The 2003 Tour is 89 days away, which means the Spring cycle-racing season is well underway in Europe and about to start here.

This year's Tour is the centennial anniversary. It's also, unfortunately, a year when war makes everything unpredicatable. The crowds are so unruly, so close to the riders, that anyone with bad intentions could do real harm. And anti-American feeling seems very high outside the US.

One thing I like about the Tour is that it's more multi-national than many big sporting events. Tour organizers have announced that the following teams have been invited to ride this year.

Quick Step-Davitamon (Bel)
Crédit Agricole (Fra)
FDJeux.com (Fra)
Saeco Macchine per Caffè-Longoni Sport (Ita)
Team Coast (Ger)
Gerolsteiner (Ger)
Team Telekom (Ger)
Lotto-Domo (Bel)
Team CSC (Den)
Kelme-Costa Blanca (Spa)
Ibanesto.com (Spa)
Once-Eroski (Spa)
Cofidis, le Crédit par Téléphone (Fra)
Rabobank (Ned)
Alessio (Ita)
Sidermec (Ita)
Fassa Bortolo (Ita)
US Postal Service (USA)

Four more teams will be selected on May 19th.

Of the 18 teams, only 3 are French (last year it was stacked more heavily toward the French teams). Four are Italian, 3 are Spanish, another 3 are German, 2 are from Belgium and 1 each from the US, Netherlands and Denmark. It's worth noting that Americans ride on teams other than US Postal, and that Europeans ride for the American team. That's part of the multi-national pleasure of this event.

Another pleasure, of course, are the riders themselves.... who can be easy on the eyes in their bike shorts and snug, colorful jersies. Tyler Hamilton and Patrice Halgand get my nod, as would Kevin Livingston if he hadn't retired.

Can Lance win his fifth Tour in a row? Press reports indicate he's well along in his training, but his split with his wife several months ago is a wild card. The other teams, particularly the Spanish teams that did so well last year, will be looking to deny him. (Another chance to enjoy the handsome features of Santiago Botero!)

So, any cycling fans out there?

I'm not really a big cycling fan but I have followed the Tour faithfully each year since the days of Greg Lemond. This year Armstrong makes a run on his fifth victory. It would be wonderful to see him win - five wins pretty much separates the great from the near great in Tour terms.

I enjoy following via their website. Ticker coverage is provided live each day, with stage results usually in around 11AM Eastern. The Le Tour 2003 site is already up and running with some interesting info on this years course, etc.

I notice the course stays entirely in France for this centennary year.

[ April 08, 2003, 05:49 AM: Message edited by: Torgauer ]

While bike racing does not seem like an exciting sports option, I always enjoy watching the tour. The Outdoor Channel usually has same day coverage of the event. France is an amzingly beautiful country, and watching the pack cruise through the countryside is very enjoyable. Also, there is so much strategy to the race, it is kind of fascinating.

I think that Lance could get another win this year. There is no reason to believe that the rest of the pack will have caught up to US Postal. Unless Lance has some training issue or something, he should still be very strong.

Torgauer, you have me beat by years. I first noticed the Tour in 1999 when I started hearing the story of Lance's come-back from cancer. I was hooked pretty fast.

Charlie, the scenery is astonishing. Fields of lavendar, castles, mountains. The riders are too occupied to be able to enjoy it, but we can.

Here's the other scenery that makes it worthwhile. I mentioned these riders as some of my favorites.

Patrice Halgand
Halgand wins a stage

Tyler Hamilton
Recent pictures of Tyler

Santiago Botero

Photos of Santiago

Wild and crazy (and naked?) fans
(Scroll down to the seventh picture)

Fans getting their rears in gear

[ April 10, 2003, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Thanks, Torgauer. I opened this thread, looking to see if Armstrong had entered this year.

I think it's a safe assumption that Lance will ride the Tour this year. He's the team leader for the Posties, the reigning champ, and it's his one major goal for the year.

But to be precise, only the list of participating teams has been announced. The teams themselves will not announce their roster of nine Tour riders until later in the year. Last year, the Postal Tour roster wasn't set until June 24th, two weeks before the race.

Here's a list of this year's overall team for Postal, and there's a link to a nice team picture.

US Postal

One rider who won't be seen at the Tour is Andrei Kivilev, last year's team leader for Cofidis. Kivilev, who was a native of Kazakstan and who came in 21st overall last year, died March 12th at the Paris-Nice race. He was not wearing a helmet, and crashed forehead-first onto the pavement.

Perhaps more riders will be convinced to wear a helmet, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable.

[ April 09, 2003, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

While I have never raced ,I have ridden several centuries over the past few years, and the combination of buying a road bike and Lance's cancer story got me to start following the Tour, and I will do so again this year. Thanks for all of the updates about the site, etc. It makes me look forward to the race already.

Trevor

Today concluded the Circuit de la Sarthe stage race in northwest France. This is not a race with which I'm familiar, but some of the news about it is interesting. It got some attention because several big names showed up: Lance Armstrong, Jan Ullrich ("returning from suspension with the troubled Coast team" according to CyclingNews.com) and Richard Virenque.

