Tour de France - starts July 4

[APK]

Greatest sporting event of the year !



I know a few people on the forum also enjoy it.

 

[9dragons]

Yes. I've been out of the loop as far as following the Tour, thank you for the reminder. My home has finally been visited by tv and cable, so I might actually be in a position to watch the tour this year. However, in the past, I hated the coverage of the only place to watch the Tour in the US, the Outdoor Channel. Too many commercials, it's too chopped up and it almost ruins it for me. I've been able to watch the Tour abroad on a couple of occasions, and seeing it on European tv is completely differnt, a totally relaxed affair, and I can't remember ever being cut off for commercials. So I might end up not even watching the Tour. Lame American cable companies...

Does anyone know if there is a European channel available in the US that might carry the Tour?

Oh, and I just remembered, isn't Lance actually racing this year? Should be quite exciting if so...

[APK]

Yep, Armstrong is in the Astana team this year.

Its shown on OLN (outdoor life network) up here in Canada too.
They admit to showing a lot of commercials early so that they can show much less at the conclusion of the race.
I don't find it too bad overall.
Its on in the morning about half in to the race, but live. Or was the past few years. Assume it will be the same again.

[petekelly]

'Greatest Sporting event of the Year' - not for me.

I'd rather watch 'drunk football' or the 'drug-enhanced olympics'. I think they'd be much more
interesting.

[mgriffin]

I'm always interested in the Tour, though a bit less, I'll admit, in those years when none of my favorite riders are contending.

My guess is that Lance Armstrong will be back in the yellow jersey after this morning's 4th stage, the team time trial, and it will start to be a huge story on the cover of newspaper sports pages, and TV sports broadcasts.  It's good for any sport to have recognizable "giants" and Lance is one of the giant-est of the giants!

[LNerell]

'Greatest Sporting event of the Year' - not for me.

I'd rather watch 'drunk football' or the 'drug-enhanced olympics'. I think they'd be much more
interesting.

Come on now Pete, you're not getting into the real spirit of the Tour. Everyone knows that bicycle racing is the most 'drug-enhanced' sport in the world today. 

[Wayne Higgins]

I dunno, something about a bike race without engines just doesn't do much for me.

my bike

[1000snakes]

Nice Wayne! (cue "Born To Be Wild" track)

[9dragons]

What's the word on the Tour? Haven't been watching, but am curious to know how Lance is riding...

[jim brenholts]

'Greatest Sporting event of the Year' - not for me.

I'd rather watch 'drunk football' or the 'drug-enhanced olympics'. I think they'd be much more
interesting.

Come on now Pete, you're not getting into the real spirit of the Tour. Everyone knows that bicycle racing is the most 'drug-enhanced' sport in the world today. 

whoa, whoa, whoa! more drug enhanced than professional baseball?

[mgriffin]

What's the word on the Tour? Haven't been watching, but am curious to know how Lance is riding...

Lance has had some great moments already, but like most tours those crucial stages are separated by a number of meaningless stage in which the riders tire themselves out, but nothing interesting happens.

At the moment he's in 3rd place by 8 seconds, about 2 seconds (I believe) behind his own teammate Contador who is in 2nd.  The guy in 1st now won't be a factor in the race once the mountain stages happen.

At this point it seems to be a given that either Contador or Armstrong will likely win, and a lot of the commentary focuses on how the leadership dynamics of the Astana team will work with two race favorites.

I have a feeling Lance will end up winning the "alpha male" battle behind the scenes and gaining the support of the team coaches and domestiques, and maybe even some riders on other teams who don't have their own shot at the win.

[APK]

Final sprint day in Paris today.
Been an exciting Tour this year.

1. Contador
2. Schleck
3. Armstrong