NationStates Jolt Archive

Well we are nearing the end of the most prestigous race on the cycling tour, the Tour de France.

After seven years of total dominance by Lance Armstrong, this race was up for grabs this year.

Over the course of the last three weeks, it is now apparent that it will be yet another American who will win.

The American? Floyd Landis.

Congratulations to Floyd Landis on winning this year's Tour and to all the cyclists who participated.

Well, it hasn't quite finished yet, so maybe you shouldn't hex him by congratulating him the day before hand.
That said, from what I understand, it's rarely - if ever - happened that someone has lost the yellow jersey (do they wash that thing at the end of each day? Cause it must smell real bad by the end of the tour if they don't) on the last day.

Bloody impressive of Landis to come back the way he did after wiping out on that leg then pushing himself past his limits on the next. He said something along the lines of, "I push myself to the limit in everything I do. If I didn't I'd be just another person", which is a damn cool thing to say, imo.

I won't add my congrats just yet. Hopefully this time tomorrow.

And some people (mostly USians) complain that soccer is boring:confused:

Of all the European sports that Europeans are really proud of, it's really amazing to see the US actually dominate a sport that when I was in high school was solely the province of European riders.

I'm talking about the Tour de France.

I'm fascinated by the fact that there have now been three Americans who have won this race, and essentially have dominated what is traditionally a European event.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/23/D8J1ORIO0.html

Is there some controversy within European cycling circles about this trend?

And some people (mostly USians) complain that soccer is boring:confused:
And, ironically enough, they rag on about how much they hate France and everything French.

Is there some controversy within European cycling circles about this trend?
none at all.

Other than the obsession with 'proving' that Lance cheated by taking performance-enhancing drugs of course.

Of all the European sports that Europeans are really proud of, it's really amazing to see the US actually dominate a sport that when I was in high school was solely the province of European riders.

I'm talking about the Tour de France.

I'm fascinated by the fact that there have now been three Americans who have won this race, and essentially have dominated what is traditionally a European event.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/23/D8J1ORIO0.html

Is there some controversy within European cycling circles about this trend?

Hey France, you are OWNED! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

That's interesting. I don't think I'd call an event that's been won by the same American for the last seven times "traditionally dominated by Europeans"...

Hey France, you are OWNED! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
Oh go eat some Freedom Fries, maybe pick up some Freedom Bread and get home to feed your Freedom poodle.

That's interesting. I don't think I'd call an event that's been won by the same American for the last seven times "traditionally dominated by Europeans"...
It's more exciting to overlook that.

Hey France, you are OWNED! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!
Don't do that. :rolleyes:

Oh go eat some Freedom Fries, maybe pick up some Freedom Bread and get home to feed your Freedom poodle.

Don't forget some Freedom Dressing for that salad and I'd like some Freedom Toast for breakfast tomorrow with some Freedom Roast coffee.

Hey!... You forgot to mention the freedom tickler.:p

Hey!... You forgot to mention the freedom tickler.:p

That deserves a Freedom Kiss.

I'm fascinated by the fact that there have now been three Americans who have won this race, and essentially have dominated what is traditionally a European event.
Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.

* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.

* The following generations ( so far! ) inherited their parents' "can-do" attitude.

* As a result, the nation they built stands astride the world like a collsus. They work longer hours than almost any other people, they are generally more inventive, creative and industrious than any other people, and they set high goals for themselves, including things like the Tour de Fance.

This is not to say that things won't change, or that they're not in the process of changing right now, but whether you like it or not, those are the facts.

That deserves a Freedom Kiss.
:fluffle:

Oh go eat some Freedom Fries, maybe pick up some Freedom Bread and get home to feed your Freedom poodle.

I regularly eat Freedom Fries and Freedom Bread, but I don't have any Freedom poodles :p

Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.Oh, this could be fun... :D

* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.Or those that set up Christofascist dictatorships and banned anything fun. Funny thing is, that's why the Puritans were no longer popular in England. You just don't make friends by burning down Globe theater ;)

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.And the bare hands of other human beings they owned...

