I try to contain my excitement during stage finishes while watching the Tour with my sisters because they find me beyond weird. The last stage displayed such a show of dominance by Cav and Renshaw however, and as a Columbia and Cav fan, it was just too awesome. I might as well have been talking to myself but I kept saying that there was nobody near Renshaw in the leadout and then Cav took off. There was no one near him. As I watched Cav (and Renshaw, and George, basically the whole Columbia train) dominate, the only word I could use to describe the finish was "amazing."
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cycling. Show all posts
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
A LUXEMBOURG SANDWICH
*The title of this post comes from Phil's comment when the first three riders crossed the finish line. It was hilarious. I'm not sure who else would've described the finish quite like that. Phil and Paul are the best commentators.
1. I almost predicted the winner of the stage. I thought Saxo Bank would win the stage, partly for Jens. They seen like a team who would honor their teammates. But also because they needed to do something to put time into others. The Schlecks are the only guys who can stay with AC in the mountains so it would have to be one of them. I had the right last name, but I didn't think Frank could do it. He stayed with them and he deserved the win.
2. A fantastic ride in the peloton came from big Thor Hushovd. I might be a Cav fan, but that was an awesome ride by Thor. Breaking away on a mountain stage while wearing the green jersey is the sign of a champion. I'm glad he responded to Cav's comments and took the jersey in a way that the DQ didn't matter. A great ride by the god of thunder.
3. I really dislike Garmin but Christian Vande Velde had a fantastic ride as well. He's a bit too American although I do like his interviews because he actually answers the questions, even the stupid ones. He really left it all out on the climbs and deserves some respect for that. As Paul said "He has dragged himself up to the front and is now turning himself inside out."
4. Franco Pellizotti got some matching shorts! No more color clashing.
5. Garmin boy was dropped. Good.
6. I don't understand why everyone's freaking out about AC's attack that dropped Kloden. Everyone's saying he's a bad teammate but I think he wanted to get Kloden with him off the front to put time into the Schlecks (which would help the possible Kloden podium) and possibly get Kloden the stage win. If that happened, everyone would be saying how great a teammate he is. AC probably thought that Kloden could go with him because he had been sitting on someone's wheel and looked good. But then Kloden is an experienced rider and knows how to hide the hurt. Even if the group had made in down together, he would've had to sprinted against the Schlecks, and by the way he fell off so quickly, I'm not sure he could have. By the way AC was looking back all the time, I think he realized that the move didn't work and that he had made it worse for himself. I don't think it's right to blame him though, Kloden couldn't keep up. And I like Kloden. He hasn't been getting the respect he deserves because of the rest of the Astana boys.
7. Another rider who hasn't been getting respect is Contador himself. People have been saying he's a bad teammate but really, what has his teammate done for him especially since Lance came back? Shoved him off to the side. And yes, Lance played teammate today. But AC doesn't seem to trust his team and I can understand why. He knows he won't be riding with them after this. As for the whole podium sweep, I thought JB just wanted yellow. And what if he asked Lance to help his domestiques to get on the podium. Lance would've said "sure but you better make sure I'm on the top step". AC is saying "sure, but I'll make sure I'm on the top step." He's looking out for himself first, which is understandable because everyone seems out to get him. Which makes me like him even more.
8. As I was making the rounds on Twitter and reading some online articles, I lost some respect for Johan Bruyneel, Lance, and Levi. If a rider doesn't follow team orders and the team is angry, talk to the rider. You don't tell the media/tweet and make AC seem like the bad guy. Don't ruin his Tour. If JB has a problem with the move, you talk to the guy. You keep it within the team. The worst comment, tweeted by Levi and followed up by Lance was "If Andreas finishes 4th in GC by less than 2' from third, we know where he lost it..." Kloden lost that time hauling Lance up Vierber. They need to keep their problems within the team, not telling everybody. Real classy guys. You could learn something from Saxo Bank.
9. The devil was spotted on today's stage. I've been wondering where he's been.
10. Jens Voigt might have had the most epic crash but Denis Menchov seems to be winning for most crashes.
11. Kenny Van Hummel crashed and is out of the Tour. I have a lot of respect for this guy who rode 190/200km by himself and managed to finish within the time cut. I think we all wanted him to make it to Paris. He has certainly gained some fans.
12. One rider who has really impressed me is Vincenzo Nibali. Although, is his name said Na-ball-ee (like Phil and Paul say it) or Nee-ba-lee (like Craig Hummer says it, although he's the same man that misprounounced Hincapie for an entire July). I'm liking Nibali, not only for his cool name. He can climb and TT. His descent down the last mountain today was pretty awesome. He was certainly going fast and surprised Lance. When they crossed the line though, it looked like Lance was this huge giant and Nibali was some skinny little kid.
13. Maybe I've been listening to Phil and Paul too much, but I think AC is actually dancing on the pedals. Or "tickling the pedals".
14. Saxo Bank has clearly mastered the "grimace of pain" or "mask of pain". Their workhorses drag the peloton up mountains and always seem to be on the verge of blowing up. Their faces show the effort they are putting in. Jens Voigt has obviously mastered it, it's common for him to be wearing the "mask of pain". Except Jens Voigt can't be in pain because he is Jens Voigt. The Schleck brothers showed a good example on the last climbs. They must be practicing with their teammates. Their expressions do let you know that they are giving absolutely everything. Another reason I like Saxo Bank.
15. As for the time trial, Go Spartacus!
1. I almost predicted the winner of the stage. I thought Saxo Bank would win the stage, partly for Jens. They seen like a team who would honor their teammates. But also because they needed to do something to put time into others. The Schlecks are the only guys who can stay with AC in the mountains so it would have to be one of them. I had the right last name, but I didn't think Frank could do it. He stayed with them and he deserved the win.
2. A fantastic ride in the peloton came from big Thor Hushovd. I might be a Cav fan, but that was an awesome ride by Thor. Breaking away on a mountain stage while wearing the green jersey is the sign of a champion. I'm glad he responded to Cav's comments and took the jersey in a way that the DQ didn't matter. A great ride by the god of thunder.
3. I really dislike Garmin but Christian Vande Velde had a fantastic ride as well. He's a bit too American although I do like his interviews because he actually answers the questions, even the stupid ones. He really left it all out on the climbs and deserves some respect for that. As Paul said "He has dragged himself up to the front and is now turning himself inside out."
4. Franco Pellizotti got some matching shorts! No more color clashing.
5. Garmin boy was dropped. Good.
6. I don't understand why everyone's freaking out about AC's attack that dropped Kloden. Everyone's saying he's a bad teammate but I think he wanted to get Kloden with him off the front to put time into the Schlecks (which would help the possible Kloden podium) and possibly get Kloden the stage win. If that happened, everyone would be saying how great a teammate he is. AC probably thought that Kloden could go with him because he had been sitting on someone's wheel and looked good. But then Kloden is an experienced rider and knows how to hide the hurt. Even if the group had made in down together, he would've had to sprinted against the Schlecks, and by the way he fell off so quickly, I'm not sure he could have. By the way AC was looking back all the time, I think he realized that the move didn't work and that he had made it worse for himself. I don't think it's right to blame him though, Kloden couldn't keep up. And I like Kloden. He hasn't been getting the respect he deserves because of the rest of the Astana boys.
7. Another rider who hasn't been getting respect is Contador himself. People have been saying he's a bad teammate but really, what has his teammate done for him especially since Lance came back? Shoved him off to the side. And yes, Lance played teammate today. But AC doesn't seem to trust his team and I can understand why. He knows he won't be riding with them after this. As for the whole podium sweep, I thought JB just wanted yellow. And what if he asked Lance to help his domestiques to get on the podium. Lance would've said "sure but you better make sure I'm on the top step". AC is saying "sure, but I'll make sure I'm on the top step." He's looking out for himself first, which is understandable because everyone seems out to get him. Which makes me like him even more.
8. As I was making the rounds on Twitter and reading some online articles, I lost some respect for Johan Bruyneel, Lance, and Levi. If a rider doesn't follow team orders and the team is angry, talk to the rider. You don't tell the media/tweet and make AC seem like the bad guy. Don't ruin his Tour. If JB has a problem with the move, you talk to the guy. You keep it within the team. The worst comment, tweeted by Levi and followed up by Lance was "If Andreas finishes 4th in GC by less than 2' from third, we know where he lost it..." Kloden lost that time hauling Lance up Vierber. They need to keep their problems within the team, not telling everybody. Real classy guys. You could learn something from Saxo Bank.
9. The devil was spotted on today's stage. I've been wondering where he's been.
10. Jens Voigt might have had the most epic crash but Denis Menchov seems to be winning for most crashes.
11. Kenny Van Hummel crashed and is out of the Tour. I have a lot of respect for this guy who rode 190/200km by himself and managed to finish within the time cut. I think we all wanted him to make it to Paris. He has certainly gained some fans.
12. One rider who has really impressed me is Vincenzo Nibali. Although, is his name said Na-ball-ee (like Phil and Paul say it) or Nee-ba-lee (like Craig Hummer says it, although he's the same man that misprounounced Hincapie for an entire July). I'm liking Nibali, not only for his cool name. He can climb and TT. His descent down the last mountain today was pretty awesome. He was certainly going fast and surprised Lance. When they crossed the line though, it looked like Lance was this huge giant and Nibali was some skinny little kid.
13. Maybe I've been listening to Phil and Paul too much, but I think AC is actually dancing on the pedals. Or "tickling the pedals".
14. Saxo Bank has clearly mastered the "grimace of pain" or "mask of pain". Their workhorses drag the peloton up mountains and always seem to be on the verge of blowing up. Their faces show the effort they are putting in. Jens Voigt has obviously mastered it, it's common for him to be wearing the "mask of pain". Except Jens Voigt can't be in pain because he is Jens Voigt. The Schleck brothers showed a good example on the last climbs. They must be practicing with their teammates. Their expressions do let you know that they are giving absolutely everything. Another reason I like Saxo Bank.
15. As for the time trial, Go Spartacus!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
STAGE 15 AND 16
Stage 15:
1. Wow. Contador is simply amazing at climbing mountains. He makes it look as though he's not even trying. Phil and Paul were calling Andy Schleck a pure climber but he was suffering as he crossed the line. AC was not. AC looked like he could do it all again. He showed us why he is going to win the TdF.
2. Once Andy learns to time trial, it's going to be a great battle between him and Contador. I'm not sure which one I like better though.
3. It was good to see Fabian Cancellara in the break. Honoring the Swiss jersey he's so proud of in his country was awesome, as was all the giant Swiss flags that were flying or being used as capes by maniac fans.
4. Not sure what his name was, but the Lampre rider who was in the break was great. He didn't make the time cut in one of the last few stages but the directors let him stay because of cars/weather/something. He did a great job thanking them using his legs.
5. Much as I like Lance, I'm getting a little tired of all the fuss about him. Contador deserves so much more respect than what people are giving him. As do the other riders.
6. That being said, I can't say I was that upset when Lance got dropped. He needs to be put in place once in awhile.
7. I like seeing AC smile. And knowing that he completely and utterly destroyed everyone else.
8. Best Phil and Paul comments:
-2nd place, after Fabian Cancellara was in the break but then is pulling the remanents of the peloton up the mountain, Phil was asking Paul if he'd have anything left. Paul replied "never underestimate Fabian Cancellara". So true.
