Alright, there you have it. The Gods of the Mountains put on their angry misty hats and had Schleck and Contador sort it out. Schleck on the attack, Contador as matador. Schleck showed strength, Contador the convincing style of a climber. Both were equally strong. Maybe Contador didn't insist to win the stage in the final sprint: bad conscience from his "chain reaction" on Monday, when the temptation to attack Schleck, who had a chain problem, was too great.
Contador also never led today, which is only partly understandable: Schleck was the challenger, but with his help, Contador put time between himself and all other contenders. But Schleck did all the work. Schleck didn't seem to hold any grudge after both arrived on top of the Tourmalet.
The Tour might be over right now. In the history of the Tour there is that moment, as the one we see now, when the final explanation has taken place.
However, getting back to Contador's chain reaction, where he stole 39 seconds, he really has one unfinished business: he has to win the Tour with at least 40 seconds ahead of Schleck, not 8, and honor is save. Though it is not over until the fat lady sings. Who could that be?
In the meantime, hats off for Versus Television, for their excellent reporting.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.
Alberto Contador is sorry that people think he should not have won the yellow jersey the way he did. It took him some coaching and the time to set up for a damage control interview in his room to profer a "lo siento". Anyone familiar with the sport didn't need so much time, but jumped at the view of Contador sprinting away from his main competitor, beating not him but his failing bike. The pistolero, whom I always considered as a world class champion, has lost class. Maybe by tomorrow he'll lose the champion title too. The pistolero, mimicking shooting his guns when winning a stage, just robbed the bank for a short time gain. He lost in attractiveness as a role model, which is for a professional athlete the equivalent of losing sponsors' money, the long term gain for being a hero.
But, for one thing, the pistolero brought a lot of passion to the Tour that otherwise has been already one of the best in recent years.
Today Alberto should have time to scrutinize the horizon, as the Gods of the Mountains are waiting for him tomorrow. They seem to disapprove and put on their angry faces and cloudy hats. They cannot be talked out of the Truth, one cannot tell them "I'm sorry" , and they'll punish those who don't obey their rules.
http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/etape_par_etape.html
But, for one thing, the pistolero brought a lot of passion to the Tour that otherwise has been already one of the best in recent years.
Today Alberto should have time to scrutinize the horizon, as the Gods of the Mountains are waiting for him tomorrow. They seem to disapprove and put on their angry faces and cloudy hats. They cannot be talked out of the Truth, one cannot tell them "I'm sorry" , and they'll punish those who don't obey their rules.
http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/1700/etape_par_etape.html
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tour de France: It's hardly fair play, says angry Schleck
The Kiwis got it right. The New Zealand Herald's opinion is:
"Now, the gloves are off at the Tour de France.
A furious Andy Schleck of Luxembourg lost the yellow jersey after his chain derailed during a tough climb yesterday in the Pyrenees - and defending champion Alberto Contador unabashedly sped ahead to take the race lead."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cycling/news/article.cfm?c_id=31&objectid=10660152
"Now, the gloves are off at the Tour de France.
A furious Andy Schleck of Luxembourg lost the yellow jersey after his chain derailed during a tough climb yesterday in the Pyrenees - and defending champion Alberto Contador unabashedly sped ahead to take the race lead."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cycling/news/article.cfm?c_id=31&objectid=10660152
Luxembourg and Australia: And , oh no, the winner is Luxembourg!
The Mouse that roared! Roude Le'iw huel Se! Andy Schleck, go get him!
Running up the white flag on foreign affairs.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/running-up-the-white-flag-on-foreign-affairs-20100720-10jk6.html
Everyone should by now have gotten visits, if not bribes, from three contenders for two seats at the UN Security Council. Those candidates were Australia, Finland and Luxembourg. Guess what: those who didn't yet get any bribe or any visit, forget about it then. There are only two candidates left. Australia dropped out, given the ridiculous cost for a questionable prestige win.
