The "MAN" is in yellow despit the fact that they changed the rules to help his rivals compete.

I used to really root for him, but since his marital break up, and subsequent relationship with Sheryl Crowe, I am not much of a fan anymore. I am like that with other celebs and sports stars too. But I DO admire his athletic abilities!

As a one wife family man I am always saddened by family break-ups,on a strictly sports level he is amazing and being an American dominating a European sport in Europe is all the sweeter.

Wooohooo!!! Regardless of his personal life choices, the man is an amazing athlete and a true fighter. I hope he wins to go down in the record books, though I am sure the sore-loser French will whine about doping and who knows what else...

Change the rules? I've not read that anywhere. Do you have examples?

I know the organizers have been accused of changing the route specifically to exploit some of his so-called weaknesses. They change the route every year though so that's nothing new.

Most sports I know of have some kind of leveling built in. For example in American football the worst teams get the first draft choices to help them rebuild and keep the sport interesting.

They could have designed an unfavorable route four years ago if they really had some kind of vendetta against him.

TxAggie, nothing like a preemptive whine about the whining that may come is there?

The second place team loses only 20 seconds,the third place only 40 seconds etc.no matter how bad Lances team stomped them. That is the new rule to try to stop Lance from getting his 6th and record breaking victory.

Indy: Just because you were unaware dosen't mean it isn't so.

Hi indytravel,

Alright alright you caught me ;-)

Exactly mgmargate which is why I asked.

Thank you very much for the information.

indytravel - the rules for the time trials were changed this year and will only help the teams who are weak in this area (and are better at the mountain stages for example). If a team can only be "down" by two minutes or three no matter how poorly they race, why race very hard on this stage. The winner will have put out 100% for their victory and won't have as much energy in the next few stages. However the loosing teams can conserve and do better on later stages without the "cap" on time given to loosingteams.
the excuse that the Tour gave was that by minimizing the time differentials in the early part of the race, the Tour will be more exciting in the final stages. I don't know about you, but I thought last year was VERY exciting!!!!

GO LANCE!

Indy, You are a class act.

I don't think that Uncle Sam is Mgmargate. While clearly biased, Uncle Sam was never that rude.

Lance in France - What a guy! You have to admit he IS The man! I love him to bits. I didn't travel over the route sprinkling Holy Water but I did say a few prayers for him and his team.

Indy: Your Welcome.

Dr DoGood: I have no idea who Uncle Sam is or was.I have no alias.

Highledge points out exactly the slick way the organizers are penalizing the top performer whoever that may be.

Grasshopper: Rude,are you kidding me?How about direct.

Hey don't forget that its is not just about the American, but also Tyler Hamilton, Levi Leipheimer and Bobby Jullich - all GCs on European teams.

I meant to say its not just Lance the American.

I didn't know I could watch it til today when Gretchen on another forum said it's on 74.
Go Lance, Go!

Hi Indy, Your 4th sounded wonderful.