Bring back the dope and drama- it's been a snoozer.

Well, it's over now, isn't it? Barring a collapse in the time trial, or a doping result which could never happen because all of that stuff is over for good and no one would dream of doping, except the 2 guys banned this month for doping...

But the Americans around here might want to consider the fate of Andrew "Tears for Gears" Talansky as a topic for a brief discussion.  Those of you watching on Euro Sport missed the Talansky Cam coverage of his tragic, meaningless ride a few days ago. CNBC had been promoting him furiously, the great hope of American cycling after the curious disappearance of Armstrong--(Have hardly heard his name mentioned and he won the Tour like 17 times in row!) and of Team RadioShack (Johany, We Hardly Knew Ye). Today's Times features a Talansky story in which his Boehner-like bawling is prominently featured, including after his victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné--tears of joy, one assumes.

The Talansky Cam showed his 10-minute roadside tête-à-tête with Robbie Hunter after he dismounted and tried to quit. God knows what Hunter was actually telling him, what threats were made, what deals struck. But come on, just let the poor fucker quit. He probably should have bailed after the second fall--who would criticize a rider for dropping out after a mauling like that? He obviously shouldn't have started Wednesday and when it became apparent that he couldn't ride, and riding the bike fast is the raison d'etre of the whole silly show--let the man go home.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/20/sports/cycling/before-leaving-tour-de-france-a-rider-displays-a-champions-endurance-.html?_r=0

Last edited by Popeye Doyle (2014-07-20 20:55:57)

Nibali has been awesome. The fight for Polka Dot jersey, the return of the frenchmen, Majka's 2 stage victories in 3 days are all awesome, but it all seems like a tired affair despite the exciting goings on. I think Phill Ligget has had his day, the racers themselves are not allowed to beat their chest in front of the cameras (come to think of it, bring back the Mario Cipollini type sprinters!), etc.
Even Bob Roll (american commentator) has been tamed and tuned back.

Losing Froome and Contador killed this Tour for me. And nothing against Nibali, I like him, but there has been no drama.

Liggett literally spouts nonsense much of the time, trying to keep the ball rolling during the 3 minute segment between commercials. He usually is talking about someone not on the screen, or repeating something Paul has just said, or speaking literal nonsense. Roll is an Armstrong ass-licker, Vandevelde isn't bad for a retired Dutch architect, and so fitting that he was suspended for doping, a living relic of the old, long-gone days of bike racing when the riders used a lot of drugs to go fast.  I would rather see the job go to someone Armstrong tried to kill, someone like Frankie Andreu.  The winner this year is obvious but there's a good fight for the other spots on the Podium. And it's the Tour, the real winner isn't known until the fat lady analyzes all the samples.

Well, two frenchmen on the podium. Gotta love that. If only Fignon was alive to savor the moment.
All in all I guess apart from the first place non race there was a lot of good action, it only needed better sportscasters.
I did like Majka winking at the cameramen before launching his last attack.

It appears that the ascension of Tony Gallopin is imminent.












Until the B Sample shows Positive.