Looking Back to Look Ahead
The last nine years of the Tour de France started with one of the deepest lows of this truly international event and had some of the most amazing moments in the tour history as well. The Festina drug scandal rocked the tour almost a decade ago as many on that, now defunt team, were caught with illegal performance enhancing drugs. We then went directly into the Armstrong era. That was truly a saving grace for the event. The next seven years were incredible for Amercian cyclists and fans all around the world. Then the best Tour de France cyclist of all time retired. Who would claim the crown? Another American favorite, Floyd Landis, stepped up in fantastic fashion.
After a complete meltdown on a mountain stage, Landis broke away early and gained almost all the time he lost back the day after. It was incredible. I personallly left work "sick" when I heard what was going on. It was spectacular.
Weeks later, word was leaked that a rider tested positive. It couldn't be, could it? Thus began the last 9 months of accusations, speculations, law suits, doubt, mistrust and disbelief. Landis tested positive for extrogeneous testosterone, artificial or synthetic testosterone. A banned substance.
So where do we stand for 2007? Who is performing well and who is looking to make a statement this year? How will the now closed Operation Puerto effect the starting line up and the final podium in Paris?
Tour De France Daily Updates
Follow along here for my daily updates on the progress of this year's Tour De France
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byThe Jersey's - The Prizes
From the overall to the mountains and everything in between.
There are many different races within Le Tour. The main prize is the Yellow Jersey, or the Maillot Jaune, is worn by the overall leader of the race. This is determined by the rider with the best overall time each day. This is the most coveted award and is usually won by the most complete rider. In modern Tour history, a rider with decent time trialing skills, a good team and drop dead mountain climbing ability has won this jersey. A Maillot Jaune is awarded each day to the leader of the race.The Green Jersey is worn by the overall points leader in the race. This is typically considered the sprinters' jersey as points are awarded for mid race sprints and each days' finish. In the past few years, this has been one of the more exciting races with several winners not decided until the final day in Paris.
The Poka Dot, or Mountain Jersey, is worn by the leader with the most points in the mountains. Each Col, or mountain top, awards the first few riders with points. The person who collects the most points wins this jersey. One good breakaway on a mountain stage can earn this jersey.
Each day also has a winner as well as the overall team classification. So if your guy isn't in the lead for the yellow jersey, maybe he will pick up one of the many other spoils.
Here is a good synopsis of some of the rules and procedures in the tour.
Here is a great run down of all the points and how the secondary jersey's are decided.
The Top Tour de France DVD's
From Lance to other greats, watch them all year long.
These are great to get you pumped up for this year's tour or to help you through long winter training sessions. I like to climb like Lance in the Alps :)
Magnificent 7 (2005 Tour de France 12-Hour DVD; 6 pc.)
1999 Tour de France 8-Hour Remastered
2003 Tour de France 12-hour DVD
WIRED TO WIN SURVIVING THE TOUR DE FRANCE
Charlie Rose with Lance Armstrong (August 2, 2001)
1990 Tour De France Greg Lemond DVD
{Import} Legends of the Tour De France Eddy Merckx DVD
{Import - UK} Tour De France History 1903-2005 Cycling DVD
Magnificent 7 (2005 Tour de France 12-Hour DVD; 6 pc.)
1999 Tour de France 8-Hour Remastered
2003 Tour de France 12-hour DVD
WIRED TO WIN SURVIVING THE TOUR DE FRANCE
Charlie Rose with Lance Armstrong (August 2, 2001)
1990 Tour De France Greg Lemond DVD
{Import} Legends of the Tour De France Eddy Merckx DVD
{Import - UK} Tour De France History 1903-2005 Cycling DVD
Who's Next?
Who will take the crown?
This year's Tour will be pretty wide open like last year. But there may be some notable differences. We didn't have such a cloud of doping suspicion like we do this year. Floyd Landis' recent retesting of his B samples did not go his way and it seems like anyone associated in any way with Fuentes and the Operation Puerto affair, even though it was closed by Spanish investigators, will most likely not be allowed to compete. That leaves Basso out I'm quite positive.
Look for Levi Leipheimer, Damian Cunego and hey if Tyler Hamilton can get his team in, why not. Oh, and no one can forget Alexander Vinokourov. Last year he was stopped from competing in the Tour due to many of his teammates being kicked out because of drug allegations. He rides angry and has shown that he has the hutspa (sp?) to push his body to the limit. If he can put together three weeks of perfect cycling, I think he is the favorite for the top of the podium.
And what of Paulo Salvodeli? Or Popovich from Team Discovery? Johan Bruhnell has always thought this young rider would take over the mantel of Lance Armstrong.
Either way it will be an interesting three weeks in July. I'll update this with more prospects as time goes on.
Vino says this is his year
Bruynell believes that Disco is back to their winning ways
Look for Levi Leipheimer, Damian Cunego and hey if Tyler Hamilton can get his team in, why not. Oh, and no one can forget Alexander Vinokourov. Last year he was stopped from competing in the Tour due to many of his teammates being kicked out because of drug allegations. He rides angry and has shown that he has the hutspa (sp?) to push his body to the limit. If he can put together three weeks of perfect cycling, I think he is the favorite for the top of the podium.
And what of Paulo Salvodeli? Or Popovich from Team Discovery? Johan Bruhnell has always thought this young rider would take over the mantel of Lance Armstrong.
Either way it will be an interesting three weeks in July. I'll update this with more prospects as time goes on.
Vino says this is his year
Bruynell believes that Disco is back to their winning ways
2007 Tour de France Course
Follow the Tour de France along the way.
