Tour de France Finish Notes

Now that it is all over, and the end result everyone anticipated for the yellow jersey is behind us; I can now speculate and comment. (Isn't that was blogs are all about!)

Well, for Lance, it was the perfect exit. How many pro athletes can go out the same way: winning in record fashion in total dominance and with the full awe and respect of their peers? Not many. Usually, a retirement takes place when it is overdue because the star athlete in question is trying one more time to reach the ultimate prize. Lance, since his comeback from cancer, has certainly been charmed, and at the same time charmed millions while pulling along many in his wake. (see the tribute I published on our site at the link on the above title.)

So, lets pay some attention to some others at the Tour this year:

Jan Ulrich - good job fella; I didn't see you on the podium at all. Now that I have watched the pathetic management of T-Mobile it makes me wonder how much more Ulrich could do with a solid team riding exclusively for him as Armstrong had with Postal and Discovery. I can't say enough bad things about T-mobile strategy. What a pathetic, other-planet concept for going into the Tour: 3 guys all competing against each other and for high marks. The allegiances were split on Day 1. Vino was on his own from the start of the Pyrenees all the way to Paris. The best Jan Ulrich ever did against Lance was in 2003 when he rode for Bianchi and did not have any other "stars" trying to beat him. One can only wonder, but Jan in my estimation proved himself in this Tour de France. Good job getting 3rd!

Alexandre Vinokourov - what a fighter! If he can channel his energy and his never say die attitude with the help of a team dedicated to him; he will win the TDF. We know today that he is off to Liberty Seguros to get just that. Although, reading comments of the Liberty management; they are not sending Roberto Heras to the back and they should. A clear clean break is needed - controvery works for nobody! WHY IS THIS SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND!???? If Liberty Seguros gives Vino what they promise; he will win. Maybe next year, maybe 2007, maybe both. Watch out - he has the spirit it takes!

Ivan Basso - ho hum. Good ride, good race, but did you once attack? I know, Lance was your buddy, and you wouldn't attack him, but your killer instincts are not showing. It will take a killer to win next year, because it is going to be a free for all in 2006. Basso is strong enough, Bjarne Riis will have to whip him into a fierce fighter.

Levi/Floyd - both good races; you both have a shot at better places, maybe even winning the TDF. But, you both need new teams. Or, for Floyd I think controversy is brewing with Peireiro who rode an excellent race. Gerolsteiner will never get Levi to the top of the GC. He did so much on his own this year.

Oscar Peireiro - young, aggressive, climber; good traits, a serious threat. Rode an excellent tour; can you keep it going?

Mancebo - uh, yea ok you were a top finisher, but I don't recall seeing/hearing much of anything about you. I'm not even sure how you squeezed in so high. Top 20 next year.

Discovery Channel - Bruyneel knows how to win. He has some young and old guys; but none ready/able to win overall in 2006 without a star acquistion. It may be a rebuilding year as they say. Never count out Johan though.

Other aspects of this year's tour that were odd:

Green jersey competition - a bit boring too. Last year it was the big deal on the final sprint. Robbie McEwen was awesome and except for his penalty, I suppose he was the best sprinter. I know Hushovd won the jersey, but placing consistently behind the stage winners and taking intermediate sprints is not the most exciting way to do it. Tom Boonen looked great, but you gotta go the distance if you want to be remembered. Baden Cooke, Brad McGee - hellooo, where are you guys? How was it that on the final stage in Paris VINO smokes all the sprinters!

Mountain Jersey - great race by Rasmussen; poor guy, I felt so bad watching his time trial at St Etienne. YOu rode a great race except one day.

About these two jerseys - it seems apparent that the strategy to win overall is to pour yourself into the early stages to wrack up points and then do your best to hang on. Seems that more points need to be reserved for the end of the race where the strongest guys will remain to gain the most for their consistency.

White Jersey/Most Agressive/ and other awards - too obscure for my knowledge. The white jersey winner has not been a very good indication of the future, but maybe it will be different for this year's winner - Popovich of Discovery.

The French - their riders are in a severe drought and depression. Criticism is rampant and even Bernard Hinault seems despondent. Nothing coming on the horizon it seems. Cycling is big sport in France, just behind football (soccer), and perhaps its time to reward hard work and let the primadonnas go by the wayside. Of them, Tomas Voekler is still impressive. Though he finished way back from what he did last year, he is a determined young rider and makes no apologies. This is good.

Well, now the tour is over, Lance is retired and I can get back to writing about our regular tour business and destinations. I hope you enjoyed the Tour!

Tour de Lance

Lance, as everyone knows, is going to win a 7th tour. This year, the last year for him looks like he is as strong if not stronger than ever. We have been hearing from French people all around, even non-cyclists, how impressed they are. It will be interesting to see what kind of send off the French give Lance after the stage next Sunday. I anticipate a big recognition by the press and people alike. Of course, the race directors and officials will have a lot to be thankful for. The Tour, despite being dominated, and made relatively boring in terms of overall winner, has been elevated to a new status level thanks to Armstrong. The Giro and the Vuelta just don't seem remotely as important.

The future will have team leaders skipping the Giro in favor of training for Le Tour. The Giro may have to move its dates to another time of the year to risk becoming totally insignificant to non-Italians.

