Seeing your pictures, I don't think the swirling controversies are going to diminish the popularity of cycling. It seems the sport is trying to govern itself without outside influences having to intervene.
Cheers - Jay
Posts from Jay J. Foraker in thread „Anyone here watching Le Tour de France races?“
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Sally - On our telecast here in the States, during the 20th Stage, they interviewed Eddy Merckx and had some commentary by him.
They had Lance Armstrong on as well.
Cheers - Jay -
Great photos, Sally - thank you for the information, too!
Cheers - Jay -
There is a "Tour de California" scheduled for February that Versus announced it would carry. There were a number of other cycling events mentioned in passing during the "Tour de France," but no specifics were given as to dates or coverage.
As for the coverage of the "Tour," I specially enjoyed Al Trautwig and Bob Roll as commentators as well as Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett.
Cheers - Jay -
He (Boonen) slipped my mind momentarily! Your own home-grown product makes good, Sally!
ALLRIGHT!
HOORAY!
Cheers - Jay -
Contador, Evans and Leipheimer finished one, two, three in that order in Paris to finish the Tour. Hopefully, all the controversy will not deter the future of cycling, which is a very exciting sport to my mind.
Cheers - Jay -
Well - it looks like a race to Paris with the top three cyclists - Contador, Evans and Leipheimer!
They are only seconds apart while the rest are several minutes behind at the closest. This could really be a dustup approaching the finish, which will be tomorrow.
BOY! Levi left everybody in the dust in the time trials today!
Cheers - Jay -
It looks like the French people are not deterred. Still plenty of crowds along the routes.
I was rooting for Rasmussen too, but now I'll focus on the Discovery Teams two leaders, especially Levi (I think this is the same team Lance Armstrong was on the last few years he won the Tour - my memory isn't too swift these days).
Cheers - Jay -
Rasmussen is out because he didn't follow procedures. His own team disqualified him because, as I understand, he was supposed to be in Mexico (his wife's home), but instead he was seen practicing in the Dolomites in Italy at the time in question and not available for drug testing when he should have been (apparently being in Mexico was a legitimate excuse, but being in Europe he should have made himself available).
Vinokurov had a blood transfusion which supposedly made better ability for his body to be oxygenated. That was a definite no-no!!!!
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Despite all the negative publicity, I'm still following the Tour with great enthusiasm and now rooting for our guys on the Discovery team.
Cheers - Jay -
Vinokourov won Stage 15 with a vengeance!!! Awesome! But Rasmussen is holding on to the Yellow Jersey by a couple of minutes. This guy is a great mountain rider - surprising since he comes from Denmark which has no mountains to be seen anywhere.
Since today is a rest day, there won't be any action - tomorrow, one more mountain stage. Aren't the Pyrenees beautiful?
Cheers - Jay -
Looks like Vinokourov won Stage 15 today! Wow! This guy just won't quit. He might have a chance afterall. In the meantime, Rasmussen still holds on to the Yellow Jersey.
The Tour de France found my interest during Lance Armstrong's heyday, and still does today, I must say.
Cheers - Jay -
If so, who do you think will win? Also, who in this years race is your favorite?
I think there is a very good chance for Vinikourov, or Cadel Evans to win. Levi Leipheimer has also been doing pretty well this year as well as Michael Rasmussen.
I've been keeping up with the Tour, Carl. It looks like Vinikourov has fallen back in today's stage in the Pyrenees (my spelling may be off - I'm flying by the seat of my pants here) so he may be out of it even though he made a big comeback in the time trials yesterday. I've been rooting for George Hincape, but he really hasn't made any moves. I think Rasmussen will be the overall Tour winner - he seems to have a lot of strength and has consistently worn the yellow jersey.
Cheers - Jay
