[Baynative]

Seeing Chris Horner on the podium would be just glorious. (I met him while riding at an Arizona event in 1996.) He is one of the genuine good guys in the sport - a rider and athlete we can all be proud of.

But, in reality I think it will take something special to get by the Schleck brothers this year.

It all starts on the first Saturday of July. Sure, there's been a lot of bad publicity about drugs and the Armstrong controversy will overshadow the first week of the event. But, with any luck Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans, Alberto Contador and a pile of new and talented riders will give us all what we want - and event to remember and be proud of.

LET'S RIDE!

[Baynative]

For the record; this is the 20th Anniversary of Big Mig's first of five consecutive wins at TdF.

[Mr. Mojo]

The battle of the PED masking agents.

[Minn]

I haven’t heard. Is Contador in? What happened to all the failed test investigations? Plasticizers and stuff.

[irishtenor]

If there is a ping list, add me to it.

[Baynative]

Sudden, spectacular moments make the Tour de France what it is.

Racing can change in an instant, whether from a rider's quick acceleration, an unseen obstacle in the road, or a cyclist's unscripted emotional finish-line reaction. Great Tour moments are etched in race lore, and they occur in an instant, year after year — always when least expected.

Countless epic battles, horrific crashes, furious sprint finishes,

and curious split-second oddities have occurred in the race's century-plus history.

[Ready4Freddy]

Thanks, Bay!

So, anyone just hellbent for leather to ‘run’ the Tour thread on FR this year, or shall I continue?

[Joy in the Journey]

Thank you for the email—I have to say that I am not excited about the race at all this year. I haven’t even purchased the VeloNews special edition mag. :(

[LibWhacker]

Rare photo, Tour de France, 1941