The tour is on!

**brianhos** · 07-08-2007, 07:06 AM

I am probably the only one excited, but the tour is back baby!

So who does everyone think will contend? I expect most Americans will cheer for Hincape, but Kloden, and Vinikourov look really strong too.

**Wesley** · 07-08-2007, 07:15 AM

Are the French still drug testing all foreigners from last year? Or did they give up yet?

**everyyard** · 07-08-2007, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley

Are the French still drug testing all foreigners from last year? Or did they give up yet?

Are all of our guys still cheating or did we find some athletes who can be great and clean? The only difference between what our athletes do and old East Germany and China is that we hide it better.

**brianhos** · 07-08-2007, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by everyyard

Are all of our guys still cheating or did we find some athletes who can be great and clean? The only difference between what our athletes do and old East Germany and China is that we hide it better.

It is cycling, even the clean ones are under suspicion. It is like all major endurance sports, but cycling and cross country skiing are the worst.

But at least real sports other than baseball are on for 2 weeks, and when this is all over, we are 2 weeks closer to football.

**jdoggivjc** · 07-08-2007, 07:32 AM

...you mean all cyclists except for the French...

**joepublic** · 07-08-2007, 08:23 AM

Let the doping commence!

**mj4cy** · 07-08-2007, 09:12 AM

Is Ullrich still in it? (He's the only name I know)

**Wesley** · 07-08-2007, 09:19 AM

Not if the French can help it.

**brianhos** · 07-08-2007, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by mjones34

Is Ullrich still in it? (He's the only name I know)

Jan retired in March. Neither Ulrich or Basso rode last year because of doping scandals on their teams.

**alaskaguy** · 07-08-2007, 09:39 AM

I love to follow the Tour. Unfortunately, I'll miss most of it this year as I'm beginning my own bicycle tour today (of Alaska).

**brianhos** · 07-08-2007, 09:51 AM

Nice come from out of nowhere victory by Robbie Mcewen today.

**mj4cy** · 07-08-2007, 10:04 AM

Damn! Now I have to find a new player to try to memorize. Just tell me now who to root for!

**brianhos** · 07-08-2007, 10:06 AM

Root for Levi Leipheimer, he is leading team discovery (Lance's old team) and is probably the favored american.

For the next few days you will hear the names, Mcewen, Kloden, Hurhsold. They are the big sprinters, and on the first couple of days it is all about the sprinters, the guys challenging for the overall title will not shine until they hit the mountains next week.