2008 Official Tour de France thread ***here be spoilers*

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 24, 2008 10:54 pm

Just a few more weeks, folks, and the Grand Boucle starts again. What kind of fireworks are we in for???? Who will shine??? Who will break??? Who will stand on the podium in Paris, holding the most important fruit bowl they've ever seen?????

Obviously Tom Boonen will NOT be wearing green in Paris this year. Much like Jan Ullrich before him, Tornado Tom went out and got a little too shiny happy sometime between the Ronde and Roubaix apparently. The 'snow' was flying in Belgium that evening, and Tomke was caught without his balaclava. In January, Tom was linked to another cocaine case, being called a dealer by a Belgian cyclocross racer. Hmmmm...Quick Step indeed. Certainly not what anyone wanted going into this year's tour.

springparrot · Post by **springparrot** » June 24, 2008 11:13 pm

Oh Terry

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » June 24, 2008 11:24 pm

Every year that I lived in France, I had a ritual of watching the Tour, live, in my cool basement, while I did the ironing or other chores. It does go through the area where I lived, but not often. And we all knew what a zoo it was. But watching it live on TV is the best.
I was there for the Indurain years and the beginning of Armstrong, who trained, with USPS, in our area.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 7:39 am

I wasn't paying attention during the Indurain years. I was giving my best friend crap about watching all these guys in funny clothes riding bikes around France.

D'OH!!!!!

Now I'm into cycling HUGE. Love the Tour, but Paris-Roubaix will always be my favorite race.

drunkpirate66 · Post by **drunkpirate66** » June 25, 2008 8:28 am

Easily the most amazing athletic event in the world . . . other than those scotish guys flipping telephone poles of course; thats pretty cool too. I ride from Bourne to Provincetown which is roughly the length of Cape Cod atleast a few times a year down the Old King's Highway and I am exhausted by the end of it . . . and I am not even pushing myself

I cannot even begin to imagine what it takes to do what it takes to not only complete BUT compete at the Tour De France level. Truly amazing.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 10:04 pm

Names are changing all over the place as the peleton prepares for the hardest 3 weeks of the year. Team High Road becomes Team Columbia, as the outdoor clothing giant enters the peleton. Team CSC adds title sponsor Saxo Bank. The argyle warriors of Slipstream-Chipotle are navigating their way around a title change, as the team rushes to change everything to Garmin-Chipotle. (we're going to ignore the whole 'presented by' aspect of names) New argyle will be presented two days before the Tour begins.

East Texas Parrothead · Post by **East Texas Parrothead** » June 25, 2008 10:17 pm

Oh, man. It's going to be wide open this year.

I'm not sad to see Boonen go ... not a big fan.

I watched Paris Robeaux and some of the Tour de Swiss ... missed Giro ... I can't wait to get up every morning and follow the boys.

My sister in law grew up with/dated Greg Lemond ... that's how we got interested ... no matter the current whining, the day he beat Fignon in the time trial to win the tour on the Champs de Elysees was one of the greatest moments in sports (IMHO). He had something like 67 seconds to make up ... which is unheard of in a time trial ... but make it up he did and snatched the title from Fignon ....

Followed Lance. Loved to watch him ride ... loved his story ... not so much a fan of the attitude, but I suppose that is what got him through the tough times and helped him fly up the mountains. I'll never believe he doped and my friends in Austin who have known him for years don't believe it either. He worked harder than anyone, with one goal in mind ... those three weeks in July ... was he cycling's greatest? No. But he will forever be one of the greats of the Tour de France.

Don't have a favorite this year ... am looking for a youngster to come from obscurity and lay down a great ride ... or not. I don't really care who wins ... I just hope they keep it clean. Am looking forward to the ITT and the mountains ... my favorite parts.

For sentimental reasons, I'd like to see David Millar wear yellow a few days. He used. He confessed. He was banned. He came back and is clean.

I think the Schleck boys might surprise us all. Saw them team up in the tour de Swiss ... they didn't win the day, but they worked well together.

Vive le tour.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » June 25, 2008 10:22 pm

Did i mention that Lance Armstrong was at Yankee Stadium
the Day that David and I were there???

East Texas Parrothead · Post by **East Texas Parrothead** » June 25, 2008 10:24 pm

ragtopW wrote: Did i mention that Lance Armstrong was at Yankee Stadium
the Day that David and I were there???

You're about 3 times as tall as he is ... you can take him.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » June 25, 2008 10:25 pm

East Texas Parrothead wrote:
ragtopW wrote: Did i mention that Lance Armstrong was at Yankee Stadium
the Day that David and I were there???

You're about 3 times as tall as he is ... you can take him.

diverg · Post by **diverg** » June 25, 2008 10:54 pm

I've lost interest in the Tour de France. No American team to root for and with all the issue of hte past few years. Knda of like with the Americas Cup I have lost interest temporarily, but supposedily the appeals court in the America's Cup is going to make a ruling around 11 Am tomorrow.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 10:59 pm

I like Boonen, and I don't agree with his being banned from the race. Having said that, I understand why.

Missed Roubaix. Had it on my DVR, and then it went bad!!! I lost all the spring races!!!!!! Watched the Dauphine over the last two days, & have the Tour de Suisse to finish up.

I think this year's race has the potential to be incredible. Contador, Leipheimer and Boonen are out. I look for Evans to try & repeat last year's ride. Robbie McEwen has got to be looking hard at the green jersey, as does Erik Zabel. I know he'd like to have one more. Soler is coming back a marked man for the KOM. Cancellara could shine. He started the year out on fire. Lots of big names are coming out guns a'blazing.