Lance has left quite a wake behind, and lots of people can be thankful for his successful run. So, while we pay tribute to Lance, we can wonder about his legacy and who will step next year! Now, that sounds exciting actually! Its not whether Lance will win, will race, will get some new record. Its who will Lance influence, what will his involvement be, and yes, who will step up!

I prematurely predict someone under the guidance of Johann Bruyneel or Bjarne Riis. The other coaches have a lot to learn. Although, at least T-mobile is getting a new director I understand. That is the best thing that can happen to them.

Well, with still a few days of racing left I think we can expect to see Ulrich and Rasmussen battle it out for 3rd, and the battle for the green jersey. Perhaps some solo breakaways for some of these midweek stages in central France. There are some teams who need a stage win like Fassa, Francaise des Jeux, etc.

Cruising toward Paris...

The Tour de France started today, and finished!

Back to opining on the Tour de France and the latest stage. What a great finish this morning; I can't wait to watch it on OLNTV tonight! Armstrong, carried by the power of his team, jumps back in to yellow in a very impressive ride. Impressive for his team, and yet of course for him. They spanked T-mobile today; as well as CSC. Here is what Richard Virenque; now an analyst for Eurosport says:

"Tomorrow's a great mountain stage, The Col de la Madeleine, the Telegraphe, the Galibier. We hope that Vinokourov will be better, that Ullrich will be better. They have to attack tomorrow. They have nothing to lose. In a way they've already lost the Tour a little. For their pride they need to do something. One can only hope that their legs can recover."

Last year we waited for ever for T-mobile to do SOMETHING; and they never did. I read more of Jan Ulrich's and supposedly T-Mobile strategy today: Wear down Armstrong and Discovery. HA, HA, HA - is that a serious strategy?! Virenque is dead on right; if T-Mobile doesn't make something happen tomorrow; they should go home. Better, they shouldn't be invited back in the future. They are taking up valuable space that more agressive riders/teams can fill. Regarding CSC, I have faith in Bjarne Riis - he is the most competent coach after Bruyneel and if his guys can recover tonight; they can perhaps mount a more serious threat to Discovery than can T-Mobile.

As for the king of the mountains; how impressive is Michael Rasmussen!? No team, solo breakaways; he is hanging tough. I hope for him and for the excitement of the Tour; he can stay on Lance's wheel and not only get the Polka Dot jersey, but push for the podium. Hats off to Christophe Moreau too; big effort to hang in there without much team support and likewise Levi Leipheimer; these guys are doing it on their own it seems; or among themselves together.

Today was the gauntlet; tomorrow could be the death knell; and the end of the Tour for all intents and purposes for the GC.

London Bombed

Following a great celebration for the UK, in winning the 2012 Olympics, a great tragedy cuts it all short.

Regardless of the way the French may have lost the Olympics; nothing can separate support and compassion for Londoners and Brits today for their terrible losses. The decent people of the world are with you. We in America support you and will assist you in any way as you would do for us in the same case. May you remain strong and undeterred in your lives despite such acts of cowardice.

Terrorism is the scourge of the world and it must be erradicated. It is apparent once again that the methods pursued to date have not worked.

Paris Screwed

Can we fire Jacques Chirac yet? Paris, by far deserved the 2012 Olympics. The city is the most beautiful city in the world (its a fact - get over it), and not only do they have the venues and the government might to make an Olympics a huge success; they have style, culture, and infrastructure capable of opening up to the world. Too bad the politics were mishandled. It can only be politics and Jacques Chirac, who manages to piss off everyone, is responsible. Paris is a huge asset, but being cocky isn't appreciated by anyone.

Good luck to London, your city is beautiful and exciting as well. No doubt a great games will take place, but my sympathies are with Paris.

What a start to Le Tour!

Great start for the Americans - unknown Dave Zabriske surprises on the opening time trial and gets the dream of every cyclists - wearing yellow for not 1 but 3 days! Poor guy crashes out of the TTT, but heads up Dave, you were awesome!

Tom Boonen, losing the sprint today to the ever cocky McEwen, will ultimately prevail as it seems to belong to him this year. Anybody see Baden Cooke?

How about some suspense for the yellow jersey? Guess we will have to wait for Lance to retire. The suspense will be in the other jerseys, again, but for Americans perhaps we can have some fun watching the other riders get themselves up for the future. I don't know how long Bobby Julich has, but he looks great. He may be the darkhorse for the 2nd highest finish this year for USA.

Whats up with T-Mobile directeur Sportif Walter G? He really has a way of motivating his riders! Not. Basically, I understood comments in the BBC cycling news to say he gave up after Stage 1. Nice. He is famous for criticizing Ulrich in public in year's past; now the question has to be for T-Mobile: Is our Directeur the problem, or do we have underpeformers? Lots of racing to go, but I gotta wonder about this guy. It seems clear that the new age of coaching comes from the mold created by Johann Bruyneel and someone has taken notice: Bjarne Riis. Who are the most impressive teams so far? Discovery and CSC.

Next days: more of the same. Poor weather forecasted may impact and make for crashes - hope not. Possible attacks coming in the first Alsace mountain stages. If somebody doesn't do something early in the race; I expect little to happen later. Last year it was exactly that - the attacks that never came.