So, I guess the 2009 Tour de France route was announced. How do I know? Lance Armstrong is now on Twitter! I'm not kidding. You can follow along with his training, social engagements and even restaurant choices through his tweets.
Here's what he says about the Tour Day France 2009:
Now looking at the TdF route for 2009. Sure would like to erase those Ventoux dreams/nightmares...
Ah, Lance...you know you love it.
UPDATE (10/23): USAToday article with Lance makes it seem like he's surprised about "threats" along the roads from crazed fans during stages. He's rethinking this ride there a little bit. How is this different than when he raced before? Stages, particularly in the mountains, have always had passionate fans in the roads yelling in riders ears. I've always found it a little un-nerving, but it's not like this is new. Wonder if Lance is finding training slightly harder than he thought and he's trying to set expectations for his comeback now. Check it out, it's a good read.
Also, if you are in Austin this weekend, it's Ride for the Roses time. Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Tour de France. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tour de France. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
He's Baaaack!!!
Lance Armstrong is going to professionally ride again, folks. What has been rumored for a couple of days now has become official with today's Vanity Fair article. Lance talks about politics (a political run in 2014 is possible), The Lance Armstrong Foundation and returning to cycling. Look for him in the Tour "Day" France next year.
Wow.
Update: Video of Lance talking about his return.
Wow.
Update: Video of Lance talking about his return.
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Spokesmen Podcast Ready
I'm still a proud member of The Spokesmen Cycling Podcast even though I've missed a couple of episodes this year. But, I was able to join the guys this morning for a bit of cycling chat.
Episode #33 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We talked about commuting to work, the Tour Day France, Tyler's win, the UCI, "WADA World" and even wee-wee shorts. I'm not kidding...
We also mentioned that we're all on Twitter now. Links to each on the post for the podcast.
Give it a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Episode #33 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We talked about commuting to work, the Tour Day France, Tyler's win, the UCI, "WADA World" and even wee-wee shorts. I'm not kidding...
We also mentioned that we're all on Twitter now. Links to each on the post for the podcast.
Give it a listen. You'll be glad you did.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bobke on the Tour Day France
by Bob Roll, Team Kryptonite
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
The 2008 Tour has been an absolutely fantastic race so far. There were a few speed bumps initially. The first was Manuel Beltran being positive for EPO from Stage 1. The second was Moises Duenas, also positive for EPO and in possession of doping products. But the big speed bump so far was the expulsion of Riccardo Ricco, whose two stage wins have been taken away, and his team mate Leonardo Piepoli and the withdrawal of the whole Saunier Duval team. Ricco looked fantastic in the Pyrenees, but now we know that looks can be deceiving.
Ricco was arrested and thrown in jail as part of the French authorities zero tolerance policy in the ongoing fight against doping in cycling.
Cycling, more than any other sport, has to present a clean and real and authentic spectacle for the fans. It’s not a sport that is fought in a stadium where the fans are far from the action. It’s a sport that courses its way through the neighborhoods and towns where people live. Because of that slight distinction cycling must be clean or it will die. It’s important for us to be critical but not allow our criticisms to disintegrate into cynicism.
Conversely, once the dopers were kicked out of the race, the actual competitive component came to life. Cadel Evans showed himself to be a very gifted cyclist but perhaps possessing a very fragile psyche. The pressure of the yellow jersey weighed heavy on Evans and he lashed out when it was completely unnecessary.
The Tour is mostly about the prudent expenditure and management of energy whether it is physical or emotional. And Evans proved to be vulnerable in managing his emotional energies. Schleck proved to be a bit more calm and a bit more steady and took the yellow jersey. But only to give it up to his own team mate Carlos Sastre on the stage to Alpe d’Huez.
Sastre’s main rival now is probably Cadel Evans. Even though he has a significant advantage of 1:34 he’s not the world’s greatest time trialist. All of which gives us a race which one of five men can still win this late in the Tour. Everyone still believes Evans to be the hot favorite but every pedal stroke that Sastre stays in yellow he gets a little bit stronger.
Stay tuned to Saturday’s stage! Never has so much been on the line for so many cyclists this late in the Tour.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Your Favorite Bobke-isms?
Ok, it's a rest day at Le Tour....all of you cycling fans are wondering what to do with your mornings and/or evenings or both! Right?
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Well, I know you are catching up on some sleep and that's ok. You want to be ready for the next stage tomorrow. Seriously, how great was Hautacam yesterday?
Since I'm at work when the Tour Day France is going on during the day, I try to stay away from results and friend's emails and Facebook messages until I can watch the coverage at night. With that coverage comes our friend Bob Roll's commentary.
Bob's great and he comes out with some funny/interesting sayings. My favorite so far? Last night while describing a rider heading up the Col du Tourmalet..."He's as cool as the other side of the pillow." Classic!
What's your favorite Bobke-ism from this Tour Day France so far??
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bobke on Beltran and Le Tour!
by Bob Roll
Tour '08 Report #1
After a great opening week of racing where the yellow jersey changed hands between 4 riders in only 6 stages, and sprint finishes were won by Valverde, Hushovd and Cavendish, and generally speaking a fantastic opening week of this year’s Tour….some rather disturbing news has come to us this evening.
