12/18/24
July 21, 2005
Les domestiques: are the riders that ensure stars like Lance Armstrong win. Slate explains how cycling team tactics work. By the way, how do I get Kraftwerk's 'Tour de France, Tour de France' out of my head?
I think suicide is the only way out.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:46 PM on July 21, 2005
Assisted suicide is easier. C'mon over.
posted by dusted at 01:53 AM on July 22, 2005
Armstrong has been magnificent during this tour. But I won't be sad to see him go, I think it'll be a lot more interesting when you have more of a competition - Ullrich v Basso for example.
posted by BigCalm at 04:40 AM on July 22, 2005
In a way, its been like a "farewell tour". Treatment similar to what you during the final season of a great ballplayer.
posted by daddisamm at 05:47 AM on July 22, 2005
I've always wanted to know how this team system works in bicycle racing. Great post.
posted by NoMich at 10:16 AM on July 22, 2005
Nice stuff, owlhouse. I learned something today.
posted by worldcup2002 at 12:32 PM on July 22, 2005
Good point, daddisamm, reminds me of Elway's last season finishing with a ring.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:49 PM on July 22, 2005
Armstrong has by far the best team in the Tour (again) this gives a great rider a huge, insurmountable, advantage. I'm also going to be happy to see Armstrong retire; for all his greatness, he's turned the Tour into a snooze-fest. I think I've watched about 15 minutes of the Tour this year. The same thing happened when Indurain was dominating. The last cyclist to have even a slim chance of unseating him was Beloki a few Tours back, his constant attacks seemed to be hurting Lance, but unfortunately he took too many risks on a descent and had a terrible fall that ended his season. (What year was that? That was the last Tour that had a modicum of excitiment.) By the way, Ullrich never has had enough heart to beat Armstrong. He's a punk. On a side note, if it is ever proven that Armstrong has been doping all of these years, I agree with Greg LeMond, this will be the biggest fraud ever perpetrated in sports history. I hope it's not proven (I mean, I hope it's not true), but it's hard to watch what he does and how he does it (with ease), and not think that something is fishy.
posted by sic at 06:27 PM on July 22, 2005
Whoever wins Le Tour after Armstrong retires will surely be a great athlete, but will always have to live with the fact that they didn't beat him in the big race. the actual race might be better, but it will take many years for anyone to be considered up to the same standard, just because of what he (Armstrong) has achieved.
posted by owlhouse at 08:05 PM on July 22, 2005
By the way, how do I get Kraftwerk's 'Tour de France, Tour de France' out of my head? Buy the album and play it constantly. Tour de France will soon be crowded out by Showroom Dummies, and then you'll be in real trouble. Good link btw.