Lance withdrew on April 9th during stage 2 with stomach problems. "It's nothing serious, but Lance felt bad and it wasn't worth extending the suffering," said US Postal's team manager Johan Bruyneel. "At this stage of the season, there's no point. Lance will prepare for his return in the Amstel Gold Race."

Amstel is April 20th, and it's a race Lance seems to have a personal interest in winning.

Jan Ullrich was Lance's main rival in the 2001 Tour de France, coming in second overall. Despite all the jokes about his weakness for donuts, he showed his toughness when he had a spectacular crash on a descent, only to get back into the race. There was a famous moment later when Jan extended his hand to Lance at the end of a stage, acknowledging the latter's superior performance.

After the 2001 Tour, Jan got himself into a lot of trouble in a hit-and-run with his car while he was high on club drugs after a party. What he hit was ironic: two parked bikes. He was asked to leave the Telecom team and wasn't seen at the 2002 event.

Since then, there have been rumors that he's training again, and adopting Lance's high-cadence pedalling style. At the Circuit de la Sarthe, according to CyclingNews, "all eyes will be on one rider, Jan Ullrich. His return to the peloton could not be in more controversial circumstances with the running battle between [Team] Coast, former riders and the UCI. Ullrich seems to be in good shape though, and this race should be a good [re-]introduction to racing."

Jan finished 20th overall, signalling that Lance may have more competition at the 2003 Tour. And Lance will welcome that competition.....

Lance and Jan at the Circuit de la Sarthe

[As an aside, I've done numerous searches of the 'net and found no evidence of any openly gay professional cyclists.]

[ April 12, 2003, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

The T de F is really all about dedication, motivation, and the ability to withstand "difficulty" as Phil Liggett likes to say. When it comes to all these traits, Lance has no peer. He always rides like he's on a mission and this year he's got plenty to prove: 1)Five in a row which would put him in rare company 2)Show that the split from his wife hasn't affected his performance 3)Stick it to the elitist French teams once again. I can't wait to see Lance and the USPS team riding through Paris in 1st place waving the Stars and Stripes. Do they play the national anthem at the awards ceremony?

j-sonic:

I wasn't sure about the national anthem being played, so I did a little checking. This is from the LA Times after the 2001 TdF.

"Cyclist Lance Armstrong took Paris by storm Sunday, winning his third straight Tour de France and establishing himself as the dominant figure in his sport and one of the top athletes in the world today.

"When he whizzed down the sunny Champs Elysees on Sunday afternoon and crossed the finish line near the Tuileries Gardens, the 29-year-old Texan became only the fifth rider to win France's epic race three years in a row. He completed the three-week, 2,146-mile event in 86 hours 17 minutes 28 seconds, beating Jan Ullrich of Germany by 6 minutes 44 seconds.

"Framed by the Arc de Triomphe in the distance and holding his team cap to the breast of his yellow winner's jersey, Armstrong stood at attention for 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' shook hands with Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe and held his trophy aloft."

Some good news today for the Posties as they move toward the 2003 TdF.

Veteran Postal rider, George Hincapie -- who's missed the early Spring Classics this year due to an unknown illness -- has finally been diagnosed. VeloNews reports it's "a type of blood parasite that's impaired Hincapie's ability to breathe and recover since January." The team predicts he will be back in the saddle by May.

Hincapie

Meanwhile, at the Paris-Roubaix race, Viatcheslav Ekimov rode to a third-place podium finish for US Postal. Eki looks to continue as one of Lance's best teammates when July rolls around.

Ekimov

I just read that they've reconciled.

I was glad to see that Lance and Kristin are still working on their marriage. I have decidedly mixed feelings about Lance as a person, but I have a lot of respect for relationships between any two people. And I'm glad to see one less distraction for Lance's astonishing athletic ability and determination. I thought Kristin sounded quite conciliatory in her reported remarks: "We've had six homes, three languages, two countries, one cancer comeback, three children, four Tour de France wins and one rise to celebrity," she said. "You're not supposed to cram such a huge amount of events into such a small period of time."

On another Lance topic, I picked up a copy of Bicycling magazine (May 2003 issue) at the gym today, and found an interesting article about Lance's coach. The article explains why Chris Carmichael got Lance to adopt the high-cadence style that is now his very-winning trademark.

To follow-up on some past news, Jan Ullrich will indeed ride for Team Coast for the rest of the year. The Italian bike company, Bianchi, is financing the deal.

Also, it appears that the UCI will soon require helmet use by professional racers. This follows the death March 12 of Kazakh racer Andrei Kivilev after a crash in the Paris-Nice stage race. Many riders do not like helmets, as they are often hot and uncomfortable, so it will be interesting to see how they react.

And finally, Marco Pantani -- another of Lance's former foes in the TdF, and a former winner of the Tour -- is making a come-back. Pantani hasn't been seen much since the doping scandal that derailled his career. He says his top goal is the Giro d'Italia. Will we see both Marco and Jan make a return in this year's Tour?

