Tour de France 2011 talk

[tulip]

I could only read a few words of the French transcript about the car. Could someone translate that, please?

Here ya go:

"The car that was involved received the directive from the Course Referee to not pass and to allow the Europcar Directeur Sportif to bring a water bottle to Thomas Voeckler that he had requested. Ignoring this order, the car sped up and caused the crash of the two racers," said the the Tour head-honchos in a communique that considered the behavior "unacceptable."

[Aggie_Ama]

RT andy_schleck Here we go jens voigt on twitter @thejensie

He already has > 2000 followers in less than 20 minutes.

Ironically we call our puppy Jensie! I keep telling my husband the puppy is too wimpy, I am going to get him a collar that is embroidered with TTFU so Jens Voigt doesn't take his name back.

[channlluv]

Geemonetti. Thanks, Tulip.

"Unacceptable"?

Oy-freakin'-vey.

[tulip]

What's wrong with "unacceptable?" I certainly think the driver's move was unacceptable.

[channlluv]

It's such an understatement.

"Egregious error in judgement," maybe.

[tulip]

It's such an understatement.

"Egregious error in judgement," maybe.

The word in French is intolérable. Perhaps my translation was understated. A better translation would be something like "completely unacceptable." It's a very strong word.

[channlluv]

Ooohhh, well, there you go. Intolerable is stronger.

I wonder what will happen to the driver of that car. I know he's been kicked out of the Tour, but I would imagine there are more repercussions than that. I would hope so, at any rate. He ignored orders to pull over.

I can hardly wait for the post-rest day commentary tomorrow morning.

Roxy

[beccaB]

Would unconscionable be a good word? seeing that on TV made me want to punch something.

[Dogmama]

Would unconscionable be a good word? seeing that on TV made me want to punch something.

There are lots of good words - but none that I can use here.

[ny biker]

Phil went with "disgraceful."

[loopybunny]

A few weeks ago I saw something on the news about some major league baseball player having a sprained ankle, or maybe wrist, I don't know. But it was definitely a sprain. And it was huge news to the sports guy on the tv news: Big Important Baseball Dude Leaves Game Due to Sprained Ankle/Wrist.

And all I could think was, what a pu$$y. He wouldn't last 5 minutes in a bike race.

Haha! I think things like that too.

[ShubieGA]

I think it was Pujols on the Cards. next thing you know - 15 day disabled list. Cyclists - patch up at 40kph and keep on truckin'.

[Roadtrip]

I saw this photo online and while a little disturbing, shows the real character of the rider, Chapeaux Johnny Hoogerland!!

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6827671_n.jpg

Click only if you have a strong constitution. Also a little sad that someone stood there taking photos of him in likely one of the worst moment of his life instead of climbing in to help him.

I normally wouldn't post but this dude is my new hero.

[bluebug32]

I enjoyed BikeSnob's idea of revenge:

"If I were a Tour official, I’d start by sentencing the driver to spend the entire rest day sealed in a hamper containing the whole peloton’s dirty bib shorts. Then, I’d make him spend the remaining stages locked inside the Garmin team bus bathroom. (They don’t call Thor Hushovd the “God of Thunder” for nothing.)

Finally, once the Tour was over, I’d tie him to a chair Clockwork Orange–style and make him listen to an edited recording consisting entirely of every single one of Paul Sherwen’s tedious French châteaux facts. I can hear it now:

“Did you know, Phil, that the Chateau du Fromage was built in 1620 by Louis XIII’s cousin in order to house his extensive collection of fragrant cheeses?”

“NOOO! Make it stop! I can’t take it anymore!”

I know it’s cruel, but the punishment should fit the crime."

http://www.bicycling.com/tour-de-fra...mages?page=0,0

[Deborajen]

I just read on Cycling News in an article about Johnny Hoogerland that "Race director Jean-Francois Pescheux apologized and said it was a scandalous thing that happened." Is something getting exaggerated in the translation or is this suggesting the car rammed the cyclists on purpose? With all of the politics in TDF I'd wondered if it could have been deliberate, but surely a French TV car wouldn't nearly take out Voekler. On the other hand, the car rammed right into Flecha. Hoogerland was being very nice about it and said he doesn't think it was done on purpose.--