The Tour thread!!!!!!!!

[fasterfoster]

To everyone saying how unfair things are and how Lance and his Trek have such an advantage....do you remember this???

The ESPN website has a pretty nice Tour section, lots of cool interactive graphics. As far as budgets go correct, T Mobile is the biggest by far, here are some of the 2004 budgets.

1. T Mobile: 14.4 M
2. Rabobank: 10.8 M
3. Quick Step, Cofidis, Phonak, Gerolsteiner: 9.6 M
4. USPS: 9.0

19. AG2R: 4.8 M
20. RAGT: 3.8 M
21. Alessio: 3.6 M
Seems to me, USPS is at a disadvantage with less than 2/3 of T Mobile's budget! Oh, one more thing, don't blame Lance for Jan partying and gaining weight in the off season. Lance has trained as hard or harder than anyone out there and he deserves the rewards.

[transplant]

You know, if Lance didn't just blow other riders doors off, I might agree with this. But it doesn't matter. Lance is soooo much stronger and faster, identical bikes would not make much of a difference. Besides, it's not like the other riders are riding Huffy's........all those bikes are top notch rides!I know the bikes are top of the line and Lance is a ton, but maybe even the psychological benefits might make a difference to the others. "I'm on the same bike Lance is, I can ride with him because he's not on his Wunder-Trek. He has no advantage other than he's Lance." This year it wouldn't have done much because of Lance's power, I agree.

[TomT]

I know the bikes are top of the line and Lance is a ton, but maybe even the psychological benefits might make a difference to the others. "I'm on the same bike Lance is, I can ride with him because he's not on his Wunder-Trek. He has no advantage other than he's Lance." This year it wouldn't have done much because of Lance's power, I agree.
The IROC theory is interesting, however, bikes need to be sized to the rider. Identical bikes would be too big for some, too small for others, and just right for a few. (Kind of like the three bears). In my head I see the cutters in Breaking Away all riding the same track bike.

[berrywise]

After last year people were starting to believe that Lance was washed up. Now this year people are saying he is in the best shape ever.

My question (and I don't know the answer) is who was the oldest person to ever win the Tour and how old were they?

[grizzly adam]

The oldest winner of the Tour was Firmin Lambot (BEL), who won in 1922 at the age of 36.


what do I win!

[SPR]

To everyone saying how unfair things are and how Lance and his Trek have such an advantage....do you remember this???


Seems to me, USPS is at a disadvantage with less than 2/3 of T Mobile's budget! Oh, one more thing, don't blame Lance for Jan partying and gaining weight in the off season. Lance has trained as hard or harder than anyone out there and he deserves the rewards.
Doesn't the T-Mobile budget include the Women's team?

[berrywise]

Doesn't the T-Mobile budget include the Women's team?
If by that you mean Jan Ulrich, Rolf Aldag, Santiage Botera, Giuseppe Guerini, Serguei Ivanov, Matthias Kessler, Andreas Kloden, Daniele Nardello, and Erik Zabel then yes, it does include the women's team.

Oh I crack myself up.

[SPR]

If by that you mean Jan Ulrich, Rolf Aldag, Santiage Botera, Giuseppe Guerini, Serguei Ivanov, Matthias Kessler, Andreas Kloden, Daniele Nardello, and Erik Zabel then yes, it does include the women's team.

Oh I crack myself up.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[transplant]

The IROC theory is interesting, however, bikes need to be sized to the rider. Identical bikes would be too big for some, too small for others, and just right for a few. (Kind of like the three bears). In my head I see the cutters in Breaking Away all riding the same track bike.That's why allowances would be made for rider size and riding position. I guess I wasn't clear when I said the "same frame". I meant the same manufacturer and tubing. The frames would be matched to the rider's size, with the weight differences between larger and smaller frames being made up some how. Sorry for the confusion.:embarass:

[Magic]

I think they should have to ride tandem bikes. Take the fastest rider and the slowest rider per team and have them ride for the TT. Now that would be fun to watch.

[berrywise]

In my head I see the cutters in Breaking Away all riding the same track bike.

They're gonna keep callin' us "cutters." To them, it's just a dirty word. To me, it's just somethin' else I never got a chance to be.

[noise_is_life]

It is a professional merit based sport, good riders get rewarded for success by getting offers on the best teams and by attracting the best riders for their team.

It also takes somebody that is more than just a good rider to excel, they have to be able to handle the attention and pressure that goes along with it. Look at Heras for example, there is no doubt that he is a great rider than can win major tours, but put him at the head of a team, and dump a bunch of expectations on him and it's tough for him to perform at his ability. For whatever reason, Lance seems to eat that stuff up.

[Magic]

People who thought Lance would roll over and die in this years tour have no idea of the time he spent training. He has everything to gain by winning his 6th tour, and nothing to lose. He has proved himself to be the man and as Ric Flair says: To be the man, you got to beat the man. I think going for the 6th win is what drives Lance more than ever. Think about it, who in the near future will come close to what he has achieved. I don't see anyone in the near future that will come close to what he has proved and done. Let's face it, some of the riders are doping and still don't hold a candle to Lance. He is Da Man.:etard:

[transplant]

Let's face it, some of the riders are doping and still don't hold a candle to Lance. He is Da Man.:etard:[/QUOTE]Which brings us back to the ugly question "What if"? I dont' want to believe it. I'd like to think that a man who beat cancer and a 20% chance of survival can beat the crap out of anyone on skinny tires. Personally I belive he's clean, but there are those out there (LeMond) who think he's guilty. See some of the earlier posts here. The backlash, if he is doping, would be felt for years.

[TrailPatrol]

even the psychological benefits might make a difference to the others. "I'm on the same bike Lance is, I can ride with him because he's not on his Wunder-Trek. He has no advantage other than he's Lance."
It would never work, not just because of the sponsors, but because those guys, just like us guys, get attached to their brand. I ride Trek, (like Lance and W) Alden rides Giant, Mike rides GT. We ride what we ride because we like them. They like what ride because that's what they get paid to do, and in most cases, the bikes bikes are so custom-built, they end up liking that bike, too. I don't think you could ever get 800 riders (or even 8 riders!) to agree on one brand/model for an event.

And how come they can't ride Huffys? :crazy2:

Ride safe,
Hans

[transplant]

That's why the Tour would pick the frames and remove the decals. To some degree, we all know who makes what bike just by looking at it. But some hardtails are ambiguous enough that it's hard to pick them out. I'm not condoning this, or even saying it's a good idea. I'm just playing Devil's Advocate and giving something else to think about and spark conversation. And they could ride Huffy's, but would you? Remember when Huffy made a lightweight, high end mtb? I saw a picture of in MBA a few years back. It was still a Huffy!:sick:

[EmL34]

How about if they just had a time trial where they didn't use bikes...just ran (in cycling shoes) up the Alpe d'Huez? That would eliminate the equipment issue...

