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2006-07-23 -Short Attention Span Theater-

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Posted by Seafarious 2006-07-23 12:52|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I live in Germany, and watched it on Eurosport. They didn't show the awards ceremony. Handed out the yellow jerseys, then pulled the plug, switching over to some minor league soccer game. Apparently some producer couldn't stand airing the US national anthem for the 8th year in a row?

Well. Yipppee!! Even our cripples can beat 'em!

Posted by ST 2006-07-23 13:15|| 2006-07-23 13:15|| Front Page Top

#2 Tour de non Frenchie. :)

Posted by Inspector Clueso 2006-07-23 13:21|| 2006-07-23 13:21|| Front Page Top

#3 We had total coverage of the awards ceremony and all here in the states... just had to go 610 channels deep to find the coverage!

Posted by Capsu 78 2006-07-23 13:26|| 2006-07-23 13:26|| Front Page Top

#4 This goes out to the stuffy governments of France and Europe, not the people.

HAAAAAA-HAAAAAA!!!

Better luck next year.

Posted by DarthVader 2006-07-23 13:27|| 2006-07-23 13:27|| Front Page Top

#5 And to any Francophiles who may be on this board, Paris always seems to look its best on Tour sunday.

Posted by Capsu 78 2006-07-23 13:29|| 2006-07-23 13:29|| Front Page Top

#6 #4 DV - I don't follow sports at all, but it seems to me, based on what I've read on various blogs in passing, that they should hope for luck.

They apparently don't have the skill.

Posted by Barbara Skolaut">Barbara Skolaut 2006-07-23 13:30|| http://ariellestjohndesigns.com]">[http://ariellestjohndesigns.com] 2006-07-23 13:30|| Front Page Top

#7 Tour de American - yeah, that sounds better.

Posted by DMFD 2006-07-23 14:58|| 2006-07-23 14:58|| Front Page Top

#8 "And to any Francophiles who may be on this board, Paris always seems to look its best on Tour sunday."

Yeah. The Gendarmes ban the muzzie rioters from the Champs-Elysees. At least for one day.

Posted by mcsegeek1 2006-07-23 16:04|| 2006-07-23 16:04|| Front Page Top

#9 Geek,
Yes, they are instructed to go and seethe elsewhere.

Posted by Capsu 78 2006-07-23 16:36|| 2006-07-23 16:36|| Front Page Top

#10 Maybe they'll have a chance next year, since the US contender was going to be Terri Shiavo. Unless Stephen Hawking becomes and American or something.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-07-23 16:50|| 2006-07-23 16:50|| Front Page Top

#11
I say let the Frogs dope next year to even the odds a little bit. It's getting boring.

Posted by macofromoc 2006-07-23 17:26|| 2006-07-23 17:26|| Front Page Top

#12 Although it no doubt galls the Gauls not to have a winner in so long, this race, and bicycling in general, is an international sport. Not everything has to be all nationalistic all the time like the Olympics or footie, thankfully. Floyd's Team Phonak is sponsored by a company based in Switzerland. The teams all have members from many countries.

If you are looking for an American race (i.e. in the USA) there is Tour de Georgia (won by Floyd this year) and Tour of California (ditto).

This was one of the best races you could hope to see. Floyd hit the wall on stage 16 - he just ran out of juice and could hardly pedal. He got eight minutes behind the leaders. Luckily, his teammate Axel Merkx, son of the great Frenchman Eddie Merkx, stayed right with him and shepherded him carefully to the finish. Everyone thought that was it for Floyd (who is riding with a necrotic hip!). But the next day, in a stage that commentators say was the greatest seen in the modern Tour, perhaps all time, Floyd turned a grueling mountain stage into an individual time trial and finished six minutes ahead for an astonishing comeback. He was ranked as a 75 to 1 underdog.

Although Floyd didn't win the following time trial, he did very well and picked up enough time on the leaders to win the overall Tour de France. Now he has to have his hip replaced.

For those who didn't see it, check OLN next Sunday at 7 EST for the wrapup show. There were several spectacular crashes which I'm sure they will replay, and the scenery is great.

Posted by KBK 2006-07-23 17:45|| 2006-07-23 17:45|| Front Page Top

#13 There's talk of running a couple of stages in Quebec in the next couple of years. I'd consider going.

Posted by 6 2006-07-23 17:59|| 2006-07-23 17:59|| Front Page Top

#14 KBK, the Merckx family is Belgian.

Posted by Parabellum 2006-07-23 18:26|| 2006-07-23 18:26|| Front Page Top

#15 There may be no need to be nationalistic about the Tour, but is there any doubt that the cause of the French hatred of Lance Armstrong was his nationality? How can we help but be amused that the first champion of the "new era" is another American - and one who can hardly walk at that?

Posted by Thump Ulolump9724 2006-07-23 19:39|| 2006-07-23 19:39|| Front Page Top

#16 Parabellum - Oops, thanks!

Anyway, I don't care what nationality these people are. You know, one thing I notice is their expressions on the podium: almost beatific. My wife thinks it's the endorphins. It's remarkable that they all look so happy and thrilled to be there.

There's no bravado or headbutting or trash talk.

Posted by KBK 2006-07-23 20:07|| 2006-07-23 20:07|| Front Page Top

#17 After watching the 'news' of this sport the past few years the cynic in me figures the winner is just the one with the best drugs and anti-detection system. Sort of like the winner of the home run crown in major league baseball. It may not be true, but there have been so many accusations and prosecutions (and convictions) that the rest are tainted too in my mind. Sad - the cheaters are destroying the very thing they are cheating to win.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2006-07-23 20:55|| 2006-07-23 20:55|| Front Page Top

#18 It's easy to call foul these days what with all the doping scandals/accusations. However, Landis is a Mennonite (minus the bike-riding). Not to mention he rode with the best (Armstrong). I for one, give him the credit he deserves for racing an amazing race, and riding an incredible 18th stage.

Posted by Mason 2006-07-23 22:30|| 2006-07-23 22:30|| Front Page Top

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