Tour de France Wrap-Up

SportsJuly 2009 • Views: 2,832

If you’ve been watching the Tour de France, I don’t think it will be a spoiler to let you know that at today’s finish the three men standing on the podium were the ones who’ve been leading for the past week — Contador, Schleck, and Armstrong, in that order: Contador crowned Tour champion.

Although the disagreements never really surfaced in public (unlike Greg LeMond’s legendary feud with Bernard Hinault), there isn’t much camaraderie between Lance Armstrong and teammate Alberto Contador; Armstrong skipped Contador’s victory party on Saturday night.

British sprinter Mark Cavendish won the final stage on the Champs Elysees, his sixth stage win of the Tour. I know Lance says it’s not about the bike, but it doesn’t hurt when your bike looks really fast.

Alberto Contador collected the final yellow jersey of the 2009 Tour de France on Sunday as Mark Cavendish won the 21st and final stage on the Champs-Élysées.

“The Tour is the hardest race in the world, but this year it was particularly difficult. That’s why I am so happy,” said the Astana captain after finishing the 96th Tour with 4:11 over Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) and 5:24 over teammate Lance Armstrong.

The runner-up credited his brother for his success. “I owe part of this achievement to my brother Fränk, who for three weeks sacrificed himself trying to help me,” said the younger Schleck.

As for Armstrong, the seven-time Tour champ said he had no regrets about finishing third. “I came here to do my best and I came across some guys who were clearly better than me,” he said. “I don’t have any regrets. I got put out a couple of times, but considering my age and recent racing, it’s not a bad performance overall.”

Here’s the official Tour de France Summary of the Day video, complete with French accent:

FLV Video

Jump to bottom

121 comments

sneezey Sun, Jul 26, 2009 10:57:46am

Congrats Lance! Not bad for a 37 year old. (Oh and the French hate him).

austin_blue Sun, Jul 26, 2009 10:58:37am

Third best in the world at 37? Not half bad for my homeboy Lance!

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 10:58:40am

Armstrong comes in a local GNC I frequent. There are varying opinions on his disposition.

Sharmuta Sun, Jul 26, 2009 10:59:51am

Congratulations to Alberto Contador .

And Lance should be very proud.

pingjockey Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:01:40am

Lance is gonna be the Joe Dimaggio of the Tour. Nobodys gonna hit in 56 games(IMO) and 7 tour wins is monumental. Just an aside, the folks here in the greater Wenatchee, Wa area are quite puffed up. Tyler Farrar is a local kid, done good!

austin_blue Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:02:31am

re: #3 legalpad

Armstrong comes in a local GNC I frequent. There are varying opinions on his disposition.

I think one of the reasons Lance still lives here is that folks in Austin leave him the f#@k alone in public. Which is the norm, here.

pingjockey Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:04:48am

re: #6 austin_blue
That's cool. We had a world famous(not to me) sculptor move into the little town I grew up in and he could just do his thing and not get bugged, it was kind of neat.

pingjockey Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:05:50am

Nap time I think.
Later folks.

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:07:22am

Does the race route change every year?

austin_blue Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:09:55am

re: #9 midwestgak

Does the race route change every year?

Yes. This was the first time in many years that the penultimate stage had a mountain climb at the finish. Mount Ventoux was the hardest climb of the entire Tour and they saved it for last! Brutal.

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:09:55am

re: #6 austin_blue

I think one of the reasons Lance still lives here is that folks in Austin leave him the f#@k alone in public. Which is the norm, here.

It would seem that he doesn't always leave them alone. Apparently, he hit on an engaged GNC manager. Not a big deal, though, just an odd incident.

Charles Johnson Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:09:59am

re: #9 midwestgak

Does the race route change every year?

Yes, it's different every year. Usually do some of the same routes -- but not in the same order.

This year was unusual because the next to last stage included one of the most difficult climbs in the Alps -- Mont Ventoux. (In 1967, British cyclist Tom Simpson dropped dead after finishing the climb.)

Vicious Babushka Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:11:59am

Is anyone else having problem searching photos at Daylife.com?

austin_blue Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:12:22am

re: #12 Charles

Yes, it's different every year. Usually do some of the same routes -- but not in the same order.

This year was unusual because the next to last stage included one of the most difficult climbs in the Alps -- Mont Ventoux. (A rider dropped dead one year after finishing the climb.)

