Tour de France bored you too?

Question

Exciting wasn't it? Without the chiefs, any rider could have a go at the yellow jersey. And they were good! Landis won magnificently..

Or do you share my disgust at the disqualification of Basso, Ullrich et al, when they're not even prosecuted, a measure taken a few days ahead of the Tour even - and based on hype. I think Ullrich would have won it, but now another American did. Deservedly, but greatly - no.

Answer 1

I like Landis, always have, and am happy with the outcome of this Tour De France. That said, I'm very disappointed with the exclusion of Ullrich. I was looking forward to watching him run over Ivan Basso like a speed bump. One thing is for sure. My boy Landis might've come in second in this tour, but he would've never beaten Ullrich in a time trial. Ullrich would've gained at least 3 minutes on everyone in the time trials. Basso would've been a top 5 finisher, keeping Kloden off of the podium.

Answer 2

It wasn't the same when the 2 top riders were missing + some of the best outsiders. And i believe it's safe to say Landis wouldn't have won if they were there. Basso don't have off days, and there is no way Landis could stand losing 7 min if they had been there. Then Sastre and Kloden would have been helpers and there would have been more control over the race. Normally a top 10 rider won't get that kind of gap

Answer 3

It seems a year can't go by without some type of scandal on the Tour. With Lance it was year after year of questions about whether he was using performance enhancements. This year it was the disqualifications that you alluded to. Are these controversies coming up because organizers feel the race is too boring to capture peoples interest on its own? That there always has to be some form of side drama to keep people tuned in? It's sad because there have been great stories to follow. Landis will nevertheless be remembered for his stamina and will to win even when suffering a colossal setback as the race was nearing an end. To roar back after being down over 8 minutes is a testament to the human spirit.

Answer 4

Don't get caught doping. I enjoyed every minute of the action and wasn't a Floyd Landis fan. I am now. That anyone has a chance to win , that to me makes it exciting. I don't root for a particular cyclist or team or country. What is fun is the race itself. That grit and tenacity is real T.V. . The human spirit in action. Not boring. American Baseball thats boring.

Answer 5

while I would have loved to seen Basso and Ullrich fight it out and found the elimiation based on speculation strange the tour itself was quite fun to watch. If they are innocent they will be back next year if not there will be a wide open tour again.

Answer 6

Even though it started out so strange after all the cyclists that were dropped because of a drug scandal, I thought it was great! Enjoyed most of the coverage on OLN and talking about it with my cycling friends, and of course Floyd Landis' victory!

Answer 7

I loved this year's tour. It was full of drama almost daily. Landis's win was magnificent, and the performances of other riders kept us all guessing. Can't wait til next year!

Answer 8

the mountain stages were really exciting and the race seemed open until the end.
I think it was more interesting then any year before, were the winner was set right from the start.
It was very sad to see that they had again such a big doping scandal going on before the race, but it was just fair to exclude the favourit racers.

Answer 9

Oh please! My disgust comes from all these riders and their doctors ingesting mad drug cocktails to win! It was about time they clean up the Tour. Though I think there are still many cheaters among those who did it this year...

Answer 10

It wasn't too bad. With Lance retired it was pretty much an open field this year.