Now that the USADA vs. Floyd Landis arbitration hearings have formally closed, the longest stage, to date, of the 2006 Tour de France will come to a close in the next week. Overtime for the Tour’s 93rd edition started several days after the ostensible close of racing activities in July 2006 with the ceremonial ride in to Paris, followed by the final circuits around the Champs-Élysées. The additional stages became necessary with the leak of some anti-doping test results that appeared to implicate the winner of the 2006 Tour, Floyd Landis.
While the exact rules of the entire overtime period for the 2006 Tour aren’t always completely clear, the upcoming decision by the arbitration panel deciding this phase of the case (a/k/a Stage 21) may not be the end of the road for the 2006 Tour. An additional Stage 22 may finish in Paris on a date as yet unknown, should France’s anti-doping agency (the AFLD) decide to press forward with its own case against Landis. Stage 22 technically began when the AFLD started its own proceedings against the American rider in September 2006. That stage was put on hold in February of this year, pending the results of Stage 21.
In addition to Stage 22, there is a possible Stage 23. The 23rd stage of the storied 2006 race could occur in Switzerland or in North America, with a hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 23rd Stage could even occur simultaneously with the 22nd Stage, depending on the courses of action chosen by various players. In the 23rd Stage, either side represented in the 21st Stage, along with the UCI and WADA, and perhaps others, too, can request a hearing before the CAS. This hearing would be an entirely new case, starting from the beginning, rather than an appeal of an existing decision. In other words, the 23rd Stage could be a “do-over” for Stage 21, and it can be called by parties who weren’t officially taking part in Stage 21.
Sort of like having, say, Lance Armstrong and Eddy Merckx battle it out to determine who wins the Tour, when neither one participated in the original 2006 races. The exact routes of Stages 22 and 23 have not yet been determined, much like the route for Stage 21 appears to have been determined on the fly.
Yes, the 2006 Tour de France is an incredible test of endurance. Even more so than other races, including the 2007 Tour. For the moment, Alberto Contador, the title-holder for the 2007 edition, seems to be secure in his place (and may even have gotten his paycheck). But with Stage 21 of the 2006 Tour now well past 400 days, it’s anyone’s guess just how much longer this “race” will go on. At least one wag has compared the 2006 Tour to the Eveready Bunny — it keeps going and going and going …
One thing is certain: Whoever the eventual “winner” of the 2006 Tour de France may be, he will have performed an incredible feat just by making it to the finish line — wherever that may happen to be. Stay tuned.
(Note: The Onion wasn’t too far off the mark with their own recent article on the Tour.)
I would hope that if the decision were to go Landis’ way, the various alphabets soups will take a good hard look at the decision and the reasoning behind it before considering whether or not to appeal (or it the case of AFLD, proceeding with their own case).
To change subjects slightly, I went to see the finish of the ToM today. They provided free shuttle buses from several locations, and I pick up one at the old Walmart at Providence and Nifong. Let us off about 2 blocks from the finish, which was just past the columns by the courthouse. I was able to get a position right on the finish line across from the announcer booth. I went about 1 hour 45 minutes before the finish. By the time the riders were approaching Columbia the crowd had pretty much packed both sides of the street as far as I could see. The guy who hit the ‘dillo on stage 2 put in an appearance for a short interview.
The crowd was very enthusiastic, a number had signs bidding Disco adieu, and there was no hint that people felt that this was a tainted sport. The local paper has devoted a lot of column inches to the race, both on the front page as well as on the front page of the sports section. Today, the whole above the fold of the sports section was ToM, pretty significant considering that MU has its first home game tomorrow. This thing is being well received.
William,
I share the same hope as you. Thanks for the stage report, too. Was that coverage in the Missourian, the Tribune, or both? Glad to hear the crowd was enthusiastic, especially given how nuts it used to be on a home game weekend. I remember that Walmart. Sounds like it’s moved, or out of business? From what I gathered on VeloNews live coverage, it was an exciting finish to see. Wish I could have been there. Let’s hope the TofMO keeps going into the future. It sounds like they’re off to a good start.
Theresa,
If you’re reading this, I expect a report from you on the goings on in the VIP area on Sunday. 😉
Um, Rant, the 2006 Tour? That one’s practically ending EARLY. You want to consider a REALLY long Tour? How ’bout 1997?
…
You might be forgiven if you thought that Jan Ullrich pretty much had the 1997 Tour in the bag. After all, Jan’s held the lead in the 1997 general classification for over 10 years now. From the vantage point of most Tour experts, a 10-year lead in a Tour has always been considered safe.
…
But now it looks like Jan’s been chased down by the Operation Puerto team – they’ve isolated Jan in his villa in Switzerland, where he has been unable to locate teammates (or for that matter, a team) to ride in his support. While Jan still holds the official lead, the “virtual” leader of the 1997 Tour may be someone else at this point.
…
But who is our current “virtual” leader? At the start of the current stage (sorry, Rant, we lost count of the stages of the 1997 Tour during a particularly rowdy wine tasting in 2003), the second place rider was France’s own Richard Virenque, with Marco Pantani in third place. Of course, Richard is a confessed doper, and Pantani is a convicted dead doper. We may have to throw out the “final” podium for 1997, and dig a little deeper to determine the current leader in the 1997 Tour.
…
Currently in fourth place in the 1997 Tour is Spaniard Abraham Olano. Could he be our winner? Maybe not. According to the blog Justin’s Log, Abraham served a 3 month suspension in 1994 for “too much caffeine”, and he used the services of the notorious Dr. Michele Ferrari. So I think Abraham’s hold on the virtual maillot jaune for 1997 is a bit shaky.
