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Le Tour de France
Who is watching?
Who is disappointed that Lance has run into such bad luck this tour with several crashes during quite strategic moments, that he is no longer a contender? Knowing this is his last tour (well, yeah, I know he has said this before, but I think he really means it this time!), it is just sad. He has always been a bit of a cocky as*, but you have to respect his talent... many say he is the best that has ever been. Sucks. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,3180126.story |
Bein' a hometown boy, it made me sad to see him fall.
I don't know if he really means it when he says this is his last.....but we'll see, I guess. |
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My condolences. :vigil: He is old for biking though, Diva...and add another year... it really would be tough for him to come back and be a real contender. :( |
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Yeah.....he's still a hero here, no matter what. It was very difficult to see him crash....over and over.... But I tell Ya....if anyone could do it, Lance could. :) |
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My housemate follows him as she is prepping for a triathalon in August (and follows all things biking, running, and swimming). She told me about his crashes and I felt so bad for him. I've always found him likeable despite the cockiness.
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I personally have not found him to be a bit cocky. I believe he will retire (hate to see it) like he stated BEFORE this season. However, I believe he will still play be a vital part of the team in one way or another. |
This house is Tour de France and bike racing central during the season as both me and my bro Snack are terminal cycling crackheads.It was hard to watch Lance go down yesterday,but no matter what his role is on the team after today's rest day I know he will do it to the best of his still considerable ability. The word was that the team will take today's rest day to decide if a shift is in order since Levi Leipheimer,Andreas Kloden,and Chris Horner all have a shot at the podium,with Levi being the highest placed RadioShack rider at this time. My prediction is that Lance will give it a go in the first stage back tomorrow and if he isn't strong enough to pull back up in the standings after that mountain stage,Levi will become the primary rider and Lance and the rest of the team will turn themselves inside out to see him wearing yellow into Paris. Both Lance and the director sportif, Johan Bruyneel,are brilliant strategists. As far as Lance being cocky, you have to have a certain amount of swagger to be as driven to excel as he is. I find him to be very direct and dedicated to his foundation. He promised his children that this was his last year away from them,so I don't see him returning as a rider next year.He is the owner of the domestic Trek Livestrong U23 Team so hopefully that will help to grow the sport in the USA. He has stated that he will do rides,both mountain and road,triathlons and running events in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.I also think that if you asked Lance or any other professional cyclist who the greatest rider of all time is,the consensus would be Eddy Mercxx "The Cannibal" and 5 time winner of the Tour. Just my .50 as bikes and all things cycling are one of my main passions!! Shad
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Another Tour nut here. Lance really should have stayed away, he's too old and he's not going to get a podium finish, I think he should have just left us all with the memory of a fantastic 7 tour wins. I personally don't want to see him be a shadow of his former riding self. What news of the Floyd Landis allegations?
I'm rooting for the new Sky team with the fantastic Bradley Wiggins at the helm. Of course I'm keeping an eye on Mark Cavendish too, who hopefully will continue to take stage wins. Merckx was the rider of legend in my childhood, along with Hinault who is not that far behind Merckx in number of stage wins over a career. I also loved watching Big Mig in the early 90's as he rode into that rather rarified group of 5 times winners of the Tour. I'm so glad that y'all are interested in the Tour. |
Yes, my guess is that Levi will become the primary rider for RadioShack. Today will be interesting for sure!
And yes, in terms of Eddie Merckx historically having been heralded as the best. The last couple of years I have heard/read the same said of Lance...that is all I was saying. |
To be fair Lance has won 7 Tours, Merckx only 5...although his 5 Giro's and 1 Vuelta as well as wins in the Classic day races probably do put him ahead of Lance. Although one has to herald the achievement of Mr.Armstrong, 7 Tour wins is monumentally awesome. He's in a class of one.
Poor Bradley is struggling a little bit right now and not looking like beating or even equaling his last years position of fourth. |
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Oh Alberto, you twit!!
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I heard the news about the ban yesterday on ESPN. I am not a fan of Contador, especially since the 2009 Tour. Contador proved that he was not a team player.