LOL! Are we fanboys, or what?

calvin coolidge Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:14:39am

I don't care how good of cyclist Contador is, he can never backpeddle as fast as Barack.

FrogMarch Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:14:45am

The Canvendish finish was fun. What power!

Bobblehead Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:15:02am

Charles,
Have you ever competed in a road race or do you just ride for exercise and/or the joy of it?

austin_blue Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:15:25am

re: #11 legalpad

It would seem that he doesn't always leave them alone. Apparently, he hit on an engaged GNC manager. Not a big deal, though, just an odd incident.

Well, despite the removal of one of his family jewels, Lance does not lack in assertiveness. A co-worker lived near him in Dripping Springs and often rode mountain bikes with him. He says that Lance is *always* on, that his competitiveness is constant.

AuntAcid Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:17:29am

Found this at the bottom of a story about Spike Lee. AP flexing...

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:17:49am

re: #17 Bobblehead

Charles,
Have you ever competed in a road race or do you just ride for exercise and/or the joy of it?

The frame modifications necessary to support the nitrogen environment are prohibitively heavy for competition work.

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:17:50am

re: #18 austin_blue

Well, despite the removal of one of his family jewels, Lance does not lack in assertiveness. A co-worker lived near him in Dripping Springs and often rode mountain bikes with him. He says that Lance is *always* on, that his competitiveness is constant.

He's a hell of a guy.

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:18:42am

re: #19 AuntAcid

Found this at the bottom of a story about Spike Lee. AP flexing...

"Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed."

Fair enough. Fair Use does not remove the rights from the copyright holder--it is manifestly an exception carved out for, well, fair use.

Macker Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:19:46am

Lance is no longer with Sheryl Crow, is that right?

itellu3times Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:20:04am

Get a horse.

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:20:39am

re: #23 Macker

Lance is no longer with Sheryl Crow, is that right?

right

wiffersnapper Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:23:05am

Congrats to Contador, and a fantastic job by Lance to take 3rd. 1st next year!

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:24:27am

re: #12 Charles

Yes, it's different every year. Usually do some of the same routes -- but not in the same order.

This year was unusual because the next to last stage included one of the most difficult climbs in the Alps -- Mont Ventoux. (A rider dropped dead one year after finishing the climb.)

Is this what you are referring to?

Warning. Not a pleasant video to watch. Happened in 1967.

FrogMarch Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:26:51am

Contador didn't always follow the team's plans. It seems he sort of screwed over Lance and Kloden by attacking during a stage when attacking wasn't in the plan. (that ended up helping the Schleck bros.) I get the impression he's defiant and maybe doesn't keep his word.. Lance is very gracious - up to a point. (don't piss off Lance- mmkay?) Although, I do think Contador was not happy when he found out he had to share the spotlight with Lance on his same team.

Congrats to Contodor nonetheless. And I am especially proud of Lance.
Way to go.

jhrhv Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:27:26am

I've been into cycling as a sport for about 25 years when I joined my first cycling team. I've been watching the tour pretty much every since the mid 90's. I've become a fan of Lance's over the years not just for winning but for all that he's done for the sport and cancer awareness.

As the years went by the media seemed to enjoy attacking him more and more. And for what being America, a great ambassador for the sport, being a shining example of what hard work and determination can do and all in the shadow of overcoming one of if not the most dreaded disease of our time. When he retired from the sport on top and took a few moments to say a few humble words on the podium he was attacked for it and after his retirement they accused him of getting wins due to drugs.

To come back at 37 after years off and to finish 3rd against champion riders some 15 years younger then him is absolutely amazing. After watching this years race I'm almost certain Lance would have been closer to the top of the podium if the leader wasn't from his own team. Like a true champ and teammate he laid off one on of the mountain stages he could have done better on so as not drag the competition up the mountain with him.

So long story short I want to say Lance is a CHAMP and always will be. The man is all CLASS. I hope Lance wins if he tries again next year and if he doesn't he's already re-proven he's the best cyclist we've ever had the pleasure to witness and the best the sport has every known and there is no doubt of that.

jhrhv Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:30:49am

So why is it I never see my typos until after I hit post this comment?

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:32:19am

re: #30 jhrhv

So why is it I never see my typos until after I hit post this comment?

typing in little boxes

AuntAcid Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:32:30am

re: #30 jhrhv

So why is it I never see my typos until after I hit post this comment?

AWG global warming - get used to it

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:32:48am

re: #30 jhrhv

So why is it I never see my typos until after I hit post this comment?