A Spanish rider, on the Italian team, named Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO during the first stage. This is a stage where Mr. Beltran did not finish in the top 100 riders and is not a rider that anyone has picked to win a stage or finish well in the overall standings. As is often times the case, it’s the bad news that grabs all the headlines. And justifiably so or not, this Tour will not be free from the infamy that cycling has gone through recently.
To imagine any rider could be so conceited and have such total disregard for his teammates, his sponsors, the fans, the Tour itself and, most importantly, for himself is another sad chapter in the continuing degradation of a beautiful sport.
One would presume that all of the riders are under such intense scrutiny that their transgressions would be exposed before they came to the Tour and would never be allowed to compete. But, in the ongoing battle between the ASO and the UCI it has become, this year, more difficult to scrutinize the athletes adequately. In this case of the “feuding, divorcing parents” (ASO and UCI), the “kids” (the riders) are the ones that are free to do bad things that they might not do otherwise.
Since Beltran is not one of the top riders and no rider on his team, Liquigas, was forecasted to be an overall contender, let’s hope this is another incident that will blow over and we can resume paying attention to the race itself.
One side note, a recent signing to the Liquigas team for next year should give us an idea of the increased scrutiny that will be on this team. That would be Ivan Basso.
The ASO, organizers of the Tour de France, can not be asked to send a clearer message and every rider, no matter what station of the hierarchy of the sport, must race clean or never race again!
Tour '08 Report #1
After a great opening week of racing where the yellow jersey changed hands between 4 riders in only 6 stages, and sprint finishes were won by Valverde, Hushovd and Cavendish, and generally speaking a fantastic opening week of this year’s Tour….some rather disturbing news has come to us this evening.
A Spanish rider, on the Italian team, named Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO during the first stage. This is a stage where Mr. Beltran did not finish in the top 100 riders and is not a rider that anyone has picked to win a stage or finish well in the overall standings. As is often times the case, it’s the bad news that grabs all the headlines. And justifiably so or not, this Tour will not be free from the infamy that cycling has gone through recently.
To imagine any rider could be so conceited and have such total disregard for his teammates, his sponsors, the fans, the Tour itself and, most importantly, for himself is another sad chapter in the continuing degradation of a beautiful sport.
One would presume that all of the riders are under such intense scrutiny that their transgressions would be exposed before they came to the Tour and would never be allowed to compete. But, in the ongoing battle between the ASO and the UCI it has become, this year, more difficult to scrutinize the athletes adequately. In this case of the “feuding, divorcing parents” (ASO and UCI), the “kids” (the riders) are the ones that are free to do bad things that they might not do otherwise.
Since Beltran is not one of the top riders and no rider on his team, Liquigas, was forecasted to be an overall contender, let’s hope this is another incident that will blow over and we can resume paying attention to the race itself.
One side note, a recent signing to the Liquigas team for next year should give us an idea of the increased scrutiny that will be on this team. That would be Ivan Basso.
The ASO, organizers of the Tour de France, can not be asked to send a clearer message and every rider, no matter what station of the hierarchy of the sport, must race clean or never race again!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Happy Birthday Bobke!
Yes, today is Bob Roll's birthday! Most every year he spends it commentating on the Tour Day France for us Americans and we are thankful for it!
Happy Birthday, my friend!
Happy Birthday, my friend!
Saturday, July 05, 2008
It's Finally Here!
Today's the first day of the Tour de France.....or Tour Day France. Whichever you prefer, just enjoy!!!!
Woo-hoo!! Three weeks of awesome vistas, wonderful French scenery (love those shots of people having wine, cheese and bread on the side of the road), Bob-isms and, of course, all the drama of the granddaddy of them all.
Ok, so I was pessimistic to begin with, but I'm all on board now....Allez, Allez, Allez!
Woo-hoo!! Three weeks of awesome vistas, wonderful French scenery (love those shots of people having wine, cheese and bread on the side of the road), Bob-isms and, of course, all the drama of the granddaddy of them all.
Ok, so I was pessimistic to begin with, but I'm all on board now....Allez, Allez, Allez!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Tour Day France
Although it's a race with "issues", there is always a little tingle of excitement when the Tour "Day" France starts. I just spied on my Facebook countdown that the start of Le Tour is only 29 Days away! Woa....where has time flown???
So, are you gonna watch this year? Me? I'm torn....I kind of have no time for the dramatics and, as I call them the "divorcing parents" (ASO, UCI), but listening to Bobke every night, watching the French countryside and fans is always fun. But...no Contador...no Levi...but...Bobke. Oy.
What are you going to do? Watch or not?
So, are you gonna watch this year? Me? I'm torn....I kind of have no time for the dramatics and, as I call them the "divorcing parents" (ASO, UCI), but listening to Bobke every night, watching the French countryside and fans is always fun. But...no Contador...no Levi...but...Bobke. Oy.
What are you going to do? Watch or not?
Monday, February 18, 2008
Foul Mood - Caution Rant Ahead
If you are a reader of this blog, y'all know that I've been at the Dealer Expo this week so I haven't had a chance to follow the build up to the Tour of California. Yesterday I did get in a short post wishing my friend Tyler Hamilton well in his return to US racing. Last night when I went to look at the results I couldn't find him and then I had an email from a friend saying that she saw he was left off the roster. That was curious, but I knew that it was really early in the season for him and maybe he just wasn't ready.