[ April 18, 2003, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Since this thread is Lance Armstrong-connected, can anyone tell me what the song was in Lance's Enjoy the Weather commercial? And who performed it?? I've been trying to get an answer to this for ages. Thanks!

With two months to go before the 2003 TdF, the riders continue to work the Spring Classics and tantalize us with possibilities for potential winners of the Yellow Jersey.

Amstel Gold was held April 20th, and -- although he has long wanted a win in the race -- Lance Armstrong had to settle for 8th place. Looking forward to the TdF, Vinokourov -- the winner -- said: "Going head to head with Lance Armstrong doesn't seem possible. We will collectively attack Armstrong with Botero, Savoldelli, Kessler and me. Therein lies our chance, perhaps to make someone like Lance tremble."

Jan Ulrich, meanwhile, has been saying all the right things -- acknowledging his past personal errors and staying modest in his predictions. It appears he his progressing well.

And poor old Marco Pantani, as Phil Ligget might say, is away from racing again, this time.... with a toothache.

Another racer to watch in this year's TdF is Tyler Hamilton (my favorite athlete, cycling or otherwise). Today he won Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a very difficult one-day race. Noteably, he beat the favorite: Lance Armstrong, his former teammate and fellow American. Lance came in 20th. The descriptions of the race indicate Lance was in fine form, nonetheless.

Way to go, Tyler!

One last bit of news: the Grande Boucle Fémine -- the women's Tour de France -- is scheduled to begin August 3, though for some reason it has not been officially registered on the UCI calendar.

With the Tour just six weeks from tomorrow, all the teams and controversies have been decided.

The four wild card teams -- three French and one Spanish -- have been announced, and none of them have had great seasons this year. From what I read in the cycling press, many fans are livid.

While Lance is reported to be busy training on some of the roads he will ride on the Tour, his only major rival is just getting underway. When Team Coast folded, Jan Ullrich went to Team Bianchi -- which was just today invited to replace Coast at the Tour. For the sake of the competition, we can only hope Jan's team will gel in just the six weeks before the Tour.

Several potential challengers and superstars won't be there: Galdeano, who wore the yellow jersey for a week last year (suspended by the French doping commission); Pantani (not riding at the top level, and team not invited); Rumsas (team not invited); Kivilev (killed in a cycling crash) and world champ Mario Cippolini (team not invited).

Fans will be looking for new blood to emerge this year, otherwise we will be left with a Tour de Yawn.

Link:

http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/3600.0.html

Helmets are now required gear, except for the last kilometers of climbing stages. Although many riders still say helmets are hot and limit the visual field, there hasn't been any revolt against headwear thus far.

No helmet needed for photos, thank goodness.

Yaroslav Popovych

[ May 27, 2003, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Today's Prologue began the 2003 Tour de France with little that will affect the final outcome of the race, but offers plenty of room for speculation. The course was short and flat, favoring a sprinter like winner Brad McGee of Australia. Lance Armstrong's seventh place finish was a surprise, but -- as the saying goes -- the race really doesn't begin until next Saturday when the riders hit the mountain stages.

The biggest surprise for me was Jan Ullrich's fourth place, an amazing performance given his extended absence from racing, his past injuries and his team's financial problems. Jan's in shape to compete with Lance, and that's good for the race and the fans.

Also noteworthy, four members of the US Postal team placed in the top 13. Lance needs a good team in his "drive for five," and so far they look fine.

No one gained significant time over the others today, so the results aren't too important except for McGee -- who gets to wear the coveted yellow jersey. All the major names -- Ullrich, Armstrong, Hamilton, Beloki, Botero, Leipheimer and Simoni -- finished within 13 seconds of each other; one of them likely will stand on the podium in yellow three weeks from tomorrow.

[P.S. after Sunday's stage 1: Hamilton and Leipheimer are out of the race with injuries from a massive crash on the final corner. Thirty riders, at an estimated speed of 45 miles per hour, fell in the huge pile-up. Among the top riders overall, Armstrong, Ullrich and McGee escaped with minor injuries. Early on I suggested this might be the Tour de Yawn. But not so far.]

[ July 06, 2003, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

It must be very disappointing for Hamilton to go out at stage 1. You listed him as a challenger. Obviously I haven't followed cycling; I only know a few cyclists. It was the time when Abdoujaparov (sp?) was one of the best sprinters.

I've seen the big pile-up at the end of stage 1. If the Tour de France doesn't get good TV coverage, this will make serious cycling fans jealous. At 9 am and on replay at 9pm there is a 2 hour program on the stage. It's like that every day. What is strange is that's on a travel channel and not the sports channel.

I don't have favorite cyclists since I don't know them much, but watching today I liked the green on the Credit Agricole uniform. I could make them my favorite team... that's not exactly an expert opinion.

