Well then I chalk my grumblings up to this: It's silly to have a team sport where only one person gets the acclaim, the recognition -- and the credit for the win. You don't see "Team Discovery" getting the credit for x number of TDF wins. It's all Lance this and Lance that. So I guess it's natural to want to see Lance do something fantastic on his own. You know?

I understand it's unfair to ask him to be anything other than a competitor, here. I'm just saying the event is not promoted or presented well if our answer to the boring strategy is "well, it's a team sport you know." I say dismantle the team aspect and see what these guys are made of. Then you'll see me, and more Americans, actually get excited about what's happening.

I don't think it has ANYTHING to do with a preference for underdogs. I'd love to see Lance stomp out the competition and win his 7th. The emphasis, here, is on LANCE.