Le Tour de France

Last saturday evening was completely dedicated to the Tour de France. It was in the 13th stage on saturday. The course in the Pyrenees was fantastic, the landscape absolutely mesmerizing.

All the cyclists were at their very best. The enthusiasm of the spectators there was simply incredible, around a million people came down to the course to witness the event and cheer their favourite team. My favourite is none other than Lance Armstrong, who leads the US Postal Serivce Pro Cycling Team.

For those who don't know Lance Armstrong, Lance was born on 18th September, 1971 at Plano, Texas. He began cycling at the age of 13 and was a professional cyclist by 16. By 1996, Lance was the No. 1 ranked cyclist in the world and competed as a member of the U.S. Cycling Team in the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.

In 1996, when he was at the top of his cycling career, he was forced off his bike in excruciating pain. Here it was revealed that he had testicular cancer.
The tests further revealed that the cancer had spread to his lungs and brain. His chances of recovery were 50-50. He had to undergo surgery to remove the malignant testicle and the lesions in his brain plus a severe course of chemotherapy, after which he was declared cancer-free. This incidence changed his life for ever.

But then this did not deter him from starting again. After two years, he decided to make a comeback, but to his surprise, his Confids team had dropped him. Later he saw a ray of hope as the US Postal Serivce team showed faith in him and offered him a contract, which had him make a successful come back.

This wasn't an ordinary come back, he displayed his courage and determination by winning the Tour de France in 1999 and repeatedly won the same in the following four seasons too.

The Tour de France, claimed to be the toughest and the most gruelling of the cycling races, comprises of 21 stages which go on for 23 days. Winning doesn't seem to be important as you need to survive first and then win.

This season also saw a budding talent, the 25 year old Frenchman Thomas Voeckler. His technique and strategy didn't seem to be very superior, but then his determination should be seen to be believed. He really strived to keep the yellow jersey for the ninth day.

Lance Armstrong's team seemed to be very calm, they didn't seem to be competing at all. All five members together riding in unison, didn't loose their cool even as three riders were before them. Meanwhile Lance also had a flat tyre, but that didn't panick him at all, he got the tyres replaced in less than a minute, got back and took the lead and then went on to beat race leader Ivan Basso.

Its sheer courage and determination, that brings out these men here for the Tour de France.

But I still go with Lance Armstrong, hes the darling of the Tour de France, hats off to him. If given a chance I would like to live the life of Lance Armstrong at Tour de France for a day. I would like to experience his will, courage and determination, that has brought him from the death bed into the fore-front of his cycling career.

Well in this blog, I've written more of Lance Armstrong then the Tour de France, as hes much more like an idol to me.

For more details on Lance Armstrong and the Tour de France go through the following links:

Lance Armstrong >>
Tour de France >>