http://www.byjamesraia.com en-us N/A robert@cfx.org Tue, 13 May 2008 09:14:31 EDT 20 http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/71/1/The-Tour-de-France-Ends-a-2200-Miles-Forward-One-Giant-Step-Backwards/Page1.html The 94th Tour de France began July 7 in London in a debut departure city, without a defending titlist and with hopes of a new, successful chapter in its desire to fight doping.

It ended 23 days later after a good supply of superior cycling, a surprise winner and a fourth American reaching the podium.

But the Tour was also no closer toward its quest to alleviate its long association with performance-enhancing drugs.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Mon, 30 Jul 2007 01:56:29 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/71/1/The-Tour-de-France-Ends-a-2200-Miles-Forward-One-Giant-Step-Backwards/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/70/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-20-Preview-The-End-Is-Here--And-I039m-Clean/Page1.html No city is more closely connected to the Tour de France than Paris. Between stage departures and finishes, the country's most renowned city has been part of the world's most renowned cycling event more than 130 times.

Despite its race history dating to 1904, the relationship between Paris and the Tour is in a bit of a rut.

With infrequent deviations — including the 1989 dramatic concluding time trial and overall title won by Greg LeMond — the race each year since 1975 has ended with what is often described as a celebratory final-day ride into Paris.





]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:27:05 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/70/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-20-Preview-The-End-Is-Here--And-I039m-Clean/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/69/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-19-Preview--The-Final-Race-Of-Truth-How-Ironic/Page1.html With the scandal and ugliness currently defused, the business of competition is back in focus at the Tour de France. As such, this year's race winner will likely be determined in Saturday's 19th stage individual time trial.

The field will pedal 55 kilometers (34.17 miles) from Cognac to Angouleme individually and in reverse order of their position in the overall standings.

And in about five hours after the first rider begins, the winner will be known and likely the final top-10 classification will have been determined in preparation for Sunday's largely ceremonial final-day ride into Paris.

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:21:33 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/69/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-19-Preview--The-Final-Race-Of-Truth-How-Ironic/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/67/1/Tour-de-France-03907-Stage-18-Preview-Paris-Is-On-The-Horizon-a-Good/Page1.html There are three riding days to Paris and the end of the 2007 Tour de France. And it's a safe assumption, the peloton can't wait.

Via injury, illness and disgrace, only 141 of the starting field of 189 in London on July 7 remain. That's about 75 percent of the original field, and weary and frustrated those still left will face stage 18 of the 20-stage race Friday.

The field will ride 211 kilometers (131 miles) from Cahors to Angouleme on another rolling, scenic route through the Dordogne region on a northwest trek toward Paris.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:40:27 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/67/1/Tour-de-France-03907-Stage-18-Preview-Paris-Is-On-The-Horizon-a-Good/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/66/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-17-Preview-Welcome-To-Pau-The-Tour-Is-Imploding/Page1.html The 2007 Tour de France is imploding. The teams sponsored by Astana and Cofidis, based on the positive drug tests of one rider from each squad, have withdrawn.

Michael Rasmussen of Denmark, the leader of the race since stage eight, has been kicked of the event by his team, Rabobank, for lying about his whereabouts for out-of-competiton drug tests.

But until further notice, the race will go on. And as such, there are four stages left in the race's 94th edition, including a rolling voyage Thursday from Pau to Castelsarrasin.


]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:36:52 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/66/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-17-Preview-Welcome-To-Pau-The-Tour-Is-Imploding/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/65/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-16-Preview-VinoAstana-Out-Last-Mountains-Loom/Page1.html With the announcement of Kazakhstan rider Alexandre Vinokourov's positive test for homologous blood-doping — the illegal injection of an other person's red blood cells—  Tour de France organizers may have a more difficult task at hand than the severity of any of the race's mountain.

Nevertheless, despite the departure of the Vinokourov and his Astana team, the race will go on. And after Tuesday's rest day, Wednesday's stage 16 will likely unfold dramatically as the last mountain stage of the 2007 event.

Riders will pedal 218.5 kilometers (135.7 miles) from Orthez-Courette to Col d'Aubisque. The stage, which will briefly enter Spain, will include four categorized climbs, including the final two hors categorie (above category) climbs of this year's race.

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:30:08 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/65/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-16-Preview-VinoAstana-Out-Last-Mountains-Loom/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/64/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Rest-Day-2-Remembering-Cycling039s-Pioneers/Page1.html The 2007 Tour de France has its second and final rest day Tuesday, and like all race editions, this year's presentations has had its share of dramatic riding and odd occurrences.

And beyond the continuing drug accusations, the traditions of bicycle racing at its highest level has continued for yet another year.

The Tour is the Tour. It's the sport's most celebrated event, and its history has been well-documented.

Its founder and first race director, Henri Desgrange was a newspaper advertising executive and former elite track cyclist, who conceived the event as a promotion to battle a rival newspaper.

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Mon, 23 Jul 2007 16:02:53 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/64/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Rest-Day-2-Remembering-Cycling039s-Pioneers/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/63/1/Tour-de-France-2007-Stage-15-Preview-All-Hail-To-The-Queen-Stage/Page1.html Sixteen days into the 2007 Tour de France, the weary riders will encounter Monday what is known in cycling parlance as the "Queen Stage" in stage 15.

Following the individual time trial 13th stage Saturday and the first day in the Pyrenees on Sunday in the 14th stage, all the contenders and pretenders have been identified. And with six stages left in the race's 94th edition, one major question remains:

Can Michael Rasmussen (Rabobank) of Denmark retain the overall lead he assumed after stage 8?

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Sun, 22 Jul 2007 17:24:14 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/63/1/Tour-de-France-2007-Stage-15-Preview-All-Hail-To-The-Queen-Stage/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/62/1/Tour-de-France-03907-Stage-14-Preview-Welcome-To-The-Pyrenees/Page1.html Welcome to the Pyrenees. Let the winner of the 2007 Tour de France step forward.

The 14th stage Sunday will take the peloton 197 kilometers (122.3 miles) from Mazamet to Plateau de Beille, and it will mark the first of the race's three demanding mountain stages.

And make no mistake, the trio of climbing stages spread over the next four days, will likely determine the race winner and will also likely "crack" the riders who are currently trying to hold on to their aspirations of arriving in Paris on the final day, July 29.
]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:51:45 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/62/1/Tour-de-France-03907-Stage-14-Preview-Welcome-To-The-Pyrenees/Page1.html http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/61/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-12-Preview-Say-Goodbye-To-The-Mediterranean/Page1.html The second and last transitional road stage between the Alps and the Pyrenees occurs Friday in the Tour de France with riders set for another hot day primarily along the southern coast and then a late-day deviation inland.

The field of 168 (from a starting group of 189 in London on July 7) will ride 178.5 kilometers (110.9 miles) from Montpellier to Castres. It's an ideal stage for a strong team rider to vie for a stage win with the race's first individual time trial and three mountain stages on the near horizon.

Warm weather is expected again during the stage, which will include four categorized climbs, although none of substantial concern.

]]> no@spam.com (James Raia) Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:05:50 EDT http://www.byjamesraia.com/articles/61/1/Tour-de--France-2007-Stage-12-Preview-Say-Goodbye-To-The-Mediterranean/Page1.html