I always liked Millar. I met him at Interbike after he won the worlds. He was really sedate for someone who had just won a rainbow jersey. Found out a month or two later that he was doping. I respect the fact that he fessed up, did his time, and came back the way he did. My favorite team is Slipstream-Chipotle (gotta get used to saying Garmin), with big Maggy Backstedt on board. Can't wait to see the argyle flying!!!!

East Texas Parrothead · Post by **East Texas Parrothead** » June 25, 2008 11:18 pm

Staredge wrote:I think this year's race has the potential to be incredible.

Robbie McEwen has got to be looking hard at the green jersey, as does Erik Zabel. I know he'd like to have one more.

Cancellara could shine. He started the year out on fire. Lots of big names are coming out guns a'blazing.

I always liked Millar. I met him at Interbike after he won the worlds. He was really sedate for someone who had just won a rainbow jersey. Found out a month or two later that he was doping. I respect the fact that he fessed up, did his time, and came back the way he did. My favorite team is Slipstream-Chipotle (gotta get used to saying Garmin), with big Maggy Backstedt on board. Can't wait to see the argyle flying!!!!

I agree about Cancellara ... I've always liked him. Interesting about Millar ... I've been a Robbie fan for years ... I think Slipstream's going to be hard to beat ....

East Texas Parrothead · Post by **East Texas Parrothead** » June 25, 2008 11:20 pm

diverg wrote:I've lost interest in the Tour de France. No American team to root for and with all the issue of hte past few years. Knda of like with the Americas Cup I have lost interest temporarily, but supposedily the appeals court in the America's Cup is going to make a ruling around 11 Am tomorrow.

I know what you mean, diverg ... I had a hard time getting into the groove for the classics ... but, I'm up for the tour ... I just hope it's clean ... another year of scandal would really be the last nail in the coffin ... am impressed with the Tour of California ... I've talked to Mr. Mojito about going next year. He went to language school at Monterey, so maybe we could a visit into the Presidio along with watching the race.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 11:23 pm

diverg wrote:I've lost interest in the Tour de France. No American team to root for and with all the issue of hte past few years. Knda of like with the Americas Cup I have lost interest temporarily, but supposedily the appeals court in the America's Cup is going to make a ruling around 11 Am tomorrow.

Two American teams to root for: Garmin-Chipotle and Columbia (High Road) Garmin may not have a GC contender (although some would argue that), but certainly High Road (Columbia-not used to the new names yet) does. Big George is in pretty good shape. I hate what we've gone through in the last few seasons, but I put that away for the Tour. Can't tell you how crushed I was after Landis. Still not convinced, but that's another story.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 11:26 pm

Le Tour will weather the storms. We'll get things cleaned up. The sponsors will see to that.

I was REALLY surprised at Millar when I met him. I was really excited, but he was sort of quiet. Didn't seem real into it. I wonder now if it was the doping or the massive hangover he had at some point. The victory party was legendary, from what I've heard. The kind of thing that epic poems are written about. Songs are sung. I'm guessing it was a little of both.

Snowparrot · Post by **Snowparrot** » June 25, 2008 11:27 pm

The thing I love most about the Tour is the scenery!
It is hard to imagine going for all those hours and days... with or without stimulants!
I guess we'll be at the cottage this year, so no TV, but we will have the Internet, live!

diverg · Post by **diverg** » June 25, 2008 11:28 pm

Staredge wrote:
diverg wrote:I've lost interest in the Tour de France. No American team to root for and with all the issue of hte past few years. Knda of like with the Americas Cup I have lost interest temporarily, but supposedily the appeals court in the America's Cup is going to make a ruling around 11 Am tomorrow.
Two American teams to root for: Garmin-Chipotle and Columbia (High Road) Garmin may not have a GC contender (although some would argue that), but certainly High Road (Columbia-not used to the new names yet) does. Big George is in pretty good shape. I hate what we've gone through in the last few seasons, but I put that away for the Tour. Can't tell you how crushed I was after Landis. Still not convinced, but that's another story.

Ok I should qualify know well knowm teams with big star power, and not to mention I just don't have time to follow it right now. To much on my plate and I think I'm a bigger fan of the AC which I know you liked at one time if not now. Only problem is I am now expecting a another ruling in the court case tomorrow while I'm in class. I'll bring my laptop and have it on so i can hopefully find out what happens. LOL!! I think my interest in the AC is about to pick up again. LOL!!

diverg · Post by **diverg** » June 25, 2008 11:29 pm

Snowparrot wrote:The thing I love most about the Tour is the scenery!
It is hard to imagine going for all those hours and days... with or without stimulants!
I guess we'll be at the cottage this year, so no TV, but we will have the Internet, live!

yeah some of the women are hot...oh I don't think you were refering to that kind of scenery.

Staredge · Post by **Staredge** » June 25, 2008 11:33 pm

Still do like the AC, just haven't followed the court cases. (figure you'll keep me aware of the important stuff!!!!!!!

) Plenty of big name talent involved, just not many Americans!!!!!

And the wimmenfolk are pretty good looking. Do you read Pez Cycling News?? They have their Daily Distraction. If you don't, you need to.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com

As for the other scenery, Graham Watson offers free wallpaper on his site. He has some AMAZING shots, which makes sense as he's a world class photog!!!!