Let's hear it for 'old guys'..Tafi thread

[Pearsom]

Everything I've read says he has the miles in his legs... BUT do we know what his power numbers look like?

FWIW, I'd like to see it happen... and I think the right sponsor, willing to take the risk, could see big ROI. But I agree with many here that it seems unlikely

[MattTuck]

Originally Posted by Pearsom

Everything I've read says he has the miles in his legs... BUT do we know what his power numbers look like?

FWIW, I'd like to see it happen... and I think the right sponsor, willing to take the risk, could see big ROI. But I agree with many here that it seems unlikely

I have to imagine teams have a pretty good sense of what it takes to be competitive in the race. So if he was serious and had the numbers, he should post them to prove this is more than a publicity stunt.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

I think we all want to see this happen just for the entertainment value also why hasn’t he offered to compensate the team for his salary if he’s so loaded?

Why even seek the attention if you've got an Italian villa?

[campy man]

Originally Posted by MattTuck

Well, there are a bunch of continental teams that don't really have a shot at winning. If Tafi could bring some eyeballs to their sponsor, that might be considered "money well spent." This is an entertainment business, and the point is to get your jerseys seen on TV and mentioned, so the sponsor gets a return on their investment. Maybe you put it in terms of "old pro passing the torch to younger riders", or "Roubaix veteran gives the secrets of the cobbles to a new generation"... hopefully, you can do that without implying that the secret he is passing is a brown paper bag.

Sure, there are teams like Hagen Berman Axeon that are really committed to developing riders. But many continental teams are just trying to survive and this could help bring in sponsor dollars.

+1 ... if Tafi has the fitness and can find a team willing to give him a shot than why not let him ride? I would much rather hear about his preparation and experience than stories about 90 yo & Cat 3 dopers.

As long as he's clean and rides a bike with no disks ... I'm good

[54ny77]

Might as well add Hincapie in there as domestique, and Lance as team captain.

Team 4 Hour Old Guys p/b Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer and Tommy Bahama.

[mtechnica]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Why even seek the attention if you've got an Italian villa?

Maybe the dude just wants to race his bike?

[Heisenberg]

Originally Posted by mtechnica

Maybe the dude just wants to race his bike?

Maybe the dude should go to a fondo. Eurofondos are already pro races at the front with plenty of shady pasts to go 'round.

We need to be culling folks of his generation from the ranks, not adding them.

[FlashUNC]

Originally Posted by Heisenberg

Maybe the dude should go to a fondo. Eurofondos are already pro races at the front with plenty of shady pasts to go 'round.

We need to be culling folks of his generation from the ranks, not adding them.

1000%. And I count myself as a Tafi fan. But time to move on.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Jaybee

Bio passport aside, why would any team use a spot for his ego project when they could develop some 23 year old who will happily ferry bottles and give up his wheel when the time comes?

C’mon fellas. Pro cycling is just a big publicity event. Any angle scheme dream or gimmick that gets the sponsors more camera time or the commentators talking about your team is a good thing.

And I agree. I haven’t watched a pro tour with interest since LA
Launched his over the hill campaign. We all knew he couldn’t win; and most people hate him; but it’s interesting and entertaining to watch. Generally I think watching pro cycling is very dull.

[Spoker]

Was it Nys that said he would be spit out the back in the first 2 hours?
45 kmh average means 60 kmh from the corners at times.

[dbnm]

As someone who just turned 50 (yesterday), I hope he finds a team and does well. If he still has the mental stamina, he might have a chance.

[dancinkozmo]

Tafi at his first team meeting...

[Heisenberg]

Originally Posted by Spoker

Was it Nys that said he would be spit out the back in the first 2 hours?
45 kmh average means 60 kmh from the corners at times.

He would. Those kinds of anaerobic efforts are difficult to repeat for 4-7hrs when you're north of 45.

Doubt he'd last at Redlands, even.

[tsarpepe]

Originally Posted by FlashUNC

Why even seek the attention if you've got an Italian villa?

Gets old fast.

[DarkStar]

Originally Posted by Spoker

Was it Nys that said he would be spit out the back in the first 2 hours?
45 kmh average means 60 kmh from the corners at times.

Faster than 60kph!