Screw the Dopers Politics and Critics

And Andrew, if you don’t remember the ESPN coverage of the Tour, back in the 80s and early 90s, you have no idea how bad it can be.

They would do 30 minutes each night, but for some reason, 15-20 minutes of each broadcast recapped the previous stage. That left 10-15 minute for the entirety of the day’s race AND the podium presentations and overall standings.

It was like trying to watch a ballet performance through 5 snapshots.

‘If you really want to help, buy a Saab’? Has smoking crack been good to you Andrew?

@Frank - Adrian Karsten. Wow that sucked, but at least it was mostly about bike racing whereas NBC was more “at home with the Olympian” than anything. Damn I hate that.

@Archer - well, it was the only advertiser I could find on there. If we don’t support the companies that advertise during our sport it’s going to be hard to keep it on there. I own a couple Festina watches, and bought a Volkswagen partly for their sponsorship of the Trek-Volkswagen cycling teams.

Two words: John Tesh.

Actually, even worse—far worse—was Armen Keteyian. (He won an Emmy for that?? Gah! Am I the only one who thought he was terrible?)

At any rate, I agree. The coverage now is pretty good. I just hope we can have a clean tour and start rebuilding this most excellent event.

I’m surprised they’d try to make the advertising say screw politics—it seems like politics (especially with the ASO and UCI) are still a VERY heavy part of the 2009 season and the Tour de France.

I’d hardly say supporting it is going to ‘screw’ the political bullsh*t that is going on in cycling. If anything, it will give ASO more arrogance and make next year even worse between the ASO, UCI and the actual racers.

Born from jets!

I loved that Trek commercial. I’m glad they didn’t pull the plug on that even though there are no Trek’s in the Tour this year.

Man, that Take Back the Tour commercial pissed me off this morning. Backwards motion of Vino rolling back into the starting hut, sweat dripping back up onto Ullrich’s chin, LeBlanc taking the yellow yersey back off Floyd, and green-jerseyed Zabel stepping off the top step of the podium. Zabel? I tried EPO and it made me sick so I stopped - that Erik Zabel?

Where does the expurgation stop? How about Riis catching his time trial bike as it flies out of a field next to the road? Do we think Hinault was clean? Merckx? A scene of admitted doper Anquetil pedaling perfect circles backwards down the road.

You want to take back that Tour too? Where does it stop? My heroes don’t have to be perfect for them to be heroic.

Only three hundred more viewings of that dreck left to go…

@JAT - I want to believe Zabel was a “didn’t inhale” type, but I don’t. Then again, he didn’t really fit the pattern of the rest of those riders shown since I think he was the only one who wasn’t banned/caught in some form or another. I’m not sure how they chose the subjects - I’m sure they had quite a few conversations when they made the commercial to figure that out. Maybe a “who would you put on the list” post is what I need next.

I was relieved that Trautwig was not anchoring the desk. Also props to Vs. for taking on the controversy straight on and comparing it to other sports. The brand this years I think is saying “we’re fans too!”

Zabel admitted to trying drugs the same time that Riis did, but no he should not be on the list or commercial as he’s racing. They could’ve shown Tyler or Boonen or Petacchi.

I own a couple Festina watches, and bought a Volkswagen partly for their sponsorship of the Trek-Volkswagen cycling teams.

Wow, guess that tattoo on your forehead that reads, “I’m a moron” should have been written backwards, so you could read it each morning.

I take back my Trautwig comment as Hummer — while good — does not have the conversational talent to just shoot the shit with Bob Roll for 3 hours.

Regarding product, what we obviously miss on TV is the caravan of schwag they give out. I’m happy to support say Days Inn, but damn it if that Saab commercial isn’t driving me nuts. Not only does it repeat, but it claims that turbo is something new. Turbos run on exhaust, that’s what they do. Born from jets.

@Jamey -

I don’t get your point - and I’ll reply here since you gave a fake email. Cycling is a huge part of my life. I like the ability to watch it on TV or race on sponsored teams. When I have a need for a product, I will always consider those companies that put money into something that matters to me. I got my mortgage though a local company that sponsors a team, I buy all the wine I give away as gifts from the Wines of Washington Tasting Room for the same reason. I’m sure you shop 100% at WalMart because it’s the cheapest plastic crap money can buy - but for me there’s a lot more to the buying decision than just dollars and sense.