For Luxembourg it means, we cannot even withdraw. We won for the second time in our history after that glorious assault on the USA of our twelve men expeditionary corps under the unlucky leadership of Peter Sellers in the "Mouse that Roared". We were destined to lose, but Peter Seller's men messed up and inadvertently won the war against the US.
Now someone messed up history again and we are going to get that seat on that thing, or "machin" as de Gaulle used to say. There we'll save the world, tell Israel what they do wrong, embrace Ahmewhatever and reunite Belgium. But you, you the Dutch, who sided with Australia against Luxembourg, get prepared. We'll send you upside down right down under so that your brains get some irrigation in that inversed position. What a blunder! We resent it. It is hard to believe that we were once part of the Netherlands! Though even then Luxembourg had a higher elevation at Grevels Knapp.
I know, it's hard to believe: we could have spared those promotional trips to Ulan Bator, Bandar Seri Begawan and Asuncion. Asuncion is that Paraguay or Uruguay? Got you there! You should know if you pretend to save the world.
The ominous article concludes: "Leaving Luxembourg to take a seat on the council unchallenged would be like delegating questions of international peace and security to the mayor of Geelong." You have to know that Juncker is no mayor of Geelong. Where the heck is Geelong? Uruguay? We haven't been there yet.
Running up the white flag on foreign affairs.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/running-up-the-white-flag-on-foreign-affairs-20100720-10jk6.html
Everyone should by now have gotten visits, if not bribes, from three contenders for two seats at the UN Security Council. Those candidates were Australia, Finland and Luxembourg. Guess what: those who didn't yet get any bribe or any visit, forget about it then. There are only two candidates left. Australia dropped out, given the ridiculous cost for a questionable prestige win.
For Luxembourg it means, we cannot even withdraw. We won for the second time in our history after that glorious assault on the USA of our twelve men expeditionary corps under the unlucky leadership of Peter Sellers in the "Mouse that Roared". We were destined to lose, but Peter Seller's men messed up and inadvertently won the war against the US.
Now someone messed up history again and we are going to get that seat on that thing, or "machin" as de Gaulle used to say. There we'll save the world, tell Israel what they do wrong, embrace Ahmewhatever and reunite Belgium. But you, you the Dutch, who sided with Australia against Luxembourg, get prepared. We'll send you upside down right down under so that your brains get some irrigation in that inversed position. What a blunder! We resent it. It is hard to believe that we were once part of the Netherlands! Though even then Luxembourg had a higher elevation at Grevels Knapp.
I know, it's hard to believe: we could have spared those promotional trips to Ulan Bator, Bandar Seri Begawan and Asuncion. Asuncion is that Paraguay or Uruguay? Got you there! You should know if you pretend to save the world.
The ominous article concludes: "Leaving Luxembourg to take a seat on the council unchallenged would be like delegating questions of international peace and security to the mayor of Geelong." You have to know that Juncker is no mayor of Geelong. Where the heck is Geelong? Uruguay? We haven't been there yet.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Tour de France: Schleck vs Contador.
Today's stage in the Pyrenees was all set to be one where the Truth about leadership would come out. And it did in a big way.
It was to separate the best from the second best, and it did so in a perverse way: the best was relegated to second place. A mechanical incident threw the attacking Schleck out of the moment. Moment that Contador used to make a difference.
On the day the Tour de France celebrates the 100's anniversary of the inclusion of the Pyrenees in the track of the race, Contador's seizing of the moment flies into the face of the chivalrous tradition of this grand sport. There have been memorable battles between champions. There has been a sort of code of honor not to take advantage of a situation born out of bad luck such as a mechanical incident or a crash. That gentlemanly behavior was not Contador's today. He might win the Tour, with a bitter after taste. Contador, you don't do those things without consequences.