Don't do that. :rolleyes:

Aren't we getting a little oversensitive here? If you can't razz the opposition in a sporting event--especially one who regularly accuses us of cheating--might as well not have them. I mean, really ;)

Oh, this could be fun... :D

Or those that set up Christofascist dictatorships and banned anything fun. Funny thing is, that's why the Puritans were no longer popular in England. You just don't make friends by burning down Globe theater ;)

And the bare hands of other human beings they owned...
Need I remind you that the majority of slave traders were not residents of what eventually became America, and that we fought a civil war to rid ourselves of this practice?

And please don't start with the references to "fascists," thus making me remind you of certain ... things.

Still having "fun?"

Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.

* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.

* The following generations ( so far! ) inherited their parents' "can-do" attitude.

* As a result, the nation they built stands astride the world like a collsus. They work longer hours than almost any other people, they are generally more inventive, creative and industrious than any other people, and they set high goals for themselves, including things like the Tour de Fance.

This is not to say that things won't change, or that they're not in the process of changing right now, but whether you like it or not, those are the facts.

Well said.

History lessons are a good thing :D

Well said.

History lessons are a good thing :D
Indeed. :D

Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.

* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.

* The following generations ( so far! ) inherited their parents' "can-do" attitude.

* As a result, the nation they built stands astride the world like a collsus. They work longer hours than almost any other people, they are generally more inventive, creative and industrious than any other people, and they set high goals for themselves, including things like the Tour de Fance.

This is not to say that things won't change, or that they're not in the process of changing right now, but whether you like it or not, those are the facts.
yeah...
That's why USA is so dominant in all sports. Like Football for instance.

yeah...
That's why USA is so dominant in all sports. Like Football for instance.
That's 'soccer', if you don't mind. :p

Christofascist
Oh good lord. Another word to add to those I hate. Islamofascist is a misnomer, don't adopt the stupidity as your own. Please?

Need I remind you that the majority of slave traders were not residents of what eventually became America, and that we fought a civil war to rid ourselves of this practice?Really? There are two people I know of that disagreed with you. Sadly, both Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln are dead...
And please don't start with the references to "fascists," thus making me remind you of certain ... things. I was merely pointing out why some of the people that came to America decided to leave in the first place ;)
Islamofascist seems such a popular term when referring to Iran, I don't see why Christianofascist wouldn't apply to Oliver Crommwell's regime.
Still having "fun?"No, but that has nothing to do with you. ;)

That's 'soccer', if you don't mind. :p
I was using football as a generic term - to include soccer, rugby union (7s and 15) and rugby league.
And any other game that involves a ball and a foot. Preferably 2. No - make that 4 (2 per side).

Oh good lord. Another word to add to those I hate. Islamofascist is a misnomer, don't adopt the stupidity as your own. Please?

Have you forgotten that the Puritans literally owned New England before the Revolution? Only members of the Church could vote on issues, and only then the votes of the more important members of society (read: those who donated the most to the Church) counted.

That's quite Fascist.

That's 'soccer', if you don't mind. :p

Actually he's right, we are dominant in football, the real, American football. As for soccer, we just don't care, so the rest of the world is welcome to it. The only reason the "World Cup" even gets broadcast here in the States (to the small extent it's even covered) is that there are enough ex-pats and illegal aliens to justify throwing a few commercials their way :p

Hey France, you are OWNED! Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!

Oi, never let it be said that the French didn't give thanks to those who were responsible for lifting the yoke of Nazi occupation off their shoulders.









There is, after all, still a Stalingrad station on the Paris Metro to this very day.

Actually he's right, we are dominant in football, the real, American football. As for soccer, we just don't care, so the rest of the world is welcome to it. The only reason the "World Cup" even gets broadcast here in the States (to the small extent it's even covered) is that there are enough ex-pats and illegal aliens to justify throwing a few commercials their way :p

You've just given credence to the OP there... traditionally the USA only seems to be good in sports nobody else plays, so there's no competition there. Some malicious poeple might mistake that for a form of cowardice.

