Tour de France

[Fezticle98]

The Tour de France starts today. Sure, the sports is racked with drug problems (what sport isn't nowadays?). Sure, it is guys riding bikes. Sure, there is no Lance Armstrong (at least the outcome is in doubt).

I love watching the Tour de France. I don't know what it is, the competition, scenery, commentators, tactics. When the doping scandal broke last year, I told myself I wasn't going to watch, but I couldn't help myself.

Any other cycling fans out there?

[PapaBear]

Any other cycling fans out there?
Sigh... I miss my cycling days. Speed Demon since day one!

[J.Clints]

Any other cycling fans out there?

no but I like the tour.

[cougarjake13]

who's the doped up american we're pulling for this year ????

[lleeder]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u227/lynnscakes05/Cricketcake.jpg

[weekapaugjz]

i love when someone takes a fall in the peloton takes a fall and wipes everyone else out. good stuff.

i don't know what it is about cycling, but when i see it on, i have to watch.

[PhilDeez]

Love the Tour and cycling in general.
What a way to kick things off today! If you did not get to watch this morning, watch the replay tonight - some great individual time trail efforts, it was actually very exciting.

Very anxious to see of much thunder the Landis verdict will steal from the race - it should be coming down any day now...

[Fezticle98]

Love the Tour and cycling in general.
What a way to kick things off today! If you did not get to watch this morning, watch the replay tonight - some great individual time trail efforts, it was actually very exciting.

Very anxious to see of much thunder the Landis verdict will steal from the race - it should be coming down any day now...

I think the Landis verdict is almost a foregone conclusion at this point, so I don't think it will distract seriously from the race. Just another doping story that is added to the pile that is out there. If, somehow, he was found not guilty, it would be a bigger (and unbelievable) story.

I was a little disappointed in Dave Zabriskie's result today. He is one of the best time-trialists in the world, so 11th is not great. He has improved his climbing, though. It's all for the sprinters this week.

[PapaBear]

KRAFTWERK!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQz-CZvkY8k)

[PhilDeez]

I think the Landis verdict is almost a foregone conclusion at this point, so I don't think it will distract seriously from the race. Just another doping story that is added to the pile that is out there. If, somehow, he was found not guilty, it would be a bigger (and unbelievable) story.

I was a little disappointed in Dave Zabriskie's result today. He is one of the best time-trialists in the world, so 11th is not great. He has improved his climbing, though. It's all for the sprinters this week.

Not sure I agree on the Landis verdict. Although the panel will most likely find him guilty, he will appeal. As you probably have, I have been following this debacle daily since it all went down. I really don't think it is a slam dunk either way. The sample was handled in lackluster manner, some of the testing proceedures have been questioned as well.
The huge kicker for me is this, if he actually was doping - why win the stage? Only 2 riders are tested after each stage (or this was the case last year) the winner and a random rider. Even if he was doping and using masking agents, he couldn't be that stupid to go ride the ride of all rides while doping, knowing he would be tested with a win.

Zabriske was looking good for a while, I still think he will be a GC contender even though he is not the leader of his team. I think this will also hold true for Kloden.

Glad there are some cycling fans out there!

[J.Clints]

who's the doped up american we're pulling for this year ????

Bonds?

[sailor]

without a lemond, armstrong or landis i just don't see the point.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

without a lemond, armstrong or landis i just don't see the point.


QFT

Even in Cycling I need to be Razzle Dazzled with well known Talent

Where Miguel Indarian He was a Bad Ass

:king:

[cougarjake13]

without a lemond, armstrong or landis i just don't see the point.

QFT

Even in Cycling I need to be Razzle Dazzled with well known Talent

Where Miguel Indarian He was a Bad Ass

:king:


Well until last year i never heard of landis

[PapaBear]

My cycling hero (before Lemond came along) was always Bernard Hinault.

http://members.tripod.com/~CyclingArchive/frpix/fr00001.jpg

[FUNKMAN]

not much interest in the distance competitions but I do enjoy the one on one olympic competitions around the oval track that pitches down

[sailor]

My cycling hero (before Lemond came along) was always Bernard Hinault.

http://members.tripod.com/~CyclingArchive/frpix/fr00001.jpg

i never knew lemond was shot in-between his tour victories. without that he could have won 5 in a row. sucks. but he's a douche now, so screw him.

[sailor]

not much interest in the distance competitions but I do enjoy the one on one olympic competitions around the oval track that pitches down

the velodrome?

[PapaBear]

the velodrome?
The velodrome used to be very popular in America. I think it was in the early part of the 20th century. If I'm not mistaken, it was actually the most popular spectator sport at the time. The races were very dangerous, and many cyclists (and sometimes spectators) were killed.

[Mike Teacher]

KRAFTWERK!!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQz-CZvkY8k)

I Honestly read this ready to link the Kraftwerk vids thinking No One would know or care enough about the band and/or this later work of the UberMensch's of Electronic Music.

Great footage, and great songs, Kraftwerk, for me nailed the rhythm, the pulse, of cycling like they did with Autobahn and driving and Trans-Europe Express and trains; these guys dont just write a song about it; they write a song that *feels* like it.

[PapaBear]

I Honestly read this ready to link the Kraftwerk vids thinking No One would know or care enough about the band and/or this later work of the UberMensch's of Electronic Music.

Great footage, and great songs, Kraftwerk, for me nailed the rhythm, the pulse, of cycling like they did with Autobahn and driving and Trans-Europe Express and trains; these guys dont just write a song about it; they write a song that *feels* like it.
I used to listen to it when I was training! I'm glad someone finally noticed.

[MadBiker]

The Tour de France starts today. Sure, the sports is racked with drug problems (what sport isn't nowadays?). Sure, it is guys riding bikes. Sure, there is no Lance Armstrong (at least the outcome is in doubt).

I love watching the Tour de France. I don't know what it is, the competition, scenery, commentators, tactics. When the doping scandal broke last year, I told myself I wasn't going to watch, but I couldn't help myself.

Any other cycling fans out there?

Well, duh, my handle indicates I might be interested in biking - of the non-motorized variety, of course. I usually watch the TdF faithfully on the VS (formerly OLN) replays at night. The long road stages through the countryside may not be riveting from a cycling standpoint, but the scenery is beautiful and Roll and Ligget to a great job of discussing the history and high points of the region.

I love the mountain stages and get caught up in the chase for sprint and climbing bonuses, regardless of who is riding for the points. These guys ride at speeds upwards of 20 mph on HC* climbs. It's really amazing to see the point to which the human body can be pushed and what it can accomplish. (* for cycling newbs, HC means "hors categorie" or outside of classification - climbs so difficult the standard 1-4 rating system currently in use does not apply. Look up Alp d'Huez for the most famous HC climb on TdF routes).

Yes, the sport is riddled with drug use. But even a casual gloss at the history of bike racing will show that drug use has always been a part of the sport. I do not agree with it, but it is a fact I have to accept while hoping for some real clean and honest competition to finally come around. The thing is, cycling fans have gotten used to the exact things I described above: fast and furious points chases, last minute sprints to the finish, and epic time-trial feats. The thrill of these things will diminish, I suspect, if the sport becomes 100% clean...

As far as coverage in the US goes, VS has great commentators in Ligget and Roll. Roll may be a goofball, but his record as a competitive cyclists stands for itself. He was never cut out to be one of the greats, but he had a respectable career and really knows his material when offering critiques of riders, teams, and the ins-and-outs of TdF racing.

And I could listen to Phil Ligget speak every day of my life. He could read stereo instructions and it would sound amazing. His career is also very respectable, and as far as ability to relate the history of the TdF and the state of modern racing, the teams, and individual riders, Ligget is right on with his commentary.

[MadBiker]

The velodrome used to be very popular in America. I think it was in the early part of the 20th century. If I'm not mistaken, it was actually the most popular spectator sport at the time. The races were very dangerous, and many cyclists (and sometimes spectators) were killed.

Right you are, Papa Bear. Old velodromes are extant near most major metro areas, but are sadly falling into disrepair.

