Le Tour!

[spk123]

Bruyneel after today's stage: "There were no instructions from the car (to attack)" said Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel. "We wanted to try to maintain our collective strength and wait for the attacks to come"

Very interesting. Still a strong position for the team though... it will be interesting to see how Astana works as a team when they are actually put under a little bit of pressure (if Evans, the Schlecks, Sastre, Vandevelde, et al. ever get up the strength to actually mount a serious challenge)

[CySmitty]

It's Contador's to lose, imo. He looked unstoppable flying around those curves going uphill. I don't think there's any way this Lance can deal with him...6 years ago, probably, but not now.

My guess is that Astana really wants the sweep of the podium and they have the guys to do it.

Don't count Lance or anyone else out yet. The stage was made for Contador. He as a quick acceleration that's hard for most guys to match so it worked well on a short steep climb. I think Lance will come out to play before the tours over.

[alaskaguy]

I'm not going to knock anyone for liking a sport, but what's the appeal of bike riding? I mean I'll be interested to hear who wins and whatnot, but to watch every leg? What do you guys find interesting about it in particular?

I know I'll be knocked for asking but I have the wondered what is the appeal of football?

Personally I find considerable more to like in the Tour than I do for professional football, and I shouldn't say this on this web site but I would opt for watching the Tour over even college football.

[CyPride]

While not a racer, I ride approx. 1,500 to 2,000 miles a summer. I appreciate the skills of riders at that level, and the strategy of how the teams work together. When I watch a stage, it gives me the motivation to peel off a 70 mile ride afterwards. I also appreciate the French scenery - especially now that it's in HD. Most of all, I love the commentary from Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin

Here, here. Good post. I like watching for the same reasons, save the 2000 miles of riding which i can't do anymore. I also really enjoy LA and his story.

TDF is great fun and great entertainment. Seeing those guys ride 130 miles and then fly up that last mountain the way they did is absolutely amazing.

[joberman1]

I'm not going to knock anyone for liking a sport, but what's the appeal of bike riding? I mean I'll be interested to hear who wins and whatnot, but to watch every leg? What do you guys find interesting about it in particular?

i watch it so i can look at them flying at 60 miles an hour down that mountain and thinking to myself, "wow i suck at riding my bike".

[RayShimley]

I don't usually watch Le Tour, but I always find it interesting reading about all the drama when Lance is involved. I've followed it much closer this year in hopes that he sticks it to all those poor losers in Europe who continually accuse him of doping even though he's probably the most rigorously tested athlete in the history of sports.

[alaskaguy]

I rarely watch television. However, over the last two weeks I have watched more television than I probably watch over the course of a year. I have been glued to every facet of this race.