The rest of the world plays real games and has international competition. But we're glad you decided to try and take part in some now. And congrats to the one good cyclist. :D

yeah...
That's why USA is so dominant in all sports. Like Football for instance.
I assume you're talking about what we refer to as "soccer." I have no doubt that if America wanted to dominate in the game of football it could do so. As of yet, however, interest in the game here is very low.

Have you forgotten that the Puritans literally owned New England before the Revolution? Only members of the Church could vote on issues, and only then the votes of the more important members of society (read: those who donated the most to the Church) counted.

That's quite Fascist.
*sigh* No it's quite theocratic. No reputible source smushes words with "Fascist" to imply bad. That's called scaremongering. Don't cheapen yourself.

You've just given credence to the OP there... traditionally the USA only seems to be good in sports nobody else plays, so there's no competition there. Some malicious poeple might mistake that for a form of cowardice.

The rest of the world plays real games and has international competition. But we're glad you decided to try and take part in some now. And congrats to the one good cyclist. :D
Tsk! And just when I was starting to like you too! ;)

That deserves a Freedom Kiss.
Liberty Lip-Lock, if you will.

Tsk! And just when I was starting to like you too! ;)

Just stating what the situation looks like from here.

Have you set up a trout slapping contest yet? :D

You've just given credence to the OP there... traditionally the USA only seems to be good in sports nobody else plays, so there's no competition there. Some malicious poeple might mistake that for a form of cowardice.

The rest of the world plays real games and has international competition. But we're glad you decided to try and take part in some now. And congrats to the one good cyclist. :D

"Real" games? Have you ever played our Football? :p

1. Really? There are two people I know of that disagreed with you. Sadly, both Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln are dead...

2. I was merely pointing out why some of the people that came to America decided to leave in the first place ;)

3. Islamofascist seems such a popular term when referring to Iran, I don't see why Christianofascist wouldn't apply to Oliver Crommwell's regime.

4. No, but that has nothing to do with you. ;)
1. And your proof of this would be???

2. Operant word: "some." At the time, America's immigration policy was a bit lax. ;)

3. It very well might, but then good ole Oliver was never an American. :p

4. Thank God for that! :D

Actually he's right, we are dominant in football, the real, American football.
That's a mere rugby derivative, which is in itself a derivative of football, which is an ancient sport.

Also, only Americans play American football, so obviously they're going to be the best at it.

"Real" games? Have you ever played our Football? :p

That's the one where people are so scared of getting hurt they wear pretty much full body armour, isn't it? Wusses.

That's a mere rugby derivative, which is in itself a derivative of football, which is an ancient sport.

Also, only Americans play American football, so obviously they're going to be the best at it.

FYI, there is also the Canadian Football League. How dare you insinuate that they are Americans!

3. It very well might, but then good ole Oliver was never an American. :p

He nearly was an American, if not a USian - he was all ready to emigrate in the 1630's but was prevented from doing so by officialdom.

FYI, there is also the Canadian Football League. How dare you insinuate that they are Americans!

Canada is not on the North American continent? That's news to me... :confused:

That's the one where people are so scared of getting hurt they wear pretty much full body armour, isn't it? Wusses.

Well, considering that over a dozen people died in a single season back in the early 1920's (when they had minimal pads and thin leather helmets), I'd say the pads are necessary.

It's a different kind of contact than Rugby. It's usually bull charges to the chest and full body presses rather than wrap-up tackles. The injuries are minimised by the pads (though they still happen a lot), but the contact on pretty much every tackle will still knock the wind out of you if you don't take preventative measures.

It's usually bull charges to the chest and full body presses rather than wrap-up tackles.

And this is one of the high points of American culture is it? Grown men throwing themselves at each other?

And this is one of the high points of American culture is it? Grown men throwing themselves at each other?
Why must you mock us? Meanie.:(

And this is one of the high points of American culture is it? Grown men throwing themselves at each other?

Okay, that'll be enough rhetorical bullshit for today, thanks.

Just stating what the situation looks like from here.

