Tour de france starts in about 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to it. I first started watching it after reading about Lance Armstrong's story about 6 or 7 years ago. Most of the cyclists in the last decade have been under some cloud of suspicion for doping. So while I view the sport with skepticism, I still find Lance's story inspirational. To come to that level of fitness to be able to compete in a grueling sport after fighting cancer, is amazing.
Tour de france is a 21 day race of about 3500 kms of cycling (racing about 170 kms a day with only 2 rest days in the entire 21 days). And if you are not amazed by that stat alone, you should see the mountains they climb and the sprints they do after 3-4 hours of cycling. And the scary crashes along the downhill roads, the 30 second tire change for a puncture (to rival any F1 pit stop), how they grab their food bags from feeding stations, the attending to injuries by a doctor in a moving vehicle to a cyclist who is also moving adds tons of drama. Of course, the open air bathroom breaks is something to be avoided.... if you thought this happened only in India - just watch the tour...
As far as the doping goes, the cyclists put the cricketers to shame by the sheer sophistication of techniques. And I am baffled about doping in cycling - it seems like nearly everyone does it, if so does that not create a level playing field. Shouldn't they try to have the same level playing field without the drugs?
Lastly when the race is in a boring stage, you can view the breathtaking French countryside with the "Chateaux" thrown in. These are the places I would love to visit if I ever get the chance.
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2 comments:
Lance Armstrong, the name itself is inspiring.
However, the drug taint is a dampner.
Absolutely - this sport needs to get its act together or not pretend that they are clean.
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