[SPR]

The Tour isn't about equipment equality or anything else but who's the best rider. If everybody else put in the same effort in the off season as Lance maybe the results would be closer. Lance smoked Basso by over 3 and a half minutes, that wasn't an equipment issue!!I agree Lance works hard but he also has a lot of luxury from his sponsors that allow him to focus on just one race. Most other sponsors require their riders to keep up a full race schedule.

[Tetreves]

How about if they just had a time trial where they didn't use bikes...just ran (in cycling shoes) up the Alpe d'Huez? That would eliminate the equipment issue...
I think they should have to ride tandem bikes. Take the fastest rider and the slowest rider per team and have them ride for the TT. Now that would be fun to watch.
I think we have the makings for a great 3-legged race! :banana:

THAT would be funny. :scream:

[transplant]

How about if they just had a time trial where they didn't use bikes...just ran (in cycling shoes) up the Alpe d'Huez? That would eliminate the equipment issue...
Nice thought, but then you'd have guys running in everything from stiff soled Sidis to the recreational, flexible Shimanos. There's that technology thing again. Make 'em run barefoot!

[grizzly adam]

The IROC model is BS. The Tour isn't about equipment equality or anything else but who's the best rider. If everybody else put in the same effort in the off season as Lance maybe the results would be closer. Lance smoked Basso by over 3 and a half minutes, that wasn't an equipment issue!!
Nicely put

[grizzly adam]

I got a chance to watch todays stage and was really disappointed at the number of negative comments painted on the road and the number of fans BOOING Lance as he dominated the sport.
Here's an article in Yahoo! about how Lance didn't really think it was a good idea to have the TT where it was, noting that some German fans were really disgusting.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&e=1&u=/nm/20040721/sp_nm/cycling_tour_dc
Along with hearing the BOOS I also saw "FUC LANCE" and several "EPO LANCE" painted on the road. Not to mention people actually spitting on him as he went by. At an average pace of 15mph.
It's too bad that there is that much jealousy/animosity with some of these people. I don't understand where it comes from. It's not Lance is out bragging to the world that he can beat everyone on a bike.

[berrywise]

Yeah and name any other sport as major as the Tour that you can get so close to the riders and not be restrained. Just waiting for someone to grab at his bike or do something to hinder his ride.

With that being said I also think it is one of the coolest things to see and I would imagine experience. You are right there yelling at him to keep moving, running alongside him (hopefully not toting an American Flag the size of Perkins that could get caught in his wheel at any molement) feeling the buzz in the air. Its got to be a rush for the rider and the fan. I hope they never have to change it.


I got a chance to watch todays stage and was really disappointed at the number of negative comments painted on the road and the number of fans BOOING Lance as he dominated the sport.
Here's an article in Yahoo! about how Lance didn't really think it was a good idea to have the TT where it was, noting that some German fans were really disgusting.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&e=1&u=/nm/20040721/sp_nm/cycling_tour_dc
Along with hearing the BOOS I also saw "FUC LANCE" and several "EPO LANCE" painted on the road. Not to mention people actually spitting on him as he went by. At an average pace of 15mph.
It's too bad that there is that much jealousy/animosity with some of these people. I don't understand where it comes from. It's not Lance is out bragging to the world that he can beat everyone on a bike.

[berrywise]

Now the question is does Jan go all out and try to attack on a break away (wish Postal sure to respond) and give it everything he has left to try and pull out a podium finish or is he content to just sit back in the peloton and wait till next year?

[hockeynut]

I agree Lance works hard but he also has a lot of luxury from his sponsors that allow him to focus on just one race. Most other sponsors require their riders to keep up a full race schedule.
While this is definately a plus for Lance, what races are Ullrich or Hamilton or Mayo etc. racing in that he doesn't? Simoni is always in the Giro along with some other guys who are maybe looking for a top 20 GC place, but none of the main contenders are out there doing all three (or for the most part even two) of the grand tours so none of the Tour day France "contenders" race a jam packed schedule (although possibly the "domestiques" of other teams are a bit busier with races).

Lance works harder than everyone else (or at least that's what everyone says), has probably the best team leader and well rounded team around him, has that killer instinct, and seems to have great luck as well.

[grizzly adam]

Yeah and name any other sport as major as the Tour that you can get so close to the riders and not be restrained. Just waiting for someone to grab at his bike or do something to hinder his ride.

With that being said I also think it is one of the coolest things to see and I would imagine experience. You are right there yelling at him to keep moving, running alongside him (hopefully not toting an American Flag the size of Perkins that could get caught in his wheel at any molement) feeling the buzz in the air. Its got to be a rush for the rider and the fan. I hope they never have to change it.
You're exactly right. That's why the Tour is soo frickin' cool! I'm sure that when Sickboy comes back he's going to tell us how he ran along somebody and gave them his website address or threw water on them or something. :D

I wouldn't be suprised if Ullrich just rolled over and let this year be finished. I just don't see anything happening. Like you said, if he tries something, there's no way Lance and Co. are going to let him get too far ahead. It would be nice, but I don't see the drive in Ullrich as much as in Lance. Ullrich's been beaten too many times to want to win. Unfortunately it should work the opposite, but he's finished.

I bet Basso tries something tomorrow - that would be good.

[igor]

Lance mania has officially hit my office. Lots of people sporting yellow bracelets and actually talking about the race. Going to work is kinda' fun for a change. :banana:

[TrailPatrol]

Lance mania has officially hit my office. Lots of people sporting yellow bracelets and actually talking about the race. Going to work is kinda' fun for a change. :banana:
Yeah, we even had the same thing going on at church tonight. (Of course we have also had a couple group road rides from church this summer, too.)

With regard to the heckling, the Germans are going to be mad 'cause Jan is behind. The French are mad at anyone who takes the yellow, especially from one of their own (Voeckler) and Euros have a whole different attitude about sports than we do.

Ride safe,
Hans

[syntaxjunkie]

i've been staying home the past few days, which has allowed me to watch the last two stages of the tour live. and i don't think i sat down once during lance's ride on alp d'huez today.

this year, i've watched more of the tour than in years past, and it's given me an even deeper appreciation for what an accomplishment it is to merely finish this race, to say nothing of winning it. my entire cookiejar of superlatives doesn't begin to cover it.

as goofy as it probably sounds, this is one of those things that i am very glad i've been alive to see. right up there with gretzky's hockey career and the 1980 u.s. olympic hockey team. major goosebumps.

[ryno lite]

Lance does have a definate advantage with the money his team has. I mean, look at his team and technology, it sure does help, but remember his 99 win? He had a terrible team and still won! He's been the guy with a bad team and won, he's now earned the right after all these wins to have the sponser money to surround himself with better riders! I said he would win earlier this year on these forums (easy pick, I know!), but I never figured he'd look this strong. He's killing everyone and I think he hasn't even had to push it as hard as he could have on some of the mtn stages! It really is mind boggling! I am totally enjoying watching every minute of this, cause this very well may be a once in a lifetime rider for the US! It's history in the making and I'm loving it!

