for all my miserable git act (I just like being contrarian, y'know), I was absolutely bowled over and almost in tears on Sunday.
It was good to see most people in the media getting their heads around the enormity of the achievement and elevating it to its proper place.
To think that BW was on the verge of being ousted as Sky leader a couple of years back....
Odd it has taken us so long when Luxembourg first won in 1909, Belgium in 1912, Italy 1924, Switzerland 1950, Spain 1959, Holland 1968, USA 1986, Ireland 1987, Denmark 1996, Germany 1997, Australia 2011.Originally Posted by ZootHornRollo
Clearly, they must all be countries with a long history of competitive cycling, although didn't the British invent the bike?
Last edited by Graham Breeze; 26-07-2012 at 04:25 PM.
Interesting you see it like that. One of the many things people dislike about Millar is his constant apologising for his drugged past. Normally delivered with a dollop of self-flagellation.
I've got an awful lot of time for him, I'd rather hear from a clean ex-druggie than a serial denier. Those that can do the latter with a straight face or either in a minority or very good at keeping a straight face. He's normally good for a non media-trained quote and some proper insight. I'm not sure I'd have picked for the Olympics, but Millar's book is full of self-examination.
I have, of course, read his book, I do not think he should have been selected but I accede that I prefer Millar to the loathsome Virenque.
It was Millar's book that changed me from a black/white/ban them for life attitude to it's not that simple/everyone deserves a second chance.
That's OK.
As long as we agree about Virenque!
I certainly do. Loathsome is a good word for him. What really grates is that he is still popular in France and still is considered a great climber despite doing it doped to the eyeballs. Same with Pantani, I don't get it.
But they were the type of rider that made the tour "exciting" doing all the heroic stuff up mountains. As was said on this thread by some posters, the tdf was "boring" this year - I wonder if there is a link between drugged cyclists and heroic riding in the mountains?
I read somewhere yesterday that the speed Contador went up one climb in a recent tour would have required a vo2 max of 99 - ie either he was superhuman or juiced to the max....But they were the type of rider that made the tour "exciting" doing all the heroic stuff up mountains. As was said on this thread by some posters, the tdf was "boring" this year - I wonder if there is a link between drugged cyclists and heroic riding in the mountains
I remember being taken in by Virenque and Pantani as a kid- I still wear my yellow Vittoria road shoes. When the Festina scandal broke and Pantani was exposed as a doper it had a profound effect on me. I was only a teenager and my heroes were suddenly phoneys.
This year's tour may have been boring to some people. I can only suggest they watch Disney films or read Lord of Rings instead - they obviously enjoy fantasy more than reality.
I think this year's tour was more human and all the better for it.
So what's your stance on the Brownlees sleeping in an altitude (hypoxic) tent which is equivalent to blood doping? And possibly only legal because of the difficulty in policing their use.
Or millionaire athletes like Paula R. being able to afford to spend months training at altitude?
Ah but they are British?
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