Because you are not perfect like the rest of us./

brookly red Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:36:21am

re: #31 legalpad

typing in little boxes

cubicles?

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:38:03am

re: #34 brookly red

cubicles?

Think outside the box, even if you work in a cubicle.

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:42:17am

re: #34 brookly red

cubicles?

On my screen, 7 3/16" x 4 1/16". No cubicle. Another computer or two, a big screen TV, two dogs, etc.

legalpad Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:42:45am

re: #35 midwestgak

Think outside the box, even if you work in a cubicle.

But type inside the box

MandyManners Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:43:36am

Tight butts drive me nuts.

AuntAcid Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:44:05am

re: #29 jhrhv

Looks like Lance traded up with new girlfriend.

Image: tdf09st18eh-anna.jpg

debutaunt Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:45:30am

re: #17 Bobblehead

Charles,
Have you ever competed in a road race or do you just ride for exercise and/or the joy of it?

Show us yer calves!

Dark_Falcon Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:45:56am

re: #38 MandyManners

Tight butts drive me nuts.

Jealous, Mandy?

/Dives into bunker

solomonpanting Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:49:01am

re: #15 calvin coolidge

I don't care how good of cyclist Contador is, he can never backpeddle as fast as Barack.

Reverse discrimination!

MandyManners Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:52:34am

re: #18 austin_blue

Well, despite the removal of one of his family jewels, Lance does not lack in assertiveness. A co-worker lived near him in Dripping Springs and often rode mountain bikes with him. He says that Lance is *always* on, that his competitiveness is constant.

You don't need balls to be ballsy.

NelsFree Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:53:42am

re: #42 solomonpanting

Reverse discrimination!

This just REEKS of race-ism!
/h
Oh, and Good afternoon, all.

debutaunt Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:54:08am

re: #43 MandyManners

You don't need balls to be ballsy.

But you do need ovaries?

NelsFree Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:55:16am

re: #45 debutaunt

But you do need ovaries?

o-varie well, if you insist!

tedzilla99 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:56:54am

Good work Lance! I'm sure he's disappointed that he didn't win, but that's how ultra competitive he is. And, any time he can give the finger to the French, even better!

pingjockey Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:57:05am

Nap time!

AuntAcid Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:57:14am

re: #40 debutaunt

Show us yer calves!

[Link: rds.yahoo.com...]

NelsFree Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:58:58am

Congrats to Lance! Way to go!
Ho-hum, slow thread. I'll go run some errands and wait for pictures of Lance hitting on various babes to show up. Later!

debutaunt Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:59:31am

re: #49 AuntAcid

[Link: rds.yahoo.com...]

Aunt Meanie Acid!

Kronocide Sun, Jul 26, 2009 11:59:57am

All this talk about balls and buns makes me want a meatball sandwich. And beer.

jhrhv Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:01:37pm

re: #39 AuntAcid

Looks like Lance traded up with new girlfriend.

[Link: www.pezcyclingnews.com...]

Almost anyone would be an upgrade from Scarecrow.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:05:07pm

re: #53 jhrhv

Really? She's a loon, but I always thought Sheryl was cute.

brookly red Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:05:22pm

re: #52 BigPapa

All this talk about balls and buns makes me want a meatball sandwich. And beer.

the stat thingy says 231 logged in & that's the best we can get outta balls & buns?

tridroid97 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:06:36pm

Lance joined Astana knowing that he would be riding in support of Contador, but hoping that he faltered and would be given a chance. I'm sure that there were times that he regretted that decision, but he lived up to his part of the bargain and still managed third. Despite some negative comments about his disposition, he was a gentleman the entire time. Hats off to all of them, including the Schleck brothers, the rocket that is Mark Cavendish and Tyler Farrar, who will be a challenge to Mark in the future.

I love riding, and this morning got to test out about 45 miles of newly finished Rails to Trails conversion in north Georgia to the Alabama state line...a beautiful ride on a beautiful morning! This trail now goes from Atlanta to Anniston AL...almost 100 miles one way!

jhrhv Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:09:11pm

re: #54 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I saw Cheryl at the airport once a couple of years ago. She is tinny and without the make up early in the morning kinda scary looking. Not to mention she is a libtard.

Anyway Mrs. jhrhv is telling me I have some husbandly duties to get busy with ;-)

Talk to you later lizards.

Kronocide Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:09:15pm

re: #55 brookly red

the stat thingy says 231 logged in & that's the best we can get outta balls & buns?