Have you set up a trout slapping contest yet? :D
LMAO! Hey! I got yer "trout" ... right here! :D

And this is one of the high points of American culture is it? Grown men throwing themselves at each other?
No. The high-water mark for America was when those of us who left Europe had to come back and bail you out ... several times! :D

He nearly was an American, if not a USian - he was all ready to emigrate in the 1630's but was prevented from doing so by officialdom.
We bribed them to keep him. :D

And this is one of the high points of American culture is it? Grown men throwing themselves at each other?

And what Ziniwhatever did is the pinnacle of European sports? Headbutting is about the most panzy thing I've ever seen. Now Ice Hockey, good sport, real fighting. Oh, and SOCCER IS BORING AS HELL!!!!

No. The high-water mark for America was when those of us who left Europe had to come back and bail you out ... several times! :D

Bailing us out? I guess the fact that some of us Euros had declared war on you was irrelevant?

And what Ziniwhatever did is the pinnacle of European sports? Headbutting is about the most panzy thing I've ever seen. Now Ice Hockey, good sport, real fighting. Oh, and SOCCER IS BORING AS HELL!!!!

Nope. The true pinnacles of European sports are bogsnorkling, cheese rolling and shinty. Any fool knows that.

Ok, that turned into a flame war even sooner than I expected. Pity, really...

Oh, and one thing... can you please, please come up with a new argument? "We had to bail you out!" got boring about 20 years ago.

Nope. The true pinnacles of European sports are bogsnorkling, cheese rolling and shinty. Any fool knows that.

You forgot huge Scotsmen throwing trees... that's a good one, too. :D

Oh good lord. Another word to add to those I hate. Islamofascist is a misnomer, don't adopt the stupidity as your own. Please?I promise to never use it again. ;)

Nope. The true pinnacles of European sports are bogsnorkling, cheese rolling and shinty. Any fool knows that.

who would have thought that 50 people chasing a cheese down a hill could be such fun?

who would have thought that 50 people chasing a cheese down a hill could be such fun?

Or so dangerous (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/5027868.stm).

1. And your proof of this would be??? In my American History classes, we learned that neither Lincoln nor Davis considered it to be a war about slavery. I've heard quotes from both where they explicitely say so, Davis notably on the issue of using blacks as part of the confederate forces. To them, it was a states' rights issue. This is the best I can do for him though:
"I worked night and day for twelve years to prevent the war, but I could not. The North was mad and blind, would not let us govern ourselves, and so the war came."Source (http://www.quoteworld.org/quotes/3454)
Here's Lincoln on it:
My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.Source (http://www.zaadz.com/quotes/topics/slavery?page=2)
2. Operant word: "some." At the time, America's immigration policy was a bit lax. ;)Oh, I'm only doing it because I love to point out why the Puritans got persecuted by the English in the first place. :p

3. It very well might, but then good ole Oliver was never an American. :pNope, but he is the reason why Puritan values became drastically unpopular in the Olde Worlde... ;)

4. Thank God for that! :DWhat? That I'm not having fun or that you're not the cause of it? :p (or maybe both! :eek:)

Wow, this thread turned surprisingly quickly into the patented NS General "US vs World" dick waving contest.

Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.

* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.

* The following generations ( so far! ) inherited their parents' "can-do" attitude.

* As a result, the nation they built stands astride the world like a collsus. They work longer hours than almost any other people, they are generally more inventive, creative and industrious than any other people, and they set high goals for themselves, including things like the Tour de Fance.

This is not to say that things won't change, or that they're not in the process of changing right now, but whether you like it or not, those are the facts.
Damn, Eutrusca, that was well said. Did you read that somewhere, or are you really that well-spoken? And just in case there's any doubt, that _was_ a compliment.

Wow, this thread turned surprisingly quickly into the patented NS General "US vs World" dick waving contest.

Ours is longer, does that mean we win?

And Americans are good at lots of sports. Football, NASCAR, golf, baseball... It's not our fault you people in Europe don't recognize real sports.

Ours is longer, does that mean we win?

