Tour de France

[stormin]

2 stages down and its been pretty interesting so far even without the big guns. Maybe even more interesting without them.

I thought it was nice to see Thor get the Yellow Jersey back today just because he sustained the freak injury yesterday. No big hands today!

OLN played interviews with Floyd Landis 2 days in a row. I think he should stick to riding. He doesn't come across as very personable. In yesterday's clip he sounded like a moron (no offense to Landis fans) and it was hard to understand what he was saying. He reminded me of the guy who talks really fast on King of the Hill.

[DrStrangelove]

I feel bad for Jan, this was gonna be his year.

[Marathon]

I would have liked to see Jan do well, but I can't convince myself that he'd have had much chance against Basso. I think Jan's heart just isn't in it. He's got all the talent in the world, but year after year he'd show up at the tour overweight. I just don't think the desire is there.

The problem now is that no matter who wins, the victory will have an asterisk beside it in everyones' minds. Like they said when Armstrong won when Pantani and Ullrich weren't there (although he definitely proved the naysayers wrong later).

The upside is that this should be one of the least predictable tours of recent memory!

[DrStrangelove]

Originally Posted by Marathon

I would have liked to see Jan do well, but I can't convince myself that he'd have had much chance against Basso. I think Jan's heart just isn't in it. He's got all the talent in the world, but year after year he'd show up at the tour overweight. I just don't think the desire is there.

The problem now is that no matter who wins, the victory will have an asterisk beside it in everyones' minds. Like they said when Armstrong won when Pantani and Ullrich weren't there (although he definitely proved the naysayers wrong later).

The upside is that this should be one of the least predictable tours of recent memory!

Damn those German pasteries.

[Marathon]

Yeah, and the ecstacy didn't help much, either.

I can't really blame the man. If I could spend a good portion of my time chasing tail and hanging out in clubs, and still win the TdF once, and get on the podium multiple times, I'd be happy as could be!

[DrStrangelove]

Originally Posted by Marathon

I can't really blame the man. If I could spend a good portion of my time chasing tail and hanging out in clubs, and still win the TdF once, and get on the podium multiple times, I'd be happy as could be!

Agreed.

[Alpedhuez55]

Originally Posted by Marathon

Yeah, and the ecstacy didn't help much, either.

I can't really blame the man. If I could spend a good portion of my time chasing tail and hanging out in clubs, and still win the TdF once, and get on the podium multiple times, I'd be happy as could be!

Dont forget the beer chasers with the ecstacy followed by wrapping your car around a tree

Jan would probably be a 5 or 6 time champion if Lance was not around. It just is a shame what happened. The Spanish Police really should have announced it earlier than the eve of the tour.

It will be an intersting tour this year. There are about 10 guys who have a shot now. It will be interesting to see how things work out after the next time trial and early mountain stages. You wonder if there is a climber who can make up enough time in the mountains to make up for the time trials. If Rassmussen has improved his time trialing a little, he could have a shot. Or someone like Mayo or Zubeldia if they are in form. It could like when Pantani won.

My pick at this point would be Valverde, but I am not sure how he will handle the mountains. I guess I have just not seen enough of him to know if he can stick with the pure climbers.

[Marathon]

My sentimental choice is George, but I realize that is unrealistic.

Landis and Leipheimer both have to think that if they are ever going to win it, this will have to be the year.

I like the chicken, but don't think his climbing can make up for his poor TT'ing. Maybe he'll surprise me.

I agree with your assesment on Valverde.

[Bigwaved]

The mountains shall shed the pretenders.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Marathon

My sentimental choice is George, but I realize that is unrealistic.

That is not unrealisitic, but.... I feel that Hincapie will end up supporting someone else on Discovery because he is so good at that and few people will be able to the same for him once they get to the mountains. Discovery have 5 different guys who could win.

[Bigwaved]

A few bumps in today's stage might bleed off a few sprinters before they reach the finish today.

[stormin]

Interesting stage so far today. The 99*F heat seems to be taking its toll on some of the riders. Not a good sign for those affected on only day 3. Nasty crash has knocked out 2 riders as well.

With regards to Ulrich et al being implicated in doping I really don't understand it. Professional cycling has come under such scrutiny that I don't understand how these guys could possibly be that stupid. Throws a cloud over the entire sport. Again. Apparently the current penalties for getting caught are not effective. I think they need to have stiffer penalties including lifetime bans. I also think they need to introduce more vigorous testing at lower levels. You can't expect someone who cheated his way to the top to suddenly change his cheating ways. I know all of this is being done but I guess its still not enough. How about 1 strike and you're out?

Another crash. Anyone pick Valverde to win? Not this year.

[Bigwaved]

Originally Posted by stormin

Interesting stage so far today. The 99*F heat seems to be taking its toll on some of the riders. Not a good sign for those affected on only day 3. Nasty crash has knocked out 2 riders as well.

With regards to Ulrich et al being implicated in doping I really don't understand it. Professional cycling has come under such scrutiny that I don't understand how these guys could possibly be that stupid. Throws a cloud over the entire sport. Again. Apparently the current penalties for getting caught are not effective. I think they need to have stiffer penalties including lifetime bans. I also think they need to introduce more vigorous testing at lower levels. You can't expect someone who cheated his way to the top to suddenly change his cheating ways. I know all of this is being done but I guess its still not enough. How about 1 strike and you're out?

Another crash. Anyone pick Valverde to win? Not this year.

No patron this year is showing early.

[stormin]

Every time someone crashes it makes me think about how lucky Lance was to win 7 Tours. Its not enough to be the strongest, fastest, fittest. You need to have a top team, elude the doping testers (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek), avoid equipment failure and not crash. Many times a rider crashes out its only bad luck. Wrong place/wrong time. How lucky was Lance the year he rode across the grass? Or the year he hooked his handle bar on the spectator's bag? All it takes is a flat tire at the wrong time and you're done. Maybe Lance used up a lifetime's worth of bad luck with the cancer thing. Seems like the gods have been on his side ever since.

[Marathon]

Originally Posted by stormin

Every time someone crashes it makes me think about how lucky Lance was to win 7 Tours. Its not enough to be the strongest, fastest, fittest. You need to have a top team, elude the doping testers (said with tongue planted firmly in cheek), avoid equipment failure and not crash. Many times a rider crashes out its only bad luck. Wrong place/wrong time. How lucky was Lance the year he rode across the grass? Or the year he hooked his handle bar on the spectator's bag? All it takes is a flat tire at the wrong time and you're done. Maybe Lance used up a lifetime's worth of bad luck with the cancer thing. Seems like the gods have been on his side ever since.

I agree. All the talent and training in the world can't prevent you from getting taken down in a crash and breaking a collarbone. Obviously, being alert and riding toward the front helps, but there is a huge element of luck involved. Lance definitely danced through the raindrops.

Valverde being out really mixes things up (as if they weren't mixed up already). I really think Salvodelli might have a chance now. Popyvich could do well, too. Discovery's future is getting brighter every day of this tour.