The Tour De Lance is over...

[Baclava]

...and he got his final stage win in the time trial...



Now for the champaign-sipping coast to the finish...

[Systematic Chaos]

1. Am I the only one here who thinks he shouldn't retire yet?

He ought to keep competing, at least in this one event, every year until he loses one. And I bet when he finally did lose he'd still finish top five. It wouldn't be like ending a career in disgrace or anything. He still has way too much in him to stop now, IMO, despite being considerably beyond the peak age for competition.

[rooboy]

3. He should keep competing until they find a drug test to catch him...

Let the flaming begin!!!

:evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[Systematic Chaos]

4. Nope, no flaming.

But in my heart of hearts I just don't... think... he's using anything illegal to do what he is. I believe it's all spirit and drive and tenacity and attitude and I love the guy for it. If I'm proven wrong someday then so be it, but until that day I'll keep my cynical streak out of this one. :)

[fooj]

7. I believe, too.

:hi:

[northzax]

11. why not retire?

he's set an unbreakable record. he has two more TdF wins than anyone else, and they came in succession. Why come back only to rack up more? He's proven that teh great rider, with a great team can focus on one race and dominate, with luck. Why stay around?

[Syrinx]

2. congratulations Lance!

An inspiring guy, even though bicycle racing makes NASCAR seem exciting.

[Systematic Chaos]

5. Now THAT, I'll flame!!

Well, sorta. :P

NASCAR sucks total balls compared to the true test of athleticism that is cycling. End of story.

[Syrinx]

6. well I guess you're right

Bicycle racing certainly involves more athletic ability than stock car racing. But it's still pretty boring.

I'm happy for Lance Armstrong though. He was the first person to ride a bicycle on the moon you know! ;)

[meow2u3]

12. Damn straight it is!

I can't climb uphill on my bike for a two-block stretch, much less the mileage a cyclist puts on his two-wheeler.

[mchill]

9. Are you serious?

How much do you understand about the sport and the tour? I just don't think you'd be saying this if you really understood the nuance, subplots, races within races, strategy, etc. that goes on in the tour. That's above and beyond the physicality.

[erpowers]

10. NASCAR Harder Than You Think

The NASCAR drivers have to drive a car for 500 miles non-stop. From what I have heard the temperatures get very hot in those cars. In addition, these cars can be hard to drive espically at high speed. They drive these cars at about and above 160+. I think these cars actually go over 200 miles per hour. I tried to drive a similation of one of these cars at a Lowe's during the stores grand opening and the stearing of the car was pretty hard. These guy/girls have to go through a large amount of training to drive these cars. Even though cycling is a tough sport and the tour de France is especially hard. I think cycling in not has hard as NASCAR.

As far as strategy goes there is a large amount of strategy goes into NASCAR. It is not always a mistake when someone bumps another car. Sometimes a driver will get behind another driver in order to push the other driver forward. At some races there is a large need for teamwork. For years the Earnhardt team was very good a restrictor plate races because they used a large amount of teamwork. The Gordon team tried it (using teamwork) and was able to win the restrictor plate race. So there is strategy, races inside of races, and subplots within races and the racing season.

[mchill]

13. Did I say NASCAR was boring?

No, but I was responding to the comment about the Tour being boring. Like anything, unless one develops an understanding of the nuance of something, one can't fully appreciate. Every comment you made about NASCAR has it's own analogy to the Tour. In a way, I'd say they are very similar, though I think the Tour provides a bit more intimacy with the atheletes. Oh, and it lasts for 21 days for over 2000 miles.

The first year I watched it, I didn't understand the fascination, but as I was dating a cyclist at the time, I was obliged to watch a bit. I haven't missed a year since '92 and I learn something new every year about the strategy and tactics. It really is a fascinating sport, including the traditions and international flavor.

[CatholicEdHead]

8. OLN still has 8.5 miles to go

even though I heard about this via BBC's news alert.