Tour de France

[Andy16]

So whos gonna watch it this year? If Lance wins it he will be the first person to win 6 Tour de Frances in a row.

[Fishsmurf]

I'll watch it when I can, I'd like to see Amstrong do it just to achieve that sixth title, however I think Ulrich will give him a real run for his money. It will be interesting at least.

Do you think that Armstrong will retire if he doesn't win?

[tomm10]

I listen live on OLN at work (boss loves that) and if the race sounded good I'll watch the replay. Sounds like its all going to be about the last week this year. I really hope he gets it. Last year was pretty rough. I'd love to see him and Tyler go down to the wire 1 and 2.

Tom

[Sensei_the_dojo]

I'll follow it on the internet again. Yes, I'd like to see Lance take it, but won't be too surprised or disappointed if he doesn't. He's already secured his place in biking history.

I'm not really a big bike racing fan, just a 40 year old guy who rides his bike to work as often as possible to keep my spare tire from turning into a balloon. ;)

[Andy16]

I think Armstrong already announced that he will be racing in next years Tour.

After the last tour he said that he didnt train as much as he would have liked and he will be more prepared this year. I hope he is. I want him to win and for me it will be a little bit of a dissapointment.

[tomm10]

Originally posted by Andy16
I think Armstrong already announced that he will be racing in next years Tour.

After the last tour he said that he didnt train as much as he would have liked and he will be more prepared this year. I hope he is. I want him to win and for me it will be a little bit of a dissapointment.

I think his performance last year really ticked him off. I expect he's worked harder this year and will either (A) smoke the competition or (B) show that age is catching up to him. Knowing his determination, drive, and competetive spirit I'm leaning towards the former. I would love to see him be the first to win 6 especially if he can do 6 in a row. I doubt 6 in a row would be challenged anytime soon.

Tom

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Originally posted by tomm10

I doubt 6 in a row would be challenged anytime soon.

Tom
Yeah, it certainly couldn't be challenged in the next 5 years anyway. ;)

[Andy16]

I went riding today and I thought about it a little. 6 in a row seems almost impossible and beyond human strength. So now im actually doubting he can do it even though I really want him to win. Hamilton or Ullrich might steal it from him. Tyler took a good spot with a broken collarbone, and he would have done a lot better if he was in good health. Ullrich is just a talented rider that will be tough to beat.

[tomm10]

Tyler is the Chevy Chase of cycling. He falls A LOT. The chances he will make it through the Tour without some kind of injury are pretty slim. He is still stiff competition nontheless. I think the days of Ullrich being the biggest threat are done although he will be in the top 5. Mayo is a pretty big concern. He's dangerous.

Tom

[Fishsmurf]

I still not sure I would write Ulrich off just yet. He has just taken the Tour of Switzerland, the second event in a row he has now won. They interviewed him afterwards and he said that he was in the shape of his life both physically and mentally. I think he could still be a huge threat.

If nothing else it will be interesting......

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Ok. What does everybody think now that the first group of rides is over? Lance is in 6th place, but can probably be considered to be in 1st place because it's doubtful that any of current top five will be competitive over the long haul.

Will Lance be able to maintain or increase his lead over Ulrich?

[tomm10]

I still don't know whether or not Ullrich is hiding good or bad form. Everything I've heard thus far would suggest that he is lighter and fitter than ever.

That being said, I really just don't think anyone can consistently beat Lance in the mountains. Lance has beaten Ullrich BADLY in the mountains in past years with ease. Barring unforseen mishaps I still think its all Lance. He's racing very smart right now.

I think the real Tour starts on Friday, the first day in the mountains.

Tom

[Finaddictfred]

GO Lance GO
TEAM TREK !!!!!!

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Lance raced a very smart stage today and grabbed the yellow. Number six is looking more and more like a probability rather than a possibility.

[Fishsmurf]

Got to agree with that, it was a pretty convincing ride and 6 is looking more & more of a reality. Ullrich didn't look too bad today either but I think the gap is just too much. There are a few other there or there abouts but I just don't see any of them being consistently strong enough to stop Armstrong.....

[Sensei_the_dojo]

I think the fact that Ullrich tried to make a move and gain some time on Armstrong, but failed says a lot. I think if Ullrich loses any more time to Armstrong in the time trials tomorrow he might ride in support of Kloden the rest of the tour. It'll be interesting to see if Basso or Kloden will be serious contenders.

[Andy16]

Im kinda sad to see Voekler lose the yellow. Everyone knew he wasnt a real threat, and he was like a hero.

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Don't feel sad for him Andy. He still is a hero. He accomplished a lot more than anyone expected of him.

Lance blew the pack away in the time trial today. He put another 1'01" between himself and Ullrich, 1'41" between himself and Kloden and 2"22 between himself and Basso. It's really starting to look like -- barring an unforseen mishap -- nobody's going to be able to challenge Lance for the title.

[tomm10]

Its all over but the cryin'

Wrap #6 up and pack it away. Of course, anything can happen in terms of crashes and mechanicals but barring just plain old back luck this looks like a win.

Does anyone take the Tour as seriously as this guy? His team is like a dream team of cyclists and there is NO team more focused on their leader than this one. With the exception of one abbreviated attempt by Padrnos to join a breakaway the other day the USPS has not done anything that could be construed as self serving. Amazing.

Tom

[Andy16]

Yep, it looks like Lance has this one. Who thinks he will go for a 7th victory?

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Well, I think he'll either try for #7 or work out some duets on Sheryl Crow's next album. ;) :D

[tomm10]

He actually already committed to racing next year. I think it may have been either required or at least heavily requested by Discovery Channel as a condition of their signing a new three year sponsorship deal.

I don't see a reason why he won't kick @ss again next year either.

Tom

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Lance just won another stage. He chased down Kloden with only 25 meters left in the race. Makes one wonder why his name isn't Lance Legstrong.

[Sensei_the_dojo]

Originally posted by tomm10
He actually already committed to racing next year. I think it may have been either required or at least heavily requested by Discovery Channel as a condition of their signing a new three year sponsorship deal.

I don't see a reason why he won't kick @ss again next year either.

Tom It must not be "required" because I saw today that there's only a 50% chance of him returning next year. He might decide to concentrate on other races.

ANNEMASSE, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong might not ride in next year's Tour de France and instead concentrate on other races.

``It's 50-50. There is a chance he won't come back,'' Jogi Mueller, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service team, said Friday. ``There is no decision yet.''

``He will definitely race next year,'' Mueller added. ``He just needs to decide which races.''

[tomm10]

I heard this too. Discovery said different in their press release.

Discovery Press Release (http://www.lancearmstrong.com/lance/online2.nsf/html/pr-discovery)

I'm sure its not etched in stone but I doubt he'll be able to stay away.

Tom