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Tour-Crashing (Sheryl) Crow Steals Cycling's Charm
Wisconsin State Journal ^ | July 7, 2005 | Nicole E. Rogers

Posted on 07/08/2005 6:02:21 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

Rocker Sheryl Crow has ruined the Tour de France.

Well, she's ruined it for me, anyway. I'm sure her fans are much more interested in cycling now that she's lending her astute commentary to the race coverage.

But I'm not impressed, or enlightened. Just annoyed.

Because her famous boyfriend, Lance Armstrong, is wearing the yellow jersey, I'm supposed to care about what she thinks of his position in the peloton?

No, thanks.

Listen. We know you support him. We all support him. My guess is, when he was married, his wife even supported him. But she wasn't sharing her insights with Bob Roll and Al Trautwig. And she probably knew more than some spotlight-hogging rock star.

What makes Crow's ubiquitousness more disappointing is that the Tour de France was always one of those sporting events that didn't seem to need the touch of celebrity; huge as it was in the cycling world, it managed to keep a low profile everywhere else. In my teen years, I scoured the networks for signs of the tour, but those days, it wasn't huge. There were no cable networks to track the live progress of Greg LeMond, Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon or Pedro Delgado. Instead, I'd set a VCR for six hours on a Sunday, and cross my fingers for about 20 minutes of highlights.

Now I have the luxury to watch every stage live if I want, and listen to the sharp commentary from Phil Liggett - who's been narrating the tour for as long as I remember - and Paul Sherwin. It's a great thing for Tour junkies.

Until now, when the second-day commentary featured Sheryl Crow, in her breathy, soft Southern twang, fretting: "Oh my gosh, I was sooo worried that I made Lance's foot slip out of his pedal, 'cause I gave him the thumbs-up just then, and I asked him later, 'was it my fault?' "

Ugh.

There she is, on a split- screen while Lance is pedaling furiously. There she is, on the sidelines when the racers start the stage. There she is, riding in a support car with five- time tour winner Hinault. There she is, canoodling with Lance.

There she is, EVERYWHERE.

The tour doesn't need Sheryl Crow to make it relevant, but yet there she is, in front of the cameras, sharing her thoughts and relating to the masses. I wouldn't be surprised if she starts playing a number or two during the pre-race coverage.

On second thought, maybe I shouldn't give the geniuses who decided to put her on the air in the first place any more ideas.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
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To: RockinRight
They COULD make the sport interesting if they wanted to. If you're the last cyclist through a checkpont, you die. Now THAT would make for some competition while thinning the herd of the weaker cyclists. :)

We all know that won't happen, so this sport will just remain on my list of ultimate boring things, though it IS ahead of that snore-fest that is golf. Landmines on the fairway and quicksand in the sandtraps would make that sport interesting...

81 posted on 07/08/2005 8:41:47 AM PDT by Romish_Papist (The times are out of step with the Catholic Church. God Bless Pope Benedict XVI.)
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To: 4everontheRight

Newt Gingrich?


82 posted on 07/08/2005 8:42:07 AM PDT by Rakkasan1 (most politicians would rather be important rather than useful)
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To: petro45acp

I hope Lance loses.


83 posted on 07/08/2005 8:49:46 AM PDT by Lidz827
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

What happened with his USPS sponsership? anybody know?


84 posted on 07/08/2005 8:51:29 AM PDT by jaydubya2
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To: Baynative

Thanks for the intelligent comments...All those who disparage the Tour, and cycling, shoudl be required to get on a bike and ride uphill..say only a gentle 5 degree grade, for 10 minutes...


85 posted on 07/08/2005 8:53:42 AM PDT by ken5050
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To: scholar
"Listen. We know you support him. We all support him. My guess is, when he was married, his wife even supported him."

Ummm, gee whiz I know it's a "guess", but I'm not so sure 'bout that.

"There she is, on a split- screen while Lance is pedaling furiously. There she is, on the sidelines when the racers start the stage. There she is, riding in a support car with five- time tour winner Hinault. There she is, canoodling with Lance. There she is, EVERYWHERE."

Think this is bad, watch NAZZZZZCARRRRR.
Blond wives - blond wives - EVERYWHERE!!

"The tour doesn't need Sheryl Crow to make it relevant..."

HA!!

...oh yes it does. :o)

86 posted on 07/08/2005 8:55:48 AM PDT by Landru (Indulgences: 2 for a buck.)
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To: socal_parrot

that's an old pic. the lefty b*tch is a little el chubbo now ...


87 posted on 07/08/2005 8:56:23 AM PDT by Babu
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To: Rodney King
So leaving your wife for for Sherywl Crow is bad, but leaving your wife for your bike is ok?

Depends on what kind of bike ;)

88 posted on 07/08/2005 8:59:00 AM PDT by Quinotto (On matters of style,swim with the current,on matters of principle stand like a rock-Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Baynative
Why is there not a Tour de America if the sport is that popular with wide market appeal?

If there is a buck to be made and product to be promoted it seems there would be?

89 posted on 07/08/2005 9:06:06 AM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
I'm sorry, I just can't get into bicycling - especially in a race that goes on for days and days. Besides, the whole thing lost whatever competitive sports appeal it might have had the day that I learned that the winner wins because he is the front man for a team of anonymous blockers and pacers who conspire each day to keep him in front. It's like watching a marathon race in which the participants are allowed to have team mates who actively obstruct other runners and move in front of their chosen winner from time to time so he can get a bit of a break by "drafting" in their wake.
90 posted on 07/08/2005 9:07:47 AM PDT by finnigan2
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To: texasbluebell

What? He was married with kids when he had cancer!


91 posted on 07/08/2005 9:10:03 AM PDT by 4everontheRight (Criminals feed on the indulgence of society's understanding)
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To: socal_parrot

Skank Alert!
I was hoping to make it to the end without having to see her pic posted....


92 posted on 07/08/2005 9:15:54 AM PDT by enraged
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To: 4everontheRight

I must correct myself...I just looked this up and you are right...he met his wife after his cancer. I could have swron he was married at the time but who can keep up. My apologies for that error.


93 posted on 07/08/2005 9:17:14 AM PDT by 4everontheRight (Criminals feed on the indulgence of society's understanding)
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Comment #94 Removed by Moderator

To: 4everontheRight
He was married with kids when he had cancer!

Incorrect. He met Kirsten when he started his foundation and had the kids after he won his first Tour.

95 posted on 07/08/2005 9:24:25 AM PDT by Wyatt's Torch
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To: Wyatt's Torch

see #93


96 posted on 07/08/2005 9:25:38 AM PDT by 4everontheRight (Criminals feed on the indulgence of society's understanding)
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To: Baynative

Too predictable might be the short answer.


97 posted on 07/08/2005 9:25:48 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: kjam22

A change would do you good.


98 posted on 07/08/2005 9:27:27 AM PDT by rintense
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To: Baynative
Cycling is complex and often hard to understand.

Just because I didn't take my training wheels off till I was 13 doesn't mean anything.

Just Joking.... Were's that Silly Friday thread.

99 posted on 07/08/2005 9:27:29 AM PDT by TexasCajun
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To: 4everontheRight

Saw that after I hit "Post" on mine...:-)


100 posted on 07/08/2005 9:28:53 AM PDT by Wyatt's Torch
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