TDF not quite the same anymore.
07-05-08, 07:54 PM
#26
pan y agua
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Started following the TDF when Merckx was winning, and all you got was magazine reports way after the fact. Then a few minutes of network coverage on CBS, then ABC.
I can remember calling Velonews' 900 number to listen to updates of the Mountain stages in the Lemond years.
I'll admit it's more exciting to me when an American has a chance on GC, but it's still an amazing event even if no American was even entered.
Learn the multiple layers and nuances that are the TDF, and you won't need a hyped American hero to make it interesting.
I can remember calling Velonews' 900 number to listen to updates of the Mountain stages in the Lemond years.
I'll admit it's more exciting to me when an American has a chance on GC, but it's still an amazing event even if no American was even entered.
Learn the multiple layers and nuances that are the TDF, and you won't need a hyped American hero to make it interesting.
__________________
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You could get lost and die.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
07-05-08, 08:07 PM
#27
Peloton Shelter Dog
My wonderful late Grandmother Liselotte lived in Berlin, Germany. She used to love to watch the Tour de France because she enjoyed the French countryside so much. So do I. The Tour is epic. France is epic. With all due respect to the Giro and the Vuelta, they just ain't the Tour de France.
I love the Tour. I love France, and I've only been to the airport. The Tour de France is beautiful. The Tour is bigger than doping scandals, the UCI, the jerks who run the race, the press, and the scoundrel dopers whoever they may be (real or imagined). The Tour belongs to the French people. At the same time the Tour (like Texas) is bigger 'n France, it belongs to the World, and there is no better vehicle to promote France to the rest of the planet.
Vive Le Tour. Vive Le France.
I love the Tour. I love France, and I've only been to the airport. The Tour de France is beautiful. The Tour is bigger than doping scandals, the UCI, the jerks who run the race, the press, and the scoundrel dopers whoever they may be (real or imagined). The Tour belongs to the French people. At the same time the Tour (like Texas) is bigger 'n France, it belongs to the World, and there is no better vehicle to promote France to the rest of the planet.
Vive Le Tour. Vive Le France.
07-05-08, 08:13 PM
#29
53 miles per burrito
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07-05-08, 08:18 PM
#30
Peloton Shelter Dog
Check out the paunch on Shatner.
07-05-08, 08:35 PM
#32
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I started cycling the year before Lance won his 6th and then 7th TDF. It was the perfect period of time in the sport to begin riding and watching LA provided the perfect motivation. I remember being glued to the TV to see the inevitable outcome. I turned on the TV this morning and watched some of the stage, but it just doesn't have the luster anymore. Especially after the Landis ordeal, which provided a further buzzkill.
Also, I just don't have a knack for keeping track of all the players. I have friends who follow racing like people follow baseball, with a sharp recall of all the big names, the teams they ride for, their stats, and so forth. I have never had that for baseball and not even for cycling, even though it's something I do regularly.
I imagine for some people the TDF is more interesting with LA gone because maybe they thought he was over-hyped or something; but for me, that was really a magical time to start getting involved with the sport.
Also, I just don't have a knack for keeping track of all the players. I have friends who follow racing like people follow baseball, with a sharp recall of all the big names, the teams they ride for, their stats, and so forth. I have never had that for baseball and not even for cycling, even though it's something I do regularly.
I imagine for some people the TDF is more interesting with LA gone because maybe they thought he was over-hyped or something; but for me, that was really a magical time to start getting involved with the sport.
so now that you don't know who's going to win ahead of time, you're not interested? find another sport i suppose; christ...
07-05-08, 08:40 PM
#33
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Also, I just don't have a knack for keeping track of all the players...
I imagine for some people the TDF is more interesting with LA gone because maybe they thought he was over-hyped or something; but for me, that was really a magical time to start getting involved with the sport.
I imagine for some people the TDF is more interesting with LA gone because maybe they thought he was over-hyped or something; but for me, that was really a magical time to start getting involved with the sport.