Why don't you let us girls decide that? :D


And Americans are good at lots of sports. Football, NASCAR, golf, baseball... It's not our fault you people in Europe don't recognize real sports.

Yep. I'm good at highspeed knitting. Too bad the world doesn't recognise it as a sport... :p

Ours is longer, does that mean we win?

And Americans are good at lots of sports. Football, NASCAR, golf, baseball... It's not our fault you people in Europe don't recognize real sports.

American Football - 10 seconds of action followed by a 5 minute rest for everone to check their makeup

NASCAR - Going around in circles sat down

Golf - You walk around

Baseball - Not a huge amopunt of activity to be honest

Common theme? None of them seem to meet my definition of a sport in that you have to actually be active for it to qualify.

Yeah buddy! You rock Floyd!

The biggest comeback in Tour history, and he beat 'em on a bid hip no less.....

Now that's an athlete.

:p



Updated: July 23, 2006, 4:03 PM ET
Landis continues American dominance at TourAssociated Press
PARIS -- The highs and lows of Floyd Landis' nail-biter of a bike race ended without a hitch Sunday as he won the Tour de France and kept cycling's most prestigious title in American hands for the eighth straight year.

Floyd Landis kept the Stars and Stripes on top of the Tour de France.
The 30-year-old Landis, pedaling with an injured hip, cruised to victory on the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysées, a day after regaining the leader's yellow jersey and building an insurmountable lead in the final time trial.

"I kept fighting, never stopped believing," Landis said, shortly after he received the winner's yellow jersey on the podium, joined by his daughter, Ryan.

Landis picked up where another American left off last year, when Lance Armstrong completed his seventh and final Tour triumph. With the victory, Landis becomes the third American -- joining Armstrong and three-time winner Greg LeMond -- to win the Tour.

"I'm proud and happy for Floyd," said Armstrong, who watched the finish on TV from a luxurious hotel room near the Champs-Elysées. "He proved he was the strongest, everybody wrote him off."

"I'm very proud that an American has won again," he added.

As the "The Star-Spangled Banner" played, Landis, cap in hand, stared solemnly at the crowd. But when the anthem ended, he broke into a smile and waved to the fans.

Landis, who plans to undergo surgery this fall on an arthritic right hip injured in a 2003 crash, said he hoped he would be able to return next year.

"Right now, that's the plan," Landis said. He dedicated the win to Andy Rihs, owner of his Phonak team.

Sunday's champagne and Landis' fifth yellow jersey of the Tour were possible thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime ride Thursday in the Alps that put the Phonak team leader back in contention, one day after a disastrous ride dropped him from first to 11th, more than eight minutes back.

Oscar Pereiro of Spain finished second overall at 57 seconds back, and Germany's Andreas Kloeden was third, 1:29 behind Landis.

With Armstrong retired, the Tour was blown even more wide open on the eve of the July 1 start when prerace favorites Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich, plus seven other riders, were sent home after they were implicated in a Spanish doping investigation.

Norway's Thor Hushovd won the final stage Sunday of the three-week race. He had also won the Tour prologue on July 1.

Assured of victory, Landis hoisted a champagne glass handed to him from his Phonak team car early in the 154.5-kilometer (96-mile) route from Sceaux-Antony to the capital.

A day earlier, Landis placed third in the Tour's last time trial, taking the yellow jersey from former teammate Pereiro and securing a 59-second lead over the Spaniard.

The deficit was virtually impossible to overcome for Pereiro in the flat, short final stage because Landis and his team eyed the Spaniard closely to make sure he didn't try to break away.

Landis, a former mountain biker who toiled for three years as a U.S. Postal Service team support rider for Armstrong, had sought to apply the Texan's meticulous strategy for winning -- until what Landis called "disaster" struck on Stage 16 in the Alps on Wednesday.

His plan to allow Pereiro to take the yellow jersey temporarily as the race left the Pyrenees at the end of week two appeared to backfire after Landis lost the jersey in a second Alpine stage at La Toussuire.

