About bloody time he started with the kicking of the ass. I was starting to wonder if that German dude (or one of those Basque Boys) was going to goad him into submission.
The race this year has been a treat. Lots of drama and back-and-forth, and more class and good sportsmanship than you could shake a water bottle at (Ullrich waited up for Lance when he fell. Name another sport where the second place guy would let the leader catch up after an accident like that).
Posted by: Chico on July 21, 2003 02:15 PMI wish that the name "Lance" still carried its vaguely medieval associations - that I could still imagine it as the name of the protagonist in a lengthy fantasy series, battling the dread god Rashnarok/Brak/Prauk/Sinthiss [etc], holding the Orb/Gem/Amulet/Sphere of Forever/Eternity/Infinity/Time. When I was eight, I would have killed to be called Lance - in fact, my dad once joked that he would call the Canadian Ministry of Nomenclature and have my monniker officially changed, if I would do him the simple favour of stabbing the gaunt Austrian man shopping for cantaloupe at the A&P (this Hans or Jorg or whatever was taking a far-too-long time massaging each melon in turn, sniffing at both [both!] of their ends, making a mockery of green-grocery and of his fine European heritage)... Needless to say, I was quick to grab a pointy stick of ginger and came very close to a bloodening prod before father snatched the spice-sabre away from me and told me he was "only kidding." From that day on I plotted dear papa's destruction.
But as I was saying, Lance used to sound so. cool. Now I imagine only the cleft-chinned character from a soap... and (I guess), a cancer-stricken cyclist who root-toot-toots for the U.S.A.
Posted by: Marquis on July 21, 2003 02:34 PM the name "Lance"
Took me a second to why Mr Crash posted this. Thanks Crash, both of you, same thoughts Chico.
Heaven forbid I get off topic here, and I'm sorry to act all classified-ad, but...
Does anyone want to go see Bruce Springsteen show with me this Saturday night? I have a couple of extra tickets. Let me know.
Posted by: Chico on July 21, 2003 04:42 PMBruuuuuuuuuce!
I'd love to go, but unfortunately will be out of town. Bruce puts on a GREAT show.
Posted by: Vidiot on July 21, 2003 05:00 PMBruce Springsteen tickets everywhere! I have a friend trying to get rid of tickets for tonight's show.
Posted by: witchstone on July 21, 2003 05:23 PMBack on topic, here, Mrs. Commish has been GLUED to the cable TV for all of the Tour, and has only recently succeeded in bringing me into the drama as well. Now, we are trying to decide whether the most important question is who the "Most Valuable Domestique" is or who to root for next year if Lance doesn't come back again.
The last half-hour of this stage was an incredible piece of sports drama and sportsmanship rolled into one, and I'm glad I got to see it. Go, Lance!
Posted by: yhbc on July 21, 2003 11:07 PMOh, and I'm already going to see Bruce in Foxboro Stadium on Aug. 2. Nyaaah.
Posted by: yhbc on July 21, 2003 11:13 PMGawrsh, I could sure use a domestique.
"Oh, domestii-iique? Water, please. And get the massage oil while you're up. Master Maillot-Jaune has a little knot in the small of his back... mmmmmmmm."
Mmmmmmmmm.
As for next year? Not to stay US-centric or anything, but I'd think after what he's done this year, Tyler Hamilton would be an obvious choice. (A broken collarbone! Do you know how constant and heavy that pain is? And he's still in the top ten. Jeezus, what resolve.)
Posted by: Chico on July 22, 2003 01:15 PMSince my b-day cruelly falls on a Tuesday this year, I'll be spending this weekend celebrating it.
[taps glass]
Happy Birthday aine42, Cheers!
[/drinks]
{{{hiccup}}}
Anyone watch today's stage? If you get a chance to watch the highlights, please do. Absolutely amazing.
Posted by: ana on July 22, 2003 07:04 PMThanks, thom and vidiot. And with proper multi-drink birthday etiquette. Very impressive.
Posted by: aine42 on July 24, 2003 12:19 PM
Tyler Hamilton would be an obvious choice. (A broken collarbone! Do you know how constant and heavy that pain is? And he's still in the top ten. Jeezus, what resolve.)
Yesterdays stage he won it(knowing about his collarbone, I squirmed when he raised his arms in victory, had to hurt)then dedicated it to his team-mates.
Posted by: Thomcatspike on July 24, 2003 04:13 PMAnd then Lance came over and gave him a big hug. (Obviously, hoping to aggravate the shoulder a little more.)
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