Tour Finishes Up

Despite the doping scandals, which continue to roll in with Iban Mayo being the latest, I would estimate that the Tour finished on a good note. Levi Leipheimer rode a great time trial and along with Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador they gave us some real drama in the last real stage that figured in the overall classification. Discovery Channel certainly ran a stellar race with its overall placings and jerseys as well as overall team victory. That should go along way to help improve the sponsorship hunt; lets hope for no late doping surprises as with Mayo!

The peloton seems to be resolved to move past doping and with outspoken riders like David Millar getting lots of press and getting down on implicated riders, the movement, at least in appearance, seems to be toward clean riding. Look for Slipstream to make some big moves in the coming year!

Perhaps the Tour de France can turn the tables on the bad news throughout the race and show how they have forced a change in events from the ugly, old, cycling world to a new cleaner UCI tour. Fans and sponsors alike have to hold the line and demand nothing less.

L