Don't shoot the bike messenger! If it makes you feel any better I have major Microsoft problems with my 3 month old Dell and I'm drinking wine at 9AM to assist.

brookly red Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:10:35pm

re: #58 BigPapa

Don't shoot the bike messenger! If it makes you feel any better I have major Microsoft problems with my 3 month old Dell and I'm drinking wine at 9AM to assist.

is it helping?

Kronocide Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:12:11pm

re: #59 brookly red

is it helping?

The wine or the computer? It's not helping my computer but it does wonders with the demeanor! Maybe I should give some of the wine to my laptop, what could go wrong?

Bobblehead Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:12:59pm

My goodness.. I just saw photo Peter Jackson( director of LOTR). He's lost so much weight I didn't recognize him.

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:13:31pm

re: #60 BigPapa

The wine or the computer? It's not helping my computer but it does wonders with the demeanor! Maybe I should give some of the wine to my laptop, what could go wrong?

_Bwzap is what could go wrong.
Hello Lizardia!

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:13:41pm

BatGuano Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:14:01pm

Hello everyone!
I know very little about bicycle racing. How does Lance's accomplishment compare to Joe Walcott winning the heavyweight championship at 37, or Nolan Ryan throwing a no hitter after the age of 40, or Foreman reganing the championship at 45?

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:14:35pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Hi Buzz, Realwest asked if you could email him.

BoKemp Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:16:21pm

What I don't understand is why Lance ended up on Contador's team. Seems like a mistake to me. Contador was clearly the better rider this year and the man to beat, but maybe on a different team Lance might've had a chance. Contador is not going to help anyone else but himself.

Next year I understand Lance is going to be on a new team sponsored by RadioShack. Hopefully he can get some guys with him who can help him.

pre-Boomer Marine brat Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:16:31pm

Only 65 comments in an hour & 20 minutes?
The thread needs livening up.

Azam Ali - singing with Niyaz
(Drool Alert - Gentlemen should put on bibs before clicking)

Youtube Video

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:16:31pm

wintercat Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:16:48pm

Is it just me or does anyone else think that wild helmet he is wearing gives him a leg up on the competition? Perhaps it helped with aerodynamics or perhaps there was something out of this world that gives him an advantage...

Coincidence? Perhaps, perhaps not.

pink freud Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:17:20pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Beautiful.

pre-Boomer Marine brat Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:18:18pm

re: #68 buzzsawmonkey

I don't have his email, but my nic's blue if you want to send it to me.

If, by chance, Callahan doesn't have it, I do.

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:18:54pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Thank you Buzzsawmonkey, another one of your comments green hearted.

tridroid97 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:19:31pm

re: #64 BatGuano

IMHO, this one doesn't belong in the group that you mention, although he is the oldest to be in the top three for over 30 years.

Lance's claim to fame is the seven straight victories. Being able to last three weeks and win one is incredible. To be healthy enough and prepared enough to do it seven times is incredible.

To your point. Lance has such a fitness base to work from, that his result isn't all that surprising. To a mere mortal, yes...to Lance...not so much.

Mr. In get Mr. Out Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:19:59pm

I wonder if Lance will try to bring Levi over on the Radio Shack team. Until he broke his wrist, I thought Levi had a shot to get on the podium. He's won the Tour of California three straight years, so maybe he needs to find a team that rides in support of him.

Kronocide Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:20:28pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

I saw it a week ago. My wife didn't like it because she's very sensitive to the intensity and violence, but I thought it was a very good movie, well done.

I think the ol' racist curmudgeon found himself able to overcome his old habits and think beyond his racism, going out in righteous battle for the most noble of causes: giving others a chance at a better life.

The young Hmong girl character was really good too.

tridroid97 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:22:14pm

re: #66 BoKemp

My guess is that Lance joined Astana to be with his old coach, Johann Brunyeel (sp?) who helped bring him the seven victories.

Bobblehead Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:22:23pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

I've been debating whether to rent this movie. Thanks for the review.

BatGuano Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:24:43pm

re: #73 tridroid97

Thanks, tid.
I know that seven straight in any sport (especially an individual sport) is phenomenal. I wanted to understand the significance of what he had done. Thanks, again.
Bat.

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:26:38pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Buzz, please indicate SPOILER if you're going to juice a movie. Luckily, I have already seen it, and I also find the movie top-notch.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:27:38pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Gosh.

The movie was about all that?

