Well, I haven't been posting as much since baseball ending so I could spend time gnashing my teeth and wailing. I'm almost over it. During this long summer, I'm taking some time off from posting as a general rule and let Ruchard do the bulk of the posting here, as me and our buddy Jason write our Tour de France blog. Please check it out if you want to follow the world's greatest cycling race.
Anyway, here are 8 reasons to follow this year's Tour:
8. PHIL LIGGET AND PAUL SHERWIN
The best announcing duo in the business. I know as far as reasons for watching a sporting event, the announcing crew is a little low, but it's nice watching the Tour and not having the feeling you want to drive a screwdriver through my eardrums.
7. THOR
The God of Thunder has already won a stage and he's now the Green Jersey favorite. Thor Hushovd is a name so great, you can't help but root for him. He also rides for a terrible team whose sole purpose is to ride for Thor.
6. THE SCHLECK BROTHERS
Luxembourg's most successful athletic family! Frank is CSC's top lieutenant, and he'll try and nurse Carlos Sastre to the finish line. Frank's always been just outside of the top ten. Andy is his younger brother, up for the White Jersey of best young rider. He's in his first Tour and is a threat to make the top ten as well.
5. THE FRENCH LOSING
There is almost nothing no this planet more enjoyable than the French losing at their national race. Every year, the French cram a bunch of riders into the start and every year, they lose. It's like watching Charlie Brown.
4. THE BRITISH LOSING
Even more fun than the French losing because the British hype the hell out of their guys and then they lose. Which is even more entertaining
3. L'ALPE D'HUEZ
1860 meters high. 13.8 kilometers. 7.9% average grade. Champions are made on the race's most famous climb. There is no better stage, watching the Yellow be decided in front of nearly 40,000 fans as the peloton ascends to the peak.
2. PODIUM GIRLS
Sure, if you lead a classification, you get a jersey. But more importantly, you get a kiss from the podium girls.
1. DRAMA
Cadel Evans is the favorite, but there are lots of contenders. Valverde, Menchov, Cunego, Kirchen, Satsre, Popovych... there are lots of contenders this year. It's a wide open race.