Yesterday, after the crash at the end of stage 1, Tyler Hamilton's team announced that his injury would prevent him from continuing. Incredibly, however, Tyler rode all 121 miles of today's stage 2 with his collarbone broken in two places. As his team's leader, I imagine he felt an obligation to be there for his mates.

Tyler is my favorite athlete, and I'm disappointed that he probably will have to withdraw from the Tour eventually. Tyler is one of the smallest riders in the peleton, but he's no lightweight when it comes to guts.

When the going gets tough.....

[ July 07, 2003, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Tyler Hamilton is very tough to still be cycling with his injury.

I've been enjoying the views of the small towns and the countryside. I also saw some strange things. In stage 2 a Crédit Agricole member was in a two men échappée when he fell after coming in contact with a camera/motorcycle. I saw a man along the road who was mooning as the peloton passed by. In stage 3 there was a protest by artists. The road was partially blocked, forcing the riders to almost come to a halt. Another fall during the sprint to the finish. Ouch!

Tomorrow's stage should shuffle the standings. It is a team contre la montre. The TV analyst said last year's best teams in this event were Once, US Postal Service and CSC. If US Postal is very strong, Armstrong could end up close to the top.

Sometimes it's a pleasure to be wrong. I would have bet money on Telecom to win today's team time trial, but the big blue Postal train turned its wheels like never before.

In sixth place, Team Telecom was a minute thirty behind Postal -- which averaged 33 miles per hour. Not only does the victory put a Postie (Victor Hugo Peña) in yellow, but it has to bolster the team's morale for the hard work to come in the mountains.

Team Bianchi, powered by Jan Ullrich, rode to a very respectable third place finish, only 43 seconds behind Postal. Considering the team wasn't put together until just a few weeks ago, their performance was excellent. Ullrich is proving to be in terrific shape, and will be a very real challenger to Armstrong in the mountains. I can't wait for the climb up L'Alpe d'Huez on Sunday.

Tyler Hamilton is still riding, having now raced three days with a collarbone fractured in two places. Tyler looked relaxed at the start, but the strain clearly showed at the end of the day. Allez, Tyler!

[ July 09, 2003, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Isn't Lance like 1 second out of first place, going into today's stage?

I'd love to see him win this year, and then next, and just retire.

I don't really get to watch it at all, so I have to read about it online every day.

Trevor

Armstrong is 1 second behind his team mate. The general standings before today's stage:

1 Victor Hugo PENA USP 13h 44' 44"
2 Lance ARMSTRONG USP 01"
3 Vjatceslav EKIMOV USP 05"
4 George HINCAPIE USP 05"
5 José Luis RUBIERA USP 23"
6 Roberto HERAS USP 27"
7 Pavel PADRNOS USP 27"
8 Floyd LANDIS USP 28"
9 Joseba BELOKI ONE 33"
10 Jorg JAKSCHE ONE 38"
11 Manuel BELTRAN USP 39"
12 Jan ULLRICH TBI 39"


The US Postal cyclists hold the top stops because of their win in the team time trial (contre la montre par équipe). Once was second 30 seconds behind. Bianchi third at 43 seconds.

The first non US Postal in the standings is Once's Beloki at 33 seconds.

Team Rabobank was at a disadvantage in this event. It was racing with only 7 drivers since they had two who abandoned the Tour.

Anyone know why a Colombian is named Victor Hugo? Is it only because his parents like Victor Hugo?

JULY 10
After today's stage 5, Lance Armstrong remains in second place, one second behind his teammate Victor Hugo Peña. This seems like an ideal position: one of Lance's lieutenants gets the spotlight, and it avoids the pressure that would erupt if Lance himself donned the yellow jersey this early in the race.

Alessandro Petacchi scored his third stage-win today. The modest sprinter is just one point away from taking the green jersey off the shoulders of the garrulous McEwen.

My man Tyler Hamilton is still going. He's now raced 385 miles since his injury. Tomorrow is the longest stage of the Tour, followed by the first mountain stage on Saturday and the celebrated L'Alpe d'Huez on Sunday. Can Iron Man Hamilton go the distance? Allez Tyler!

(PS to Zeno: According to the US Postal Procycling web site, Peña was named for his father, Hugo, and for the famous writer.)

JULY 11
The first week of sprint stages is over, with Petacchi taking his fourth stage-win and the green jersey. Petachhi will now fade into the background as a new cast of characters comes on the set for the high drama of the mountain stages.

Generally, I found the press coverage of this year’s Tour to be much better and more extensive than in the past. While the press still dotes too much on Armstrong, other riders like Tyler Hamilton -- who is still on his bike despite serious injury -- are getting more attention. The best article I’ve seen thus far was written by Sally Jenkins for the Washington Post.

[ July 11, 2003, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Pena got himself a nice birthday present by wearing the yellow jersey. It was his birthday July 10th. Thanks for the information about his name dasher.