[homebrewbiker]

Did anyone notice someone wrote EPO Lance on the street (in very large letters) during the time trial today (or yesterday)?

On another topic, I was getting pissed watching the replay seeing all those idiots in the crowd doing their best to get in the way. I can't believe the racers can focus on the race. I can understand standing on the side and waving, but what are these guys thinking who run away from the bikers and get themselves in the way. I guess that's part of the tradition, but it must drive the riders nuts. I don't think I could handle it.

[Tetreves]

I guess that's part of the tradition, but it must drive the riders nuts. I don't think I could handle it.
I feel the same way. If that was me, I'd "Go Postal"...

[TomT]

Have you had your wrist band break?
Mine broke this morning! :mad:

Damn bracelet.

[manual63]

Mine broke this morning! :mad:

Damn bracelet.
Read the back......Made in China.....LOL!

[fasterfoster]

Mine broke this morning! :mad:

Damn bracelet.
I went to Foot Locker (Burnville) last night. They are now sold out of the LAF wrist bands. (Penn has been out for a few days) They directed me to Champs Sports (located above Foot Locker) and they had at least one full case.

[Kosk]

Did anyone notice someone wrote EPO Lance on the street (in very large letters) during the time trial today (or yesterday)?
Did anyone notice that somebody wrote "Rip their balls of Lance!" on the street too? That made me laugh. Very clever. I watched the replay last night and I too was standing and hopping around the living room all giddy, even though I already knew the outcome, it's amazing to see the concentration and determination in their faces (specifically Lance and Jan) Wow!

[thebionicman]

Wow!!!!!!!!!

What a great finish by Lance today. I am glad I stayed home today to watch this stage.

[TrailPatrol]

Results

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 6.11.52
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team
3 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team
4 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC
5 Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor
6 Axel Merckx (Bel) Lotto-Domo 1.00
7 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank
8 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC
9 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
10 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner
11 Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor
12 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Illes Balears - Banesto 2.00

General classification after stage 17
1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor
2 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 4.08
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 5.11
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team

[TrailPatrol]

I went to Foot Locker (Burnville) last night. They are now sold out of the LAF wrist bands. (Penn has been out for a few days) They directed me to Champs Sports (located above Foot Locker) and they had at least one full case.I bought one at Penn Bloomington yesterday-They are on the check-out counter. Now I can't wear it...my wrists are too big even for the adult. My wife, who lost her Mom to cancer a few years back, is wearing it though.

Hans

[homebrewbiker]

I feel the same way. If that was me, I'd "Go Postal"...
One of the trainers at the gym told me that one of the riders pushed a spectator over today (one of those guys who was running in front of a cyclist I would guess). Maybe the time trial pushed him over the edge. I hope they show it on OLN on the replay tonight.:banana:

[ryno lite]

I bought one at Penn Bloomington yesterday-They are on the check-out counter. Now I can't wear it...my wrists are too big even for the adult. My wife, who lost her Mom to cancer a few years back, is wearing it though.

Hans
Yeah, I don't wear mine a ton because my wrist is a tad big and tight things on my wrist drive me nuts! I always wear my watches somewhat loose.

[igor]

Yeah, I don't wear mine a ton because my wrist is a tad big and tight things on my wrist drive me nuts! I always wear my watches somewhat loose.
Make it into a necklace!

[Minnetico]

One of the trainers at the gym told me that one of the riders pushed a spectator over today (one of those guys who was running in front of a cyclist I would guess). Maybe the time trial pushed him over the edge. I hope they show it on OLN on the replay tonight.:banana:Yeah, I saw that this morning, it was Ulrich's team mate (Andreas Klodehn) who pushed a fan running with a German flag along them before the top of the last climb.
I though it was weird but then Phil and Paul made it sound like it's part of the event and didn't talk much about it.

[Don Youngdahl]

.....
Here's an article in Yahoo! about how Lance didn't really think it was a good idea to have the TT where it was, noting that some German fans were really disgusting. ................. Not to mention people actually spitting on him as he went by.
When the Germans only gave probation to the nut that stabbed Monica Seles on a tennis court, who can be surprised that they spit on Lance? He's lucky they haven't had the knives out yet.

Don Youngdahl

[grizzly adam]

Anybody else just in awe at the closing kms of yesterdays stage? Holy crap. I tried to not know what happened as I was going to watch it later that night, but I saw a small headline that told me who won. Then I was watching Kloden take off in the final km and Lance just sitting there and I was like "Wait a minute!!". Wow - just the fact that Flandis and Lance closed that gap so quickly was awesome. Then for Lance to jump out at just the right time.......could never be repeated....wow.

[PWAXON]

Anybody else just in awe at the closing kms of yesterdays stage? Holy crap. I tried to not know what happened as I was going to watch it later that night, but I saw a small headline that told me who won. Then I was watching Kloden take off in the final km and Lance just sitting there and I was like "Wait a minute!!". Wow - just the fact that Flandis and Lance closed that gap so quickly was awesome. Then for Lance to jump out at just the right time.......could never be repeated....wow.
I agree that was cool. I was watching it with my wife last night and she was saying "I thought you said Lance won" I almost thought I must have read wrong and then Bam out of no ware Lance takes it. I swear that man's possessed.

[grizzly adam]

Just looking around at different articles and came across this quote -

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/img/v3/end_quote.gif Lance is too strong http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sol/shared/img/v3/end_quote.gif

Jan Ullrich

[grizzly adam]

Interesting info regarding the Lance/Simeoni deal earlier in the day:

"You may have guessed by now that the Armstrong chase of Simeoni had nothing to do with a GC threat from a man mired in 114th at 2:42:50 off of the lead. Simeoni had earlier testified in the ongoing case against Michele Ferrari, saying that the Italian doctor taught him to use EPO and to cover up its use. Armstrong, a long-time client of Ferrari, called Simeoni a liar and the Italian is now poised to sue the five-time Tour winner (http://velonews.com/tour2004/news/articles/6648.0.html). This was purely personal. The message to the men in the break must have been a clear warning that if they leave his arch-enemy up there, they have no hope of making the effort stick. " -- Velonews.com

And a layman's interpretation:
"The story is this. (unofficial of course)

Simeoni is suing Armstrong because Armstrong said he was telling lies about him. Armstrong rides up to the breakaway and tells them "If you let Simeoni ride with you, I'm calling the posties up front to keep you from breaking". Then Simeoni and Armstrong drop back to the peleton. No gifts this yearhttp://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/images/smilies/NAMconfused.gif"

-ouch

[grizzly adam]

So with all this technology that's floating around in the peloton these days, do you think that Lance and crew ever get Paul and Phil radio'd into their headsets on stages like today to see who took the stage?!

lol, I wonder if that would be distracting if you were sprinting and hearing Phil call out your movements as you made them, or would that make you go faster?!

