will he be banned from competing in the Tour, as all other riders "involved with any police or judicial investigation?"

That being the case...the french police could start "investigating" every non-french rider to get them disqualified. That way the french could finally have a winner. That seems to be the overall objective of changes to the tour.

will he be banned from competing in the Tour, as all other riders "involved with any police or judicial investigation?"


Sounds like a silly reason to ban someone.

Of course if there is a police or judicial investigation, he should have to abide by the same rules as everyone else, silly as they are. Perhaps that would force them to rethink the rules.

A 2004 TdF without Lance and US Postal, for this "investigation" reason, would be catastrophic. I'm sure OLN would throw a fit.

That being the case...the french police could start "investigating" every non-french rider to get them disqualified. That way the french could finally have a winner. That seems to be the overall objective of changes to the tour.

And the anti-French bigots crawl out of the woodwork.

Riddle me this, Mr. Wizard, which French rider are they trying to set up for the win with this year's course and rules?

The problem with that is that more French riders would get banned from competing than American riders, as evidenced by Armstrong's preferrential treatment from Tour de France and UCI officials.

will he be banned from competing in the Tour, as all other riders "involved with any police or judicial investigation?"

I imagine the "rule" would change, pronto.

That being the case...the french police could start "investigating" every non-french rider to get them disqualified. That way the french could finally have a winner. That seems to be the overall objective of changes to the tour.

What changes at the Tour have been implemented to get a French rider to win or even to hinder Armstrong? I mean, they kept the TTT throughout Armstrongs reign and that certainly favors him. Has there been a decrease in the number of TTs or mountain top finishes, which would at least favor the oppurtunist gaining a bunch of time on a innocuous stage and then holding on to the lead? The French don't have a single rider capable of winning a grand tour, I don't even think they have anybody who can get top 10, do they? I don't know how you'd set it up so one would win.

And the Italians are the ones being affected by this rule anyway. With little or no investigations going on in Spain (despite the Manzano revelations) they're still in the clear. The Dutch and everybody else but the Belgiums are still not being hassled by the police.

And the anti-French bigots crawl out of the woodwork.

Riddle me this, Mr. Wizard, which French rider are they trying to set up for the win with this year's course and rules?
First of all, I was being sarcastic, but the strongest french rider I do see in this years tour is Christophe Moreau. He has had a very good last three months.

Hey I have a WW2 era French Rifle for Sale.
Shot Once, Dropped Once. White Hanky still attached to the bayonet.

Hey why are their so many trees on the Champs?
So the Krauts can march in the shade.

sorry...couldn't help myself Maginot Line, Plan 17 and all.
I'm dying here.

What changes at the Tour have been implemented to get a French rider to win or even to hinder Armstrong? I mean, they kept the TTT throughout Armstrongs reign and that certainly favors him.
I thought that ONCE was the TTT leader last year.

Hey I have a WW2 era French Rifle for Sale.
Shot Once, Dropped Once. White Hanky still attached to the bayonet.

Hey why are their so many trees on the Champs?
So the Krauts can march in the shade.

sorry...couldn't help myself Maginot Line, Plan 17 and all.
I'm dying here.

I believe it was Churchill who said "I'd rather have the french in front of me, than behind me"

nearly every year but last year (USPS finally beat them) and when Credit Agricole took it (2 or 3 ya). I think ONCE won 2 ya, but am not sure, either way flip flop those 2 and you'll have it right. Once was always there in the fight.