Dave's Dogmatic Dribbles

By Dave Osborne
Jul 27, 2003, 11:37

Tour de France: Stage 20 and the end.

The four jersey winners. From left to right Baden Cooke, Lance Armstrong, Richard Virenque and Denis Menchov. Armstrong claimed his 5th Tour win this year. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Get out the number for World Cycling Productions. This is one Tour de France you will want to add to your DVD or VCR collection!

Let’s look at the numbers: 100 years, 5 won 5, 5 full teams remained at the end.

Speaking of teams, congratulations to USPS-Berry Floor for bringing home Lance Armstrong to his 5^th consecutive win! Remember, this is a team sport and stage 4 showed us what the posties are made of.

Team US Postal. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Many thoughts have come and gone since July 5^th. Some good, some bad, some stupid! Fortunately for all Roadcycling.com readers, I have come to my wits end but did rally my mind for some final dribbles.

JaJa was missed but Zabel’s presence was a comfort. He lends dignity to the Tour. Cipo’s absence was absurd. Watching the Tour without him is like watching the Chicago Bulls without Jordan.

How do you decide the most dramatic stage? The crash on stage 1, the relentless attacks on stage 8, the stage 4 team time trial, the individual TT on stage 12, Lance’s crash on stage 15, or Tyler’s stage 16 win? Well, I think it’s the one I didn’t mention. Beloki’s stage 9 crash has to be it. The Tour lost a serious contender that day.

What about the most colorful jersey? The winner is Euskaltel-Euskadi. How about the most colorful bike? The winner is Euskaltel-Euskadi (so I like orange…and I’m writing the article). Euskaltel-Euskadi also wins the most colorful team name. To me, it sounds like mother calling the kids home. I can hear it now, Hey Euskaltel, hey Euskadi, time to come home and watch the Tour on OLN!

Carlos Sastre. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

The best stage win salute is a sure thing. It goes to Sastre for pulling out a baby pacifier from his jersey and sticking it in his mouth! Now that’s unique.

I can’t go without talking about France. Stunning scenery (that includes the podium girls) and millions of fans. They have the passion. As my way of saying thanks, I would like to offer a secret business idea. With all those grapes you guys got, I think you missed the boat making vino and champagne. I’ve got a money making word for ya, RAISINS!

What would we do without OLN? Phil and Paul treat us to their professionalism and knowledge. Ask them anything, they know the answer. Bob is a so much fun. The only problem is I went cross-eyed watching him wave his hands all the time! OLN gave us live coverage and re-broadcasts to view at out leisure. Much more than you can say about CBS who tried to put on a 1 hour show on Sundays. They may have had the money to buy out OLN, but they didn’t have the brains.

To the fans of the toughest endurance sport in the world, au revoir. Keep the passion!

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