TdF 2008 - 3 Up, 3 Down
Well, we’re three days into the TdF and I am already beginning to lose my resistance to the impending dementia caused by that infuriating “Take Back the Tour” commercial on Versus. I can only hope (with every fiber of my being) that the VS producers get as sick of it as I have and end the madness before someone (like me) gets committed to a mental institution. I’ll be on the stretcher mumbling “I’m gonna get myself straight” right before they put me into the straightjacket.
Specifically, the reverse-footage is exceedingly depressing, a little offensive and the song kind of makes me want to kill myself. Or start doing drugs to numb my ears and the resulting suicidal tendencies. Good job VS!! Only two and a half more weeks to go!! I hope we all make it. The riders might be clean but now the entire viewing public will be pill-popping alcoholics by the end of the month.
Okay, back to the race. Well, sort of…
Alejandro Valverde is obviously a great cyclist. After all, he’s been winning races since he was a kid and has continued a fairly steady rise to now challenge for the Tour de France. However, among a few other concerns, there is just something inherently cheesy about Valvoodoo which prevents me from enjoying many of his victories. I feel kind of bad saying it, but I call ‘em like I see ‘em and something about the Spaniard’s style bugs me. Okay, I actually don’t feel that bad.
From the historically low-cut socks (a little triathlon-weird looking but still better than Moreau’s white tube socks), to the prematurely balding, yet oddly Jheri-curlish hair (just shave it off dude, trust me), to the overly-coordinated yellow, black and red of his new Spanish National Champion’s kit (the yellow on the bike and helmet make it seem like he’s trying too hard), the man who may or may not be DIRECTLY linked to Operacion Puerto has track record of questionable style (and nickname) choices.
But considering he got his big break in those horrendous old green Kelme kits – maybe he was doomed from the start. Or maybe Fuentes should have been a fashion advisor too. He seemed pretty slick in all those Mafioso-style photographs.
Anyway, despite the relative ease with which he won Stage 1 and coasted to the finish of Stage 2, I am sticking to my prediction that bad things will surface for Valv.Piti and he will not be sporting those garish yellow-gold Oakleys in Paris. ASO cannot be happy that he is prowling the top of the GC right now. “Umm…can someone get that Spanish judge on the line? Patrice Clerc would like to speak with him.”
Scandinavian By Design…
I have said it for quite some time now and I’ll say it again – I like me some Scandinavians. Especially Norwegians. Or should I say “Noorveejins?”
This goes for just about everyone I’ve ever met but Thor Hushovd seems to reinforce this opinion. My guess is that the French like Thor quite a bit as well. Considering the publicity he has been able to generate for Credit Agricole over the last 5-6 years, he should be an honorary Frog at this point. I bet he’s more popular than Moreau.
These things I know: The sun will rise again and Thor Hushovd will win a stage of the Tour de France.
So Frisch and So Clean, Clean…
The Outkast song may not have been playing on the race radio but the title seemed apt after what our local Boulder representative Will Frischkorn did in Stage 3. After over 200k’s off the front, the Colorado Buffalo alum just missed grabbing what may have been the most surprising stage win for an American since Greg LeMond’s TT in 1989 and cemented the fact that Slipstream/Garmin/Chipotle are going to be able to do some good things over the next few weeks.
I hope to have more details about Stage 3 from the source in the near future. But in the meantime…Way to go Man!
Between Missouri, Milan-Sanremo and now the Tour, Willdren of the Frischkorn is making getting into day-long, race-making breakaways look remarkably easy. Come on…it’s only 200k’s off the front. Let’s go.
It’s probably nothing compared to the Bus Stop Ride though and I think the start in St. Malo must have reminded him of the chapel with the same name on Peak to Peak Highway.
Next Stop for Garmin-Chipotle: A Yellow Jersey for David Millar after the TT tomorrow. Cancellara can’t possibly win again, can he? We’ll see.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Okay, you are saying things that I’m feeling, and this is the first time I’ve read your blog! Kinda freaky…
I was sick of that “Take……Tour” before it even started, and I cannot look at the screen when I hear that damn music. Interesting take on Valverde. I’ve never felt comfortable with him, I thought maybe it was because he’s spanish; but I love Alberto Contador; so it must be something else…….PLUS he make too much money for a cyclist that hasn’t won The Tour. And I’m not just being a bitch, cause Floyd got screwed. Valverde has one of those cars, you know, Italian, too expensive….he’s not even 30yrs old (or just barely…I might not have paid attention to his birthdays)!
Will Frischkorn made me cry today!!! I’m so proud, to have met him, and I consider him one of my faves; right up there with Christian, DZ, and George!