There is a big mountain to climb at the end of today's stage. It's a category 1. Sprint specialists are already in trouble with the first elevations. Green jersey wearer Petacchi has already abandoned in the early part of today. Kirsipuu also has abandoned. He finished third on the second stage. I was reading that he hasn't finished in all 10 tours he started.

The cycling gods woke this morning and decided to stir things up. They gave the French fans something to cheer about for "le Centenaire" Tour -- a French champion adept at achieving one big, splashy victory every year: Richard Virenque.

So stage 7 and the yellow jersey went to the controversial Frenchman today -- a rider of world class talent with an equally large blot on his record from the infamous 1998 Festina doping scandal.

US Postal looked very strong and in control today, and it's possible they could have reeled in Virenque. But it appears they held back in anticipation of what comes tomorrow: the highest climb of the Tour (the Col du Galibier) and the most legendary Tour finish (L'Alpe d'Huez). It's no secret that Armstrong wants the victory tomorrow, or that his challengers are poised to pounce at the first sign of weakness. Tomorrow could be the decisive stage of the Tour this year.

With Virenque in first place today, Lance is 2.37 back, Beloki is 3.09 back, Ullrich is 3.15 back, Tyler Hamilton (still riding!) is 4.21 back and Vinokourov is 4.25 back. Of the other big names in this race, Simoni and Botero are struggling far behind.

I'm glad to find this thread. This year, like every year, I'm "Tour Crazy!" The entire month of July I'm constantly thinking, "what time is it in France?" I check out the cyclingnews website and find out the results, and still watch the OLN coverage every night anyway.

Alessandro Petacchi was so much fun to look at that my heart sank a little today when he dropped out of the race. I can't be the only one who noticed his handsome face and bulging bike shorts?

Lance will definitely go for it tomorrow. He has made many public comments about rising to the challenge of peaks like Alpe d'Huez and Ventoux and such. I think it won't be a walk in the park for him though. I expect some cross-team strategy, alliances between non-teammates. Everyone following the Tour probably thinks the same thing. Ulrich will certainly make a move or try to stay with Lance tomorrow. Beltran should be the one USPS team member who can help Lance most on the climbs. He did it today.

Do you think Lance shaves his chest, or is it naturally that smooth? I guess it might just be a hairless thing naturally, based on the pics in his book.

[ July 13, 2003, 04:09 AM: Message edited by: Rickpw ]

There might be some useful links here:

http://www2.omroep.nl/nos/tour2003/paginas...rtv/equipe.html

I have noticed Pettacchi's "features". And he was not arrogant even after winning a fourth stage.

Virenque said his objective is to win the title of best climber. He knows that in time trials he will lose minutes to Armstrong. Everyone is waiting for Armstrong to make his move Sunday. It will be a big surprise if he doesn't do it. I found an image that shows the turns and elevation of the finish at Alpe d'Huez.

Alpe d'Huez climb

Sometimes the Tour has strange scenes. Today the peloton came to a halt at a railroad crossing. I don't know if the driver of the train was paid by the breakaway group (conspiracy!) but the peloton lost about 30 seconds on them.

In fashion news, team Saeco wore white jerseys today instead of their normal red ones. The change was not agreed by Tour authorities and the team will be fined.

Today saw new leaders in all the categories. Virenque leads the overall rankings and best climber (red polka dots jersey). Cooke of Australia has the green jersey since Petacchi quit. The white jersey for the best ranked young cyclist has also a new owner. Quick Step Davitamon now leads the team rankings, taking over US Postal. I don't know the chrono of how many cyclists from one team they take to make this ranking. At the team trial, a team is given the time of the 5th cyclist to cross the line so maybe they take the best 5 times.

Lance Armstrong is the prisoner of his own past successes. He took the yellow jersey today, but it wasn't the kind of decisive victory we've come to expect from him. Without that overwhelming performance, his rivals will see a chance to chew away at his lead.

Still, as he was challenged over and over, he and the Posties did a fine job of holding off the rivals today. Now in the yellow jersey, he will have to fend them off for the next two weeks.

After stage 8, Beloki is 40 seconds back, Mayo is 1.10 back, Vinokourev is 1.17 back, Mancebo is 1.37 back, and the brass balls award goes to Tyler Hamilton, who is only 1.52 back.

The top team today is Euskatel-Euskali; this classification is determined by the cumulative total of each team's first three finishers.

Some great images today in the Alps. The mountains are majestic. There was a very high waterfall somewhere before the barrage Chambon that I found spectacular. It was impressive to see the cyclists go up to Alpe d'Huez with people line up on the road, only letting a narrow space for the cyclists at some places.

Iban Mayo had a big smile near the end. He must have felt joy and satisfaction knowing he was going to win this tough stage, in a mythic town. Many attacks were attempted to break away from Armstrong, particularly from Beloki and Hamilton. Armstrong was able to catch them up every time. I'm amazed that Hamilton is not bothered more by his injury. I mean a few days ago they said he was abandoning and now he is one of the few who can keep up with Armstrong. Laurent Jalabert wrote that he sees Hamilton finishing in the top 5.

