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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View Comments
@stooge
Hopefully there's some good racing in the mountains to come so we can stop talking about it - I don't see it was a big deal either way.
It's also distracted somewhat from Quintana's complete no-show at this Tour.
@RobSandy
It's not a big deal. I suppose it reinforces expectations, or something. Also, rest days and stages comprised of 180 kilometers or yawning followed by 20 kilometers of racing (if lucky) makes it hard to keep people tuned in. Media has to talk about something. A bit of etiquette drama helps with that.
Quintana looks tired, huh. I suspect several long, flat, windy stages can be tough for the small guys, as several hill stages are for the big guns. He often comes good toward the end. Maybe the rest days and a bit of lumpy stuff will perk him up? It's a big gap, but it's a long race (not a course that would've suited him well even in top form, is the problem with it).
@BacklashJack
Especially agreed with this point.
"The American was also very critical of Froome as he witnessed the three-times champion fiddling with his on-board computer on his new bike before making it back to the front group.
"It's so bizarre to see him change his bike and then touch his computer. The main point is 'get on your bike, get back to the front'," said LeMond."
I was watching the live feed and I see Froomie take his new bike while the race is going away from him and what the fuck does he do? He fucks around with his power meter.
Holy Merckx on Mount Velo I just about punched my computer! Lost a bit more respect for him right then and there (not that he gives a shit but what a fucking powermeter-addicted-tit!)
(also not sure why my cut&paste is all in HUGE font--maybe b/c it was quoting LeMan???)
@Buck Rogers
And then when it actually posts--the font is all the same. Fuck! I need a drink!
I am not sure how many of my fellow Velominati are in the Twittersphere. For those of you who are, I am posting the link to David Buonomo's account. David is also known as DADOU and is a French sports cartoonist. For those of you who have viewed the Tour within French borders will be familiar with his work. French TV regularly cuts to DADOU drawings, which are constructed while the race unfolds. The humor and speed with which the drawings are posted are fantastic.
Link: https://twitter.com/davidbuonomo
I hope these drawings bring an occasional cycling related smile to each of you.
Sorry, thought I put in the link: https://twitter.com/davidbuonomo
@Buck Rogers
I noticed Quintana do the same when he changed bikes.
@Rick
Really great! He's not the same guy who did the cartoons for Rouleur that were on the cover one time, is he?
Doesn't look exactly the same but they are similar.
Surprised there's not more love for Uran in here. Winning the queen stage of the TdF on a bike stuck in the tallest gear is pretty legendary stuff. Mad props.
@John Irvine
I guess it got lost in all the drama.
I kept think "he's gonna gas soon, surely" and he just kept on trucking. Did his fair share of pulling, too. Legs of steel! He was pretty casual in the post race interview to boot.