I would love to see a return to velodrome racing. One rider, one gear (a big one too, usually 52/12), 120 rpms, and no brakes. It's thrilling to watch, but even more fun to do.

Maybe I will build a Velodrome in NJ when I hit the lottery :)

[PapaBear]

THIS (http://youtube.com/watch?v=w36aOKkg3ZE)

Good enough for the NASCAR fans.

[PapaBear]

Right you are, Papa Bear. Old velodromes are extant near most major metro areas, but are sadly falling into disrepair.

I would love to see a return to velodrome racing. One rider, one gear (a big one too, usually 52/12), 120 rpms, and no brakes. It's thrilling to watch, but even more fun to do.

Maybe I will build a Velodrome in NJ when I hit the lottery :)
You're turning me on.

[Fezticle98]

I got to meet Phil at the Tour de Georgia this year. I'm the guy in the Montana shirt.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/6279/spring07140dj3.jpg[/URL]

Just missed Bob Roll. :down:

[MadBiker]

I got to meet Phil at the Tour de Georgia this year. I'm the guy in the Montana shirt.

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/6279/spring07140dj3.jpg[/URL]

Just missed Bob Roll. :down:

can't see the pic in my threadview. Is that the same one from your myspace? I was going to ask you about meeting Mr. Phil.

[Fezticle98]

can't see the pic in my threadview. Is that the same one from your myspace? I was going to ask you about meeting Mr. Phil.

Yeah, it's the same one. Phil was very nice. My friend and I got VIP passes at the Brasstown Bald stage for chalking the Specialized logo on the road. After leaving the VIP area and walking down to our spot to watch the riders, we met Phil. He liked that my friend was drinking wine.

Also got to meet Tyler Hamilton & my man-crush, Dave Zabriskie. Last year, I was able to get pictures with Floyd, Johan Brunyeel, JJ Haedo & others. Got to love the accessability of cycling!

[MadBiker]

Also got to meet Tyler Hamilton & my man-crush, Dave Zabriskie. Last year, I was able to get pictures with Floyd, Johan Brunyeel, JJ Haedo & others. Got to love the accessability of cycling!

My cousin moved to Georgia last summer. I think next year I will visit him and watch the Tour of Georgia. It is America's premier stage race, and I know that organized rides along the route are given for spectators. I would live to ride part of that Tour.

Hmmm....Zabriskie. A bit boyish for my tastes, but everyone has their type. Even before he became Lance's wingman, I had a thing for Hincapie.

[cougarjake13]

shouldnt we rename this thread the

tour de farce ???

[FUNKMAN]

shouldnt we rename this thread the

tour de farce ???

or ' tour de pharce '

go reilly it's your birthday go reilly it's your birthday

[PhilDeez]

Vino doped??? WTF. How stupid are these guys to dope in the first place, but then go ahead and win a stage knowing they will be tested, I don't get it. Also, it appears the same lab at question in the Landis case handles this testing after having their proceedures put into question.
Unfortunatly, the sport appears doomed.

[Fezticle98]

Vino doped??? WTF. How stupid are these guys to dope in the first place, but then go ahead and win a stage knowing they will be tested, I don't get it. Also, it appears the same lab at question in the Landis case handles this testing after having their proceedures put into question.
Unfortunatly, the sport appears doomed.

Crazy. It was quite suspicious that Vino could look so bad one day, then destroy the time trial. Then he looked awful the next day and get a solo win from a break the day after that. It's pretty clear that many (perhaps most) of the riders are still doping.

[PhilDeez]

Crazy. It was quite suspicious that Vino could look so bad one day, then destroy the time trial. Then he looked awful the next day and get a solo win from a break the day after that. It's pretty clear that many (perhaps most) of the riders are still doping.

Supposedly the test was from after the ITT, the blood from yesterday has yet to be tested. As a Kloden fan I am pissed, he and the rest of the team quit the tour because of this. Now with the heat Rasmussen is taking, I doubt the Tour or the sport will enjoy the anticipated rebound.

[Fezticle98]

David Millar was the first rider to react to the news: "Jesus Christ - there you go, that's my quote," he blurted out. "What timing, huh? This is just fucking great."

Millar broke down into tears when he was asked by British journalist Jeremy Whittle if he was all right, saying, "I just feel like crying right now."

This sucks for any clean riders that are out there. They have no chance. At least Millar had the guts to admit it and now he is one of the "good guys."

[PhilDeez]

David Millar was the first rider to react to the news: "Jesus Christ - there you go, that's my quote," he blurted out. "What timing, huh? This is just fucking great."

Millar broke down into tears when he was asked by British journalist Jeremy Whittle if he was all right, saying, "I just feel like crying right now."

This sucks for any clean riders that are out there. They have no chance. At least Millar had the guts to admit it and now he is one of the "good guys."

Wow. Wouldn't these results of Vino's test have to have been leaked? Isn't protocol to wait until the B sample comes back - not that it won't be positive. This lab has to get on the ball, these leaks don't give the rider a chance to defend himself.

[MadBiker]

Wow. Wouldn't these results of Vino's test have to have been leaked? Isn't protocol to wait until the B sample comes back - not that it won't be positive. This lab has to get on the ball, these leaks don't give the rider a chance to defend himself.

It is all done in the name of sensationalism. The timing of the Rasmussen story is not mere coincidence, regardless of claims to the contrary.

[PhilDeez]

Rasmussen out!!! Velo news is reporting that Rabobank has sent him home after all but wrapping up the tour. Jesus Christ. This is a mess.
He has yet to fail a test, am I wrong?

[cougarjake13]

Rasmussen out!!! Velo news is reporting that Rabobank has sent him home after all but wrapping up the tour. Jesus Christ. This is a mess.
He has yet to fail a test, am I wrong?

if this sport meant anything to anyone other than the cyclists themselves then this would be huge news

but with the nba, vick, and the baseball trade deadline approaching, no one seems to care

[PhilDeez]

if this sport meant anything to anyone other than the cyclists themselves then this would be huge news

but with the nba, vick, and the baseball trade deadline approaching, no one seems to care

I agree the majority of people could care less, but this is huge news. The guy all but won cycling's grand event today, and then hours later he is sent home when he has yet to officially cheat.
Please look up the thread, there has been discussion on this topic over the last few days. Sorry if my post annoyed you.

[cougarjake13]

I agree the majority of people could care less, but this is huge news. The guy all but won cycling's grand event today, and then hours later he is sent home when he has yet to officially cheat.
Please look up the thread, there has been discussion on this topic over the last few days. Sorry if my post annoyed you.

no i didnt mean to come across like moe


just saying that its kinda gotten buried by the other stories and the past allegations of lance, landis,basso, ulrich, husvold, among others and this guy today


and it should be important than whatever the fuck lindsay whorehan or posh and becks are doing but we live in a celeb obsessed world

[cougarjake13]

what also sucks is that rasmussen is a dane like myself and i was happy a dane was gonna win it

[Fezticle98]

If you saw the crowds in the Pyrenees the past few days, obviously a lot of people still cared about this sport. I know it is not big in the U.S., less so after Lance's retirement and Floyd's positive, but support in Europe still seemed to be pretty strong. Now, all bets are off. Hopefully we can see a clean sport in the future, but now it is a joke.

Cougarjake, as an aside, have there really been allegations about Hushovd? Not that it would surprise me at this point, but unlike the others you mentioned, I never even heard accusations about him.

[Fezticle98]

Rasmussen out!!! Velo news is reporting that Rabobank has sent him home after all but wrapping up the tour. Jesus Christ. This is a mess.
He has yet to fail a test, am I wrong?

He hasn't failed a test as far as I know. But it seems that he has lied about or withheld his whereabouts numerous times, preventing the UCI from conducting out of competition tests. I don't know how it is treated in cycling, but in a lot of sports missing a test is the same as failing one. It wasn't like he just forgot to give them his schedule once, he was evading them, training in neutral colors to avoid doping controls.

I think they did the right thing. He might have some legal recourse, but I don't see him fighting it. It's time for the sport to tear down to rebuild anew.

[PhilDeez]

He hasn't failed a test as far as I know. But it seems that he has lied about or withheld his whereabouts numerous times, preventing the UCI from conducting out of competition tests. I don't know how it is treated in cycling, but in a lot of sports missing a test is the same as failing one. It wasn't like he just forgot to give them his schedule once, he was evading them, training in neutral colors to avoid doping controls.

I think they did the right thing. He might have some legal recourse, but I don't see him fighting it. It's time for the sport to tear down to rebuild anew.

I agree it is time to start anew, so send a massive message and cancel the Tour now. It is obviously a joke, to us and the riders - what happened to all the pride that came from all 181 riders signing the pledge before the Tour. There are not just three bad eggs. The riders need their egos shattered. They all signed a pledge not to dope before the race...what happens the favorite is busted for blood transfusion after winning a stage where he knew he would have to submit to testing. The majority are doping and masking, they have to be from the cavalier attitude shown. Oh, the French teams are clean. Was that the message sent before today's stage as they all protested along with Gerolsteiner? Then what happens, Cofidas(sp) withdraws due to a relative nobody in this years Tour testing positive.
I don't see how the Tour can finish and proclaim a true winner this year.

As far as Rasmussen's missed tests, he has to miss three in order to be considered a failed test. He has missed two for two separate groups so they are not considered positive tests. I think it is a crock to ban a rider without a positive test, three days before he is to win the Tour. I know we don't know everything.

As much as the Teams and riders are to blame, the Labs need an overhaul as well. The fact that we even know about the two riders testing positive is absurd. Protocol states the results can not be released until after the B sample has been tested. In the case of Floyd and Vino, it does not allow the rider to properly defend himself.

[MadBiker]

He hasn't failed a test as far as I know. But it seems that he has lied about or withheld his whereabouts numerous times, preventing the UCI from conducting out of competition tests. I don't know how it is treated in cycling, but in a lot of sports missing a test is the same as failing one. It wasn't like he just forgot to give them his schedule once, he was evading them, training in neutral colors to avoid doping controls.

I think they did the right thing. He might have some legal recourse, but I don't see him fighting it. It's time for the sport to tear down to rebuild anew.

UCI does treat a missed test as a failed test.

Although not officially found to be doping during the Tour, the fact that Rasmussen lied about his whereabouts to work with Michel Ferrari prior to the start of the Tour casts a long shadow of suspicion on his integrity. Now, suspicion does not equal guilt, and UCI did not eject Rasmussen from the Tour. Rabobank fired him to head off the PR nightmare that would have ensued should Rasmussen be found guilty of doping.

I hope this is the beginning of teams sending stronger messages to riders about doping, and that the governing bodies of other sports begin to follow suit.

[cougarjake13]

If you saw the crowds in the Pyrenees the past few days, obviously a lot of people still cared about this sport. I know it is not big in the U.S., less so after Lance's retirement and Floyd's positive, but support in Europe still seemed to be pretty strong. Now, all bets are off. Hopefully we can see a clean sport in the future, but now it is a joke.

Cougarjake, as an aside, have there really been allegations about Hushovd? Not that it would surprise me at this point, but unlike the others you mentioned, I never even heard accusations about him.

i couldnt find any articles but i think i remember seeing a crawl on espn saying something about husvold and allegations but it was a few weeks ago

[PhilDeez]

i couldnt find any articles but i think i remember seeing a crawl on espn saying something about husvold and allegations but it was a few weeks ago

I don't ever recall hearing Hushovd involved with doping.
As far as the missed test, I thought the UCI treated it as 3 missed test = failed test.
I still believe the message to send to fans, teams, and riders would be to cancel the Tour, declare no winner and send them all home.

[PhilDeez]

[QUOTE=MadBiker;1407254]Now, suspicion does not equal guilt, and UCI did not eject Rasmussen from the Tour. Rabobank fired him to head off the PR nightmare that would have ensued should Rasmussen be found guilty of doping.QUOTE]

PR nightmare does not equal guilt either. I am a huge fan of the sport and want to see it clean, but this was absurd in my opinion. The man has been tested regularly since stage 8-with no positives. I understand the speculation tied with the missed tests, but he still has yet to test positive. It is totally out of control, labs leak convoluted info, UCI and WADA can conduct witch hunts - this is what is making the sport a joke. Say what you want about baseball, at lest Bud is giving Bonds his due process.