With a stunning stage win in the last Alpine stage on Thursday, Landis erased more than 7½ minutes of his 8:08 deficit to Pereiro -- putting him in a prime position to win by outpacing the Spanish rider in the final time trial Saturday.

For the finish Sunday, Russia's Viatceslav Ekimov, 40, led the peloton -- or rider pack -- as it arrived for the first of eight laps on the famed Paris avenue to honor him as the Tour's oldest rider. It was his 15th Tour -- one shy of Dutch cyclist Joop Zoetemelk's record.

Australia's Robbie McEwen won the green jersey given to the best sprinter for a third time, and Denmark's Mickael Rasmussen earned the polka-dot jersey awarded to the best climber for a second year. Italy's Damiano Cunego, 25, won the white jersey as the best young rider.

Why don't you let us girls decide that? :D

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/images/united_states_map.gif


--------------------------------^^
It's over there on the right. Now show us yours. ;) :D

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/images/united_states_map.gif


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It's over there on the right. Now show us yours. ;) :D

http://www.byco.info/buttons/euro_map.gif

Top right as well :D

I won't add my congrats just yet. Hopefully this time tomorrow.

Today was the last stage DH. The race ended at Noon Eastern.

Canada is not on the North American continent? That's news to me... :confused:

"American" is used in the political sense and not in the geographic sense and you know it. Your statement is disingenuous.

Wooo.... bicycles... in France...

weee!!!! :)

my friend told me that some of Lance's rivals over the years have been tested and failed steroid tests so he says that just shows how dominant Lance was

You've just given credence to the OP there... traditionally the USA only seems to be good in sports nobody else plays, so there's no competition there. Some malicious poeple might mistake that for a form of cowardice.

The rest of the world plays real games and has international competition. But we're glad you decided to try and take part in some now. And congrats to the one good cyclist. :D

The poor US cant hold its head up in the medal counts at the Olympics either.

Sheesh between you Sinuhue and Tactical Grace the cyclist wouldve been better off throwing the race and losing so your feelings werent hurt so much. Hide and watch for the empty allegations of doping to arise for the poor devil to defend.

The poor US cant hold its head up in the medal counts at the Olympics either.

Sheesh between you Sinuhue and Tactical Grace the cyclist wouldve been better off throwing the race and losing so your feelings werent hurt so much. Hide and watch for the empty allegations of doping to arise for the poor devil to defend.

I never accused anyone of being doped. And I congratulated him on partaking and winning. Why would my feelings be hurt by that? :confused:

http://www.cyborlink.com/besite/images/united_states_map.gif


--------------------------------^^
It's over there on the right. Now show us yours. ;) :D
Hey! I live in a phallis!:)

American Football - 10 seconds of action followed by a 5 minute rest for everone to check their makeup

NASCAR - Going around in circles sat down

Golf - You walk around

Baseball - Not a huge amopunt of activity to be honest

Common theme? None of them seem to meet my definition of a sport in that you have to actually be active for it to qualify.
How about Basketball..and football totally requires the players to be active.

What a great tour. It's a shame the timing is so bad for me! It usually started at about 12:30am and finished around 4am.. Still I loved staying up and watching it.

Gongrats to Landis. He really does deserve it.

Also a mention to Jeremy Dean, the lone NZ'er in le tour. He finished a solid 129th overall. Well done!

Today was the last stage DH. The race ended at Noon Eastern.
And now that he's definitely won, let me add my congratulations to an outstanding athlete.
A true champion can be measured not how he wins but how he overcomes losses and Landis certainly showed he was a champion getting up the day after wiping out and being dismissed by pretty much everyone and winning that next stage in such an unforgettable way.



Now to wait for LeMonde to start accusing Landis of taking drugs.

And now that he's definitely won, let me add my congratulations to an outstanding athlete.
A true champion can be measured not how he wins but how he overcomes losses and Landis certainly showed he was a champion getting up the day after wiping out and being dismissed by pretty much everyone and winning that next stage in such an unforgettable way.



Now to wait for LeMonde to start accusing Landis of taking drugs.