Something I learned today: There is a non written code of conduct. It would not be fair play to attack when a cyclist falls, taking advantage of this. That topic came up when Armstrong and another (I think one of his team mate) touched and fell.

Another thing I noted is just after cyclists reach the top, they put newspaper in their jerseys (strnge sight when you're not used to it). I guess it's isolation from the wind and cold when they go in the fast downhill.

In his post-stage interview on OLN Lance said he heard his back brake pads rubbing on the tire... after 200 K! He admitted he wasn't at his best, but my money's still on him for the Tour. There are still two long weeks ahead. Tyler is double awesome. I don't think Mayo has the stamina to win the tour, and Lance was able to fend off Beloki's attacks. Ullrich faded today and maybe showed how his mountain riding was going to be this year. Lance did get attached A LOT on Alpe d'Huez. They're out to crack his monopoly on Tour wins big time. By the way guys, did you check out the Petacchi package in the Picture This?

[ July 13, 2003, 10:37 PM: Message edited by: Rickpw ]

Unbelievable what happened today! I read on the web what happened this morning and saw a couple of photos, but it wasn't until I watched the OLN coverage just now that it all sunk in. Oh man, Beloki out? Who'd have thunk it? And Lance in the chase there in those last kilometers just about 30 seconds back from Vinokourov winding up in a field to avoid running into the downed Beloki, and not getting a flat in the process? I even knew what was going to happen and my heart was still pounding. Without the field detour, maybe Lance might have caught up to Vinokourov? Possible.

Vinokourov getting choked up on the podium (even if they botched the TV coverage of it by cutting away too much) was memorable. By the way, what do you think Lance does with all those stuffed lions he gets on the podium?

Lance definitely looked stronger on the bike today. He had spring in his legs in the last attacks. They don't give him any slack at all though, constant attacks. I think in the long run, yesterday will just be a slightly off day on the tour with minor repercussions. Although, it did make him seem vulnerable to the other riders. But, I mean, it wasn't a horrible day or anything. He still took the yellow jersey, after all.

If any of you guys are watching OLN, don't you love how Lance talks? The way he usually starts with a slow "well..." then slams through a thought, sometimes so fast you can't really understand him, then hesitates, and throws himself into another one.

OK, I'll stop. Juiced up. Can you tell? My favorite site for the Tour, by the way, is www.cyclingnews.com.

[ July 14, 2003, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Rickpw ]

Late getting started in watching the Tour, but after reading this month's Outside magazine article about Lance, I'm not so fond of the man, seems a little to maniacal for my taste--too much of his life is black and white, either you're with me or you're not. Life should be more fluid.

I read the same article. I'm sure he's driven and that probably makes him difficult to live with and frankly he sounds rather colorless and dull. Seems that a less than ideal childhood and his run up against cancer have made him very focused and sucessful on the bike.

I don't think a four-time Tour de France champion has the luxury of living a "fluid" life. Of course he's obsessed. Dull? Yeah, maybe. All those hours on a bicycle. All work and no play will do that do anyone. Among the superstar athletes, though, I think there's something different about Lance. His cancer comeback, after the doctor later admitted he had maybe a 3% chance of survival, and his continuing commitment to raising money for cancer research. But there's another key thing that's different about a TDF champ from other star athletes: he has to ride over 2000 miles over 3 weeks on a bicycle! Anyone who's ever done any distance biking knows how your head and mood goes through all kinds of sags and surges while on the bike. To sustain it physically and mentally at the pro level takes what is, by nature, not your ordinary person.

Lance is pretty freshly honest in press interviews, though. Not your typical faux-humble but actually bragging guy filled with attitude delivering cliches. Lance has always enjoyed being a "fighter." That's typical of a lot of athletes, I suppose, overcoming obstacles. However, he's had a lot to deal with over the last years in hostile press and public in Europe, and to a large degree, he's won them over and they have embraced him. It took some strategy and persistence. (He learned French so that he could speak more directly to the French press and public.)

Lance has become a hero to many because of his inspirational story. Probably no one could live up to what people want that kind of hero to be. Still, I give him lots of credit.

It is very unfortunate for the competition that Beloki fell and was injured. He was the one who often put action at the front, trying to get away from Armstrong, testing him. It was not pleasant to hear Beloki moan in hurt.

Without the fall I think they could have reduced the gap on Vinokourov, perhaps not catch him but close the gap. The cyclists chasing him didn't gain ground on him in the last kilometres. I suspect that they couldn't go full speed because Beloki could possibly not be hurt and coming back so they couldn't attack full speed.

I saw a big "Go Tyler" written on the pavement. It must have come from an overnight visit to the Alpes by dasher. wink

I haven't heard Lance talk... when I hear him he speaks French in post-race interviews, so he's speaking a little hesitantly. I don't know what they do with the stuffed lions; maybe they recycle them. They give it back backstage and use the same lion every day! Can you imagine getting 10 or 15? They would need an extra car to bring them all to Paris. If you get only one though it makes a nice souvenir.

