tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post811885391203813666..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Tour de France Coverage, Retrogrouch-Style: 1986Brookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-23402148371219018762016-07-18T17:50:54.700-04:002016-07-18T17:50:54.700-04:00Very interesting addendum - Thanks!Very interesting addendum - Thanks!Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-16807961807559776972016-07-18T17:17:09.459-04:002016-07-18T17:17:09.459-04:00How about the second act of the 1986 season where ...How about the second act of the 1986 season where both went head-to-head in the first professional version of the Coors Classic Stage Race. Starting in San Francisco, CA and finishing in Boulder, CO two & half weeks later. The short story is that Bernard won the National Tour of America and Greg was a poor loser & didn't show for the honors dinner afterwards. It was the first pro race I ever officiated (minor position) but very memorable. Had honor of being "holder" for men's time trial starts at Niwot. No rider was more steady & Focus than Bernard that day. Just 30 years ago.The Old Cycling Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18299720017133485446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-17908450030921196582016-07-15T14:59:51.158-04:002016-07-15T14:59:51.158-04:00Assume that indeed Hinault promised to help Lemond...Assume that indeed Hinault promised to help Lemond. As it turned out that Lemond didn't need that help especially considering Greg's setbacks in the time trials. I would call Lemond giving Hinault the stage victory on Alpe d'Huez perfect payback - it was then that Hinault knew exactly who the better rider (and person) was. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12487488918772129565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-64767074024764838542016-07-14T19:05:39.723-04:002016-07-14T19:05:39.723-04:00Actually - I did happen to see that. It was pretty...Actually - I did happen to see that. It was pretty crazy. Part of me was thinking they could have penalized Froome for running without his bike (definitely a rules violation) but he clearly wasn't gaining any advantage from it -- in fact, he was getting passed left and right by people who were well behind him. What a day.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-11986902590506511842016-07-14T17:53:45.383-04:002016-07-14T17:53:45.383-04:00Today was a crazy day on Mt.Ventoux, the Yellow Je...Today was a crazy day on Mt.Ventoux, the Yellow Jersey's legend goes on !ofoabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02145180145442539127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-90745011921169756752016-07-14T05:51:07.317-04:002016-07-14T05:51:07.317-04:00> Bernard Hinault insists that he always intend...> Bernard Hinault insists that he always intended to honor his promise, even as he continually attacked LeMond. In fact, he has at times made the claim that by attacking continually, he was actually helping.<br /><br />You know, given the Hinault persona, I believe in what he states to this day. Be on this place anyone else, I'd definitely mark him a liar.tumbleweed_092https://www.blogger.com/profile/03101115616028888885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-61795118596988359802016-07-13T21:34:36.592-04:002016-07-13T21:34:36.592-04:00Slaying the Badger was very biased...book and show...Slaying the Badger was very biased...book and show.<br /><br />Americans tend to forget, or downplay, the fact that Lemond attacked his wounded leader in 85. A BIG no no. Basically, that promise was never going to be totally respected. He should not have to be told that his leader is only 1mn back for him to stop the attack: he should have obeyed orders like the domestique he was.<br /><br />Beside,many of Hinault attacks were wild solo efforts...if Lemond could not beat that tactic he would not have deserved the win.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00518909092982637229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-29261716316076758042016-07-13T09:24:19.558-04:002016-07-13T09:24:19.558-04:00Hinault always rode to win. In this The Badger did...Hinault always rode to win. In this The Badger did LeMond a great service by pushing him to ride harder and prove that he was a worthy competitor. mike w.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10317710564489321690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-89154794499999588912016-07-13T00:09:32.475-04:002016-07-13T00:09:32.475-04:00I do not mean to boast when I say that I pedaled u...I do not mean to boast when I say that I pedaled up Galibier, Telegraphe, Col d'Izoard, Alpe d'Huez, Peyresourde, Tourmalet and Aspin. Rather, I mention them because they showed me something that you mention in this post. <br /><br />Riding up them is not easy. But it's difficult (though not as) to descend them because, after tiring yourself on the climb, you have to keep your reflexes sharp through all of the twists and turns. Also, the weather can change very suddenly--even more so on the descents. A cloud can move through (Yes, I've pedaled through clouds), blocking the sun--or bringing sudden precipitation. Or the sun can come out. Or the wind can shift. Such changes can overheat or dehydrate you--or induce hypothermia, not to mention stiffness and soreness. <br /><br />Thus, as you point out, descending was indeed an invaluabe skill for LeMond. He was a great all-around rider, but that skill gave him an edge over most other riders--even including Hinault and Fignon.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.com