SOmeone will accuse him. :p

SOmeone will accuse him. :p
You could always be the first!

Oh go eat some Freedom Fries, maybe pick up some Freedom Bread and get home to feed your Freedom poodle.
One does not have to be an over-patriotic ass to dislike the French.

You could always be the first!

I don't handle press conferences well; I tend to throw pastries. *nod*

The poor US cant hold its head up in the medal counts at the Olympics either.

Umm in the Summer Games, US dominates and in the Winter games, we came in 2nd in 2 straight games now.

Sheesh between you Sinuhue and Tactical Grace the cyclist wouldve been better off throwing the race and losing so your feelings werent hurt so much. Hide and watch for the empty allegations of doping to arise for the poor devil to defend.

None occuring yet.

Laughable.

Of all the European sports that Europeans are really proud of, it's really amazing to see the US actually dominate a sport that when I was in high school was solely the province of European riders.


No one is 'proud' of cycling or the TdeF except cycling fans.

No one is 'proud' of cycling or the TdeF except cycling fans.
And really, what kind of loser is a cycling fan?

And really, what kind of loser is a cycling fan?
Exactly :D

It has nothing to do with your nationality- it depends on whether or not you're a fan of the sport or not.

Well, let's just take a look at what has happened over the last 300 years or so.

You know, this is how i despise the US so much. Your damn egocentrism.


* Europeans ( and those from many other places on the earth ) who were rebellious, adventurous, or just plain upset or dissatisfied, left to come to the new world for a chance at a better life.

* These people built an entire nation with their bare hands and not much else.

You think you are special or something for this?. Ever heard of australia or brazil?

* The following generations ( so far! ) inherited their parents' "can-do" attitude.



* As a result, the nation they built stands astride the world like a collsus. They work longer hours than almost any other people, they are generally more inventive, creative and industrious than any other people, and they set high goals for themselves, including things like the Tour de Fance.

No, you stand like gulliver in lilliput, except you are far more annoying. Now for the other arguments:
- You work more hours.. in a chinese sweatshop, i bet they work even more, and they ain't great for that. Oh and by the way, if you measure Productivity per hour, you ain't on top. Actually, the French have a higher productivity per hour than you do, except they enjoy life, and aren't nearly as obnoxious as you americans. And we are talking about the french here!
- You are more inventive creative and industrious than any other people..lol. You should go out a little more. Oh and most of your nobel prize winners are actually foreign citizens, but never mind that.
- You set high goals for yourselves? what, other people don't?
- I haven't seen no one complaining in Europe over americans winning the Tour. I do see americans gloating about winning the tour. I think you have an inferiority complex or something. An american won, weeee all is happy. Great for him. Next, because we all know that america is oh so good, he won't even race in the tour, because inferior France is not worthy of having american racers in its soil.


This is not to say that things won't change, or that they're not in the process of changing right now, but whether you like it or not, those are the facts.

Don't call facts to your opinions.

Dude.. get a grip with reality.

You americans are burning away the last shreds of great respect and admiration that you had after the end of the cold war. Its sad, but you know what? Its your own damn fault.

Win as many tours as you may, your victory is of no concern, its your attitude towards it.

Btw Lance Armstrong was a freak with a massive heart..

Plus Landis wouldn't have won if Ullrich and Basso weren't so damned stupid. But hey, he deserves it completly and well done. ;)

I never accused anyone of being doped.

Yet, but I have faith.


And I congratulated him on partaking and winning. Why would my feelings be hurt by that? :confused:

In the same breath with which you congratulated you also implied that any sport in which a US athelete has ever done well is a shit sport. To say that is to ignore so very much in sport that your emotions must have put blinders over reality and history. Feelings in other words. Yours. Hurt somehow to the extent that you decided to lash out. It is no great leap of intuition or logic really.

Wow..what a nasty bunch.

I guess Tiger Woods' fantastic win has no value either.:rolleyes:


http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/5807146?FSO1&ATT=HCP&GT1=8393

Wow..what a nasty bunch.

