Did anybody watch the Tour de France team picks? My buddy at work taped it for me. There are 6 French teams!!! And the new Mercury team didn't make it. There are actually several teams that strangely didn't make. I smell a stink in France, I dunno about you guys.

Everything great that comes out of France has a strange smell attached to it. Have you tried the cheese ?

They are hoping that one of 75 cyclists who are French will be able to beat Lance. There are actually 4 American riders who are on the French Teams, but if they win, it will be a French victory.

There are a few really good teams that will not be in the Tour de France. Marco Pantani's team didn't even get picked for the Tour this year.

Yes, this does stink!:thumbdn:

This year's Tour is shot. Lance will probably win, which isn't bad, but I really wanted to see the Mercury team be in the Tour. The only teams I will be watching are Telekom and USPS.
You are right MichealW, I guess the French are just smelly people, no wonder most of them are depressed.

disclaimer-No offense was ment to be taken by any Frenchmen at this site.

Hmm, maybe its a good thing they didn't make it to the tour after all!!!

Why don't you want Lance to win?
Jan still has the battle of the bulge to win before he is in Tour shape(no offense)

You hate Lance??? No way!!!
I guess its ok, I hate alot of things.

I sure hopoe Jan isn't having respiratory problems.

Wow, I didn't think anybody hated Lance. But I understand your hatred. I hate Chipper Jones and the Braves for the same reason. I hate John Elway and the Bronco's. I dig where you coming from

What is it about his personality that you find lacking? His cockiness? But what top pro isn't cocky? For that matter, what top pro in any sport isn't confident of his/her abilities?

Lance is a charimastic (where is that spell checker when I need it) champion who has brought lots of publicity to a sport that's usually invinsible. His also done more than his share to help raise money (and awareness) for cancer research.

Why shouldn't Americans be rooting for Lance? Tell me what European country doesn't root for their own countrymen? You better believe the German are going to be rooting for Ullrich to beat Lance. Why do you think the TDF is so overloaded with French teams. The French want to see a Frenchmen win, although it's highly doubtful that it will happen this year.

As far as drug use, He may or he may not be using them. All I know is that he has yet to test positive.

WARNING! Tongue is firmly in cheek. Ne me flammez pas!

WOW.

You have all completely missed the point of the TdF.

The coverage that you see on US tele gives you the incorrect impression that the racing is the important bit...

The Tour is not about racing, nor about national pride, it is not about team spirit, individual determination, publicity, sponsorships, television and radio rights... It is not really even about bicycling...

The TdF was, is, and shall forever be, a great excuse to stage a month long mobile party for the young, wild, and wild-at-heart.

The closest analogy I can give you americains is this: Load three of your buddies into your car, and follow your favourite baseball team on the road for a month or so. Drink heavily. Sleep in the car. At the games, drink some more, holler and jump around a lot, stage impromptu rave parties, and generally have a good time. Don't forget to glance at the game for a few seconds. Better, stage a game-long tailgate party in the parking, and listen to the game on the radio.

Repeat until you either run out of money or get arrested.

I've been to a few Tours and done all of the above. I couldn't have told you who was racing, much less who was leading, and I'm a bike enthusiast!

That said, Lance may be un salaud, (that's a**hole, à la française) but he is a fast, powerful, inspiring, and winning salaud. I see him as the Tiger Wood of the spoke & pedal set.

Hey, d'ya think golfers use PEDs?

Does anyone doubt the ability of this man to completely disarm you?

Wow, cambronne, I didn't know that. I'm glad you told me though, I know what you are talking about.
Badger, I see your point about Lance not caring about cancer until AFTER he got it, I also dig where you're coming from on a leat knowing of other riders on the team. One reason Kevin left is because he felt under-appreciated.I have no idea about all pro's using drugs, why do you say they all do?

...or dated a French woman...(no complaints, though).

Sometimes it takes a personal experience to act as a wake-up call. I don't see anything dishonorable in that; not one of us can possibly be committed to every needful cause in the world, but when a "cause" suddenly becomes a personal life issue, it's bound to make a difference.