Tour letdown … whose fault?

[Elefantino]

In past years, particularly since 2001, when OLN/Versus began televising it all day every day, I suffered from Tour letdown. The Monday after the final stage, something always seemed wrong, missing, strange, at least for a few days, or until the following weekend, when we'd use the weekend rides to recap the Tour in talk among ourselves.

Even last year, I suffered from brief letdown, at least until Floyd was popped and all hell broke loose.

This year, though, I just haven't felt a thing. Haven't even watched any of the stages that I've DVR'd. Probably going to erase most of them. Maybe all of them.

I think that if I can be put off — me, a cycling nut, who reads CN first thing each morning and dares to own team kits — then there are millions more who are likely close to giving up altogether.

Does anyone in the cycling world notice? Does anyone care?

[1centaur]

I am definitely in post Tour let-down. I was riding my trainer in the evenings watching the Tour; now I get to watch the old DVDs again. It was darn exciting. Just as I practiced Basso's smooth climbing from the 2006 Giro I now practice Contador's punchy hill surges (amazing what they do to heart rate). Doped or not (and I am eternally hoping it's not, optimist that I am), there's a ton of entertainment value there. As long as there is a chance of a relatively undoped Grand Tour I'll be interested in watching it. Suspension of disbelief is crucial to enjoyment of many things in life. I hope I will always be naive.

[harlond]

Yep, I miss it, too.

[Fixed]

In past years, particularly since 2001, when OLN/Versus began televising it all day every day, I suffered from Tour letdown. The Monday after the final stage, something always seemed wrong, missing, strange, at least for a few days, or until the following weekend, when we'd use the weekend rides to recap the Tour in talk among ourselves.

Even last year, I suffered from brief letdown, at least until Floyd was popped and all hell broke loose.

This year, though, I just haven't felt a thing. Haven't even watched any of the stages that I've DVR'd. Probably going to erase most of them. Maybe all of them.

I think that if I can be put off — me, a cycling nut, who reads CN first thing each morning and dares to own team kits — then there are millions more who are likely close to giving up altogether.

Does anyone in the cycling world notice? Does anyone care?
i am having withdraws..imho
cheers :beer:i get the feeling someone is trying to get rid of the tour the top riders in the world have been discredited by their own org. self destruction imho

[SoCalSteve]

My wife and I watched last years Stage 17 last night...I am almost done with Floyd's book and wanted to see what he was talking about...

I saved it (Stage 17 2006 TDF) on my DVR before I ever knew of the doping scandal...I just thought it was sooo epic and sooo worth saving...

Now my wife and I have to talk to each other again, heavens forbid!!!

Steve

[Elefantino]

My wife and I watched last years Stage 17 last night...I am almost done with Floyd's book and wanted to see what he was talking about...

I saved it (Stage 17 2006 TDF) on my DVR before I ever knew of the doping scandal...I just thought it was sooo epic and sooo worth saving...

Now my wife and I have to talk to each other again, heavens forbid!!!

Steve
If you apply the Liggett-Sherwin doping analysis, he definitely doped before Stage 17. No way he rides that way and then has enough strength left to pump his fist at the end. Particularly when all the other riders looked tired.

Guilty.

Next case …

[SoCalSteve]

If you apply the Liggett-Sherwin doping analysis, he definitely doped before Stage 17. No way he rides that way and then has enough strength left to pump his fist at the end. Particularly when all the other riders looked tired.

Guilty.

Next case …

Oh, do you think Ligget and Sherwin have all the answers...I have a feeling that most of the answers they get are from the bottom of a bottle...Ever notice how bad they are at announcing towards the end of a race? After a few drinks in em'

Please read his book.

Just sayin'

Steve

PS: Of course it is biased, but he makes some really good points. Until you hear his side, why dont you hold off judgement. Would you like me to send you my signed copy when I'm done with it? (my wife would kill me)!

[Avispa]

Does anyone in the cycling world notice? Does anyone care?

