Tour de France 2006

Hey, someones got to start this, only a couple of weeks away! Now that its no longer a Tour de Lance, the field is wide open. Outside magazine believes that the improved Floyd Landis has a good chance after cleaning up on several major races this year. Can he beat Basso and Ulrich? Landis and Lance had a major feud through the years, maybe with that out of the way things will be different.

It's more like a couple of days away!
It starts this Saturday, 1 July!
This will be drastically different Tour than compared to the last seven, but my favorites have one thing in common.
And its that they all reside from the same great country, which is of course the USA!
I think Levi Leipheimer has a good chance, he won the Dauphine Libere this year.
I also like Dave Zabriskie. Both of these riders are also from Utah.
Ullrich has had his chance with The Tour, and no matter how good of physical shape he is in, his mental conditioning has always been off.

Ultimately I think it is too wide open this year to pick someone right now.

I so want an American rider to win on the Fourth and the 14th.
That would just RULE!

Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mwfanelli

Now that its no longer a Tour de Lance, the field is wide open...

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I'll say, and the controversy has already begun... :yikes:

As if Lance's absence wasn't enough to generate excitement and speculation, this last minute news of the Spanish doping investigation threatens to blow the whole Tour field WIDE OPEN, as many pro cyclists may end being implicated in the scandal.

Luckily, Jan Ullrich seems to have escaped unscathed (he was rumored to be part of the probe), and was only cleared today to partake in the Tour.

The big question is whether the Astana-Wurth team (formerly Liberty Seguros), will be thrown out. It's still up in the air. AW's leader is none other than Alexandre Vinokourov, certainly one of the favoites for overall Tour winner.

Yep, it's going to be pretty exciting to see how all the Americans do (as well as the Discovery Channel team as a whole) without Sir Lance present...

What happened to Lance?

"I thought about giving up once too, when I was disgnosed with brain, lung, and testicular cancer all at once. So I can see how you would be thinking about quitting."
- Lance Armstrong, Dodgeball (hacked from memory)

I saw this one Yahoo...
It's an interesting read...


"Six" factor adds to Tour mystery

By Jean-Paul Couret

PARIS, June 29 (Reuters) - The end of Lance Armstrong's seven-year reign heralds a wide open race on the roads of the 2006 Tour de France.

Another factor adds to the mystery of the 93rd Big Loop: all the Tours run in a year ending with the number six closed an era and produced an unexpected winner.




In 1956, Louison Bobet threw the Tour into disarray when he pulled out of the race he had won the three previous years.

Charly Gaul, winner of the preceding Giro d'Italia, became the favourite but the Luxembourg rider had neither the will nor the means to control the peloton.

In the seventh stage between Lorient and Angers, 31 riders broke away and gained a lead of 18 minutes.

Among them was Roger Walkowiak, a young rider who had not been judged good enough for the French national team and was wearing the jersey of the North-East-Centre regional team.

The French team led by Andre Darrigade were watching Gaul and the Luxembourg climber was waiting for the mountains. He attacked in the Pyrenees and then in the Alps, but to no avail.

Walkowiak claimed the yellow jersey after keeping up with Gaul in the Col de la Croix-de-Fer, the final climb of the Alps, and defended it all the way to Paris. It was to be the one moment of glory in his career.

Gaul ultimately enjoyed his moment of triumph when he won the 1958 Tour.

ANQUETIL PLOY

In 1966, Jacques Anquetil, winner of five Tours de France, and Raymond Poulidor, his arch-rival, resumed their duel.

In the second stage Poulidor crashed and Anquetil attacked. From then on, the two French riders concentrated on countering one another, paying little attention to the others.

On the first day in the mountains, in Pau, they lost nine minutes to a group of nine riders. Lucien Aimar, 24, was representing Anquetil's team.

In the Alps, in dreadful weather conditions, Anquetil realised that, at 32, he did not have the strength to win a sixth Tour. He decided to play the Aimar card to stop Poulidor.

He helped his former "domestique" until the end of the Alps and retired. The race was to be Anquetil's last Tour and Aimar's only major win.

Poulidor was fated never to win the Tour.

BELGIAN SUCCESSION

In 1976, five-times winner Eddy Merck pulled out of the Tour, burned out by his long career.

