Piss Yourself Just A Little More: The Whinging of le Tour de France

It's a rest day, which means a work day for the gossip mongers of the press corps. And who better to fuel the whiney complaint cycle that has dominated this year's Tour than perennial bitcher Cadel Evans? Well, how about usually quiet Carlos Sastre? Really. The press is disrespecting you? How about you go attack and try to win the damn race? For almost 20 days now it's been too hot, too cold, too steep, too far from the finish, he looked at me funny, he doesn't like me, too much work at the front, not enough work at the front... it's enough to make you think these guys don't really enjoy riding bikes. The managers are no better, with Stapleton slinging stones and Vaughters not exactly taking the highroad (pun fully intended), among other hot air. We noticed a lot of malarkey in the blogosphere regarding the whole Hincapie debacle, primarily geared toward the idea that putting George in yellow would have been a benefit to cycling in America as a whole. First of all, it's a race, not an advocacy campaign. If someone wants to win a jersey, a stage, the whole damn thing, whatever - they THE RIDER needs to attack and ride fast. Period. There's no gifting in sport. (and, did no one notice that a Garmin rider - Manksted, was doing a hell of a lot of work with George in that break?) Second, y'know what's not serving the sport in America or anywhere else for that matter? ALL THE COMPLAINING. Wonder why cyclists are perceived as fey little bitches? Maybe it's 'cause that's how the creme of the crop are acting on the biggest stage in the world right now.

Comments

[Marc]

Hilarious and true. Though, I'm truly enjoying it this year and thank God for the Schleck boys. They are amazing to watch. ------ Hope you two are well and keeping busy. Rebuilt the Steelman as a Recession present. It's a beaut.