Tour de France then and now

otyikondo · Post by **otyikondo** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 12:45 am

I have no idea whether this will qualify as "a popular topic", as it has no cat, alcohol, or giant breast content, but one never knows.

Apart from watching with bated breath for the next major doping scandal and gazing in awe at people (and frankly I don't give a warm sh*t what they are taking, since 200km of furious pedalling every day for three weeks NEEDS good drugs in my book) who can climb up and down Alps at prodigious speeds hour after hour after day, I find Le Tour (Eurosport, daily) quite fascinating for the almost chess-like thinking that goes into it: it is much more than mere sweat and guts, and is very much a team sport, with players (captains, lieutenants, domestiques) given different roles - not unlike defenders, midfield men, and strikers in football.

But to some extent it is a little... for want of a better word... predictable.

To take an example, whenever there is a breakaway, it seems the peloton (thems what didn't break away) knows within an instant how serious the escapees are to the overall classification, and if they are not relevant (i.e. are bit-players down in the lower rankings of the overall times), they are allowed to get on with it, and even to stay out ahead all the way if necessary. If any of them ARE serious threats to the overall standings, they are hunted down with a vengeance. I'm assuming part of this is due to modern technology: all the riders seem to have microphones and wifi connections to their team managers, who feed them abundant data on what is going on in real time.

So my question is: what were things like in the days of yore, pre radio telephony? Was it THEN possible for someone to pull a fast one and get away and win a stage by enough to suddenly catapult them unexpectedly into the lead and the yellow jersey? When information was only passed to the riders by flash cards or desperate shouting from the team cars, was it a more "open" event than it is now? Because it rather SEEMS as though it is all somewhat stage-managed, with not much of a surprise element permitted.

Having said all this, last year (or was it two years ago, I forget) there WAS a "mistake" at one point: some bloke who was about 50th was in a breakaway group that stuck, and though he was over 20 minutes behind the leader at the time, since he finished more than 20 minutes (!!!) ahead of the pack, he took the yellow jersey. I don't know if this WAS a miscalculation, or maybe the teams would PREFER their guy wasn't in yellow (because the jersey has to be defended) until the very end, but it seems increasingly unlikely today that anything can happen that is not pre-ordained in the teams' playbooks.

Anyone else watching it? The Finnish commentators are quite good - though they do tend to dwell a lot on churches.

**Sponsor:**

MagicJ · Post by **MagicJ** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:10 am

I love it! and i'm not really a cycling fan; my brother did however have an Eddy Merckx racer when i as a kid so i've always been aware. I suppose i've been watching it full on for about 5 or 6 years and now that i'm in finland i'm upset that i can't watch eurosport live for free anymore like i did last summer, so instead I rely on the fabulous ITV coverage beamed in from the UK.

I just marvel at the sheer craziness of it all, up to 200km a day for three weeks (i think i'd rather go without the rest day for fear of seizing up) up and down mountains, sprints, crashes. I'm humbled by their strength and passion for the noble sport of cycling, man and machine. Sure there's scandal, last year with Astana-Vinikourov and Rasmussen made it such an enthralling story even though there were drugs and trips to Mexico involved:

I suppose if i was more of a cycling fan i'd be more embarrassed about the EPO etc. but what can you do as a spectator? I just sit back and enjoy the beauty of it all as the peloton rolls remorselessly through the scenery. I agree that it's a different race now than it was in the old days (they took drugs back then too) with telecommunications interfering with the drama and intrigue, but I think they always knew who was ahead and by roughly how much, nowadays the team cars have exact times and riders, not a massive difference perhaps? maybe it just seems that way because we as spectators are much better informed.

When you see a man kick off the front and race off into the distance after spending 5 hours in the saddle you just have to take your hat off to them and will him on to stay away and soak up the glory for themselves.
It's a great watch and i'm looking forward to my next fix. I'm always a little behind and will be watching today's racing (saturday) on sunday morning as it's fairly easy to avoid news of the days racing and kick back, relax and bask in the glow of one of the world's premium sporting events.