Beloki’s crash yesterday was heartbreaking. Imagine training an entire year, racing at your best, throwing serious challenges at the reigning champ -- and then falling hard on the pavement in a freakish accident. In a moment, your dreams are gone, you’re in terrible pain and you’re on your way to the hospital instead of Paris. I hope he heals well and soon; he's a fighter.

It’s not just Beloki who lost something Monday. No matter who wins the Tour, there will always be a lingering question: who would have won if Beloki didn’t crash?

I’m really glad the UCI made helmets mandatory (except for the last kilometers of mountain stages) this year. After his crash, Tyler Hamilton (who is still riding) said he was glad he was wearing a helmet. Beloki’s coach said his rider’s injuries would have been far worse without a helmet. From now on, I’m not going to whine about my helmet being uncomfortable.

Today marks the midpoint of the Tour. After a rest day tomorrow, the next big fireworks come on Friday with an individual time trial. It’s time for Lance to uncork one of those spectacular, decisive victories that puts time between himself and his rivals. It’s time for Jan Ullrich to kick his performance up a notch and launch a serious challenge at the yellow jersey. I think Ullrich is the rival-in-waiting in this race.

Then they’re into the mountains again, culminating with a sadistic ride up the Tourmalet and finishing at Luz-Ardiden. Five days later there’s one last time trial, and then we’ll know for sure who will ride victorious into Paris the next day.

If I were in France, I would love to paint a big "Allez Tyler" on the pavement at the end of the time trial route in Cap'Decouverte. He's already a winner in my eyes.

[ July 15, 2003, 06:56 PM: Message edited by: dasher ]

Protesters are starting to worry me. At some point they could have an influence on the race. In the Gap-Marseille stage the peloton had to stop when José Bové supporters blocked the road. Other groups are threatening to disrupt the Tour.

In watching the Tour I get to see some famous places. In Marseille we saw helicopter views of the château d'If in the Mediteranean sea. A name made famous because it is in the novel Le comte de Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas.

I have read an interview of Vinokourov. He says he would be happy if he lost only 1 minute 30 seconds to Armstrong in the time trial. I don't know which cyclists are very good in this even among the leaders.

Iban Mayo is not very good so he should drop back in the standings. How far back is crucial for him. His Euskatel team is strong in the mountains. I expect them and Banesto to try to win in the Pyrénées. They are Spanish teams.

Hamilton is a wild card. He's been strong so far even injured. Ivan Basso can't count a team effort to help him. He is one of only 3 riders from Fassa Bortolo. I think Ullrich and Vinokourov are former teammates, maybe they could form an alliance...

[ July 17, 2003, 05:59 AM: Message edited by: Zeno ]

Vinokourov finished 71st in the Prologue TT in Paris, 25 seconds back. He's not a great sprinter. He will probably lose some ground to Lance tomorrow in the TT. Mayo finished 41st in the Prologue, 19 seconds back. Mayo may be capable of a better sprint than that, and I think he's currently the biggest threat.

If Lance has a good TT, though, and I expect him to, it might be tough for anyone to take the yellow jersey from him from here on out. He said in interviews that since that Alpe d'Huez stage he's found his groove again, and he's looking more like his old self on the bike. But, as this year's Tour has developed, there have definitely been surprises, and anything could happen.

I just don't see Ullrich coming up with the goods enough to challenge for the yellow. He is capable of an excellent TT, but he just doesn't look like a winner on the bike this year, and at 2:10 back on the GC he has a lot of ground to make up. Maybe the rest day will give him some kind of shift into a new gear, though.

I think Hamilton may hang in there to finish top 5, which would be phenomenal, but I don't think he could gain any ground in the Pyrenees.

Mancebo and Basso, who both finished about 31 seconds back in the Prologue, will probably lose ground after the TT.

I'd expect Millar and McGee to go all out for the TT, and either one could win it. They are far enough back in the GC that they aren't threats in the overall, but they could throw a wrench in the results in the last week for others. Zubeldia (currently 9th in the GC) is also a good sprinter, and could be right there in the TT.

Today (stage 11) is the kind of stage that shouldn't shake up the GC standings much.

[ July 17, 2003, 06:59 AM: Message edited by: Rickpw ]

Arnold Schwarzenegger handed out the yellow jersey to Lance Armstrong on the podium today. This could be a sign Armstrong is The Terminator of the Tour. wink

I may regret this but just for fun I feel like making a prediction. The top five in the general standings after the time trial will be in order: Armstrong, Vinokourov, Hamilton, Ullrich, Mayo.

Tyler Hamilton a snake in the grass? Team Telekom manager Walter Godefroot seems to think so. He reportedly asserted that Hamilton is faking his injury, despite the well-publicized x-rays of the fractured collarbone.

And former Tour winner Stephen Roche says Tyler's persistence is a discredit to the sport, and "ridiculous." Mr. Roche says people will assume Hamilton is using illegal drugs to continue.

Who would have thought that a mild-mannered little guy like Tyler could elicit such venom?