-1st place, "big" Jens Voigt was in the front giving everything he had. Paul said, twice, "Jens Voigt is trying to asphyxiate the peloton".
Stage 16:
1. As a tribute to Jens and his epic crash, I ran a more than 8.5 mile long route that consisted of all the hills around my neighborhood, in the pouring rain. I was going to do a 6 mile flat route but then I asked myself "what would Jens do?"
2. Jens Voigt is okay!!!!! I have watched the crash over and over, seen the infamous bump, the sparks flying because Jens Voigt is actually a terminator, and it still scares me. Jens Voigt says the greatest quotes ("shut up body and do what I tell you") and people say the greatest things about him. He's on a different level because of his strength and the respect he commands. It's sometimes hard to remember that he's just a skinny guy with a cool accent who likes to ride his bike and just happens to be completely and utterly amazing. Seeing the picture of him just lying on the road, that was hard. He's a great person and cyclist. Get better quickly Jens.
3. Wow. Lance was pretty good. Bridging the gap by himself that quick was impressive. I think he even surprised himself. But it makes me confused on who to cheer on. Because as much as I want AC and the others to beat Lance, I found myself urging him on. I don't want to see him on the podium though, unless he's on the top step. I don't want him being second best, but he's not going to be AC. I don't want Lance being dropped either. I would like to see Andreas Kloden show off his skills.
4. What is with Franco Pellizotti's hair? And if he's going to wear the polka dotted jersey, he needs matched shorts. The color combination did not look good.
5. Mikal Asterloza wins his first ever road race and it's at the TdF. Pretty cool. Plus it's also good to see the breakaways win because of the genuine happiness on their faces. And it's great seeing the Euskadel-Euskadi riders get a stage. I like the Basque boys especially with all the work they've been putting in on this Tour.
6. Cadels Evans has disappointed me. And I don't even like him. He was down a lot of time but he gave up during stage 15. When you give up, it doesn't matter if the legs are there, because you aren't going to try. I thought he was better than that.
7. I love the crazy fans on the mountains. When people talk about crazy fans in other sports, I always wonder the flag cape people and the naked guys are, among others. They can be dangerous but cycling would be missing something without the fans.
8. The Tour is awesome.
1. Wow. Contador is simply amazing at climbing mountains. He makes it look as though he's not even trying. Phil and Paul were calling Andy Schleck a pure climber but he was suffering as he crossed the line. AC was not. AC looked like he could do it all again. He showed us why he is going to win the TdF.
2. Once Andy learns to time trial, it's going to be a great battle between him and Contador. I'm not sure which one I like better though.
3. It was good to see Fabian Cancellara in the break. Honoring the Swiss jersey he's so proud of in his country was awesome, as was all the giant Swiss flags that were flying or being used as capes by maniac fans.
4. Not sure what his name was, but the Lampre rider who was in the break was great. He didn't make the time cut in one of the last few stages but the directors let him stay because of cars/weather/something. He did a great job thanking them using his legs.
5. Much as I like Lance, I'm getting a little tired of all the fuss about him. Contador deserves so much more respect than what people are giving him. As do the other riders.
6. That being said, I can't say I was that upset when Lance got dropped. He needs to be put in place once in awhile.
7. I like seeing AC smile. And knowing that he completely and utterly destroyed everyone else.
8. Best Phil and Paul comments:
-2nd place, after Fabian Cancellara was in the break but then is pulling the remanents of the peloton up the mountain, Phil was asking Paul if he'd have anything left. Paul replied "never underestimate Fabian Cancellara". So true.
-1st place, "big" Jens Voigt was in the front giving everything he had. Paul said, twice, "Jens Voigt is trying to asphyxiate the peloton".
Stage 16:
1. As a tribute to Jens and his epic crash, I ran a more than 8.5 mile long route that consisted of all the hills around my neighborhood, in the pouring rain. I was going to do a 6 mile flat route but then I asked myself "what would Jens do?"
2. Jens Voigt is okay!!!!! I have watched the crash over and over, seen the infamous bump, the sparks flying because Jens Voigt is actually a terminator, and it still scares me. Jens Voigt says the greatest quotes ("shut up body and do what I tell you") and people say the greatest things about him. He's on a different level because of his strength and the respect he commands. It's sometimes hard to remember that he's just a skinny guy with a cool accent who likes to ride his bike and just happens to be completely and utterly amazing. Seeing the picture of him just lying on the road, that was hard. He's a great person and cyclist. Get better quickly Jens.
3. Wow. Lance was pretty good. Bridging the gap by himself that quick was impressive. I think he even surprised himself. But it makes me confused on who to cheer on. Because as much as I want AC and the others to beat Lance, I found myself urging him on. I don't want to see him on the podium though, unless he's on the top step. I don't want him being second best, but he's not going to be AC. I don't want Lance being dropped either. I would like to see Andreas Kloden show off his skills.
4. What is with Franco Pellizotti's hair? And if he's going to wear the polka dotted jersey, he needs matched shorts. The color combination did not look good.
5. Mikal Asterloza wins his first ever road race and it's at the TdF. Pretty cool. Plus it's also good to see the breakaways win because of the genuine happiness on their faces. And it's great seeing the Euskadel-Euskadi riders get a stage. I like the Basque boys especially with all the work they've been putting in on this Tour.
6. Cadels Evans has disappointed me. And I don't even like him. He was down a lot of time but he gave up during stage 15. When you give up, it doesn't matter if the legs are there, because you aren't going to try. I thought he was better than that.
7. I love the crazy fans on the mountains. When people talk about crazy fans in other sports, I always wonder the flag cape people and the naked guys are, among others. They can be dangerous but cycling would be missing something without the fans.
8. The Tour is awesome.
OH, JENS
Oh, Jens Voigt. The most beloved member of the peloton became the tragic story on today's mountains. As I watched the stage this morning, when they said big Jens Voigt was in the break, I wanted him to win. He has the largest suitcase of courage. He was dropped off but he's still awesome. Then they said he had crashed, I freaked out. Jens Voigt is amazing. They showed his terrible crash, how he almost got run over by the motorcycle, how he just lay still, and for a moment, I think we were all speechless. Phil and Paul even forgot about Lance. And for the rest of the stage, I could care less about the GC contenders staying together, Cadel Evans losing time, Mikal Arstaloza finally winning (which was pretty great), and most of all Lance. They would show the crash but they didn't know what happened to him. Obviously he wasn't just lying on the road anymore. And then Phil and Paul said he lost conciousness and was on the way to the hospital. Jens Voigt, the best man in bike racing.
I watched a video once, of Jens Voigt and some other guys. They were riding their bikes somewhere and Jens Voigt was talking about how all of Germany hated him because they blamed him for the German cycling scandals. It was so sad. I hope he knows that the rest of the world loves him. And is praying for him to get better.
The pictures on cyclingnews.com are heartbreaking. Poor Jens. He really is absolutely wonderful. I hope he'll be okay. Afterall, Jens Voigt is a legend.
I watched a video once, of Jens Voigt and some other guys. They were riding their bikes somewhere and Jens Voigt was talking about how all of Germany hated him because they blamed him for the German cycling scandals. It was so sad. I hope he knows that the rest of the world loves him. And is praying for him to get better.
The pictures on cyclingnews.com are heartbreaking. Poor Jens. He really is absolutely wonderful. I hope he'll be okay. Afterall, Jens Voigt is a legend.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
BIG GEORGE GETS OH SO CLOSE
During the evening Versus coverage, a segment was done of favorite victory salutes and stage wins. On the bulletin board hanging in my room, I have the newspaper article and photo from my favorite stage. I have watched that victory salute so many times but I never get tired of the look on George Hincapie's face when he won stage 15 of the 2005 Tour de France. I love that stage. And I love George Hincapie. He's one of my favorite riders because he's the hardworking teammate who gives everything for someone else. When he does get a chance, it always seems to be taken away from him, through no fault of his own. Which makes today's stage so heartbreaking. I'm not sure if I have ever seen George Hincapie look as crushed as he was today. Because he deserved that yellow jersey. And I will try to be as unbiased as possible when I write about the newest drama in the peloton but it's going to be hard because I love big George, I love Columbia, and I can't stand Garmin.
What I saw as I watched the stage:
-Break goes away with George Hincapie and Jens Voight, two of my favorite riders.
-Jens Voight is out of the break after his mechanic forgot how to change a wheel quickly. He's mad because he is the king of epic breakaways and this could've been one of those.
-Astana at the front but not chasing. They could've let the break get a little more of a lead because they did want George to have yellow.
-AG2R starts chasing because, duh, they have the jersey and don't want to lose it.
-AG2R sucks at chasing because they've worn themselves out.
-Silence Lotto (team of Cadel Evans who I don't like) comes to the front for a little while for no apparent reason. They don't have a sprinter but they also don't have a guy in the break. They weren't at the front for long though so they don't have as much to do with it.
-Garmin bringing their guys to the front for no apparent reason. They have a sprinter but the breakaway was asured the stage win and Farrar has no chance at green. Not sure exactly what they were trying to do.
-Sergei Ivanov winning a great stage. The video of him breathing hard after the finish shows how hard he worked. Not sure why there wasn't cameras around him.
-Columbia doing the slowest leadout they've ever done.
-George losing out on yellow by five seconds. He is angry.
And now for my completely and utterly biased opinion on what happened in stage 14 along with all the conspiracy theories that went with it. George deserved yellow. In his 14th TdF, always being the hardworking teammate, it should have been his. Maybe he could've have used different tactics, rode a little faster, done something differently to get himself in yellow. But when the maillot jaune is on the line, I think you give absolutely everything you have. I don't think George could've rode faster. The yellow jersey is not given away as a present however, it's worn by those who earn it. After all these years, George Hincapie has earned a second yellow jersey. Which then evokes one of the many gentlemen rules of cycling. If "a legend like him deserved to be in yellow" and the guy isn't a threat on GC, the only team that should've been chasing is the team defending yellow. Yes, it might've been a gift, but it would've been well deserved. In another way, it would'nt have been a gift, but just following some basic rules of the peloton. Such as, if you're such a pro American team, you let the American legend get his jersey and not just chase him down for no other reason than you're a jerk. If Garmin is mad at Cav's trash talk (which he backs up) and at not beating Cav in the sprints, then race man to man. Taking away someone's chance at yellow because their team is more successful is not honorable. If they were mad at Cav, then they beat him at the line. Don't take it out on the nice guy in the peloton.
There's a lot of pointing fingers right now and it seems that everyone is talking except big George. We all know that AG2R couldn't have kept that jersey by themselves, they couldn't have done that chase on their own. We saw Garmin chase. And now Columbia is blaming other teams and thie Tour now sucks (I don't think I'm knowledgable enough to comment on Cav's sprint DQ but I do think it's unfair). The Garmin boys are saying they just did what they were told to do, as they were just "pawns in their game", which brings up even more questions. Can the riders do anything without someone higher up's permission? What is Jonathon Vaughter's problem?
I hope it was worth it Garmin. Because you just screwed yourselves. Columbia is a very strong and united team. They won't let this go. Because Garmin took away the chance of a lifetime, the chance to wear the maillot jaune from a man that deserves it more than any Garmin rider will. Jonathon Vaughters can say all the BS he wants but it won't change how his team disgraced themselves. They just made a lot of people angry when this stage could've been great for everyone but AG2R. This is all just my opinion of course. I think this Johan Buryneel quote best sums up what went on during this stage.
