SQJ Taipei

I admit I struggle with this kind of post… I’m totally swamped right now… just back from TMF… the CIY group (of 15) here in 2 days… massive travel plans being made… budgets… emails to be answered… etc. But I can’t stop thinking of “Le Tour”. I wish I had the discipline to put it out of my head… but I guess I don’t have it… and I’m hoping that making this post will help me move on!

July 7 marked the start of the 2007 Tour de France. The Tour often takes riders outside of France, but I think this is the first time that the Tour has gone to England. Yes… the prologue of the tour was held in London. This is just one more reason to love the Tour. Besides the Stanley Cup and the Olympics, it is the one sporting event that I’d most like to attend.

I found a new blog about the Tour de France. It is really well done and well written.

The Tour de France for the Rest of Us

Besides excellent commentary in regular posts… John Hay, Jr (the blogger) has an excellent sidebar feature - TdF Lingo. If you are new to following the Tour, you’ll find it especially helpful… but I’ve followed the Tour for YEARS and still find it helpful.

I’m not going to blog about the Tour everyday… but I am going to give you some links so that you can get the news you want about it if you decide that you do want it.

1 Good Wiki
www.tdfwiki.com

2 Good Blogs
The Tour de France for the Rest of Us
www.tdfblog.com

3 Good Websites
Le Tour Official Site - English
Eurosport TdF Coverage
Velonews TdF Coverage

My predictions
General Classification Podium Finishers

1. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kazakhstan - Astana)
2. Andreas Kloden (Germany - Astana)
3. Carlos Sastre (Spain - CSC)

Green Jersey - Robbie McEwen (Australia - Predictor-Lotto)

Polka Dot Jersey - Michael Rasmussen (Denmark - Rabobank)

Top American Finshers (possibly all in the top 10)

1. Levi Leipheimer (Discovery Channel)
2. George Hincapie (Discovery Channel)
3. David Zabriskie (CSC)

Team Finish

1. Astana
2. Discovery Channel
3. CSC

I’ll try to revisit this post at the end of the month and see how the predictions fared.

Photo Information:
Australia’s Robbie McEwen (Predictor/Bel) celebrates as he crosses the finish line of the first stage of the 94th Tour de France cycling race between London and Canterbury, 08 July 2007. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images