That won't be tolerated.Not by me, anyway.
It's fairly obvious my comments were not directed toward a charitable organization
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The whole point of that jersey move was to promote the Livestrong cancer awareness. And you posted an "*** hat". Maybe I misunderstood.
Besides, even if it is "all about Lance", he's uses his fame for good. Which is more than like 99% of the other household names can say for themselves. Livestrong/LAF has a good charity rating, so I'm ok with silly stunts if it helps raise funds. They probably got more publicity with the mess up, anyway!
They did the same thing last year - different jersey on the last day - had big yellow bands on it or something. They got a fine and that was the end of it. I think Lance just paid it and felt it was worth it for the publicity (as Cippo did often - and his TT costumes were just plain outrageous for the fun of it rather than to make any specific point....). I don't think they expected it to be such a big stink this year. I thought the jerseys were nice too and I think the organizers were a bit uptight today.
3 cheers for Petacchi! He had such a bad run of luck for a while - broke his kneecap, lost his place with his *amazing* lead out team because of doping allegations (from which he was eventually cleared), bounced around to several teams and never really had the same phenomenal success he had for so long. I figured he was probably done - too old to contest the young pups in the sprints anymore, but he showed a lot of grit this year. I was stoked to see him win the green.
I thought the black jerseys were great - way better than their regular ones. Very cool. I think I like them better than any of the other kits in the tour this year.
I didn't actually hear Lance talking about Lance - I heard him talking about cancer research, which was the clearly stated goal at the outset with Team Radio Shack. It was about raising awareness.
I know a lot of people don't like him, and you aren't required to, but who has done anywhere near as much to promote awareness of the U.S. cycling program? Or won as many TDFs? People who never knew bike racing existed are into it now. How is that bad? Personally, I have a lot of respect for him.
On another note - I thought Contador & Schleck's fake attack on the peloton today was really cool! :D I didn't like Contador, but he's grown on me since The Incident the other day - if Andy can forgive him and be buddies with him, who am I to hate the guy? :rolleyes:
Go Andy! Just WAIT until next year!
While I'm certainly not a Lance "fan" and he and I would not see eye-to-eye on a great many topics, I do have tremendous respect for his athleticism, riding ability, competitiveness, mental-acuity and ability and willingness to use his "celebrity" for something good. He's not required to give anything back... really none of us are... but he absolutely has given back! I can think of no other rider in the modern era who has singlehandedly done more for the sport of cycling.
I always enjoy watching the tour and and feel a little sad when it ends. At least now I will get some decent sleep.
Great to see Petacchi make it to Paris and in green.:)
I'm sad to see it over and disappointed Andy wasn't in yellow but there is next year. Andy's such a neat kid. Did you hear him say how he was sad inside because his brother wasn't there but that he kept a brave face and didn't let it show for the team? Contador is a champion though.
I'm not a big Lance fan but will have to give him credit for raising awareness and funding for cancer research. He seems to be as passionate about that as he is cycling and I respect him for it.
Honestly, there would be no Team Radio Shack if Lance had not come out of retirement. Just like there would be no Team Astana if Vino hadn't decided to take charge and get his friends to start a team. But now that they exist and are having a good season, I hope they're able to continue for a while. They have some very talented young riders in the pipeline.
I did think TRS should have known enough to get permission to change the jerseys, but I guess since they've done it before (as have others) they figured they would just have to pay a fine and be done with it. And if you can hit another rider with your front wheel and not be DQ'd, then who would expect you'd get kicked out of the race for changing your clothes.
I read that the UCI is donating the amount of the fine to a cancer-related charity.
I was so bummed to be watching the news on TV this morning instead of Phil and Paul.
I am having TdF withdrawal a little worse this year. Not really sure why, but do know that I saw much more of it this year than in the past.
It's also a sign that summer is going by :mad:.
I guess they went by the "it's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission" route.
But I can see the TDF officials seeing the jersey swap as a hijack of the TDF agenda to promote Livestrong and that Lance Armstrong would be pulling something over on them.
But really, what's the difference between promoting Livestrong, Nissan, Radio Shack, or any or the other sponsors listed on the team kits?
Suffering withdrawal but still wanting to watch stage 2. Hmm I wonder how long us Tour Tracker viewers get access to watch the stages?
Jens arriving in Paris: "It's a goose bump situation."
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/reac...urs-20th-stage
Good for Chavenal for being named most combative. I enjoyed seeing him win. I also saw a great picture of him and Pineau jumping on their hotel beds after finished in yellow and polka dots for the first time.
There was already huge Livestrong promotion throughout the tour. Look at the Nike chalkbot messages every day. And it goes back years, to the first yellow wristbands when pretty much every guy in the peloton wore them.
I'm wondering if the issue was more to do with the fact that it was a major design change. Previously I think their changes were minor and the overall kit was still recognizable. But this year it was totally different.
Speaking of designs, I vote for the yellow jersey podium girls as having the best dresses. They actually had 2 different styles and I liked them both. Green was okay but the shape was too a-line for me. Young rider dresses were too plain and ordinary (little black dresses). Stage winner outfits were designed by someone who does not know how to make a woman's hips look attractive, and the polka dot dresses were fun but whack.
Also, not sure if anyone noticed but the American podium girl from last year was back again this year, doing the young rider thing.
Also also, it was good to see that the person with the chalk board on the motorbike was a woman this year, for the first time. I wonder what that job is like.
Yes, very sad...no TDF to go home and anxious grab remote to DVR!!
I admit I watch very little of last stage except the end.
I think I knew Contador would win...I just didn't want to admit it. He is good. He seem to have tried harder near the end to present more of an image of a generous winner. Andy just needs to learn to time trail better or find a way to really get ride of Alberto on those mountains. Wonder what it would of been like if Frank could of been there with him.
I was very happy that Chris Horner had a good tour...10th...I bet he was happy with that.
I will miss Jens and Fabian!
I will miss it all! Guess I just have to get out there and ride myself!
Yes, tour withdrawal is setting in for me.... waaaaaaaah
Looks like Fabian and the Schlecks are planning to ride the Vuelta this year. No Contador, though.
Glad to hear Frank will be riding the Vuelta. Something to keep me going for a little while :)
Wow, things just keep getting worse for Lance.
I wonder if Bruyneel and all of the Radio Shack team has to show up for this hearing...
UCI Opens Proceedings Against RadioShack Over Kit
http://www.bikeworldnews.com/2010/07...adioshack-kit/
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/201...stPop_Emailed5
This link takes you to the photos of the last 10 stages. There is also a link to the 1st 10 stages. Incredible photography!
I just love Andy. I will be rooting for him and Frank in the Vuelta!
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/and...e-to-tour-star
How can you not love Andy. This pic he posted on his Twitter feed cracks me up!
http://tweetphoto.com/35393709
Two crits? Wouldn't you think they would take some time off?? Fabian's my hero. He's awesome. And Andy? Well I just want to give him a hug and bake him a pie. He's adorable.
A TdF finale video from Nissan/Master the Shift.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tId1zl1wdJo
Shut up, body!!!
http://www.jensvoigtfacts.com/
Click on the pictures. Heee. :P
I read today that Contador will be joining the new version of Saxobank, and that Andy and Frank Schleck are off to create a new team from Luxembourg.
Looks like Cancellara will be pulling Contador up the big hills next year. If the Schleck team is as strong, there's going to be one heck of a race!
Here's a link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...ador-saxo-bank