"Obviously it was clear they didn't want to see him in the jersey. If you start to race like that, to go against the success of other people, ultimately it comes back, and I think that is what is going to happen.
Columbia is not going to be happy. It's going to be a battle of American teams, and it's not a battle of results. It's a battle of not wanting somebody else to be in the spotlight. I didn't like that. I didn't like what I saw. I don't think George will be very happy. I know George has a lot of friends on Garmin. I don't know if they wanted to do what they did. I expect that this will have another story to it in the future."
Garmin sucks. Big George Hincapie rocks. Summary of that stage.
What I saw as I watched the stage:
-Break goes away with George Hincapie and Jens Voight, two of my favorite riders.
-Jens Voight is out of the break after his mechanic forgot how to change a wheel quickly. He's mad because he is the king of epic breakaways and this could've been one of those.
-Astana at the front but not chasing. They could've let the break get a little more of a lead because they did want George to have yellow.
-AG2R starts chasing because, duh, they have the jersey and don't want to lose it.
-AG2R sucks at chasing because they've worn themselves out.
-Silence Lotto (team of Cadel Evans who I don't like) comes to the front for a little while for no apparent reason. They don't have a sprinter but they also don't have a guy in the break. They weren't at the front for long though so they don't have as much to do with it.
-Garmin bringing their guys to the front for no apparent reason. They have a sprinter but the breakaway was asured the stage win and Farrar has no chance at green. Not sure exactly what they were trying to do.
-Sergei Ivanov winning a great stage. The video of him breathing hard after the finish shows how hard he worked. Not sure why there wasn't cameras around him.
-Columbia doing the slowest leadout they've ever done.
-George losing out on yellow by five seconds. He is angry.
And now for my completely and utterly biased opinion on what happened in stage 14 along with all the conspiracy theories that went with it. George deserved yellow. In his 14th TdF, always being the hardworking teammate, it should have been his. Maybe he could've have used different tactics, rode a little faster, done something differently to get himself in yellow. But when the maillot jaune is on the line, I think you give absolutely everything you have. I don't think George could've rode faster. The yellow jersey is not given away as a present however, it's worn by those who earn it. After all these years, George Hincapie has earned a second yellow jersey. Which then evokes one of the many gentlemen rules of cycling. If "a legend like him deserved to be in yellow" and the guy isn't a threat on GC, the only team that should've been chasing is the team defending yellow. Yes, it might've been a gift, but it would've been well deserved. In another way, it would'nt have been a gift, but just following some basic rules of the peloton. Such as, if you're such a pro American team, you let the American legend get his jersey and not just chase him down for no other reason than you're a jerk. If Garmin is mad at Cav's trash talk (which he backs up) and at not beating Cav in the sprints, then race man to man. Taking away someone's chance at yellow because their team is more successful is not honorable. If they were mad at Cav, then they beat him at the line. Don't take it out on the nice guy in the peloton.
There's a lot of pointing fingers right now and it seems that everyone is talking except big George. We all know that AG2R couldn't have kept that jersey by themselves, they couldn't have done that chase on their own. We saw Garmin chase. And now Columbia is blaming other teams and thie Tour now sucks (I don't think I'm knowledgable enough to comment on Cav's sprint DQ but I do think it's unfair). The Garmin boys are saying they just did what they were told to do, as they were just "pawns in their game", which brings up even more questions. Can the riders do anything without someone higher up's permission? What is Jonathon Vaughter's problem?
I hope it was worth it Garmin. Because you just screwed yourselves. Columbia is a very strong and united team. They won't let this go. Because Garmin took away the chance of a lifetime, the chance to wear the maillot jaune from a man that deserves it more than any Garmin rider will. Jonathon Vaughters can say all the BS he wants but it won't change how his team disgraced themselves. They just made a lot of people angry when this stage could've been great for everyone but AG2R. This is all just my opinion of course. I think this Johan Buryneel quote best sums up what went on during this stage.
"Obviously it was clear they didn't want to see him in the jersey. If you start to race like that, to go against the success of other people, ultimately it comes back, and I think that is what is going to happen.
Columbia is not going to be happy. It's going to be a battle of American teams, and it's not a battle of results. It's a battle of not wanting somebody else to be in the spotlight. I didn't like that. I didn't like what I saw. I don't think George will be very happy. I know George has a lot of friends on Garmin. I don't know if they wanted to do what they did. I expect that this will have another story to it in the future."
Garmin sucks. Big George Hincapie rocks. Summary of that stage.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
HAPPY BASTILLE DAY!
I wonder which French guy will win the stage today. It's a shame I can't watch the coverage and all the French guys competing for the win. I guess I'll have to celebrate Bastille Day without them.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
NO VERSUS!!!!!
OMG. OMG. I am in a hotel in Ohio on vacation.....and Versus does not work (They also don't have a treadmill. What hotel does not have a treadmill?). It is the middle of freaking July and I can't watch the Tour. The only thing I do in July, besides run, is watch the Tour. Which is why, when we got done eating supper, I go into the hotel room and turn it to Versus. A screen with colorful stripes shows up. So now, I have to wait until 10 each night to go to the terrible computer in the lobby, watch the one minute highlight on Versus, and then get angrier. Do these people not realize this is JULY? Do they not realize this is the most exciting TOUR DE FRANCE in YEARS??
On a side note, I watched most of the stage this morning at my house. I watched enough to see Fabian Cancellara being a beast, George Hincapie make the break but fall away, Cav lose his green jersey that he looks so wonderful in, and my man with the winning yellow shoes, Luis Leon Sanchez make the break. I thought he could win the stage, and I had him on my fantasy team because I believe in him so much, and then hours later in Ohio, I find out he won (second stage in 2 years). I wish I could've seen it live. He's just that good. I'm so glad he won. It's a shame I couldn't watch him win on Versus with actual coverage. Phil and Paul probably had something to say about how awesome Luis Leon Sanchez is.
On a side note, I watched most of the stage this morning at my house. I watched enough to see Fabian Cancellara being a beast, George Hincapie make the break but fall away, Cav lose his green jersey that he looks so wonderful in, and my man with the winning yellow shoes, Luis Leon Sanchez make the break. I thought he could win the stage, and I had him on my fantasy team because I believe in him so much, and then hours later in Ohio, I find out he won (second stage in 2 years). I wish I could've seen it live. He's just that good. I'm so glad he won. It's a shame I couldn't watch him win on Versus with actual coverage. Phil and Paul probably had something to say about how awesome Luis Leon Sanchez is.
Friday, July 10, 2009
TDF COMMENTS: SO STRANGE
1. First off, I totally called today's TdF stage. At least kind of. On my Versus fantasy cycling team, I happen to have a man named Brice Feillu who cost me $5. The only reason I put him on my team was because he was cheap and I figured he must be related to Roman Feillu who wore yellow last year (which I actually remembered). He had been the only guy on my team who hadn't scored me points as of Wednesday, which made me a little disappointed. And then he goes and wins today's stage as the most inexperienced man in the break. It got me nowhere because he was sitting on my bench, but I was cheering for Brice Feillu once I saw he was in the break. The only wrong thing he did was not zip up his jersey when he won. I can't believe he won though. I can't believe he was on the bench when he won.
2. Spartacus finally had to give up yellow. It was sad watching Fabian Cancellara fall off the back because of all he's accomplished so far. He's a fantastic rider. But now there might not be any more interviews with the man until he wins the last time trial. He has really impressed me though, and I love watching him succeed.
3. Sure, it was a hard stage and he might have deserved the win, but I can't help but feel glad that David Millar did not win stage 6. I don't like the guy or his team.
4. Strange things have been happening in the Tour. Cadel Evans attacked. And not only did he attack, he was the first to attack. He's getting pretty desperate if he's not doing the usual wheelsucking.
5. Two french wins in 7 stages. And we haven't even gotten to Bastille Day. Very strange.
7. Even stranger, is the 30 minute commercial free segment on Versus which allowed us to watch the stage finish without being interrupted by granola bars or cars.
2. Spartacus finally had to give up yellow. It was sad watching Fabian Cancellara fall off the back because of all he's accomplished so far. He's a fantastic rider. But now there might not be any more interviews with the man until he wins the last time trial. He has really impressed me though, and I love watching him succeed.
3. Sure, it was a hard stage and he might have deserved the win, but I can't help but feel glad that David Millar did not win stage 6. I don't like the guy or his team.
4. Strange things have been happening in the Tour. Cadel Evans attacked. And not only did he attack, he was the first to attack. He's getting pretty desperate if he's not doing the usual wheelsucking.
5. Two french wins in 7 stages. And we haven't even gotten to Bastille Day. Very strange.
7. Even stranger, is the 30 minute commercial free segment on Versus which allowed us to watch the stage finish without being interrupted by granola bars or cars.
8. Watching all the commercials during the Tour makes me wonder about what kind of people they think watch it. As a teenage girl, I beginning to think I'm not their prime audience, after watching multiple male enhancement, hairloss, and eHarmony commercials. Who exactly do they think pro cycling fans are?
9. Forgot to mention this previously, but I was impressed with Robert Gesink finishing with a fractured wrist or whatever it was. He might have dropped out afterwards but he finished that stage which took some courage.
10. Ahhh, the mountains. It's hard not to love them.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
2009 TOUR COMMENTS
This tour is pretty good so far. And now, since I can't discuss these things with my family, here are some comments I have.
1. I love watching breakaways succeed. Watching guys who may never have a chance to win a stage again and may have only dreamed of the moment, it's incredible to watch. They are always some of the happiest stage winners. Thomas Voekler was certainly happy today. After he won the stage and was waiting to hug his teammates as he stood with his hand in their air, it was hard to keep from feeling glad for him. He was so incredibly happy on the podium, it made me smile. He definately deserved the win. And he won it in a very sweet breakaway fashion. Going in a breakaway at the beginning of the stage, the peloton so close with 15km to go, and then winning it solo, enough time for a fabulous victory salute as the peloton rides hard in the background.
2. Fabian Cancellara is amazing. I like him not just because he is awesome in time trials, but because he does what you wouldn't expect. He sprinted to a stage victory while wearing the yellow jersey one year in the Tour. In the Beijing Olympics (which I stayed up till 5 a.m. to watch but it was worth it) he won the bronze in the road race when everyone thought he would get his medal the next day by winning gold in the time trial. And then he won the Tour of Switzerland. Now, in this year's Tour, he basically does all the work in the team time trial. Everytime they showed Saxo Bank on Versus, it seemed like Fabian Cancellara was in the front. He basically dragged the team to the finish. Then, on today's stage, he's riding at the front of the peloton. He's pulling the peloton along when he's wearing yellow. That was pretty awesome. But Fabian Cancellara does not do the expected and that is why he is a beast. Plus, it's so much fun to listen to his interviews and watch him pull on yellow.
3. Ben Stiller should not have been giving out the yellow jersey. It was hilarious watching him give it to Fabian Cancellara. I could almost see him thinking "where's Lance? This is not Lance". I doubt Fabian Cancellara knew or cared who he was. He did care about that jersey though.
4. Lance wanted that yellow. Like he could time the .22 seconds to stay out of it. And really, Lance taking yellow would make another great chapter in his story. But as the 5th man over the line, it's all his fault. I have to say that I did want him to take the jersey until I watched Fabian Cancellara's reaction to keeping it. Then I realized that Lance can share.