This year's Tour de France does something it hasn't done since 1998, start off the European continent and the first time it will start in Britain. The first stage is in London, an 8km prologue.
This year there are no cobbles, no Mont Vontoux, no climbs on any passes that are unpaved, but that isn't to say it won't be hard. The first big test for the riders is stage 7.
Personally, I think Stage 16 will be the deciding factor. After two tough mountain stages, one being a mountain to finish on Plateau-de-Beille, and a rest day, the riders will push themselves to the limit to a mountain top finish from Gourette to the Col d'Aubisque, a 218k romp through France. The final col is the fourth of the day.
This is the final day of climbing for the Tour and the final day for the climbers to bridge the gap or increase their lead. Expect some fireworks from those in the top ten trying to make up time. with no real "patron" of the peloton, this could be very exciting!
This year there are no cobbles, no Mont Vontoux, no climbs on any passes that are unpaved, but that isn't to say it won't be hard. The first big test for the riders is stage 7.
Personally, I think Stage 16 will be the deciding factor. After two tough mountain stages, one being a mountain to finish on Plateau-de-Beille, and a rest day, the riders will push themselves to the limit to a mountain top finish from Gourette to the Col d'Aubisque, a 218k romp through France. The final col is the fourth of the day.
This is the final day of climbing for the Tour and the final day for the climbers to bridge the gap or increase their lead. Expect some fireworks from those in the top ten trying to make up time. with no real "patron" of the peloton, this could be very exciting!
Tour De France Team Rosters Announced
With the UCI pressuring teams to sign their document, the players are announced.
The Discovery Team announced their squad a few days ago. With Ivan Basso now suspended for two years and off the team, they are looking to Levi Leipheimer as the team leader and the podium finisher. Wouldn't it be amazing for an American to win again?Here is a great Tour line-up article. Astana, Discovery and Saunier Duval-Prodir have announced their riders.
T-mobile has just added Cavendish to it's squad in the final moments.
Kloden and Vino - I think that is the team to beat this year!
And here is the official start list.
Our Confidence Shaken
Doping continues to undermine the fans joy of the sport.
Here are links to cycling articles about doping and the persistent problem is has created.
- Basso Admits Involvement in Operation Puerto
- From Yahoo Sports: "Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso has admitted being involved in the Operation Puerto doping scandal, the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) said on Monday."
- I am Birillo!
- "I did admit having attempted to use doping for the (2006) Tour de France and I am ready to pay the penalty for that," Basso said.
- T-Mobile Suspends Two Doctors
- The T-Mobile cycling team said on Thursday it had suspended two doctors after state prosecutors in Freiburg launched an investigation into allegations of doping between 1992 and 1996.
- USADA Lawyer Speaks Out
- On the Landis B Sample Test - "USADA simply has no motivation to violate this rule. Why would we violate this rule and give the athlete a chance to raise a legal technicality and try to have a case dismissed on that basis? At the opening of the B sample, USADA's interest is in allowing the athlete's representative appropriate access, while making sure that nothing is done to compromise the reliability of the analysis."
- Great Doping Scandals in Cycling
- ESPN.com's Chronology of major doping scandals in
cycling in recent years. - Tinkoff suspends Hamilton, Jaksche and Hondo
- Tyler Hamilton and Jörg Jaksche will not race the 2007 Giro d'Italia and have been suspended indefinitely "until the competent authorities ... have finally sorted out all the implication of the riders in Operación Puerto," -5/10/07
- Milram suspend Petacchi over dope test
- Petacchi suspended, but most likely due to his asthema medication.
- Kessler fails dope test
- Kessler fails his doping test and is suspended pending his second sample being tested. Every team is affected. It's hard not to think that everyone is doing this.
Tour de France News
Where to follow updates and where to follow along live.
Here are some great links to follow the tour. Many will have live update windows that you can watch as the action is happening.
- Velonews.com
- This has to be the best American cycling site and offers live updates on every stage.
- Eurosport.com
- This is a great news site from across the pond.
- CyclingNews.com
- I would have to say this has the most thorough reporting around. The site design can be a little overwhelming but it works.
- Daily Peloton
- Great news site. No live coverage but great follow up.
- Official Le Tour Site
- This is the official site of the Tour de France in English. It's also not a bad place for official results, although it can be a little slow in updating.
- Tyler's Site
- This is a pretty decent site to follow up on all things Tyler.
- Floyd's Site
- Follow Floyd's affair.
- Nashbar.com
- Get your cycling stuff here.
- Performance Bike
- Another great spot for cycling nuts.
- Triathlon Training
- This is a Tour de France blog, but hey, if you want to hear about a 30 something guy who is trying to stay in shape and compete somewhat while keeping up with his family, this is the blog for you. I do give the occasional recap and commentary of big races and issues involving big name riders.
Awesome Tour de France Memorobilia
I've found some great things to hang in my cycling room here.
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Let me know what you think.
Want to add more?
JamieBirch wrote...
Citronic - Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. That is fantastic, will you be able to watch any of the festivities? I'd love to post any pictures if you'd like to share!
Posted July 04, 2007
Jennifer-Sams wrote...
Hi Great lens. Thanks very much for all of the great info. I am really excited as it starts in London this year so I am travelling down to London this weekend. Excellent!
http://www.squidoo.com/learn-to-rock-climb-like-a-pro/
Posted July 03, 2007
FreaksOnBikesVarietyStore wrote...
Great Lens - I can't wait for the start of this years tour!
Posted June 21, 2007
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