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Jul. 20th, 2005 12:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysobellehttp://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15978532-32465,00.html
http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=8331
A horrible, horrible day for women's cycling on Tuesday: Australian rider Amy Gillett was killed and all five of her teammates from the Australians Women's Cycling team injured when a teenage driver, newly licensed, crossed the line and plowed into them on a training ride in Germany. Gillette's bike was literally shattered by the impact. The race for which they were training, the Tour of Thuringen, cancelled its first stage, which was to have begun later that morning, and a memorial service was held instead.
Back in the Tour de France, fittingly, Stage 16 was led for most of the day by young Australian rider Cadel Evans who, like all the Australian riders, wore a black armband. Al Trautwig and company made much of how such tragedy often gives grim inspiration to riders, pushing them farther than ever before, and, indeed, it seemed for a long time that Cadel would carry the stage. But instead of going for the win, he led a four-man break and pushed the time as hard as he could, holding nothing back for the final sprint, in order to gain time in the General Classification standings. Indeed, he was passed on the line by Oscar Periero, who joyously brought in Team Phonak's first stage win, but Cadel moved up from 11th to 7th overall-- a very impressive ride. When interviewed just off his bike, he was asked about the stage, and had plenty to say. When asked about the loss of his countrywomen, he shut down. "I have no words for that loss," he said.
Back in the commentators' booth, there was an awkward pause. "It's hard to read anything into that," Al neutrally remarked.
Later, however, Cadel made his feelings a bit more clear, stating that he felt the best thing he could do to honour the fallen riders was to ride well himself. And while that sounds a little weird at first blush, I suppose I must be deeper into this cycling thing than I thought, because in context, it sounds absolutely right. It's what cyclists do. Theirs is not an easy, safe sport-- as if we didn't know that already from the roadside memorial the Tour passed just Sunday-- and riders honour their own in the best way they know how: they ride.
Lance is cautiously and guardedly optimistic for his seventh Tour win. Today, his 78th yellow jersey pushed him past the record of Bernard Hinault, who has been on the podium to zip up the yellow jersey every time it's presented-- almost always this year to Lance. Hinault doesn't seem at all bitter about this: he and Lance always share a few words and a laugh before the latter is presented with yet another bouquet and stuffed lion. (Will he open a carnival game when he retires, one wonders?) Lance himself doesn't seem to make much of the record-breaking, either. When a reporter remarked how steeped in the tradition of the race Lance is, and asked how it felt to garner such an honour, the cyclist laughed and replied, "To be honest, I didn't even know until you mentioned it." He also said he's not sure he even deserves such an honour. But modest and self-effacing though he may be, he fought off multiple attacks today on the last mountain stage of his professional career, and will not hesitate to take out anyone who tries to challenge him.
The end of the Tour, and Lance's professional career, is looming. There's an individual time-trial in there, an event at which Lance excells, and one which might get him his first stage win of the Tour. It's going to be a very exciting few days.
http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=8331
A horrible, horrible day for women's cycling on Tuesday: Australian rider Amy Gillett was killed and all five of her teammates from the Australians Women's Cycling team injured when a teenage driver, newly licensed, crossed the line and plowed into them on a training ride in Germany. Gillette's bike was literally shattered by the impact. The race for which they were training, the Tour of Thuringen, cancelled its first stage, which was to have begun later that morning, and a memorial service was held instead.
Back in the Tour de France, fittingly, Stage 16 was led for most of the day by young Australian rider Cadel Evans who, like all the Australian riders, wore a black armband. Al Trautwig and company made much of how such tragedy often gives grim inspiration to riders, pushing them farther than ever before, and, indeed, it seemed for a long time that Cadel would carry the stage. But instead of going for the win, he led a four-man break and pushed the time as hard as he could, holding nothing back for the final sprint, in order to gain time in the General Classification standings. Indeed, he was passed on the line by Oscar Periero, who joyously brought in Team Phonak's first stage win, but Cadel moved up from 11th to 7th overall-- a very impressive ride. When interviewed just off his bike, he was asked about the stage, and had plenty to say. When asked about the loss of his countrywomen, he shut down. "I have no words for that loss," he said.
Back in the commentators' booth, there was an awkward pause. "It's hard to read anything into that," Al neutrally remarked.
Later, however, Cadel made his feelings a bit more clear, stating that he felt the best thing he could do to honour the fallen riders was to ride well himself. And while that sounds a little weird at first blush, I suppose I must be deeper into this cycling thing than I thought, because in context, it sounds absolutely right. It's what cyclists do. Theirs is not an easy, safe sport-- as if we didn't know that already from the roadside memorial the Tour passed just Sunday-- and riders honour their own in the best way they know how: they ride.
Lance is cautiously and guardedly optimistic for his seventh Tour win. Today, his 78th yellow jersey pushed him past the record of Bernard Hinault, who has been on the podium to zip up the yellow jersey every time it's presented-- almost always this year to Lance. Hinault doesn't seem at all bitter about this: he and Lance always share a few words and a laugh before the latter is presented with yet another bouquet and stuffed lion. (Will he open a carnival game when he retires, one wonders?) Lance himself doesn't seem to make much of the record-breaking, either. When a reporter remarked how steeped in the tradition of the race Lance is, and asked how it felt to garner such an honour, the cyclist laughed and replied, "To be honest, I didn't even know until you mentioned it." He also said he's not sure he even deserves such an honour. But modest and self-effacing though he may be, he fought off multiple attacks today on the last mountain stage of his professional career, and will not hesitate to take out anyone who tries to challenge him.
The end of the Tour, and Lance's professional career, is looming. There's an individual time-trial in there, an event at which Lance excells, and one which might get him his first stage win of the Tour. It's going to be a very exciting few days.