Enjoy the racing....i'm just going to have to watch the cricket until the cycling is ready.

kitty wonka · Post by **kitty wonka** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:16 am

the episode / mistake from a few years ago that you recall was when oscar periero (sp) and another ~20 escapees were allowed a massive lead and eventually finished well ahead of the peleton (~20+ min). he eventually lost the yellow jersey to floyd landis in the time trial, who then lost the yellow jersey b/c of a questionable positive test for testosterone. but, he (periero) was never expected to win the the tour or even be a strong contender. his 'defense' last year was laughable if anything. point being, he only became such by a miscalculation and tactical folly when his escape group was given way too much time. i think at one point they had a lead during that stage of more than 40 min? but, i can't remember the exact details.

still, it made for a wildly exciting tour, particularly since it was the first year after lance retired.

i'm a little dubious about this year's tour. ASO and UCI are playing silly power games, and given the complete overhaul of Astana after last year's tour, i'm a little dismayed that they were left off the roster. given the positive A sample from this year already, and the lack of action by ASO against Liguigas, i'm not surprised, but a bit more dubious. Astana has consistently been a strong team this year (winning hte Giro a few weeks ago and the Tour of California earlier in the year and ranked no. 1 in the team standings thus far), and contador should have been allowed to defend. they've also not had a single suspicious doping control this year. meanwhile, team high road/columbia (formerly team telekom/ t-mobile, and CSC, along with a few others) are allowed to race even though last year during and after the tour, they've had suspicious controls and positive tests come back. given that rabobank allowd rasmussean to race last year knowing hta the missed several controls, they shouldn't have been allowed to start this year IMHO.

that is, if ASO wants to claim that they have a zero tolerance policy, then they should do so. of course, then it would be a completely different race. but, either let all of the pro tour teams race or only those without 'scandals'. and when a 'scandal' occurs, fine and ban the team (which is not what has happened with Liguigas after Beltran's positive a sample).

sorry...i love le tour and cycling in general. but, i'm a little sick of all the silliness with the UCI and ASO and the testing lab in France and whatnot. it's spoiling the sport and making it less and less fun to watch.

MagicJ · Post by **MagicJ** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:28 pm

Anyone watching leTour this year? I've watched everyday so far. Loads of crashes in the first week and a number of changes in the yellow jersey has made it an interesting tour, a couple of flat stages now then back into the mountains.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 8:14 pm

Seeing as i have a broken ankle mending in a cast (3 weeks in, 3 to go), i have very much enjoyed being able to watch ALOT of the Tour thus far.
Robbie McEwen is animal and i was really sad to see him crash so badly after that stage several days ago.
Cadel Evans was also doing quite well but he is never pretty to watch, he always looks like he is about to die at any moment.
I am liking Andy Schleck for the overall win because i think the guy deserves it.
However i think it's anybodys game this year, should make for some great viewing.

otyikondo · Post by **otyikondo** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 1:27 am

Pete wrote:Seeing as i have a broken ankle mending in a cast (3 weeks in, 3 to go), i have very much enjoyed being able to watch ALOT of the Tour thus far.
Robbie McEwen is animal and i was really sad to see him crash so badly after that stage several days ago.
Cadel Evans was also doing quite well but he is never pretty to watch, he always looks like he is about to die at any moment.
I am liking Andy Schleck for the overall win because i think the guy deserves it.
However i think it's anybodys game this year, should make for some great viewing.

Fortunately he probably ISN'T, unlike poor Tom Simpson, who succumbed (to a deadly cocktail of heat, amphetamines, and brandy) on Mont Ventoux 33 years ago this week, on Stage 13.

The pave stuff this year was a real gas, though doubtless not in the minds of the riders.

Did everyone see the post-race fight between Rui Costa (GCE) and Carlos Barredo (QST) after Stage 6? Barredo whacks Costa with a hastily-removed front wheel after Costa has allegedly jabbed Barredo in the ribs with his elbow in the peloton. Renshaw got booted off the Tour for headbutting someone on the lead-out, but these two just got piddly fines.

An OZ biking channel had some fun with "le biffo".

We were in Provence last year in early July and the Tour came through the village we were staying in, but unfortunately it was on the day we left. It did not go unnoticed among our French B&B hosts that a Finn (Jussi Veikkanen) was in the polkadot jersey after two stages - we were able to bask in the reflected glory.

silk · Post by **silk** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:00 am

I have watched it every day, getting the hang of it this year, my second year watching it. It was sad to see Armstrong lose his chances for the yellow jersey... was looking forward to a duel between him and Contador. Armstrong crashed again today... this is getting embarrassing...

Yes, lots of bad crashes this year. I have a hard time watching them now that I am recovering from a broken elbow after falling off my bike a couple of months ago. Ouch ouch ouch... (Pete, how did you break your ankle?)

Why isn't Jussi Veikkanen in it this year? Have seen a Finnish flag by the road side a few times though

My prediction is that Contador will take the yellow, Schleck will be second and hoping Leipheimer will also be on the podium in Paris.

silk · Post by **silk** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:18 am

otyikondo wrote: Did everyone see the post-race fight between Rui Costa (GCE) and Carlos Barredo (QST) after Stage 6? Barredo whacks Costa with a hastily-removed front wheel after Costa has allegedly jabbed Barredo in the ribs with his elbow in the peloton. Renshaw got booted off the Tour for headbutting someone on the lead-out, but these two just got piddly fines.

