Next's years Tour

[b3bicycles]

I know everyone has Lance and this years tour on his mind, but I can't wait for the 06 TDF. With Lance gone, the race will be like a gun fight with every man for himself and the last man standing wins. With that said, go kick some *** lance!

[cinelli]

After LeMond faded, the Tour's popularity
suffered here in the U.S. I see a similar trend
occuring after Armstrong retires. It would be
hard for Americans to embrace a non-U.S.
champion, and Landis and Leipheimer don't
appear to be headed for the podium.

[b3bicycles]

It'll also be interesting to see how people react to the fact that Discovery may have a leader that isn't from the US. I still think that cycling has made a major jump into the mainsteam in the States and you never know, Landis and Leipheimer may just make the jump into the top three.

[coylifut]

if interest wanes enough, we wont get coverage will we? anyway you look at it, it's wide open and that's exciting.

[Louis]

I still think that cycling has made a major jump into the mainsteam in the States and you never know.

Hi B3B,

I have mixed thoughts about this:

1) Yes, it would be nice for cyclists to be "mainstream" enough to be accepted by drivers on the roads. I really don't think that we are there yet, nor will we be in a long, long time. (At least here in the Heartland.)

2) I kind of like being part of a fringe subculture that is not part of the mainstream sports world.

Louis

[Birddog]

After LeMond faded, the Tour's popularity
suffered here in the U.S. I see a similar trend
occuring after Armstrong retires. It would be
hard for Americans to embrace a non-U.S.
champion, and Landis and Leipheimer don't
appear to be headed for the podium.

Is everybody forgetting about Danielson? He could be the heir apparent if they don't sign someone else. I think Disco will try to keep a distinct American flavor.

Birddog

[Russ]

1) I will probably be safe if I bet that OLN will cut the Tour coverage to weekend deals just like they did with the Giro and the Vuelta.

2) Continetal Riders will dominate the grand tours and the calssics:
Basso, Vino, Ulrich, Simoni, Savodelli, etc. / Boonen, Petacchi, Betini, etc.

3) A few US stars will announce their retirement. And a couple of major US races will fold.

4) MORE riders will be found possitive for doping...

5) It will take a few years before Danielson and other young US riders make a mark on the Euro Pro circuit.... The Tour of Georgia ain't even close to Paris-Nice.... Much less the Giro or the TDF!!!

6) Lance WILL NOT be a commentator for cycling.

7) Road bike sales will again dwindle in the US market.

Although I am one that thinks that cycling is not a great sport to watch on TV; I am personally counting the days to the end of the TDF....

With the ProTour schedule and Lance out of the picture, things will certainly be a lot more refreshing and interesting to see. Let's just hope a lot of people will not be closing shop because of the ineviatble lack of interest by the US public.

[Climb01742]

one thing i'd be curious about...could a team be put together like euskaltel...made up of only u.s. riders...i could see someone like chevrolet sponsoring it...whoever...but 10 years ago an all-american team would get shelled...today? pretty damn good. could the egos work together? the basques seem to be able to work together well as a team. who knows...maybe an all-american team could ride serottas? i bet american media would follow an all-american team.

[Russ]

Mr. Climbo:

could a team be put together like euskaltel...made up of only u.s. riders...
I don't think we have the (necessary) juice in all the riders to make a mark in Europe; which US rider(s) will replace the Spanish climbers? Danielson? Hum... Which US rider can match sprinters like McEwen? Hum... What others? The most successful US riders are/have been all-arounders, not specialists.

i could see someone like chevrolet sponsoring it...whoever...but 10 years ago an all-american team would get shelled...today? pretty damn good.
Chevro-who? You better find a different sponsor!!!! Car makers are in for a big surprise with the way the oil prices are going, especially US Car makers.
Even 10 years ago not all riders of US based teams were all from the US, go back even farther... The great 7-11 team had Raul Alcala (Mexico) among others...

could the egos work together?
I think a good team director would take care of the egos, etc. Unless he quits, I can see Johan Bruneel managing any rider/team, trust me... Especially after working with LA.

who knows...maybe an all-american team could ride serottas? YES!!!! YES!!! That would be so cool to see Serottas racing in the Continent!

i bet american media would follow an all-american team. No doubt about it... But not if we are not winning all the time. Have you noticed that you don't hear about Lance's racing in the US media other than when he is doing the TDF? We heard no mention of GH when he did so well in Paris-Roubaix in the mainstream media, not a noticeable mention at least...

I hope most of my observations are wrong, but I think the US is in for a bumpy ride in Pro Cycling in the next couple of years...

[Ray]

There will probably still be 2-3 teams with American leaders (Floyd, Levi, maybe TD) who will be strong enough for the US media to hype in the "Age After Lance". Basso and a couple of other non-Americans will fight for the win, the Americans will be in the top 10 but probably not in serious contention by the third week, TV ratings will fall through the floor, and then in '07 we'll get weekend coverage but maybe good daily coverage via the web.

Or maybe something else will happen :cool:

-Ray

[Fixed]

Boy howdy I can't wait till we get back to 24 hour bull riding that's an American sport.Oh yeah I think that started in Spain oh well.Cheers

[Dr. Doofus]

Boy howdy I can't wait till we get back to 24 hour bull riding that's an American sport.Oh yeah I think that started in Spain oh well.Cheers

now topless 24 hour mechanical bull riding...now that was an all-american sport...and then drugs ruined it....

[shaq-d]

I know everyone has Lance and this years tour on his mind, but I can't wait for the 06 TDF. With Lance gone, the race will be like a gun fight with every man for himself and the last man standing wins. With that said, go kick some *** lance!

i agree; without the tension of getting the 6th, this has been a very boring tour.. oh well.

sd

[csb]

o'grady gets the green jersey:

www.superfrost.ch/images/popup/stuart.jpg