This upcoming Friday will be the beginning for the 2007 Tour de France. As always the doping is the big buzz and I truly feel sorry for those guys that really don’t use anything to give them an edge. But all that garbage and bad publicity a side beautiful French country side will be torn up by the fastest and strongest riders from around the world. Blistering fast single and team time trials. Quad destroying mountains and of course the rivalry that exists between the pack leaders and their pace makers in the peloton.
Lance has been retired since 2005 and Landis -who won last year but is contested for doping nothing proven yet- said he would not return this year. So with a couple big guns out of the picture it will make for an interesting race who will rise to the occasion and drink champagne? And who will wallow in defeat?
I have a hard time putting my money on any one rider but here is a list of those to watch starting with the first two I hope to take overall first or at least many jerseys; #1. Spanish rider, Alejandro Valverde team Caisse d'Epargne, at 25 two years ago he brought the fight to Lance in the Alps and is now considered a big contender. He is an extremely talented rider and has the unique style of dominating in every event, not often seen.
Lance has been retired since 2005 and Landis -who won last year but is contested for doping nothing proven yet- said he would not return this year. So with a couple big guns out of the picture it will make for an interesting race who will rise to the occasion and drink champagne? And who will wallow in defeat?
I have a hard time putting my money on any one rider but here is a list of those to watch starting with the first two I hope to take overall first or at least many jerseys; #1. Spanish rider, Alejandro Valverde team Caisse d'Epargne, at 25 two years ago he brought the fight to Lance in the Alps and is now considered a big contender. He is an extremely talented rider and has the unique style of dominating in every event, not often seen.
Second, would have to be one of the long shots in the top twenty considered to win, Zee German, Team Gerolsteiner, Markus Fothen, runner-up young rider in 2006. He is known for his sprinting and struggles a bit in the mountains, we will see if he stepped up that element. He is a young (25) under dog who works really hard at his sport.
Third, Alexandre Vinokourov, team Astana. Vinokourov is an all out rider who can pound the pedals from day one to day 21 a true guts and glory rider someone very fun to watch. Finshed 3 2003, and would have done better last year but his team mates were accused of doping.
The last two are a tie for fourth between Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden. Leipheimer, finished 13th overall in 2006. His age is considered a factor at 33, but has great experience and is riding with a team that has tasted victory and wants it back- Team Discovery. Kloden is a great time trial rider and not bad in the mountains but does not have the sportsmanship to get the Peloton to bend his way like Armstrong for ex.
I don’t watch a lot of sports but this event is something that interests me from start to finish and inspire me to train hard and get out and do more. Personally; there is no comparison between seeing a hockey player skate for maybe 20mins a game and the physical and mental conditioning of these cyclists.
I am not saying that hockey players or other athletes soccer for ex. are not in amazing shape, or to see an amazing play doesn’t interest me but there is a huge difference in style of endurance, determination and training. If there was more of the ‘regular’ season of cycling televised I would watch it all. But I don’t watch the regular season of other sports as I am not interested. I mean how many sports do you have where some of the athletes have resting heart rates of 29 or 30 beats/min? That’s what separates the tour from other sports it is truly inspiring to me.
1 comment:
"Zee German" - Nice.
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