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:27:48pm

I'm running a Time Machine backup before doing the OS X.5.7 upgrade. First time, so it's taking quite a while. Hmmm...

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:27:53pm

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:28:17pm

tridroid97 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:28:46pm

re: #78 BatGuano

Having ridden long bike races and done a number of triathlons (hence the nic), I'd rank Lance's 7 wins a full order of magnitude above even Mark Allen's six Ironman wins, effectively all in a row, except that he took a year off to have a child.

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:29:26pm

re: #80 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Gosh.

The movie was about all that?

Yup!

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:29:57pm

re: #82 buzzsawmonkey

"The Apostle" is one of those movies that is a personal favorite of mine, but I never remember to add it to my lists of favorites.

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:31:41pm

re: #86 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

"The Apostle" is one of those movies that is a personal favorite of mine, but I never remember to add it to my lists of favorites.

Haven't seen it. Living in Japan, and more recently Afghanistan, I miss the buzz on movies. That, and after Saving Private Ryan came out, I figured I was pretty much done with movies--Hollywood has served its purpose.

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:31:45pm

re: #68 buzzsawmonkey

On its way.

Kronocide Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:33:42pm

re: #87 haakondahl

What was the matter with Saving Private Ryan?

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:34:21pm

re: #87 haakondahl

Haven't seen it. Living in Japan, and more recently Afghanistan, I miss the buzz on movies. That, and after Saving Private Ryan came out, I figured I was pretty much done with movies--Hollywood has served its purpose.

Don't the Marines of the embassies in their cafeteria have a movie night once a week anymore?

Buck Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:34:46pm

re: #89 BigPapa

What was the matter with Saving Private Ryan?

I think he is saying it was good. So good it meant he didn't need to see another movie...

BoKemp Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:35:07pm

Eastwood and Duvall are about the only folks in Hollywood who's work I consider must-watch material. "Unforgiven" is another recent masterpiece by Eastwood in my opinion. "However, I wasn't overly impressed with his Iwo Jima movies.

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:35:16pm

Vicious Babushka Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:38:34pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

Thanks for your thoughtful review.

I did not care much for the film, mostly for the fact that it was set in Detroit (actually Highland Park, a enclave inside Detroit) and there are no Hmong or other Asian gangs here.

I don't know why the story would not have been just as effective if the kid were Latino instead of Asian. People have racial stereotypes about Asians that does not include seeing them as "gangstas."

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:42:38pm

re: #94 Alouette

Thanks for your thoughtful review.

I did not care much for the film, mostly for the fact that it was set in Detroit (actually Highland Park, a enclave inside Detroit) and there are no Hmong or other Asian gangs here.

I don't know why the story would not have been just as effective if the kid were Latino instead of Asian. People have racial stereotypes about Asians that does not include seeing them as "gangstas."

[SPOILER]

I think he was trying to soften the audience's perception of his character by giving the racism a plausible background; Korean War. It doesn't make it right, but does make it plausible that a basically good man does not see Asians as fully human because he fought against large numebrs of them decades ago. This way, once he is forced to see his neighbors as human, he can progress.

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:43:49pm

Wow, lots of lurching Lizards yet little comment-traffic.
But Buzzes' make them worth the wait. ;-)

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:45:10pm

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:45:43pm

Time Machine backup halfway done. (last post was at 1/4)

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:47:06pm

re: #96 callahan23

Wow, lots of lurching Lizards yet little comment-traffic.
But Buzzes' make them worth the wait. ;-)

re: #96 callahan23

Wow, lots of lurching Lizards yet little comment-traffic.
But Buzzes' make them worth the wait. ;-)

Must wait for 100+ comments to go off topic. That's a rule I learned by being downdinged pre-100.

100

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:47:52pm

re: #97 buzzsawmonkey
Good call. Forgot about the surrender attempt. Of course, he would have had to deal with that if he allowed himself to see them as people just like himself.

101

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:48:02pm

re: #99 midwestgak

Don't know why that doubled up.

102

BatGuano Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:48:21pm

re: #96 callahan23

Wow, lots of lurching Lizards yet little comment-traffic.
But Buzzes' make them worth the wait. ;-)

The thread is tour de france, which I know little about, and a movie that I haven't seen (yet).

103

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:50:09pm

104

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:51:03pm

re: #99 midwestgak

Must wait for 100+ comments to go off topic. That's a rule I learned by being downdinged pre-100.

