7/16/2007 - Tour de France

The Tour de France is on again. One of the greatest sporting events in the world. I just love it, the competition, the scenic images, the whole media circus around it. This edition is once again by all sorts of dope allegations, but a true fan doesn't really care. At some point during the race or the preparations for the race, I'm sure they all abuse illegal substances, so it's an even affair, no matter what the outcome. I did feel a little outrage last year when the winner Floyd Landis was caught in the act, but in the end, he was no more guilty or innocent than any other cyclist in the race, I think.

Especially in Germany there's been heated debate whether the media should cover the Tour de France at all. A few papers only write about substance abuse when covering the race, but at least German TV are still showing it.

There are people who claim the TdF is in great jeopardy. This may very well be true, but not as a result of substance abuse. In yesterday's stage, 9 racers had to give up, many because they crashed and sustained serious injury. In the case of a guy named Sinkiewicz this was especially embarrassing. Upon finishing he tried to get to his team's bus, but crashed into a fan who wasn't paying attention to him at all. The fan is in a coma, while Mr. Sinkiewicz sustained some serious injuries himself. At some point insurance companies are going to make it financially impossible for kids to take up the sport. This accidents happen at all levels, and are someday going to get in the way of the sport.

Anyways, the race. We in Holland are extremely happy at this moment. Yesterday's stage was won by a Dane racing for the only Dutch team in the Tour, Michael Rasmussen, who in the process also earned the yellow jersey, and the polka dot jersey for the best climber of the tour. Two weeks from now on the Champs Elysees he'll probably only be wearing the polka dot jersey, as his team are betting on another racer to go for the yellow, but for now this is really fabulous.