TdF 2003
Oh my god did anyone else see the video from today? Un****ingbelievable.
This years tour has not been boring. I was in Paris watching the race when Millar's chain fell off in the prolog. The the crash on the first day break Tyler Hamilton's collar bone. HE STILL RIDING AND DOING VERY WELL! Then sundry other crashes. Then the Posties mother****ing kick ass in the team time trial putting most of the team in the top over all spots. Yesterday's mountain stage seems to show off Lance's age. The strategy for entire rest of the riders seems to be attack Lance at every chance so anyone other than him will win.
But today. Poor Beloki slides it out on a downhill ... down mountain part of the race. He tried to pull it out (almost did) and wound up popping over the other way. They say he was going about 40mph (~65kph). He hit hard. Lance had to go off the road to the left, cut across some grass, GOT OFF THE BIKE and ran it back on the course. Just in time to join back up with the other riders he left above the switchback.
POOR Beloki! In the video he was just wailing on the ground. He broke his leg, wrist and elbow. It could end his career.
Links
2003 Tour de France Daily Videos
Le Tour Site
Velo News
This years tour has not been boring. I was in Paris watching the race when Millar's chain fell off in the prolog. The the crash on the first day break Tyler Hamilton's collar bone. HE STILL RIDING AND DOING VERY WELL! Then sundry other crashes. Then the Posties mother****ing kick ass in the team time trial putting most of the team in the top over all spots. Yesterday's mountain stage seems to show off Lance's age. The strategy for entire rest of the riders seems to be attack Lance at every chance so anyone other than him will win.
But today. Poor Beloki slides it out on a downhill ... down mountain part of the race. He tried to pull it out (almost did) and wound up popping over the other way. They say he was going about 40mph (~65kph). He hit hard. Lance had to go off the road to the left, cut across some grass, GOT OFF THE BIKE and ran it back on the course. Just in time to join back up with the other riders he left above the switchback.
POOR Beloki! In the video he was just wailing on the ground. He broke his leg, wrist and elbow. It could end his career.
Links
2003 Tour de France Daily Videos
Le Tour Site
Velo News
Comments
Was Armstrong penalized for taking the shortcut?
Originally posted by audiopollution
After watching that video, I only have one question:
Was Armstrong penalized for taking the shortcut?
That was my thought.
(ooh, bad pun)
Originally posted by audiopollution
After watching that video, I only have one question:
Was Armstrong penalized for taking the shortcut?
It wasn't much of a short cut. He was forced off and wound up behind people he was in front of. I doubt the tour director took much notice.
Originally posted by Scott
It wasn't much of a short cut. He was forced off and wound up behind people he was in front of. I doubt the tour director took much notice.
It seems to me that he should have had to go back onto the course at the point that he left it.
Originally posted by Scott
Well, it didn't happen that way.
Obviously ... which is why I first asked if he was penalized.
I can't find a definitive answer on any of those web sites you linked to in your introductory post.
Reminds me of the time when Ullrich went off the side. Lance made the group hold up until Ullrich got back up to them.
Originally posted by audiopollution
It seems to me that he should have had to go back onto the course at the point that he left it.
In most forms of racing when you have an off you are not penalized if you get back on course without gaining position.
Two riders breaking free, coorporating against the the ones behind and then with a mile left thanking eachother and starting the battle agaisnt eachother.
There was no question about Piil taking the victory. He is a brilliant track rider. He knows how to win head to head like this. He is one of my favorites so I am very happy he won today especially after his accident last year in a very similar situation.
Yes, the Tour de Lance is exciting, even for a Texan like me who was never interested in it. I keep up with it regularly now. Go bicycles!
Today was a good day. Cyclist can be the laziest cutthroats out there. And somehow they eek out some of the most incredible sportsmanship not seen in any other sport.
moto-lance.
mr. cool. the way he got off the bike. JUMPED A DITCH then jumped back on the bike was AMAZING!
(he ended up behind the group he was in so that's why he was not penalized.)
Originally posted by Scott
I haven't read anything about Lance being treated badly. Not any more than usual. The French seem to have a love hate relationship with most of the tour winners. Even the French ones. Mostly disdain though. Of course they are not going to like Lance.
Not this year, but when he first returned he got all kinds of hell because he dominated their asses. I can't imagine them liking how they haven't won one in 15 years. I remember a lot of bad shit going on with Lance, lots of other riders being pricks.
they seem to like tyler hamilton. (who doesn't?) so that's good for the long term.
Check out
http://www.tylerhamilton.com for race updates.
Originally posted by LoCash
I'm always excited to see this thread started each year. Nice to know that the sport I compete in is actually cared about by you guys
I would tell you that I don't give a shit about it, but I really don't care enough.