28 Jul 2003 | Sonia said...

"In a sport where athletic ability and teamwork usually win the day, Armstrong has demonstrated that true greatness requires far more."

Very very well put. The 'far more' was certainly on display this year.

We are huge cycling (and USPS - go VHP!) fans. Looking forward to seeing them at the Vuelta.

28 Jul 2003 | hurley #1 said...

I was also impressed to see him talking a bit to the reporters in French, which wasn't perfect but his accent was authentic, no trace of Texas. There's a lot more to this guy than two legs, courage, and stamina.

28 Jul 2003 | Lancer said...

Do you think Lance has any political aspirations? Curious.

28 Jul 2003 | steve said...

Sally Jenkins's last four columns have been about the Tour, and they're all highly recommended.

It's really a shame that cycling never has, and probably never will, catch on big here in the States (remember the Tour du Pont?).

28 Jul 2003 | ~bc said...

And I thought I was the only American who watched cycling. Lance is phenomenal, and a good, humble guy to boot. Let's not forget too, the amazing performance of Tyler Hamilton (who's home town is a few miles north of here) who came in fourth, after fracturing is collar bone in two places on the first day of the 3500km race. He even won one of the stages by a large margin. It's a shame that cycling teams can only have one real star, and that fact forced Tyler to leave USPS to head up the Danish CSC team. It would be fantastic to have such a strong American presence on the one American-run team.

As for Lance's French, he's learned that since he spends about half his year living in France. The French have really turned from hating him, to supporting him, and I'm sure they appreciate him making the effort to learn their language (although they are traditionally very defensive of it).

28 Jul 2003 | ~bc said...

I remember the Tour du Pont. I also remember that most major Euro teams stayed away and that the ones who came were angry they had to wear helmets. Personally, I think it was good to see the Tour this year enforce more helmet wearing.

28 Jul 2003 | Sonia said...

fwiw -
Lance lives in Girona Spain while prepping for the tour now. I believe that he used to live in Nice. Saw him here (Spain) at the Vuelta a Murcia and I heard him say a few words to his Spanish/Colombian teammates and it seems his Spanish isn't too bad either.

28 Jul 2003 | steve said...

From the Jenkins piece:

He can kid around or cuss in at least five languages, including Dutch, Spanish and Italian.

28 Jul 2003 | Devin said...

Did anyone see the black and white american flags in the crowds? I was wondering if that was the french supporting Lance and boycotting the US.

28 Jul 2003 | Neil said...

I was impressed by his french, too. One thing that's been good to see also is how he seems to have lost the overbearing egotism that he exhibited in the earlier Tours. I wish I could find links to point to, but there doesn't seem to be much out there on the first couple of tours he participated in... but I do remember seeing interviews with him during that period where he came across as this really egotistical ass.

It's good to see that he's become much more gracious and humble as time has passed. Definitely a worthy win!

28 Jul 2003 | pb said...

There's room for cycling in the US. The San Francisco Grand Prix has been attracting 200,000+ spectators in each of its 2 years so far. The loop format (the racers do 10+ loops) is fun because you can see the racers and peloton a lot. Certainly Lance's star power is a big factor but with George winning the first and a thrilling finish last year, the furture seems bright.

28 Jul 2003 | pb said...

Although the site being inaccessible is disconcerting: http://www.sfgrandprix.com

28 Jul 2003 | Claus said...

obviously, doping is very common among professional riders, but i believe armstrong is allowed to take some legal hormone preparations or something like that because of his cancer therapy. he also has had dubious relations to michele ferrari, the infamous "dottore EPO" in the past.

nevertheless armstrong made a great race, as did hamilton and ullrich.

28 Jul 2003 | Steve said...

I agree, bc, Tyler Hamilton's probably the most interesting story of this Tour. He really had no business being on a bike at all, let alone finishing fourth overall. It could have been a very interesting race had he been healthy. It was an itneresting race anyway. Ullrich gave him a great challenge, and is a great competitor. I saw one writer say that he's probably the greatest rider ever to win just one Tour. He's probably right.

Incidentally, cycling used to be a huge sport in the States. It was about 100 years ago, though, in big six-day races in indoor velodromes. In fact, one of the first major black athletes in the States was a cyclist - Major Taylor. He was very popular, pretty well-paid for the era, and was also popular in Europe where he rode as well.

28 Jul 2003 | brian said...

wasn't there a movie in the 80s about a teenager obsessed with some cyclist from italy in detroit or somewhere in the midwest, then his school had a relay race.... the main actor looked like anthony michael hall...

they should make a race from seattle to san fran, that would make the distance long enough to compete w/tour lengths, as well as add lots of variety in the terrain... maybe something on the east coast...

28 Jul 2003 | SU said...

brian, are you talking about Breaking Away? The race featured in that movie continues to this day in Indiana.

29 Jul 2003 | Toby said...

Don't forget the Corestates/First Union/Wachovia Bike Race in Philadelphia. That usually attracts some first-class talent

13 Jan 2004 | Berndt said...

Greetings to the team and all the other visitors.
http://www.berufsunfaehigkeit-2000.de
http://www.nuernberger-berlin.de
http://www.krankenversicherung-2003.de
http://www.beamtendarlehen-2002.de
http://www.nuernberger-berlin.com
http://www.berufsunfaehigkeit-2001.de

18 Jan 2004 | Berndt said...

18 Jan 2004 | Sylvia said...

You got a great side with lots of good informations!

Berufsunfhigkeitsversicherung

18 Jan 2004 | Mike said...

Greetings to the team and all the other visitors.

BU-Versicherung
Berufsunfhigkeitsvorsorge
Beamtendarlehen
Krankenversicherung
Firmenversicherung
Nrnberger Versicherung

28 Nov 2004 | click said...

4534 Very well said chappy.