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 Among the definitions of the word "devil" as offered by Websters"s Dictionary include "a person of notable energy,
reclessness and dashing spirit".
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Le Tour de France (Tour of France), often referred to as La Grande Boucle, Le Tour or The Tour, is the most famous and prestigious road bicycle race in the world. It has been held annually since 1903, interrupted only by World War I and World War II, and is contested over the course of three weeks each July. It is a long-distance stage race competition for professional cycling teams, travelling through France and its nearby countries. United Kingdom (visited in 1974 and 1994, and will start the 2007 tour).
The Tour is a "stage race", divided into a number of stages, each being a race held over one day. The winner is the individual rider who finishes the course of the race in the least accumulated time. In addition to the race for the overall win, there are several additional competitions. The leaders of these competitions are represented by certain coloured jerseys. The maillot jaune (yellow jersey), which is worn by the overall time leader, is the most prized.
Since 1975, the final stage always finishes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, which is cobbled, making it a difficult surface to cycle on, though not as hard as the famous Paris-Roubaix. The race takes multiple turns over the avenue, which is lined with enormous spectator crowds. This stage is not usually competitive in terms of the overall lead since it is a flat sprinters´ stage, and the leader is likely to have a sufficiently large margin to be unchallengeable.
Thor Hushovd (Grimstad) won the prologue in Strasbourg and wore the maillot jaune (the yellow jersey) after the first day despite a cut suffered seconds before the finish of Stage 1 due to spectator interference. And just as the Tour de France 2006 started with Hushovd, it also ended with him winning the last stage after beating Robbie McEwen in a strong finishing sprint.
The 2006 Tour had been plagued by the Operacion Puerto doping case before its beginning. Many of the riders considered to be favorites, such as Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso, were banned from competing by their respective teams one day prior to the prologue due to doping allegations. In total, 17 riders have been implicated in the scandal. |
Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has given a positive drugs test, his Phonak team revealed.
The 30-year-old American, has tested positive for excess levels of the male sex hormone testosterone.
The positive test came after stage 17 of the Tour, which saw Landis record an epic victory after struggling on the final climb the day before.
Asked directly by American magazine Sports Illustrated if he had cheated, Landis replied: "No."
If Landis is stripped of his title, 2006 Tour runner-up Oscar Pereiro is expected to be declared the winner. Floyd Landis was raised in a conservative Mennonite community.
Unlike the more familiar Old Order Amish, conservative Mennonites do employ some modern technology, such as automobiles, but avoid television, movies, and other elements of "modern" culture.
Young Floyd thus grew up somewhat, but not totally, isolated from modern American culture; he did own a bike.
Disturbed at what he considered a "useless" endeavor such as racing bikes, Landis´ mother told him he was "Going Straight to Hell" if he continue cyckling and his father tried to discourage Floyd from riding by giving him extra chores. This left Floyd unable to train during the day, so he often went out to train at night-sometimes at 1 or 2 a.m.-in the freezing cold.
Floyd´s father, unable to appreciate his son´s passion for cycling, often followed Floyd at a distance to make sure he wasn´t getting into trouble. Today, Landis´ father has become a hearty supporter of his son and regards himself as one of his biggest fans. |
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