Oh no....after a little reading this morning I find that he was left off the roster because he and two others "were not approved entry because of a possible open doping investigation." Excuse me? Because they might be investigated again. Ok, I've had enough. Finally. I'm done. I love the fact that Cipo is back. I truly love the sport and if Tyler is racing somewhere that I can get to, I'll go and support him 100%, but as for the rest of it, I'm done.
From Michael Ball, team owner of Rock Racing about this whole thing..."This is not a decision governed by the agreement. There is no open investigation. AEG is acting irrationally to the detriment of the sport."
Let me preface all of this with I want clean cycling. Very clean. I have no issues with logical, legal methods to getting cycling clean.
I wrote about this last month when I was appalled at the new regulations at the Tour of California. According to the ToC organizers we do not live in the United States where you are innocent until proven guilty. According to the ToC organizers, they are dictators and decide who should be able to race and who shouldn't. Not the governing bodies of sport, but them. That is just WRONG! Can I make that any more clear? Yes, ok, disclaimer again, I consider Tyler a friend. However, I can make the same argument here for Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla who were also banned from this "event" without ever having met them.
This Operation Puerto "investigation" has reared its ugly head conveniently before a major tour more times than I care to count. After the tour is over, it goes away. They have some "evidence", but nothing they have been able to prove for YEARS now people. If it's there, then go after those riders. Please. Do. If it isn't, let's get this gone and move on. YEARS have gone by with this now. When does this one "investigation" end? Or will it loom for Tours for YEARS more to come?
So, they might open the investigation again...and they MIGHT find someone guilty of doping. MAYBE. But, it has been YEARS and the folks they are talking about in Cali haven't been charged with anything. Now, a lot of you say "yet" at the end of that sentance. And, you may very well be right, but the fact of the matter is that WE DO NOT KNOW. So...why shouldn't they race? Seriously.
Yea, ok, go ahead and tell me that Tyler has been banned before and that it "proves" he "probably" had something to do with Operation Puerto. Again, United States here people. Don't forget that. Tyler did his time, just like David Millar. Tyler is cleared to race by the governing body. Tyler is still cleared to race by the governing body. So are Oscar and Santiago. Who is the ToC to say differently? Because they "MIGHT" have "something" to do with a years old investigation? Really? Well, any one of those guys in that field "might" have an infraction at some point in their career - even this year. But nobody knows....just like we don't know if any of those guys kicked out of the ToC, before it even started, will. Their name is on a list. There might be some evidence that is years old, maybe, but not proven. Yet, they can't race. That is WRONG.
And then there is the whole Astana mess with the Tour de France. Yea, that works for me, too...
I'm done. Done. Give me family cycling. Give me riding with my friends. Give me kids cycling. Give me rides for charities. Do not expect me to get behind pro cycling until this ridiculousness ends. Skull and Crossbones for the Rock Racing team? Good deal - get me some of that gear!
Oh no....after a little reading this morning I find that he was left off the roster because he and two others "were not approved entry because of a possible open doping investigation." Excuse me? Because they might be investigated again. Ok, I've had enough. Finally. I'm done. I love the fact that Cipo is back. I truly love the sport and if Tyler is racing somewhere that I can get to, I'll go and support him 100%, but as for the rest of it, I'm done.
From Michael Ball, team owner of Rock Racing about this whole thing..."This is not a decision governed by the agreement. There is no open investigation. AEG is acting irrationally to the detriment of the sport."
Let me preface all of this with I want clean cycling. Very clean. I have no issues with logical, legal methods to getting cycling clean.
I wrote about this last month when I was appalled at the new regulations at the Tour of California. According to the ToC organizers we do not live in the United States where you are innocent until proven guilty. According to the ToC organizers, they are dictators and decide who should be able to race and who shouldn't. Not the governing bodies of sport, but them. That is just WRONG! Can I make that any more clear? Yes, ok, disclaimer again, I consider Tyler a friend. However, I can make the same argument here for Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla who were also banned from this "event" without ever having met them.
This Operation Puerto "investigation" has reared its ugly head conveniently before a major tour more times than I care to count. After the tour is over, it goes away. They have some "evidence", but nothing they have been able to prove for YEARS now people. If it's there, then go after those riders. Please. Do. If it isn't, let's get this gone and move on. YEARS have gone by with this now. When does this one "investigation" end? Or will it loom for Tours for YEARS more to come?
So, they might open the investigation again...and they MIGHT find someone guilty of doping. MAYBE. But, it has been YEARS and the folks they are talking about in Cali haven't been charged with anything. Now, a lot of you say "yet" at the end of that sentance. And, you may very well be right, but the fact of the matter is that WE DO NOT KNOW. So...why shouldn't they race? Seriously.
Yea, ok, go ahead and tell me that Tyler has been banned before and that it "proves" he "probably" had something to do with Operation Puerto. Again, United States here people. Don't forget that. Tyler did his time, just like David Millar. Tyler is cleared to race by the governing body. Tyler is still cleared to race by the governing body. So are Oscar and Santiago. Who is the ToC to say differently? Because they "MIGHT" have "something" to do with a years old investigation? Really? Well, any one of those guys in that field "might" have an infraction at some point in their career - even this year. But nobody knows....just like we don't know if any of those guys kicked out of the ToC, before it even started, will. Their name is on a list. There might be some evidence that is years old, maybe, but not proven. Yet, they can't race. That is WRONG.
And then there is the whole Astana mess with the Tour de France. Yea, that works for me, too...