Bernard Thevenet, who had beaten the Belgian to win the Tour the previous year, Luis Ocana of Spain and Dutchman Joop Zoetemelk were in line for the succession.

The surprise came from a young team director, Cyril Guimard, and his leader, Lucien Van Impe, a Belgian climber who had never been regarded as potential overall winner.

Van Impe won the Alpe d'Huez stage but Guimard decided it was too early in the race to defend the yellow jersey. He and Van Impe let the favourites fight each other.

When they reached the Pyrenees, Thevenet, Zoetemelk and Ocana were worn out.

Van Impe attacked from behind in the Col du Portillon and dropped his last rivals on the final climb at the Pla d'Adet, crossing the line with a three-minute lead over Zoetemelk. Frenchman Raymond Delisle, second overall, was 10 minutes adrift.

The next year Van Impe contented himself with the King of the Mountains prize. Guimard went on to win seven Tours in 10 years with Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond.

LEMOND TRIUMPH

In 1986, Bernard Hinault entered the Tour eyeing an unprecedented sixth triumph.

The whole of France was supporting him but did not know that, the previous year, he had made a pact with his promising team mate Greg LeMond.

"You help me to win the 1985 Tour and I'll help you to win next year," the Frenchman had told the American.

Laurent Fignon, winner of the race in 1983 and 1984, and the Swiss climber Urs Zimmermann, were their main challengers.

Hinault took the yellow jersey in the first mountain stage, in the Pyrenees but, at 31, did not have the stamina to stay with the specialist climbers in the Alps.

He cracked the next day, LeMond won the stage and took the overall lead at the skiing resort of Superbagneres.

In the Alps, Hinault kept his word, more or less willingly. The photo of the two riders crossing the finishing line at l'Alpe d'Huez hand in hand illustrated the transfer of power.

INDURAIN BEATEN

In 1996, 20 years after Merck and 10 years after Hinault, Miguel Indurain was aiming for a sixth win but cracked four kilometres from the last summit of the first mountain stage at Les Arcs.

The Spaniard's reign was over and a new race began. Indurain had named Alex Zuelle and Tony Rominger, both from Switzerland, and Bjarne Riis of Denmark as his main rivals.

Riis sealed victory in the Pyrenees at the Hautacam summit with the help of a young German team mate named Jan Ullrich.

As Hinault had done 10 years before, Riis was to bow to his team mate the following year.

Yeah, Brian, I read that article, too. Interesting stuff...

But there's MUCH more shocking news today, as I just read a wire story that Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, both Tour favorites, were named as part of a group of over 50 riders that were banned from the Tour this morning as part of the ever developing Spanish doping scandal.

While this is most definitely good news for the Americans, it will certainly taint the race in a big way.

BTW, as of today Vinokourov is in, as the Astana-Wurth cycling team was ruled eligible...

I had only herad of Janny Boy, not being named in that investigation and not Basso.
Basso, IMHO will be a bigger lose to Le Tour than Janny Boy...
Yeah, I do not like Ullrich...
Brian

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Basso, IMHO will be a bigger lose to Le Tour than Janny Boy...
Yeah, I do not like Ullrich...

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Well, I'm not the biggest of Ullrich fans either, but I feel for the guy, as he seems to have been snake-bitten since his Tour win in 1997. On the other hand, if he is involved in this latest doping mess...

But I agree. Basso was arguably the hands-on favorite this year. And he seems to be in fine form (uh, we may soon discover why, heh heh). He's also one of my favorite riders, and barring one of the top US guys winning, I probably would have rooted for him.

What bothers me is this European system of "justice" where you're guilty until proven innocent. I mean, racers are being pulled left and right simply because their names have been mentioned in this latest investigation...

The thing that I don't like about Ullrich, is that with all of the talent he has, he dosen't have the attitude of a champion like Lance. All the partying, the "fast living" for example.
I will never forget the 02 TT, in the rain, when Ullrich crashed and Lance didn't.
That morning Lance went out and rode the course, Janny boy slept in and watch a video of the route.

You are SO right about the European system of justice, look at all that Lance went through! Athletes are tried in the newspapers as well(WAY more than they are tried here in the USA), before, during and afer any kind of judicial trial!

It will be interesting to see who actually shows up on the starting line, I am getting a feeling that things will be similiar to 1998.