[Tetreves]

So with all this technology that's floating around in the peloton these days, do you think that Lance and crew ever get Paul and Phil radio'd into their headsets on stages like today to see who took the stage?!

lol, I wonder if that would be distracting if you were sprinting and hearing Phil call out your movements as you made them, or would that make you go faster?!
Or if you were Kloden and heard that Armstrong was coming after you at the last second, would you go faster?

[Tetreves]

One of the trainers at the gym told me that one of the riders pushed a spectator over today (one of those guys who was running in front of a cyclist I would guess). Maybe the time trial pushed him over the edge. I hope they show it on OLN on the replay tonight.:banana:
That was one of the funniest things, too. That just made me laugh.:laugh:

I would have punched him harder.

[nigel]

General classification after stage 18

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 78.20.28
2 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 4.09
3 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 5.11
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 8.08
5 Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 10.41
6 Francisco Mancebo Pérez (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 11.45
7 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 12.56
8 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 15.14
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 16.25
10 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 16.33
11 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 17.52
12 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Crédit Agricole 19.57
13 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 20.20
14 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco 20.41
15 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 21.12
16 Richard Virenque (Fra) Quick Step-Davitamon 21.53
17 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Illes Balears - Banesto 21.57
18 Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com 23.08
19 Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 29.10
20 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 29.33
21 Axel Merckx (Bel) Lotto-Domo 33.54
22 Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick Step-Davitamon 34.30
23 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 36.13
24 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 36.38
25 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile Team 38.58

[noise_is_life]

Yeah, I saw that this morning, it was Ulrich's team mate (Andreas Klodehn) who pushed a fan running with a German flag along them before the top of the last climb.
I though it was weird but then Phil and Paul made it sound like it's part of the event and didn't talk much about it.
I'm sure I saw Virenque push a spectator too, the guy was pouring a glass of "something" on him and I thought at first Virenque took the glass, but I'm pretty sure he gave him a shove.

[noise_is_life]

You just can't deny Armstrong's strength, and it's fun to watch him do his thing, but I'm feeling a bit let down by the tour this year.

He made number 6 just seem too damn easy, and all of his so called challengers just bent over and took it.

It makes me wonder what the point of 7 would be, it seems so much ego wanking...

[Kingbozo]

Sounds like there was a bunch of Soap Opera stuff today.


http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/details/articles/6647.0.html

[Tetreves]

Sounds like there was a bunch of Soap Opera stuff today.


http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/details/articles/6647.0.html
Why would anyone take Simeoni's word over Armstrong's? Especially without proof. And if the entire Peloton doesn't like him (i.e. not just Armstrong):

"Later reports said that Armstrong was "thanked" by many riders..."

I'm not judgin', I'm just sayin'..


And this quote is just funny/stupid:

"Simeoni...has sued Armstrong for defamation for comments the Texan allegedly made questioning Simeoni's honesty and good name."

If the peloton is mad at him, and everyone calls him a liar, than who's telling the truth? If you ask me, Simeoni is a big fat liar and a creep!

I'm not sayin', I'm just Judging! :laugh:

[jeffgude]

How would you like to look back and see a P-O'd yellow jersey back there as you tried to attack?
http://www.velonews.com/images/details/6647.8598.f.jpg

[TrailPatrol]

the Stanley Cup is national GO Lance, GO USA!:banana:
...is not the northern part of the United States. Just ask anybody from Quebec.

Thanks for the great pic of Lance, Jeff. It now graces my wallpaper.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[grizzly adam]

You just can't deny Armstrong's strength, and it's fun to watch him do his thing, but I'm feeling a bit let down by the tour this year.

He made number 6 just seem too damn easy, and all of his so called challengers just bent over and took it.

It makes me wonder what the point of 7 would be, it seems so much ego wanking...
It just goes to show who took the challenge and the responsibility of winning the 6th Tour seriously. It appears to me that while US Postal was out planning on making history, the rest of the world was banking on the fact that no one has done it before. That's why Lance is such a champion. He just doesn't quit.

[nigel]

General classification after stage 19

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 79.27.17
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 6.38
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 6.59
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 9.09
5 Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 14.30
6 Francisco Mancebo Pérez (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 18.20
7 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 18.46
8 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 20.10
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 20.31
10 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 23.13
11 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 24.40
12 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Crédit Agricole 24.55
13 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Illes Balears - Banesto 25.30
14 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 27.16
15 Richard Virenque (Fra) Quick Step-Davitamon 28.30
16 Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com 29.12
17 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco 29.19
18 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 30.53
19 Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 32.50
20 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 37.30
21 Axel Merckx (Bel) Lotto-Domo 40.13
22 Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick Step-Davitamon 41.58
23 Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 42.45
24 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 45.38
25 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile Team 46.57

[TrailPatrol]

It just goes to show who took the challenge and the responsibility of winning the 6th Tour seriously.
It also shows that last year was not a fluke; Even when he was, by his own admission, not at the top of his form, he still won. This year he was ready, and it showed!

Hans

[noise_is_life]

now the withdrawel symptoms start.

[nigel]