On a side note. OLN or Versus is laughable. Yes they are a based from the US, but always so over the top up the Disco's ass. Never once a hint of speculation towards Lance, they all support Floyd, as do I. However, how can they so easily throw these guys under the bus when they are still publicly supporting Landis? The commentary has been full of gusto when calling the race, but now Rasmussen is out and they are all, "well I knew something was up..."

[MadBiker]

[QUOTE=MadBiker;1407254]Now, suspicion does not equal guilt, and UCI did not eject Rasmussen from the Tour. Rabobank fired him to head off the PR nightmare that would have ensued should Rasmussen be found guilty of doping.QUOTE]

PR nightmare does not equal guilt either. I am a huge fan of the sport and want to see it clean, but this was absurd in my opinion. The man has been tested regularly since stage 8-with no positives. I understand the speculation tied with the missed tests, but he still has yet to test positive. It is totally out of control, labs leak convoluted info, UCI and WADA can conduct witch hunts - this is what is making the sport a joke. Say what you want about baseball, at lest Bud is giving Bonds his due process.

On a side note. OLN or Versus is laughable. Yes they are a based from the US, but always so over the top up the Disco's ass. Never once a hint of speculation towards Lance, they all support Floyd, as do I. However, how can they so easily throw these guys under the bus when they are still publicly supporting Landis? The commentary has been full of gusto when calling the race, but now Rasmussen is out and they are all, "well I knew something was up..."

My point is, right or not, it is not UCI forcing Rasmussen to abandon - his own team, who has the right to fire him at any time, is letting him go. Rabo would rather be red-faced now over firing a possbily innocent man, than have to admit they hired a rider who doped and cast that suspicion over their whole organization. Who knows what private talks were held behind closed doors, but I think they may know much more than we or even UCI knows about the situation, and are nipping it in the bud. Like most other sports controversies, the press can only give us snippets upon which to make judgements; the whole story is seldom ever presented. One reason why I HATE HATE HATE modern journalism. It feeds the Culture of the Sound Bite and caters to viewers' short attention spans. No one is really informed about anything, unless they care enough to look deeply into a matter...but usually that only goes so far as caring whether or not Lindsay Lohan really did have coke in her pants...but I digress. Topic for another rant.

As far as VS being up Disco's ass, I agree their coverage is skewed, but it almost has to be. Most Americans who do not know much about cycling only know Discovery, and Disco is the only big time American team to ever get mainstream notice. So of course the American TV channel has to cover the one team we all know. I get BBC sports on my TV line up and try to catch the TdF and football coverage on that when I can. The persepective of and respect for the race is the same, but you get a broader coverage of the other riders and teams.

Phil Liggett is really a tremendous assett to VS, they are lucky to have him. He speaks with passion about the Tour, its route, the other riders, and the state of racing in general. I am glad he is there to offer a non-American perspective of the race. He's a translator of sorts.

[IMSlacker]

The Daily Show did a very funny bit on the doping scandal last night.

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[MadBiker]

:lol: smuggling plums or taunting Lance Armstrong.

that was great

[Furtherman]

American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the only man to win the Tour de France seven times, crashed on the first stage of a five-day race in Spain on Monday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. (http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/03/23/cycling.armstrong/index.html?iref=mpstoryview)

He was riding in this week's Castilla and Leon race to continue his bid to reach peak form ahead of the Giro d'Italia and then a crack at an eighth Tour crown.

[ruggedo]

Broken collar bone, they may operate here in the states this week.

[Fezticle98]

Broken collar bone, they may operate here in the states this week.

Armstrong will be back when the Giro D'Italia starts on May 9. I don't think he will contend for the win, with it being his first race back and being a grand tour. He can ride to get himself into shape and support Leipheimer and then go all-out at the TdF.