July has come and gone. The most notable sporting event for this blogger was the Tour de France. In late August and early September, we have the FIBA World Championship. That should prove interesting.
Too bad it is scheduled during the start of NCAA football. Worlds should be under way now to avoid a conflict. Leave it to FIBA to be that out of touch. I am of the mind that Americans should run FIBA. After all, basketball is our game. Shouldn't we organize the world championship? I think so.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
TdF: The General Classification is Decided
What an interesting Tour de France we've had this year. Barring something unprecedented, Alberto Contador will win. Contador solidified his hold on the maillot jaune by outpacing rival Andy Schleck in the final time trial before Paris. Things looked a little dicey for Contador after the first time check. Down eight seconds in general classification, Schleck gained six seconds back on the time trial's first leg. I thought Schleck would win the Tour after seeing that. Contador pressed on though. Schleck faded a bit, losing his gains and 31 seconds overall.
Still, it was an impressive improvement for Schleck. I strongly believe one day, perhaps next year, he will win the Tour de France. He is too strong of an overall rider to fail. Plus, at 24 years of age, he has plenty of rides left in him.
Still, it was an impressive improvement for Schleck. I strongly believe one day, perhaps next year, he will win the Tour de France. He is too strong of an overall rider to fail. Plus, at 24 years of age, he has plenty of rides left in him.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tour de France Stage 17
Today's stage went up the Col du Tourmalet a second time. Gapped by :08 to Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck needed to attack. He tried, but his effort wasn't enough. I for one was underwhelmed.
The atmosphere though was electric. It may have saved my viewing experience. There was mist and sheep., honking team cars and wild fans crowding the road. The race commentators said they had not seen an atmosphere quite like it before, and they have seen a lot of Tours. The stage finished on the Tourmalet, which enhanced the moment. However, I wished Andy Schleck had more in the tank to pressure Contador. The white jersey of Schleck never made a time gain on the maillot jaune. That would have made Stage 17 a whole lot more interesting I think.
The atmosphere though was electric. It may have saved my viewing experience. There was mist and sheep., honking team cars and wild fans crowding the road. The race commentators said they had not seen an atmosphere quite like it before, and they have seen a lot of Tours. The stage finished on the Tourmalet, which enhanced the moment. However, I wished Andy Schleck had more in the tank to pressure Contador. The white jersey of Schleck never made a time gain on the maillot jaune. That would have made Stage 17 a whole lot more interesting I think.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
"Mad Men"
I love to watch Mad Men. It is an incredibly clever show. The premise is original. The execution is flawless. I am sure the show will garner more award nominations.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Tour de France So Far
Alas, it looks like this 2010 edition of the Tour de France is close to decided in terms of the overall winner. Andy Schleck holds a 41-second time advantage over Alberto Contador going into Stage 10, a 111-mile ride from Chambery to Gap.
Contador is the better time trialer of the two and is likely to overcome 41 seconds. He looks like the favorite heading into Paris and the Champs Elysees.
I had hoped for a big shakeout in general classification in the Pyrenees. That would extend the race's drama into the third week. However, fast pacing in the Alps blew up the field. Only Schleck and Contador are left to contend for the top podium spot at the end.
Helping set this table is the fact that Cadel Evans, once in the maillot jaune by 20 seconds over Schleck, cracked on Stage 9 mountain climbs. Evans was so distraught that he cried on the shoulders of another rider after finishing the stage.
Levi Leipheimer and Bradley Wiggens wilted on climbs, too. Carlos Sastre, Dennis Menchov and Ivan Basso never got on form.
Another factor, the biggest one of all, was Lance Armstrong's bad luck. Armstrong suffered a punctured tire on cobblestones and several crashes. None of these events proved conducive to winning an eighth Tour. The timing of these events were particularly harmful.
Armstrong says he will never ride the Tour de France again after this one. He will not win in Paris ever again. That is too bad. It would have been fun to see. Fortunately, there are seven other Tour rides he and his fans can savor.
Contador is the better time trialer of the two and is likely to overcome 41 seconds. He looks like the favorite heading into Paris and the Champs Elysees.
I had hoped for a big shakeout in general classification in the Pyrenees. That would extend the race's drama into the third week. However, fast pacing in the Alps blew up the field. Only Schleck and Contador are left to contend for the top podium spot at the end.
Helping set this table is the fact that Cadel Evans, once in the maillot jaune by 20 seconds over Schleck, cracked on Stage 9 mountain climbs. Evans was so distraught that he cried on the shoulders of another rider after finishing the stage.
Levi Leipheimer and Bradley Wiggens wilted on climbs, too. Carlos Sastre, Dennis Menchov and Ivan Basso never got on form.
Another factor, the biggest one of all, was Lance Armstrong's bad luck. Armstrong suffered a punctured tire on cobblestones and several crashes. None of these events proved conducive to winning an eighth Tour. The timing of these events were particularly harmful.
Armstrong says he will never ride the Tour de France again after this one. He will not win in Paris ever again. That is too bad. It would have been fun to see. Fortunately, there are seven other Tour rides he and his fans can savor.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Saturday, July 03, 2010
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