2007 Tour de France Chat
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:11 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<<<<<Author: Underhill
As Queen Elizabeth I is reported to have said while in prison, "Much suspected of me, nothing proven can be." Possibly that goes for some of the top cyclists who have been accused but not judged guilty by the sport authorities.>>>>>>>
Well Said Underhill!! I for one would hate to lose my livelihood and reputation based on the inuendo and speculation of jealous competitors.
If you come up with a fact, example: Ullrich's DNA found in the blood bags, or Virenque's overgrown monkey brow from HGH, I'll believe a rider cheated, short of that, innocent until PROVEN guilty.
As Queen Elizabeth I is reported to have said while in prison, "Much suspected of me, nothing proven can be." Possibly that goes for some of the top cyclists who have been accused but not judged guilty by the sport authorities.>>>>>>>
Well Said Underhill!! I for one would hate to lose my livelihood and reputation based on the inuendo and speculation of jealous competitors.
If you come up with a fact, example: Ullrich's DNA found in the blood bags, or Virenque's overgrown monkey brow from HGH, I'll believe a rider cheated, short of that, innocent until PROVEN guilty.
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:11 AM
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Celtic: i agree - the race is an scintillating regardless - and i have not had the pleasure to see the race live but i do often get my Michelin 1:200000 atlas out and make like i'm going along the route on my bike as well - looking for castles, etc. on the map that will soon be coming up on the broadcast.
I still think Frankie's butchering of the French language shows a lack of professionalism.
I still think Frankie's butchering of the French language shows a lack of professionalism.
Jul 11th, 2007, 10:24 AM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PalenQ, I also find the mangling of French names and places to be insulting to the host country as well as to the audience that would love to learn how the names are supposed to be pronounced. The French language is so beautiful that it hurts even my ears to hear it so poorly spoken.
I also agree that Frankie Andreu is the worst of the lot when it comes to the Tour commentators, he may be a former racer but he isn't an interesting interviewer at all, he asked the most basic and obvious questions and never delves into anything deeper than the "fluff".
I also agree that Frankie Andreu is the worst of the lot when it comes to the Tour commentators, he may be a former racer but he isn't an interesting interviewer at all, he asked the most basic and obvious questions and never delves into anything deeper than the "fluff".
Jul 11th, 2007, 02:00 PM
#24
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I couldn't agree more about Frankie Andreu. We don't watch the Tour live (too early for the west coast of the U.S.) and so have the pleasure of skipping over his interviews.
How about Bob and Paul speaking Flemish (or was Paul actually speaking Flemish?) when describing the route on the second stage--great fun. I have to give Phil-and-Paul high marks for their ability to navigate in various languages. Apparently Andreu hasn't spent enough time in Europe to get his ear in.
How about Bob and Paul speaking Flemish (or was Paul actually speaking Flemish?) when describing the route on the second stage--great fun. I have to give Phil-and-Paul high marks for their ability to navigate in various languages. Apparently Andreu hasn't spent enough time in Europe to get his ear in.
Jul 12th, 2007, 03:13 AM
#25
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those of us watching on Eurosport, what about Sean Kelly's accent? I sometimes find his English hard to follow, never mind his French!
Another close finish yesterday, we'll see what the Alps bring over the next few days - I love the mountain stages.
Another close finish yesterday, we'll see what the Alps bring over the next few days - I love the mountain stages.
Jul 12th, 2007, 06:04 AM
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ah the first vineyards yet, i would think around Chablis, starting point for today's race i think.
Yesterday's race yeh another thrilling finish - and that cute down with what Frankie called two drawbridges - medieval looking town gates to me with a huge church in its center and on the Seine. This was about 10 miles before Joigny - i didn't catch the name or was it joigny itself?
anyway i don't think the town had two drawbridges or even one as Frankie called them, though they did kind of resemble Tower Bridge in miniature.
Drawbridges my eye - i could be wrong but i think old Frankie is just rather clueless. And with his boring monotone i don't see what he brings to the table
Yesterday's race yeh another thrilling finish - and that cute down with what Frankie called two drawbridges - medieval looking town gates to me with a huge church in its center and on the Seine. This was about 10 miles before Joigny - i didn't catch the name or was it joigny itself?
anyway i don't think the town had two drawbridges or even one as Frankie called them, though they did kind of resemble Tower Bridge in miniature.
Drawbridges my eye - i could be wrong but i think old Frankie is just rather clueless. And with his boring monotone i don't see what he brings to the table
Jul 13th, 2007, 04:27 AM
#27
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Topping with a trivial side-bar post because I'd like to see this thread continue till the finish.
In 1970, I was one of three very naive first-year teachers spending their salary on a trip to Europe, armed with eurrail passes and "Europe on $5 a Day". One day we were in Versailles trying to figure out how to get back into Paris. . . Does the phrase "country come to town" ring a bell? Anyway, we saw signs on all the bus stops saying "Le Tour". Clueless. No crowds. We saw an ambulance with crew over on the side of the road, so we asked them what was going on. Their answer "bicycle race." So the three innocents walked to the train station and returned to Paris. Go figure.
Fast forward to 2006. I finally saw one stage of a race. . . the Ticino stage of the Tour de Suisse. Swisssh. What a kick.
J.
In 1970, I was one of three very naive first-year teachers spending their salary on a trip to Europe, armed with eurrail passes and "Europe on $5 a Day". One day we were in Versailles trying to figure out how to get back into Paris. . . Does the phrase "country come to town" ring a bell? Anyway, we saw signs on all the bus stops saying "Le Tour". Clueless. No crowds. We saw an ambulance with crew over on the side of the road, so we asked them what was going on. Their answer "bicycle race." So the three innocents walked to the train station and returned to Paris. Go figure.
Fast forward to 2006. I finally saw one stage of a race. . . the Ticino stage of the Tour de Suisse. Swisssh. What a kick.
J.
Jul 13th, 2007, 04:37 AM
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was quite taken by this story of real fan-dom:
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/columnis...125550,00.html
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/columnis...125550,00.html
Jul 13th, 2007, 04:49 AM
#29
Even though it's great to live in Paris and be able to see the final stage of the Tour at will, I absolutely love the ambience of waiting by the side of a country road with the other enthusiasts as the excitement builds.
Jul 13th, 2007, 06:24 AM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd be watching today's stage with great anticipation of seeing the town of Semur-en-Auxois, considered to be one of the gems of small French towns.
There was an interesting interview on NPR this morning with some folks in Semur-en-Auxois, which was called a gorgeous gorgeous village.
Some complained about the Mayor spending so much money just to repave the Tour's roads just for the tour - some feel the money could be been better spent.
So though most were thrilled that their burg would be for the first time on the Tour, others were not plussed. But everyone agreed that the town was exceptionally quaint.
I anxiously awaiting to see this town up close!
There was an interesting interview on NPR this morning with some folks in Semur-en-Auxois, which was called a gorgeous gorgeous village.
Some complained about the Mayor spending so much money just to repave the Tour's roads just for the tour - some feel the money could be been better spent.
So though most were thrilled that their burg would be for the first time on the Tour, others were not plussed. But everyone agreed that the town was exceptionally quaint.
I anxiously awaiting to see this town up close!
Jul 13th, 2007, 10:14 AM
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Today's finish was scintillating like the past few days - doping, etc. it now matters little to me watching - this has gotta be one of sport's most exciting things - a pack of riders fighting for the finish - it's just incredible they don't have more crashes when the pack rushes for the finish.
Incroyable
Incroyable
Jul 13th, 2007, 10:44 AM
#32
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been avoiding this thread because I was sure the main and only topic would be drugs. I finally decided to take a chance and have a look. Glad I did as amazingly enough, most of the conversation is about the quality of the racing and the sights along the route.
My son (a former cyclist who raced in Europe) said yesterday that he thought this year's race is a lot more interesting than previous years as no one has any idea as to who might win.
As far as the commenators are concerned, I do agree with the comments reagrding Frankie. I like Phil but he does seem to be getting a bit lng in the tooth, he makes mistakes in properly identifying the riders as well as in soe of his other comments. But, he's such an intregal part of cycling commentary, I'd miss him if he wasn't there. Bob is,IMO, the best. He knows cycling, the languages ( despite his pronunciation of Tour de France)the routes and the riders. Not to mention that he's a lot of fun.
And, in spite of what PalenQ says, I think this tour is probably the closest to a drug free tour since drugs became an issue. Of course, prior to drugs , some simply drank and smoked their way to the finish.
Here's to a great tour.
My son (a former cyclist who raced in Europe) said yesterday that he thought this year's race is a lot more interesting than previous years as no one has any idea as to who might win.
As far as the commenators are concerned, I do agree with the comments reagrding Frankie. I like Phil but he does seem to be getting a bit lng in the tooth, he makes mistakes in properly identifying the riders as well as in soe of his other comments. But, he's such an intregal part of cycling commentary, I'd miss him if he wasn't there. Bob is,IMO, the best. He knows cycling, the languages ( despite his pronunciation of Tour de France)the routes and the riders. Not to mention that he's a lot of fun.
And, in spite of what PalenQ says, I think this tour is probably the closest to a drug free tour since drugs became an issue. Of course, prior to drugs , some simply drank and smoked their way to the finish.
Here's to a great tour.
Jul 13th, 2007, 12:17 PM
#33
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PalenQ - ...outcomes... "predictable shortly after the start".....me thinks not. This year's "Tour de France" is far more exciting with some unexpected results...such as Fabian Cancellara holding on to the "maillot jaune" 
The aerial views of the race are always fascinating and the addition of starting the tour in England an added bonus.
Yes, here's to a great tour. Bonne chance à tous!
The aerial views of the race are always fascinating and the addition of starting the tour in England an added bonus.
Yes, here's to a great tour. Bonne chance à tous!
Jul 13th, 2007, 02:08 PM
#34
I have been amused by the coverage on France 2, which has mentioned on at least two stages so far that they are surprised that the riders are taking longer than expected to finish the stage.
I would tend to attribute this to the lack of performance enhancing chemicals on the Tour this year. Do they dare not mention it?
Tomorrow is the first mountain stage. The proof will be in the pudding.
I would tend to attribute this to the lack of performance enhancing chemicals on the Tour this year. Do they dare not mention it?
Tomorrow is the first mountain stage. The proof will be in the pudding.
Jul 13th, 2007, 06:56 PM
#35
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Today's stage was fascinating: great scenery (I wish they'd go back to identifying the chateaux and such down in the bottom corner), incredible finish. I don't remember seeing before so many in the peleton bunched right up to the finish.
Jul 14th, 2007, 10:08 PM
#39
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, Underhill, Linus Gerdemann was amazing, although I would have liked to see a Frenchman win in honor of Bastille Day. I hope Alexander Vinokourov will recover. He's so badly beat up, the poor guy; shows a lot of spirit and great will power, qualifying for the "tough guy of the year" award for sure. Who will be the champion today? Maybe "King of the Mountain" Rasmussen or...? It will be an exciting day.
