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59th Vuelta a España - GT
Spain, September 4-26, 2004
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Hangin’ In There: The Floyd Landis Vuelta diary
During the Tour de France in 2002, Cyclingnews first welcomed Floyd Landis as a reporter. The talented, gutsy, 28 year old former mountain biker had ridden his way to a start in the Tour as a key part of Lance Armstrong’s USPS squad, and went on to distinguish himself as an key member of the now legendary “Blue Train” at Le Tour.
Floyd also endeared himself to Cyclingnews readers for his unique take on life in the peloton, and in the 2004 Vuelta he continues his exclusive journal “Hangin’ In There.”
Looking forward to the TT
Vuelta Stages 3-6 - September 6-8, 2004
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Benicarló!
I am just finding some time to get back to you guys while I am waiting for the start of Stage 6 of the Vuelta. I have been struggling to find time and then last night our bus broke down! So here I am this morning now struggling with the slow connection in the Village. But here goes.
Stage Five as you would have seen by now was the start of the excitement, the first day with any real selection. For our part at USPS it's great to still have the golden jersey, this time worn by Triki (Beltran) and we are still following see how it goes plan. We are looking for some stage wins and generally just seeing how things fall into place. So far, so good.
I am looking forward to Saturday's time trial - it should be good for me but after that we have four mountain top finishes in a row - ouch! We will certainly start to see what's going on very soon I imagine.
Speaking of the time trial I think you should keep an eye on my teammate Dave Zabrinski - I would bet that he will be in the top five. Dave is going to help me out by letting me know his time splits so that way I will have a good guide as to how I am going when I am out on the road.
Of the others Tyler will be fast of course. He has had a bit of bad luck but he will be all right - he is strong. He fell down, but a lot of people have fallen this week.
Aitor Gonzalez looks good as well. But it is a bit hard to say what he will do as he hasn't really been good for a while - like he was a couple of years ago. Dave is here with me now and keeps butting in - he says "he is still the TerminAitor".
Obviously Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano should go well on this profile and render a good time. I am not too sure how many of the climbers will go, I don't know how they time trial on the flat. And I don't know what Valverde will do. Beloki, well I am not sure about him either; I am not sure whether he has got the form yet. He will come back, that's for sure, but it's still early.
Manolo Saiz, the Liberty director has been talking about me. I hear he said I am someone to worry about. On the other hand I have been told that I will be this year's Isidrio Nozal - that is, I will take the lead back in the Valencia time trial but when it comes to the mountain time trial up Sierra Nevada I will lose the race.
One thing is for sures Manolo likes to speak his mind. I think it is all pretty funny. But he says what he thinks and that's fine by me. He is always good for that. One thing is for sure: Roberto Heras looks strong and there is no question that he is the favourite for this Vuelta.
Hasta mañana,
Floyd
Stage 3 results
Stage 4 results
Stage 5 results
Stage 6 results