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Tour de France update thread...

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Just to follow up on Buckem's response to my earlier post, do I think you could run Michigan players down the street with nothing happening? No. Do I think you could do it without people making fun of a guy's cancer that almost killed him? I don't know, I'd like to believe you could, but I'm not sure. It's not the yelling or fingering I object to, it's the making fun of the cancer thing that frosts me, partuclarly from Europeans (German, French, whatever) who think they are so much more sophisticated than we are.

I understand your point, though.
 
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I dont follow cycling. Of course I know Armstrong's story and all, but when it comes to the rules of the game, I am ignorant. Still, I read something in the paper this morning that struck me as odd...

Apparently Armstrong has a grievence with an Italian rider named Simeoni. This Simeoni falla decided he was gonna break out of the pack and catch a group of riders who had broken away, so he took off. Armstrong was apparently of this mindset - Like hell, douchebag. So Lance nuts up and and busts ass after him... both riders catch the lead group, lead group says to Simeoni - you fool, you're not welcome here - you brought Armstrong with you, and if he's here none of us will win this stage. Back off. So, Simeoni eventually does, falls back to main pack along with Armstrong...

Simeoni has this to say, "Armstrong demonstrated to the entire world what type of person he is. It's not reasonable that a great champion doesn't give a chance to a smaller rider like me and the others ... I suffered an injustice from him while everyone was watching." What the fuck? Hey, dickhead, if you want to beat Armstrong, spend a little more time at the training table and a little less bitching about the fact that Armstrong can catch you and beat you any time he pleases. Why should any rider "give a chance" to any other rider? As I said, I don't follow cycling, so maybe I just don't get it. Is this a ... what .. popularity contest or a friggin race?
 
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bkb:

Simeoni is involved in a legal case where Dr. Ferrari (no relationship to the car), a gentleman who has assisted Lance with his preparation in the past, has been accused to dispensing banned drugs to cyclists. Simeoni has been deposed already and he had some choice words for Lance.

Simeoni's comments are as ridiculous as they can get, because he is not a "little cyclist", but a very good competitor with prestigeous titles under his belt. The problem is that Lance wanted to puncuate, on the road, that he, as well as most of the other riders, do not appreciate what Simeoni is perceived to be doing to the "good name" of cycling around the world.

At least, that is what I think is happening in this case.

Buckem:

Do you happen to know what happened to Alex Vinokourov, the promising young rider from Kazakstan who did so well last year?
 
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"Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes."

Isn't that illegal in most states?



I think this school thing's starting to get to me. Things like that actually amuse me these days. I need a good dose of sanity (in Bushmills form)
 
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Lance wanted to puncuate, on the road, that he, as well as most of the other riders, do not appreciate what Simeoni is perceived to be doing to the "good name" of cycling around the world.
Click to expand...

The version of the story I heard this morning supports this take and suggests Lance was congratulated by the other riders when he came back to the pack for doing what he did.

What is amazing about the whole episode is that he has such complete command and confidence that he could go out and do something like that and basically say - "I'm not in the mood to win this particular stage, but if you push me I will."
 
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Do you happen to know what happened to Alex Vinokourov, the promising young rider from Kazakstan who did so well last year?

Ullrich and Vinokourov where supposed to be 1 and 1A for T Mobile this year but Vino crashed in the Tour of Switzerland (pretty bad shoulder injury) and had to sit out the tour. I think he will be back for the Olympics. T-Mobile also lost what was supposed to be there number one Mountain domestique (Acevedo, Landis type rider) to injury prior to the Tour. With the way Lance rode it wouldn't have mattered if Telekom had had Basso as a domestique though. This was his best all around tour and no one in the pack could have beaten him.

Also if you are wondering why Joseba Beloki (one of Lances top rivals the last couple of years) wasn't in the tour he is still recovering from his fall last year in the Tour that caused Lance to have to ride through that field.

Final Note - It's looking like the dream races that Tour fans have wanted for years in which Ullrich shows up to Tour prepared and Ullrich and Armstrong stage epic battle after epic battle ala LeMond and Fignon are never going to materialize. Those that don't follow cycling probably aren't aware of what was predicted for this guy back in 96. Most riders take years to even be considered a candidate for overall victory. The results for Induarain's and Armstrongs early Tours are as follows.

Indurain - DNF, DNF, 97th, 47th, 17th, 10th and then he won
Armstrong - DNF, DNF, 36th, DNF befor he won

Ullrich was second in his first tour at 22 andthis year will have been his worst finish at 4th. It's just not the way it's supposed to work. Unfortunatly he never wanted it as bad as Lance and talent alone can't get you to the top when you are riding against someone with enormous talent and dedication. In other era's he may have been a TDF legend but his legacy will likely go down as one time winner and otherwise eternal bridesmaid.
 
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Congrats Mr. Armstrong on another "Tour de Lance" victory!!

Something of an anti-climax on the last day (all things considered) but I will miss watching these races.

Are there any competitive bikers out there who can put in perspective what it takes to ride like these guys do? I have done a couple of centuries, but on level ground with a little breeze at my back I might cruise at 16 mph - strictly recreatinoal. I saw Armstrong do a time trial up a 9-11% climb at 14.5 mph. My strategy on 9% climbs has always been prettty simple - wait til I get to the top and get back on my bike.
 
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