That post-race fight was funny... what else would bike riders use as a weapon but a bike wheel?

I'm not surprised they only got a fine, nobody got hurt and it didn't affect anybody's chances for a win. Renshaw's actions were much more serious, and I think he got booted out for pushing aside Tyler Farrar rather than for headbutting his lead-out man.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:05 am

silk wrote:Pete, how did you break your ankle?

I fell off my bike as well.

silk · Post by **silk** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 5:15 pm

Looks painful Pete... good luck with the rehab!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 7:56 pm

Thanks, likewise!
The pain is easing up quite a bit, today i got by on only 2 800mg Burana tablets (plus 2 Tramadins late last night).
Although i am very sceptical when the doctors say that i should be able to start putting my full weight onto the foot by next week.
It just doesn't seem possible...

silk · Post by **silk** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:54 pm

Pete wrote:Thanks, likewise!
The pain is easing up quite a bit, today i got by on only 2 800mg Burana tablets (plus 2 Tramadins late last night).
Although i am very sceptical when the doctors say that i should be able to start putting my full weight onto the foot by next week.
It just doesn't seem possible...

Have you hooked up with a good physiotherapist? Physio and exercises will be important when the cast comes off. Joints get incredibly stiff while in a cast and the sooner you get the mobility back the better. My physiotherapist broke his ankle a few years ago and he said he started weight bearing exercises on his ankle as soon as his cast came off. Get advise from your doctor and physiotherapist and persevere

oompah18 · Post by **oompah18** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:38 pm

I really enjoyed watching today´s stage 17, as they cycled up Col de Tourmalet. I did that climb about 10 years ago (life before Finland was a blast as a sporty, single-something!) It was amazingly tough, especially the 9% climb near the end. Even though a sunny day in July, I was totally frozen at the top & had to wear about 4 layers of clothing on the fast descent, that was sooooooooooo scary. (that was done on stage 16 this year). But I did buy the real, souvenir t shirt with a pic of cyclists on the top of the col, which I have worn all day today, with pride

I also cycled to another part of the route to watch them go by. You just wait there for 4 hrs & they whizz by in 4 seconds! Their speed was amazing, well worth it. I hope Andy Schleck wins this year as he was close last year after an exciting stage up Mt ventoux, & after all, he is probably the most famous Luxemburgian ever!!!!!
Allie, happy at home in Finland, with 4 kids, 14 bikes & 2 biketrailers

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:27 pm

oompah18 wrote:... 14 bikes...

Isn't it weird how bikes sort of accumulate and before you know it they fill every space in the shed, the garage, in the loft, at the mökki, at grandma's house... and the one you really need always has a flat tyre or the saddle is too low or the chain is off!!!

I can't believe you cycled that col

I'm no big fan (got bored when it all got messy) but watching it on TV is a bit like cricket or athletics. Part of summer. I do get "homesick" when I see certain bits of France though...

oompah18 · Post by **oompah18** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:50 am

....and there´s the bike "accesseries" - I mean junk, of course: spare inner tubes, tyres, tools, saddles, mudguards, pedals,panniers, dozens of little screws that don´t seem to fit anything any more, but worse of all, for some bizarre reason, I have loads of toe clips that have either no straps or screws to fit. Can´t bear to throw it all out though!
Now how´s about a quick list, might even shock me into selling something:
12" tots bike x 2
16" bike used by my sporty 4 yr old
20" tunturi bomber for the 7 yr old for mainly school use (gift, too nice for my little thug really

)
20" suspension, zillion-geared mtb for him to "wreck", really riding off road (10eur bargain on huuto!)
20" mtb without susp for 5 yr old, who frquently loves to ride the 40km return trip to Tampere
26 laides´bike for the child seat
28" all singing & dancing mtb for me, for the real stuff, off road, & for pulling heavy trailers of more junk & shopping & even tired 4 yr olds holding his bike on his lap!
ny 2 road/touring bikes, one 23 yrs old, still going strong, my col bike; & the newer bike has carried me, amongst other places, from Italy to Prague via Slovenia & Austria, camping one crazy summer, again, in the peaceful days pre Finland & pre family!
Then there´s my hubby´s new Nishiki hybrid, his old mtb minus chain & 1 wheel, a terrible kiddy trike that fits no one we know, & finally, a 16", style old, princess bike given to us by neighbours, sprayed grey for the boys to practise on, before the rusty chain snapped, saddle gave way & tyre exploded.
Wow, but I love my trusty trailer the best

this one is ALMOST indestructable:
http://www.lokari.fi/?s=t_turvasukkula&l=eng
Here´s to an unpredictable finish to the tour!
Allie
ps this is me:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/2352/index.html

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