Brian

In addition to Basso and Ulrich, 54 other cyclists have been banned for blood doping. That number may rise. Hey, maybe I could win the Tour this year!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mwfanelli

Hey, maybe I could win the Tour this year!

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Now that would be something!
LOL!
Brian

:thumbsup:

No, seriously. What happened to Lance? Did he retire?

Here is the story about the doping scandal. http://msn.foxsports.com/cycling/sto...6?FSO1&ATT=HMA.

Hey Rick, Lance did retire last year after his seventh straight win.

GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Brian

GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE! GO GEORGE!
GO GEORGE!
Brian
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by walterick

No, seriously. What happened to Lance? Did he retire?

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Hi Walter,

Yes. Last year was Lance's last. But, he's still doing other stuff. I'm planning riding the Livestrong Ride at the end of the month with my wife, her dad, aunt, and uncle.

BR,
Tim

From the very active participation on this thread, I guess y'all feel that a Tour without Lance is a Tour de Boredom. I know I do! There just isn't any dynamic personality out there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mwfanelli

There just isn't any dynamic personality out there.

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Alas, but that is what makes it exciting!!
Guessing, waiting until the final sprint down the Champs Elysees!
I certainly follow The Tour.
Brian
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Alas, but that is what makes it exciting!!...

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The fact that there'll be a new champion this year is reason enough to watch. The drama of whether one of the veteran American riders will write a new chapter in US cycling history is compelling, as is the possiblilty of one of the young Euro stars stepping up and joining cycling's elite.

Besides, there is plenty of side bar news unfolding regarding the Americans, from fan favorite Bobby Julich's sad withdrawal due to his crash on the stage 7 time trial to yesterday's shocking news of Floyd Landis' impending hip replacement.

If anything, I think Lance's dominance the past few years took much, if not all of the drama out of those tours...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

[snip]
If anything, I think Lance's dominance the past few years took much, if not all of the drama out of those tours...

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Agreed...

It enjoyed watching Lance and his team (and the whole logistics behind it all) crush. But, it's nicer to see something unpredictable unfold. I'm looking forward to the mountains!

Cheers,
Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldSchool

I'm looking forward to the mountains!
Cheers,
Tim

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Yes!
I so love watching the mountain stages!
It's what separates the the Champs and Legends from all the other racers..
I am very sadden to see Jullich go.
I also sad to hear Landis' news.
I was watching the OLN pre stage coverage this morning and Bob Roll reffered to the "Lazzarus Effect" for American racers, where someone goes through some great near death experience or life changing event, just to come through it better than before. He was reffering to Armstrong and cancer and LeMond and the incident where he was shot in 86.
So, maybe there is hope for Floyd!
Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Bob Roll reffered to the "Lazzarus Effect" for American racers, where someone goes through some great near death experience or life changing event, just to come through it better than before...

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Yeah, I caught that too, but IMO it's really just a coincidence. LeMond's situation doesn't fit with the others.

While I agree his comeback was remarkable considering how serious his injury was, truth is he was already a Tour champion when it happened, and the accident hurt him more than helped him, taking him away from the sport during his prime.

It arguably cost him one or two additional Tour victories...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

It arguably cost him one or two additional Tour victories...

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You could be right about that Steve, but of course, we'll never know.
I just so want to see another American on TOP of the podium..
:thumbsup:
Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

I just so want to see another American on TOP of the podium...

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To me the biggest shock of the Tour so far is American Levi Leipheimer's total meltdown during the time trial stage. He is now almost SEVEN minutes behind the current GC leader, and nearly six behind rival Landis.

I really think he's suffering from something that he hasn't let on about. You could almost tell from his prediction before the TT (he sounded very pesimistic). Barring some amazing, unforseen performance in the mountains, sadly I think his Tour is already over...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

To me the biggest shock of the Tour so far is American Levi Leipheimer totally imploading during the time trial stage. He is now almost SEVEN minutes behind the current GC leader, and nearly six behind rival Landis.

I really think he's suffering from something that he hasn't let on about. You could almost tell from his prediction before the TT (he sounded very pesimistic). Barring some amazing, unforseen performance in the mountains, sadly I think his Tour is already over...

