TdF Wrap-Up

This Tour de France started with a drug scandal and a weakened field. It could have made a lot of would-be watchers tsk-tsk and turn their heads. But for Landis’ exploits, this might have become an anonymous tour, given fringe fans reason to abandon the sport, and left American cyclists with an “at- least- we- did- such- and- such” taste in their mouths. I don’t think Landis was thinking about any of that when he attacked in Stage 17. I don’t think he was thinking about anything beyond his embarrassment, his ambition, and his team. From what I’ve read about him, Landis likes to keep his thoughts narrowed to those things. But without realizing it, Landis might have saved the sport this year. Or, at least, he turned a bad year for the Tour into a good year for American cycling.

Outside has an excellent profile of Landis that reveals some of his quirky, bold and simple personality.

That personality was also revealed in the way he handled his disgrace on Stage 16. The press conference, if you could call it that, showed something about Landis’ character but also something about the character of cycling. What other sport would ever see one of its star players address the press sitting alone on the steps of his hotel villa? If that were the NFL, we’d have had Drew Rosenhaus repeating “next question.” If it were the NBA, fines would fly. MLB? Forget about a major leaguer sitting on his front porch and chatting for free. The only other sport where something like this might happen is NASCAR. Cycling has its problems, but its athletes are accessible and its personalities are genuine.

Cycling News revealed that Eddy Merckx bet on Landis the day he lost 10 minutes. He got 75-to-1 odds.

Forgetting the World Cup (or trying to), America has done herself proud in international sporting events this year. We won more medals in the winter Olympics than expected. And yesterday there were two huge events in the world of sport, both in Europe and both won by Americans.