5. It's a great Tour for the conspiracy theorists.
6. Much as I dislike Garmin they did a nice job in the TTT. Riding with only 5 for most of the way and only having 4 pulling would have been hard. Them getting second made me laugh though. Not a fan of them at all. I did like the Christian Vande Velde interview though. When the guy asked him if dropping half the team was the plan, he responded very well. VdV is a bit too American though for me to like him.
7. I love Cav. Seeing him in green is awesome. I like how he talks trash but then backs up his side. And he's always making sure his teammates get the credit. He seems to really enjoy it though, he's always having fun. He acts like a kid, which is not a bad thing.
8. The voices of the Tour for me will always be Phil and Paul. The people of BF are always complaining about them but I could (and do, in July) listen to them for hours. Where else can you hear someone say "around about"? Or say "completely and utterly" about 5 times in 2 minutes. When Phil was talking about Lance "dancing on the pedals" in stage 4, it reminded me even more that this is the Tour de France. And then after the TTT, when they were commenting on Fabian Cancellara's performance, Paul started saying "but Phil, remember what you always say about riding wearing the yellow jersey".....and I could recite "it makes you ride like two men". They say the weirdest things but I love listening to them because you can tell they love the race.
9. I love Lance and all, but really. The little jersey on the screen for him at Versus, along with the important jerseys? Little overboard.
10. This tour is incredibly exciting.
1. I love watching breakaways succeed. Watching guys who may never have a chance to win a stage again and may have only dreamed of the moment, it's incredible to watch. They are always some of the happiest stage winners. Thomas Voekler was certainly happy today. After he won the stage and was waiting to hug his teammates as he stood with his hand in their air, it was hard to keep from feeling glad for him. He was so incredibly happy on the podium, it made me smile. He definately deserved the win. And he won it in a very sweet breakaway fashion. Going in a breakaway at the beginning of the stage, the peloton so close with 15km to go, and then winning it solo, enough time for a fabulous victory salute as the peloton rides hard in the background.
2. Fabian Cancellara is amazing. I like him not just because he is awesome in time trials, but because he does what you wouldn't expect. He sprinted to a stage victory while wearing the yellow jersey one year in the Tour. In the Beijing Olympics (which I stayed up till 5 a.m. to watch but it was worth it) he won the bronze in the road race when everyone thought he would get his medal the next day by winning gold in the time trial. And then he won the Tour of Switzerland. Now, in this year's Tour, he basically does all the work in the team time trial. Everytime they showed Saxo Bank on Versus, it seemed like Fabian Cancellara was in the front. He basically dragged the team to the finish. Then, on today's stage, he's riding at the front of the peloton. He's pulling the peloton along when he's wearing yellow. That was pretty awesome. But Fabian Cancellara does not do the expected and that is why he is a beast. Plus, it's so much fun to listen to his interviews and watch him pull on yellow.
3. Ben Stiller should not have been giving out the yellow jersey. It was hilarious watching him give it to Fabian Cancellara. I could almost see him thinking "where's Lance? This is not Lance". I doubt Fabian Cancellara knew or cared who he was. He did care about that jersey though.
4. Lance wanted that yellow. Like he could time the .22 seconds to stay out of it. And really, Lance taking yellow would make another great chapter in his story. But as the 5th man over the line, it's all his fault. I have to say that I did want him to take the jersey until I watched Fabian Cancellara's reaction to keeping it. Then I realized that Lance can share.
5. It's a great Tour for the conspiracy theorists.
6. Much as I dislike Garmin they did a nice job in the TTT. Riding with only 5 for most of the way and only having 4 pulling would have been hard. Them getting second made me laugh though. Not a fan of them at all. I did like the Christian Vande Velde interview though. When the guy asked him if dropping half the team was the plan, he responded very well. VdV is a bit too American though for me to like him.
7. I love Cav. Seeing him in green is awesome. I like how he talks trash but then backs up his side. And he's always making sure his teammates get the credit. He seems to really enjoy it though, he's always having fun. He acts like a kid, which is not a bad thing.
8. The voices of the Tour for me will always be Phil and Paul. The people of BF are always complaining about them but I could (and do, in July) listen to them for hours. Where else can you hear someone say "around about"? Or say "completely and utterly" about 5 times in 2 minutes. When Phil was talking about Lance "dancing on the pedals" in stage 4, it reminded me even more that this is the Tour de France. And then after the TTT, when they were commenting on Fabian Cancellara's performance, Paul started saying "but Phil, remember what you always say about riding wearing the yellow jersey".....and I could recite "it makes you ride like two men". They say the weirdest things but I love listening to them because you can tell they love the race.
9. I love Lance and all, but really. The little jersey on the screen for him at Versus, along with the important jerseys? Little overboard.
10. This tour is incredibly exciting.
Monday, July 6, 2009
2009 TOUR DE FRANCE: TTT
The team time trial is tomorrow in le tour. I love TTT's. But then I love just about every stage in the Tour so that doesn't really count. I have a slight problem for the stage though, who do I cheer for? I'm really not sure.
Saxo Bank is a good team. I like most of the team, such as Fabian Cancellara (love his name) and the beloved Jens Voight. There are some on the team that I'm not particularly fond of, like Andy Schleck who has yet to impress me. I actually do like most of the team but not their leader.
Liquigas has a cool name. And cool jerseys. I'm liking Roman Kreuziger. He's impressed me more than Andy Schleck because he can time trial. Liquigas probably won't win the TTT but they will probably do well.
Garmin is probably the team I dislike the most. Last year's tour was full of Jonathon Vaughters, his sideburns, and sweaters. I do not like Jonathon Vaughters. He doesn't seem like a cyclist. I also don't like some of the members of the team such as David Millar who is so full of himself. The team actually seems to be full of overrated time trialists such as David Millar, Bradley Wiggens, and Dave Zabriskie. They're always talking about what great a team it is. I can't stand the team. Sure, they're American but countries don't matter as much in cycling. They're a team that seems overrated. I was so glad when Columbia beat them in the TTT in the Giro. Cav in pink and my least favorite team just losing to my favorite team. That was a good TTT.
Columbia Highroad is wonderful. I love the team. When Discovery disbanded, I was looking for a new team to follow. I did not want to cheer for Astana because they had no right to try and reconstruct the DC team. Most of the DC boys were going to Astana but there was one that wasn't. I followed George Hincapie to the team that changed from T-Mobile to Highroad to Columbia Highroad to whatever they are called now. I really liked the whole idea of the team. They seemed to fit together very well and were a true team. Everybody had a chance to ride for themselves but they would also ride for others. They had a good anti doping program. They had a lot of young talented riders but they also had George Hincapie and now Zabel to mentor them. Bob Stapleton seemed to know what he was doing and had some really good ideas. And so, I fell in love with the team before they showed everyone else how amazing they were. I liked Cav before the world liked Cav, before he was the fastest. I liked the team when they didn't have a sponsor or those awesome results they have since achieved. It really feels like they are my team almost. They've given me a lot of talent to cheer on. I actually have someone to yell for in the sprints but in the other races as well. What they did in stage three was awesome. But what is even better is after they win the races. Seeing Cav hug his teammates after he wins, hearing them continually thank each other. That's why they're my team.
Astana is a team that I'm unsure about. I don't like Levi, I used to like Contador but now am undecided about him, I like Kloden because he is overlooked, and I like Popo, but not when he was on Cadel's team. I don't like the idea of the team, it's like another Discovery only not as good. The team has a lot of talent but they don't have the opportunities to use it. I decided I didn't really like the team and then Lance came back. I first watched the TdF when my dad turned it on one day a couple years ago. Lance is the reason I began following cycling. I loved Lance. And yet, when he announced he was coming back, I was mad. It's a long story and involves many reasons, but basically, I didn't want him to come back. I'm still angry that he did it, but I'm more okay with it. He has made it more difficult to follow cycling. I can't cheer against him, he's Lance. Lance Armstrong, who I have cheered on for so many days as he rode in France. Lance Armstrong, who made me love cycling. I want him to win but I also don't want him to. Somebody else should be able to win. But this is about the TTT. As much as I love Columbia and would like to see them win, I would also like to see Astana win it. Lance's team wins the TTT and Astana may be a different team but they are Lance's team. I have to cheer them on.
Saxo Bank is a good team. I like most of the team, such as Fabian Cancellara (love his name) and the beloved Jens Voight. There are some on the team that I'm not particularly fond of, like Andy Schleck who has yet to impress me. I actually do like most of the team but not their leader.
Liquigas has a cool name. And cool jerseys. I'm liking Roman Kreuziger. He's impressed me more than Andy Schleck because he can time trial. Liquigas probably won't win the TTT but they will probably do well.
Garmin is probably the team I dislike the most. Last year's tour was full of Jonathon Vaughters, his sideburns, and sweaters. I do not like Jonathon Vaughters. He doesn't seem like a cyclist. I also don't like some of the members of the team such as David Millar who is so full of himself. The team actually seems to be full of overrated time trialists such as David Millar, Bradley Wiggens, and Dave Zabriskie. They're always talking about what great a team it is. I can't stand the team. Sure, they're American but countries don't matter as much in cycling. They're a team that seems overrated. I was so glad when Columbia beat them in the TTT in the Giro. Cav in pink and my least favorite team just losing to my favorite team. That was a good TTT.
Columbia Highroad is wonderful. I love the team. When Discovery disbanded, I was looking for a new team to follow. I did not want to cheer for Astana because they had no right to try and reconstruct the DC team. Most of the DC boys were going to Astana but there was one that wasn't. I followed George Hincapie to the team that changed from T-Mobile to Highroad to Columbia Highroad to whatever they are called now. I really liked the whole idea of the team. They seemed to fit together very well and were a true team. Everybody had a chance to ride for themselves but they would also ride for others. They had a good anti doping program. They had a lot of young talented riders but they also had George Hincapie and now Zabel to mentor them. Bob Stapleton seemed to know what he was doing and had some really good ideas. And so, I fell in love with the team before they showed everyone else how amazing they were. I liked Cav before the world liked Cav, before he was the fastest. I liked the team when they didn't have a sponsor or those awesome results they have since achieved. It really feels like they are my team almost. They've given me a lot of talent to cheer on. I actually have someone to yell for in the sprints but in the other races as well. What they did in stage three was awesome. But what is even better is after they win the races. Seeing Cav hug his teammates after he wins, hearing them continually thank each other. That's why they're my team.
Astana is a team that I'm unsure about. I don't like Levi, I used to like Contador but now am undecided about him, I like Kloden because he is overlooked, and I like Popo, but not when he was on Cadel's team. I don't like the idea of the team, it's like another Discovery only not as good. The team has a lot of talent but they don't have the opportunities to use it. I decided I didn't really like the team and then Lance came back. I first watched the TdF when my dad turned it on one day a couple years ago. Lance is the reason I began following cycling. I loved Lance. And yet, when he announced he was coming back, I was mad. It's a long story and involves many reasons, but basically, I didn't want him to come back. I'm still angry that he did it, but I'm more okay with it. He has made it more difficult to follow cycling. I can't cheer against him, he's Lance. Lance Armstrong, who I have cheered on for so many days as he rode in France. Lance Armstrong, who made me love cycling. I want him to win but I also don't want him to. Somebody else should be able to win. But this is about the TTT. As much as I love Columbia and would like to see them win, I would also like to see Astana win it. Lance's team wins the TTT and Astana may be a different team but they are Lance's team. I have to cheer them on.
