I think cycling, like most sports, is more fun to watch when you're familiar with the players/riders and their background, strengths, weaknesses, etc. In the 20+ years we've been together DH always watched the Tour de France even though he really only got into cycling in 2010. That's probably because he's European, and the TdF is usually a bigger deal to Europeans. Like most Americans I couldn't name another famous cyclist besides Lance Armstrong, at least not until last year.

Maybe it's because I started riding in 2012 and got strong enough to start doing centuries last year, but I finally got interested and watched every stage of the TdF last year. Part of my interest was just watching the riders' techniques, how the sprinters (Kittel, Greipel, Sagan, etc.) would draft behind other riders until the very last seconds when they'd race for the line, how riders like Chris Froome would attack with a really high cadence, how riders like Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana would climb like they're dancing on the pedals. I finally realized how grueling it must be to race over a hundred miles a day for 21 days over gorgeous landscapes and demoralizing climbs with only a few rest days, and how amazing the best riders really have to be to do well in the mountain stages, in the time trials, day after day, etc. After the TdF 2013 I watched most of the major televised tours and races with DH, and I'd start cheering for my favorite riders, Quintana (since he's small like me) and Sagan (because he's usually so entertaining).

And I don't think cycling fans who do watch these races/tours are trying to be name-droppers or know-it-alls; they're probably just really excited about their favorite riders and/or something exciting that happened in a race. Just because you couldn't care less about pro or college football, baseball, etc., you can't hate fans who are so into their favorite teams that they know all the players and their stats.

I'm also never going to race or straddle my top tube on a scary descent, but there are still techniques you can pick up just watching these riders. I advocate for anything that makes riding more fun, and if watching these races and tours makes you a better rider, then all the better. If you don't care about these races and tours, then tell your friends you're just not into it.

Finally, I know Lance Armstrong and all the doping scandals ruined cycling for many fans, but probably mainly only for those who could really only name Lance and maybe his teammates the years he dominated the sport.