I'm done. Done. Give me family cycling. Give me riding with my friends. Give me kids cycling. Give me rides for charities. Do not expect me to get behind pro cycling until this ridiculousness ends. Skull and Crossbones for the Rock Racing team? Good deal - get me some of that gear!
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Lion King to Roar Again
What's been rumored for a couple of weeks now is official - Mario Cipollini is coming out of retirement to race again. Better still....he's part of a team that will be racing quite a bit in the US so many fans here may get the chance to see him and all of his funky skin suits streaking past us. C'mon, wasn't it fun to see what crazy design he'd be wearing each day of Le Tour? Not what Le Tour is about, I know, but a fun side piece on the day's serious racing.
Yes, I know he's about to be 41 and yes, I know the team is controversial, but people, it's Mario Cipollini. There is nothing bad about that. That statement is more than just from some chick's perspective. Think about it from the side of what the sport of cycling needs right now. There isn't anything bad about Mario coming back - he's flashy, he's fun to watch, he's usually got something entertaining to say and he's darn talented. The sport needs some fun right about now and, especially in the US, the sport needs someone to draw in fans. With his flamboyance and talent, Mario may just be the person to do that. He'll certainly get attention for his new team, Rock Racing.
On a side note, does anyone else think that it's pretty ironic that Mario, the fashion king, will be racing for a team where the main sponsor is a "trendy clothing company", Rock & Republic? Do I see cross advertising in the future? Oh yea.
I was already a fan of this team because Michael Ball is giving my friend Tyler a second chance. That's all the reason I need to get back out to a race, chalk the roads and cheer like a maniac. Adding The Lion King to the team? Bonus. When can I buy team merchandise and where are they all racing first? I'm going to try to be at whatever race that is...see you on the roads soon!
Yes, I know he's about to be 41 and yes, I know the team is controversial, but people, it's Mario Cipollini. There is nothing bad about that. That statement is more than just from some chick's perspective. Think about it from the side of what the sport of cycling needs right now. There isn't anything bad about Mario coming back - he's flashy, he's fun to watch, he's usually got something entertaining to say and he's darn talented. The sport needs some fun right about now and, especially in the US, the sport needs someone to draw in fans. With his flamboyance and talent, Mario may just be the person to do that. He'll certainly get attention for his new team, Rock Racing.
On a side note, does anyone else think that it's pretty ironic that Mario, the fashion king, will be racing for a team where the main sponsor is a "trendy clothing company", Rock & Republic? Do I see cross advertising in the future? Oh yea.
I was already a fan of this team because Michael Ball is giving my friend Tyler a second chance. That's all the reason I need to get back out to a race, chalk the roads and cheer like a maniac. Adding The Lion King to the team? Bonus. When can I buy team merchandise and where are they all racing first? I'm going to try to be at whatever race that is...see you on the roads soon!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Dave Zabriskie's Calling YOU out!
Have ever watched the Tour Day France and thought, "I can take him". Ok, me either....but maybe you've watched a race at some point and thought, "I can hang with him." Tomorrow's your chance if you live in or near the state of Utah.
As part of the Bikes for Kids Utah, current USA Time Trial Champion, Dave Zabriskie will race YOU, big talker. Yup, that's right. Bring your trash talkin' and give it a go. For $75, which goes to this great organization, you can race Dave on a USA Cycling sanctioned time trial course. Is there a catch? No...except that it is up Salt Lake's Traverse Ridge (that to me says "mountain").
Dave's ready. Are you?!
If that's a stretch for you...'cause it is for me....you can participate in Bikes for Kids Utah on Saturday with Dave, too. There's a 5K family ride and a 50K with Dave and a metric century at 100K. Hopefully, it will be a nice fall day for a ride. Go on out and join 'em. I've only been in contact with Dave once...he visited our booth at Interbike in '06 (no not to see me...to say 'hey' to Bob Roll). He seemed very, very nice - I'm sure he'll be fun to ride with.
So, what is Bikes for Kids Utah? You can read all about them here, but basically they are an organization that started last year to provide "disadvantaged children with free bicycles as an inexpensive and fun way to get to school and as a hobby that helps them exercise as well as learn responsibility and safety."
The organization teaches them about bike safety, rules of the road and the importance of regular exercise. Last year they gave away....are you ready for this....they gave away 1,000 bikes! They are aiming to do so again this year. Amazing.
Kryptonite has been a proud supporter of this event the last two years. Seriously - kids, bikes and safety...it's a great thing for all involved.
We wish everyone involved tomorrow the time of their life and everyone a crisp, clear fall day to ride on Saturday.
As part of the Bikes for Kids Utah, current USA Time Trial Champion, Dave Zabriskie will race YOU, big talker. Yup, that's right. Bring your trash talkin' and give it a go. For $75, which goes to this great organization, you can race Dave on a USA Cycling sanctioned time trial course. Is there a catch? No...except that it is up Salt Lake's Traverse Ridge (that to me says "mountain").
Dave's ready. Are you?!
If that's a stretch for you...'cause it is for me....you can participate in Bikes for Kids Utah on Saturday with Dave, too. There's a 5K family ride and a 50K with Dave and a metric century at 100K. Hopefully, it will be a nice fall day for a ride. Go on out and join 'em. I've only been in contact with Dave once...he visited our booth at Interbike in '06 (no not to see me...to say 'hey' to Bob Roll). He seemed very, very nice - I'm sure he'll be fun to ride with.