I guess Tiger Woods' fantastic win has no value either.:rolleyes:


http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/5807146?FSO1&ATT=HCP&GT1=8393

Not if you don't follow golf, no.

Not if you don't follow golf, no.


Of course you dont.

Yet, but I have faith.

In the same breath with which you congratulated you also implied that any sport in which a US athelete has ever done well is a shit sport. To say that is to ignore so very much in sport that your emotions must have put blinders over reality and history. Feelings in other words. Yours. Hurt somehow to the extent that you decided to lash out. It is no great leap of intuition or logic really.

I didn't. I simply pointed out that in international sport, you don't really seems to see that many of them, and I expressed my pleasure at seeing one for a change.

And I don't have many feelings regarding sports, I've got better use for them. :D

You know, this is how i despise the US so much. Your damn egocentrism.

You americans are burning away the last shreds of great respect and admiration that you had after the end of the cold war.

Three words for you, my friend: ODERINT DUM METUANT.

Three words for you, my friend: ODERINT DUM METUANT.

The problem that you are facing is that day by day less people "metuant" you.

Actually he's right, we are dominant in football, the real, American football. As for soccer, we just don't care, so the rest of the world is welcome to it. The only reason the "World Cup" even gets broadcast here in the States (to the small extent it's even covered) is that there are enough ex-pats and illegal aliens to justify throwing a few commercials their way :p

I'm going to call BS here for it was shown quite extensively in the US. Not all people who follow soccer is an illegal or an ex-pat.

I didn't. I simply pointed out that in international sport, you don't really seems to see that many of them, and I expressed my pleasure at seeing one for a change.

And I don't have many feelings regarding sports, I've got better use for them. :D

Oh all right you win I overreacted to your bait. Reel me in Im caught.:eek:

Well, considering that over a dozen people died in a single season back in the early 1920's (when they had minimal pads and thin leather helmets), I'd say the pads are necessary.

It's a different kind of contact than Rugby. It's usually bull charges to the chest and full body presses rather than wrap-up tackles. The injuries are minimised by the pads (though they still happen a lot), but the contact on pretty much every tackle will still knock the wind out of you if you don't take preventative measures.

Not to mention, some of those injuries are career ending injuries too.

Oh all right you win I overreacted to your bait. Reel me in Im caught.:eek:

*reels him in...

Now, what kind of fish do we have here? ;)

Ours is longer, does that mean we win?

And Americans are good at lots of sports. Football, NASCAR, golf, baseball... It's not our fault you people in Europe don't recognize real sports.

We're good at baseball? :confused:

*reels him in...

Now, what kind of fish do we have here? ;)

Foul mouthed bass?

It's a different kind of contact than Rugby. It's usually bull charges to the chest and full body presses rather than wrap-up tackles. The injuries are minimised by the pads (though they still happen a lot), but the contact on pretty much every tackle will still knock the wind out of you if you don't take preventative measures.


I was just reading a book of broadcasting bloopers. After a pitch to a halfback that ended up with a tackle that flipped him over backwardws and flattened him behind the line of scrimmage the announcer said "What a hit! There are two balls loose on the field..."

Three words for you, my friend: ODERINT DUM METUANT.

a) I'm not your friend.
b) Quoting mad Roman emperors isn't going to help you
c) I don't fear your country, mainly because even if you wanted to attack us, you wouldnt find us in the map.

c) I don't fear your country, mainly because even if you wanted to attack us, you wouldnt find us in the map.

*e-mails Bush a map of the Iberian peninsula just bristling with lil pics of oil derricks on every spot a Portuguese soccer player has dived before.*

*e-mails Bush a map of the Iberian peninsula just bristling with lil pics of oil derricks on every spot a Portuguese soccer player has dived before.*

*lol

You know, the sad thing is that it wouldn't even surprise me if he went for that map...

*e-mails Bush a map of the Iberian peninsula just bristling with lil pics of oil derricks on every spot a Portuguese soccer player has dived before.*
That's a lot of spots. Not as many as in France and Italy, but a lot of spots.