TdF Stage 6: Measure Of A Man

It's been a long week, and we have a big day tomorrow, so just a short note about the Tom Simpson anniversary. David Millar lamented to VeloNewsTV that today's 40th anniversary of Simpson's death on Mont Ventoux was getting short shrift at the Tour. As VeloNews also noted, to comical effect, journalists were disappointed to hear at the end of the stage that Bradley Wiggins' escapades had nothing to do with Simpson. Wiggins hadn't even expected to be alone on the break, just turned out that way. Versus advertised a feature on Simpson in primetime, but it was a disappointing little afterthought.

It was left to John Wilcockson to give the proper tribute, in a stirring piece at VeloNews. "Simpson remembered" is a very apt title, for his piece is a true memory that brings that day richly to life. For many of us, the unfortunate image of Simpson is the grainy black-and-white film of vain resuscitation attempts and the cautionary tale that brought on the first modern anti-doping measures. So it is nice, and humbling, to be reminded that Simpson was so much more than that. Wilcockson gives a full picture of the man, and an emotional first-hand account of that July in 1967.

In this day and age, when I'm checking the internet constantly for live updates and post-race reports, and watching the stages live on television, it's amazing to think Wilcockson didn't even find out about Simpson's death until the next morning, and he was there at the race and knew Simpson personally. But the important thing is that he did know him, and gave us all a gift today with his memories.

Just one observation on the race - much was made, myself included, about Vino's slit to the throat motion. But upon watching it again, I think maybe he was just asking the cameraman to give him a break, let him suffer the finish in peace. He intends to start tomorrow, but I fear it will be very painful for him, and very painful for us to watch.

TdF Stage 5: Piece O' My Heart

This is where I perhaps would fail as a professional Tour blogger. Watching and talking about the Tour is not a game or idle entertainment to me. I can't detach myself and talk blithely about Vino's ass looking fit as it hangs out of his shorts, raw and bloody. This sport, these riders, they're in my heart and soul. I broke out into a cold sweat the first two times I experienced the stage (following online live, and then watching the morning show on disc, even though I already knew what happened). I fared slightly better watching the evening show, but the heart was still pumping. Sometimes I wish I didn't care so much; I would get more sleep and my arteries wouldn't be shredded on a day like today. But on the other hand, I think - how can you not get attached, how can you not live and die with these guys, what would be the point?

Being so attached, I can be exhilarated for Sylvain Chavanel, claiming the mountains jersey in style. Good karma coming back to reward him, for being Lance's final victim on Luz-Ardiden, and for his gracious patience in not taking the jersey yesterday.

I can cry right along with Erik Zabel during his emotional podium ceremony to get the sprinter's jersey. (Hope you caught it on the P&P show, because primetime didn't show it, in a serious lapse in judgment if you ask me, but sadly, they never do.) As he explained afterwards, he thought his career might be over after the EPO confession, and every day racing now is a blessing, let alone a day on the podium.

I can go on a roller coaster for Team Discovery, as I get excited for Levi when I see Sergio Paulinho looking so sharp at the front of the peloton. And gasp when I hear about Benjamin Noval crashing through a team car rear window, and riding 8 kilometers with deep cuts in his armpit and chin.

I can cheer for the jury's decision to allow Geoffroy Lequatre to continue tomorrow. He's the one that wiped out in the feed zone, and ended up coming in almost 45 minutes after the finish, normally outside the time cutoff. Let's hope he can continue.

I can laugh with great affection as the Puppy almost takes out the Bear. (The first being my term of endearment, the latter apparently CSC's.) Yaroslav Popovych took one of his typical flyers, but the descent was dicey and he went off into the grass. Fabian Cancellara had him in his sights, so much so that he followed him right off the road. A brief excursion, though, and all was well.

And, I can cry, writhe, and fuss over Andreas Kloden and Alexandre Vinokourov as they struggle to even stay in the race, let alone contend for it. Kloden did indeed fracture his coccyx and is questionable to start tomorrow. No word yet on Vino. His troubled ankle will be a distant memory now. Even without injury, a rider's system is taken down to the bare bones (literally) over the course of the Tour. How overloaded will Vino's be if it also has to try and mend all of those injuries, one wonders if it can hold up. Quite moving to see ex-teammate Bernhard Eisel looking after Vino in the final kilometers, several times putting a hand on his back, talking to him.

On the lighter side, Bob and Al win the prize today, they actually assessed the Kloden crash better than Phil and Paul! They got that it was serious, Al saw the perhaps offending rock, and they figured out that it was a pain reliever Kloden was getting from the doctor's car, not a spritz on his arm. Bravo, boys.

