04/16/24
July 20, 2003
The road to Calvary: is how some describe the tribulations of Le Tour. Christ knows how you would describe Tyler Hamilton, nutter, perhaps. How he has managed to even drag himself onto his bike, never mind compete, with a broken collar bone, defies belief. Martin Grainger once finished a game for Blues with a broken leg, but he is too thick to notice such a thing. Hamiltons bravery (stupidity?) is of a different order altogether. Meanwhile, the race continues apace and is the most exciting since Le Mond took on Fignon.
posted by Fat Buddha to extreme at 05:27 PM - 12 comments
I've been a loyal viewer of the Tour for some years now and this is easily the most exicting I've seen. In past years, the first moutain passes were thrilling, and maybe a single stage here or there, but in '03 the entire thing has been brilliant. And be nice to the folks around here who may be waiting until after work to watch the replay. Warn them if you're going to offer a spoiler.
posted by 86 at 10:15 AM on July 21, 2003
Well it's not a spoiler to suggest it's well worth watching is it?
posted by Fat Buddha at 10:39 AM on July 21, 2003
No sir, FB... well worth watching, indeed. Watch it. Everyone watch it.
posted by 86 at 11:20 AM on July 21, 2003
I'd love to watch it, but it's only on sattelite tv over here.
posted by squealy at 12:01 PM on July 21, 2003
Well, ok, read it then. Wow.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:09 PM on July 21, 2003
And, as the article shows, Hamilton is not just crazy, he's a nice guy, too. I like that "unwritten rule" thing. It's that kinda thing that keeps us civilized. (Notice I didn't include any spoilers, did I? I am brilliant.)
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:12 PM on July 21, 2003
I wonder what kind of an impact Hamilton could have made this year if he was fully fit. Kudos to Ullrich today re the "unwritten rule"
posted by Fat Buddha at 01:32 PM on July 21, 2003
If Hamilton were healthy, if Beloki hadn't taken such a rough tumble........ This is the first TdF that I've really paid attention to beyond the 15 seconds of highlights on the local news or sportscenter, and it's been really cool.
posted by mbd1 at 03:56 PM on July 21, 2003
Today's stage was one of the best I've seen in the decade or so I've been hooked on the Tour... watch it if you can. SPOILER: (highlight to read) Hamilton stayed with the leading group until the last kilometres of the last climb. That just astonishes me, having seen the Tourmalet. But Lance Armstrong is finally earning the plaudits of the French, for showing both human frailty (the time-trial) and super-human effort. To be knocked off your bike by a spectator's food-bag, get up, nearly fall off again, then ride away from Ullrich... takes the breath away. And yes, Ullrich's decision to neutralise the racing was great, though as Lance himself noted, it's returning the favour from a few years ago. Cyclists know how it works. Also, a moment to remember Estonian Laurie Aus, killed by a drunk-driver yesterday. It's a hard, hard sport.
posted by etagloh at 04:33 PM on July 21, 2003
Bleedin ell, etagloh, did you need an onion to do that?
posted by Fat Buddha at 06:12 PM on July 21, 2003
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:01 PM on July 23, 2003
Last night, my brother was watching the taped reply on OLN; I had "watched" the stage earlier in the day via the online updates. We talked about the strength of Jan this year and Lance's chances. We could not discuss the days results but I said to him that I sensed something would happen tomorrow (now today) and sure enough something is. Someone had to make a move before leaving the Pyrenées and that someone is...