Maybe it's just me. Heck, last night I was watching some of the U.S. Olympic Trials track and field races and I know absolutely nothing about running or runners. (Personally, I hate running.) But I know the one common rule about all racing: the first person to the finish line wins. So seeing any athletes dish it out at all costs against each other just gets me pumped. I love watching races, especially when it's a sport I love and an event as big as the Tour.
07-05-08, 08:46 PM
#34
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Hearing Phil Liggett call Stephen Roche's magical climb to stay in contact with Delgado still sends chills up my spine.
The TdF is something special, both for the highs (Merckx, Hinault and LeMond, and yes, Lance) and lows (Tom Simpson dropping dead on Ventoux, the doping scandals every decade or so). It is the biggest annual sporting event in the world.
How can you not love it?
The TdF is something special, both for the highs (Merckx, Hinault and LeMond, and yes, Lance) and lows (Tom Simpson dropping dead on Ventoux, the doping scandals every decade or so). It is the biggest annual sporting event in the world.
How can you not love it?
07-05-08, 09:40 PM
#36
Blast from the Past
....
Rather than missing Lance, I think what the Tour is missing is a classic agon, a classic struggle between two super-cyclists and leaders. The Lance era was not just Lance; it was Ullrich too; it was their duel. And same for Lemond/Hinault, Anquetil/Poulidor, Bartali/Coppi. This is why I think the Giro is a much more exciting race. Yes, it's rough around the edges and not as polished a spectacle; but the Italians in contention f****** hate each other and it makes for amazing racing.
...
Rather than missing Lance, I think what the Tour is missing is a classic agon, a classic struggle between two super-cyclists and leaders. The Lance era was not just Lance; it was Ullrich too; it was their duel. And same for Lemond/Hinault, Anquetil/Poulidor, Bartali/Coppi. This is why I think the Giro is a much more exciting race. Yes, it's rough around the edges and not as polished a spectacle; but the Italians in contention f****** hate each other and it makes for amazing racing.
...
07-05-08, 09:50 PM
#37
Peloton Shelter Dog
07-05-08, 09:52 PM
#38
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I like the drama, I like seeing guys do things they should not do. Things like Fabian winning a sprint stage is cool, I think the cut and dry is boring. Lance winning 7 tours is cool, but boring.
07-05-08, 10:13 PM
#39
clean water
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07-05-08, 10:29 PM
#40
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Unfortunately the residue lingers. At every opportunity Phil and Paul (and the others) are drilled to mention U.S. Postal and Discovery, and particularly 'Lance', at every opportunity, and to plug Garmin and Columbia to death. I'd much rather watch an impartial commentary. It really saddens me actually. I get depressed watching.
I never felt a magic "aura" about the Lance era. He was not a patron like Indurain, Hinault, Merckx, Anquetil. He focussed everything to win one race and although that slightly increased interest in the sport in America, it did a disservice to cycling in general: the best rider should be racing in a wide selection of races; and a grand tour winner should attempt to win either or both the Giro and Vuelta.
Rather than missing Lance, I think what the Tour is missing is a classic agon, a classic struggle between two super-cyclists and leaders. The Lance era was not just Lance; it was Ullrich too; it was their duel. And same for Lemond/Hinault, Anquetil/Poulidor, Bartali/Coppi. This is why I think the Giro is a much more exciting race. Yes, it's rough around the edges and not as polished a spectacle; but the Italians in contention f****** hate each other and it makes for amazing racing.
It is conceivable that Valverde and Contador could emerge as combatants in the coming years but I fear both are so polite it won't reach the sort of vindictive crescendo necessary for great racing. And Evans? My God. Did you see him watching Valverde all day today?
Oh to get access to British Eurosport coverage...
I never felt a magic "aura" about the Lance era. He was not a patron like Indurain, Hinault, Merckx, Anquetil. He focussed everything to win one race and although that slightly increased interest in the sport in America, it did a disservice to cycling in general: the best rider should be racing in a wide selection of races; and a grand tour winner should attempt to win either or both the Giro and Vuelta.