Bro, I hear you... and I care. But I care not so much for Pro cycling. I care more for the folk like you and me in this forum, for (example) the kid that Fierte_Poser (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showpost.php?p=366861&postcount=1)
let us know about, even though I don't know him or many of you. I know that many of you are good people at heart and the mere fact that you ride your bike should make you a better person in this world of wars-for-oil, etc. etc.

Myself, I am somewhat bitter about cycling at the (upper) competitive level... I have my own reasons; I am aware it is too late for me to cry about it. I have moved on, with some regrets, but I've moved on... Today, I realize that I ride because I have always liked to ride, since I was a child. No other sport of physical activity ever game such feeling of freedom. And I feel that the rest of the stuff (the gear, Pro racing, and all) is just secondary to the exhilarating feeling I get when being outside, moving, feeling alive and feeling the wind in my face....

I am sure there are many that just like me, they seem to care.... and remember, for every person that gives up, there are many others that have, just started as I pointed out above: cycling for us is not, and should not be about the Tour de Farce!

A.

[chakatrain]

...from post-tour letdown. This year's tour had great racing moments, imo. The pagentry of the Le Grand Boucle, from the scenery, to amazing effort, to the doping scandals and acrimonious governing bodies infighting...it's really quite the entertainment.

The Giro nearly hooks me in the same way, while the Vuelta seems harder for me to get excited about, due probably to me being a bit burnt out and having a short attention span.

Viva Le Tour, warts and all.

[Elefantino]

Oh, do you think Ligget and Sherwin have all the answers...I have a feeling that most of the answers they get are from the bottom of a bottle...Ever notice how bad they are at announcing towards the end of a race? After a few drinks in em'

Daaaaaaaaaaaaang. I guess I forgot to raise the joke flag. I only think Phil and Paul have all the answers as to how to make me smile and, occasionally, do a spit take when Paul botches something particularly funny.

As to whether or not Floyd doped, I guess I'll pick up his book.

However, this just in from Patrik Sinkewitz, via CN:

"I had gotten Testogel, which is offered by the firm Jenapharm to compensate for testosterone deficit. The gel is applied to the skin and gets into the body that way. It is supposed to especially help recovery after hard training. Without thinking, and in great stupidity, I had secretly applied Testogel to my upper arm on the night before the doping control at the training camp in France. I did this instinctively and without thinking of the possible consequences. It was major mistake and it was irresponsible of me to the team, my colleagues, the sponsor and all of cycling to have used the Testogel."

I have no idea what he means by "secretly applied" (probably a translation SNAFU). But there you go.

[Fixed]

http://www.testogel-info.com/html/index.html
bro stay young with testogel
cheers :beer: oh yeah i'm 102 year old bike messenger and take it from me it works .........




just kidding cheers :beer:

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . to cure your tour malaise.

Kirsten. Gum.

They put her on there and she knew nothing. Then they get rid of her just as she learns enough to know what she's talking about.

Sigh.

BBD

[Dave B]

Oh, do you think Ligget and Sherwin have all the answers...I have a feeling that most of the answers they get are from the bottom of a bottle...Ever notice how bad they are at announcing towards the end of a race? After a few drinks in em'

Please read his book.

Just sayin'

Steve

PS: Of course it is biased, but he makes some really good points. Until you hear his side, why dont you hold off judgement. Would you like me to send you my signed copy when I'm done with it? (my wife would kill me)!



I finished it as well. Fascinating. Some of the stuff the lab did in their goof ups amazes me.

Sure I admit I am naive' but good lord, it seems so reasonable that he could have had his tests read wrong or messed up.

Not to mention how much power the USADA has and how the athlete whether innocent or not starts off screwed!

Fascinating stuff!

[BoulderGeek]

. . . to cure your tour malaise.

Kirsten. Gum.

They put her on there and she knew nothing. Then they get rid of her just as she learns enough to know what she's talking about.

Sigh.

