Tour de France

[mosesbotbol]

Overall
1. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne-I.B.
2. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, at 0:12
3. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, at 0:30
4. Andréas Klöden (G), T-Mobile, 029
5. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 03:08
6. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 04:14
7. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 044
8. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 05:45
9. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 08:16

Amazing, I can't wait to watch it when I get home from work...

[hoosier]

I was able to watch a bit of the TV coverage this morning and then I followed the stage on-line while I was at work. I was on the edge of my seat while I was reading the updates, which weren't coming fast enough. That may have been one of the greatest Tour rides by a contender, turned non-contender, turned contender again. Way to go PHloyd!!! I hope he recovers enough from the effort to ride a strong time-trial.

Also, did anyone see the pre-race coverage on OLN where Phil and Paul said there was no way he could come back from 8+ minutes down? Of course, Bobke said he could do it. Gotta love Bob!

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by hoosier

Also, did anyone see the pre-race coverage on OLN where Phil and Paul said there was no way he could come back from 8+ minutes down? Of course, Bobke said he could do it. Gotta love Bob!

Bobke is great. His books are great reads!!! He is a funny bastid!!! I still have Bobke Prayer Stix grips on one of my bikes:

[hoosier]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Bobke is great. His books are great reads!!! He is a funny bastid!!! I still have Bobke Prayer Stix grips on one of my bikes:

I loved when he wrote the last page column in VeloNews. I've never read his books, but I may have to pick them up.

I have the prayer sticks on my mtn. bike, too. Love those things.

Oh yeah, anyone get a look at Floyd's wife! Pretty hot, IMHO.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by hoosier

I loved when he wrote the last page column in VeloNews. I've never read his books, but I may have to pick them up.

Well, a lot of Bobke & Bobke II are reprints of the Velonews Columns. So you may have read some of them already. But they are worth a read.

My favorite was after LeMond took control of the 86 tour, he is in a Helecopter that is going to take him down the mountain to their hotels. He tells LeMond something like "Way to go Gregm Way to show the Frenchies how it is done." Then he realizes that Hinault was on the Helecopter too.

Oops

[mosesbotbol]

Devil’s Advocate, don’t call me the bad guy, just hinting at the future news articles out of Europe any hour now…

When is Landis’ epic performance going to be overshadowed by possible doping allegations? How does someone go from being so far destroyed to super man over night? Just like Basso’s Giro performance and Hera’s Vuelta performance; Landis will also be suspect. 2 Phonak riders have already been proven guilty of doping, so why not one more? Just because Landis was implicated in OP, doesn’t mean that he is not one of them too.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

When is Landis’ epic performance going to be overshadowed by possible doping allegations? How does someone go from being so far destroyed to super man over night?

Actually he did use a performance enhancing drug. After Wednesday's stage, he went back to his hotel room, tried to relax and put the stage behind him, and had a Beer.

I think everyone knows that it was an energy/dehydration issue for Floyd yesterday. He made sure to take tons of water and recovered.

You will have accusers all the time. There have been no positive tests this year. If anything you will get articles on how the tour vivtory will be tarnished because of all the missing top riders.

[Charles]

I'm still trying to get over how he made up 8 minutes. He's a great rider - I guess that they all are but what I like is that we still have a "race" to watch.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Actually he did use a performance enhancing drug. After Wednesday's stage, he went back to his hotel room, tried to relax and put the stage behind him, and had a Beer.

I think everyone knows that it was an energy/dehydration issue for Floyd yesterday. He made sure to take tons of water and recovered.

Beer... EPO, blood in the fridge, cortisone... just the usual stuff. Believe me, I want Landis to be clean and be a hero fair and square, but I am suprised no one has questioned his perfomance yet, especially being on a known doping team.

[Charles]

You clearly know more about this than I ever will, but maybe he hasn't attracted the detractors yet because no one expected him to be anything other than a bride's maid? Of course, the scandal mongers(SP?) may have come to the realization that the tour doesn't need any more negative attention this year.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Beer... EPO, blood in the fridge, cortisone... just the usual stuff. Believe me, I want Landis to be clean and be a hero fair and square, but I am suprised no one has questioned his perfomance yet, especially being on a known doping team.

Next thing you know you will be accusing the guy in your Avatar of doping when he picked up 9 minutes on Ulrich in 1998

What team is not a suspected doping team at this point? You have a reason to suspect a lot of them. The teams have suspended riders who were under investigation in Operation Puerto. They have not tested positive yet but the teams went ahead and sent them home. You do not see the Giants suspending Bonds because he is under a Grand Jury investigation. This is probably the closest to a clean race we have had in years.

I do not think there was anything more that food and fluid replenishment involved in Floyds recovery. And of course...BEER!!!

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Alpedhuez55

Next thing you know you will be accusing the guy in your Avatar of doping when he picked up 9 minutes on Ulrich in 1998

I think Marco probably took something, he's still incredible either way. The French press loves scandal, and Landis will be in their cross hairs. I really don't know who to believe in all the doping stuff. I am all for innocent until proven guilty and the blood test as being proof. Some of the banned drugs are for recovery rather than performance, and maybe should not be banned. They should raise the hermacritant levels higher too. I don't think these guys should be put be under the same thresholds as regular people, as these guys are not normal in any stretch.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

IThe French press loves scandal, and Landis will be in their cross hairs.

That is very true. THey are still going after Armstrong and he is retired. They bring up 1989 still. They even are going further back to before he was diagnosed with Cancer to try to disgrace him. His association with Dr. Ferarri is a bit suspect though.

I am sure they will question Landis. When in the last 20 years has there been a Tour Winner who was not at least suspected of doping by the French Media? You probably have to go back to Hinault

My guess is Floyd had the IV to help him hydrate and recover the other night. He was constantly drinking and pouring water over his head. ring in that type of solo ride let him have his team car right behind him. You have seen other riders in the past bonk then come back to win a stage a day or two later. And given the upcoming hip replacement, Floyd probably realized this was may be his last chance and took a gamble by turning the race into a time trial.

[mosesbotbol]

Looks like Landis can win it. I wonder if it stays really close if someone will try to attack on the last day? Traditionally, no one attacks on the last day, but that is not engraved in stone, is it? ITT are the truth; Lance who- this year's tour was been great!

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Looks like Landis can win it. ... truth; Lance who- this year's tour was been great!

It has been a great tour. Just two more days alas.
Guess beer will be on the banned list next year