Tour De France 2008 - Take The Tour Back

speedbump · 07-12-2008, 12:53 PM

So who's watching this year? I've been taping everything and catching up late at night. The theme for this years tour is "take the tour back" in reference to the war on doping in cycling. Today one rider was arrested and dropped from the tour. I do think that after the last three years especially, the UCI and cycling as a whole have finally realized they need some quick and decisive action.

Now for the good stuff. If anyone was slightly interested only because of Lance, the good news is American cycling is strong in the Tour, both with riders or American teams. Team Columbia (offfshoot of Postal/ Discovery) and Garmin/ Chipotle (formerly Slipstream) are kicking some serious butt in the overall rider and team classifications.

For example, today: [[Cavendish(UK) won the stage for Team Columbia and Vandevelde (USA) is sitting perfectly in 4th place overall just :44 seconds behind the leader, Kim Kirchen...who happens to ride for Team Columbia.]]

Former American rider Jonathan Vaughters started Team Slipstream which morphed into Garmin/ Chipotle. They are being cited as having the best testing program in cycling.

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Critical · 07-12-2008, 04:18 PM

I'm watching too, Speedy!

I hope the UCI is able to get control because these past three years have been horrible for the sport. When doping stops being the norm, maybe things will change. *fingers crossed* I love watching the Tour and would hate to see the sport continue to be marginalized because of these scandals.

babymay · 07-20-2008, 08:42 AM

I love the Tour and am always sad when it ends. If fills a great void of no NHL, NBS or NFL. NFL preseason will start shortly after the tour ends.

I am rooting for Columbia or Garmin Chipotle. I like to root for the home teams

This is supposed to be George Hincape's last tour, so I really hope that he can get a stage win.

07-12-2008, 12:53 PM	#1
speedbump Lord of the Vineyards Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NorCal Age: 35 Posts: 6,935 Blog Entries: 1	Tour De France 2008 - Take The Tour Back So who's watching this year? I've been taping everything and catching up late at night. The theme for this years tour is "take the tour back" in reference to the war on doping in cycling. Today one rider was arrested and dropped from the tour. I do think that after the last three years especially, the UCI and cycling as a whole have finally realized they need some quick and decisive action. Now for the good stuff. If anyone was slightly interested only because of Lance, the good news is American cycling is strong in the Tour, both with riders or American teams. Team Columbia (offfshoot of Postal/ Discovery) and Garmin/ Chipotle (formerly Slipstream) are kicking some serious butt in the overall rider and team classifications. For example, today: [[Cavendish(UK) won the stage for Team Columbia and Vandevelde (USA) is sitting perfectly in 4th place overall just :44 seconds behind the leader, Kim Kirchen...who happens to ride for Team Columbia.]] Former American rider Jonathan Vaughters started Team Slipstream which morphed into Garmin/ Chipotle. They are being cited as having the best testing program in cycling. __________________ You got to cry without weeping. Talk without speaking. Scream without raising your voice.- U2

07-12-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
Critical Bitten Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Merlotte's Bar & Grill Age: 40 Posts: 4,796	Re: Tour De France 2008 - Take The Tour Back I'm watching too, Speedy! I hope the UCI is able to get control because these past three years have been horrible for the sport. When doping stops being the norm, maybe things will change. fingers crossed I love watching the Tour and would hate to see the sport continue to be marginalized because of these scandals. __________________ The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. - Mark Twain

07-20-2008, 08:42 AM	#3
babymay the simple things Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,166	Re: Tour De France 2008 - Take The Tour Back I love the Tour and am always sad when it ends. If fills a great void of no NHL, NBS or NFL. NFL preseason will start shortly after the tour ends. I am rooting for Columbia or Garmin Chipotle. I like to root for the home teams This is supposed to be George Hincape's last tour, so I really hope that he can get a stage win. __________________ You've got to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince!