Well, Ryan, the press goes after Marion Jones and Barry Bonds because they are black. Lance has white male priviledge. (I am not saying Lance is guilty of blood doping, but white audiences are more likely to look the other way when one of their own is accused of wrong-doing.) Blacks and other minorities are always guilty, no matter what the accusation.

I couldn't care less who wins the Tour de France.

Cheryl Crow looks like an old slag.

ThinGorjus:Your comments show your ignorance.

ThinGorjus:
Her name is Sheryl Crow, she's from a small town in Missouri and she looks pretty good for a non-surgically enhanced 42-yrs. old woman. Perhaps you'd rather see Brittany Spears on his arm?

It was a joke (hence the smiley face). Get over yourself.

Ignorance is bliss.

Need to see the pic in this week's SI......"Pit Stop" or something like that...explains why France's roadsides are eternally green....

Do you mean sick joke? Yeah Right.

ThinGorjus:
I stand corrected. Must be my aging eyes that overlooked your smiley face.
Why do you prefer ignorance?

Greg Lamonde is nothing but a spoilsport jealous that Lance is getting all the attention! Those racers are tested so often that the accusations are nothing but sour grapes from people either jealous of or ticked off at Lance! By the way, his wife left him because he wasn't spending enough time in Texas due to his training according to SI about a year to 9 months ago. he didn't meet SC until well after that!

What a finish for Lance today!

He is one of the most inspirational athletes imaginable. With all the awful news when you pick up the morning newspaper - what a joy to see him on the front page! I am in awe.

He was spectacular today in his time.

There go those nasty French again!

Today in La Provence there's a photo of Lance pulling away being chased by a spectator who has the words F.CK BUSH on the back of his shirt.

I know he's a Texan and all, but isn't it enough to have drugs,marital problems, and famous singers along for the ride without throwing in global politics as well?

Vive La France et Vive Le Lance - that's what I say!

I feel so disappointed. Not that He and his wife split up, but all these other allegations. Is there nothing to his power of will to survive, to succeed? Does he not get "points" for that? Look at yourselves, people, and see what you come up with. Do you come anywhere near his "mental will"? The kettle remains black guys!!!

Thin,
>>I couldn't care less who wins the Tour de France. <<

Then, the question needs to be asked...why did you read this thread and bother to answer?

Why start a new one? Just use the old one.

"Why start a new one?"

Well, maybe because this thread is a year old and outdated. Many of the comments make no sense when talking about this year's race.

Maybe that's why a new one was started?

The thread may be old (and some of the negative comments are so, so pathetic in retrospect), but the sentiment remains: GO, LANCE, GO!

I suspect this thread is a year old because THIS year's thread was deleted by the Fodor's editors - for whatever reason.

And I don't care a whit about Lance's personal life; he simply must be celebrated for the incredible athlete that he is, and one who has conquered the odds.

I'll be watching the TV carefully tomorrow, as he's going through territory well-known to me, and friends are going to be parked along the way with an American flag waving in honor of him.

Seeing the Tour de France in person a few years ago when it passed through "my" town of Le Bugue in France surprised me by being one of the most powerful visual images I've ever experienced. You just cannot imagine the power of a group of bicycle riders with that strength and speed passing by you. It's like witnessing a tornado.

I sympathize with Lance's complaints about the crowds. Last night I was watching, and it seemed as though all the riders were having problems making their way through fans who were converging on the roads and making the riding space incredibly narrow.

Here's another vote for Lance to win again!

I also notice how close the crowds are. I don't know why they let the people get that close, there should be more control. Please correct me if wrong, but wasn't it last year that Lances handle bars snagged on some woman's purse and he went down? Or maybe it was the year before. At any rate, it's very dangerous for the riders when people can come out on the road like that.

Crefloors, that was two years ago, in the Pyrenees; my family and I were there that day but at an earlier part of that stage. It was indeed last year that Lance and others complained about the riskiness of the Tour, in terms of the proximity of fans to the riders, especially in the higher mountain locations where fans have often been camped out and have been drinking long before the arrival of the race. I've read that the Tour organizers simply haven't wanted to change the flavor of the race by setting people back further from the road. And there is the history, stemming back many years ago, when a rider was stabbed, if I am not mistaken, while riding the Tour.

On a happier note (!), happy almost- birthday to Underhill--July 18th! Here's hoping that Lance can bring us all back another golden fleece! After watching the Tour several times on site, I nominate ALL the riders as heroes. It is so grueling, it's just an amazing human feat.