So, what is Bikes for Kids Utah? You can read all about them here, but basically they are an organization that started last year to provide "disadvantaged children with free bicycles as an inexpensive and fun way to get to school and as a hobby that helps them exercise as well as learn responsibility and safety."
The organization teaches them about bike safety, rules of the road and the importance of regular exercise. Last year they gave away....are you ready for this....they gave away 1,000 bikes! They are aiming to do so again this year. Amazing.
Kryptonite has been a proud supporter of this event the last two years. Seriously - kids, bikes and safety...it's a great thing for all involved.
We wish everyone involved tomorrow the time of their life and everyone a crisp, clear fall day to ride on Saturday.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bob Roll on the Champs-Elysees
by Bob Roll
Reporting from Paris between television takes, right after the Tour concluded
The 2007 Tour Day France will go down as one addition that bounced back the highest from the lowest ebb of the sport. In the end, the yellow jersey eventually found its rightful owner, Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel Cycling Team. The young Spaniard inherited the jersey because of the disgraceful exit of the Dane Michael Rssmussen.
Michael Rasmussen, while leading the Tour and looking to be the dominant player in the event, was asked to go home because he lied about his whereabouts prior to this year’s Tour. In this day and age in the sport of cycling with all of the debilitating scenarios that have transpired no pro, let alone the leader of the Tour, can have any irregularities whatsoever associated with the anti-doping protocols. He followed in the footsteps of Cristian Moreni, Patrick Sinkewitz, and even Serhiy Honchar, who was not even allowed to start by his team. But most compelling for the sport, and ultimately who might prove to be the most damaging, was Alexander Vinokourov.
Vino began the tour as the sentimental favorite worldwide and left the tour as a disgraced sportsman who tried in vain to defraud the race, the yellow jersey, his sponsors and especially the millions of fans who stand for hours at the side of the road to catch a momentary glimpse of their heroes.
The sport descended to as low as it could go before rising back to the firmament where it belongs underneath the wheels of Alberto Contador. Let’s hope that the post Tour revelations about Contador are only positive and do not include any of the negative elements that have plagued last year’s Tour results.
When you look at the bright eyes and beautiful pedaling motion so raptor-like in the mountains of Alberto Contador you can not find a better ambassador as we look towards the future of cycling.
Reporting from Paris between television takes, right after the Tour concluded
The 2007 Tour Day France will go down as one addition that bounced back the highest from the lowest ebb of the sport. In the end, the yellow jersey eventually found its rightful owner, Alberto Contador of Discovery Channel Cycling Team. The young Spaniard inherited the jersey because of the disgraceful exit of the Dane Michael Rssmussen.
Michael Rasmussen, while leading the Tour and looking to be the dominant player in the event, was asked to go home because he lied about his whereabouts prior to this year’s Tour. In this day and age in the sport of cycling with all of the debilitating scenarios that have transpired no pro, let alone the leader of the Tour, can have any irregularities whatsoever associated with the anti-doping protocols. He followed in the footsteps of Cristian Moreni, Patrick Sinkewitz, and even Serhiy Honchar, who was not even allowed to start by his team. But most compelling for the sport, and ultimately who might prove to be the most damaging, was Alexander Vinokourov.
Vino began the tour as the sentimental favorite worldwide and left the tour as a disgraced sportsman who tried in vain to defraud the race, the yellow jersey, his sponsors and especially the millions of fans who stand for hours at the side of the road to catch a momentary glimpse of their heroes.
The sport descended to as low as it could go before rising back to the firmament where it belongs underneath the wheels of Alberto Contador. Let’s hope that the post Tour revelations about Contador are only positive and do not include any of the negative elements that have plagued last year’s Tour results.
When you look at the bright eyes and beautiful pedaling motion so raptor-like in the mountains of Alberto Contador you can not find a better ambassador as we look towards the future of cycling.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Tour de France, Catalogs & Such
Oh my goodness, how about the Tour Day France this weekend? Tim Jackson/Masiguy has great recaps - better than I could do since he has raced and knows more about that aspect. I just watch for the pure enjoyment of watching these guys put it all out on the line athletically. That, and the antics from the sidelines.
Seriously, a guy in a full chicken costume running up the mountain next to Michael Rassmussen yesterday? Priceless.
But, the most enjoyment, for this fan, was watching Alexander Vinokourov just kick some serious butt on the time trial - in the wet! Wow. It was impressive.
Equally impressive was yesterday's win by youngster Alberto Contador. After riding for hours and hours and then needing to attack that last mountain? And, leave most of your competitors behind. Nicely, done. He really made it look effortless, which floors me.
I can't wait for tonight's coverage with Bob and Al (shhh...don't tell...I spend all day not looking to see who won the stages so I can be surprised at night). Besides, I just love the "Bob and Al Show". They are too funny.
Oh, stay tuned for another Bob post at the end of the week. He's going to check in from Paris on Friday night or Saturday to give us his thoughts as the Tour wraps up.
Now it's off to work on the bike security catalog. It's that time where we are getting ready for the big industry trade shows. Eurobike is at the end of August in Germany and then there is the Canadian show in mid-September and then Interbike in Vegas at the end of September. Kryptonite will be at all three. If you are a dealer attending one, or more, of those shows, stop by! Much more news about those shows as we get closer.
