Based on the timing of this article, I will sound like a bandwagon fan, but screw it. I. Love. Cycling.
Every year since I can remember, my dad would let me and my brother stay up later than we should have to watch the Tour de France (or more importantly Gabriel Gate). Sorry mum.
Now, no matter if I have the day off, or if I’m working at 5am the next day, I try my best to stay up and watch the breakaway get caught with just a few kilometres to go.
I tune in at 10pm, as every red-blooded Aussie does, waiting to see just how big the margin is between the peloton and that tenacious breakaway group.
Two minutes? Five minutes? 15 minutes??
I know it. You know. The breakaway knows it. They will get caught.
But what if they don’t? Just like Greg van Avermaet didn’t on Wednesday?
That’s what dreams are made of.
What other sporting event can you watch where the primary viewing is of 17th century castles and you’re still glued to your seat?
People say Test cricket is dying. That it only goes for five days (hopefully).
The Tour to end all tours is 20 plus.
Sure it’s a once a year thing, but still.
I’ll admit, I only know maybe 30 of the riders in the tour, but the commentary is the best of any sport (sorry Richie Benaud).
How can you make 200 kilometres of the same thing exciting is baffling to me.
It’s the time of the year when people put aside what’s best for the team to go on a breakaway – because they’re travelling through their home town.
Or don’t, because they believe in their younger teammate as – a name I forget – did for Bryan Coquard on Stage 4.
Now wouldn’t you love to see Brad Haddin open the bowling at the SCG in his final match?
Forget the Euros (which I download the morning after), the Tour is where it’s at.
I don’t care who wins, I don’t even know why I like the race, but I’ll be damned if I don’t travel to the south of France to try that cheese Gate was talking about.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Keenan and McEwen may not promote France as much, however, they know how to call a bike race for what it actually is, a bike race, not a travel guide. Phil and Paul are making an increasing amount of mistakes in their coverage...
delbeato
Roar Guru
Good on you Riley. I got hooked on cycling and Le Tour long ago. There's something primeval about watching the riders got toe-to-toe in the high mountains, watching them crack one by one that makes for a great sporting spectacle. That and the scenery. And Gabriel Gate. How about those cheese wheels?!
iron
Guest
Not liking the extended Keenan & McEwan commentary on SBS coverage. Sure, they need to prep for the day Phil and Paul finish up, but McEwen can harp on more in his own little world and what he used to do more than Paul ever does. They really butcher French pronunciations too with the Aussie twang. In a sport with commentary where there is a lot of talk to cover dead air, the tones of Phil & Paul are the king!
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
PS - the image says it is Team Sky, when it is actually Rohan Dennis of BMC Racing (from last year's tour). BMC are in yellow at the moment too.
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
It was Sylvain Chavanel who wanted to go for the stage win in a break (because riding through his home town), but decided to help Coquard instead. Chavanel is a crowd favourite in France, so no doubt he'll have a crack later in the tour. The times are thankfully a bit better over west, the night finishes before midnight here ... still have some tired days at work the next day though. I can't wait for the mountains ... see who really is up for this year's tour and who isn't (although Nibali looked gone for all money in the second week of the Giro, so you never know ... although I don't think anyone can give Quintana or Froome any time and make it back up).
smell the fear
Guest
my favourite part is that Cavendish has finished first on 29 stages yet finished 200th in the overall. My other favourite is that guys ride to get the other guy over the line. your job is to make sure you dont win b helping another guy, yet they dont call it a team sport. i also love the final stage how no one actually races
Brad
Guest
Spot on, I always use the excuse afl is better than nrl, hockey is better than soccer ect as there are more goals... more exciting but cycling is my exception that proves the rules. 5 hours of mind numbing repetition through sleep deprivation that some how becomes a must watch