Machka 

That sounds very much like the coverage here in Australia ... except our pre-stage "thing" isn't too bad.


And in addition to that, we get a 30 minute highlight show right after work, plus every sports segment with the news on TV or radio has a bit about the Tour. I think at least one of the morning shows on TV also does a 15-ish minute segment on the Tour too.



Interesting!

I thought the coverage might be specific to each TV station because ours seems to focus mainly on the breakaway group, next on the leaders, then on the Aussies and Canadians in the group, and finally on anything "interesting" that might be going on, like crashes, or someone doing really well, or something. Last year, for example, we had a lot of coverage of Nairo Quintana.

But, as another example, I didn't realise Tejay van Garderen was in this year's Tour until just the other day when an announcer commented that he came across the line 4th or 5th or something. They hardly ever talk about him. However, I'm guessing that if I were watching the TDF on an American station, he might be their focus.

kelsodeez

hahaha i download the british eurosport coverage that are all about the english riders. is it not expected to have a nationalistic slant on the broadcasting within that country? i feel like im taking crazy pills here

bruce19

I once went out on a solo 32 mi. ride and dumped in a corner at about mile 10. Got up with bike undamaged. I, OTOH, was bleeding from elbow and knee. No other damage. I got back on the bike and finished the ride. Later I congratulated myself for my "toughness" as did others who heard the story. Watching what these guys in the Tour endure made me laugh at my absurd ego.

roadwarrior

Yeah...good point...

Contador surrendered to a broken tibia. What a wuss...

therhodeo

I would feel bad for Talansky if he didn't run his mouth constantly.

RollCNY

Why is your ego absurd? Are you paid to ride your bicycle? Are others paid based upon your performance on a bicycle? Near as I can tell, you were on a recreational ride, and you crashed, and you kept riding. Good on you.

One of the earliest lessons I learned hiking was "It is always easier to go back to the car." Hiking, like cycling, is as much or more mental as it is physical. It makes us all dig deeper than we might otherwise, and for that I say, good on all cyclists.

Looigi

I'm on the fence as to whether finishing the stage was courageous or stupid...or maybe both. If all it did was exacerbate his injury and delay/prolong recovery, wouldn't that be stupid? It did garner more media coverage for the team sponsors, and perhaps (questionably) raised his esteem among his peers, so does that qualify it as courageous?

bruce19

I guess my perspective changed on July 24, 20014 when I crashed and came very close to dying or being paralyzed. I thought I knew what pain was and then I had 5 hr. and 4 hr. operations to fuse my cervical spine. Opiates were my friends. Over an hour of surgery to repair my nose, lip and around my eye. And the silly little 6 stitches in my hand. Ha! Got back home on August 1st and wore a brace for a couple months. Back on the cross back for a 25 mi. rail/trail ride the first week in November and a week later did a 32 mi. road ride with my club. From that perspective falling down and getting road rash is pretty insignificant.

RollCNY

Glad you recovered! That sounds terrifying, and definitely perspective changing.

bruce19

Thanks. After that I felt like I started a new life. This Thursday I will be off on a solo ride to celebrate (?) the one year marker. Thanks again.

RollCNY

You're welcome. Despite my earlier posts, I am not a tool, I just play one on BF.

rjones28 

@bruce19 is one tough hombre.

bruce19

Don't we all?

bruce19

Still waiting for my NYT article.

rjones28 

Okay. I finally read the article. It is unfortunate that, in the beginning of the article, the author chose to build up Talansky by trivializing other riders' ordeals (see paragraphs 4 and 5). It's a common narrative device, but I don't like it.

I think Talansky showed fortitude by finishing the day. But to imply that Cavendish, Froome, and Contador are quitters ("...riders who had given up...") for abandoning because of injuries is kind of weak story telling.

zymphad

He suffered so he could pull out of the race. How inspiring. Not. Stupidity to me. Pull out, recover and avoid further injury and get ready for the next race. I don't find stupidity to be inspiring.

Only think I liked about the article was reading the ****** hypocrites Contador and Froume had to pull out of the race.

longbeachgary

And such a fine job you're doing.

zymphad

There is a difference between mental toughness and stupidity. Being mentally tough to continue pushing even though your body and lungs are screaming in pain from exertion is one thing. But to continue to suffer after suffering an injury and can potentially worsen your condition is stupid. Far better to quit to prevent a minor injury that could be remedied with some days off and having it become something that will require months of rehab, surgery etc so you can play hero is plain stupid.

But then maybe this article was just a fictional story. If Talansky really did injure his back, hips and knees which you would further injure by continuing to ride, then Talansky was not inspiring to me, he was a moron. And as you say, he's a pro, with money and job on the line. Why risk your job when you're young and have a long career head of you? Garmin-Sharpe wasn't going to fire him for pulling out after injuring his back, knee and hips...

But then I suspect this article was fluff, exaggeration and so on to glorify Talansky. Here is hoping we find out he was doping 3-5 years from now. Maybe that will make the reporter cry.

RollCNY

From Mystery Men

Campag4life

While I give you that Talansky is to be credited for what you call 'heroship' or hero status...I don't see him as any greater than the other guys in the peloton. They are all simply amazing athletes with lion hearts. Nobody can even compete in that race without being off the scale in terms of bravery and sacrifice. For example, you didn't even mention Contador. I will. He broke his tibia in the now infamous crash, got taped up and rode out of the saddle to catch the peloton when he could no longer ride. Probably none of us know anybody that brave.

To me, they are all warriors and why we watch. They put it all on line. Heat, freezing cold, rain deluges that turn roads in ice skating rinks, 60 mph descents when roads are slippery, cobbles unlike any that we see in the US, mountains most of us can't even climb let alone race.... all why hauling ass and trying to stay upright over 3 weeks and 2000 miles. To me they are all heroic. The TdF this year I admit has really drawn me in. It has been just spectacular.

Campag4life

I believe that is basically what the guy in the team car was telling him for about 5 minutes.

bruce19

I responded to the original topic and that was Talansky. But, you apparently missed another comment I made: "And, similar acts by other riders are of similar character. They are to be commended and we all should take their acts as guides for our own lives...."

Campag4life

That's OK. I just don't believe Talansky is any more special than his fellow racers when it comes to bravery and continuing on. I have a different view of courage. Even the guy who got stuck in a crevice when mountain climbing who cut off his arm to escape did so to survive. Some call this courage and others a will to survive and some would call this instinct. Many of the guys racing in the TdF as they approach week three are really banged up and most of us wouldn't ride under those conditions. They are simply the best of the best...all of them.

bruce19

I don't disagree. But, when you see that kind of determination it is important to acknowledge it IMO. All of them... as you suggest. I have no problem with that. I think it may have been Greg LeMond who once said "To win the Tour you must know how to suffer." Having played football through college I thought I knew what that meant but I really discovered it's meaning when I started cycling. Strangely I enjoy pushing myself beyond my limits even at age 68. It's actually one of the primary reasons I ride. Makes me feel like an athlete again.

zymphad

I'll acknowledge Talansky is a moron if the article is not hogwash exaggeration. And he's not working harder than his teammates, if it weren't them, he would suck. They do most of the work for him... His job is to just finish, which he failed.

I'll be happy when the younger riders take over the scene. Contador, Froume, Wiggins, they need to be buried. Sick of Team Sky and Astana. F them.