Gripped by Le Tour

I get the sense that many folks feel as if watching the Tour this year isn't cool and that they should boycott the Tour in the name of "clean sport". So far I am enjoying the shit out of the Tour and I can't wait to watch the rest of it for all of its highs and lows. I am an optimist and I want to believe that pro cycling can save itself from its own dark shadows where the immoral doctors and blind team directors lurk.

The highs so far:
I am rooting for Iban Mayo to keep riding strong. I have always liked his style when he is riding well and loved it back in 2003 when kicked the crap out of Lance on the Alpe d'Huez. I think he will win a stage before its over.

I love the black CSC wrist bands and I want one. They simply say "Harden the Fuck Up!" Yea baby!

The post-race interview with Linus Gerdemann of T-Mobile speaking about the greatness of the sport, his appreciation of his team's sponsors, and his thankfulness to be able to do this for a living. Not a word about his individual achievement.

The post-race interview with Rasmussen where he made the tongue-in-cheek comment about still having to "negotiate" over 100K of time trialing. Perfect use of words by an articulate athlete.

Alberto Contador...stay tuned.

The lows:
The Cofidis director not paying attention while driving the team car and taking out a Discovery rider.

The three Ausies, Mick, Stuey, and Robbie, crashing separately but exiting the Tour with some serious injuries on the same day.