Greetings Readers
I guess let me set the mood of the blog today, if you will.
You have to take the opening music to the series of of Planet Earth mini series. As you hear the drum beats softly building in volume you have to imagine seeing the cyclist Michael Rogers leading the breakaway group during today's stage this morning on TV. The images are of Michael leading the "little" breakaway group of riders on the ascent of the first Cat 1 Climb of the day. Then, slowly the scene fades to black and then another scene shows him riding so strongly in front of the pack. The drums are getting louder and then the music starts an image after image is of Michael taking the unofficial lead of the yellow jersey, since the stage race is still in progress. Or in the words of Phil and Paul "the virtual leader"of the yellow jersey.
About 20 seconds more into the music score you see the aftermath of the crash that Michael was involved with on a descent of the mountain climb. It appears that Michael is okay, but then you see another cyclist is involved and then the camera also shows that a tree in the background is shaking. In that split second you realize that a rider literally catapulted over the guard rail and down the side of the mountain - perhaps 15 to 30 feet with a 50 degree angle from the road.
As the song comes to a close you now see a cyclist in a pink "T-Mobile" bike jersey on the side of the mountain in the Alps. Although you can not see who the face you know who it is. His shoulders are hunched with his head hung low. Then you see a team member come over to the rider on the side of the mountain and then the cyclist raises his head for all to see. He is crying and the tears of giving up on the Tour de France has hit him.
I have to admit readers I was crying with him, for him on the live coverage this morning. Crying in the sense that the tears were flowing down my face. No cry of anguish, but the tears were there. Michael Rogers, "A Fallen Athlete", shined like the sun this day in July of the year 2007. The last that we viewers got to see of Rogers was him walking back to the team car and him getting in the back of the car. We must not forget the effort Michael Rogers put in this morning. Also, do not forget the last image(s) of Michael on the Tour de France on today's stage. Yes, that is him pictured on my blog today.
First and foremost he was not going to win the stage. I knew that from the get go. We seasoned faithful followers knew that Michael Rasmussen was going to win the stage today. This would be a bet I would win if one wants to bet against me that another rider will fair better than Michael.
I digress once more, let me recap what I saw on TV this morning - Michael Rogers was doing good before and after the crash. As he got on his bike after the crash it did not seem that there was anything wrong. Then, the cameras showed that Michael was "not doing good" He was holding his handlebars wrong and he was not getting out of his seat to attack the climb. And minutes later we see him drop from the breakaway to another breakaway group, then the Peloton. Michael was making the effort to stay in pace with the main Peloton and his "yellow jersey" wearing team member, Linus. Linus stayed with Michael as he fell back from the front of the Peloton to the back of the Peloton.
Michael was quickly at the back of the Peloton and that was the moment that I knew Michael was in trouble. For a rider to go from a breakaway group to the back of the Peloton group is unheard of and in that moment my joy in the second cat 1 climb of the day was no more. Linus in the yellow jersey was ready to fall back with Michael, but Michael indicated that Linus must stay with the Peloton. My hand went to cover my mouth in disbelief and say so softy "Oh no."
Another Fallen Athlete and in my book Michael Rogers is worth mentioning on my blog.
I know it was only in yesterday's blog, but you remember the "take a drink" I mentioned? Well add the words "Thank you very much" How many times can Paul say that phrase. And what about Phil "talking smack" about the other two riders with Michael Rasmussen. He was saying that those two were not putting in their effort. Hell no. Michael did not need those two others to help him lead the race. I do not even recall Michael looking back to see if they were behind him at all. Rasmussen's mission was clear and he did not need any one's help to the top.
Now, there were others stories today - O'Grady is out. Iban fucking came back to life on today's stage. I was just as much in awe as Phil and Paul were. To see Mayo do what he was known for in years past was a reminder of a time thought lost. Vino and Kloden were working together and Kloden was helping Vino keep pace in the end. To see these two Astana riders injured, team members, working together was the definition of a team working together. Valverde was working the pace on the breakaway group - nice to see that once more. Rasmussen - I was waiting for him to lose the other two riders on his wheel and to "destroy" everybody in his wake. Robbie Mc Ewen did not make the cut-off - his tour is over. And in closing, another T-Mobile member has abandoned the tour - Mark Cavendish.
Today, in my opinion, was the start of the Tour de France and things will even get more interesting. Those beasts of the bitch today - Col du Meraillet, Comet de Roselend (Cat 1), Montee d'Hautville (Cat 1), Montee de Tignes (Cat 1). And yesterday's Beast of the Bitch - Col de la Colombiere (Cat 1) have "shaken up" the standings. Tuesday we have our first two HC's - Col de I'Lseran (HC) and Col du Galibier with one Col du Telegraphe (Cat 1) climb which will be the last of the Alps stages.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
I guess let me set the mood of the blog today, if you will.