Final general classification

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 83.36.02 (40.56 km/h)
2 Andreas Klöden (Ger) T-Mobile Team 6.19
3 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC 6.40
4 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team 8.50
5 Jose Azevedo (Por) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 14.30
6 Francisco Mancebo Pérez (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 18.01
7 Georg Totschnig (Aut) Gerolsteiner 18.27
8 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 19.51
9 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 20.12
10 Oscar Pereiro (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 22.54
11 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 24.21
12 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Crédit Agricole 24.36
13 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Illes Balears - Banesto 25.11
14 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 27.16
15 Richard Virenque (Fra) Quick Step-Davitamon 28.11
16 Sandy Casar (Fra) Fdjeux.com 28.53
17 Gilberto Simoni (Ita) Saeco 29.00
18 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 31.12
19 Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 32.50
20 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 37.11
21 Axel Merckx (Bel) Lotto-Domo 39.54
22 Michael Rogers (Aus) Quick Step-Davitamon 41.39
23 Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 42.55
24 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 45.19
25 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile Team 47.07
26 Iker Camaño (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 47.14
27 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 47.43
28 José Enrique Gutierrez (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 50.39
29 Laurent Brochard (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 51.35
30 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 54.43
31 Santos Gonzalez (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 1.01.01
32 Michele Scarponi (Ita) Domina Vacanze 1.03.01
33 George Hincapie (USA) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 1.04.09
34 David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 1.04.37
35 Jens Voigt (Ger) Team CSC 1.07.07
36 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Crédit Agricole 1.10.54
37 Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa) Quick Step-Davitamon 1.11.31
38 Evgueni Petrov (Rus) Saeco 1.12.24
39 Patrice Halgand (Fra) Crédit Agricole
40 Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 1.12.42
41 Egoi Martínez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 1.15.10
42 Marius Sabaliauskas (Ltu) Saeco 1.15.15
43 Rik Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto-Domo 1.16.42
44 Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) Liberty Seguros 1.16.45
45 Aitor Gonzalez Jimenez (Spa) Fassa Bortolo 1.17.23
46 Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 1.26.28
47 Jean-Cyril Robin (Fra) Fdjeux.com 1.32.06
48 Daniele Nardello (Ita) T-Mobile Team 1.35.26
49 Santiago Perez (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 1.35.54
50 Aitor Osa Eizaguirre (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 1.38.38
51 José I.Gutierrez Palacios (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 1.39.16
52 Iñigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 1.39.52
53 Ronny Scholz (Ger) Gerolsteiner 1.42.44
54 Marcos Serrano Rodriguez (Spa) Liberty Seguros 1.42.53
55 Jörg Ludewig (Ger) Saeco 1.44.57
56 Christian Vandevelde (USA) Liberty Seguros 1.48.11
57 Sergei Ivanov (Rus) T-Mobile Team 1.49.51
58 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quick Step-Davitamon 1.50.10
59 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team 1.50.21
60 Iker Flores (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 1.50.49
61 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 1.51.41
62 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) AG2R Prévoyance 1.55.04
63 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Fassa Bortolo 1.55.52
64 Andrea Peron (Ita) Team CSC 1.56.29
65 Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank 1.57.25
66 Benjamin Noval (Spa) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 1.57.41
67 Laurent Dufaux (Swi) Quick Step-Davitamon 1.58.22
68 Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 1.59.21
69 Rolf Aldag (Ger) T-Mobile Team 2.02.55
70 Claus Michael Møller (Den) Alessio-Bianchi 2.04.01
71 Sylvain Calzati (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 2.09.34
72 Nicolas Portal (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 2.09.45
73 Isidro Nozal Vega (Spa) Liberty Seguros 2.10.33
74 Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 2.10.39
75 Santiago Botero (Col) T-Mobile Team 2.12.32
76 Pierrick Fedrigo (Fra) Crédit Agricole 2.13.14
77 David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi 2.14.42
78 Sebastian Lang (Ger) Gerolsteiner 2.15.31
79 Pavel Padrnos (Cze) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 2.16.19
80 Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) US Postal p/b Berry Floor 2.16.44
81 Bert Grabsch (Ger) Phonak Hearing Systems 2.17.14
82 Nicolas Jalabert (Fra) Phonak Hearing Systems 2.18.42
83 Benoît Salmon (Fra) Crédit Agricole 2.24.49
84 Christophe Mengin (Fra) Fdjeux.com 2.25.08
85 Carlos Dacruz (Fra) Fdjeux.com 2.25.43
86 José V. Garcia Acosta (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 2.26.14
87 Dmitri Fofonov (Kaz) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 2.26.22
88 Nicki Sørensen (Den) Team CSC 2.27.39
89 Mark Scanlon (Irl) AG2R Prévoyance 2.27.49
90 Marc Lotz (Ned) Rabobank 2.29.48
91 Unai Etxebarria (Ven) Euskaltel - Euskadi 2.30.37
92 Christophe Rinero (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 2.31.34
93 Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Spa) Fassa Bortolo 2.33.38
94 Dariusz Baranowski (Pol) Liberty Seguros 2.33.54
95 Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr) AG2R Prévoyance 2.34.16
96 Scott Sunderland (Aus) Alessio-Bianchi 2.35.20
97 Xabier Zandio (Spa) Illes Balears - Banesto 2.35.48
98 Allan Davis (Aus) Liberty Seguros 2.36.16
99 Andrea Noè (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 2.36.36
100 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Lotto-Domo 2.36.48
101 Thierry Marichal (Bel) Lotto-Domo 2.37.58
102 Walter Bénéteau (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 2.38.36
103 Anthony Charteau (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 2.41.31
104 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole 2.42.45
105 David Loosli (Swi) Saeco 2.44.24
106 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Gerolsteiner 2.46.54
107 Peter Farazijn (Bel) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 2.46.56
108 Martin Elmiger (Swi) Phonak Hearing Systems 2.47.22
109 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo 2.48.42
110 Matteo Tosatto (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 2.49.06
111 Bram de Groot (Ned) Rabobank 2.49.33
112 Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank 2.50.16
113 Peter Wrolich (Aut) Gerolsteiner 2.51.06
114 Franck Renier (Fra) Brioches La Boulangère 2.53.16
115 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Rabobank 2.53.22
116 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 2.54.55
117 Jan Hruska (Cze) Liberty Seguros 2.56.01
118 Filippo Simeoni (Ita) Domina Vacanze 2.56.30
119 Ludovic Martin (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 2.59.00
120 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step-Davitamon 2.59.07
121 Massimiliano Mori (Ita) Domina Vacanze 2.59.12
122 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo 2.59.18
123 Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Nor) Team CSC 3.00.35
124 Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Saeco 3.01.21
125 Uwe Peschel (Ger) Gerolsteiner 3.01.36
126 Stefano Zanini (Ita) Quick Step-Davitamon 3.01.39
127 Julian Dean (NZl) Crédit Agricole 3.02.09
128 Gilles Bouvard (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 3.03.28
129 Frédéric Guesdon (Fra) Fdjeux.com 3.03.40
130 Pierre Bourquenoud (Swi) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 3.04.47
131 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Fdjeux.com 3.05.44
132 Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe) Alessio-Bianchi 3.07.51
133 Erik Dekker (Ned) Rabobank 3.07.54
134 Christophe Laurent (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 3.09.38
135 Fabio Baldato (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi 3.10.46
136 Guillaume Auger (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 3.11.10
137 Jean-Patrick Nazon (Fra) AG2R Prévoyance 3.13.10
138 Jimmy Engoulvent (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 3.13.55
139 Baden Cooke (Aus) Fdjeux.com 3.15.45
140 Wim Vansevenant (Bel) Lotto-Domo 3.22.15
141 Christophe Edaleine (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 3.22.39
142 Servais Knaven (Ned) Quick Step-Davitamon 3.23.07
143 Francesco Secchiari (Ita) Domina Vacanze 3.25.37
144 Matthew Wilson (Aus) Fdjeux.com 3.36.31
145 Frédéric Finot (Fra) R.A.G.T. Semences - MG Rover 3.39.21
146 Sébastien Joly (Fra) Crédit Agricole 3.43.18
147 Jimmy Casper (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit Par Téléphone 3.55.49

[nigel]