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This is so true...
But I remain hopeful!
I remember watching Saturdays' TT and when Leipheimer was doing so poorly, Phil, Paul and the gang thought there was a timing problem.
The thing that gets me, is that there were only eight US riders that started this years tour!
Hincapie, Leipheimer, Landis, Freddie Rodrigez, Chris Honer, Dave Zabreski, Christian Vandvelde, and Bobby Julich. That's not even enough to make a complete team!
Had Tyler Hamilton not been stupid, he would have been nine!
Anyway...
I'm still watching!
Brian

What an EXCITING Stage 11!
All I can say is, "And I'm Proud To Be An American, Where At Least I Know _____ Wears Yellow.....

I so want to see an American racer win tomorrow!
You know it's Bastille Day!
Brian
:rolleyes: :D :p :thumbsup: :lol: :wink: :crazy:
:thumbsup:

Aggggg!! It's a spoiler!
:^)
Oh well. I still enjoy the recording tonight.
Cheers,
Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OldSchool

Aggggg!! It's a spoiler!
:^)
Oh well. I still enjoy the recording tonight.
Cheers,
Tim

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Sorry Tim!
I was trying not to give too much away...
:aureola:
Brian

Well, I'm not gonna give away the winner of today's Bastille Day stage 12 of the tour, but I can tell you one thing:

It weren't no FRENCHMAN!... :lol: :yesnod: :8:

What an exciting stage today was! Stage 16..
Even if, well, you know..:( :cryin:
I have enjoyed Le Tour 06, there have been lots of lead changes and some EXCELLENT racing..
I do miss Lance, but I so love how things are happening...
Brian
:thumbsup:

Oh it was exciting alright, but what a disappointment for Landis routers. He just could not answer the bell in that final climb. Had some great riders up there in the hunt though. The rest of the race may be very exciting to watch. In years past Lance had a way of taking all the excitment out of the race once he hit the Alps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Old Timer

In years past Lance had a way of taking all the excitment out of the race once he hit the Alps.

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How can you say that Larry!
I LOVED watching LA "dancing in the saddle", what form! He made it look so easy!
Even when he was suffering.
LA ROCKS!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Brian

Some great photography from the tour:

http://www.carolineyang.com/cycling/2006/index.php

Quote:

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Originally Posted by berrywise

Some great photography from the tour:

http://www.carolineyang.com/cycling/2006/index.php

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They are certainly worth taking a look at!
They are "almost" as good as Graham Watson.
Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

How can you say that Larry!
I LOVED watching LA "dancing in the saddle", what form! He made it look so easy!
Even when he was suffering.
LA ROCKS!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Brian

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Didn't say Lance wasn't t a thrill to watch climb. Just that he would build up such big leads that there was little doubt as to the final outcome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Old Timer

Didn't say Lance wasn't t a thrill to watch climb. Just that he would build up such big leads that there was little doubt as to the final outcome.

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Well... OK...
Wacthing a champion like LA is always exciting no matter how much of a lead he or she has built up.
It just is...:D :wink: :thumbsup:
Brian

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

Well... OK...
Wacthing a champion like LA is always exciting no matter how much of a lead he or she has built up.
It just is...:D :wink: :thumbsup:
Brian

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Most definitely! There are no "sure things" in the mountains of the Tour (you need only look to today's stage for proof), so there was (for me, anyway) always that little bit of anxiety and anticipation with Lance and how he was going to perform.

Then, finally seeing him attack and explode up the mountian like a gazelle was awsome. It never got old. Kinda like a running back breaking through the line and out running the entire defense in football...

As for today's stage, I am in complete and utter shock!... :eek: :yikes: :shocked:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Asylum Steve

As for today's stage, I am in complete and utter shock!... :eek: :yikes: :shocked:

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You and me both!
I am sure he is hurting big time!
Brian
:cryin: :confused:

15:58:10 - Yellow Jersey For A Six-Pack Of Beer...
After Floyd Landis regained the lead of the Tour de France at the top of L'Alpe d'Huez he decided that he wanted a beer to celebrate the moment. On the road down to his hotel, his team car pulled over and the American traded a yellow jersey for a six-pack of beer with a spectator..

YOU GO FLOYD!
Brian
:thumbsup:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mtbbrian

YOU GO FLOYD!...

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...there's only one thing I can say:

WHO IS THE MAN!?!?!

:thumbsup: :hand: :cornut: :ihih: :yikes: