2007 Tour De France [Archive] - Motorsport Forums

ozrevhead

2nd July 2007, 14:20

One of my favourite sporting evens starts on July 7th - I am tipping a Sastre/McEwen Double this year. Speaking of Sastre, CSC have announced their squad

O'Grady in as Sastre leads CSC's yellow jersey bid (http://eurosport.yahoo.com/29062007/3/o-grady-sastre-leads-csc-s-yellow-jersey-bid.html)

Fri 29 Jun, 11:15 PM

PARIS (AFP) - Spanish all rounder Carlos Sastre will spearhead the CSC team's bid for yellow jersey glory at the Tour de France, the team confirmed on Friday.

Sastre, who finished fourth overall last year, will have the support of Luxembourg's Frank Schleck, Spaniard Inigo Cuesta and American David Zabriskie when the July 7-29 race heads up into the high mountains.

Swiss time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara is a big favourite for the opening day prologue, while Austrlian Stuart O'Grady, who succeeded Cancellara as Paris-Roubaix champion earlier this season, is likely to play a 'super-domestique' role - and grab a stage win if he gets the opportunity.

O'Grady has already worn the race's fabled yellow jersey, and so has Zabriskie and German workhorse Jens Voigt.

"It may sound like a cliche, but again this year we have had the luxury in the fact that we have so many strong riders, who would be able to do well in Tour de France," said team manager Kim Andersen.

"We have tried to select a broad group of riders in order to make our mark throughout the entire race. In this way we will be able to make a difference in the general classification and at the same time we also have riders, who will be able to go for stage wins in all kinds of terrain.

"In Sastre and Schleck we have two great contenders for the general classification and of course we will be putting up a fight for the first yellow leader's jersey in London."

It is still uncertain whether team owner and manager Bjarne Riis, the 1997 race winner, will attend this year's race.

Riis recently admitted he had used the banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin) during his career.

Late Friday, none of the CSC team had officially signed the UCI's landmark anti-doping charter, which is a pre-requisite for Tour participation.

Team

Kurt-Asle Arvesen (NOR), Fabian Cancellara (SUI), Inigo Cuesta (ESP), Stuart O'Grady (AUS), Carlos Sastre (ESP), Frank Schleck (LUX), Christian Vandevelde (USA), Jens Voigt (GER), David Zabriskie (USA)

:D

Dave B

2nd July 2007, 14:52

The Tour comes within a couple of miles of my house, but I'll be indoors watching the British GP. You'd think they'd have taken me into consideration when they planned it... :rolleyes:

:p

Mark

2nd July 2007, 14:56

It only takes the riders a few seconds to go by, you could just hit pause on the TV Drive, run out, see them go by and then get back to see the race, you'll make up the time by buzzing through Mark Blundell's nonsense :p

ozrevhead

2nd July 2007, 15:05

LOL :p Touché Mark!

Daniel

2nd July 2007, 15:40

How inconsiderate of them to start on my birthday. That's my bloody day! :angryfire

jim mcglinchey

2nd July 2007, 15:43

The Tour comes within a couple of miles of my house, but I'll be indoors watching the British GP. You'd think they'd have taken me into consideration when they planned it... :rolleyes:

:p

we'll look out for your name painted in 20 feet long letters on the road then Dave.

race aficionado

2nd July 2007, 15:43

How much doping is allowed this year?

Drew

2nd July 2007, 15:55

Tour de France London?

I'm not a genius, but I imagine it's not a tour of France if it comes to the UK :\

martinbalmer

2nd July 2007, 16:27

The Tour comes within a couple of miles of my house, but I'll be indoors watching the British GP. You'd think they'd have taken me into consideration when they planned it... :rolleyes:

:p

Exactly... Canterbury has the finish line for that day but fancy putting it up against the British Grand Prix.. :s

Flat.tyres

2nd July 2007, 17:47

that reminds me. got to visit my dealer.

cya.

alfa155btcc

6th July 2007, 19:26

So the 2007 Tour de France starts this weekend in Uk London to be exact, although cycling is not one of my most favourite sports, it is a very hard sport and you have to be extra fit to compete in this sport let alone win it, but what has given this sport a bad name is the latest drug allegations and from blood and urine tests etc, not good, so who ever wins this year will they be looking at the winner thinking has he taken drugs ????

Giveme Moto GP any day.
:s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin:

stevie_gerrard

8th July 2007, 04:51

Come on Bradley Wiggins!! :p :

I'm a keen fan f the Tour De France, and despite the controversy, it's still a wonderful event to watch :)

dime3

8th July 2007, 06:27

Mark in Oshawa

8th July 2007, 06:37

Well, lets face it. Drugs or not, you have to be one tough dude to win the Tour. Good to see the Tour start in England....rumour has it they were toying with starting the tour in North America at some time. Have the boys race one or two days, and then have them take 2 days to get over to France to start racing. Dumb idea to me, but I would love to see the tour and I suspect it might be the only way I would see it short of winning the Lottery!!!

oily oaf

8th July 2007, 07:51

I went to watch the start of TTDF yesterday in Trafalgar Square accompanied by my mate Tony, an automatic transmission specialist and sexual predator from The Isle of Dogs.
As we watched the drama unfold a short conversation ensued between us.
It went thus:

Me. Blimey look at that Tone. There's a bloke riding his bike!

Tony. Yeah

Me. Stone me! There's another one!

Tony Yeah

Me. Stroll on mate there's bleedin 'undreds of 'em!

Tony (silence)

Me. Tony wake up mate fer Gawd's sake you're dribbling into that ladies handbag.

Tony. Zzzzzzzzzzzz wha? Whassup? What's 'appening.

Me. Check out how they use their legs in a pumping motion to make their wheels go round Tone.

Tony. Fancy a pint?

Me. Yeah. Go on then

curtain falls as the 2 protagonists stride purposefully towards The Mark In Oshawa Arms in Whitehall

alfa155btcc

8th July 2007, 09:39

Come on Bradley Wiggins!! :p :

I'm a keen fan f the Tour De France, and despite the controversy, it's still a wonderful event to watch :)

How did bradley do in the end, was watching it and he was third is that how it finished up, if so he could be on for a stage win today.
:s mokin:

alfa155btcc

8th July 2007, 09:40

I don't think whoever wins this race would be thought of to be taking drugs. It's a long journey and you need to be properly fit to get the cup. And if they'd been taking drugs I don't think they're qualified to join the race.

I agree but the thinking is look what happened last year eventual winner is still fighting to clear his name now.
:s mokin:

Brown, Jon Brow

8th July 2007, 10:27

Wiggins came 4th.

Mark in Oshawa

8th July 2007, 15:23

I have a pub named after me in London? Cool....I always knew the English were a great people.....

walrus81

8th July 2007, 16:46

What a finish by Robbie McEwan.

fandango

8th July 2007, 21:33

I had a similar experience to Oily when the Tour was in Dublin years ago. Same with the Red Bull Air Race here last year. Some sports really need the telly...

stevie_gerrard

8th July 2007, 23:58

Mcewen was awesome, i've never seen such a sprint finish like that to win after crashing towards the end of a stage!

Brit Watch: Cavendish crashed with McEwen and ended up having to change bikes, which ruined his race. However, brighter prospects for David Millar, who gets the "King of Mountains" Jersey, and is currently overall 3rd. Wiggins is 4th as well, so nice to see a few brits up there early. How long they can stay there is another matter :p :

alfa155btcc

9th July 2007, 01:20

What a race to finish off the first full stage in England from London to Canterbery, what drama and what a hero Robbie was from falling early on in race to such a tremendous sprint finish and winning the stage. I agree with you Stevie Gerrard, Well Done to David Millar getting Green Jersey, I hope he can keep that for the first week. I think you will all agree the Tour de France got off to a great start and great press for us here hosting first time trial and first stage great show all round roll on stage 2, job well done.
:s mokin: :s mokin: :s mokin:

oily oaf

9th July 2007, 06:30

I have a pub named after me in London? Cool....I always knew the English were a great people.....

