What? You're sure it's not eau de elderberries?
Posted on 07/04/2009 8:09:14 AM PDT by Mom MD
Today is day one! Armstrong riding. Astana is back! Predictions? Other comments? Does someone have the ping list from last year?
What? You're sure it's not eau de elderberries?
Hey, I was struggling to come up with a French thing that I could spell. ;)
I, too, taunt in your general direction.
I wanna see 'em stage a crit at the FW Stockyards! (Talk about eau de truffles)
3. ARMSTRONG Lance 22 ASTANA 73h 21’ 04” + 05’ 25”
4. WIGGINS Bradley 58 GARMIN - SLIPSTREAM 73h 21’ 15” + 05’ 36”
5. KLÖDEN Andréas 23 ASTANA 73h 21’ 17” + 05’ 38”
6. SCHLECK Frank 36 TEAM SAXO BANK 73h 21’ 38” + 05’ 59”
That’s what you call a race for 3rd place. 34” separating 4 podium possibles. With a muncher mountain Stage coming up.
EXACTLY...I loved LeMond back in the day (have one of his spin bikes) but Lance is American cycling. Period. Greg cannot handle that.
letour.com - Alberto Contador – “We still need to stay focused…”
“I was ready for this performance. It’s not a surprise for me. Yesterday everyone in the team thought I was going to win the time trial stage but I was not sure at all. I knew there was a possibility to do so but I wanted to continue putting time into my rivals. Now we will have to continue to defend the yellow jersey and the race is far from being finished.
“We must absolutely make not mistakes on the climb of Mont Ventoux. I feel good, except that after 40km, my legs hurt but this is normal. This victory was very important but we still need to stay focused."
I’m sure he means the royal we. You know the editorial....
The more this man opens his mouth, the more obvious it becomes there's a lot more than Lance that Greg Lemond can't handle.
Like life, for starters. He's had some tough breaks (the shooting accident, and now he says he was the victim of childhood sexual abuse), but he's been the beneficiary so many more extraordinary opportunities which most mere mortals can only dream of ever enjoying in their lifetimes. A person would have to work really hard to be as bitter as he is, given all of the wonderful gifts the fates have chosen to bestow on him.
I don't begrudge him the desire to clean up his sport. I do begrudge him the desire to clean it up by obsessively destroying it and repeating history by making fundamental fairness to other atheletes - notably younger athletes - a victim of his abuse in the process.
” While viewing race coverage I continue to be impressed with how many people in France (or Europe) seem to have enough luxury time to watch bicycle racing. “
Was fortunate to live in Belgium on a work assignment during several tours, including Lance’s first win. Saw him on two stages, including the finale in Paris.
Cycling is like American football to them. The local bike shops talk about family get togethers to go to the events, or watch on tv. This , besides soccer, is their national sport.
Also, July is prime holiday/vacation time in Europe. That’s contributes to higher attendance.
Miss riding the countryside and some of the sections of the classics. It was a once in a lifetime experience.
I hope he is clean. I do wish he had answered the VO2 Max question though. I’m very curious about that.
You described the atmosphere perfectly.
The daily grind fades into the less important realms and one becomes captivated by and savors the sights, sounds and excitement.
Watching some of those hyped-up fans tempting fate by running righting up alongside the riders today reminded me exactly of Pamplona. Unfortunately, it may be just as dangerous. A woman was killed walking into one of the Republican Guard motorcycles escorting the riders this year.
I understand why he did, I’m just curious about it.
I believe Lance’s is around 83 mL/Kg/min. Indurain’s is supposed to be somewhere between 88 and 94 and I think Lemond is 92.5. I would just like to see how he compares to the others. Maybe this is why Lemond is mad, Contador might have a higher VO2 than him.
” Now that’s what I call good duty. Did you get to visit some of the places that honor the world’s greatest cyclist - his factory in Meise, maybe?”
Yes, I did. Got to see both Eddy and Axel. They are very down to earth people.
” Here’s Didi”
Thanks for the photo. Wouldn’t be the tour without him.
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