I believe he should be banned for two years. |
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I am quite pleased with this turn of events. |
I believe it calls his other victories into question. I'm rather hard-line about drug cheats in any sport and believe that they should receive life-time bans from competition.
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I cannot believe that Contador is blaming this on a bad steak! |
2011
Who's watching this year????
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Me!
Wooohoooo Cav won the sprint finish yesterday. |
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I am watching it too!
I am a bit bummed because Jani from Team RadioShack is out of the tour. There have been so many wrecks. |
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Did you see yesterday's crash laden stage? It was horrible. Poor Tom Boonen looked to have broken his collar bone. Thankfully he hadn't and managed to make it to the finish within the allotted time. I was pleased to hear the the commissaires stripped Rojas and Boonen of their intermediate sprint points yesterday for riding into Cav's racing line. At least they showed some consistency after disqualifying Cav the day before from the intermediate sprint for allegedly blocking. I can't wait until we get into the mountains. The Pyrenees and Alpine stages are always great to watch. I wonder if Contador will show his intentions during the climbs. I wonder what's going to happen with Contador. To be honest I don't think he should be riding with an unresolved doping case hanging over his head. What if he wins this Tour and the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for sport upholds the doping allegations in August? I don't think Millar and a number of others who've be caught doping should be allowed to ride in the sports most prestigious race either - or the Vuelta/Giro/Paris-Roubaix et al. |
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So bummed Levi fell and dropped to 31st.
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Cav did it again today and on the stage where he won his first stage win ever...the Missile is a truly awesome sprinter and is young so could be around for some years yet. There's a bit of Mario Cipollini about him - well apart from Super Mario's leopard print shorts :cheesy:
Sadly poor Bradley Wiggins crashed and broke his collar bone today so he's out of the race. He really stood a chance of topping the GC on the Champs Elysee this year. I'm sure he'll be back and even stronger next year. |
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Anyway, I can't believe poor Chris Horner. Sorry about Wiggins, I know you were pulling for him! And good for Cavendish! His team is a well oiled machine. I hope things kick in for Andy Schleck when they hit the mountains. |
Le Tour de France in le Chateau!
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Oooops! :o I never thought about that I might be posting 'spoilers' for the race. What time do you get to see the stage? I have it on live here and it's 4pm BST (GMT +1...coverage finishes at 4.30). I'll probably watch highlights tonight too as I've actually missed most of the live coverage today. I also emailed the show last night to ask their opinions on Contador riding when it's entirely possible he could be banned in August. I hope they answer on the highlights show. |
Costa! I am happy for him!
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It's been an uphill stage today which has stretched the peleton out a bit. The highlights will be good. I look forward to seeing them in a couple of hours. |
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I like the team too...they've been doing it for donkey's years. The same team has moved channels several times too over the years. Phil is ace, very knowledgeable, as are they all really. I missed the hightlights tonight because I'm at a friends place but I'll catch the repeat tomorrow afternoon before the live coverage starts. |
Oh dear. Yet more riders leave the Tour injured in crashes. Poor Vinokourov, they're talking about career ending injury. I hope for him that it's not.
There's already been one of the tour motorcyclists in trouble now there's a car driver. I was staring in disbelief as the driver clipped the rider closest to him. I suspect that driver will lose his job. I'm pleased to see that Thor has had to cede the maillot jaune to Voeckler who rode really well, it was a shame that he ended up taking second place for the stage. |
I met love for cycling when I met love who was a cyclist.
*watching from sc*
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I missed today's stage because......I was out riding.
I should get to see some of the repeated highlights show tomorrow lunch-time. |
Today's Stage
Man, I'm BUMMED about Andy Schleck in today's stage....:(
Time to start rooting for Cadel Evans, I think... Anyone but Contador...PLEASE! :overreaction: |
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Cadel is my second pick for a top finish since Brad broke his collarbone. Sadly I've missed a handful of stages now that I'm at the Burrow and am rehearsing most of the day everyday. By the time I get back to the Burrow (after rehearsals) I just want to chill out with Madame Cholet and not watch any sort of tv. |
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Hope the rehearsing, etc., is going well. |
I am not sure who I am actually rooting for right now. I like Cadel and Thor. I am for anyone other than Contador
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