2009 Tour de France

[East Texas Parrothead]

Lance is back.

His team, Astana, looks strong, with Bruyneel back as manager.

He won the Nevada City Classic (small race) and came in 12th at this year's Giro (Tour of Italy).

So, what do ya'll think? Who's going to challenge him? Is his teammate Alberto Contador the man to take him down? What about his other teammate Levi? Can he do it again? Will 3 1/2 years off the bike, plus the birth of a new son, take its toll?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Staredge]

Too many chiefs in that tribe. Not sure how it's going to shake out this year.

[Bicycle Bill]

Lance is back.

His team, Astana, looks strong, with Bruyneel back as manager.

He won the Nevada City Classic (small race) and came in 12th at this year's Giro (Tour of Italy).

So, what do ya'll think? Who's going to challenge him? Is his teammate Alberto Contador the man to take him down? What about his other teammate Levi? Can he do it again? Will 3 1/2 years off the bike, plus the birth of a new son, take its toll?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Y'all *knew* I'd have something to say about this, didn't you?

Lance has a history of riding as a "super-domestique" during the early season races that led up to the TdF, working in order to allow his teammates to place highly or take the wins, but that was his way of ensuring that they would be willing to give their all for him in the TdF. Call it building loyalty, or (from a slightly more cynical view) like the Godfather, making it so that they owed him a favor, it worked to perfection in the past.

The Astana situation this year reminds me of similar circumstances on the La Vie Clair team between Bernard Hinault and then up-start teammate Greg Lemond back in 1985 when Lemond found himself in a position to challenge Hinault for overall placement (referred to as the GC or General Classification), but acquiesced to the team director's orders and a promise from Hinault to ride in support of Lemond the following year — a promise which later proved to be just so many words. Contador is the designated 'leader' of Team Astana, which means that Lance should be riding as a subordinate to him — which I'm sure he will do. But should Contador falter badly or start showing any signs of weakness, I'm equally certain that Johann (Bruyneel, team director for Astana) is more than willing to change horses in mid-stream.

Despite his abilities and prior Tour history, Levi finds himself as horse #3 in a two-horse race, and I fear that he will not be a factor with regards to the overall win unless something happens to *both* Lance and Alberto. I just hope he too realizes it. His riding as a team member, however, does have the potential to make or break the chances of either Armstrong or Contador. Quite simply, I do not envy Mr. Bruyneel his task in dealing with this situation.

Other things to remember is that Lance, despite his "Superman" reputation, is returning to cycling after 3-plus years away from the sport; he is 37 (almost 38) years old, an age at which most competitive cyclists are contemplating retirement rather than a return to the sport; and he will be riding after recovering from his first significant on-bike injury, a broken collarbone (relatively minor as cycling injuries go, but a potential chink in his armor). I'm sure he is as ready, both physically and mentally, as he possibly can be, but the Tour is arguably the world's most demanding athletic event and takes a tremendous toll on both body and mind.

Be assured that I will be watching closely. I hope for a very safe and competitive Tour. It would be great if the actual winner would still be in doubt until the end of stage 20 (the climb up Mont Ventoux). I also pray that this tour will be the first in my memory that will be free of any and all doping controversy; however, knowing the past I'm sure that the rumors, insinuations, and allegations will be there regardless.

-"BB"-

[Snowparrot]

very insightful BBill.
I look forward to the Tour every summer. We lived in France during the Indurain years, unknowingly rubbed shoulders with the USPS team when their practice home was our neighbourhood, just below the Col de la Faucille, and my husband (No Parrot) was a keen biker in those days, out doing 60-100km, up and down some dandy hills, every Saturday with his club.
I love getting the instant feed on the Internet these days, but it still can't match the live feed every afternoon on Eurosport TV, with that crazy Irishman!

[East Texas Parrothead]

I, too, have been thinking about Ventoux .... and hoping for a safe last full day of racing.

Did ya'll see Versus this afternoon with the brief interview with Lance? He said, had he not already been thinking about coming back, adding Ventoux would have made up his mind. For Armstrong, Ventoux is the one that got away, though I am convinced that he gifted Pantani in 2000 with a victory.

For those of you who don't follow cycling ...

Mont Ventoux has become legendary as the scene of one of the most gruelling climbs in the Tour de France bicycle race, which has ascended the mountain thirteen times since 1951. The followed trail mostly passes through Bédoin. Its fame as a scene of great Tour dramas has made it a magnet for cyclists around the world.

The mountain achieved worldwide notoriety when it claimed the life of British cyclist Tom Simpson, who died here on July 13, 1967 from heat exhaustion caused by a combination of factors including dehydration (caused by lack of fluid intake and diarrhoea), amphetamines, and alcohol; although there is still speculation as to the exact cause of his death. He began to wildly weave across the road before he fell down. He was delirious and asked spectators to put him back on the bike, which he rode to within a half mile of the summit before collapsing dead, still clipped into his pedals. Amphetamines were found in his jersey and bloodstream. There is a memorial to Simpson near the summit which has become a shrine to fans of cycling, who often leave small tokens of remembrance there. In 1970, Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse while winning the stage. He received oxygen, recovered, and won the Tour. In 1994, Eros Poli, not known for his climbing ability, stole away at the beginning of the day's stage, built up a substantial time gap from the peloton, and was first over the Ventoux and eventual stage winner despite losing a minute of his lead per kilometre of the ascent. The last winner on the Ventoux was the French climber Richard Virenque.

