TDF

[AA]

It's Tour de France time again. I dont know about you folks but I look forward to the tour every year. Any one else follow the tour? What do you think of Hamilton busting his collar bone in stage 1? Does Ullrich have what it takes to challenge Lance? It could be interesting with the mountain stages so close to the beginning.

[C.P.]

Another tour follower...I've been watching it since I signed up for DTV (Just to get OLN). Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin do such a nice job commentating this event...
My sentiments go to Tyler. I was really hoping to see him make a high GC standing, actually, I really wanted him to place second overall. My sentiments also go to Levi Leipheimer, he is out from injuries from that huge stage 1 crash too.
I think Ullrich could be a threat, but I don't think this will be the year. I think there will be other younger up and comers that will try to give the leaders a run.
I agree, this tour will be tough for Lance with Mountain Stages near the beginning.

[AA]

Yea that crash was scary, 40+ MPH pile up. That does suck with Leipheimer getting injured as well. 2 Americans out in the 1st stage. Some of the racers were complaining that there shouldnt have been a turn that close to the finish, it didnt look like much of a turn to me but I didnt have to ride it.

[C.P.]

TDF Website (Velonews section) states that Tyler withdrew from the race, however my wife watched the 2nd stage this morning, and he raced. ' Hope he manages to ride the whole tour.
In an OLN Lance A interview today, his comments included that he thinks there are TOO many riders this year, (200) and that that amount coupled with the fact that over 50 of them are doing their first tour ever will lead to many crashes and casualties.

[gungywump]

Tyler Hamilton is the toughest man alive!! He finished 100th in todays 2nd stage with his broken collarbone. He is taking it day-to-day.
Last year he crashed on stage 5 of the Giro and finished 2nd with a broken shoulder. He was in so much pain he cracked around 11 teeth gritting them. Note: with the tough drug rules he couldn't take prescription pain meds and probably many non-prescription meds as well.
A true men among men!
Don't expect him to give up too easily!

[Mt.A TODD]

They obviously don't stop to pee. So do they just go in their shorts or hold it till the end of the stage? That’s probably why they all crashed so close to the finish line, racing to the bathroom!

[AA]

Actually they do stop to pee. The peleton agrees when they will stop and the guys that have to pee..... well they pee. It is considered bad form to attack while the group is on a "nature break". In last years tour a group of 5 or so riders attacked during a nature break. After the main pack reeled them back in they were scolded for being bad sports.

As for Hamilton he is tough for giving it a go however I doubt he will be able to effectively climb with the busted collar bone. To race at that level you need an incredible pain threshold, it shows how tough all those skinny guys really are.

[Mt.A TODD]

Thanks AA, you are almost as smart as Gungywump!

[AA]

Thanks AA, you are almost as smart as Gungywump!


ummm thanks?

The Tour RULES.......
I'll be glued to the TV for the next three weeks.....

[splat]

They obviously don't stop to pee. So do they just go in their shorts or hold it till the end of the stage? That’s probably why they all crashed so close to the finish line, racing to the bathroom!


also beside the occosional Pee break, Riders have been know to fall to the back of the pack, have a team mate hold there bike and just take a wizz right from there saddle.

[gungywump]

For those who may have missed the last few days let me recap:

Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . !!!!

The man is ON FIRE!!
On Thursdays stage he jumped from 7th place in the lead out and BLASTED by the top sprinters in the world(minus one) for the win!! It was UNBELIEVABLE!!
And then he won today(Friday). He now has 4 stage wins to go with his 6 Giro stage wins!!

We're Not Worthy!!

[gungywump]

Tyler Hamilton is the toughest man alive!! He finished 100th in todays 2nd stage with his broken collarbone. He is taking it day-to-day.
Last year he crashed on stage 5 of the Giro and finished 2nd with a broken shoulder. He was in so much pain he cracked around 11 teeth gritting them. Note: with the tough drug rules he couldn't take prescription pain meds and probably many non-prescription meds as well.
A true men among men!
Don't expect him to give up too easily!





As for Hamilton he is tough for giving it a go however I doubt he will be able to effectively climb with the busted collar bone. To race at that level you need an incredible pain threshold, it shows how tough all those skinny guys really are.




Thanks AA, you are almost as smart as Gungywump!






Thanks AA, you are almost as smart as Gungywump!


ummm thanks?


The key word there AA is 'ALMOST'.

How do you like Hamilton now?!?!

Hmmmmmmm?? ;)

[AA]

I am impressed by Hamilton toughness. BTW your boy Petacchi has dropped out. You better stop cheering for Tyler or he may drop out as well ;)

I am Actually watching the replay of stage 8 as I type. I think the Phil Ligget has lost his mind. He keeps saying that lance dosent have the fitness of previous years and that he is vunerable unlike prior years. I think that he is only being challenged this early in the Tour because the mountain stages are so early. Lets wait another week and see where some of these "challengers" are.

For those who may have missed the last few days let me recap:

Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . !!!!


Looks like He's pulled a

Cippollini...

[gungywump]

For those who may have missed the last few days let me recap:

Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . !!!!

