TDF Discussion - here be spoilers

[Trek420]

Well, I think the pistol shooting is cultural. It's not playful exactly but here in the States so much more is read into it. I'm not sure of the Spanish perspective.

When it comes to athletes we don't necessarily have to like them for them to be good. He's a two time TdF winner! He's an exceptional talent.

We can't have hero Lance forever. Long live the Tour.

[Dogmama]

Lance 2005 3608 km/86:15:02 2009 3459.5 km/85:53:59
He was about 21min 2sec faster this yr over a course 148.5 km shorter

Contador 2007 3550 km/91:00:23 2009 3459.5 km/85:48:35
He was about 5hr 12min faster this yr over a course 90.5 km shorter

Sastre 2008 3558.5 km/87:52:52 2009 3459.5 km/86:14:56
He was about 1hr 38 min faster this yr over a course 99 km shorter

Now I know I didn't include "difficulty" in this - I don't know how. That aside, do any of these look "interesting" in the "improvement" category?

I'm just sayin'...

your ever-lovin' spazzdog

Hmmm-even with difficulty figured in - that is one heck-uv-an improvement.

Can you say "Andy Schlek - default winner?" C'mon - I know you can!

Anybody read From Lance to Landis? My physical therapist and I had many long conversations about doping. He bets everything he has that there is doping in the tour. You have to admit - some of those break aways that AC did were reminiscent of Landis. Schlek did a fair share too - but AC had several days of incredible bursts of speed.

For the sake of the sport, I hope I'm wrong. Maybe AC got his mojo going in a big way. I sure hope so.

Imagine - AC and AS both eliminated for doping. Lance is the winner.

[Trek420]

I hope not. I could not help but notice I felt Versus practically ignored AS. It's as if there was only 1st and 3rd place. "Alberto Contador wins the Tour and Lance Armstrong takes 3rd"

'scuse me? There's a spot in between?

[Dogmama]

VS was really bad this year. Usually I like Bob Roll - but I felt like I'd been "lanced" after 15 minutes (bad, I know.) He didn't even say Tour Day Fraance - I heard he stopped his feud with the French & decided to acquiesce to the correct pronunciation.

I kept wanting Andy to quit turning around to find his brother and ride his dam bike! Aren't there 12-step meetings for people like that??

[papaver]

Talking about teamspirit. One of our reporters asked Lance yesterday if he was going to have dinner with his teammates that evening. (this is a tradition that they have a sort of thank you dinner with the teammates). And he said no, I'm having dinner with RadioShack.

Oh well, we have seen an entertaining Tour (except for the second week). Some great wins (Cavendish 6 times!!!), a great winner overal, a splendid comeback, some new talent (Tony Martin, Jurgen VDB), some bad luck (Levi, Jens...). I loved it!

[chutch]

I'm sorry.. what chip is that?

Just his general attitude through the tour. It's not been that of a true team member and it's not reminiscent of Lance pre-retirement.

[7rider]

VS was really bad this year.

At least not every other commercial was some "male enhancement" product like you get on Universal Sports bike coverage.

Like many others, I have mixed feelings about Contodor. There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance, and to be a grand tour winner, you must tread it every day. Lance had/has it. Levi (bless his soul...I love the man) doesn't. That's why he's my source of perpetual frustration and he will always play second fiddle at the grand tours.

[tulip]

The French actually kinda liked Lance this year. Interesting.

Contador's done more than Lance ever has and ever will: he's won the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta.

I'm not anti-Lance--he had an amazing race this year--but I'm absolutely disgusted by the coverage by Versus because it was focused almost exclusively on Lance. There are many great riders (and a few great American riders if that's their argument) who are deserving of coverage.

[ivorygorgon]

So where do the riders get the matching accessories for the different winning jerseys? Do they just carry a stash around in case they win?

[Fredwina]

I think that goes back about 10 yearx to Mario Cipolinni(sp) :drool. He had a yellow bike, Handlebar tape, tires, etc
The used to fine riders for having an 'irregular' uniform
And I think does take some advanced planning on the parts of the manufacters, teams, and rider.
Mark Cavendish had a Green power meter, and did you notice the Color of Lance's bike in the final TT?

[redrhodie]

And how did Liquigas manage to have a polka-dot bike, but not a matching helmet?

[Fredwina]

maybe thier helmet supplier isn't as on the ball as thier bike supplier

[katluvr]

And how did Liquigas manage to have a polka-dot bike, but not a matching helmet?

My exact question/issue.
Loved the bike...but that helmet stood out like a sore thumb!

[SadieKate]

. . . and did you notice the Color of Lance's bike in the final TT?

Lance rode a collection of custom-painted "art bikes" which will be in a traveling exhibit and then auctioned.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/stages

[spazzdog]

Well, I think the pistol shooting is cultural. It's not playful exactly but here in the States so much more is read into it. I'm not sure of the Spanish perspective.

When it comes to athletes we don't necessarily have to like them for them to be good. He's a two time TdF winner! He's an exceptional talent.

We can't have hero Lance forever. Long live the Tour.

I went looking for translation of "contador" to see if maybe there was some marksman kind of reference. Alas, the meaning of "contador" is accountant or bookkeeper... i'm guessing the mimicry of typing numbers into an adding machine as a finish gesture wouldn't do