Of course sneaky behaviors and betrayals of trust have existed before. Speaking about another such incident and inelegant behavior involving a Luxembourg champion, let's revisit the Tour 1958. Charly Gaul who was one of the serious contenders for a final win, virtually lost his chances in the 19th stage, where he had a mechanical incident. Raphael Geminiani (and others) took advantage to relegate Gaul at more than 16 minutes. Two stages later an angry Gaul shook up the whole field in a punishing 21st stage. Not only did he do it, he announced that he was going to do it on the departing line. The press said on that day that Charly Gaul "the Angel of the Mountains" had become "the Demon of the Mountains."
Contador, I wish you in the days to come to be confronted by the true leader. Prepare not to meet "Andy" Schleck, but "Angry" Schleck.
It was to separate the best from the second best, and it did so in a perverse way: the best was relegated to second place. A mechanical incident threw the attacking Schleck out of the moment. Moment that Contador used to make a difference.
On the day the Tour de France celebrates the 100's anniversary of the inclusion of the Pyrenees in the track of the race, Contador's seizing of the moment flies into the face of the chivalrous tradition of this grand sport. There have been memorable battles between champions. There has been a sort of code of honor not to take advantage of a situation born out of bad luck such as a mechanical incident or a crash. That gentlemanly behavior was not Contador's today. He might win the Tour, with a bitter after taste. Contador, you don't do those things without consequences.
Of course sneaky behaviors and betrayals of trust have existed before. Speaking about another such incident and inelegant behavior involving a Luxembourg champion, let's revisit the Tour 1958. Charly Gaul who was one of the serious contenders for a final win, virtually lost his chances in the 19th stage, where he had a mechanical incident. Raphael Geminiani (and others) took advantage to relegate Gaul at more than 16 minutes. Two stages later an angry Gaul shook up the whole field in a punishing 21st stage. Not only did he do it, he announced that he was going to do it on the departing line. The press said on that day that Charly Gaul "the Angel of the Mountains" had become "the Demon of the Mountains."
Contador, I wish you in the days to come to be confronted by the true leader. Prepare not to meet "Andy" Schleck, but "Angry" Schleck.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Kim Kirchen released from hospital following cardiac arrest, proud father of twins
There you go!
There you go!
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Twins
Twins
Kim Kirchen released from hospital following cardiac arrest, proud father of twins
There you go!
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Twins
Twins
Kim Kirchen released from hospital following cardiac arrest, proud father of twins
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Naples News Guest Commentary: Jackson Lab’s answers trigger more questions
Or: Could Luxembourg teach us something here?
This is a case study for any public economic development specialist. Jackson Laboratories, a non-profit from Maine has been singled out by a number of political and business leaders in Naples and Collier County to become the anchor of a "biomedical village" at a cost of $260 million in public money. Other future "bio-villagers" won't get any of those funds, and generally, incentive programs for other businesses in Naples and surroundings are dismal. No wonder the only existing economic activities gravitate around real estate, tourism and agriculture. Is this fertile ground for such a project? Not without serious amendments, including safeguards and an overhaul of existing policies. The dozen talking points used by promoters at this point show very few certainties but some special interests which opens more questions.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/03/guest-commentary-jackson-labs-answers-trigger-more/?cid=Facebook
Some more things could have been said, such as if you are really rich, what about a Biobank? But if you don't have the money and your commentary is limited to 750 words, that one has to be dropped first.
This is a case study for any public economic development specialist. Jackson Laboratories, a non-profit from Maine has been singled out by a number of political and business leaders in Naples and Collier County to become the anchor of a "biomedical village" at a cost of $260 million in public money. Other future "bio-villagers" won't get any of those funds, and generally, incentive programs for other businesses in Naples and surroundings are dismal. No wonder the only existing economic activities gravitate around real estate, tourism and agriculture. Is this fertile ground for such a project? Not without serious amendments, including safeguards and an overhaul of existing policies. The dozen talking points used by promoters at this point show very few certainties but some special interests which opens more questions.
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/03/guest-commentary-jackson-labs-answers-trigger-more/?cid=Facebook
Some more things could have been said, such as if you are really rich, what about a Biobank? But if you don't have the money and your commentary is limited to 750 words, that one has to be dropped first.
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