This year the dates of the Tour fell perfectly within my month of twilight vacation between work and school. I missed the exciting prologue and first stage but then caught all but a few stages on Versus. It has been absolutely inspirational in getting me to push harder in workouts and has, like the World Cup with soccer, turned me onto cycling.
Here are my top 5 moments:
#5 – Armstrong’s 16 run
I was so mad at myself for sleeping in this day and missing Lance’s most dominant stage. An article talking about how his 38-year old legs were no match for those of the 20-something Frenchman who won got me the update and I got to watch the stage in the prime time coverage. Knowing that it was his last Tour made his long lead feel so legendary.
#4 – Contador’s 19 time trial
Stage 19 was actually the first time trial I got to watch, and man it was intense. Cancellara absolutely destroyed it and it was disappointing that his time wasn’t covered. But seeing Contador’s manager screaming, the 2009 champ picking it up, and his visceral facial expression on the acceleration at the finish makes #4.
#3 – Chavanel’s two breakaways in 2 and 7
With Armstrong out of contention by Stage 7 and me having no idea who any of these guys were yet, seeing Chavanel break away in the Alps and keep his lead, solo sometimes, was quite the spectacle.
#2 – Armstrong’s 3-crash day
I went into the Tour with a very typical, American, “go Lance” attitude. That never dissolved, but as the race ended it was accompanied by admiration for many other riders. His triple crash day was so very heartrending, but I really appreciated the consequences for me as a spectator: seeing his determination, opening an opportunity to learn about other guys, and being less, well, typical.
#1 – Andy Schleck’s chain in the Pyrenees
Ethically, the circumstances could not have been worse for Schleck. It was the final hill of the stage, the margin was tiny, and Contador’s adrenaline was likely through the roof as the attack against him was seemingly successful. Thus, the debate on whether the move into first that was made when Andy’s chain fell of is probably way thornier than past precedents set in yellow jersey changes via mechanical failure situations.
Regardless, as unfortunate as it was for Schleck, this event constitutes an amazing moment in sports. Apart from the practical angle of crisis management it has created an almost irreconcilable point of contention around the question: should he have waited? It created so much intensity in the remaining stages much like that of a Game 7 in basketball, baseball, and hockey or overtime in soccer or football. I’m lovin’ it.
Additionally
Cavendish is a god.
Livestrong is awesome too – really loved the jersey stunt in Paris. Incidentally I’m running my first race for a good cause and hope I can do a Livestrong challenge or two in the coming years.
The best looking jersey girls are either for the white jersey or final yellow (Jenn Sterger isn’t bad either). 30 Seconds to Mars does some great theme songs. Saw this brilliant video for the first time:
I want a bike.