The alternative choice for the title was “Out-cycling Mark Holland”, obviously that’s never going to happen in real life – I’m a runner who occasionally does triathlons, he’s a cyclist – I bet he even shaved his legs when he was competing. No, but today I thought I might be able to better his Tour de France coverage with an on-the-spot report of the 8e étape Pfrorzheim > Gerardmer (231.5 km).
The plan was simple, cycle to the station here, take the train to Pforzheim (25 minutes), then cycle along the route to somewhere where there was a bit of a climb. I chose Bad Herrenalb or as the letour website puts it “Km 27 - Côte de Bad-Herrenalb - 3.9 km climb to 4.3 % - 3 Category”. Merely to point out how rubbish at cycling I am, my guidebook was estimating it would take the riders 21 minutes to reach Bad Herrenalb and it took me well over an hour, before starting the climb to the top of the hill. I did at least get there in time for the caravanne publicitaire du tour (image) – because I really did need a Credit Lyonnais umbrella.
I couldn’t actually see who got the four points for the “mountain” – stretching it a bit that, classification, except that it was a Rabobank rider (later research shows that it was Rasmussen) who was going uphill much faster than I managed going down it on my return journey. About 20 seconds later a small breakaway group came through – I actually managed to recognise that Jens Voigt was one of them, I was helped a little by the fact that I was surrounded by his countrymen shouting “Go Jens!”, then about two minutes later the peloton rushed past and after 30 seconds, that was it, with the exception of the cavalcade of team support vehicles. Even the photographs I took are just a blur - and they were going uphill.
So, you will in fact get a far better stage report over at Blognor Regis, who probably watched it on Eurosport. But at least I got to experience it, to ride a small part of the Tour route (not quite French Revolutions). And a free umbrella.
German Word For Today: “Schwarzwald” – Forêt-Noire
Song playing as this was published: Tim Hardin “How Can We Hang On To A Dream”
L’enfer du nord, paris roubaix
Excellent work IAF.
I was out (on’t bike) and didn’t get in till just after today’s stage ended. I saw the post-match analysis and the replays of the sprint. I’m about to switch on the highlights show. Kloden has made a bit of a comeback, he was suffering a bit of the old Ullrich disease over the winter, but he’s obviously lost the extra weight and got his form back.
What about Ullrich then? We’ve seen Vino and Kloden but Jan has just been hiding away in the bunch, even today. Tommorow will be crucial, either he’ll show him self or Rudi Altig will be proven correct.
And, oh yes, gotta shave the legs. Looks so much better. Don’t feel worthy these days.
Mark: L’enfer du Nord. What always brings a smile to me is the way the organisers are always having to change the route slightly when roads get resurfaced and not cobbled enough.
Just watched the highlights Klöden did look good. Especially on the last climb. Desperately unlucky not to have a stage win - have you seen the photo? They’re saying 0.0002 of a second and that it can’t even be managed by the photo-finish camera, so how do they know? German TV is very unsure about Ullrich - T-Mobile look very strong overall though. Armstrong appeared to be shadowing Vino and Ullrich today, but where were the rest of Discovery? Expert opinion on ARD is that on today’s showing T-Mobile has enough strength to lead a group breakaway on a mountain stage and break Armstrong if he gets support like that.
And you don’t shave your legs anymore? I’ve stopped wearing my Triple A championship gear too. Not worthy either.
I’m so jealous right now! I love “Le Tour” and like almost every German I hate Armstrong. Well, okay, hate might be too harsh, I just want him to bloody lose! Damm it! (By the way, I also want Michael Schumacher to lose, so it’s no anti-americanism..lol*)
I like watching it on ARD or ZDF because they show bits and pieces about the area and the attractions. Does Eurosport do that? (and ZDF showed this amazing shot of Tom Boonen’s behind—OMG! ….Shut up, I’m a girl!!)
I really do hope that “ULLE ULLE ULLE” is fit enough to win. I mean, c’mon he flew through a car window with 40 kmh, so the “Zeitfahren” doesn’t really count!
By the way, I shave my legs!! And went to work by bike this morning!! I love summer!
Mogen Sie Tom Boonen? Sie wollen diese Bild zu sehen.
oh, thx a lot for that link@ Mark