Professional Cycling For the Fans - USA dominates TDF.........

since Greg LeMond won his first TDF in 1986 american cyclists LeMond, Lance Armstrong and now Floyd Landis have together won the TDF more than 50% of the time (11 victories in 20 years).

this is a pretty stunning statistic when you consider how many countries compete in le tour and how shallow American participation has been.

good going guys!

ed rader

"I am really kicking myself right now. Every time I close my eyes, realizing that the Tour was so wide open, it was my opportunity of a lifetime, it really was. "

-- bobby julich

http://www.fototime.com/C78EF8C865811D0/orig.jpg

It will be interesting to see how long until the tabloids start the rumours about whatever painkillers/drugs he takes for his hip ?

As patriotic as I am, I think this victory exceeds nationalism. I'm proud that an American won this tour but it's way more than that. It was an exceptional individual that inspired. The fact that he was an American was just an added bonus. I would have been cheering for anyone that could've pulled off what Floyd did no matter where he was from.

As patriotic as I am, I think this victory exceeds nationalism. I'm proud that an American won this tour but it's way more than that. It was an exceptional individual that inspired. The fact that he was an American was just an added bonus. I would have been cheering for anyone that could've pulled off what Floyd did no matter where he was from.

+1

Great post.

It will be interesting to see how long until the tabloids start the rumours about whatever painkillers/drugs he takes for his hip ?

tabloids like the new york times? landis is open about what he takes: for one, cortisone shots that the UCF has decided can be allowed in this case (but are otherwise banned in normal circumstances).

tabloids like the new york times? landis is open about what he takes: for one, cortisone shots that the UCF has decided can be allowed in this case (but are otherwise banned in normal circumstances).


thank God for the NYT. but i do realize that some these days would prefer all Fux, all the time.

ed rader

As patriotic as I am, I think this victory exceeds nationalism. I'm proud that an American won this tour but it's way more than that. It was an exceptional individual that inspired. The fact that he was an American was just an added bonus. I would have been cheering for anyone that could've pulled off what Floyd did no matter where he was from.

tho this wasn't a commentary on landis' victory i agree with you.

ed rader

since Greg LeMond won his first TDF in 1986 american cyclists LeMond, Lance Armstrong and now Floyd Landis have together won the TDF more than 50% of the time (11 victories in 20 years).

You do realize that it is 21 years I hope. 11 victories in 21 years. That is, if he wins. Still, not a bad record.

You do realize that it is 21 years I hope. 11 victories in 21 years. That is, if he wins. Still, not a bad record.

yes, i do realize (now). how many americans rode the TDF before LeMond? boyer? who else?

ed rader

Jock Boyer, since imprisoned for sex with a minor, was the first American in the TdF. Of that I'm pretty confident. I don't believe there were any others between him and LeMond though by 89, with the 7-11 team including the still only US Giro winner, Andy Hampsten, the number was beginning to grow. No doubt US cyclists are making an impressive showing at the TdF. In addition I'm hoping to see one really break through in the Classics

Fortunately Boyer is still the first and only one to appear on the sex offender lists.


:beer:

I feel pretty good about all 3 champs, but I have to say I think all three weren't necessarily products of the U.S., just 3 extraordinary athletes. Lemond may be the exception but Landis and Armstrong could have came from any country.

The biggest thing this does is help our youth movement in the sport. We've already seeing the effects of it now...

tabloids like the new york times? landis is open about what he takes: for one, cortisone shots that the UCF has decided can be allowed in this case (but are otherwise banned in normal circumstances).

Also important to note that there's really no performance-enhancing effect to intra-articular (in the joint) steroid injections, just so nobody fires back with "Floyd's on steroids." He's not, at least not in the doping sense.

DrPete

Also important to note that there's really no performance-enhancing effect to intra-articular (in the joint) steroid injections, just so nobody fires back with "Floyd's on steroids." He's not, at least not in the doping sense.

DrPete
Marcaine is usually added to those injections. And these injections have a half life of about 24 hrs? Does he get a new injection each day? Or just before the more difficult stages?

Marcaine is usually added to those injections. And these injections have a half life of about 24 hrs? Does he get a new injection each day? Or just before the more difficult stages?

Does it matter? The UCI and WADA say it's kosher.

I would not say the USA dominates the Tour. We have certainly gotten our share of Yellow Jersey winners, but there is much more to it. We don't have many top riders, but we do have a serious GC treat it seems each year. Hopefully our talent pool will get deeper.

Richard

And the Aussies absolute domination of the sprinters jerseys!
4 out of 5 years! and more coming!
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