In honor of Lady Bird's passing, bless her soul, I purposefully took a moment today to stand in the sunshine and enjoy the wildflowers. Always a good idea, but necessary for me during the Tour. It's got my heart and soul, but with a little care perhaps it won't make me lose my mind. :-)

TdF Stage 4: Hope For A Legacy

One of my favorite lines from the classic mini-series Brideshead Revisited comes when Charles (Jeremy Irons) hears that his best friend and man-crush Sebastian is gravely ill, naturally wants to rush to his side, and breathlessly tells his father he must go. The inimitable John Gielgud, as the enigmatic father, gives a vaguely quizzical look and asks, "Do you hope for a legacy?" Today I'm thinking of a different kind of legacy, but such are the twisted workings of my mind, do forgive me.

For most riders, the conventional wisdom goes, winning just one Tour stage sets them up for life. They all know this, and often toss on a little extra in their victory salute, to ensure that immortality will be theirs. It may seem a little cheesy or silly, but you know what, it works. Carlos Sastre has distinguished himself a number of times, but I always remember him with that baby binky. And one of my all-time favorites is the slick arrow salute of Juan Antonio Flecha on that steamy airport runway a few years ago. Not only a great image, but the explanation (Flecha means arrow) requires repeating his name, so you never forget it. Ever since that victory, I look out for him, and smile when he's animating the race, as he did today in the breakaway.

Also in the breakaway was Sylvain Chavanel, proof positive that a failed break is not always lost in the shuffle. For who can forget the gentle tap on his shoulder by Lance Armstrong as he cruised by Chavanel on his tear up Luz-Ardiden in 2003. I can't tell you how many times I re-played that, but maybe that just proves what a geek I am!

As much as Al Trautwig frustrates me, I felt genuinely sorry for him today - I can't believe he didn't pick Thor Hushovd this time! Guaranteed awkward ribbing on the pre-race show tomorrow, can't wait. ;-P

I would give anything to see a picture of Dave Zabriskie with his basket of apples; if anybody knows of one, for heavens sake, let me know!

I know cyclists aren't choirboys, but there are all of those lovely sporting gesture traditions, like the handshake between Christian Knees and Flecha before they got caught at today's finish. The contrast between this and the ever-intrusive promotion of cage fighting on Versus this year never ceases to alarm me. Especially when poor Phil Liggett has to read that copy, what must he be thinking? And most frightening when you don't get to the remote quick enough and the actual show comes on! What a strange world we live in.

Sending LiveStrong thoughts out to Sebastien Joly, diagnosed with cancer in the midst of great form.

TdF Stage 3: The Cheese Stands Alone

Get back that "Fabulous Cancellara" typeset! Everyone will be reaching into their suitcase of clichés again with today's marvelous stage. I can see it now - What a difference a day makes - Cancellara made short work of the longest stage - It doesn't matter if it's the shortest stage or the longest, Fabian can get it done! (I wonder if anyone has won both the shortest and longest stages before, I'm sure it's in a record book somewhere.)

It's hard to write about the Tour without clichés. We've all got countless hours of Phil and Paul in our head for one thing, and if you've ever played P&P Bingo, you know they love their clichés. Which is not at all a knock - when you've called as many races as they have, how many new things can you come up with? If it fits, use it!

It's funny, this cliché thing. We see the same kinds of things in race after race, but it doesn't get old, it's rather what keeps us coming back, it's those things we love. We laugh or gasp with recognition, but it's also a new thrill each time. Because it is new - for this day, this combination of riders, this set of hopes and dreams and talent. I wouldn't want to miss a single minute!

I suppose it's more tradition than cliché, there's a fine line there, but I can never get enough of a guy going ahead to greet his family in his hometown, as Laurent Lefevre did today. And even on a languishing day such as this, watching the laughter and interchanges amongst the peloton keeps things lively. Even Gert Steegmans got a laugh out of a botched knee!

Things got crackin' after Stephane Auge went to snag that polka-dot jersey, a couple of days after he'd thought it was his. David Millar seemed content enough to let it go, but of course the other consequence was that the breakaway got a bit more serious. No matter how many times the break gets caught, the chase is still a heap of fun to watch, especially when they very nearly make it like today! I already knew the result when I finally got to watch the video, and I was still on the edge of my seat!

And then the biggest thrill of all - oh, why not - Fabulous Fabian. While the break and sprinters couldn't help but play a little cat and mouse, Cancellara took his big Swiss cheese ass and just plowed right through them all, declaring "get out my way" with his raw power. And the cheese stood alone at the line, in a much happier pose than yesterday.

Hat's off to Erik Zabel, for sorting through the confusion left in Fabian's Wake and nipping the line for second. Robbie Hunter up amongst it again, showing the Barloworld colors, his buddy Floyd must be pleased for him. And poor Mark Cavendish, finally got himself up there in the mix, I hope he's a little happier today! After reading Dugard's description of the finish, I'm so relieved there wasn't another crash. That's one thing I don't need to see in race after race.

