Sports Eye
Tour de France then and now
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
AFTER the ballyhooed and heartbreaking 2013 NBA championship won by the Miami Heat, avid sports followers all over the world are now focusing their attention in the Wimbledon and the Tour de France (TdF). And I guess by the time you read this piece, (I’m making this Friday) perhaps the Wimby championship may still be in progress or maybe have just concluded. With the early exit of some of the big guns like Rafael Nadal of Spain, Roger Federer of Switzerland and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of France, to name a few, experts say the title might go to either Serbian conquistador Novak Djokovic or the regal Englishman Andy Murray. In the distaff side, with the unexpected egress of some of the top seeds like Russian pride Maria Sharapova, Serb Victoria Azarenka, Polish Caroline Wozniacki, and the biggest victim, world number No. 1-ranked and Wimby No. 1-seeded Serena Williams overpowered by 23rd-seeded German lass Sabine Lisicksi in the fourth round, Lisicki is now the new hands-on favourite to win the crown.
But let’s talk lengthier about the TdF which is in progress. Being a Pangasinense and cycling being one of the most treasured sports of our province mates, the TdF, despite the smudge and indignity that the American rider Lance Armstrong gave to the fabled multi-stage bike race, Tour de France is Tour de France and will always be patronized, adored by the world’s cycling buffs and sponsors especially in Europe and in the Americas. Cycling is the number one sport in France and European scribes say it’s the number two favorite sport in the whole continent of Europe, next to football. The adulation for this two-wheeled event started in 1903 when the first TdF, staged in just six days, was won by their compatriot Maurice Garin. This year is the 100th edition and Frenchmen carry a total of 34 tiaras since it was born, led by the two legends and five-time winners the late Jacques Anquetil (1957, 1961, ’62, ’63, ’64) and Bernard Hinault (1978, ’79, 1981, ’82, 85.). But after that unforgettable and scintillating reign by Hinault during the 80’s, France so far has yet to find a formidable substitute in the last 27 years to regain the coveted title. For some reason, beyond the knowledge of some experts (including this writer), the Frenchmen’s conquest of the sport they created abruptly stopped. They have been title-less since 1986 up to the present. Twenty-seven years drought is already too long for them being the maker of this 21-day bikathon considered as the richest, longest, toughest, most renowned and most prestigious multi-stage bicycle road race in the globe.
Belgium comes in second with 18 TdF diadems spearheaded (also) by five-time winner Eddy Merckx (1969, 1970, ’71,’ 72, ’74). I considered this Belgian ace as the greatest cyclist that this planet had ever produced. He also won the Giro ‘d Italia (Tour of Italy) five times, Vuelta Espana (Tour of Spain), Tour de Suisse (Tour of Switzerland), Eight-Day Paris-Nice Tour, three-time world road race champion, among the grand slams in cycling. His co-five time winners were unable to do the feat that Merckx has accomplished. He was adored by the Belgian people during his cycling heydays and treated him like a king. He put their country in the map ‘ika nga and became a world icon then and until now.
Spain is third with 12 TdF crowns led by the illustrious Miguel Indurain (1991, ’92, ’93, ’94, ’95). Italy is fourth with nine, Luxembourg got four while U.S. has three solely done by Greg Lemond, Netherland and Switzerland won two apiece and one each for Ireland (Stephen Roche, 1987), Denmark (Bjarne Riis, 1996), Germany (Jan Ulrich, 1997), Australia (Cadel Evans, 2011) and England (Bradley Wiggins, 2012).
U.S. should have won at least 11 TdF titles if Armstrong’s seven straight victories were counted and not stripped from him. The other was Floyd Landis in 2006, the former friend and teammate of Armstrong but surprisingly became one of the ‘whistle blowers’ against Armstrong. The Texan Armstrong should have been called the ‘greatest Tour de France cyclist’ if not for that discovery of his cheating. What I only admire about Armstrong (now) is his honesty in the end. He finally admitted to his wrong doings during his seven consecutive runs.
The 21-day Tdf this year started last June 29, marred by a pile-up accident near the finish line. My instincts tell me that the 17th, 18th and 19th stages are the most crucial days of the race that will determine who will be the king of the road this year. It features the 32-kilometer race-against-the clock stage plus two taxing and strenuous Alp d’ Huez climbs which will separate the boys from the men. Let’s wait and see. The race ends on July 21 with a traditional 133.5-kilometer flat trek from Versailles to Paris Champs-Elysees where the grand awarding ceremony will be held.
* * * *
My heartfelt sympathy to the family of The PUNCH editorial consultant Gerry E. Garcia who passed away peacefully in the grace of our Lord on July 2, 2013 at the age of 87.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, and the end of his talk is raving madness. ECCLESIASTES 10: 12-13
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
