Tuesday, July 04, 2006
*gasp!* *dismay!*
It is once again time for that sports event unequaled in awesomeness. Yes, it is Tour De France time. Lance is retired. I wonder how he is dealing with his massive amounts of free time now. Is he still training vigorously? Is he at home watching ESPN classic and nursing a beer belly? A quick google search would probably yield some insight, but there is a certain charm to not knowing.
All year I was looking forward to seeing my favourites in the old core riders; those who were consistently winning points in mountains or who fought for podium places in overal standings. Ulrich the big mountain of a man, and Vinokourov being my especial favourites. I wanted to see them along with other contenders like Hincapie, Karpets, Landis, Basso, and others whose names are not as memorable or more complicated.
Unfortunately I noticed an absence of Vino's name when T-mobile was talked about, and an even more startling neglect of any news about Ulrich. It made me suspicious. I admit that I don't follow biking year-round. I check in from time to time, but I don't follow what isn't on OLN, and I even miss most of what is. Therefore I was sad to look up the team lists and not find their names. Even worse, I googled and found that the drug scandals that were being thrown around in '04 and '05, much out of dislike or jealousy of Lance, had begun to hit home. Ulrich and Basso are suspended, and Vino's entire team is not participating.
Also, Yay Italy for beating Germany to-day. And I cleaned up the last post a tad because I think the dialogue wasn't that clear before. -- G 'Bye, Sonya -- . ( 4.7.06 ) .
It is once again time for that sports event unequaled in awesomeness. Yes, it is Tour De France time. Lance is retired. I wonder how he is dealing with his massive amounts of free time now. Is he still training vigorously? Is he at home watching ESPN classic and nursing a beer belly? A quick google search would probably yield some insight, but there is a certain charm to not knowing.
All year I was looking forward to seeing my favourites in the old core riders; those who were consistently winning points in mountains or who fought for podium places in overal standings. Ulrich the big mountain of a man, and Vinokourov being my especial favourites. I wanted to see them along with other contenders like Hincapie, Karpets, Landis, Basso, and others whose names are not as memorable or more complicated.
Unfortunately I noticed an absence of Vino's name when T-mobile was talked about, and an even more startling neglect of any news about Ulrich. It made me suspicious. I admit that I don't follow biking year-round. I check in from time to time, but I don't follow what isn't on OLN, and I even miss most of what is. Therefore I was sad to look up the team lists and not find their names. Even worse, I googled and found that the drug scandals that were being thrown around in '04 and '05, much out of dislike or jealousy of Lance, had begun to hit home. Ulrich and Basso are suspended, and Vino's entire team is not participating.
With Ullrich, Basso, Mancebo and Vinokourov, as well as last year's retired winner Lance Armstrong, all now absent, it means the Tour will start without the top five riders from 2005.
-BBC News
I still think that it will be an interesting year. Hincapie is still here, and so are my other familiar faces. But I'm going to miss my boys. Watch the Tour! It is sports and history and crashes and talking. Like nascar, only interesting and fun.Also, Yay Italy for beating Germany to-day. And I cleaned up the last post a tad because I think the dialogue wasn't that clear before. -- G 'Bye, Sonya -- . ( 4.7.06 ) .