I wonder which Tour stars will be at Eurobike....one year Jan Ullrich was there and you would have thought royalty was in the building or something. I don't know what to compare it to. It was a frenzied crowd. Somehow, I don't think he'll be there this year....but you never know who might show up. Someone from Astana? The Chicken himself?
There I go thinking "Tour" again. It's so hard not to in July! But...catalogs need to get done....
Seriously, a guy in a full chicken costume running up the mountain next to Michael Rassmussen yesterday? Priceless.
But, the most enjoyment, for this fan, was watching Alexander Vinokourov just kick some serious butt on the time trial - in the wet! Wow. It was impressive.
Equally impressive was yesterday's win by youngster Alberto Contador. After riding for hours and hours and then needing to attack that last mountain? And, leave most of your competitors behind. Nicely, done. He really made it look effortless, which floors me.
I can't wait for tonight's coverage with Bob and Al (shhh...don't tell...I spend all day not looking to see who won the stages so I can be surprised at night). Besides, I just love the "Bob and Al Show". They are too funny.
Oh, stay tuned for another Bob post at the end of the week. He's going to check in from Paris on Friday night or Saturday to give us his thoughts as the Tour wraps up.
Now it's off to work on the bike security catalog. It's that time where we are getting ready for the big industry trade shows. Eurobike is at the end of August in Germany and then there is the Canadian show in mid-September and then Interbike in Vegas at the end of September. Kryptonite will be at all three. If you are a dealer attending one, or more, of those shows, stop by! Much more news about those shows as we get closer.
I wonder which Tour stars will be at Eurobike....one year Jan Ullrich was there and you would have thought royalty was in the building or something. I don't know what to compare it to. It was a frenzied crowd. Somehow, I don't think he'll be there this year....but you never know who might show up. Someone from Astana? The Chicken himself?
There I go thinking "Tour" again. It's so hard not to in July! But...catalogs need to get done....
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Tour So Far - After Stage 12
by Bob Roll
(called in from Albi, France)
The early part of the Tour was dominated by the World Time Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara of team CSC. He didn’t win the Prologue by a couple of seconds but rather 13 seconds, which was a landslide over Andreas Kloden and the rest of the field. Most of the sprinters who could normally expect to contend for the yellow jersey, as well as the stage wins, were cast adrift by the yellow rocket ship of Fabian Cancellara.
That, however, did not reduce their zeal for stage wins one iota. Robbie McEwen took right up where he left off on last year’s Tour on a dangerous stage to Canterbury and was followed by Steegmans, Pozzato, Hushovd and Boonen.
When the tour reached the Alps the real racing began. The jersey changed hands a couple of times since Cancellara’s domination of the Prologue. First, being taken by Linus Gerdemann and since by Michael Rassmussen.
After the Alpine stages, which provided us with absolutely spectacular images, the stages included wins by Tom Boonen (again), Cedric Vasseur and Robbie Hunter.
As we look forward to the first decisive time trial the most successful Tour for any of the teams has been for Barloworld, which was invited rather than qualified for the Tour. The privateers on the team have, so far, delivered two stage wins, far eclipsing the success of mega-budget squads like Discovery and Astana. Also, team CSC could not ask for a better scenario. Quick Step has now taken out four stage wins and Thor Hushovd provided Credit Agricole with a huge stage win for the French team.
Some teams that will still be looking for success as the race progresses are FDJ, Agritubel, Gerolsteiner, Discovery, Euskaltel, Caisse d’Epargne and Astana.
One of the most interesting battles pitted Alexandre Vinokourov against Christophe Moreau. Christophe Moreau attacked repeatedly on the road to Tignes when it was obvious that Vinokourov was in an extreme state of agony. On the stage to Montpellier, it was Vinokourov’s chance to punch Moreau’s Tour Day France ticket.
Bike racing at the highest level is about 2 things – suffering and revenge. Vinokourov suffered on the road to Tignes at the hands of Christophe Moreau and repaid him on the road to Montpellier by putting his team on the front with the crosswinds and putting three and a half minutes into Christophe Moreau with all the other GC contenders in tow.
In order to win the Tour you must pick your moments when you are going to inflict suffering. But you must never forget when it is your turn to suffer, if you hesitate to accept it you are lost.
Looking to the first big time trial, Albi, we will have a clear picture of the contenders and the pretenders. Rassmussen is looking rather shaky in yellow and there is no shortage of lunatics ready, willing and able to steal the yellow jersey away. On the horizon the decisive stages of the Pyrenees are looming large.
It has been a great Tour so far. One for the ages and at this point it is still anybody’s bike race.
(called in from Albi, France)
The early part of the Tour was dominated by the World Time Trial Champion Fabian Cancellara of team CSC. He didn’t win the Prologue by a couple of seconds but rather 13 seconds, which was a landslide over Andreas Kloden and the rest of the field. Most of the sprinters who could normally expect to contend for the yellow jersey, as well as the stage wins, were cast adrift by the yellow rocket ship of Fabian Cancellara.
That, however, did not reduce their zeal for stage wins one iota. Robbie McEwen took right up where he left off on last year’s Tour on a dangerous stage to Canterbury and was followed by Steegmans, Pozzato, Hushovd and Boonen.
When the tour reached the Alps the real racing began. The jersey changed hands a couple of times since Cancellara’s domination of the Prologue. First, being taken by Linus Gerdemann and since by Michael Rassmussen.
After the Alpine stages, which provided us with absolutely spectacular images, the stages included wins by Tom Boonen (again), Cedric Vasseur and Robbie Hunter.
As we look forward to the first decisive time trial the most successful Tour for any of the teams has been for Barloworld, which was invited rather than qualified for the Tour. The privateers on the team have, so far, delivered two stage wins, far eclipsing the success of mega-budget squads like Discovery and Astana. Also, team CSC could not ask for a better scenario. Quick Step has now taken out four stage wins and Thor Hushovd provided Credit Agricole with a huge stage win for the French team.
Some teams that will still be looking for success as the race progresses are FDJ, Agritubel, Gerolsteiner, Discovery, Euskaltel, Caisse d’Epargne and Astana.
One of the most interesting battles pitted Alexandre Vinokourov against Christophe Moreau. Christophe Moreau attacked repeatedly on the road to Tignes when it was obvious that Vinokourov was in an extreme state of agony. On the stage to Montpellier, it was Vinokourov’s chance to punch Moreau’s Tour Day France ticket.
Bike racing at the highest level is about 2 things – suffering and revenge. Vinokourov suffered on the road to Tignes at the hands of Christophe Moreau and repaid him on the road to Montpellier by putting his team on the front with the crosswinds and putting three and a half minutes into Christophe Moreau with all the other GC contenders in tow.
In order to win the Tour you must pick your moments when you are going to inflict suffering. But you must never forget when it is your turn to suffer, if you hesitate to accept it you are lost.
Looking to the first big time trial, Albi, we will have a clear picture of the contenders and the pretenders. Rassmussen is looking rather shaky in yellow and there is no shortage of lunatics ready, willing and able to steal the yellow jersey away. On the horizon the decisive stages of the Pyrenees are looming large.
It has been a great Tour so far. One for the ages and at this point it is still anybody’s bike race.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Tour DAY France Tidbits
I've caught a couple of the Tour de France stages this week (I missed the opening day due to a family reunion). I loved hearing "Tour DAY France" for the first time this year from our friend, Bob Roll. I just love it!
Speaking of Bob...he'll be checking in here over the weekend. He's blogging right here from Le Tour. I'm pumped about that. I'm hoping he writes about the first mountain stages! Stay tuned....
I started my career organizing events. It's not always easy and event day is a blur of activity. If you have time to breathe, you are lucky. Kudos to Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, on taking time out to not only breathe, but actually sign autographs for kids and spend a few minutes with them. That's how you make Tour fans for life!
Thanks to Carlton for sending this link. It's a bright spot in the day to know that there are people out there who take the time to make a kid's day. Bravo Mr. P!
Speaking of Bob...he'll be checking in here over the weekend. He's blogging right here from Le Tour. I'm pumped about that. I'm hoping he writes about the first mountain stages! Stay tuned....
I started my career organizing events. It's not always easy and event day is a blur of activity. If you have time to breathe, you are lucky. Kudos to Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, on taking time out to not only breathe, but actually sign autographs for kids and spend a few minutes with them. That's how you make Tour fans for life!
Thanks to Carlton for sending this link. It's a bright spot in the day to know that there are people out there who take the time to make a kid's day. Bravo Mr. P!
Friday, July 06, 2007
The Spokesmen, Nicole Races & The Tour de France
Hey everyone - sorry for being out of touch for so many days. I'm on vacation, if you couldn't guess. Ok, I was in the office Tuesday, but you know how it goes - the day before a vacation is always the busiest trying to get everything done, right? Well, that's exactly what happened with me. That, and the podcast.
Towards the end of last year I was asked to become part of The Spokesmen podcast. I was completely flattered to be asked by the esteemed panel and said, 'yes' right away. I've missed more than I've participated in, I think, but my cohorts are very understanding. When I get the chance I am right there, though. Episode 20 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We covered a lot of topics including the Tour de France starting in London, the UCI Rider Pledge, cyclingnews.com being bought, Big Wheeled Ballywho and a host of other things. Check it out.
I'm sitting on my porch right now with the dog. I'm having some Smartfood and reading a book (ok, I'll be reading again in a minute...). She's keeping an eye on the backyard. You know, just to make sure the squirrels and bunnies stay in check.
This is just a little breather in what promises to be a busy weekend for some of us. Nicole Hoffman and her team are competing in the Road America 500K this weekend in Wisconsin. Go Nicole! She'll also be participating in the Red Flag Fund Auction while she's in town. The Red Flag Fund is new to me, but it sounds like it is a great organization. They provide support to injured road racers. Nicole will be checking in sometime next week to let us know how it all went.
We all know where our friend Bob Roll is this weekend. London. At the Tour DAY France! I can't believe it all starts tomorrow! I know I said I wasn't thrilled about watching, but you know I'll be checking out a bunch of stages. So...who is my pick? I think I said already, but I pick Vinokourov. For the first time, Bob and I agree on my pick. That should be a good thing....
So, who is your pick for Le Tour's podium spots? C'mon, I know you've all got a favorite...
Happy Weekend everyone!
Towards the end of last year I was asked to become part of The Spokesmen podcast. I was completely flattered to be asked by the esteemed panel and said, 'yes' right away. I've missed more than I've participated in, I think, but my cohorts are very understanding. When I get the chance I am right there, though. Episode 20 is up and ready for your listening pleasure. We covered a lot of topics including the Tour de France starting in London, the UCI Rider Pledge, cyclingnews.com being bought, Big Wheeled Ballywho and a host of other things. Check it out.