TdF Stage 2: Alive and Kicking

I'm waiting as breathlessly as anyone for the Floyd Landis verdict, but whichever way it goes, it will be a shame when it overshadows the Tour for a news cycle or three. The Tour has had a fantastic start, with unprecedented crowds and brilliant racing. If an ounce of that could be conveyed to the general public, they would see that cycling and the Tour are very much alive and kicking.

The camera work was excellent today, stunning vistas in this wide-open area of Belgium and exquisite close-ups of a hard-working and good-natured CSC team at the front. For whatever reason, I don't generally crave a trip to Europe like so many people do. But today, when the peloton were streaming alongside the canal and Phil and Paul were extolling the many bike paths in the area, I was ready to pack my bags!

And the crowds were equally inspiring, out in force even when the weather turned cold and wet. Didn't seem to slow them down a bit, still lining the roads in costume or hanging off sculptures and scaffolds. The rain didn't keep the race from being thrilling either, as the breakaway went through some crazy maneuvers and attacks before being swallowed up.

The crash was as ugly as they come. Sliding and flying through the air have their disadvantages to be sure, but the one today was like hitting a brick wall, no room to save any part of your body. I can't imagine what that feels like, and I hope to never know. I've never seen so many similar excruciating poses crossing the line, one arm cradled uncomfortably across the body. Tomas Vaitkus got a steadying hand from teammate Alberto Contador as he finished, always a sad but moving sight. Fabian Cancellara didn't have a teammate nearby, but was talking with the group he was in. I'm sure any one of them would've lent a hand to the yellow jersey if needed. And the saddest sight was Freddy Rodriguez, dead last, already having lost his helmet and glove, and holding his arm the most gingerly of all.

Robbie McEwen gave us a fine preview yesterday, but today was an even greater example of the true grit of professional cyclists. They'll whip through the rain and cold, and when they fall hard, and must not want to move a muscle, they get themselves up, haul themselves back on their bicycle, and make it across the line. It reminds me of Dave Zabriskie on that fateful TTT a couple of years ago. You could practically see the smoke coming off his burned flesh, and yet he somehow made it through the long, lonely trek to the line.

It's when I see moments like these, and moments like Alexandre Vinokourov winning a race just days after his best friend is killed in that same contest, that I say no one but a fellow member of the peloton has a right to say a thing against cyclists and cycling. We fans appreciate it on some level, but you realize that we have no idea what they really go through, the pain and suffering and anguish, day in and day out. Who am I to tell them what they can and cannot do? It's a moment of blind sentimentality, yes, but there is something to it.

And so I was humbled and happy to see everyone alive and kicking at the end today. It looks doubtful for some, but I hope they are all back again tomorrow.


Random observations: as Robbie McEwen told Versus, Levi Leipheimer came up with Robbie's "Dumb and Dumber" salute (where he's pumping his arms, like he's running). The meticulous and proper Levi, a closet comedian, who knew? Favorite penalty of the day, as noted at VeloNews: Moreau (Ag2r), 100SF - compertemont incorrect for "stopping between the depart fictive and the depart reel to satisfy his call for nature"

TdF Stage 1: Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Borrowing from another sport again, that's Peter Berg's line from the great football show Friday Night Lights. The clear eyes and full heart today at the Tour de France belonged to Robbie McEwen, who had me cackling with laughter as he pulled off one of his best reappearing acts ever in the closing meters. There he was off the back, just a few K from the end, grimacing in pain as his team paced him back. When they got back to the peloton, Phil and Paul cautioned, "but now he has to work himself up through 150 riders in just a few kilometers." The unspoken caveat, though, was that if any rider could do it, it would be the crafty McEwen. And sure enough, he came charging through at the end and showed the field how it's done.

McEwen explained his difficulties to VS.' Craig Hummer afterwards - someone with tired eyes rear-ended McEwen as he was stopped by traffic in front, tossing him over his handlebars. He said he couldn't even move his arm and leg at first. Veteran that he is, though, he didn't panic and eventually got rolling again. Mark Cavendish can certainly take a lesson on the day. It wasn't clear what happened to Cavendish, but he was seen having a tantrum at the side of the road, helmet pushed up on his forehead, screaming at someone off-camera. He may well have been in the right, but at that point in the race, you need to concentrate on the bike, get it going again, and save recriminations for later, when you're not wasting energy. Ah, he's young, he'll learn, it's just unfortunate for him that today's image is the one he'll leave on the final day in his home country. Speaking of homeboys, David Millar played it just right, getting the polka-dot jersey by the skin of his teeth. He's a squirrely one, but I think he looked happy on the podium!

