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-   -   Tour de France 2008 (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/tour-de-france-2008-a-388864/)

kerouac Jul 25th, 2008 09:03 PM

A little bit of information about Lance:

http://www.arpuerta.com/040917.html

Dukey Jul 26th, 2008 04:43 AM

After seven years of not being able to watch Lance Armstrong do "it" better than anyone else I can see why being able to watch it now is such a joy for you.

Gretchen Jul 26th, 2008 05:02 AM

Geez Kerouac, what a sore loser. Any hack can write anything he wants and you can believe it.
But I am LOVING LOVING this year's Tour. DS and DDIL went several years ago, rode parts of some of the stages. He got an absolutely memorable picture on the Col d'Aspin--all 5 jersey leaders (including Lance in yellow, of course) in a line climbing the ascent with the valley in the background.
I am glad they are cleaning it up, and with the cooperation of the pharmaceutical companies, they have marked the EPO being sold, which is what caught Riccio (sp).
With owners like Stapleton of Team Columbia and their testing it is great.
Let's see Kerouac, do you think your soccer team is clean?

kerouac Jul 26th, 2008 06:48 AM

I don't think any sports team is clean. What planet are you living on? I was brainwashed, too, growing up in the United States. It was only when I moved to another part of the world that I realized how incredibly naive and believing certain people can be.

analogue Jul 26th, 2008 08:20 AM

There are still people who think that Armstrong did not cheat? That is just too funny.

Celticharper Jul 26th, 2008 09:39 AM

"By a standard of comfortable satisfaction" is the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard. So anyone with a grudge against me can announce that "By a standard of comfortable satisfaction" I am guilty and I have no defense.

I would certainly not like my career destroyed on the basis of the acusations of jealous, envious competitors. They couldn't beat me fairly so they'll destroy my reputation. Sorry but that standard of trial and conviction by the press is unacceptable. If you have solid proof, show it and let the chips fall where they may, but without solid proof and only allegation, I'm going by the old custom, innocent until PROVEN guilty.

I deplore doping in any sport, but only in the olympics and cycling are there any serious attempts to put an end to the practice. Are American Football or baseball teams doing anything nearly as punitive?
Or do they just wink and look away when Barry Bonds breaks a record while doping because it is good for their box office.

Underhill Jul 26th, 2008 12:01 PM

Well done, Carlos Sastre! He's on my Kenda Fantasy Team and making big points for me.

This has certainly been a different Tour compared with other years. The Versus coverage is getting better and better; it's been interesting hearing Johann Bruyneel remenisce about the Lance years and prognosticate about this years tour. I can't wait to see Team Astana in next year's Tour, supposing the organizers can't find another way to keep some of the best riders in the world out of the race.

historytraveler Jul 26th, 2008 02:20 PM

I was thrilled that Carlos won. He has the qualities that a Tour champion needs to win and that is not only being able to ride as an all round cyclist but the mental skills to completely focus on what's important.

An excellent tour and, indeed, Astana should be a prime contender in next year's event. What a wonderful job by the American teams!

The Versus coverage was excellent especially with Bobke and the addition of Johann Bruyneel. However, I wish the French television coverage had shown Christian passing Valverde.

Underhill Jul 26th, 2008 04:22 PM

...in our dreams!

kerouac Jul 27th, 2008 09:17 AM

Bravo to Sastre.

... and "only" 4 drugged cyclists discovered this year (so far). Things are improving.

tod Jul 27th, 2008 09:24 AM

Yes , all congratulations to Sastre!
You can imagine how bitterly disappointed we are that the Barlow World Team had to be so badly let down by one stupid man. On the otherhand, we have two very bright cyclists in the making so heres holding thumbs for the future.

Gretchen Jul 27th, 2008 10:56 AM

I'll say that American football (NFL) is trying to get doping out. Baseball may have finally had its bluff called. Too many asterisks next to records needed.
NFL players are suspended for games, then seasons, etc. Probably not enough testing.


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