Indeed you do my friend. It's just a short walk from The Eki And Dunnel 4 Ale Bar in Haymarket although I tend to give that establishment a wide berth as it's usually full of right wing extremist members of the British National Party, delinquent teenage reindeer and Sir Menzies Campbell :(

Yours faithfully
Bycycle Repair Man
Leighton Buzzard

Mark

9th July 2007, 07:58

Fantastic having the tour starting in Angleterre :D . Was a strange sight seeing the Tour de France going along English roads and through English towns past branches of Greggs etc :p

MrJan

9th July 2007, 21:46

Was really impressed by the number of people that turned out to watch the tour on this side of the channel. I always thought that cycling was seen as a sport that is just full of drug cheats but it obviously has some fans out there which is great, especially given that Sunday's stage was more exciting than the GP. McEwan showed why he's such a legend with that finish, superb stuff.

Todays stage was not so great (the inevitable crash ruined the sprint) but I was surprised that Boonen didn't take the victory being that he should be a contender for the Green jersey.

N. Jones

10th July 2007, 05:14

Would love to watch by my wife keeps screwing up my recording of the live viewing! (yes - I am blaming her!).
:(
I hope to watch stage 3 tomorrow evening....

stevie_gerrard

10th July 2007, 23:47

Still looks promising after 3 days of the Tour de France for our plucky brits. Despite Millar losing the King of Mountains Jersey (which is white with red polka dots, not green :p : ) he remains in thrid place and has a decent chance of possibly winning this thing.

I still feel sorry for poor old Mark Cavendish, finished 9th in todays stage, but remains 181st overall out of 188 cyclists :(

11th July 2007, 10:14

On a zero degree day in the middle of winter I channel surfed my way to a replay of the first day of an event which I've never watched before. I was soon captivated by the fantastic commentary and wonderful camera work from ground and air. I've sat through 10 or so hours of the first three stages, learned something about the history of the areas that the route passes through, been really impressed by the beautiful the countryside, and have the beginnings of an understanding of how the race works. I don't know what to say about the riders - I just keep thinking "how do they do it? ". :up:

Schultz

11th July 2007, 13:46

i just love the European countryside. It's all very picturesque.

Dave B

11th July 2007, 14:24

Fantastic having the tour starting in Angleterre :D . Was a strange sight seeing the Tour de France going along English roads and through English towns past branches of Greggs etc :p
Embarrasing, isn't it? Now half the world thinks we can't bake properly. :\ :p

MrJan

12th July 2007, 19:03

I didn't know we could bake properly ;)

IMSAFAN1

13th July 2007, 01:06

As a retired tour rider in the late 70's to the late 80's, What I'm very impressed with is how young the riders are now. I waited 4 years before i got to ride in my first tour de france. the routes haven't changed much since my days. Since I was a climber I longed for those hot days in the mountains. I was one of those riders who is at the back of the peloton waiting for the mountain stages. I feel very lucky to have ridden with 4 winning teams in my career. Those days are long gone as I haven't been on a bike since my retirement. I still watch the races every year and have very fond memories of racing with and against the world's best. What stands out the most for me were how supportive the fans were even though I wasn't anyone famous. They cheered for all. gave me strength up the mountains. I thank all the fans who came out to watch past and present. Maybe you got one of the water bottles that i tossed aside , except for the guy I hit on the head with a full bottle by mistake. If you ever get a chance to see it live do it and cheer for the riders...yes we hear it. This years race is looking like a great one once again. wait till the weekend....

Cheers all and thanks once again

stevie_gerrard

13th July 2007, 19:09

The Tour continues on, After pozzato's win yesterday, it was a win for Tom Boonen today, although Wiggins got so close to winning a stage, just didnt have the legs for it in the end.

Brit Watch: david Millar is now 4th in the overall standings, 41 seconds behind the yellow jersey still held by Cancellara. Mark Cavendish is now 182nd out of 183 cyclists :( Wegelius is 159th, Geraint is 154th, and Wiggins is 143rd despite his wonderful effort today.

Schultz

16th July 2007, 00:32

ozrevhead

16th July 2007, 06:05

...and you think the british ouutlook is bleak :s hock: We just lost Mcewan, O'grady, and the guy looking most likely to take he yellow jersey in yesterday's stage - Michael Rogers. How unfortunate this race can be. However, we still have Cadel to look out for and given my 11am university starts, it looks like i'll be staying up to support Cadel and admire the Tour De France all week :D
got this from the herald sun website

O'Grady's Tour ended when he crashed on the descent of the Cormet de Roselend climb, which took a costly toll on the peloton.

After being put on a special stretcher, used in case of spinal injuries, he was taken to hospital in nearby Moutiers and found to have fractured five of his front ribs, and three of his lower back ribs, a punctured lung and a shoulder fracture.

But X-rays and an MRI scan ruled out any spinal damage
:eek: - im just glad it wasnt more serious!!

LCLee

16th July 2007, 15:48

...and you think the british ouutlook is bleak :s hock: We just lost Mcewan, O'grady, and the guy looking most likely to take he yellow jersey in yesterday's stage - Michael Rogers. How unfortunate this race can be. However, we still have Cadel to look out for and given my 11am university starts, it looks like i'll be staying up to support Cadel and admire the Tour De France all week :D

Schultz, I'm sorry about Mick Rogers, but he has earned my respect, he lost the yellow jersey but he showed that he's a great captain, an unselfish and honourable man.(His teammate stopped to ask if he needed a tow but Rogers signalled him to ride on.)

:rolleyes: unlike someone else, you know, the pre-race favourite :p

stevie_gerrard

17th July 2007, 09:38

It was rather unfortunate Schultz to have lost them, but that's what happens in the tour de France if you get caught up in it.

They showed the highlights of the first week of the Tour last night, and i have to say i think this has been one of the best for a long time, do people agree?

LTalbot

17th July 2007, 22:31

I have to say as an American my real interest in the race started with Greg LaMond and his great victories. I continued to follow and now watch about an hour of the live feed every day before I go to work, and thanks to Tivo, every finish. Even with no dominant Americans to cheer for, I have to say I may be enjoying this years tour even more than past races when Lance Armstrong was kicking butt. Every day is a completely new drama with different players. So far the days in the mountains have been spectacular to watch.

Go Team Discovery!

IMSAFAN1

18th July 2007, 01:18

As a former teammate of LeMond on two different teams I got to see how much of an impact he had on cycling in Europe. Even as a junior he was beating seasoned pro's with a gear restriction. As a Canadian I never really got the respect as a pro even though I rode with 4 number one ranked teams in my career. This years tour is looking fine. I'm really disappointed on how people in the breaks don't work with each other. I think that Contador is going to be a rider to watch out for now and in the future. The talent pool is mighty deep. It is refreshing to see some of the younger talent getting their shot.

ozrevhead

18th July 2007, 02:32

great days racing again! (well a vast improvement on stage 8 anyrate)

Great ride again by Cadel - he is a brilliant time trialist and I wouldn't be surprised if he was in yellow come the pyraneese!

No one has mentioned this guy but I feel Sastre has ridden the best ride of the tournament

has done little to no work in the first week and is in 7th overall with his pet stages (the pyranees) to come

He and Cadel to fight it out when we get there - either outcome will be fine with me :D

21st July 2007, 12:54

How good is the Tour? Four hours of hills, then a mad sprint over the last 200 metres ...mad stuff.

Have you guys seen http://www.sportsnut.com.au ... it's an Aussie site with motorsports and a great coverage of the Tour.

Go Cadel

Mark

23rd July 2007, 07:56

Yesterdays stage was one of the best I've seen, so much for everyone saying Evans would come through to win the stage, totally dropped by Rasmussen. They are still saying he won't win the tour, I'm not so sure!

ozrevhead

23rd July 2007, 10:10

one day doesnt win a tour - Rasmussen was good but you have rocks in your head if you think Cadel is going to give up without a fight!!!!!!!!

We have a time trial to go and if hes withing striking distance then - watch out!

Aint giving up hope yet!

janneppi

24th July 2007, 19:08

Oh my, first Rasmussen saga and now Vinokourov gave a positive surprise.

DonJippo

24th July 2007, 19:14

Oh my, first Rasmussen saga and now Vinokourov gave a positive surprise.