BBD

Now, if she had been throwing down this smouldering gaze, I might have tolerated her ineptitude a bit more.

My girlfriend at the time would flip out when we had to endure Kristen's commentary. But, I guess that says something else about my (now-ex) GF, as well, now doesn't it.

:confused:

[William]

In past years, particularly since 2001, when OLN/Versus began televising it all day every day, I suffered from Tour letdown. The Monday after the final stage, something always seemed wrong, missing, strange, at least for a few days, or until the following weekend, when we'd use the weekend rides to recap the Tour in talk among ourselves.

Even last year, I suffered from brief letdown, at least until Floyd was popped and all hell broke loose.

This year, though, I just haven't felt a thing. Haven't even watched any of the stages that I've DVR'd. Probably going to erase most of them. Maybe all of them.

I think that if I can be put off — me, a cycling nut, who reads CN first thing each morning and dares to own team kits — then there are millions more who are likely close to giving up altogether.

Does anyone in the cycling world notice? Does anyone care?

Istill love cycling. But I have to agree as far as this years Tour De Farce (I like that ;) ) is concerned. Don't seem to miss it, don't seem to care. We'll see what next year brings.





William

[Climb01742]

i'm going through withdrawal. you can know and still be thrilled.

[davids]

i'm going through withdrawal. you can know and still be thrilled.
I agree. I'm getting exasperated with the folks who either (1) can't believe that a professional cyclist would dope, or (2) believe that, with this sordid episode, professional cycling has at last turned the corner to a dope-free future.

Enjoy it for what it is, or don't. But don't deceive yourselves about what it is.

Last week, someone quoted Talking Heads - "Same as it ever was". I'm feeling a bit more cynical:

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody’s got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody’s talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you’ve been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you’ve been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
Everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows

And everybody knows that it’s now or never
Everybody knows that it’s me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
When you’ve done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe’s still pickin’ cotton
For your ribbons and bows
Everybody knows

Everybody knows that the plague is coming
Everybody knows that it’s moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there’s gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows

And everybody knows that you’re in trouble
Everybody knows what you’ve been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it’s coming apart
Take one last look at this sacred heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows

Everybody knows, everybody knows
That’s how it goes
Everybody knows
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/3128.jpg

[Grant McLean]

...with this sordid episode, professional cycling has at last turned the corner to a dope-free future.


What does it say about the revelation from Riis that he doped to win the Tour,
when even that is not apparently enough for people to see what's been going on.
As long as there is the "bad apple" mindset, doping continues as part of the program.

-g

in other news......

Kazakh cycling federation insists Vinokourov's innocence
Tue 31 Jul, 09:05 PM


ASTANA (AFP) - The Kazakh cycling federation on Tuesday voiced their staunch support for disgraced rider Alexandre Vinokourov who was excluded from the Tour de France following his positive test for blood doping.

"We are going to support the position that the results of the A and B samples were a direct result of the violent fall Alexandre suffered during the fifth stage of the cycling race," said the executive director of the federation, Aleksandr Antychev.

He also added that the federation would dispute, in the courts, the exclusion from the Tour of the entire Astana team, of which Vinokourov was team leader.

"To jump to conclusions, today, and say there was doping going on, we categorically reject this notion," said deputy sports minister, Kairat Aitekenov.

"We believe that the Court's decision will be objective and in favour of our riders," said Aitekenov.

According to Aitekenov, the case will be judged in Lausanne, Switzerland, before a sports court but failed to disclose a specific date for the trial.

Astana on Monday sacked Vinokourov following his positive test for blood doping on the Tour, which consequently led to the prompt withdrawel of the whole team from the event.

The Kazakh rider was expelled by his team from cycling's most prestigious race last Tuesday after failing the control following his win in the 13th stage time-trial on July 21.

The rider's sample revealed the presence of "two distinct blood populations."

Vinokourov has contested the validity of the results of both the A and B samples. He also tested positive in a second test taken on July 23.