tour Cap Découverte. 40 degrees heat. Everyone else is wilting. Ullrich turns up off the back of a 'protein overdose' (more likely some dodgy doping) fever. No-one seems to be able to find their rhythm, not even Lance. But Ulrich just eats up the kilometres (like he's eating cake in the off season) on an undulating course at 50kph. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34QSWcKEfu0
Now, I'm not one for TTs. Find them a necessary evil, but treat them like an off-day watching more often than not.
However, even though they're riding on their own, with (usually) no visual reference, occasionally, there's a TT which is such an athletic achievement that just comes alive from the TV.
I'm not talking the most exciting in terms of a contest, like the the closest TT. We can all think of that Lemond TT for example, and many other close run TTs. Not talking the TT victories if your favourite riders, I'm talking where you sit back, jaw dropped, astounded by the athletic achievement. It's so good, it makes you sit up and notice.
Here's 2 for starters.
Cancellara's Mendrisio TT in the 2009 Worlds. So good he literally passed every rival, and still had enough time to sit up and take it easy, salute the crowd for the last 500m. Even the speed with which he passes his rivals is just bonkers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha26GN_RLNc
Ulrich, Stage 12, 2003 Tour Cap Découverte. 40 degrees heat. Everyone else is wilting. Ullrich turns up off the back of a 'protein overdose' (more likely some dodgy doping) fever. No-one seems to be able to find their rhythm, not even Lance. But Ulrich just eats up the kilometres (like he's eating cake in the off season) on an undulating course at 50kph. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34QSWcKEfu0
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1987 Tour de France every single CLM seemed like an epic battle. Keeping in mind they were a 90km (ish) run over lumpy roads, then the one to Ventoux and then the final that decide the race it's no suprise.
Unlike Rick I love TTs.
Delgado's performance in the 89 tour prologue was also memorable, though perhaps not for the reasons you are looking for...
Not really.
What was so exceptional about it, other than it was a brit?
Weirdo.
Makes sense.
A lot to go wrong in 90km odd.
Can't see those making GTs more competitive nowadays mind.
Like if an African nation played out a turgid 1-0 world cup final to finally win that would also be massive.
Yah, that's what I meant by athletic performance - to avoid the jingoism colouring the answers
Ultimately it was a fairly conventional TT from a Tour winning TT specialist. Competition wasn't that fierce, nor did he really wipe the floor and make you think 'didn't know anyone could go that fast'.
Yeah, but I wasn't blown away by either ride.
It was just close.
2005 Tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN_dUmUjAPE
Can't have been that good a TT - didn't even win the stage.
Think it was more Ulrich being slow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGNHFFgcPQs
DD.
the speed he takes those corner is unreal!
Great shout.
Almost beat the motorbikes
Fastest TT ever at the time wasn't it?
Beat Roche by 49 secs over 20km.
Something about the lack of TT kit that makes it seem a lot more about just cycling faster - looks like what I see on embankment most mornings and evenings - only bit more grass and a bit faster
MTB
NEW Cross
Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
This is memorable for the wrong reasons, it's now the third fastest ever but it's over twice as long as the first and second place efforts and the tech is 8 years older. This just shows how supercharged they were!
Tour de France 2005 - Stage 4 Part 2/2 Team Time …: http://youtu.be/q7Hvav3gAok
MTB
NEW Cross
Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
Sure - but as most TTs are as dull as dishwater, it was exciting to see one so close. Usually you know who will win by the halfway point!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcK9gTj0kT4
Check out the top 5.
Indurain 1h 19m 31s
De La Cuevas @ 3m 00s
Bugno @ 3m 41s
Jaskula @ 3m 47s
Lemond @ 4m 04s
Pow. Exactly. Good one.
LeBlanc had said earlier that he was not impressed with Boardmans hour record..." half the peloton could do that."
After smashing past him on the road, in a post race interview Boardman is quoted to have said "at least we know which half he's in."
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.
MTB
NEW Cross
Track/Grass Track/Winter bike
Absolute monster ride.
Never, Never put the 2 best riders (on past performances) off the start line with only a minute between them.
A bit like some Idiot Midlands District officials allowing a field placing of a Road race champion starting number 119 and Cottington number 120 breaking Competition Record which was not allowed because 119 followed him home. B*stards.
Whenever I went to a TT, I would make sure I have a watch and a Start Sheet otherwise it is "Boring".
While on the continent with a copy of L'equipe I found people looking over my shoulder for increased interest about who was leading so far.
The BBC have never grasped how to present a cycle race since the days they made a fool of themselves at Herne Hill.
If they are Bright enough they might study how the Continent TV do such a good job with Downhill Skiing and their "Mi Nute" intermediate times. (I know minute and minute are spelt the same)
(some sort of World Champion)
Cancellara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqyyNrOIatU winning the Tour of Suisse but this clip spoils the sound of his bike on the Pave. (In Bern I think it was)
Sean Yates on many occasions
Obree winning Champion 50 mile in Thanet where at Manston Airport he caught his 5 minute man who was the reigning Best All Round Champion.