1. After nearly 100 years of both the automobile and the Tour de France the French still can’t drive. As proven by the horrific carnage in the photos below. Hoogerland went into the fence, but amazingly got up to finish the stage and is still in the race.
2. You can indeed forget how to ride a bike. As proven by Alberto Contador. He has crashed four times in this year’s TdF and there’s still 1 week of racing to go.
And finally….
3. There are no real champions in cycling. During what many of us in this generation will call the glory days of cycling there were real heroes. They were a champion’s champion. Cyclists won by guts and for the glory. Today’s riders are more concerned about their competition and how they feel than just deciding to win the race. Where are the Jan Ullrich’s and Lance Armstrong’s of yesteryear? Where are “the looks” and then just leaving your competitors in the dust? Today’s riders try to separate from the field on a climb for a whole 30 meters. No one wants to win this year’s race, just like last year. This is not a track race, get on with it already.
The last 4 visits to Plateau de Beille saw the winner of the stage go on to win in Paris, but not this year. Jelle Vanendert won the stage in his first TdF. Someone just needs to man-up and take this thing (that is how ever much someone that is 6’1″ and 140lb can man-up). I want to see someone turn themselves inside out and lay it all on the line. Sadly, there were only two individuals in this years Tour that fit that description Thomas Voeckler and Alexandre Vinokourov and Vinokourov dropped out of the race after a terrible accident that left him with a broken pelvis. That is why I’m going with the underdog of Tommy Voeckler. He leaves nothing in the tank and his rag-tag team of underdogs know it and love him for it.
Go Voeckler. Vive la France!
JUL
About the Author:
Mat is a husband and father. He loves outdoor adventures including summiting several 14ers, running the Pikes Peak Ascent 3 times and riding his hard tail down Porcupine Rim at over 40mph. Not being afraid of the kitchen, he swears he's a pretty great cook too. Mat has been successfully involved in leading marketing, strategy and business growth efforts in such diverse environments as start ups to Fortune 50 companies. He has been involved in online and social media since 1998, long before it was even called social media. This is his personal blog and just like life it may include topics that range from Star Trek, Formula 1, movies, sports, business and his family. It will likely not include many references to politics and his relationship with God, both of which he is very passionate about, but you never know something may slip out (just a warning).