I’ve followed Tyler’s career for years. He’s an athlete of integrity and modesty, and his record is spotless. For years he rode selflessly for others, and didn’t complain about being in the shadow of Armstrong or Jalabert.

I've struggled all day to explain such negative reactions. The only answer I found was expressed by Laurent Dufaux, a rider for Allesio. "These people (saying this) are not in the peloton," he commented. "I see him suffer each time he lifts his right arm. Those who distrust his courage don't really know who we riders are. We go to the end of our power before giving up."

Dasher, it only proves that there are idiots everywhere, even among TDF champions. I read Roche's comments as well, and they're just so stupid. Roche did nothing but make himself look bad saying such things.

Hamilton deserves nothing but praise, of course.

I think that comments like that just show an anti-American pettiness that rears its head sometimes, although it's odd that an Irishman like Roche would fall in line with what is more typically a French viewpoint. They hate that Americans have "taken over" the TDF.

If it's any consolation, Hamilton has gotten otherwise nothing but good press on this Tour, as I'm sure you're aware. It's truly a pity that he was in the crash and has the injury. It raises the "what if" questions immediately, because he's obviously so fit and strong as a racer, and could have been peaking to legitimately challenge for the yellow jersey. There is no doubt now that he's emerged as one of the best.

However, the cracked clavicle and his persistence despite it is going to "make" Hamilton in a way he wouldn't have otherwise had an opportunity to do. People beyond cycling are probably going to hear about him now. Everyone loves a fighter and an underdog who achieves. It's a great story. And I really do think that Hamilton will wind up in the top 5 in the GC at the end of the race in Paris.

Strange, isn't it, how American cyclists seem to have to do something extraordinary to become well known to a wider audience. Winning isn't enough. Lemond had to come back from getting nearly blown up from his brother-in-law's hunting gun. Lance had to come back from cancer. And now Hamilton has to ride a TDF with a broken collar bone. He will become famous for it for life.

I groaned when I saw Schwartzenegger on the podium with Lance. I could only think one thought: "Oh man, I bet Lance is probably a Republican too." I already knew that, really, since Lance is a big Bush supporter. But I didn't need the visual reminder during the Tour.

There was one pretty funny quote in the press about the Schwartzenegger/Armstrong meeting:

"Lance Armstrong greeted Arnie with a polite, 'Hi, I'm Lance,' to which Schwarzenegger replied, 'I know who you are.'"

Holy Bianchi! Did I call it wrong! Ullrich was a god today. This Tour has become VERY interesting. At only 34 seconds back now, and another time trial to come, Lance is looking very vulnerable. Who would ever have thought that anyone would gain as much as 1:36 on Lance today? Wow!

I have to go away for the weekend and tear myself away from the websites and OLN. I'll be in withdrawal!

"What makes a great endurance athlete is the ability to absorb potential embarrassment, and to suffer without complaint."

I keep this line from Armstrong's book in front of me every day. It seems like a good metaphor for life in general. It's also as good a description as any of this year's Tour.

Ullrich has shed the difficulties of the past year, and is riding like a champion again. Hamilton's pain is visible, but he won't give in. Vino loses time to the leaders, yet he keeps attacking.

Now it's Lance's turn to surmount humbling challenges. That he retains the lead is proof enough that he's been the most consistent rider thus far. But that's not going to be enough. Perhaps he needs to lose the yellow jersey to rekindle that extra spark he will surely need for the balance of the race.

The Tour de France is exciting. They have started the Pyrénées stages and anything can happen. Ullrich has closed the gap on Armstrong again today. His time was 7 seconds less than Armstrong on the road plus he earned 12 bonus seconds for finishing the stage in second place. Overall Armstrong leads him by only 15 seconds and Vinokourov by 1.01 minute.

I encourage everyone to watch watch if they can. Tomorrow is a difficult stage with four category 1 climbs and two of category 2. They cross into Spain for a short while. The Spaniards will be motivated. After many days of very hot weather the cyclists must be exhausted.

There was one US Postal member who ran out in front for a long time, maybe he will be less helpful for Armstrong tomorrow. They still look like the best team. Armstrong is a fighter so he will not give the yellow jersey away. It's difficult to evaluate how strong he is; he could be feeling not his best, but his rivals made him appear vulnerable.

I am struck by Armstrong's show of confidence. He has two guys less than 20 seconds behind him and he doesn't seem to worry. He explains his lost of time in the time trial by dehydration. He gives the impression he is sure to be the fastest in the next time trial.

Another difficult stage tomorrow. Vinokourov must gain time before the time trial since he is not as good in this event. The dual between Ullrich and Armstrong should continue, with Euskaltel trying to give a good show to their orange wearing fans.

So Lance has opened up his lead a little bit today. It looks to be he and Jan in the running (so to speak) for the win. Lance is goign to really need to beef up his lead if he can though, unless he can really do some serious riding on the time trial on Saturday. Jan could certainly take it that day.

Trevor