Rather than missing Lance, I think what the Tour is missing is a classic agon, a classic struggle between two super-cyclists and leaders. The Lance era was not just Lance; it was Ullrich too; it was their duel. And same for Lemond/Hinault, Anquetil/Poulidor, Bartali/Coppi. This is why I think the Giro is a much more exciting race. Yes, it's rough around the edges and not as polished a spectacle; but the Italians in contention f****** hate each other and it makes for amazing racing.
It is conceivable that Valverde and Contador could emerge as combatants in the coming years but I fear both are so polite it won't reach the sort of vindictive crescendo necessary for great racing. And Evans? My God. Did you see him watching Valverde all day today?
Oh to get access to British Eurosport coverage...
07-05-08, 10:58 PM
#41
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Agreed. Why on earth did you prefer watching the race when the outcome was inevitable??
Last edited by DanielS; 07-05-08 at 10:59 PM. Reason: formatting
07-05-08, 11:01 PM
#42
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As I flipped through the channels today and stopped on VS for the third airing (edit my third time watching) of the stage today, my girlfriend yelled at me... I am just compelled to watch.
I suck at remembering all the names and teams, but I sit in wonder of the abilities of the riders. My sister on the other hand does fantasy cycling for the tour and can pic just about anyone you want out of the pack, yet would never dream of going for a bike ride.
I suck at remembering all the names and teams, but I sit in wonder of the abilities of the riders. My sister on the other hand does fantasy cycling for the tour and can pic just about anyone you want out of the pack, yet would never dream of going for a bike ride.
Last edited by mr handy; 07-05-08 at 11:46 PM.
07-05-08, 11:25 PM
#43
What is this demonry?!
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France's country side is worth watching the Tour de France for. And of course the actual cycling also has it's luster.
07-05-08, 11:32 PM
#44
TRAIN HARDER.
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Youll like it more if you get off the lance dick. He's amazing. But cycling in general is more amazing.
Note to self: My sentence structure here is not great.
Note to self: My sentence structure here is not great.
07-06-08, 12:07 AM
#45
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Heck, last night I was watching some of the U.S. Olympic Trials track and field races and I know absolutely nothing about running or runners. (Personally, I hate running.) But I know the one common rule about all racing: the first person to the finish line wins. So seeing any athletes dish it out at all costs against each other just gets me pumped..
it was intense to see tyson cramp up today:
07-06-08, 02:12 AM
#46
Mrs. umd
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I hated it when CBS had the coverage. They couldn't play it on OLN/Versus one day of the week, and it was just a little blurb on the sports wrap-up on CBS. There was no point in CBS' coverage (how I remember it).
07-06-08, 02:36 AM
#47
Peloton Shelter Dog
Oh I don't know, I kind of miss the stirring John Tesh inspirational synthesizer music, don't you?
07-06-08, 02:40 AM
#48
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Actually, I'm glad Lance is retired and Landis is out of the picture. I, frankly, started getting tired of the English dude on OLN speak of the American riders with such disdain in his voice. That sickened me so. After watching yesterday's coverage, I could tell he took the corn cob out of his funky doodle and is sitting comfortably knowing that an American is unlikely to win this year. He clearly feels Americans have no place in the TdF. Teatime anyone? Friggin' @#%@^@@!!
07-06-08, 02:50 AM
#49
Peloton Shelter Dog
Actually, I'm glad Lance is retired and Landis is out of the picture. I, frankly, started getting tired of the English dude on OLN speak of the American riders with such disdain in his voice. That sickened me so. After watching yesterday's coverage, I could tell he took the corn cob out of his funky doodle and is sitting comfortably knowing that an American is unlikely to win this year. He clearly feels Americans have no place in the TdF. Teatime anyone? Friggin' @#%@^@@!!
07-06-08, 04:55 AM
#50
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This is an amazing thread. I have not laughed this hard in a long time. Thanks.
