Favorites ascending. Photo: Gruber Images.
As many of you know, I write a monthly column for Cyclist Magazine where I answer Dear Abby-esque questions, and the most recent query pertained to whether I consider the Tour the best race of the year, or whether it’s an over-publicized circus. The question made me realize something about myself: I have a weariness around the Tour de France not unlike a romantic whose heart has been broken one too many times.
The fact is, as much as I prefer a race like Paris-Roubaix or the Giro d’Italia to the mid-summer shit show that is the Tour de France, nothing gets my anticipation going quite the way the Tour does, which is undeniably the pinnacle of the season; all the classifications and stages are prestigious enough that racers of all sorts are all arriving at the start in peak form. There is a promise of hard racing from day one, but the first week consists mostly of me worrying about the big favorites crashing out. As soon as we get through that mess, my heart is usually broken on the first day in the mountains, when the favorite takes a decisive lead and the rest of the race is most about stages than the GC.
At least, these are the dreads of a man who lived through the Indurain and Armstrong eras of racing.
Nevertheless, the Tour always manages to seduce me, and this year is no different. Maybe this year, she won’t be such a cruel lover. And, maybe this year, I won’t make horrible picks in the VSP. Just maybe, just maybe. You know the drill; get your picks in by the time the clock goes to zero, and you get some swap options on the rest day. Good luck!
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Not that far away in Valkenburg and its pissing it down and has been since the early hours. Would have had an epic ride this morning but managed to take a wrong turn - again and did the bleedin' short course - again. Somewhat miffed as along with another guy we are sure we didn't miss a sign but clearly we must have. Oh well, off to see the TdF go by tomorrow.
@Randy C
Valverde down and slid in the barriers hard - didn't look like he was getting up anytime quickly.
One down. More proof that it never pays to bet for or against Valverde. Hope he's not too injured. Looked like a hard fall.
As much as I truly detest Malmerde and wish that he would just go away from cycling forever, I never wish him any harm or that he will crash.
Hope he is fine and not hurt too awfully bad.
@Buck Rogers
Broken kneecap. Sounds painful.
On the plus side, Go G! I am absolutely made up for the guy, especially after the Giro. Stage win an Maillot Jaune, probably for a good few days too. Legend.
That was a stupid start to the TdF… So, the main goal of the opening stage for the racers was to stay upright ?? And here we are with an entirely upset set of circumstances to kick everything off as a result of a stupid course that had no business being raced in the rain. Wonder if anyone setting this up thought, well geeze, wouldn't this be a real beauty if it rains ? Stupid stage. My opinion.
Richie Porte looked like a mightily relieved man.
@Buck Rogers
why do people dislike him? is it the doping connection, or is he some kind of arrogant among arrogants? this isn't a troll, i'm asking an honest question. he doesn't seem any better or worse than many of the other higher profile pro tour riders, to me.
@Teocalli
At least you got 100k in; I got zero... How many heightmeters?
This could be perfect, Thomas follows team orders and rides in support of Froome but with only a few mountain stages has no jour sans, finishes with him everyday and wins.