The man is ON FIRE!!
On Thursdays stage he jumped from 7th place in the lead out and BLASTED by the top sprinters in the world(minus one) for the win!! It was UNBELIEVABLE!!
And then he won today(Friday). He now has 4 stage wins to go with his 6 Giro stage wins!!

We're Not Worthy!!






For those who may have missed the last few days let me recap:

Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . Petacchi . . . !!!!


Looks like He's pulled a

Cippollini...


Pettachi is a perfect example of why Super-Mario should be in the Tour every year. The first week would be boring without the daily showdowns between the best sprinters in the world. I don't care if the sprinters drop out when they get to the mountains. They provide ALOT of drama and excitement at the end of the boring long flat stages that occupy the first week of the tour. I believe last time Mario was allowed to play he won 5-stages in the first week. I guess Luc LeBlanc will now have Pettachi on his Black-List.
I never said Pettachi wouldn't drop out!

I did however say that Hamilton wouldn't give up easily!

The 'Tough-Man from Marblehead' has now crossed over into the realms of myth and legend!

[C.P.]

The first few mtn stages have been interesting to say the least...Lance has definitely got a "bulls eye" on him this time. All the climbers are taking turns peppering him with attack after attack in the climbs. Although he still holds onto the yellow, it's going to be tough to keep. I say watch out for Iban Mayo as he chips away at his current GC time, also Tyler...he is AMAZING.
Todays' stage - (10) At the summit Beloki went down, Lance just missed him, going off the pavement. I think Beloki is out after the crash...Lance got lucky there, and I was wondering if he could get penalized for going off course like he did.
There is still over two weeks of racing left. The pyrennes will be exciting to watch.

C.P.

[AA]

Lance just missed him, going off the pavement. I think Beloki is out after the crash...Lance got lucky there, and I was wondering if he could get penalized for going off course like he did.

C.P.


This is from an AP story regarding the "off road" section Lance took.

Armstrong was not penalized for skipping the bend because he did not gain time on rivals and did not do it on purpose.

[radair]

Man, I only saw the crash on poor quality video, but did Beloki slam the ground hard or what!

Armstrong was smart to back off and give him some room. Also very smart to pull back onto the track and ease back into the spot he was in before the crash. The guy's a MTBer, after all.

I wish I could watch this stuff; it seems like every day there's some wild action.

[C.P.]

Yeah, Beloki broke his femur...Youch!

[AA]

Man so much has gone on in the tour over the last few days I dont even know where to start. How about this.......

BEST TOUR EVER!

OK probably not the best tour ever but it's pretty damn exciting.

[CouchingTiger]

Agreed, yesterday's stage was pretty dramatic.

-Couch

[Sci Teach]

Could the raceget any more exciting??!!

Ullrich kicked serious butt in the tie trial...and Lance wasn't looking too healthy.

The Pyrenees come along and have proved to be where the race is won and lost. Stage 14 showed Armstrong feeling more like himself.....and then came the Tourmalet and stage 15! Ullrich is looking damn strong....but Lance pulls off the stage he's needed all tour! I thought the cyclocross exhibition was out there, but the crash during an attack, get up...nearly fall again...and he STILL gets out of the saddle and attack to take the stage!!

I've always thought that these guys were great atheletes, but they are now in the superhuman category! How can they put this much effeort out each day, day after day, for 3 week I don't know. And you've got a guy like Tyler Hamilton....riding for 14 stages with a double fracture of his collarbone!!

Gonna be an exciting stage 16 tomorrow....who knows what bizzare tacticts are going to be used. I can't wait! I don't think the tour is won yet....down to the last time trial we go!

After Lance went down yesterday and then misfired on the peda...he got fired up!

Great Coverage...even though I knew the outcome.

[AA]

This tour does have a bit of everything. Here is an excerpt from the newsflashes section of the official tour web site explaining Ullrich dropping back to the team car by himself in stage 13..........


12 H 31 - Explanation Of Ullrich's Team Car Conference In Stage 13...
At the 100km mark of yesterday's stage, Jan Ullrich returned to the team car for a discussion with his director, Rudy Pevenage. No reason was given for the conference in the middle of the stage. That was probably because the reason was a rather embarrasing one. It was revealed after the stage that the rider who finished the stage in 2nd place needed to go to the toilet. And it was for a 'Number Two'... with the pace high, Ullrich realized what he needed to do. Figure out the rest of this story without the need for graphic detail. Let's just say: he didn't stop...



No wonder Lance couldnt keep up......... too stinky!

[gungywump]

What never ceases to amaze me is; on top of incredibly steep climbs with numerous switchbacks they have to ride through a sea of rabid fans. Yelling in their ears, tapping them on the back, running along side, and obscuring the road only to part meters in front of them at the last second . . . I don't know how they can remain focus and keep from punching someone.

And, Tyler Hamilton!! I think if he wasn't riding in so much pain and discomfort he really could have put up a serious challenge.

What never ceases to amaze me is; on top of incredibly steep climbs with numerous switchbacks they have to ride through a sea of rabid fans. Yelling in their ears, tapping them on the back, running along side, and obscuring the road only to part meters in front of them at the last second . . . I don't know how they can remain focus and keep from punching someone.


