Posted on 07/05/2019 10:35:59 AM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Yes! Le Tour is here. The 106th edition of the race begins Saturday, in next-door Brussels, a nod to the stern-faced Belgian cycling titan Eddy Merckx, who won five overall Tours and 34 stages beginning in 1969... Its got a case as the craziest and most beautiful event in sports, but its clearly an acquired taste.
Im really super-duper into it. You know this.
...the four-time Tour winner Chris Froome, was badly hurt in a crash, suffering a broken leg and other injuries. Froome would have been a favorite for this year.
One of the more intriguing newbies is Mike Rusty Woods, a Canadian who rides for the U.S. team EF Education First. The 32-year-old Woods is a late bloomer who came to the sport after a career as an elite runnerhe may be the only rider in this years Tour whos also run a sub-four minute mile.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
You dont go to a gun fight with a knife. Lance got caught in a sport rife with PEDs.
Read The Secret Race. He’s a POS.
Don't have to read anything........Tell me one European cyclist on the racing circuit that was subjected to the drug inquisition that Armstrong was subjected to by our own USADA then we might have a conversation............
I watch Armstrong's podcast every day. It's mostly a lot of gibberish, with no organization and a lot of rambling. Which is interesting enough in itself, but doesn't add much to the overall sense of the Tour.
And Phil Liggett has always been an Armstrong fan, so it doesn't surprise me that he and Bobke brought Lance on for that interview. Lance will never fully redeem himself, but he's clawed his way back into some semblance of respectability for most people.
And love him or hate him, he knows bicycle racing.
Bobke is doing a surprisingly (to me) good job with the play by play. I enjoy the competition and the beautiful geography and history of the tour. Todays route was very interesting with all of its twists and turns and climbs.
I was surprised by the Armstrong interview. It seemed very awkward on Phil and Bob’s part. I question why they had him on as an expert for the race. It just seemed strained and strange.
I pretty much agree with you. I'm disgusted - and puzzled - now when I see Armstrong featured prominently in the NBCSN coverage. As if nothing ever happened.
He'll probably be in France next year, replacing Christian Vande Velde or Chris Horner in the studio. *barf*
I quit watching cycling.
The entire sport is dirty.
Armstrong was merely singled out for winning too much. They were all doing it.
Belated thanks for your reply. Interesting.
And Phil Liggett has always been an Armstrong fan, so it doesn't surprise me that he and Bobke brought Lance on for that interview. Lance will never fully redeem himself, but he's clawed his way back into some semblance of respectability for most people.
And love him or hate him, he knows bicycle racing.
I know Phil and Bobke have been good friends with Lance Armstrong for years (especially Bobke, I think).
I was a big fan back in the day, can't stand him now. But you're right -- he DOES know bicycle racing.
I didn't think it was really that awkward, as Phil and Bob are good friends with Lance. I felt awkward watching Armstrong again on NBCSN after all that's happened with him.
Lance Armstrong was on again with Phil and Bob tonight during the prime time NBCSN show. I guess his commentary is becoming a regular feature. Wouldn't surprise me if we see Armstrong in the NBCSN studio in France for TdF 2020. *rolling eyes*
Yes he is, although he *really* butchers the French language, lol.
I really miss Paul though. He and Phil were the absolute best. (And Paul could speak French beautifully) And I really miss seeing Bobke in the studio with Christian and Paul... Bobke isn't "Bobke" without all the hilarious facial expressions and hand gestures. Now we get only one quick glimpse of Bob with Phil at the beginning of each show, and that's it.
I do think Chris Horner is a good addition to complement Christian Vande Velde in the studio.
I did too.....Armstrong was the only reason I got involved in viewing the TDF as probably many, many other Americans did too.
Now that he's gone, it's just another European sport that I could not care less about....
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