Teams classification

1 T-Mobile Team 248.58.43
2 US Postal presented by Berry Floor 2.42
3 Team CSC 10.33
4 Illes Balears-Banesto Santander 52.26
5 Quick Step-Davitamon 57.33
6 Phonak Hearing Systems 57.42
7 Rabobank 1.26.24
8 Credit Agricole 1.30.35
9 Brioches La Boulangere 1.32.12
10 Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.47.46
11 Saeco 2.08.14
12 Ag2R Prevoyance 2.24.46
13 Liberty Seguros 2.55.25
14 Gerolsteiner 3.02.38
15 Lotto-Domo 3.14.13
16 Fdjeux.Com 3.19.53
17 Alessio-Bianchi 3.42.55
18 Fassa Bortolo 4.09.14
19 Cofidis Credit Par Telephone 4.25.53
20 Domina Vacanze 5.13.52
21 R.A.G.T. Semences-MG Rover 6.21.09

[TrailPatrol]

What the hell is Greg LeMond's problem? He seems to almost have given the French a backseat with his Lance bashing. Our home-town Tour champion needs to remember well the line from Desiderata: "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

I lost a lot of respect for ol' Greg this week.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans

[berrywise]

was walk around my living room in my boxers aimlessly. I didn't know what to do. I finally settled on watching a Seinfeld rerun. Oh the withdrawl.

[grizzly adam]

Work just isn't the same anymore.

What are some favorite moments of this year's Tour?
Who do you think will give challenge next year?
Any ideas as to what the jerseys will look like next year?

My favorite moment was stage 17 - when it looked like Kloden was going to take the win, but Lance came storming up from behind and took it. Right at the line. That was awesome.

One of my other favorites was the last day in the mountains when Lance tried to get a stage win for Landis. Landis worked his ass off that day.

I really liked how US Postal had the yellow accents on the last day - nice touch.

Do you think The Kaizer will be back or will he finally concede?
Will Kloden be the next Lance? We've seen him in the mountains. We've seen him rival the diesel engine of Ullrich in the TT. Maybe....

[berrywise]

My favorite moment was stage 17 - when it looked like Kloden was going to take the win, but Lance came storming up from behind and took it. Right at the line. That was awesome.
What was even better about that was how Phil responded in his commentary. Saying something to the effect of "it's all over, Klodin has made the break away and nobody has responded, he will win the 17th stage of the Tour De France."

and then Lance came roaring back and sniped him just like I sniped that guy on an ebay auction at the last second. I am Lance Armstrong!

[grizzly adam]

and then Lance came roaring back and sniped him just like I sniped that guy on an ebay auction at the last second. I am Lance Armstrong! :banana:
he he - check out my mad-skillz!

[noise_is_life]

I would say that this is one of the best tours ever. We've got the whole country talking about it and Lance and it's about time we had someone dominate on a world stage. We suck at soccer, the World Series doesn't include the world, the Stanley Cup is national and our Olympic athletes are all shooting up apparently. "ego wanking" only diminishes the true effort put forward to train for this event, if #7 is in the cards, I say go for it.
GO Lance, GO USA!:banana:

You know I might have to retract that statement, after watching too many interviews with Lance I get the impression that the number really isn't important to him as it is to everybody else, he just loves racing the Tour.

Although it would be cool if he changed his focus while he is still fit and revive the flagging US pro mountain bike racing scene. But, I guess that's probably just about as likely as Micheal Jordan reviving baseball.

[berrywise]

:banana:
he he - check out my mad-skillz!

Hah work better be paying for this frivolous activity! :D

[grizzly adam]

Hah work better be paying for this frivolous activity! :D
Depends on how you define frivolous!!

[berrywise]

Although it would be cool if he changed his focus while he is still fit and revive the flagging US pro mountain bike racing scene.
Trek should pay him to race Chequamegon. He'd clean up on that since it is so geared towards overall fitness versus technical ability.

[grizzly adam]

He can't race Chewamy..he'll be too busy tagging along with Sheryl Crow on her new tour.

[noise_is_life]

was walk around my living room in my boxers aimlessly. I didn't know what to do. I finally settled on watching a Seinfeld rerun. Oh the withdrawl.
I'm watching the last couple of Lance Chronicles that I had saved up, kind of like TDF methedone.

[TrailPatrol]

He can't race Chewamy..he'll be too busy tagging along with Sheryl Crow on her new tour.
You mean we wouldn't want Sheryl at the Fat Tire Festival? Why the heck not? She could even ride in the Short and Fat! (That's the part I ride medical on.) Maybe he'd bring Robin Williams and Ed Begley Jr. with him too.

What the heck, bring the whole Postal team! Why not? LeMond has ridden the CFTF a few times. Bring on Lance!

Grinning all the way,
:banana: ;)
Hans

[grizzly adam]

That would be kinda fun now, wouldn't it.

[grizzly adam]

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20040725/s/r2173354202.jpg (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?g=events/sp/062904tourdefrance&a=&tmpl=sl&ns=0&l=1&e=68&a=0&printer=)

I guess Gdubya called Lance and said "You're awesome."
woohoo

[noise_is_life]

It really is amazing how the riders' fitness changes over the span of the tour, Lance started out looking fit, but by the time he was standing on the podium in Paris he just looks razor sharp.

[noise_is_life]

I guess Gdubya called Lance and said "You're awesome."
woohoo It's funny, after watching the tour Sunday morning I was doing some painting and left it on OLN as it returned to the string of fishing and hunting shows.
I heard an ad for one of the fishing shows that said the dubya was going to be a guest. That's our prez...

[syntaxjunkie]

What the heck, bring the whole Postal team! Why not? LeMond has ridden the CFTF a few times. Bring on Lance!

In light of Mr. Hey-remember-me-I-won-3-Tours' latest assertions about Mellow Johnny, I think we should invite both Greg and Lance. If nothing else, it'd be fun to see who ends up shishkabobbed on a Wisconsin fir tree.

I'm not a betting man, but if I were, my money'd be on the gentleman from Plano...

[grizzly adam]

It's funny, after watching the tour Sunday morning I was doing some painting and left it on OLN as it returned to the string of fishing and hunting shows.
I heard an ad for one of the fishing shows that said the dubya was going to be a guest. That's our prez...
Too funny! I saw that same ad. And then I thought, so what.

[fasterfoster]

He can't race Chewamy..he'll be too busy tagging along with Sheryl Crow on her new tour.
I saw her tour schedule. They listed "The Sawmill Inn". She'll play there on Saturday night after he's raced! ...and there's no cover! :laugh:

[ryno lite]

What the hell is Greg LeMond's problem? He seems to almost have given the French a backseat with his Lance bashing. Our home-town Tour champion needs to remember well the line from Desiderata: "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

I lost a lot of respect for ol' Greg this week.

