Tour de France 2009 [LIVE THREAD]

[Mom MD]

Today is day one! Armstrong riding. Astana is back! Predictions? Other comments? Does someone have the ping list from last year?

[TommyDale]

Inspector Clouseau?

[lainie]

Thank you for the ping!!

I probably am in the minority but I don’t like seeing Lance in the Tour again. His time has come and gone, and I say the same thing about egomaniacs that come out of retirement for any sport (yes, even Favre.)

So it probably goes without saying that I was pleased with Stage 1 result.

;)

Yay Phil & Paul, Bob; yay for Astana (let’s go CONTADOR), and let’s hear it for three weeks of High Definition French countryside footage. Yay!!

[lainie]

By the way, in case you hadn't seen this:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=cycling&id=4303130

Vino "plans to return to his cycling career with Astana." I hope Bruyneel says "no, thanks." And I say this as someone who really liked Vino for years.

[PeteB570]

Go Garmin-slipstream

[Mom MD]

Astana had 5 riders in the top 10-11 today. The team TT will be killer!

[Ready4Freddy]

Thank you, Mom and Baynative!

[Ready4Freddy]

Starts in Monaco, and makes a jaunt into Espana? Intersting

When’s the last time the Tour went to either, or went into 3 different countries, ftm?

[RichardW]

He and Lance will form another team in 2010 if Vino comes back. No way will he get involved with him.

[lainie]

This year's tour goes to six countries. Play the movie here: Summary of the race

[fortunecookie]

Thanks for the ping! All the anticipation, and I almost forgot to tune in! Very enjoyable, and any F1 fans (like me) also enjoyed seeing the riders on much the same course as the Monaco GP. Great pics, too! I love the mountain stages, and have really come to appreciate the ITTs, too. I agree, I, too, think we’re in for a great race this year!

[fortunecookie]

OMG, now that's a mountain stage! This year it really, really ain't over till the last day.

Every year I say it, but one day I'd like to have my chalk graffiti decorating the road!

[Ready4Freddy]

So I see after looking closer at the map. Thanks!

[lainie]

Well, you make some good points. But even though it’s hard to walk away after dedicating his entire life, he’s already met the goal. Seven times. So my attitude is, you retired, now stay gone; it’s someone else’s turn. I dunno. Maybe I’m too quick to judge.

Either way, as you say, there are plenty of other guys to watch. It’s gonna be a great Tour.

[lainie]

No problem, glad to help. The stages look, to quote Bob Roll, “diabolical.”

[VicVega]

Not bad to place 10th over all and just be 00:40 seconds behind the leader in the time trials.

Great for Lance.