Tour de France

[ramslac05]

so apparently the tour de france has been going on

now that lance armstrong isnt in it anymore i dont think anyone cares

what are your thoughts on this bike race extravaganza

[GO GAELS GO]

ya i don't think that half the world even knows that the tour de france is on because lance armstrong isn't in it anymore.

[Irishlax22]

I have not missed a leg of it yet. Its been good so far but it does not get good until the mountains. It can be seen on OLN.

[ron_burgundy]

i dont think anybody (americans) cared that much before as long as lance was winning. i just watched the espn bottom line to make sure he was in the lead.

[LFT]

george hincappi ftw.

[Irishlax22]

george hincappi ftw.
Hincappi is a god. :worship: (Why dont they just save us time and give him the trophy)

[dillz18]

I just learned the tour de france was goin on like 5 seconds ago whin I read the first post,

[ShockerAutc]

I think it is wrong to ban top riders without proof. Just like the pro track circuit. who do they think are, punishing racers for being good @ what they do.

[mmlax123]

on sportscenter i saw a highlight where the fans were waving these green things (i don't know what they were exactly) and one of them sliced open a rider's arm as he rode by. i think he had to drop out (?).

[Park City Pole]

Nope they sewed him up and put him back on his bike... They are green cardboard hands the are distributed but PMU one of the race sponcers. They are now banned from the final Km...

[insaneballer22]

Dude, Floyd Landis and George Hincappi are awesome. Americans have a great chance of taking the trophy this year.

[Park City Pole]

The real effect is that teams and their lead rider aren't there to "control" the race. That is what made Lance A so great (above and beyone his physical ability..) A rider like him with a team built to do his bidding has a huge controlling effect on the race from day to day.
As far as some of the rider DQ's they are as much due to the Pro Tour Code of Ethics, which states that one will not cheat, and if there is strong evidence (not proof mind you) of unethical behavior as decribed in this doc ument that rider must be removed by his team until such time as the behavior is determined to be unfounded.
On the plus side the race is now oopen for many of the "second tier" riders to stand up and take a shot at a win. No longer are you as likely to see CSC or Discovery Channel sit on the front of the group all day and hold the race together. In case you haven't guessed I love this stuff as much as I like playing ball.

[Park City Pole]

George H isn't as big a threat for the overall as everyone thinks.. outsdie shot yea, but a better call for top 5... It would be more apropriate to state that an American has a good chance to take the trophy since only George rides for an American team, and although all anyone ever hears about is the guy who wins, it definately a team thing... Guys to watch? George, Paulo Savoldelli, Levi Liephiemer (another American, rides for Gerolstiener out of Germany), Ivan Mayo, Landis. Tomorrow is the first sorting out of the ranks with the first long Individual Time Trial. Next come the mmountains. Fun fun fun.....

[Park City Pole]

There is a 200 (+-) page document plus recordings of key team officials along with video of riders enterng the premises of a doctor in Spain known to be conduction illegal blood doping. It has been proven that the doctor was performing the illegal work. There is strong evidence pointing to the participation of certain riders. The UCI (the USALax) of cycling, and the World Anti-Doping authority are investigation firther. ASO, the Tour organiser has the right, by contract, to exclude riders suspected of performance enhancing practices..Doping. Therefore until the investigations are complete they don't ride. htis isn't about riders "being good at what they do" it's about useing artificial means to improve performance... Just like tarck and field it's against the rules. The Barry Bonds Steriod thaing is an outgrowth of the same attepts to keep atheltes from doing them selves harm while trying to win.. I anyone wants more to rad about doping I can toss lilnks in here alter...

[defoalie]

dude i love the tour i'm addicted and wats this with dropping the team time trial that was favorite leg. and wat happened to ivan basso did he get kicked out. how long do u guys think boonen willl last and who will be on top after the time trial tommorow, i'm stoked i'm pulling for George. what happened to zabriskie he had like two good days last year and then crashed on the team time trial gooodd i'm mad that dropped that stage

[Irishlax22]

dude i love the tour i'm addicted and wats this with dropping the team time trial that was favorite leg. and wat happened to ivan basso did he get kicked out. how long do u guys think boonen willl last and who will be on top after the time trial tommorow, i'm stoked i'm pulling for George. what happened to zabriskie he had like two good days last year and then crashed on the team time trial gooodd i'm mad that dropped that stage
Basso is an alleged DOPER. Hes gone :clap:

[defoalie]

thx but what is everyones thoughts on the team time trial is anyone missin that stage this year

[Aussie_kid]

go the aussies...
Michael Rodgers for the Yellow Jersey
and
Robbie McEwen for the Green (Sprinters) Jersey

[Irishlax22]

Usually Aussies are not good hill climbers but rodgers is an exception.