Ride safe,
:banana:
Hans
Lance had a great response to all the Lemond stuff. I guess Lemond has the all time fastest Tour de France pace on a time trial and Lance said if everyone on the tour is doping than why haven't we beaten Lemond's record yet? How could a clean rider like Lemond have the fastest time ever over cheaters? Something to think about, that's for sure!

[igor]

I saw her tour schedule. They listed "The Sawmill Inn". She'll play there on Saturday night after he's raced! ...and there's no cover! :laugh:
Can't wait to pound dollar High Lifes and listen to Cheryl! :laugh:

[grizzly adam]

In case you've left VeloNews since the end of the Tour, here's some info regarding Tyler:
http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6685.0.html

[SPR]

In case you've left VeloNews since the end of the Tour, here's some info regarding Tyler:
http://www.velonews.com/tour2004/diaries/articles/6685.0.html
And this:
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/6688.0.html

Lance may have not tested positive but neither did World Champ Robert Millar and he has now confessed to using drugs.

[grizzly adam]

Italian authorities are now considering whether to open legal proceedings against Armstrong "for sporting fraud, violence and intimidation of a witness."
Violence? - whatever!

[nigel]

The sad thing is now that he's set the new mark for tours won, they wont leave him alone for a long time....itll die down a bit but there will always be people saying stuff. Its kinda sad that in all sports some folks have to use something and it makes those that win and are clean look bad by some people.

[SPR]

What does Italy have to do with the Tour? :confused:Maybe they're trying to scare him off from doing their tour so he doesn't dominate their own boys next year. :etard:

[SickBoy]

the Stanley Cup is national
... for canada, and eastern europe... :)

[SPR]

The latest on the Velonews website:

Damon set to play Armstrong in movie
It seems a Lance Armstrong movie is finally getting off the ground. According to a report on the Star web page, actor Matt Damon is getting in shape to play the six-time Tour champion in an upcoming biopic.
According to the report, Damon is in negotiations to play Armstrong in producer Frank Marshall's new project. Marshall was on hand during the recent Tour.

[grizzly adam]

The latest on the Velonews website:

Damon set to play Armstrong in movie
It seems a Lance Armstrong movie is finally getting off the ground. According to a report on the Star web page, actor Matt Damon is getting in shape to play the six-time Tour champion in an upcoming biopic.
According to the report, Damon is in negotiations to play Armstrong in producer Frank Marshall's new project. Marshall was on hand during the recent Tour.

Bwuahaahaaaa!

[TomT]

I thought that's why Will Smith was at the tour, isn't he going to play Lance? :crazy2:

[tmac]

As if he were taking any time off, Lance won again on Tuesday.

21st Profronde van Stiphout - NE

Netherlands, July 27, 2004


Results:

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 2.12.06
2 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Domo 0.03
3 Marc Lotz (Ned) Rabobank
4 Bram Schmitz (Ned) T-Mobile Team
5 Marc Wauters (Bel) Rabobank
6 Max Van Heeswijck
7 Bert Hiemstra (Ned) Chocolade Jacques-Wincor Nixdorf
8 Alain Van Katwijk (Ned) BankGiroLoterij
9 Peter Möhlmann (Ned) AXA Cycling Team
10 Aart Vierhouten (Ned) Lotto-Domo
11 Roy Sentjens (Ned) Rabobank 1.07
12 Hans Dekkers (Ned) Rabobank 2.01
13 Wouter Van Mechelen (Bel) Vlaanderen-T Interim
14 Bobbie Traksel (Ned) Rabobank
15 David Kupka (Cze) eD'system-ZVVZ

[Shickdawg]

I'm glad to read that he's still winning. One of the most common complaints I hear about Lance is that he can't possibly be as good as someone like Eddie Merckx because he only races the Tour. Merckx also won the Giro and whatnot. I'd love to see Lance attack the Giro or the Vuelta, and continue to brighten the spotlight on cycling the way Tiger Woods reinvigorated golf.

[corey]

Lance has said that he want's to persue other events, one of them he mentioned what the hour race. I think that's the name, the one where they go as many miles as they can in one hour. Anyway. He want's to do other races. So, we'll see how good he actually is. He spends all year training for the tour, and pretty much igonres everything else. Now that he's gotten number 6 he want's to do other stuff.

[SickBoy]

Everyone forgets Lance was fourth in the 1998 Vuelta... granted, it's not a win...

But yes, I as well would like to see Discovery field Lance at the Giro and/or the Vuelta. I think it could be a pretty cool double to pull both of those off, maybe with a World Cup or 2 along the way.

From what I've heard, his schedule won't be nailed down until mid winter at the earliest. So we'll have to wait and see I guess.

[noise_is_life]

I just found this article at drunk cyclist, what an idiot...

http://www.procycling.com/news.aspx?ID=360

[noise_is_life]

Unbelievable. :sick:
You know maybe this guy is right, because if a pro wrestler can get a job on the NFL, it MUST be hard.

[Kingbozo]

What a complete bonehead.

[grizzly adam]

LMAO


I have said this before: Even if Armstrong is the world's most dominant athlete ever, he's nowhere near the world's greatest athlete.
Maybe - who's suggesting he is the world's greatest?

Put it this way: Williams could peddle a bicycle for a couple hours in the Tour de France but Armstrong couldn't survive a single hit in the NFL.
I think we all know that Williams wouldn't be able to pedal for a couple hours at Lance's pace in the mountains - or even peddle a bike for that matter.

But I'm sorry ... neither makes him more athletic than an NFL running back.
Sure - they're both athletic, but a running back isn't exerting himself for the same period of time that Lance does.

[grizzly adam]

On the lighter side of things - someone posted this on another Tour thread that I visit:



Lance Armstrong Now Being Questioned By French For Use Of Foreign Substances: Deodorant, Soap
7/26/2004 - Steve Tanner



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Lance Armstrong rode into history Sunday by winning the Tour de France, crossing the finish line in Paris for a record sixth time. Many French took time from their spitting and death threats to now question the cyclist’s use of illegal substances. Questions are now surfacing over items discovered in Armstrong’s possession.

“During the race, one of our officials accidentally tripped, fell and ended up in Mr. Armstrong’s room.” Said Tour de France official Philippe Houn’re. “While trying to quickly exit the room, he discovered a black bag hidden on the bathroom counter filled with many foreign substances.”

Officials of the Tour de France note these items may force Armstrong to forfeit this, and previous Tour titles. Leaving no other option but to give the titles to French President Jacques Chirac by default

The list of items in questions are as follows:

• Clear (assumed toxic) gel labeled SPEED STICK. Obviously speed enhancing

• Large foaming block (pill?) labeled ZEST. Perhaps suppository

• Half tube of substance labeled CREST. Assumedly to allow Armstrong to lift several thousand pounds and leap from tree to tree.

"We are shocked and dismayed," replied Houn’re. "Le Tour De France is a tradition stretching back over one hundred years. To use these substances - this "soap" - defiles all that we french stand for. It goes against all things French."