Surprise? Would have been surprise without anyone tested positive...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/6914301.stm

janneppi

24th July 2007, 19:39

I've been reading a same thread on a cycling forum, I kind of feel sorry for the guy who had bought Astana jersey this summer, bit like a friend of mine who worked for the ski championships in Lahti 2001 and got a jacket for free, the poor guy couldn't wear it for months. :D

stevie_gerrard

24th July 2007, 23:50

I know the B sample isn't back yet, but this is ridiculous, when are cyclists going to learn that you cannot get away with taking illegal things such as drugs, and having transfusions? i say they bring it upon themselves, all this anarchy in the sport of cycling.

I'm not a critical man normally, but this has got way out of hand, and it needs to be dealt with better than this, cause we have lost a great cyclist from the tour, and may never see him again, ruining his chances of winning it. When you already have all that talent, why does anyone need to enhance it?

oily oaf

25th July 2007, 04:49

Tour De France? Tour De Chemist Shop more like.
The whole lot of em appear to be ripped to the tits on steroids and HGH.
Enjoy your "sport" gentlemen :s mokin:

Mark

25th July 2007, 07:44

Gutting. Vino was one of the main stories in this years tour, he won the last stage out after all. I hope for his sake it's something to do with being patched up after the accident. :(

AndyRAC

25th July 2007, 09:19

Whats been a fantastic Tour is slowly turning sour; what with the Vinokourov revelations and the insinuations about Rasmussen. Only slightly good thing, at least cycling is one of the sports taking drugs/testing seriously. I can think of certain other sports were it isn't, seems it's just swept under the carpet. Double standards methinks.

ozrevhead

25th July 2007, 09:26

Mark

25th July 2007, 09:39

Oz,
I think you are right, there should be criminal cases brought here. I think if someone is found to have taken drugs to compete in a sport and it's proven that they did so, then jail sentances should follow, and of course a lifetime ban from the sport, at any level, including team management or even working for a sporting team as a cleaner!

T-Mobile have been doing the right thing in publishing the test results of all their riders for the world to see, but I believe it should go further and the UCI should publish the results of every rider online.

Right now I feel cheated, I was cheering Vino on with his stage win on Monday, now I find it was powered by drugs all along :down: :(

tinchote

25th July 2007, 10:02

Surprise? Would have been surprise without anyone tested positive...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/6914301.stm

Can't open the link. Darn Chinese censorship :mad:

janneppi

25th July 2007, 10:35

I am so angry over this - I feel for the genuinly clean riders in the sport (which believe it or not they are some) and for the great sport in general :mad: Somthing has to be done and on another forum someone suggested the same penalties as those guilty of multi million dollar fraud (gaol and fines at least) which I agree with. How can the trash the sport like this :mad:

our radio show in Adelaide managed to interview Stuart O'Grady (spirit and sence of humor well and truly intact!) and he was so angry and he said how these cheaters dont have a clue about what sport and cycling is all about

And hes right - they dont!

http://eurosport.yahoo.com/25072007/58/tour-de-france-merckx-end-cycling.html - more reactions!
http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-tourdefrance-charter&prov=ap&type=lgns

The International Cycling Union requested that all cyclists sign a charter saying they are not involved in doping and promising to submit DNA samples to Spanish authorities for the Operation Puerto probe. Cyclists also had to agree to pay a year's salary on top of a two-year ban if caught doping.
and every one of them signed the charter. :D

pino

25th July 2007, 12:06

Those idiots (cyclists) are killing this great sport which once was one of my fave, but due to dopings I've not followed for years now :mad: I think the solution is to stop all races, take a long break, clean it, put some new rules, and restart again. To carry-on this way will damage this sport more and more, and will keep cycling fans away...forever !

Daniel

25th July 2007, 13:10

ozrevhead

25th July 2007, 14:07

BREAKING NEWS: Eurosport
There has been a small explosion on part of the Spanish route after a telephone bomb threat from a caller claiming to represent Basque separatist rebels ETA. No one was hurt as the race had already passed through the area when the blasts occurred.

janneppi

25th July 2007, 17:11

Those idiots (cyclists) are killing this great sport which once was one of my fave, but due to dopings I've not followed for years now :mad:
I hope you are taking the same stance on football, nordic Skii-ing, golf, athletics, tennis and pretty much any sport where taking drugs will either boost your performance, or make it possible to train at a level much higher than "clean".

Just because media focuses on cycling(with good enough reasons), does it mean it isn't a problem elsewhere, some sports choose to ignore it while others have taken steps to fight it.

donKey jote

25th July 2007, 19:01

Now it's Moreni's turn :rolleyes:

Woodeye

25th July 2007, 19:08

Does professional cycling make people more stupid somehow? Guy after guy gets burned and still these morons use dopes... :dozey:

MrJan

25th July 2007, 23:04

It's such a shame that people appear to be trying so hard to stamp out the cheating and we already have 4 cases this year ruining a great sport. All this succeeds in doing is alienting people from cycling because no-one wants to watch people they know are on drugs. It doesn't matter that doping is likely to be just as high in tennis, football and rugby if the media concentrates on cycling. The one good thing that can be said about the sport is that it's not afraid of letting the public know and trying to put procedures in place to stop it. Now we just need harsher penalties and the riders realising that they won't win this battle in the long run.

MrJan

25th July 2007, 23:11

Just heard that Rasmussen has been kicked out of the Tour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/6916698.stm

Turns out that in June he wasn't actually in South America but in Italy so Rabobank have sacked him. The joke that the Tour De France is becoming just keeps on rolling.

ozrevhead

25th July 2007, 23:30

It may be a joke atmo but I feel that all the drama is a good thing

We are now seeing testing that is catching cheats now we are naming and shaming which can be a good thing

UCI might get its act into gear now

Lets be honest - is cyling no more bad than most sports or its just they are airing their dirty laudary now!

Swimming and Athletics went through it - now its Cycling's turn and Id imagine another sport will do the same in the short term

Schultz

26th July 2007, 00:08

This is not a joke. Everyone knows cycling is in a bit of strife atm, but I can tell you, the only way this problem can be fixed is to have some high profile catches, and that is happening. I think it really helps when Robabank sacks its only chance at tour de France victory for the good of the sport. They obviously have good reason to believe that what Rasmussen was upto on that trip to Italy was illegal and probably involved doping.

You can keep calling the sport a joke when this happens, but to me it's the best thing that can happen to cycling at this point. The last two riders to win the race (Rasmussen was almost a certainty) have probably been using prohibited substances to aid their performance, and I have to say, it's great to see the teams take a strong stand. I'm sure this will make others take a second look at using banned substances.

ozrevhead

26th July 2007, 00:59

Schultz

26th July 2007, 01:36

Agree Schulzy!!

What does this does for overall

Contador leads Evans by 1min or so - Evans took 4-5 mins out of Contador's last TT so unless something out of the ordinary happens I think that Evens will take this out

Hes the real leader as far as Im conserned!

But don't forget Levi leipheimer... he is also a great timetrialist and only 50 odd seconds behind out mate Cadel.

I'll tell you what though, tonight is going to be one hell of a stage. The last stage in the Pyranees, and the last chance for Contador to really try and open up an advantage on Cadel Evans... should really be a ripper. Although I really hope Cadel wins, I just wish it was in better circumstances.

stevie_gerrard

26th July 2007, 02:11

It hardly surprises me the latest goings on in the last 48 hours, it is such a shame to see this sport suffer yet again. Not only have we lost talented cyclists, but we lost innocent ones as well.

With the pull out of Cofidis this evening, it means Britains best hope of winning a stage of the tour de france this year in saturdays time trial is over. This is so unfortunate on Bradley Wiggins, who has had a wonderful tour and will hopefully come back next year better than ever :)

coldawg

26th July 2007, 02:59

I can't imagine that sponsors are going to be lining up to associate themselves with future runnings of the "Tour de Farce"? A shame!

AndyRAC

26th July 2007, 15:08

While I wouldn't class myself as a cycling fan, during this years Tour I've become 'hooked', and have really enjoyed it. At least up until the last few days, but I feel I must defend the sport. Yes it has a problem, but it is trying to address these issues, and is now happy to name and shame the culprits. There are certain sports which I'm sure have problems but nothing is said, everything is covered up and brushed under the carpet. Every sport should be transparent in their drug testing procedures, the ones which name and shame get criticised, what are they supposed to do? Long live le Tour de France!!!

race aficionado

26th July 2007, 18:46

How much doping is allowed this year?

We all knew it was going to happen. It's gotten to be ridiculous. Just look back at the doping history in the tours history and we can just confirm that it's sadly a tainted sport.
I was born in Colombia where cycling has always ben a big part of our lives. In the "olden" days these amazing athletes would suck on a sugar cane stick or sugar cane paste to give them energy. Those were the days.

:s mokin:

Eki

26th July 2007, 18:51

We all knew it was going to happen. It's gotten to be ridiculous. Just look back at the doping history in the tours history and we can just confirm that it's sadly a tainted sport.
I was born in Colombia where cycling has always ben a big part of our lives. In the "olden" days these amazing athletes would suck on a sugar cane stick or sugar cane paste to give them energy. Those were the days.

:s mokin:
So, nostalgia is sugar cane in Colombia. That's interesting. Here in Finland it's rye bread, blueberry soup or oatmeal.

race aficionado

26th July 2007, 19:11

So, nostalgia is sugar cane in Colombia. That's interesting. Here in Finland it's rye bread, blueberry soup or oatmeal.
:) Eki, in this Colombian nostalgic memory they would suck on the cane as they were actually on their bikes.
I can see the Finns peddaling eating their rye bread. How do they manage with their oatmeal and what must be a delicious blueberry soup as they cruise along the race course?

:s mokin:

janneppi

26th July 2007, 19:22

:) Eki, in this Colombian nostalgic memory they would suck on the cane as they were actually on their bikes.
I can see the Finns peddaling eating their rye bread. How do they manage with their oatmeal and what must be a delicious blueberry soup as they cruise along the race course?

:s mokin:

You might have seen early riders sucking sugar canes, but back on the hotel they were most likely taking amphetamines. ;)

Eki

26th July 2007, 20:00

:) Eki, in this Colombian nostalgic memory they would suck on the cane as they were actually on their bikes.
I can see the Finns peddaling eating their rye bread. How do they manage with their oatmeal and what must be a delicious blueberry soup as they cruise along the race course?

:s mokin:
In the old long skiing-competitions, like the 50 km race, they served blueberry soup as they serve drinks in marathon-running races today. Who knows what's in those drinks these days.

race aficionado

26th July 2007, 20:06

You might have seen early riders sucking sugar canes, but back on the hotel they were most likely taking amphetamines. ;)

party pooper! :mad:

amphetamines were not used and yes, cocaine was not one of our main products in those days either.

On a serious note, I did get a chance to make a documentary of the cycling races in Colombia of the 50's and got to interview our hero's of those days and I believe them when they said that doping didn't exist nor was it even a thought-form in those day. They were the real road warriors and worthy of being called bicycle racers.

I'm a sucker for nostalgia, so sue me! :vader:

:s mokin:

janneppi

26th July 2007, 20:19

Amphetamines were widely used in endurace sports since even WW1 , the death of Tom Simpson in the 1967 Tour for heart failure brought it more to public eye. Especially in the Tour it wasn't as much who used, but who dared to use the most.

BTW, did you ask them about Benzedrine? ;)

race aficionado

26th July 2007, 20:27

Benzawhat??????? :)

Eki

26th July 2007, 20:52

Benzawhat??????? :)
During WW2 against the Soviet Union, Finnish so called "long-distance patrol" troops who operated behind the Soviet lines were given a substance called Pervitin, which was basically amphetamin. I've read that American fighter pilots are given a similar substance during operations like the "shock and awe" in Iraq.

Eki

26th July 2007, 21:54

During WW2 against the Soviet Union, Finnish so called "long-distance patrol" troops who operated behind the Soviet lines were given a substance called Pervitin, which was basically amphetamin. I've read that American fighter pilots are given a similar substance during operations like the "shock and awe" in Iraq.
"Benzedrine-like drug, Pervitin, causes a spider to build a one-sided web. After laying a foundation for a large web it becomes so restless under the stimulant that it cannot co-ordinate. It weaves back and forth at one end only, laying down too many strands there but not completing the whole net"

http://amphetamines.com/pervitin-spiders.html

race aficionado

26th July 2007, 21:55

. . . .I've read that American fighter pilots are given a similar substance during operations like the "shock and awe" in Iraq.

that explains a lot! wooops! (wrong and very old and defunct threat topic)

:s mokin:

tinchote

27th July 2007, 09:40

party pooper! :mad:

amphetamines were not used and yes, cocaine was not one of our main products in those days either.

On a serious note, I did get a chance to make a documentary of the cycling races in Colombia of the 50's and got to interview our hero's of those days and I believe them when they said that doping didn't exist nor was it even a thought-form in those day. They were the real road warriors and worthy of being called bicycle racers.

I'm a sucker for nostalgia, so sue me! :vader:

:s mokin:

Race, I think it's very näive to think that sportsmen were not having performance enhacing substances in the 50s. Of course I cannot talk about each sport in particular, but I'm certain about football in Argentina, and also about mountaineering. There was no awareness and no control, so it was certainly more direct and/or simple.

oily oaf

27th July 2007, 18:27

Personally I think that the drug cheats have been eradicated from cycling by the latest stringent measures adopted by the governing body :)

Mind you I was slightly disappointed when I spotted the bloke in the yellow jersey with a cork between his teeth which was attached via a length of fishing line to the back of the police motorbike :(

race aficionado

27th July 2007, 20:00

Race, I think it's very näive to think that sportsmen were not having performance enhacing substances in the 50s. Of course I cannot talk about each sport in particular, but I'm certain about football in Argentina, and also about mountaineering. There was no awareness and no control, so it was certainly more direct and/or simple.

Tin . . . I know . . . It's not the first time that I've been reminded of my naivité. It keeps me sane.

As for Oily's cork sighting, I'm glad it was between his teeth because otherwise he could not get a chance to be sitting confortably on his cycle.

:s mokin:

stevie_gerrard

27th July 2007, 23:08

Well the Tour de Farce finally reaches it's end this weekend, are we gonna be talking about the racing instead of the drugs? probably not :p : But i hope we can concentrate on the racing, because we could have a tight finish on our hands :)

ozrevhead

28th July 2007, 00:49

Cadel gained 3 seconds on Condator - 1.50 now i think

he took 1.40 odd off of him in the last time trial which was hilly and wet so Cadel couldnt attack as much

This is going to be great!

DonJippo

28th July 2007, 14:42

Next one to go, Juan Mauricio Soler :rolleyes:

janneppi

29th July 2007, 17:09

I reserve my reaction of Contador's win for later days, in the words of a cycling forumite in another place,
You and me baby ain't nothin' but mammals
So let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel
It aint over till Dick Pound sings

tinchote

30th July 2007, 09:39

Race, just let me tell you that I think that being näive is a good thing :)

I'm not a cycling fan, but I have followed the tour with some interest for the last 10 years. And the doping thing has really ruined it for me. Because most people are praising the efforts made to clean the sport, and I agree that's good. Now, before last year's tour, there was a big discovery of doping, and many of the candidates withdraw before the start; and even then, the winner ended up disqualified for doping. With this in sight, we come to this tour again, and the same happens. Now, the obvious thinking is, if the guys who were discovered were on drugs (and I don't doubt they were), what should we think of the people that were performing at the same level or even better? Are they that good? I don't think so. This leads me to conclude that doping is still massive, and were only seen the cases were something (the trick to avoid detection) went wrong.

To see an example of a sport where not everybody was doping, look at women athletics: many sprinting world records still running are from the 80s, by women from Russia and East Germany. Or look at Flo-Jo, no one is even near to her records, and then the woman dies young to arouse suspicion. To me, the fact that those records stand after more than 20 years shows that the doping level these days is inferior to what they did back then. It doesn't look like that with cycling.