Here's a photo of the memorial to the fallen Simpson.

[Snowparrot]

My husbaand rode Mont Ventoux with his club, in rain and fog. Scary but what a success.

[Bicycle Bill]

I, too, have been thinking about Ventoux .... and hoping for a safe last full day of racing.

Did ya'll see Versus this afternoon with the brief interview with Lance? He said, had he not already been thinking about coming back, adding Ventoux would have made up his mind. For Armstrong, Ventoux is the one that got away, though I am convinced that he gifted Pantani in 2000 with a victory.

You're not the only one — http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=6085934. I could recognize a gift when I saw it, too. Even Armstrong himself admitted that he allowed Pantani to take the stage (although he later stated that he regretted it, due in part I'm sure to the comments Pantani made afterwards). There was no attempt on Lance's part to contest the last 100 meters or so, and I don't think it's because Lance didn't have it in him.

-"BB"-

[East Texas Parrothead]

My husbaand rode Mont Ventoux with his club, in rain and fog. Scary but what a success.

Wow. That's impressive. I couldn't walk it in three weeks, much less ride it.

[diverg]

Contador hasbeen named the teamleader for the time being, but it is going to be decided during the TDF who the actual leader is. Contador should be the favorite to maintain the leadership of the team, but who here doesn't think Lance's determination could put him in a position to win?

[Tequila Revenge]

I can not wait! Planning on July being pretty much sleepless, like when you bring home a new baby I love watching the race.





FYI-
The Tour of California should be epic this year too BTW, looks like TOC will start in Nevada City.

http://www.theunion.com/article/2009062 ... ofile=1054

[Bicycle Bill]

I can not wait! Planning on July being pretty much sleepless, like when you bring home a new baby I love watching the race.

FYI-
The Tour of California should be epic this year too BTW, looks like TOC will start in Nevada City.

http://www.theunion.com/article/2009062 ... ofile=1054

Just to clarify — that's *NEXT* year (2010). The Amgen Tour of California is an early-season race usually held in February, although I see they are moving it to May, at least for next year — which is going to put it in direct competition, both for top riders as well as for spectators and media coverage — with the Giro d'Italia (Tour of Italy), which is arguably the second-most famous cycling event in the world after the Tour de France.

Bad decision.

-"BB"-

[Staredge]

IT'S ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love July.

[diverg]

Lance is now riding the time trial. a quote while being interviewed while warming up "Contador s the leader of the team for now.."

[East Texas Parrothead]

We had to put out a paper today, but I just checked Velo News ... looks like Contador hosed 'em in the ITT .... can't wait to get home and see the replays.

[Staredge]

That would indeed be your 2006 Paris-Roubaix champion Fabian Cancellara wearing the Maillot Jaune!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Heavy hitters on the podium today. Hinault (as always), Eddy Merckx, Bernard Thevenet, and Stephen Roche.

Stage 1
Cancellara
Cancellara
Contador

[diverg]

The Astana team had 4 of the top 10 riders in time trial. Good job by the team. Someone on this team will most likely win the tour with it most likely being Contador. Still I don't think you can count out Lance, Levi or Kloden. Of these three I would say Lance, but I think we'll have to see how his old legs hold up over three weeks including multiple mountain stages in the same week.

[East Texas Parrothead]

That would indeed be your 2006 Paris-Roubaix champion Fabian Cancellara wearing the Maillot Jaune!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Heavy hitters on the podium today. Hinault (as always), Eddy Merckx, Bernard Thevenet, and Stephen Roche.

Stage 1
Cancellara
Cancellara
Contador

Sorry. I goofed ... watched the replay .... everyone looks GREAT .. 4 out of 10 in the top 10 of an ITT? That's something.

[diverg]

Wouldn't it be great if they take all three podium spots for the TDF?

[East Texas Parrothead]

Wouldn't it be great if they take all three podium spots for the TDF?

I would love it. Velo News says that Astana is 30 seconds ahead in the team race. That's great. Am so excited about having the Team Time Trial back in the mix this year.

Velo News also said that Lance rode in the hottest part of the day ... that it was 10 degrees cooler later on. I am glad he is back. 100,000 people turned out today. I saw the same kind of enthusiasm at the 2005 T d Georgia when Lance was riding for Discovery.

Am watching the replay again ... Lance was really firing through today ... he looked good for an old man.

I'm off until Wednesday ... and I'm taking the 25th off to watch them climb Ventoux. I so wish I could be there. So. Wish. Seeing Lance ride a Tour d France stage was on my bucket list, but we're moving, so I don't have enough fun ticket money right now.

[diverg]

Play the lotto and maybe you could make it.