Well, I'm one of the chief down-dingers for premature expostulation, but in this case it's all right:

If the most recent thread is over one hour old and still hasn't reached 100 comments, it is declared a floating Open Thread.

p. 47 of the manual

105

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:51:26pm

re: #99 midwestgak

Must wait for 100+ comments to go off topic. That's a rule I learned by being downdinged pre-100.

Methinks it should be cut in half with sports threads, imho. No wonder the slow traffic and the early deviation from the subject.

106

haakondahl Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:51:29pm

re: #103 buzzsawmonkey

I sincerely hope that my comments encourage you to see the movie, rather than figure you now know enough about it to miss it. Even if you know the plot now in broad brush, there are a hundred touches and more that make it worth watching.

Seconded.

107

reine.de.tout Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:51:58pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

I finally saw the Eastwood movie Gran Torino.

It is one of the best films I have seen in some time, and it ranks, in my mind, with a number of Robert Duvall's more personal films of recent years: Tender Mercies, The Apostle, and A Family Thing. It also contains interesting echoes of the classic James Cagney film The Public Enemy, John Wayne's The Shootist, and the films Training Day, South Central, and Boyz in the Hood.

. . .

I just saw it this past week myself, and I loved the movie, for all the reasons you so beautifully explained, and I plan to watch it again.
It was excellent.

108

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:52:54pm

re: #104 haakondahl

Well, I'm one of the chief down-dingers for premature expostulation, but in this case it's all right:

If the most recent thread is over one hour old and still hasn't reached 100 comments, it is declared a floating Open Thread.

p. 47 of the manual

Oh you've got the manual!

109

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:53:03pm

110

BatGuano Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:53:48pm

re: #103 buzzsawmonkey

I skimmed your comments so I wouldn't learn too much about it and I intend to see it. :)

111

midwestgak Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:54:57pm

re: #104 haakondahl

Well, I'm one of the chief down-dingers for premature expostulation, but in this case it's all right:

If the most recent thread is over one hour old and still hasn't reached 100 comments, it is declared a floating Open Thread.

p. 47 of the manual

heh. Must get my hands on that manual.

112

callahan23 Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:56:39pm

re: #110 BatGuano

I skimmed your comments so I wouldn't learn too much about it and I intend to see it. :)

And then re-read the comments by buzz because as La Reine puts it so nicely " for all the reasons" he "so beautifully explained, and I plan to watch it again. - It was excellent."

113

BatGuano Sun, Jul 26, 2009 12:58:35pm

re: #112 callahan23

Will do!!

114

Canadhimmis Sun, Jul 26, 2009 1:14:20pm

hahaaha...heh...heh ...

...the Euroweenies are cryin' in their cognac over this result.

Americans in first and third spots in their second most cherished sporting event, and one of the Americans, Lance Armstrong, is practically a senior citizen for the purposes of bike racing. In Armstrong's prime the Euros tried everything to get Armstrong discredited after he won the tour six times consecutive and to have him come back to the top three after a coupla years of cheeseburgers is really too much for the Euros to bear. So, look for the Euroweenie press to play heavily on Armstrong's and fellow American Contador's lack of camaraderie in an effort to distract from their humiliation of having Americans dominating 'their sport'.

As for the Euro's and their most cherished sporting event, it's probably not very long until the US wins the World Cup, maybe within the next twenty years or so...

115

debutaunt Sun, Jul 26, 2009 2:11:58pm

re: #63 buzzsawmonkey

I finally saw the Eastwood movie Gran Torino.

It is one of the best films I have seen in some time, and it ranks, in my mind, with a number of Robert Duvall's more personal films of recent years: Tender Mercies, The Apostle, and A Family Thing. It also contains interesting echoes of the classic James Cagney film The Public Enemy, John Wayne's The Shootist, and the films Training Day, South Central, and Boyz in the Hood.

I mention all this because it seems appropriate in light of the controversies on race which have been raging here for the last several days. Eastwood's character is an overt racist, in that he types everyone--white, black or Asian--on the basis of ethnic background, and is not shy about using pejorative racial/ethnic epithets to anyone in the film.

But his concept of America, in the end, is colorblind. He may have had to go a little farther to overcome his prejudices against the Hmong family next door, but his decision to sacrifice himself (a dying man who has outlived his time, like John Wayne in The Shootist, choosing the manner of his own death) is made in order to preserve and continue his idea of an America where anyone willing to work, regardless of his origin or background, can make something of himself.