Random observations: Fun to see CSC on front for much of the day. I'm sure it wasn't fun for them, but I like seeing some of my favorite guys on display. Is there any sight more heart-stirring then big Jens Voigt powering away at the front, seemingly pulling the entire peloton with his strength and will?

There was a great and unusual camera shot, on one of the narrow roads, that started with the crowd before the riders arrived, and let you feel the anticipation, and then the thrill as they rounded the corner and the crowd began to cheer. Actually got me teary-eyed, sentimental fool that I am.

Almost, and I emphasize almost, made up for the interminable commercials! This first weekend always reminds me why I don't mind following online at work during the week - you get a much better sense of the flow of the race, and catch a lot of things missed on the broadcast. Kind of like when they make a movie out of a long book. If you've read the book first, the movie is enjoyable, because you have all the information to fill in the blanks, and you get some visual highlights. The primetime show last night was made eminently more bearable by a visit from Chris Boardman - I hope that wasn't just for when they're in England!

Love all the fresh buzz-cuts on the guys. They're ready to rumble! CyclingNews again with the George Hincapie going to T-Mobile next year, they're talking like it's a done deal! VeloNews hints at big signings by Slipstream. DZ mentioned them the other day, I wondah! VN also said they've heard that USADA will "carefully review" the arb's verdict before deciding whether or not to appeal. Can we dare to hope??

TdF Prologue: What Do You Want?

For someone who doesn't even like baseball, I have a curious penchant for quoting this movie, but another scene from Field of Dreams comes to mind. "Ray" and "Terence" are at the ball game, and Ray says, "What do you want?" Terence runs down the litany of his peeves from the past thirty years, and Ray says, "No, what do you want?" Terence realizes they're standing in front of the concession, and says, "Oh, dog and a beer."

And so we arrive at today's Tour de France Prologue, and we see who wants what. These are the best of the best, so this is not to take anything away from the field of amazing athletes who have reached the top of their sport. But to be the best, that is reserved for a very special few. They are the ones that come to win. Many come with hopes and dreams, and a more select bunch come to contend. But coming to win is a big step from coming to contend, or even wanting to win, and I believe we saw that difference today.

Fabian Cancellara, he came to win the Prologue. He felt it was just and right that the rainbow jersey fly his colors at the top of the top, and he made sure he did just that. Bradley Wiggins wanted desperately to win, but I think when you throw all those nationalistic hopes and pressure in there, it gets in the way of flat-out coming to win, and he just missed the podium. George Hincapie certainly came to contend, but I imagine it's a little bittersweet again for him this year, hanging on for third.

For the overall, Alexandre Vinokourov came to win. The feisty Kazakh who longs for the Soviet training days doesn't want to hear about short distances and specialists and plenty of time down the road - he came to win, so he put in a top performance. The rest of the GC contenders were perfectly respectable and remain within striking distance, but it would appear they came to contend, just that one step down from Vino. There will be lots of spinning about how Levi Leipheimer did fine, and is building his form. That may well be true, but I can't help but be a little disappointed that he didn't bring it from the start. It's time to rock and roll, baby, and as Sting says, you've got to burn from the first bar.

Levi wants to win, and very well could win, but he still talks the contender instead of the winner. He'll try to win, he'll think about winning, but the podium is okay for him. Maybe Disco needs to hire Ivan Basso again, give Levi his fire back! (He certainly came to win in CA and GA.) Vino talks about now or never, he's not interested in just the podium. And how many times did we hear Floyd Landis say it last year, "I'm here to win it," nothing else would satisfy.

Now, coming to win isn't the only thing, there is a long way to go, and any number of outside things can happen. So all of the contenders are still very well in contention. As I said, these are all top athletes and they will show us amazing things in the weeks to come. But there are those very special riders who simply aren't like the others. They have the extra fire, the extra capacity for suffering, the place they can take their body and mind that the other riders don't even know exists. Obviously Lance Armstrong had that, and Floyd has it (one can only hope he gets to show us more of it in the future). Just as Floyd was a step above last year, it would appear Vino is that step above this year. Now if we could only get those two in a Tour together!

But what about Andreas Kloden, you say? (Second on the day.) Ah yes, he is a puzzle. I think he comes to win, but despite himself, without really knowing it. Much will be made in the coming week, as the contenders await the mountains, of what must be a brewing rivalry among Vino and Klodi. As Phil Liggett would say, I wondah. Kloden seems to enjoy that lieutenant role, it would seem he's perfectly happy to come to contend. Someone forgot to tell his body though.

And what do the lay press want? To pump up a scandal to hyperbolic proportions, because I suppose that's what passes for sexy in our life and times. But what do the people want? Turns out they want to watch a bike race, as the throngs of crowds packing in all around the course from the first pedal stroke showed today. Vive Le Tour indeed.