Discussion
A good first week of the Tour. It feels to me like this is far more open than previous years.
Can Rasmussen hold onto his lead through the time trials and build on it in the Pyrennes?
Can Vinokourov make up the deficit and will Kloden continue to help him?
Who else will be looking to climb up the rankings before the Pyrennes?
Can Rasmussen hold onto his lead through the time trials and build on it in the Pyrennes?
Can Vinokourov make up the deficit and will Kloden continue to help him?
Who else will be looking to climb up the rankings before the Pyrennes?
Not a massive follower, but Sundays stage made for good watching - good ride by Rasmussen. Like the commentators, I couldn't fathom the trailing group who were constantly infighting, and in the process dropped about 40 secs in just a few k's to the next group.
Incredible to watch, especially when there motoring UP hill at 16odd mph. 100 miles in just under 5 hours, thru the alps, bloody impressive. Will be watching todays highlights after work.
Incredible to watch, especially when there motoring UP hill at 16odd mph. 100 miles in just under 5 hours, thru the alps, bloody impressive. Will be watching todays highlights after work.
I think (as Boardman has said) it'll take a few years to clean up the sport, but they are changing.
At the moment we have a mix of the old guard who have ridden through the years where just about everyone was doping and the youngsters who realise that the doping can't continue. As more of the old guard retire, the sport will become cleaner.
Obviously there will always be those that cheat (just like in my sport, athletics) but I think cycling is moving away from institutionalised doping co-ordinated by the team principles to individuals choosing to dope.
At the moment we have a mix of the old guard who have ridden through the years where just about everyone was doping and the youngsters who realise that the doping can't continue. As more of the old guard retire, the sport will become cleaner.
Obviously there will always be those that cheat (just like in my sport, athletics) but I think cycling is moving away from institutionalised doping co-ordinated by the team principles to individuals choosing to dope.
It is a shame, the racing has been fantastic over the few days prior to the rest day: with the current leaders battling it out shoulder to shoulder in the mountains. Great telly and should be a good competative run into Paris. Its a shame the drugs will distract public attention from this.
Definately saw more people out on their pushbikes last weekend too. Weather would have helped no doubt, but I'm sure the competitive nature of the racing is inspiring some cyclists to dust of their bikes and hit the roads.
Definately saw more people out on their pushbikes last weekend too. Weather would have helped no doubt, but I'm sure the competitive nature of the racing is inspiring some cyclists to dust of their bikes and hit the roads.
Edited by MTY4000 on Wednesday 25th July 13:18
Edited by MTY4000 on Wednesday 25th July 13:19
And another one due to be named http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/tour07/news/?...
HotTotty said:
And another one due to be named http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2007/tour07/news/?...
I hope it's none of the top 10 overall. 
I think a policy of the whole team being disqualified if one rider is caught doping is good. Greater consequences for the riders and more responsibility on teams not to turn a blind eye.
Its not a new problem with in the tour, and it is going to take a massive effort to clean cycling up. I am very disappointed in Vino after a few great stages and the comeback from the crashes there was what I thought was a man deserving of adolation, but no yet another disappointment. I think this is the worst thing for young lads, who can they have as a hero that is not going to let them down?
Its interesting that when Boardman was taking his hardline, ban means life time ban, that Millar's name did not crop up as he served a 2 year ban for doping.
Its interesting that when Boardman was taking his hardline, ban means life time ban, that Millar's name did not crop up as he served a 2 year ban for doping.
Now if only all the other sports would be so determined to clean their acts up.
I think as others have said, it is ultimately good for cycling but bad publicity in the short term, as for the clinics carrying out these tests their staff should be sacked for leaking this imformation to the press and before going through the proper channels, i.e. getting B samples independantly tested.
I would sooner watch a slower clean race than a fast bunch of dpers.
I think as others have said, it is ultimately good for cycling but bad publicity in the short term, as for the clinics carrying out these tests their staff should be sacked for leaking this imformation to the press and before going through the proper channels, i.e. getting B samples independantly tested.
I would sooner watch a slower clean race than a fast bunch of dpers.
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