Friday, July 3, 2009
TOUR DE FRANCE 2009
Because I am just so super excited for the Tour de France to begin, I feel I need to make predictions that will probably be terribly wrong.
1. I used to think that nothing would stop Alberto Contador from winning but now it seems like everyone else has the same opinion. I don't think he will completely dominate the TdF. He might win, but there will not be domination.
2. Cav is going to dominate. This is partly because I like him so I want him to win but...he's still awesome and will beat everybody.
3. Fabian Cancellara is going to win the time trials, such as the one that starts off the Tour. He's too fast.
4. Luis Leon Sanchez is going to surprise everyone in a good way.
5. Lance Armstrong will surprise everyone. In a bad or good way.
6. Cadel Evans and Levi Leipheimer will be wheelsuckers. I still won't like them because of this.
7. Garmin will suck. Astana won't do as well as they should. Saxo Bank will do well.
8. Someone will be caught doping, more than one from a team. Probably roommates.
9. Frank Schleck will beat his brother Andy.
10. Jersey winners:
Yellow: Alberto Contador
Green: Mark Cavendish
Polka Dot: Carlos Sastre (I really don't know)
White: Luis Leon Sanchez (Andy Schleck is overrated)
1. I used to think that nothing would stop Alberto Contador from winning but now it seems like everyone else has the same opinion. I don't think he will completely dominate the TdF. He might win, but there will not be domination.
2. Cav is going to dominate. This is partly because I like him so I want him to win but...he's still awesome and will beat everybody.
3. Fabian Cancellara is going to win the time trials, such as the one that starts off the Tour. He's too fast.
4. Luis Leon Sanchez is going to surprise everyone in a good way.
5. Lance Armstrong will surprise everyone. In a bad or good way.
6. Cadel Evans and Levi Leipheimer will be wheelsuckers. I still won't like them because of this.
7. Garmin will suck. Astana won't do as well as they should. Saxo Bank will do well.
8. Someone will be caught doping, more than one from a team. Probably roommates.
9. Frank Schleck will beat his brother Andy.
10. Jersey winners:
Yellow: Alberto Contador
Green: Mark Cavendish
Polka Dot: Carlos Sastre (I really don't know)
White: Luis Leon Sanchez (Andy Schleck is overrated)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
THE GIRO: TOTAL AWESOMENESS
That was epic. Totally and completely awesome.
The 100th year anniversary of the Giro d'Italia was everything a bike race should be. Including being exciting up until the last km of the race. I actually watched the last part of the stage online at Universal Sports and saw the top 10 be sent off. Rainy time trials are always exciting.
The 100th year anniversary of the Giro d'Italia was everything a bike race should be. Including being exciting up until the last km of the race. I actually watched the last part of the stage online at Universal Sports and saw the top 10 be sent off. Rainy time trials are always exciting.
Di Luca was on top at the first time check but I didn't think he could hold it. He's just not a good time trialer. Denis Menchov, who I was cheering for, was going good as usual. Then, towards the end, I was checking out the updates on Bike Forums. I flipped back to the live coverage and see Denis Menchov climbing on a new bike and being pushed. My reaction was "Oh my gosh, what just happened, oh my gosh, he could lose" and then "goooooooooo!!!!". If I was acting like this and am not an ever loyal supporter of Menchov, imagine what the Raboback guys were doing. When he crossed the line I had no idea if he had won or how close it was. I didn't see Danilo Di Luca finish so I didn't know what was going on. Di Luca and Menchov didn't really have an emotion on their faces (not like that's a surprise). I was checking BF to see if someone knew what was going on and found the following reactions:
"Menchov down!!!!"
"!!!!!!!!!!"
"Menchov goes down! Think he is close enough to still take it all though..."
"oh ****."
"Omg"
"omfg"
"Lol"
They obviously didn't know. And then on the live coverage they were just showing the replays of the crash, which was pretty cool, and the bike exchange. The mechanic who jumped out of the car seemingly before Menchov even touched the ground and tgot the bike out and under him by the time the guy had stood up was awesome. He deserves a pretty big reward for that.
Then they finally show the GC and that Menchov had won. And then they replay the crash. Then the people surrounding Menchov and then the crash again. Each time they replayed that though, I'm just amazed at the mechanic. He was good.
When they put the camera back on Menchov, it looked like he was smiling. He was actually showing some sort of emotion. I think this might be the first time I've seen him do that. I mean, Di Luca doesn't display much emotion either, he just looks tough, but Menchov is about the same level as he is. When I see Menchov smiling and yelling while throwing his arms up, I was a little surprised.
Watching Menchov smiling on the podium really made me feel the right guy had won. I didn't want Di Luca to win so the next toughest looking guy had to take the title. Menchov raced smart, he knew what he was doing, and he was strong, all the while looking tough.
This Giro is an example of why I love cycling. The race was truly epic.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
THE WAR IN CYCLING: PART TWO
The War in Cycling (Continued)
A severe crash prevented Jan Ullrich’s teammate and veteran rider, Alexandre Vinokourov, from being an opponent of Lance Armstrong during 2004 (Coyle 205). Coyle writes in Lance Armstrong’s War, how Vinokourov’s harsh life growing up in Kazakhstan made him a stronger rider (57-59). He continued to improve and by 2007, he had become a prerace favorite for the Tour. According to race officials, this Tour de France was going to be cleaner than the previous year in cycling. Instead, doping again racked the Tour. Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping after a remarkable comeback from serious injuries sustained during the race (“Vinokourov” par. 1-5). His teammate, Andrey Kashechkin, also tested positive for blood doping, and as a result, their team Astana, withdrew from the Tour (“Kashechkin” par. 1-2).
Iban Mayo, a quiet Basque climber, was the last of Armstrong’s 2004 rivals to be brought down by doping. On July 30, 2007, it was announced that Mayo had tested positive for EPO during the 2007 Tour de France, which had been completed only days earlier. He refused to confess, maintaining his innocence but was convicted and received a two year ban (“Hold the Mayo!” par. 1). It is unknown whether he will attempt a comeback but has dropped out of the cycling world. Mayo has been relatively forgotten about although most cycling fans agree he is guilty of doping.
The positive doping tests of many successful cyclists have put other riders under speculation. This includes the man who was at the center of David Coyle’s book, Lance Armstrong. He has split riders, directors, and fans over the belief of whether he did or did not cheat using performance enhancing substances. Armstrong has passed every single doping test yet has been continually plagued by rumors. Former employees of his team have accused him of doping and the positive tests of his ex-teammates have only helped the accusations. Armstrong remains as one of cycling’s biggest heroes and his 2009 comeback is well looked upon by many fans.
I believe that Lance Armstrong rode clean. My theory maintaining his innocence is a mix of other’s opinions but comes also from the man himself. He has simply too much to lose. If he cheated, Armstrong would become the biggest cycling and American doping scandal. Not only would the sport be affected, but also everything he has built up outside of cycling, such as the LiveSTRONG foundation. Critics have acknowledged this but say Armstrong could not have predicted what has become of his wins after he came back from cancer. Yet he was a talented rider before he had the disease and cancer could have made his mindset even stronger. Various tests have proven that Lance Armstrong has a physical advantage over the other riders, creating less lactic acid, recovering faster, and having a larger lung capacity. In Lance Armstrong’s War, teammates describe him as training harder and longer than anyone else, in hopes of getting just a little bit better (Coyle 167). Armstrong was meticulous in everything he did; he sought the best equipment and tried to perfect even the smallest of details (Coyle 76). Yet what gave him the extra edge was his focus, his drive to beat everybody else no matter what happened. Armstrong won the Tour de France seven times. He was tested more than anyone else because of his victories but if he was cheating, he would have had to somehow evade the tests.
Doping has tainted cycling in the races, the records, and the results. No longer is an unexpected and outstanding result met with congratulations. Instead it raises suspicion and the performance falls under the always prevalent question of “is he doping?” Critics laud the races as drug filled and the media is full of articles questioning the credibility of the sport. Fans no longer know which riders to believe and as a result, sponsors have discontinued their teams. Operación Puerto has been once more opened up and two successful riders have been linked to the scandal. Among the chaos, are the cyclists themselves; some are outspoken against doping, but many are quiet in the midst of the fighting. Most would prefer to just ride their bikes, although they do support the effort to clean up their sport. Three professional cycling teams have implemented extreme anti doping programs to try and reclaim cycling as clean. Cycling may be the sport most connected with cheating but that is because cycling is the sport that has done the most to find the cheats. No other sport has such extreme testing or long term bans, but cycling has the image of being the dirty sport because so many abusers are caught.
Amidst all the mayhem in cycling, among the questions about the riders and the races, loyalty is no longer strictly to a team or a cyclist, but to the sport itself. It comes off as a laugh to the general public and there is always a difficulty in understanding why people would bother following the sport. These same people do not realize how hard the races are and the bravery is sometimes in simply finishing the race, such as the Paris-Roubaix or the Tour de France. Daniel Coyle reveals in Lance Armstrong’s War what it takes to be a cyclist, the intense training, the constant pressure, and the always prevalent danger of crashing. He describes the magnificence of a solo mountaintop win, the crazed fans who line the roads, the pain on the faces of the cracked riders, and the glory of winning a single stage. Yes, it’s hard to see races torn apart because of doping, and faith in the sport wavers. Something continues to bring you back however and doping will not drive away the real fans among us. Cycling reveals the true champions in the midst of cobblestones, 40mph sprint finishes, rolling hills, and mountains.
A severe crash prevented Jan Ullrich’s teammate and veteran rider, Alexandre Vinokourov, from being an opponent of Lance Armstrong during 2004 (Coyle 205). Coyle writes in Lance Armstrong’s War, how Vinokourov’s harsh life growing up in Kazakhstan made him a stronger rider (57-59). He continued to improve and by 2007, he had become a prerace favorite for the Tour. According to race officials, this Tour de France was going to be cleaner than the previous year in cycling. Instead, doping again racked the Tour. Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping after a remarkable comeback from serious injuries sustained during the race (“Vinokourov” par. 1-5). His teammate, Andrey Kashechkin, also tested positive for blood doping, and as a result, their team Astana, withdrew from the Tour (“Kashechkin” par. 1-2).
Iban Mayo, a quiet Basque climber, was the last of Armstrong’s 2004 rivals to be brought down by doping. On July 30, 2007, it was announced that Mayo had tested positive for EPO during the 2007 Tour de France, which had been completed only days earlier. He refused to confess, maintaining his innocence but was convicted and received a two year ban (“Hold the Mayo!” par. 1). It is unknown whether he will attempt a comeback but has dropped out of the cycling world. Mayo has been relatively forgotten about although most cycling fans agree he is guilty of doping.
The positive doping tests of many successful cyclists have put other riders under speculation. This includes the man who was at the center of David Coyle’s book, Lance Armstrong. He has split riders, directors, and fans over the belief of whether he did or did not cheat using performance enhancing substances. Armstrong has passed every single doping test yet has been continually plagued by rumors. Former employees of his team have accused him of doping and the positive tests of his ex-teammates have only helped the accusations. Armstrong remains as one of cycling’s biggest heroes and his 2009 comeback is well looked upon by many fans.
I believe that Lance Armstrong rode clean. My theory maintaining his innocence is a mix of other’s opinions but comes also from the man himself. He has simply too much to lose. If he cheated, Armstrong would become the biggest cycling and American doping scandal. Not only would the sport be affected, but also everything he has built up outside of cycling, such as the LiveSTRONG foundation. Critics have acknowledged this but say Armstrong could not have predicted what has become of his wins after he came back from cancer. Yet he was a talented rider before he had the disease and cancer could have made his mindset even stronger. Various tests have proven that Lance Armstrong has a physical advantage over the other riders, creating less lactic acid, recovering faster, and having a larger lung capacity. In Lance Armstrong’s War, teammates describe him as training harder and longer than anyone else, in hopes of getting just a little bit better (Coyle 167). Armstrong was meticulous in everything he did; he sought the best equipment and tried to perfect even the smallest of details (Coyle 76). Yet what gave him the extra edge was his focus, his drive to beat everybody else no matter what happened. Armstrong won the Tour de France seven times. He was tested more than anyone else because of his victories but if he was cheating, he would have had to somehow evade the tests.
Doping has tainted cycling in the races, the records, and the results. No longer is an unexpected and outstanding result met with congratulations. Instead it raises suspicion and the performance falls under the always prevalent question of “is he doping?” Critics laud the races as drug filled and the media is full of articles questioning the credibility of the sport. Fans no longer know which riders to believe and as a result, sponsors have discontinued their teams. Operación Puerto has been once more opened up and two successful riders have been linked to the scandal. Among the chaos, are the cyclists themselves; some are outspoken against doping, but many are quiet in the midst of the fighting. Most would prefer to just ride their bikes, although they do support the effort to clean up their sport. Three professional cycling teams have implemented extreme anti doping programs to try and reclaim cycling as clean. Cycling may be the sport most connected with cheating but that is because cycling is the sport that has done the most to find the cheats. No other sport has such extreme testing or long term bans, but cycling has the image of being the dirty sport because so many abusers are caught.
Amidst all the mayhem in cycling, among the questions about the riders and the races, loyalty is no longer strictly to a team or a cyclist, but to the sport itself. It comes off as a laugh to the general public and there is always a difficulty in understanding why people would bother following the sport. These same people do not realize how hard the races are and the bravery is sometimes in simply finishing the race, such as the Paris-Roubaix or the Tour de France. Daniel Coyle reveals in Lance Armstrong’s War what it takes to be a cyclist, the intense training, the constant pressure, and the always prevalent danger of crashing. He describes the magnificence of a solo mountaintop win, the crazed fans who line the roads, the pain on the faces of the cracked riders, and the glory of winning a single stage. Yes, it’s hard to see races torn apart because of doping, and faith in the sport wavers. Something continues to bring you back however and doping will not drive away the real fans among us. Cycling reveals the true champions in the midst of cobblestones, 40mph sprint finishes, rolling hills, and mountains.
THE WAR IN CYCLING: PART ONE
For one of my classes, I was required to read a book and do a research paper on a topic from that book. Because there was basically no restrictions, I was able to choose a topic that I enjoyed and read Lance Armstrong's War by Daniel Coyle. I loved the book and really liked writing the paper because I learned so much more about cycling. Not all of my research was strict though, Bike Forums isn't the best resource, but I really tried to represent and defend the sport. I had to change the paper a little bit to fit with the guidelines and let the average reader understand it but I really like how it turned out. This is what I wrote.
The War in Cycling
Cheating has been entwined with the Tour de France for decades. During the second year of the race, the top four riders were disqualified for a variety of offenses such as riding the train, sabotage of other riders, and being towed by a car (Barnett par. 4). Cheating has become more refined over the years and is no longer visible to the human eye. Various forms of doping are now the chosen form of cheating, and only concrete evidence, extreme doping controls, and extensive laboratory tests seem to be catching the fakes. Yet it’s not enough, as more riders continue to get away with cheating.
In Lance Armstrong’s War: One Man’s Battle Against Fate, Fame, Love, Death, Scandal, and a Few Other Rivals on the Road to the Tour de France, Daniel Coyle takes a look at not only Lance Armstrong, but also his rivals during the 2004 Tour de France and the sport of cycling itself. Although the book requires some knowledge of cycling and the riders, it is extremely entertaining and interesting. Coyle offers a look into the world of a cyclist, the training involved in becoming a world class rider, how the teams evolve, and how each one differs from the other. The book concentrates on a simpler time in the sport in which doping and cycling were not synonymous. Coyle briefly mentions doping in his book but this form of cheating was not a well known public issue at the time. In the four years since Lance Armstrong’s War was written, doping has affected the careers of Armstrong, his chief rivals, and many other riders as well.
The controversy of doping has turned the world of cycling upside down. To fully understand the issues one must first know a little background about the doping itself. One of the first most widely used forms is blood doping. This is the practice of transfusing oxygen-carrying red blood cells in order to enhance aerobic capacity and endurance. An outside source or the cyclist’s own red blood cells can be used, although both are dangerous because of the risks involved such as infection and blood diseases. Urine and blood tests have been created to detect evidence of this form of doping (Fiedler par. 1-2). Erythropoietin, or EPO, is possibly the most popular drug used by cyclists who cheat. Injection of EPO increases the growth of red blood cells and has a similar effect on the body as blood doping. Blood and urine tests have been used since 2000 to detect EPO. New “generations” of this drug have been created so tests continue to evolve (Asplund par. 2-4).
One of the first opponents of Lance Armstrong that Coyle mentions in his book is Tyler Hamilton. An American with a history of bad luck of crashing in races, Hamilton also had a reputation for being polite and respectful. In fact, the chapter in Lance Armstrong’s War about Hamilton is titled “The Nicest Guy” (Coyle 36-37). He was a former teammate of Armstrong’s on the U.S. Postal team, but left to become the leader of a rival team. He created a family sort of environment on this team which focused on forming strong bonds between the riders (Coyle 40-41). This, along with his gracious personality, made it hard to believe the two positive blood doping tests at the Olympics (where he won gold) and the Vuelta a España in September 2004 (Coyle 307-310). After an initial outpouring of support from his American fans, Hamilton was convicted and received a two year ban. He continues to deny the charges, even blaming an undeveloped twin for the foreign blood found by the test. His denials have made him a joke among many cycling fans which, along with race exclusions, have made his subsequent comeback difficult (Jones, “Tyler” par. 1-8).
Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, considered by Coyle as Armstrong’s biggest opponents during 2004 (6), were caught up in the scandal of Operación Puerto. On May 23, 2006, members of the Astana- Würth team were arrested for having connections to Dr. Fuentes. A sports doctor, Dr. Fuentes had been arrested for helping athletes enhance their performances illegally by using such methods as EPO or blood doping (Jones, “Saiz” par. 1-3). The case included many types of athletes but only road cycling was focused upon. Names of riders who had connections with Fuentes began leaking to the press, but it wasn’t until June 29, only two days before the Tour de France, that the full list of 58 cyclists was revealed (Jones, “More” par. 1-3). Mass suspensions and arrests rocked the cycling world in the biggest doping scandal to hit the sport. As a result of those charges and Armstrong’s 2005 retirement, none of the riders who placed in the top 5 of the 2005 Tour de France, raced in the 2006 version. Jan Ullrich was suspended and fired from his team because of the doping accusations. DNA evidence later confirmed these speculations and Ullrich retired from racing in February 2007 (Kröner par. 1). Ivan Basso, a young rider with an impressive reputation as the only cyclist to successfully keep up with Lance Armstrong in the mountains, was also indicted in Operación Puerto. In May 2007, he admitted to contacting Dr. Fuentes with the intent to dope, but maintains that it was only attempted doping (Brown, “Basso: ‘It” par. 1-3). Basso received a two year ban and began his comeback to professional racing in late 2008 (Brown, “Basso Ends” par. 1). Despite their doping charges, Ullrich and Basso continue to be adored and respected by their countries and cycling fans.
Operación Puerto suspended many riders suspected of doping from the 2006 Tour de France, but doping still shook the race. Floyd Landis, an American and ex- teammate of Lance Armstrong, was a former Mennonite and mountain bike racer. Daniel Coyle describes Landis as someone loyal to his team but still desiring to strike out on his own (157-166). Coming in as a dark horse favorite in 2006, he would get his chance to be a leader. Suffering from a hip injury, Landis lost over eight minutes on a mountain stage during the 2006 Tour. In what has been called one of the most epic rides in cycling, he made up most of that time the next day on a 128km solo ride (Decaluwé, Tan, and Kröner par. 1-7). Landis won the Tour de France, but it was later announced that he had tested positive for testosterone after his impressive stage. The news shocked the cycling world, not only because many of the cheats were thought to have been previously removed, but also because of Landis’s personality and the type of performance enhancing drug used. Testosterone is used to gain muscle in sports that require bulking up. In cycling, riders try to remain as light as possible in order to achieve a better power to weight ratio, which makes climbing mountains easier. Landis denied doping and has continually maintained his innocence. His book, Positively False, explains his side of the doping scandal. On September 22, 2007, Landis was officially stripped of his Tour title and given a two year suspension (Bass par. 1-8). He has now returned to cycling but is not completely respected by fans because of his refusal to confess.
The War in Cycling
Cheating has been entwined with the Tour de France for decades. During the second year of the race, the top four riders were disqualified for a variety of offenses such as riding the train, sabotage of other riders, and being towed by a car (Barnett par. 4). Cheating has become more refined over the years and is no longer visible to the human eye. Various forms of doping are now the chosen form of cheating, and only concrete evidence, extreme doping controls, and extensive laboratory tests seem to be catching the fakes. Yet it’s not enough, as more riders continue to get away with cheating.
In Lance Armstrong’s War: One Man’s Battle Against Fate, Fame, Love, Death, Scandal, and a Few Other Rivals on the Road to the Tour de France, Daniel Coyle takes a look at not only Lance Armstrong, but also his rivals during the 2004 Tour de France and the sport of cycling itself. Although the book requires some knowledge of cycling and the riders, it is extremely entertaining and interesting. Coyle offers a look into the world of a cyclist, the training involved in becoming a world class rider, how the teams evolve, and how each one differs from the other. The book concentrates on a simpler time in the sport in which doping and cycling were not synonymous. Coyle briefly mentions doping in his book but this form of cheating was not a well known public issue at the time. In the four years since Lance Armstrong’s War was written, doping has affected the careers of Armstrong, his chief rivals, and many other riders as well.
The controversy of doping has turned the world of cycling upside down. To fully understand the issues one must first know a little background about the doping itself. One of the first most widely used forms is blood doping. This is the practice of transfusing oxygen-carrying red blood cells in order to enhance aerobic capacity and endurance. An outside source or the cyclist’s own red blood cells can be used, although both are dangerous because of the risks involved such as infection and blood diseases. Urine and blood tests have been created to detect evidence of this form of doping (Fiedler par. 1-2). Erythropoietin, or EPO, is possibly the most popular drug used by cyclists who cheat. Injection of EPO increases the growth of red blood cells and has a similar effect on the body as blood doping. Blood and urine tests have been used since 2000 to detect EPO. New “generations” of this drug have been created so tests continue to evolve (Asplund par. 2-4).
One of the first opponents of Lance Armstrong that Coyle mentions in his book is Tyler Hamilton. An American with a history of bad luck of crashing in races, Hamilton also had a reputation for being polite and respectful. In fact, the chapter in Lance Armstrong’s War about Hamilton is titled “The Nicest Guy” (Coyle 36-37). He was a former teammate of Armstrong’s on the U.S. Postal team, but left to become the leader of a rival team. He created a family sort of environment on this team which focused on forming strong bonds between the riders (Coyle 40-41). This, along with his gracious personality, made it hard to believe the two positive blood doping tests at the Olympics (where he won gold) and the Vuelta a España in September 2004 (Coyle 307-310). After an initial outpouring of support from his American fans, Hamilton was convicted and received a two year ban. He continues to deny the charges, even blaming an undeveloped twin for the foreign blood found by the test. His denials have made him a joke among many cycling fans which, along with race exclusions, have made his subsequent comeback difficult (Jones, “Tyler” par. 1-8).
Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, considered by Coyle as Armstrong’s biggest opponents during 2004 (6), were caught up in the scandal of Operación Puerto. On May 23, 2006, members of the Astana- Würth team were arrested for having connections to Dr. Fuentes. A sports doctor, Dr. Fuentes had been arrested for helping athletes enhance their performances illegally by using such methods as EPO or blood doping (Jones, “Saiz” par. 1-3). The case included many types of athletes but only road cycling was focused upon. Names of riders who had connections with Fuentes began leaking to the press, but it wasn’t until June 29, only two days before the Tour de France, that the full list of 58 cyclists was revealed (Jones, “More” par. 1-3). Mass suspensions and arrests rocked the cycling world in the biggest doping scandal to hit the sport. As a result of those charges and Armstrong’s 2005 retirement, none of the riders who placed in the top 5 of the 2005 Tour de France, raced in the 2006 version. Jan Ullrich was suspended and fired from his team because of the doping accusations. DNA evidence later confirmed these speculations and Ullrich retired from racing in February 2007 (Kröner par. 1). Ivan Basso, a young rider with an impressive reputation as the only cyclist to successfully keep up with Lance Armstrong in the mountains, was also indicted in Operación Puerto. In May 2007, he admitted to contacting Dr. Fuentes with the intent to dope, but maintains that it was only attempted doping (Brown, “Basso: ‘It” par. 1-3). Basso received a two year ban and began his comeback to professional racing in late 2008 (Brown, “Basso Ends” par. 1). Despite their doping charges, Ullrich and Basso continue to be adored and respected by their countries and cycling fans.
Operación Puerto suspended many riders suspected of doping from the 2006 Tour de France, but doping still shook the race. Floyd Landis, an American and ex- teammate of Lance Armstrong, was a former Mennonite and mountain bike racer. Daniel Coyle describes Landis as someone loyal to his team but still desiring to strike out on his own (157-166). Coming in as a dark horse favorite in 2006, he would get his chance to be a leader. Suffering from a hip injury, Landis lost over eight minutes on a mountain stage during the 2006 Tour. In what has been called one of the most epic rides in cycling, he made up most of that time the next day on a 128km solo ride (Decaluwé, Tan, and Kröner par. 1-7). Landis won the Tour de France, but it was later announced that he had tested positive for testosterone after his impressive stage. The news shocked the cycling world, not only because many of the cheats were thought to have been previously removed, but also because of Landis’s personality and the type of performance enhancing drug used. Testosterone is used to gain muscle in sports that require bulking up. In cycling, riders try to remain as light as possible in order to achieve a better power to weight ratio, which makes climbing mountains easier. Landis denied doping and has continually maintained his innocence. His book, Positively False, explains his side of the doping scandal. On September 22, 2007, Landis was officially stripped of his Tour title and given a two year suspension (Bass par. 1-8). He has now returned to cycling but is not completely respected by fans because of his refusal to confess.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
THE RONDE
I'll keep this short and sweet because I have a long race report to write.
On April 5, I'll share my birthday with one of the greatest cycling races, the Ronde van Vlaanderen. It's my birthday tomorrow, and one of the greatest presents would be if George Hincapie won the Tour of Flanders. He's one of my favorite riders, not because he wins races, but because he works so hard. A win for him would be epic. And since the Ronde is on my birthday, that would be even cooler. I know it's not likely, with Heinrich Haussler, Pozzato, Flecha, and Boonen there, but I can still hope. I'm not sure I can get up that early to watch the race, wherever it is online. Although, I might make an exception because it is one of the greatest race, or I could just watch it on Versus and avoid the internet for most of the day. I am going to watch the race though because it is going to be so incredibly awesome.
On April 5, I'll share my birthday with one of the greatest cycling races, the Ronde van Vlaanderen. It's my birthday tomorrow, and one of the greatest presents would be if George Hincapie won the Tour of Flanders. He's one of my favorite riders, not because he wins races, but because he works so hard. A win for him would be epic. And since the Ronde is on my birthday, that would be even cooler. I know it's not likely, with Heinrich Haussler, Pozzato, Flecha, and Boonen there, but I can still hope. I'm not sure I can get up that early to watch the race, wherever it is online. Although, I might make an exception because it is one of the greatest race, or I could just watch it on Versus and avoid the internet for most of the day. I am going to watch the race though because it is going to be so incredibly awesome.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
PARIS-NICE
I have been so busy blogging about my running that I have failed to mention the Paris-Nice. Not that I was able to watch or follow any of it live, but I did check up on the results every now and then.
My thoughts on the race (results) would be as follows:
1. I thought Alberto Contador would win or at least Frank Schleck. Contador had the most emotional encouragement in my view, so I thought that would help him to the top. Plus he's had a lot of wins lately so I didn't think he'd crack. Not a good stage to have a bad day on.
2. Why does the name Luis León Sánchez of the Caisse d'Epargne team, sound so familiar? He didn't look like anybody I remembered until I thought that he was the guy who wore the yellow shoes and won a TdF stage last year. I looked at many photos before I found one that showed his feet, but when I found it, he was wearing the yellow shoes. I have confirmed his identity and found that yes, he won Stage 7 of the 2008 TdF and was wearing yellow shoes.
3. Are the Chavanel brothers the only successful French riders in the peloton?
4. Why is Contador always pointing his finger when he wins? It's getting a bit creepy the way he's continually doing it.
5. Sanchez did a great job winning this race. It's always nice to see somebody else from a different team win every once in awhile.
My thoughts on the race (results) would be as follows:
1. I thought Alberto Contador would win or at least Frank Schleck. Contador had the most emotional encouragement in my view, so I thought that would help him to the top. Plus he's had a lot of wins lately so I didn't think he'd crack. Not a good stage to have a bad day on.
2. Why does the name Luis León Sánchez of the Caisse d'Epargne team, sound so familiar? He didn't look like anybody I remembered until I thought that he was the guy who wore the yellow shoes and won a TdF stage last year. I looked at many photos before I found one that showed his feet, but when I found it, he was wearing the yellow shoes. I have confirmed his identity and found that yes, he won Stage 7 of the 2008 TdF and was wearing yellow shoes.
3. Are the Chavanel brothers the only successful French riders in the peloton?
4. Why is Contador always pointing his finger when he wins? It's getting a bit creepy the way he's continually doing it.
5. Sanchez did a great job winning this race. It's always nice to see somebody else from a different team win every once in awhile.
Friday, February 13, 2009
TOC PREDICTIONS
Earlier this week, somebody was talking about February 14th and they asked me if I was doing anything special. I couldn't figure out what they were talking about. February 14th? That's the day the Tour of California starts. This person doesn't know anything about pro cycling so I was even more confused. Then they helped me along by reminding me about Valentine's Day. Um, who cares? The prologue is going to be raced for the ToC and that's much better.
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More predictions might come later, it depends. I can't wait to watch, or I guess read, the race.
Fabian Cancellara is going to win the prologue. He's just super amazing. He's also one of my favorite riders, so I'm a bit biased, but since he's like the greatest time trialist, I think he has a good chance. I also wouldn't be surprised if Lance won. He's awesome like that.
Although I don't like him, I think Levi Leipheimer is going to win the whole race. He's a boring rider and he's not cute so I'd rather have someone else win but.....it's his race. Leipheimer is from California so he especially wants to win this race and with his team, he'd almost have to throw it away.
George Hincapie is going to win the hardest stage. He excels at those type of stages.
More predictions might come later, it depends. I can't wait to watch, or I guess read, the race.Sunday, January 25, 2009
MY QUESTION
On Thursday I ran in shorts. In January. It was a balmy 38 degrees out and as an Iowan, I know that you shouldn't pass up chances like this. I mean, it was over over 60 degrees warmer than last Thursday. Plus there's almost nothing better than shorts in January. To take advantage of this opportunity, I ran 7.3 miles, over a mile more than I was going to do. I wasn't going very fast but I enjoyed it a lot although my shoes were soaked throughout the run. But the sun was out and birds were singing on this unusually warm day which I very much liked.
Yesterday it was 6 degrees during my 3.24 mile run. I was bundled up in my cold weather gear but I was still cold. I certainly had the right to be; a 32 degree drop in two days. My throat was sore and I have developed a cough so the cold air just made me more miserable. I was glad I had done my long mileage earlier in the week so I did not have to run far. I did the same route today but it was warmer at 14 degrees. It was still chilly though. Although they were tough, I put my miles in for a grand total of 30.3 miles this week. Half those runs were long runs so I think I did a pretty good job. As long as the weather gets better, I might be able to keep this up.
As I went through my chilly run, I asked myself why I was doing this. Why was I running when most sane people would be inside? What was the point of pushing myself till I wanted to walk or till I couldn't feel my cheeks because of the wind? Why was I making myself run when I didn't feel good? Why did I run?
It wasn't a fabulous runner's high day so there was no easy answer to my question. Before I left for my run however, I looked at a picture hanging on my bulletin board. It's a photo from a newspaper from the 2004 Tour de France Team Time Trial that U.S. Postal Service won. It's not this famous photo, more like this one with the team in the rain, although not that exact picture. It has the title "Armstrong Territory" at the top and it helped answer my question today.
Lance rode for his team as evident in the winning team time trial. I run for my team, to help in the relays and to make others better. He rides to do his best, I was running so I could do my best in races. Lance was riding in pouring rain but that didn't stop him or his team. Cold weather was not going to stop me. He rode for his his coach, his family, and others who supported him. I was running to make those who support me proud. He was riding for himself, to make himself stronger and faster. My training run was only making me stronger and faster, to do better in other runs. Most of all, Lance was riding and has comeback to riding because he loves it. And that is were I found the true answer to my question.
Why was I out there running? Because I love it. I love running. This answer has kept me going on multiple runs, it has made me do more than I though I could. It's the reason I ran on the famous blue track at Drake were multiple Olympians have ran before me. It is also the reason I made varsity in xc. I hope this answer can make me keep running. Sure, it's cold and my throat hurt, but maybe I can overlook that.
Days like this when I run, sometimes I have to look for the answer. It might take me longer some days more than others. Sometimes I don't even have to ask. Other day's I will look and look and look. But I always find the answer.
Yesterday it was 6 degrees during my 3.24 mile run. I was bundled up in my cold weather gear but I was still cold. I certainly had the right to be; a 32 degree drop in two days. My throat was sore and I have developed a cough so the cold air just made me more miserable. I was glad I had done my long mileage earlier in the week so I did not have to run far. I did the same route today but it was warmer at 14 degrees. It was still chilly though. Although they were tough, I put my miles in for a grand total of 30.3 miles this week. Half those runs were long runs so I think I did a pretty good job. As long as the weather gets better, I might be able to keep this up.
As I went through my chilly run, I asked myself why I was doing this. Why was I running when most sane people would be inside? What was the point of pushing myself till I wanted to walk or till I couldn't feel my cheeks because of the wind? Why was I making myself run when I didn't feel good? Why did I run?
It wasn't a fabulous runner's high day so there was no easy answer to my question. Before I left for my run however, I looked at a picture hanging on my bulletin board. It's a photo from a newspaper from the 2004 Tour de France Team Time Trial that U.S. Postal Service won. It's not this famous photo, more like this one with the team in the rain, although not that exact picture. It has the title "Armstrong Territory" at the top and it helped answer my question today.
Lance rode for his team as evident in the winning team time trial. I run for my team, to help in the relays and to make others better. He rides to do his best, I was running so I could do my best in races. Lance was riding in pouring rain but that didn't stop him or his team. Cold weather was not going to stop me. He rode for his his coach, his family, and others who supported him. I was running to make those who support me proud. He was riding for himself, to make himself stronger and faster. My training run was only making me stronger and faster, to do better in other runs. Most of all, Lance was riding and has comeback to riding because he loves it. And that is were I found the true answer to my question.
Why was I out there running? Because I love it. I love running. This answer has kept me going on multiple runs, it has made me do more than I though I could. It's the reason I ran on the famous blue track at Drake were multiple Olympians have ran before me. It is also the reason I made varsity in xc. I hope this answer can make me keep running. Sure, it's cold and my throat hurt, but maybe I can overlook that.
Days like this when I run, sometimes I have to look for the answer. It might take me longer some days more than others. Sometimes I don't even have to ask. Other day's I will look and look and look. But I always find the answer.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
2008: MY YEAR IN CYCLING (PART I)
On August 10, 2007, the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team announced they were disbanding because of the lack of a large sponsor. To me, the Discovery team was cycling. I followed them devotedly during the Tour de France in July and had watched them win over and over again. I loved all the riders on the squad and pretended I was racing them when I rode my bike. The Disco boys had helped me find a new passion in professional cycling and now they announced they were leaving.
The Discovery Channel team, previously called the U.S. Postal Service team from 1996-2004, had changed cycling by winning 8 Tours in 9 years. During this unprecedented level of success, they also won or placed in other races. They had signed Lance Armstrong, the most successful Tour cyclist ever and were the team of countless other stars. The DC team was given more media exposure than other teams and had reenergized American cycling. Every cycling fan had an opinion about them, and if they didn't like them, they definately admired the team. Discovery had done more for cycling in recent years than any other team yet they couldn't find a sponsor in the U.S.
I didn't read the full story until I went on Paceline, the home site of the team, and looked at the articles and forums to see everyones surprise. All around the cycling community, it was a feeling of shock. The most successful cycling team ever was breaking up because they didn't have a sponsor amid other reasons. If they couldn't get one, who could? Other teams have since gained or lost sponsors but it seems there's always a sponsor for European teams. This isn't always true, Credit Agricole had to disband in 2008 but they also had doping problems. Because Discovery was an American team, they had a harder time finding someone simply because few American companies want to sponsor a cycling team. The sport doesn't get much coverage in the U.S. and the sport is more popular in Europe. But this is a team that won the Tour 8 times since it began as the U.S. Postal Service Cycling Team and changed to the Discovery team. Alberto Contador, who looked to be one of the next biggest cycling stars, won the Tour in 2007 yet less than 3 weeks later he was searching for a team. The lack of money was penalizing my favorite team in one of my favorite sports.
When Discovery announced they were disbanding, I searched the internet for articles and videos about them. In a way, I wanted to find them before I lost them. During the countless hours I spent on Youtube, Paceline, and other various websites, I found that I didn't really know my team. Sure I watched the Tour de France devotedly every July to cheer them on, but I couldn't tell you the results of their other races, much less most of the names of the actual races. I knew some of the basic, more famous races but I didn't know how Discovery had fared while riding in them. It was almost like I had betrayed my team; they had inspired me so many times but I hadn't given back. I should've loyally followed their every move but I was only there in July.
I decided that the end of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling team would mean the beginning of cycling for me. I owed the team something and I was going to give back in my own way. I wouldn't make the mistake of putting my favorite team off to the side again. In 2008, I would follow cycling. Not just the Tour de France or the Grand Tours, but every race. I would be there (mostly on the Internet) because I hadn't always been there when my team was. Now I would be there to watch the now dispersed members fully become the stars they would be.
The last race the DC team fully participated in was the Tour of Missouri, a race in its first year that became a farewell to Discovery. I wanted to be there so much, to stand among the crowds and say goodbye to the great team that had inspired me so many times, the team that had made me discover cycling. Fans lined the streets to say goodbye to the most successful cycling team ever. That race was chosen to be the last to give American fans the final farewell from a multinational team that had been fully embraced as our own. In a fitting end to the most amazing team, George Hincapie won the weeklong Tour of Missouri. All the stars from Discovery came but in the end it was the always there and ever loyal Big George who captured the final crown in the tribute to the team.
My team was now gone and just a legend, but cycling was moving on. The riders had found new teams and wore different jerseys as they rode alongside teammates that used to be the opposition. They were starting a new journey in the cycling world, but this time I would be there by their side every step of the way.
The Discovery Channel team, previously called the U.S. Postal Service team from 1996-2004, had changed cycling by winning 8 Tours in 9 years. During this unprecedented level of success, they also won or placed in other races. They had signed Lance Armstrong, the most successful Tour cyclist ever and were the team of countless other stars. The DC team was given more media exposure than other teams and had reenergized American cycling. Every cycling fan had an opinion about them, and if they didn't like them, they definately admired the team. Discovery had done more for cycling in recent years than any other team yet they couldn't find a sponsor in the U.S.
I didn't read the full story until I went on Paceline, the home site of the team, and looked at the articles and forums to see everyones surprise. All around the cycling community, it was a feeling of shock. The most successful cycling team ever was breaking up because they didn't have a sponsor amid other reasons. If they couldn't get one, who could? Other teams have since gained or lost sponsors but it seems there's always a sponsor for European teams. This isn't always true, Credit Agricole had to disband in 2008 but they also had doping problems. Because Discovery was an American team, they had a harder time finding someone simply because few American companies want to sponsor a cycling team. The sport doesn't get much coverage in the U.S. and the sport is more popular in Europe. But this is a team that won the Tour 8 times since it began as the U.S. Postal Service Cycling Team and changed to the Discovery team. Alberto Contador, who looked to be one of the next biggest cycling stars, won the Tour in 2007 yet less than 3 weeks later he was searching for a team. The lack of money was penalizing my favorite team in one of my favorite sports.
When Discovery announced they were disbanding, I searched the internet for articles and videos about them. In a way, I wanted to find them before I lost them. During the countless hours I spent on Youtube, Paceline, and other various websites, I found that I didn't really know my team. Sure I watched the Tour de France devotedly every July to cheer them on, but I couldn't tell you the results of their other races, much less most of the names of the actual races. I knew some of the basic, more famous races but I didn't know how Discovery had fared while riding in them. It was almost like I had betrayed my team; they had inspired me so many times but I hadn't given back. I should've loyally followed their every move but I was only there in July.
I decided that the end of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling team would mean the beginning of cycling for me. I owed the team something and I was going to give back in my own way. I wouldn't make the mistake of putting my favorite team off to the side again. In 2008, I would follow cycling. Not just the Tour de France or the Grand Tours, but every race. I would be there (mostly on the Internet) because I hadn't always been there when my team was. Now I would be there to watch the now dispersed members fully become the stars they would be.
The last race the DC team fully participated in was the Tour of Missouri, a race in its first year that became a farewell to Discovery. I wanted to be there so much, to stand among the crowds and say goodbye to the great team that had inspired me so many times, the team that had made me discover cycling. Fans lined the streets to say goodbye to the most successful cycling team ever. That race was chosen to be the last to give American fans the final farewell from a multinational team that had been fully embraced as our own. In a fitting end to the most amazing team, George Hincapie won the weeklong Tour of Missouri. All the stars from Discovery came but in the end it was the always there and ever loyal Big George who captured the final crown in the tribute to the team.
My team was now gone and just a legend, but cycling was moving on. The riders had found new teams and wore different jerseys as they rode alongside teammates that used to be the opposition. They were starting a new journey in the cycling world, but this time I would be there by their side every step of the way.
Friday, October 10, 2008
MY FAVORITE THINGS
There are 2 things I could probably talk on and on about...running and pro cycling. My sport is running, specifically xc and track. I love to watch cycling though, I think the Tour is the best thing ever.
Running will always be my sport. I don't always love running but those days where you feel like you could just keep on going, when you feel amazing, it makes it worth all the bad days. It's the days when you finally have a good race, and set a new PR by 27 seconds and improve by 51 seconds. Or when you aren't happy with your race and your coach has stopped believing in your team tells you (about your race) that it was "so much freaking great". The days when you finally get under 40 minutes for 5 miles, and on the same day you actually co lead the run, for the first time it counts. Or when its cold and raining outside, but you feel great because this is your kind of running weather. It's the days when after your run, the exhaustion you feel actually makes you feel good. Running is just amazing. To understand runners I think you must run. It's too hard to explain the feeling that running gives you, all the feelings that it gives you. The way it makes you fly.
I have debated starting this blog until after the CERA positives that are supposed to come out from the Tour are announced, but I've been waiting too long. We all knew about the ones you've already announced, Schummacher and Piepoli were obvious. But the fact that there is supposed to be all these positives is making me a little nervous and sad. I don't want it to be one of my favorite riders. There are only 2 riders I think that would make me stop following cycling though, that honor belongs to Jens Voight and George Hincapie, everyone's favorites. And if Cav is guilty, I'm going to take that picture down from my bulletein board. And maybe George's too. Jens could make me lose faith in cycling, he's just the best. I think that Jens would make a lot of people lose faith in cycling. Not ever Cancellara, who I like, could do that. Just please don't let it be them. But as always we will have to wait....and wait.
Running will always be my sport. I don't always love running but those days where you feel like you could just keep on going, when you feel amazing, it makes it worth all the bad days. It's the days when you finally have a good race, and set a new PR by 27 seconds and improve by 51 seconds. Or when you aren't happy with your race and your coach has stopped believing in your team tells you (about your race) that it was "so much freaking great". The days when you finally get under 40 minutes for 5 miles, and on the same day you actually co lead the run, for the first time it counts. Or when its cold and raining outside, but you feel great because this is your kind of running weather. It's the days when after your run, the exhaustion you feel actually makes you feel good. Running is just amazing. To understand runners I think you must run. It's too hard to explain the feeling that running gives you, all the feelings that it gives you. The way it makes you fly.
I have debated starting this blog until after the CERA positives that are supposed to come out from the Tour are announced, but I've been waiting too long. We all knew about the ones you've already announced, Schummacher and Piepoli were obvious. But the fact that there is supposed to be all these positives is making me a little nervous and sad. I don't want it to be one of my favorite riders. There are only 2 riders I think that would make me stop following cycling though, that honor belongs to Jens Voight and George Hincapie, everyone's favorites. And if Cav is guilty, I'm going to take that picture down from my bulletein board. And maybe George's too. Jens could make me lose faith in cycling, he's just the best. I think that Jens would make a lot of people lose faith in cycling. Not ever Cancellara, who I like, could do that. Just please don't let it be them. But as always we will have to wait....and wait.
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