June, although I had followed the TDF through the sports pages in years past I had never watched it until last year. I watched it for two reasons mainly. One because just the month prior we were in France and Spain and drove through Andorra where a stage or two of the race took place. Always interesting to see places on TV where you have traveled. The other reason was to see the comeback of Lance Armstrong. I was hooked after watching the race and the overhead views turned out to be a bonus. I too learned a lot about the rules, tactics and sportsmanship of cycling and continue to do so. I agree it is a very interesting sport and the riders have to be in tremendous shape. The "bonus" coverage with the overhead views and the commentators giving historical data about the Chateaus', old buildings and such is like a mini-travel program inside the racing event. My wife who is not into sports even reminded me to record the ride into Paris tomorrow.
Tom, hope you can find a replay of stage 17 and view the climb up the Col du Tourmalet. It was wild and Schelck and Contador really gutted it out with neither one yielding to the other. Good stuff.
Contador wrapped it up today in the TT's and is ahead in the overall by 39 seconds. It would have been even closer had Schleck's chain not come off his bike in stage 15 which resulted in his going from a 31 second lead to an 8 second deficit. I was pulling for him to win after that. Too bad Lance had so much bad luck in the early stages. He may have had a chance for third place. Team Radio Shack won the team part so he will be on the podium tomorrow. It has been a good TDF.
