I don't understand this. If he passed all of his drug tests, how can they do this?

I must read more about it as it makes no sense.

Heartbreaking, truly.

Live Strong Lance.

I was just looking at Tour of Britain. Day one at 123 miles and under 5 hour completion. Dang.

I think that the only thing left available to watch are some clips... which are great to watch too. Would have loved to see some of the live coverage!

I tend to miss the live coverage. One time I was on a bike trip during TDF and kept stopping at local pubs/sports bars for meals because I knew they'd have the race on and I could catch snippets.
It's cyclocross season though so I need to get to some of that for live action!

Anybody watch Lance on Oprah tonight?

Even though I felt pretty confident that it was true when I heard that Floyd spoke on it, I didn't listen to the interview because I really didn't want to believe it.

After he lost his titles I knew I couldn't deny it.

But, watching him "yes", to Oprah over and over again...man, weird, but it brought tears to my eyes. And I think that it is not even all about Lance, but is about the fact that this incredible story of one man winning 7 tours, simply isn't true. That is a bummer. But, if everyone was clean would Lance have won 7 times? Maybe. Sucks we will never know.

i'm not taking up for lance, ... he cheated. and lied time after time. and it's about more than just lance. what i keep thinking about is how so many times the folks that are supposed to be checking the steroid use, ... looked the other way. paid off or whatever. lance isn't the only one guilty. pro cycling from top to bottom is guilty. has to be. they knew what he was doing. greed.

I feel for all the people he harassed, bullied, and went after to keep his cheating a secret. I imagine it's a bittersweet vindication for the reporters and writers who were threatened or intimidated by him.

I also feel for all the athletes that didn't cheat who didn't have a fair chance.

I have absolutely no sympathy for Armstrong and no respect for him. He shows no remorse. I feel like he's only confessing because he wants to race again and participate in triathlons, or because there are financial concerns. I know the statute of limitations for perjury charges expired so he can't be charged.

I am also bothered by the number of people who think he should get a free pass because he set up Livestrong, or because "everyone does it."

in the oprah interview, all i got was he is so full of himself. now i don't know his heart. i'm not judging. but he has lied so much that he doesn't know what truth is. i think there's a good kind of intimidation. (but his) i could feel the "superstar" intimidation. his kind was unsettling. wow. and on the news, it's just about money. that's what its always been about.

oprah did a good job, in my opinion. she didn't pet him. now the part 2 show, ... poor poor pitiful me might be engaged. it's entertainment no matter who does the interview. again, greed plays a part.

I understand why you are confused Anya, this is what he was explaining last night on the interview. At the time they couldn't detect what he was doing the tests weren't that advanced. This is what blows my mind too because really if they couldn't detect it then, he was then cleared. So how can they come back and say he cheated when really at the time it wasn't visible by the lab. Of course he admitted to doping last night but like he said 95% of the tour is doped. I think it says a lot about what kind of pressure these guys are put in to win at All Costs. He said that coming back out of retirement screwed him. It essentially showed he had doped in the past. He regrets it now. I am looking forward to the rest of the interview. I feel bad for his mom and his kids, especially his son, since there was a clip about his son being his biggest supporter and how he lied to them all.

Tour 2013
 

2013 Le Tour de France!!

Who else is watching? My cable was out and got it fixed today, only to find out that the channel the tour is on this year is not in my current plan. Grrr...so I just upgraded in order to be able to watch. It gets activated tomorrow. Until then, I will be watching clips.

Who are everyone's favorites this year?

I haven't been able to watch the Tour because I have been away at the beach where I have no cable. Yes, I am hoping for Froome as well. Honestly though, I have no real emotional investment in any rider winning.

Contador...yep, can't stand the guy.

Today's a rest day.

I was able to see a bit of yesterday's stage (9) and I will admit I have a bit of Froome fever. Yes, it is much more fun if you have a favorite!

Oh, no worries, I am WAY out of the loop this year...just found out today is a rest day. I woke up hoping to watch as I came home late last night.

Finally, I will be able to sit and watch a stage tomorrow (well the 3 hour recap in the evening).

So, glad Martin got the stage today (just watched it). It would have been so sad if the poor chap waited 4 hours only to lose!

I am happy to see Froome continuing to do well!

I have to admit I am really liking Kittel!

I have never been much of a Cav fan, but I remember you are, Daktari, so you are probably disappointed that he lost the sprint today.

Disappointed for Cav (arrogant barsteward but so very talented) yes but hey, Kittel was truly awesome! It's the first time I recall seeing Cav beaten from behind in that manner for a very, very long time. All power to young Mr.K.

It's such a shame that Edvald Boasson Hagen is out with a badly busted up shoulder...broken humerus and scapula (classic cycling injuries). He's been one of the rocks that Team Sky has been built on that allows the likes of Wiggo and Froomey to shine so brightly. His loss, along with Kanstantin Siutsou earlier in the race means Froome is down to a support team of six. :|

It's another sprint today...Go Cav!! :cheesy:

I have a new respect for Cavendish and I am glad that he won today.

I was very impressed that prior to today's race, he acknowledged his loss yesterday was about Kittle having a better day (rather than making excuses for losing). More than that, he was open enough to admit that perhaps he is being replaced as the best sprinter, in the same way that he replaced whoever was best when he came on the scene.

Yep, I got some new respect for Cav, who like you said has always been a cocky man.

It made me smile to see him win today. He was so happy, like a little boy getting a new bicycle! ha! Good to see him get that record of winning the most stages of anyone (25).

The Contador activity/Froome added to it being an interesting stage today. I hope you got to see some of it, Daktari.

Today was the first time in years that i've been able to actually been able to watch the Tour. My brother and I had an enjoyable morning watching the race and trying to figure out what was going on.

I thought todays leg was pretty intense.

The tour is on in the mornings here, when I am at work. I see 3 hours of "Primetime" coverage in the evenings. 3 hours really is a large block of time to give up, to be honest, so I will be on the computer catching up on email/work while it is on, as well. I have to tell you that I go through this sense of "loss" at the end of each tour every year. It get woven into the fabric of your evenings that then is all of a sudden gone!

Thanks for the article. Yes, it is certainly going to be tough for the "boys" this week.

Finally I can make comment on the 15th stage! I saw the highlights (about 30 minutes worth), and yes, it was great to watch!

Contador....grrr...I really hate that guy. Is it me, or is he always selfish and never takes his turn? Something I noticed many a time....

Congrats Daktari for another win for the Brits!

What a way to celebrate Colombia's Independence Day!

Nairo Quintana is making us proud :)

"Riding his debut Tour, Quintana’s maiden stage victory also secured the 23-year-old Colombian the polka dot jersey as the race’s climber and the white jersey as the best young rider, not to forget the second rung on the podium in Paris."

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