You have to take the opening music to the series of of Planet Earth mini series. As you hear the drum beats softly building in volume you have to imagine seeing the cyclist Michael Rogers leading the breakaway group during today's stage this morning on TV. The images are of Michael leading the "little" breakaway group of riders on the ascent of the first Cat 1 Climb of the day. Then, slowly the scene fades to black and then another scene shows him riding so strongly in front of the pack. The drums are getting louder and then the music starts an image after image is of Michael taking the unofficial lead of the yellow jersey, since the stage race is still in progress. Or in the words of Phil and Paul "the virtual leader"of the yellow jersey.
About 20 seconds more into the music score you see the aftermath of the crash that Michael was involved with on a descent of the mountain climb. It appears that Michael is okay, but then you see another cyclist is involved and then the camera also shows that a tree in the background is shaking. In that split second you realize that a rider literally catapulted over the guard rail and down the side of the mountain - perhaps 15 to 30 feet with a 50 degree angle from the road.
As the song comes to a close you now see a cyclist in a pink "T-Mobile" bike jersey on the side of the mountain in the Alps. Although you can not see who the face you know who it is. His shoulders are hunched with his head hung low. Then you see a team member come over to the rider on the side of the mountain and then the cyclist raises his head for all to see. He is crying and the tears of giving up on the Tour de France has hit him.
I have to admit readers I was crying with him, for him on the live coverage this morning. Crying in the sense that the tears were flowing down my face. No cry of anguish, but the tears were there. Michael Rogers, "A Fallen Athlete", shined like the sun this day in July of the year 2007. The last that we viewers got to see of Rogers was him walking back to the team car and him getting in the back of the car. We must not forget the effort Michael Rogers put in this morning. Also, do not forget the last image(s) of Michael on the Tour de France on today's stage. Yes, that is him pictured on my blog today.
First and foremost he was not going to win the stage. I knew that from the get go. We seasoned faithful followers knew that Michael Rasmussen was going to win the stage today. This would be a bet I would win if one wants to bet against me that another rider will fair better than Michael.
I digress once more, let me recap what I saw on TV this morning - Michael Rogers was doing good before and after the crash. As he got on his bike after the crash it did not seem that there was anything wrong. Then, the cameras showed that Michael was "not doing good" He was holding his handlebars wrong and he was not getting out of his seat to attack the climb. And minutes later we see him drop from the breakaway to another breakaway group, then the Peloton. Michael was making the effort to stay in pace with the main Peloton and his "yellow jersey" wearing team member, Linus. Linus stayed with Michael as he fell back from the front of the Peloton to the back of the Peloton.
Michael was quickly at the back of the Peloton and that was the moment that I knew Michael was in trouble. For a rider to go from a breakaway group to the back of the Peloton group is unheard of and in that moment my joy in the second cat 1 climb of the day was no more. Linus in the yellow jersey was ready to fall back with Michael, but Michael indicated that Linus must stay with the Peloton. My hand went to cover my mouth in disbelief and say so softy "Oh no."
Another Fallen Athlete and in my book Michael Rogers is worth mentioning on my blog.
I know it was only in yesterday's blog, but you remember the "take a drink" I mentioned? Well add the words "Thank you very much" How many times can Paul say that phrase. And what about Phil "talking smack" about the other two riders with Michael Rasmussen. He was saying that those two were not putting in their effort. Hell no. Michael did not need those two others to help him lead the race. I do not even recall Michael looking back to see if they were behind him at all. Rasmussen's mission was clear and he did not need any one's help to the top.
Now, there were others stories today - O'Grady is out. Iban fucking came back to life on today's stage. I was just as much in awe as Phil and Paul were. To see Mayo do what he was known for in years past was a reminder of a time thought lost. Vino and Kloden were working together and Kloden was helping Vino keep pace in the end. To see these two Astana riders injured, team members, working together was the definition of a team working together. Valverde was working the pace on the breakaway group - nice to see that once more. Rasmussen - I was waiting for him to lose the other two riders on his wheel and to "destroy" everybody in his wake. Robbie Mc Ewen did not make the cut-off - his tour is over. And in closing, another T-Mobile member has abandoned the tour - Mark Cavendish.
Today, in my opinion, was the start of the Tour de France and things will even get more interesting. Those beasts of the bitch today - Col du Meraillet, Comet de Roselend (Cat 1), Montee d'Hautville (Cat 1), Montee de Tignes (Cat 1). And yesterday's Beast of the Bitch - Col de la Colombiere (Cat 1) have "shaken up" the standings. Tuesday we have our first two HC's - Col de I'Lseran (HC) and Col du Galibier with one Col du Telegraphe (Cat 1) climb which will be the last of the Alps stages.
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
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