With only a handfull of US riders in the Tour we had 5 in the top 12 of the TT and 2 in the overall top 10!!! Just think, if Tyler didn't get hurt it would have been even more. As a cycling fan it's a GREAT thing to see. Let's hope it translates to more and more exposure for the sport here at home.

There were two Germans and one American in the top four. That's 50%. With that data I'd say that the Germans dominated the tour. Now how do I make that icon for tongue-in-cheek?

Cycling is an individual's sport, with team support. If any of those other Americans in the top 12 had a different passport, don't you think they'd still be in the same spot?

As for Tyler, he needs to remain upright on his bike to even be considered a threat. Tires roll much better than a helmet.

There were two Germans and one American in the top four. That's 50%. With that data I'd say that the Germans dominated the tour. Now how do I make that icon for tongue-in-cheek?

Cycling is an individual's sport, with team support. If any of those other Americans in the top 12 had a different passport, don't you think they'd still be in the same spot?

As for Tyler, he needs to remain upright on his bike to even be considered a threat. Tires roll much better than a helmet.

Not getting into overall statistics (Sure GER had 2 in the top four), the point of my post is simply that its great to see that many US riders do well today and in the overall GC.

And I'm think I am missing your point on the "Cycling is an individual's sport, with team support. If any of those other Americans in the top 12 had a different passport, don't you think they'd still be in the same spot?

Yes...they would be in the same spot today....and that is what was so great about the stage.

The next question for the masses is what impact does LA's win (and for that matter all the Americans strong performance) have on the sport here?

"And I'm think I am missing your point ...." Basically I'm trying to infer that being American doesn't mean squat when racing a bike. All of the Americans racing in this Tour honed their skills and fitness in Europe. America played such a small role with funding and support. If anyone received funding and other support, it was corporate or private, not federal. America considers the bicycle a toy, and bicycling is not considered a sport. There are no balls involved, especially true with Lance. Greg Lemond and now Lance Armstrong have spurred the movement and gotten some recognition, but a hell of a lot more people know who Kobe Bryant, AROD, Joe Montana etc are than Lance Armstrong. There is a time to be patriotic but Lance Armstrong did not win 6 Tours because he was American. He won because he is a great cyclist.

"And I'm think I am missing your point ...." Basically I'm trying to infer that being American doesn't mean squat when racing a bike. All of the Americans racing in this Tour honed their skills and fitness in Europe. America played such a small role with funding and support. If anyone received funding and other support, it was corporate or private, not federal. America considers the bicycle a toy, and bicycling is not considered a sport. There are no balls involved, especially true with Lance. Greg Lemond and now Lance Armstrong have spurred the movement and gotten some recognition, but a hell of a lot more people know who Kobe Bryant, AROD, Joe Montana etc are than Lance Armstrong. There is a time to be patriotic but Lance Armstrong did not win 6 Tours because he was American. He won because he is a great cyclist.

Being American may not mean squat when racing a bike but an American racing a bike well does mean alot to the US. Sure they honed their skills in Europe....but America did play a major role with funding and support....USPS, NIKE, AMD and others....Lance was in that wind tunnel in Washington, Not in Europe. And of course the funding is corporate....correct me if I'm wrong but the NY Yankees don't get any federal support...this isn't old school Eastern Block. LA won 6 AS AN AMERICAN and a great cyclist. I think I am done wasting my time with you :)

When you look at how few US citizens have even ridden in the tour, you are right, it is amazing. It is even more amazing considering how little public support cycling receives in the US (and the outcry that Postal even sponsors a team). Almost a million people watched the TT the other day, and most of those guys (most appeared to be male) would arguably be closer to US football fans than something like golf fans (if I may make that analogy)... and judging by the number of RVs and tents, many of these fans literally camped out to watch the race. There was relatively little nationalism (other than flag waving) involved- which is significant when you consider the Basque separatist movement, for example.

Conversely, I do find it annoying that locally, it is almost impossible to close a race to traffic, that motorists still "don't get it," the coworkers think I'm a freak when I commute by bike, that LA is probably the only pro cyclist that most US citizens know by name (or face), that the TdF is still relegated to coverage on a relatively obscure cable network, that some dillettante "biker" coworkers seem to think my european-made frame, components, wheels, helmet, etc... are all off-brands compared to Trek (or that it would even be suggested that I keep even my beater commuter locked up outdoors at the office)...

You are absolutely right... it is a miracle Americans have done as well in the tour! Or that LA even receives the level of endorsement money that he does...

As it does become more popular in the US, roadies will need to be more tolerant of a heightened "fred factor" and allow them some space on the learning curve (or fashion curve)- otherwise it is doomed to be some snobbish "elitist" endeavor- which it decidedly is NOT in europe.

I agree with some of your facts, which is why I think its amazing that americans did so well. They didn't grow up idolizing posters of pro cyclists, yet still chose the sport and excelled. Of course they honed their skills in Europe, that's the epi-center of bicycling. Funding is always corporate, regardless of country. Being Texan and American does in fact mean something when racing in Europe. Its the american dream that you can go off and dominate if you have the desire. Being American is what gave him the opportunity.


"And I'm think I am missing your point ...." Basically I'm trying to infer that being American doesn't mean squat when racing a bike. All of the Americans racing in this Tour honed their skills and fitness in Europe. America played such a small role with funding and support. If anyone received funding and other support, it was corporate or private, not federal. America considers the bicycle a toy, and bicycling is not considered a sport. There are no balls involved, especially true with Lance. Greg Lemond and now Lance Armstrong have spurred the movement and gotten some recognition, but a hell of a lot more people know who Kobe Bryant, AROD, Joe Montana etc are than Lance Armstrong. There is a time to be patriotic but Lance Armstrong did not win 6 Tours because he was American. He won because he is a great cyclist.

With all the genetically modified fruits/veggies and all the hormone pumped beef/chicken, it's no wonder we're kicking a--

Maybe now that the EU has lifted the ban on Frankenfoods, maybe they'll catch up.