An Amusement & Diversion for The Genteel Cyclist. Daily.

Monday, July 9, 2007

The lede-out, stage 1: What you need to know about the TDF today


After our little sojourn this past weekend, we were catching up with the TDF last night. (TiVo, how we love thee!) We noticed T-Mobile rider Mark Cavendish having what can only be described as a shit-fit during Stage 1 when his machine got tweaked in a crash with 25 K to go... and then a replacement bike also failed to roll properly. Cavendish threw a hissy fit that would have made Mariah Carey blush-- and Tour TV wisely cut away.

Cavendish's T-Mobile boss Bob Stapleton said: "Sure he was angry. This was a big dream for him to come here and win a stage on his home turf."


We note that the winner of the stage was Robbie McEwen--who also happened to be in that pileup.


As a little side project this year, we hope to put together a tape-loop of roadside tantrums from the Tour-- the better to document our considered opinion that team directors, mechanics, doctors, masseurs, and the whole caravan has corrupted the race by babying the riders. (Remember when those black & white dudes had to carry their own water on the bike and their spare sew-ups over their shoulders?) And judging by the handling skills of some of these guys, they're used to having someone else do their steering and braking too.

Stay tuned for Roadie Rage TV!

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