Tour de France in its decisive week

BroadLeaf · 07-22-2008, 09:41 AM

Who will win the last mountain rides? Who will climb and who will brake? An american (vandeVelde?) as the big surprise? An Australian on the edge? Russian (Mensjov) top dreams for the Tour?

I watched the last mountain day and must say that the last 45 minutes were excellent for a sports fan. Even with the doping and stuff, the sport is beautifull when the stakes are high and the mountains even more!

**Meursault** · 07-22-2008, 10:16 AM

I dunno, I used to really dig the Tour, particularly back in the days of Greg LeMond and Stephen Roche, but nowadays the fun has been pretty much ruined for me. Whenever someone pulls off a great escape or clocks a superb time in the race, I can't help wondering if and when they will be caught with the next banned substance.

**Mugzy** · 07-22-2008, 11:59 AM

I thought it was Tour de Lance!

TheLancinator · 07-22-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meursault

I dunno, I used to really dig the Tour, particularly back in the days of Greg LeMond and Stephen Roche, but nowadays the fun has been pretty much ruined for me. Whenever someone pulls off a great escape or clocks a superb time in the race, I can't help wondering if and when they will be caught with the next banned substance.

Exactly...if cycling isn't the 'dirtiest' sport when it comes to doping, it surely is near the top of the list (track and field may still be worse) and it takes away any of the fun or excitement when you watch it or see the results.

**Meursault** · 07-22-2008, 03:35 PM

What really bums me is how many media still glorify the old champions just because they weren't found out (yet). Take Jan Ulrich for example: most journalists over here still contend his 1997 tour victory was clean - but how likely is that? We know Bjarne Riis, Pantani, Virenque etc. were definitely full to the hairline with EPO and other substances - are we seriously supposed to believe that Jan Ulrich ran them all down on nothing but good food and vitamin pills? Same goes for most of the other previous winners.

Lomax · 07-23-2008, 10:49 AM

I didn't even know this bike ride was going on. Just about a non issue sport here in the states. Pizza delivery guys on bikes in the city get more attention.

samarchepas · 07-23-2008, 04:13 PM

we hear about it alot even here in canada...to just have not heard of it you would have to stay away from the tv for a month

**Harpoon** · 07-23-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lomax

I didn't even know this bike ride was going on. Just about a non issue sport here in the states. Pizza delivery guys on bikes in the city get more attention.

Yeah, I'd disagree with that.

**Meursault** · 07-23-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

Yeah, I'd disagree with that.

so does Lomax, I believe.

**Harpoon** · 07-23-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meursault

so does Lomax, I believe.

I am disagreeing with Lomax's statement.

Vermillion · 07-23-2008, 09:32 PM

I like to find a bit of time to watch the Tour but it often gets relegated to unpredictable times and subsidiary channels these days.

I love the mountain stages (but I don't think I'd look good in a skin tight polka dot jersey...)

Lomax · 07-24-2008, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

I am disagreeing with Lomax's statement.

Watch it Ginger

**Meursault** · 07-24-2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpoon

I am disagreeing with Lomax's statement.

So does Lomax

(I think he just said it for the sake of the argument)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermillion

I like to find a bit of time to watch the Tour but it often gets relegated to unpredictable times and subsidiary channels these days.

I love the mountain stages (but I don't think I'd look good in a skin tight polka dot jersey...)

Let us be the judge of that!

**Mugzy** · 07-24-2008, 09:46 AM

Funny thing is Americans ARE replying in here!

chute911 · 07-24-2008, 10:21 AM

Well I must say that is has not really been that exciting this year.

Once you get over all of the doping, which is a lot less than in recent years. They are improving.

You just have to marvel that the strength of these guys. The tactics and the team work.

The winner of the race I think was decided yesterday, Carlos Sastre for CSC. It will take one hell of a time trial on Saturday for Cadel Evans to regain the Yellow jersey. Will make the last few days very interesting.

07-22-2008, 09:41 AM	#1
BroadLeaf Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: woodywood forest, 3rd tree left Posts: 3,466 Thanks: 30 Thanked 49 Times in 21 Posts	Tour de France in its decisive week Who will win the last mountain rides? Who will climb and who will brake? An american (vandeVelde?) as the big surprise? An Australian on the edge? Russian (Mensjov) top dreams for the Tour? I watched the last mountain day and must say that the last 45 minutes were excellent for a sports fan. Even with the doping and stuff, the sport is beautifull when the stakes are high and the mountains even more! __________________

07-22-2008, 10:16 AM	#2
Meursault Le Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Old Europe Posts: 39,015 Thanks: 141 Thanked 90 Times in 36 Posts	I dunno, I used to really dig the Tour, particularly back in the days of Greg LeMond and Stephen Roche, but nowadays the fun has been pretty much ruined for me. Whenever someone pulls off a great escape or clocks a superb time in the race, I can't help wondering if and when they will be caught with the next banned substance. __________________ sick sig courtesy of teabelly!

07-22-2008, 11:59 AM	#3
Mugzy Mod, All AS teams, Friend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: On the edge Posts: 71,717 Thanks: 2 Thanked 255 Times in 116 Posts	I thought it was Tour de Lance! __________________ __________________

07-22-2008, 03:35 PM	#5
Meursault Le Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Old Europe Posts: 39,015 Thanks: 141 Thanked 90 Times in 36 Posts	What really bums me is how many media still glorify the old champions just because they weren't found out (yet). Take Jan Ulrich for example: most journalists over here still contend his 1997 tour victory was clean - but how likely is that? We know Bjarne Riis, Pantani, Virenque etc. were definitely full to the hairline with EPO and other substances - are we seriously supposed to believe that Jan Ulrich ran them all down on nothing but good food and vitamin pills? Same goes for most of the other previous winners. __________________ sick sig courtesy of teabelly!

07-23-2008, 10:49 AM	#6
Lomax Post Whore Join Date: May 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Posts: 10,603 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I didn't even know this bike ride was going on. Just about a non issue sport here in the states. Pizza delivery guys on bikes in the city get more attention. __________________ ~ Sometimes it is better to want what you cannot have,..... than to have what you shall never want~

07-23-2008, 04:13 PM	#7
samarchepas Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: In the middle of nowhere in Canada Posts: 1,121 Thanks: 19 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	we hear about it alot even here in canada...to just have not heard of it you would have to stay away from the tv for a month

07-23-2008, 09:32 PM	#11
Vermillion Beard... Dragon... What? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam Posts: 6,348 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I like to find a bit of time to watch the Tour but it often gets relegated to unpredictable times and subsidiary channels these days. I love the mountain stages (but I don't think I'd look good in a skin tight polka dot jersey...) __________________ *OLD*Vermz' 6K Random Image Celebration

07-24-2008, 09:46 AM	#14
Mugzy Mod, All AS teams, Friend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: On the edge Posts: 71,717 Thanks: 2 Thanked 255 Times in 116 Posts	Funny thing is Americans ARE replying in here! __________________ __________________

07-24-2008, 10:21 AM	#15
chute911 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: looking through your drawers Posts: 2,874 Thanks: 3 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts	Well I must say that is has not really been that exciting this year. Once you get over all of the doping, which is a lot less than in recent years. They are improving. You just have to marvel that the strength of these guys. The tactics and the team work. The winner of the race I think was decided yesterday, Carlos Sastre for CSC. It will take one hell of a time trial on Saturday for Cadel Evans to regain the Yellow jersey. Will make the last few days very interesting. __________________

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