Gungypalooza,

You're rides aren't like this! Mine are...well actually, using this mornings "regular" Tuesday am ride as an example, my rides are solo...you know when no one shows up for a scheduled ride that has been occuring for months and there is no phone call or email. >:( Oh, it must have been the rain..wait...there was no rain and it was gorgeous...

Positive side was a didn't get stuck riding "sweeper"...I was in front the whole time.

[gungywump]

As I write this Tyler Hamilton is about to WIN stage 16!!

He has been on a solo break since the 55km point of todays 197.5km stage!!

Before the tour IMAX decided to follow Tyler's team and Tyler in particular. They were interested in recording the mental aspects of competeing in the Tour. I think they got their money's worth. I can't wait to see this story in an IMAX film.


Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler! Tyler!

Ooooooooooooooooh YEA!!!!

Hamilton Wins.........What a great role model for cycling in New England.....For cycling in the US...

Congrats Tyler!

[pk]

Tyler, on pain:

"I work with the pain, and that's how I go about my daily life,' he says. 'Accepting the pain has turned into part of my daily routine. In my opinion, it's better to accept it and not resist it. If you resist it, it's even harder.' "

[Mt.A TODD]

Both Lance and Tyler need to practice talking without using aaaaaa..ahhhhhh.aaaaaaa... every other word.."breakaway.. aaaa...feeling good.. ahhhh"...they sound like Frenchmen. :-X

anybody hear about the Freerider jumping the peleton during Alp d'Huez stage? http://www.nsmb.com/shore_news/tourjump_07_03.php

This IS the best Tour ever! ...well unless Ullrich wins.

[AA]

Both Lance and Tyler need to practice talking without using aaaaaa..ahhhhhh.aaaaaaa... every other word.."breakaway.. aaaa...feeling good.. ahhhh"...they sound like Frenchmen. :-X



Todd,

I think that ahhhhh ummmm... the riders that... ummmmm live overseas... ahhhhh aaa ummm... are constantly changing languages.... ummmm... depending on who is interviewing them... ahhhh... and that causes... ummmm... the.. ahhhh... annoying euro pauses....ummmm

I noticed this a few years ago. It is strange when you see Lance in a one-on-one interview away from the tour, no euro pauses. Perhaps they are all tired from the stage and cant collect their thoughts.

[AA]

BEST TOUR EVER!

Now what the hell am I going to watch on TV............

BEST TOUR EVER!




Agreed!

In addition to Lance winning and them playing the good ol USA National Anthem in France, the green jersey chase made Stage 20 that much more excellent.

Then I flipped to watch the boys of summer beat the Yankees...Manny Ramirez got on his horse to get that last out...who would have thought...

[pk]

The Vuelta de España begins September 6th, with live coverage on OLN.

In the meantime we get to hear Cleetus commenting on the PBR Bucking Bronco Tour de Darwin. :(

pk

[AA]

The Vuelta de España begins September 6th, with live coverage on OLN.

In the meantime we get to hear Cleetus commenting on the PBR Bucking Bronco Tour de Darwin. :(

pk


I have watched a little bit of the bull riding on OLN. I like it when the bull stomps the crap out of those cowboys, YEEE HAAA. Revenge of the bulls.

The Vuelta de España begins September 6th, with live coverage on OLN.

In the meantime we get to hear Cleetus commenting on the PBR Bucking Bronco Tour de Darwin. :(

pk


I have watched a little bit of the bull riding on OLN. I like it when the bull stomps the crap out of those cowboys, YEEE HAAA. Revenge of the bulls.



Last night before the tour, they had some "seasons worst" of the Bulls pounding on the riders...it was nutty...some of these guys pass out and get their hand stuck under the rope and flail around dirty dishrag...

Good recap with Lance last night on OLN. Interesting insight on:

1. The Brake Rub during the first stage in ALPS "the pad was burnt and down to nothing"..or something like that.

2. Doesn't think Ulrich waited for him.

3. Crazy weight loss during the time trial.

Overall perspective on tactics, etc.

Anyone see it?

[AA]

I saw it, very interesting. Lancy is still pretty cocky. I especially liked it when he said that Ullrich's team manager was to blame for all the tactical mistakes Jan made.

[I Are Baboon]

I saw it, very interesting. Lancy is still pretty cocky.

Yes, but at least he is not an ******* about it, like, say, Barry Bonds. Lance has always been like that. It's just how he is. He still rules. 8)

[C.P.]

' Caught a little of the "Lance show"...
Good review - boy, Tyler will be right up there with Ullrich next year as threat to Lance...should be another epic race!

I found it interesting that Lance knew that Ullrich had two Bianchi team members wipe on the final TT, exactly where Ullrich wiped, and they failed to tell Ullrich about that slippery section, - where as incontrast, Lance told of Postal team members calling him immediately after they completed their run, to tell him of slippery sections etc.

How bout Lance's "rain dance" comment for the final TT...really now, if it had been a dry final TT, I still wonder how close the tour would have REALLY been. - IE a race for both the green AND yellow jersey on Stage 20 - wow imagine that!

C.P.