what is going on behind the scenes of this sport. I thought something had to be rotten either of the athletes or the official side...but now I’m wondering if the whole thing isn’t corrupt.
The worst part is I’m starting to question Landis and Armstrong; with LeMond's testimony and the espy video of Armstrong.
I haven't had the time to watch the last few stages. How are the commentators handling it?
Here is my take, keeping in mind that I'm not even close to being an expert. First of all, don't feel bad about being skeptical. I've been a Tour watcher for many years and admit I was blind to just how bad the drugs usage was. Is. I know it sounds like a cop out, the way fans are saying 'but this process is necessary in order to clean up the sport', but I do believe it's true. And I do also believe that there ARE clean riders -- and they DO have to keep hammering the message, because there is clearly no way they can excel in the sport as long as performance-enhancing drugs and practices drown out their chances of winning. The more people get tossed out for cheating, the better off EVERYONE will be. Most of all, the fans. I'm not as familiar with other bike races, but the TdF does belong to the fans. The organizers are right to protect it, and try to get it back on track. There's no better way than to have a public spectacle of tossing cheaters, if you think about it. And in its wake, the remaining riders deserve the support and attention of fans -- not as a footnote, but specifically BECAUSE they're still giving it everything they've got.
I saw an interview with Horner the other day, who said people are asking him if he's ready to just quit. He said, WHAT!? Hell, no! I've been working to get here my whole life! Now that they're finally tossing out the cheating liars, you think I should quit!!? He is so right.
As far as the commentators go, Phil is the most practical-and-optimistic of all four on Versus. Paul hasn't given much away as far as opinions, but you can tell he's trying to remain professional about it. Bob Roll has been the most severe in his criticisms.. well, him and Phil too, to an extent. If it weren't for those criticisms being so harsh and unwavering, I think the commentators would have looked like apologists. I'm so glad they went the honest route. Trautwig is kind of the Bob Costas of the group -- the media pro. The rest of them are former bike riders. Al's fine but his opinion doesn't hold the same weight as the others. All in all, to answer your question, I think they're hitting all the right notes in the commentating. I know they're skipping over gory details, or fudging sometimes, or giving big blustery praise here and there, but overall? I likey.
Sorry to be so long-winded. :-)
Oh. One more thing. I do question Landis's and Armstrong's claims that they never ever used performance-enhancing drugs. I think Landis probably is guilty of something. I'm sorry, I just do. I think Armstrong probably is, as well. Sorry Lance, but the Occum's Razor theory tells my gut that it's just not possible to be so dominant in (what I hope will turn out to be) cycling's Doping Final Years, without ANY tomfoolery, not even one time, through seven straight smackdown-style wins. I just don't see that being possible, sorry. And if he ever loved cycling, if there's something to come clean about, he should do it.
Now I'm off to go and speed-watch today's stage. BBL!
Remember that lance does have a larger heart than most and his cancer experience focused him I’m sure. I like this story...
“...It was the middle of Christmas Day and Jan Ullrich was tired from a night of celebrating the holiday. He wanted to see what his friend Lance was doing and to send along his best Christmas wishes. Lance answered the cellular telephone huffing and puffing and informed Jan that he was out for a quick training ride before the holiday dinner. They chatted for a few minutes and laughed about things...and when he hung-up the phone, Jan allegedly stated, “I just learned I’ve lost the next Tour de France...”
What did you think of that espy video at 3:20?