There hasn’t been much chatter in here regarding the Tour of California (starting this weekend). Independent of our sponsorship of Team Ouch and Lance’s comeback, I think this should be a great event. It is arguably the finest collection of riders ever racing on US soil. Predictions/thoughts anyone?
Edit for grammar.
Should be fun to watch.
Looks like there in for some rain(:
It rained last year and the year before. Didn’t they know in February, that is the only time it can rain in California?
And with the colder weather, it may actually snow on them this time.
Allready set up on my DVR
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I’m going down to Sacramento for the Prologue and also going to try to check out Stage 1 on the biggest hill in there. I want to do a big ride while I’m down… guess I’m going to have to dress warm!
I am, finally something good to watch on TV
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I normally don’t get all that excited about bike races but the live video coverage of the Tour of California is amazing. Last year I didn’t get much work done that week. As it turns out one of my clients is responsible for the system that makes the live signal happen.
The storyline of Lance & Floyd also adds interest/drama.
Fingers crossed for good weather!
Travis
dumb blog
Totally pumped over the ToC! Having Astana here in town for 10 days for training camp has given it tons of local publicity as well. It is a huge deal here in Santa Rosa where Levi lives and trains in off season. Looks like it may be sketchy weather for Sunday but they are predicting 100,000 people out on the course just in our county. This event has also been a boon to road cycling here with several new bike shops opening in last couple months. A former Trek exec from Waterloo is opening a Trek super store down town with grand opening this weekend. I suppose he will arrange for LA to stop by given long Trek association. On nice weather weekends some of our popular routes feel like bike freeways with all the riders including the cyclo tourism groups you regularly see out there. Pretty amazing how popular cycling has become…at least around here.
Yes, we will have some of the crew out at the race. I will not be one of them unfortunately as I will be traveling (twice) during the race. That leaves me to watch the race from a distance. Even without being there in person, I am really looking forward to seeing how this race and the entire cycling season shapes up. So much going on across the board and it all starts in California.
I’m with you on the tv thing. Other than live coverage of the skiing this week it’s been Darts and Lawnbowling on Eurosport in Germany.
Stage 8 is totally cool. My legs will feel everyone of those climbs as I watch. My bet is the winner of the stage will come out of a gap created on Cole Grade. It a deceptively hard climb and there could be tired legs by the time they get there. From the top it’s a long stretch of flying down hill to the finish. There hasn’t been much said about Lance and his training out of Ramona for a year with Eddy B. He probably knows all of these roads as well as anyone.
If anyone is iterested in going to the start of Stage 8 in Rancho Bernardo my Dad is offering his house/street for parking. He even offered to shuttle you down to the start although I say you can walk. The man just had his knee replaced after all. It’s fairly close to the start and parking will be a premium. If you are interested PM me and I’ll arrange it. Knowing my dad he’ll even try to feed you.
dude you have no idea how excited i am for toe ToC! Im live in San Diego and am really bummed that i will miss the last stage (im at college back east). Im forcing my dad to go and watch the race. But i will be sure to tune in either via the web or Versus each day. Excited to see Floyd back in action although its cool to see lance back on the roads i want to see Levi win this one if it comes down to him and Lance for the top spot. Levi is getting screwed by his team with Alberto and now Lance the guy is forced to work for them. So i would like to see him continue his winning of the ToC especially because he lives in Calif. and is even in an Advertisement for the State of California. Ok thats my rant, dont think that we will see a better day than the one where the Toyota rider went clear in that crazy rainy day.
Yea, my wife and I were just talking about that.
I have to get the DVR set.
It’s going to be a great race, with a great field! I am excited to see coverage of the Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz stage, and wish I could be there to see the finish.
How can you not be excited? Have you seen the racers showing up? I’m not convinced that they will all be going for the victory, but to have that lineup on US soil is outstanding.
My thoughts exactly. Just was wondering why there had not been much talk of it in here.
Totally psyched for it! I will be at the Pro and Cardiac on Stage 1.
How can you not be excited? Have you seen the racers showing up? I’m not convinced that they will all be going for the victory, but to have that lineup on US soil is outstanding.
Read LA’s interview in Velonews. He says guys are racing now like its May. Perhaps with what is going on in the sport and the economy, riders feel they need to kick it up a notch both for their own careers and to retain sponsorship. This is the biggest race in US which is biggest commercial marketplace in the (free) world so it is not inconcievable to think teams are under pressure to really perform and make a splash. It certainly would be good for biz…
I am quite excited about this event and agree with TriMike that the Sonoma County/Santa Rosa stages have enjoyed tremendous support over the last few years, even without Lance. The event is run extremely well, and the professionalism of the promoters is obvious. I expect downtown Santa Rosa to be packed with folks, even if it rains as expected. The Lance factor is hard to predict. His presence has garnered a few mentions in the local press, but it has not been hugely publicised, even though he has been in town for a few weeks.
What are all the options for watching? Versus? What website? Anywhere else going to be carrying good coverage?