[Shickdawg]

I just found this article at drunk cyclist, what an idiot...

http://www.procycling.com/news.aspx?ID=360
"Because you're not good at a sport I like, you're not a good athlete!"

:eyeroll:

Please. Wayne Gretzky couldn't handle a hit from a 300 pound lineman any better than Armstrong could, but nobody doubts that Gretzky was an incredible athlete. As if the ability to catch, carry or throw a football is the pinnacle of sporting prowess anyways.

It's an ignorant fellow indeed who cannot appreciate that athletic achievement and excellence comes in many forms.

[SPR]

Latest from Velonews:
Popo to Discovery?
Several European web pages are reporting that U.S. Postal Service is close to signing Ukraine sensation Yaroslav Popovych to a three-year contract. No official word yet from Postal Service, which next year will race under the Discovery Channel banner.

The team is looking to bolster its roster as part of the build-up for the Pro Tour next year, which will require teams to race in all three major stage races. Typically, Postal Service has raced the Tour and the Vuelta a España at the expense of the Giro d'Italia.

Popovych - third overall in the 2003 Giro -- confirmed there have been talks with the team, but said nothing is signed yet.

Levi Leipheimer is another name that's been linked with Discovery, but Leipheimer said during the Tour that he'll make announcement within 10 days on his future.

Armstrong: I could do it again
Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said Friday that he is fully capable of winning the race at least one more time.

"Time is limited but I think I could win the Tour de France one more time," the Texan told AFP during a visit to Prague one week after his record sixth successive win in France.

Armstrong was in the Czech capital to take part in the Prague Grand Prix race and to visit children suffering from cancer.

The 32-year-old insisted there were no wedding plans, following reports that the cyclist had proposed to rock singer Sheryl Crow. The couple arrived in Prague in his private plane late Thursday.

Speaking of his comeback to storm the cycling world after being diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain, Armstrong told a press conference that his diagnosis played a large role in his success.

"Being diagnosed with cancer was the wake-up call for me. It reminded me that we only have one opportunity in life and in that sense it was a good thing for me," he said. But he admitted it was still difficult for him to visit cancer patients.

"It is still hard for me to go to hospitals. It still has fresh memories of what patients and family are going through," he said. "But as a cancer survivor I think it is my obligation to share my story and to provide some hope for patients young and old and to remind doctors and nurses that there is hope."

One of the cancer patients at Prague's Motol Hospital who spoke to

Armstrong, 18-year-old Tomas Hoznedr, said the rider has offered him hope.

"Lance is a huge inspiration for me. When I was diagnosed a year ago with the same cancer as he had I was stunned, I just never thought it could happen to me. Then when I read his book it was the key turning point for me - it gave me hope and showed me it is possible to come back to a sport you love," Heznedr, a professional hockey player, told AFP. "Now I am training again and believe I can go back to the game."

Asked what he thought about when riding five or six hours a day, Armstrong, smiling, replied: "I am thinking about life after cycling."
--Agence France Presse

[grizzly adam]

Just received Sports Illustrated and they had Lance in a banner across the top. I thought it was a decent article, nothing revealing really, but here were some lines that I found interesting:


As members of the U.S. Postal Service cycling team lined up for a group picture, their cacophony grew. There was George Hincapie in the second row, an adult beverage or two in his belly and a grin frozen on his face. Above him was team director Johan Bruyneel, who would later be seen wandering teh Chateau in an aerodynamic racing helmet adorned with enormous steer's horns.

From Simeoni regarding the Tour and Armstrong's chase of Simeoni:

Today Armstrong showed thw whole world what kind of person he is,... I've suffered another big injustice from him with the whole world watching.

Together they raced tot he smaller group, whose riders looked at Armstrong in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" asked Vicente Garcia Acosta of Spain. Did Armstrong, winner of four of the last five stages, intend to deprive one of them even of this morsel?
Motioning to Simeoni, Armstrong said, "I'll go if he goes."
"For the respect of the other riders," the Italian bitterly recounted, "I decided to drop back."


All the huge talents thought to pose threats to Armstrong's streak - Jan Ullrich of Germany, Tyler Hamilton of the U.S., Iban Mayo and Roberto Heras of Spain - faded faster than a Ben Affleck vehicle.


His resiliance in this Tour was such that after most stages, the team doctors and soigneurs would ask him, half seriously, "Did you race today?"


Despite rededicating himself in '04, Armstrong finished behind Mayo and Hamilton in a tune-up race in early June. After that he streamlined his life. "Turned off my computer, turned off my BlackBerry, turned off my phone and went into full training mode," says Armstrong. "Seven, eight-hour days in the Pyrenees. We hit it hard."


The instant he started pedaling in the Tour de France prologue, he thought to himself, This is gonna be a good Tour.

Regarding his 3 "heart-stopping" sprint finishes:


That he won all three is a measure of how far he has traveled in this sport. From the mouthy post-adolescent with a huge engine and no idea of what to do with it, he has evolved into a cool old pro with a hitman's knack for knowing when to slip the knife in.


As Armstrong spoke, a man named Eddie entered the room with a basket of clean laundry. Holding up a pair of inside-out cycling shorts, Eddie asked, "These are yours?"
"No," Armstrong said.
"These socks?"
Armstrong claimed the socks, adding, "That's my rain jacket, too."
"For sure this is yours," said Eddie, holding up a yellow jersey.
"Yeah," said Armstrong. "I'm the only guy who has one of those."
Now he is the only guy with six.

[grizzly adam]

Simeoni was quoted by Gazzetta as saying that while he rode with Armstrong, the Texan said, "You made a mistake to speak against Ferrari, and you made a mistake to take legal action against me. I have money and time and lots of lawyers. I can destroy you."
I wonder if he sounded like Dolph in Rocky - "I must break you"

[TrailPatrol]

...you just won your sixth Tour de France. What are you going to do now? :D

"[Next] I'm running for governor of Texas ... just kidding."
-- Lance Armstrong

Ride safe,
Hans

[syntaxjunkie]

I wonder if he sounded like Dolph in Rocky - "I must break you"

I'm thinking it was probably more in the tone of the perpetually Ray Ban-sportin' evil boss man in Cool Hand Luke.

"Gilberto, whut we hayave heeyah, is uh failyuh ta communicate. Ya got ta git yo mind right, boy."

[SPR]

Anyone catch the new editions to Lance's team next season. Are they trying to fill some gaps with current members going to other teams? Phil did say that George and Floyd were being courted by other teams during the Tour.

[grizzly adam]

I'm thinking it was probably more in the tone of the perpetually Ray Ban-sportin' evil boss man in Cool Hand Luke.

"Gilberto, whut we hayave heeyah, is uh failyuh ta communicate. Ya got ta git yo mind right, boy."
LMAO - "Goin' to catch the breakaway group, boss..."