Vive Le Toure

Okay, I admit it. Before yesterday, I hadn't looked all that much at the history of the biggest cycling race in history.

I'd figured that watching it for five years running was enough to let me claim myself a fan-- even if I, admittedly, sleep through all but the last half hour of the stages.

You can all tease me about this later, but I'm going to say it.

I was wrong.

There, satisfied? I was wrong to never have really studied it before. I shouldn't call myself a fan if I don't really understand what I'm watching. I suppose this means that I should look up Hockey next.

Moving on though...

Researching the Tour has lead me to the conclusion that I was very much right in my assumptions that the guy in the Polka Dots is by far the coolest rider. No, really! All you Lance fans ca say what you want (don't get me wrong, I love Lance, he is awesome and inspires hope in a bunch of people), but Rassmussen will always be my man.

My reasoning for this? "Stages in the mountains almost always cause major shifts in the general classification. On ordinary stages, most riders can stay in the peloton to the finish; during mountain stages, some lose 40 minutes. The mountains often decide the Tour. Mountain stages bring spectators who line the roads by the thousands." (Thank you Wiki.)

I mean really, think about it! A lot of cyclists just don't have what it takes to be a good climber. Even the greatest of the greats struggle with the Alpe d'Huz and other equally breath taking peaks.

Which is why the King of the Mountains is the lone wolf. Because in the places he will get the most points, his team cannot keep up. He has to struggle and fight against others on his own. No slipstream to depend on. No one to protect you. It's you and that mountain. You either have what it takes, or you are found wanting.

If you haven't seen the history of the Toure de France, and other such races, you need to check it out. It will not only increase the esteem in which you hold the riders; it will help you realize things you never noticed before. Besides that, it's a lot of fun.

VIVE LE TOURE! (Inspite of the French)