tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post1151864679830181783..comments2023-10-09T11:45:33.422-04:00Comments on McDuff's Food & Wine Trail: Le Tour Est Fin: The Vaucluse, Ventoux and the TGV to ParisDavid McDuffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03274955351036700406noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-68036407539840221872009-08-03T00:51:42.556-04:002009-08-03T00:51:42.556-04:00Most American's haven't seen a true bike r...Most American's haven't seen a true bike race in person, I saw one in Prague and have enjoyed watching the sport since. Thanks for the reminder about how far it has come.Wine Clubshttp://www.uncorkedventures.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-30679428555495548822009-08-02T13:57:43.559-04:002009-08-02T13:57:43.559-04:00David – I see what you mean! It is frightening to ...David – I see what you mean! It is frightening to think how many stage victories he may get during his career if he remains at this level and escapes injury.<br /><br />JimJim's Loirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06696024920441263899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-65661023227800164172009-08-02T13:29:46.847-04:002009-08-02T13:29:46.847-04:00Jim,
I hardly meant for the description to be hars...Jim,<br />I hardly meant for the description to be harsh, just for it to capture the amazing level of Cavendish's performance. I think you're absolutely right that it was reasonable to expect him to improve this year, given his age and experience. And he clearly had the best lead out squad in the race.David McDuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03274955351036700406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-24037793018623721122009-08-02T09:25:54.804-04:002009-08-02T09:25:54.804-04:00David: 'Mark Cavendish is a freak of nature. H...David: 'Mark Cavendish is a freak of nature. His performance in taking six stage wins this year was leaps above his level in last year’s race, and he won four stages then.'<br /><br />I think describing Mark as a 'freak of nature' is a little harsh. Despite his feats last year it was reasonable to expect Mark to be even better this year – he is only 24. I agree he does have a remarkable turn of speed but he rides very aerodynamically. He also has, as Mark is the first to acknowledge, a great lead out team in Columbia.Jim's Loirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06696024920441263899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-89735566369147535682009-07-29T16:35:09.068-04:002009-07-29T16:35:09.068-04:00Jeremy,
I'm glad you dug my digressive Tour p...Jeremy,<br /><br />I'm glad you dug my digressive Tour posts. I'll definitely hold you to the ride up Mont Ventoux. Spiritual or not, I can guarantee it will be a very self-aware experience!<br /><br />In the event that I get my act together for daily coverage of next year's Tour, I'm putting you on my list to handle one of the stages.David McDuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03274955351036700406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-47817735277937577722009-07-29T13:14:24.263-04:002009-07-29T13:14:24.263-04:00David, I loved these posts and thanks for doing th...David, I loved these posts and thanks for doing them! One day I'd love to ascend Mt. Ventoux with you! Petrarch wrote a famous account of his ascent as an allegory for spiritual self-awareness... great posts and a great way to follow the tour...Do Bianchihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744434741371288465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-15795432276366506962009-07-28T17:02:19.761-04:002009-07-28T17:02:19.761-04:00That's a tough one, Tom. I think Cav was dock...That's a tough one, Tom. I think Cav was docked 13 points on the stage when he was relegated for erratic sprinting... and he ended up losing to Thor by 10. If Cav had those 13 points in hand, though, I'm guessing Thor might not have settled so easily for 6th place on the Champs.<br /><br />As for the relegation itself, I'd have to look at the tape again to give you my definitive opinion. I definitely remember Cav and the Columbia train trying to slow things down in the hopes of getting George into yellow. Definitely a tough call.David McDuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03274955351036700406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017457764988110566.post-57095595224334701512009-07-28T07:09:36.781-04:002009-07-28T07:09:36.781-04:00any thoughts on the green jersey being taken from ...any thoughts on the green jersey being taken from Cavendish?TWGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02592548268341500443noreply@blogger.com