Eastwood's nonstop racism in the end cancels itself out, both because he is willing to overcome his own prejudices and because despite the surface racism of the verbal pejoratives, these merely recognize that everyone is from a different group and become, in their endless repetition, a neutral background. Eastwood's character might not like blacks or Asians, but his confrontation with the black gangstas harassing his Asian neighbor transcends mere prejudice; he does not take them on because they were black but because they were thugs harassing a woman.

The Gran Torino car is named after the city of Turin, which is "the Detroit of Italy." It is also the home of the Shroud of Turin, and Eastwood's sacrifice--to die that his young neighbor may live the American dream--is a Christ-like act, underscored by the crucifixion image of him after he has been shot.

The film begins with the gangstas trying to pressure Eastwood's neighbor into stealing Eastwood's car--symbolic of gangsta violence stealing the America of Eastwood's youth. Eastwood turns the tables on the gangstas not merely by preventing the theft, but by "stealing" back the boy the gangstas hoped to recruit; a triumph for America over those who would destroy it.

A beautiful and complex film.

I enjoyed the film, but one thing rang false to my ear. I believe he would have used the word 'oriental' instead of 'asian' as an insult.

116

[deleted] Sun, Jul 26, 2009 2:17:11pm

117

debutaunt Sun, Jul 26, 2009 2:20:10pm

re: #116 buzzsawmonkey

A good point, which did not occur to me. Whether that was done because it did not occur to the writers, or because they used all sorts of other anti-Asian slurs such as "slopehead," "gook," etc., but figured that they had better use the word "Asian" as a way of indicating that the use of these slurs was intended as a device, I cannot say.

It's hard to tell, but my guess is that the writers weren't familiar with oriental.

118

Picayune Sun, Jul 26, 2009 2:22:26pm

Last week it was Tom Watson's heroic, historic performance - this week, it's Lance.
It's the desire and the heart, not the age, necessarily. Had Lance not had the demanding climb at the end, perhaps he could have placed even better.

Congrats Lance, well done and well said!

119

_RememberTonyC Sun, Jul 26, 2009 2:44:32pm

Lance is a heroic athlete for sure, but this marriage with Contador was destined to be difficult. I spoke to cycling expert Bobby Julich a few weeks ago and he explained that Contador was the team member designated to win while Lance was basically a "worker bee" on Contador's team. For a giant like Lance, this was going to be very tough to deal with. If Lance competes next year, he will form his own team where he is "the one" designated to win. So just because Lance finished third this year, do not count him out next year if he DOES form his own team.

120

freedombilly Sun, Jul 26, 2009 3:09:10pm

re: #119 _RememberTonyC

That is pretty cool that you got to speak with Julich. He has always seemed like a class act.

Lance has already found a sponsor for next year: Radio Shack.

It will be very interesting if he can sign Johan Bruyneel to be the director sportif and form the best team in the race again to work for him instead of Contador. I would still give the nod to Contador but it would make it awfully fun to watch.

This year Contador was clearly the better the man no matter how you look at it. Between the lay-off from the sport and maybe even more importantly the broken collar bone that Lance suffered in the spring season he really had no shot to contend for the overall this year. The collar bone injury really interrupted his preparation. That would have been a difficult injury to recover from considering it's timing if it was 2002 let alone 2009.

But Lance made the United States, cancer survivors, people suffering from cancer, and fans of cycling and sports proud all over the globe. I got goose bumps seeing him on the podium on the Champs-Elysees even if our national anthem wasn't playing over the PA.

Thank you Lance.

121

gadlaw Sun, Jul 26, 2009 5:47:56pm

re: #11 legalpad

It would seem that he doesn't always leave them alone. Apparently, he hit on an engaged GNC manager. Not a big deal, though, just an odd incident.

There's always one more mountain to climb. Oh well, join the human race where nobody is perfectly perfect.
The race was very exciting and like a three week strategy filled test of endurance, ability and smarts it was a great deal of fun to watch. The intrigue, the suspense, the human interest stories were magnificent and I look forward to the rest of the bike season and to the stories that are still going on. - Like who will be on the new Team Radio Shack? Who will be on the new British National Team? What Team will Contador go to? Who's going to be left to ride on Team Astana now that Vinakorov is coming back? Now if only I can find anyone who's got some coverage of the rest of the races this year. :-)

Spy Mode Auto

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