Leipheimer leapfrogs Contador in Argentina
Levi Leipheimer took charge of the Tour de San Luis after setting the fastest time in the stage four individual time trial, relegating Alberto Contador to fourth place overall.
The American Omega Pharma-QuickStep rider finished the 19.5km race against the clock 33 seconds ahead of Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale).
Stefan Schumacher of Christina Watches-Ofone was third, 38 seconds off Leipheimer,
Leipheimer tops the GC, 53 seconds ahead of Germany's Schumacher, with Nibali 55 seconds off the lead in third.
Contador was a minute down from the American, dropping to fourth overall, 57s off Leipheimer.
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And Chris, if you say you don't care until the Tour and whine about result before the Tour, that just makes you a hypocrite. Most of us like the races year round. From the Mud soaked Cyclocross riders to the Psychotic demons on the track who will be 5 years from now's green jerseys, we like them all. And if early races don't matter take the podiums from Paris Nice & look ahead 3 years to the podiums of the TdF. If you just watched 'le tour', you would have thought that riders like Roche & Indurain just showed up one day. If you followed Paris- Nice, you would know the difference.
Lua- do you really want to start this now? Here's the deal- tell me where I can find a legitimate published case against Leipheimer ANYWHERE and I won't start laughing at you. Everyone knows that your precious Contador is a more talented rider. But Levi's no slouch and brings good form to early races every year. So just pack up your cheap bottle of whine and show a little respect for a good rider. Follow the example of your hero Alberto and show some class.
nice job levi!!
It is not the Tour De France so who cares!!
I'd say expected. Surely Levi's looking to peak at the Tour of California in May and Contador the Tour de France in July meaning the American should be a couple of months ahead. Good to see them racing and good to see them promote the sport.
Same with Green Edge in oz, obviously it's just a pre-season roll around however you've got to take your chances when they come up so fair play to that.
That's the beautiful thing about cycling, lot's of different riders with lot's of different abilities and goals hitting form at different times in the season meaning everyone's got a chance at some point of shining above the rest.
Interesting how cyclists know who is on better form. Saw someone knock Levi the other day when he said he was going to take the jersey in the ITT. It's not being 'Arrogant'. It's just that cyclists know who's on better form. Levi's issue in the Tour isn't the ITT. It's that one bad day in the mountains. This could be his year, although I think Martin will prove slightly better and relegate Levi to the position of super domestique again. Martin's never had to be leader in the mountains though so plenty of time for predictions to go wrong.
These early season races serve the main purpose of putting racing kilometres into the legs of the riders and to hone their preparation and fitness for the impending European classics and grand tours. However, races such as the Tour Down Under and the Tour de San Luis in Argentinian are also important to those countries in promoting cycling as a mainstream sport and to the sport in general in more globalisation. So, for us back here in Europe, whilst these events have little coverage, and the Mid East tours are pretty boring compared with home grown events, they are immensely important to the riders. No, it doesn't really matter who wins the Tour de San Luis but if the guys such as Leipheimer and Contador et al are battling it out on the road and providing entertainment, that's very important and it displays a professional attitude.
Tell Leiphiemer it's only January his ride doesn't matter a hoot after sticking a minute into Contador over 19.5kms. Go tell Simon Gerrans and the GreenEdge boys its only January and The Tour Down Under doesn't count and they're there only to promote cycling in Australia, or Stefan Schumacher is 3rd place doesn't count or matter ...Chapeau Levi on a superb ride!! I doubt you're near 100% yet either. I'm sure you, Contador and the rest weren't thinking of anything other than the race and beating eachother when youse were getting time checks throughout the TT. If youse weren't I don't know how youse became world class cyclists without a competitive streak, simple as that. Whatever happened to enjoying the sport in the moment!?!?! Who cares if it's only January and the season has only begun? Nobody's going to be riding full tilt yet, not by a country mile, but really who cares? I don't!! A race is a race. Every race is brilliant!! Thanks for the entertainment boys and for giving us a race in January!!
Whilst it's great to see Levi put a minute in over Contador in a TT, we do have to remember it's January and in no way is this showing any kind of real form for 2012. Contador isn't going to be riding 100%, or even 90%, this early. He;s there to fine tune and because the sponsors want him there heping raise the profile of cycling in Argentina.
Levi-tation! Go Levi!
Go.
Great ride Levi. Ian is wrong, Leiphiemer can win the tour without a doubt. Go Levi.
He can win the "Peanut Races". The Tour ...No.
Very cool Levi !
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