where I live, the only way to watch the Tour is on OLN... and Lance is mentioned by the announcers on every single stage anyway... I don't think that is going to change if he stays away this year... his clips are replayed and numerous highlights shown...

whether ya like him or not doesn't really matter. OLN likes him, Phil, Paul, Traut and Bob seem to like him... and he's gonna be talked about either way... there is no way for him to NOT be in the limelight. I don't think that detracts from the other riders or their victories. I still know who the Maillot Jaune is and who won yesterday's stage... and I'll still know that even if Lance IS there...