I'm sitting on my porch right now with the dog. I'm having some Smartfood and reading a book (ok, I'll be reading again in a minute...). She's keeping an eye on the backyard. You know, just to make sure the squirrels and bunnies stay in check.
This is just a little breather in what promises to be a busy weekend for some of us. Nicole Hoffman and her team are competing in the Road America 500K this weekend in Wisconsin. Go Nicole! She'll also be participating in the Red Flag Fund Auction while she's in town. The Red Flag Fund is new to me, but it sounds like it is a great organization. They provide support to injured road racers. Nicole will be checking in sometime next week to let us know how it all went.
We all know where our friend Bob Roll is this weekend. London. At the Tour DAY France! I can't believe it all starts tomorrow! I know I said I wasn't thrilled about watching, but you know I'll be checking out a bunch of stages. So...who is my pick? I think I said already, but I pick Vinokourov. For the first time, Bob and I agree on my pick. That should be a good thing....
So, who is your pick for Le Tour's podium spots? C'mon, I know you've all got a favorite...
Happy Weekend everyone!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Le Tour on YouTube
I have a conflict with the Tour de France this year. I guess I did last year, too, with all the scandal and some of the comments coming out of the event organization about it all. So much so that I found myself not wanting to watch Le Tour at all. Basically, I've been sticking my head in the sand about pro cycling all spring. I haven't followed it at all. I've been focusing more on grassroots events and promotions here and how we can help communities encourage cycling. No pro stuff at all.
It works for me, until I talk with our friend Bob Roll. And then I can't help myself....I find myself asking questions about who is on the starting lists....who looks good this spring (because I haven't been watching)...and the route...and I find myself getting a little interested. I vow to myself that I'll watch a couple of nights just because it's Bob. Not for the race, but to hear what Bob and his cohorts are saying. That's all. I'm not interested. Really. I'm not.
But, I find that I can't help it. I'm counting the calendar days until the 7th. I'm reading cyclingnews.com and velonews.com every morning now. And, this morning I broke down and visited Le Tour's official website. Know what I found there? They have partnered with YouTube. There are videos - 9 so far. They show clips from past Tours. They are obviously intended to show the wonderful side of Le Tour to get people interested again after so much scandal. To remind people of the wonder of it all; why they might want to tune in again this year even with the upheaval.
It worked for me. I found myself watching the 2003 and 2004 videos and remembering it all like it was yesterday (Tyler's broken collarbone and stage win, Lance going cyclocross, great sprint finishes and mountain battles). But, there are shots there that I don't ever remember seeing before. Behind the scenes, kids and more kids, spectacular scenery, amazing camera angles, the emotion, the mountain battles and even cows. Yes, cows (watch the 2004 video).
So, yes, I will watch again this year. As much for the spectacle as for the athletic abilities displayed. I'll want to hear what Bob is saying - he'll teach me a few things and I know he'll make me laugh. But, I need to get up to speed pretty quickly, right? I haven't been following along at all. I know what I'll be doing nights for the next couple of weeks....
Who is your pick? Is it too early for all that? I think I'll go with Vinokourov. He was my pick for a podium finish last year but couldn't compete because too many members of his team were on that stupid list. Don't get me started on that, again.
So, the Tour Day France is coming. It will start in London this year and I'm not sure there is a clear cut favorite, but it will still have fabulous scenery and great mountain battles. It might just be something to watch.
It works for me, until I talk with our friend Bob Roll. And then I can't help myself....I find myself asking questions about who is on the starting lists....who looks good this spring (because I haven't been watching)...and the route...and I find myself getting a little interested. I vow to myself that I'll watch a couple of nights just because it's Bob. Not for the race, but to hear what Bob and his cohorts are saying. That's all. I'm not interested. Really. I'm not.
But, I find that I can't help it. I'm counting the calendar days until the 7th. I'm reading cyclingnews.com and velonews.com every morning now. And, this morning I broke down and visited Le Tour's official website. Know what I found there? They have partnered with YouTube. There are videos - 9 so far. They show clips from past Tours. They are obviously intended to show the wonderful side of Le Tour to get people interested again after so much scandal. To remind people of the wonder of it all; why they might want to tune in again this year even with the upheaval.
It worked for me. I found myself watching the 2003 and 2004 videos and remembering it all like it was yesterday (Tyler's broken collarbone and stage win, Lance going cyclocross, great sprint finishes and mountain battles). But, there are shots there that I don't ever remember seeing before. Behind the scenes, kids and more kids, spectacular scenery, amazing camera angles, the emotion, the mountain battles and even cows. Yes, cows (watch the 2004 video).
So, yes, I will watch again this year. As much for the spectacle as for the athletic abilities displayed. I'll want to hear what Bob is saying - he'll teach me a few things and I know he'll make me laugh. But, I need to get up to speed pretty quickly, right? I haven't been following along at all. I know what I'll be doing nights for the next couple of weeks....
Who is your pick? Is it too early for all that? I think I'll go with Vinokourov. He was my pick for a podium finish last year but couldn't compete because too many members of his team were on that stupid list. Don't get me started on that, again.
So, the Tour Day France is coming. It will start in London this year and I'm not sure there is a clear cut favorite, but it will still have fabulous scenery and great mountain battles. It might just be something to watch.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
