Recent years of following the Tour de France have left me pretty disgusted with many things. But, this year I’m getting alot of inspiration from watching the Tour.
Yesterday, I was admiring David Miller go on a lone and ultimately futile breakaway. It was agonising to watch the final 5km as his minute lead rapidly fell against a rampant chasing peleton. In once sense David Miller failed, but, I got great inspiration from seeing what I felt was a heroic honest effort trying to hold off the strength of the peleton.
Of course, David Miller is a former World Champion later stripped of his medal after testing positive for EPO. I would have no qualms of increasing the length of doping bans, but, although I was deeply disappointed with Miller a few years ago, I feel he has made a sincere change. He may no longer win as many races. But, personally, (and maybe this is a British trait helped by watching Henman et al losing in so many Wimbledon semi finals) I prefer a heroic loser to an arrogant / cheating champion.
It may be little comfort to Miller who is probably deeply disappointed to gain nothing from his long breakaway. But, it’s great to be able to appreciate a huge effort, as the Eurosport commentator said as he was mercilessly swallowed up by the peleton with 1Km to go
”Chapeau Miller’
The previous day I was also glad to see the great French Star Voeklner win a breakaway stage.
The Tour is inspiring my own riding. I’ve been out everyday this week. Climbing up the east Chevin and Ilkley Moor maynot be Alpe D’Huez but, its still pretty hilly. When you see the pros ride 200km everyday, you think there’s no harm riding 80km every day.
The only problem with the Tour de France is when you get sucked into watching a whole tour stage and leave no time for training…
Awesome effort by Millar the other day, and what about Wiggins on the first climb…. and Cav in the sprints. The Brits are having a great tour for a change!
I agree, watching the tour can be quite inspiring. I did my first 100K a couple of days ago, imagining I’m on a lone breakaway in the alps. In reality I was riding through the Mendips, cheddar gorge and Chew valley, while not as epic, still quite beautiful and challenging.
Thankfully I dont have cable/satelite TV so I only get to see the hour long highlights on ITV4 int he evenings. I think it would be difficult to not sit in all day watching le tour live if I could.