…
Currently riding in fifth place is Fernando Escartin, also of Spain, and if I could still get action in Vegas on the 1997 Tour, I’d place my life savings on Fernando. Not only is he untainted by any doping allegations (both while he raced and after his retirement in 2002), but apparently he never so much as held a lead in a major Tour. Thus his record is unsullied by the kind of success that tarnished the careers of guys like Armstrong and Contador.
…
I know I’m just a fan, but I have to marvel at cycling’s ability to keep us in suspense! They say that the opera is not over until the fat lady sings, but when it comes to the 1997 Tour, the opera has gone on for 10 years without the fat lady having to squawk a single note.
Larry,
Well done. A tip o’ the hat to you.
Ohy! You guys – don’t you realize – we are in a serious situation here? What will “people say”? Where is the proper “respect” amongst yuz?- Don’t you all realize how distracting humor is to serious people bent on doing a vigil?
–
Larry…would you mind terribly if I use your piece? I’m thinking of printing it out and sticking it to my wall – just to have…you know, for referrance and now and then, a “reality” check…for myself…I was thinking that highlighting certain parts, could improve the “impact” aspect…
–
William – “we” from across the pond also thank you for the “first-hand” – “eye-witness” report – thrilling, really…at the moment I am still busily searching for that one tiny part of me that feels no envy…
–
Theresa – don’t think that I am not waiting on your take either…my heart goes out to you – “how you must have suffered” and endured having to be there…so here is to the hope that you have survived the “after the tour partying” – at least enough to press firmly the keys to send it onward…
–
Since EVERYBODY knows that EX-bike racers are ALL multi-millionaires – I am hoping that Jan is too busy with the new baby to pay attention…baby’s tend to do this with good regularity – gawdawful habit of two in the morning feedings and burping…you get dark circles under the eyes – after just a few weeks – walking into walls becomes a habit…”millions and millions” don’t help much with this…although – I have used the recording of my childrens’ “baby cries” as an effective response to unwanted callers…surprising how effective this can be!
–
(°L°)
I’ll second what William said about interest in ToM not seeming to be tainted much by doping scandals. I too was at the finish of Stage 4 yesterday, and there were indeed lots of enthusiastic cheering spectators (myself included, of course)! Columbia has a large cycling community (racers, triathletes, fitness and recreational riders, commuters, etc.), but I think quite a few non-cyclists have been interested in the event. I know several people that have not paid much attention to bicycle racing before but who were very caught up in the local interest generated by the event. That can’t be bad for the sport! This morning’s Tribune had photos and an article on the top right of the front page, plus about 75% of the first page of the sports section devoted to the race–very impressive on a home MU football game day! Joe Walljasper, the sports editor, wrote a column (entitled, “Race Was Fantastic, I Think”) admitting that he is pretty much mystified by how bicycle racing works. His coverage was humorous rather than derogatory of the sport, however. Those interested can check out http://www.columbiatribune.com.
Of course, over the next few weeks there will be a smattering of letters to the editor, railing against the fact that there were road closings, and that ToM coverage bumped coverage of their favorite high school football team off the front page, boo hoo hoo.
Keep riding, no matter what!
Whoops…
*
http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-landis15sep15,1,4234893.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-sports&ctrack=1&cset=true
*
I guess this means an extra 24hrs of no sleep…
Rant:
They built a new Super Walmart just about a half mile down the road, also replaced the old Wally’s across from the mail with a super across Broadway from HiVee. Still have the super off 63.
The coverage I was referring was in the Trib, haven’t seen a Missourian. Also the ToM rates pretty good coverage on the local news on TV, at least on KRCG.
BTW, I put a picture up at:
http://home.centurytel.net/wschart/
You can see the pack on the far right, about 100m from the line and also get an idea of the crowd. The pic seems to have been corrupted a bit in the process, but you’ll get the idea.
M Whitney,
Thanks for the additional writeup of the Columbia finish. I’m going to check out that link to the Tribune in just a few moments.
JBSMP,
Oops. Perhaps my source wasn’t quite right. Still, whether it’s the 22nd or the 23rd, it’s got to be done in the next 7 or 8 days. Given how long we’ve waited up to now, an additional 24 hours isn’t much.
William,
Thanks for filling me in on what’s changed since I left. Someday I’ll be back to see the town again. Maybe the next time I’m in St. Louis, I’ll take a short day trip up that way to check out the alma mater. Nice picture, bummer it got corrupted. Looks like there was a bit of an uphill finish. Very good sized crowd. Glad to see people coming out to cheer the racers on. That’s what it’s all about.
A lifetime ban?
*
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/6994956.stm
*
For this to work, they just have to scrap their testing modes and adopt double blind, verifiable testing. To institute a lifetime ban because the the results obtained from the joke of a system we have now would be a criminal injustice.
Somebody is really getting squeezed for them to come out with such statements. Notice how nothing is said about the questionability of the testing procedures now in place – once again it has turned into “getting dem darned doping riders” – not one word about improving their lousy lopsided system…
–
One thing for sure – all this is going to bring on is even slicker ways for that those who want to cheat to cheat. I smell IOC pressure behind this whole thing…
–
And what the heck is with the media? One would think that after a year they would stop repeating erroneous bits of news, or simply repeating what some other writer has erroneously stated…
–
What a bunch of knuckleheads…you know what – I hope that the PRO RIDERS get wise soon – hope they establish their own organization and give the flying fickle finger of fate to all these bozos.
–
A small point of observation: when looking at someone and one is trying to see if what is being said is “true” or false – the speaker usually maintains eye-contact with the questioner – Patty Macquickies’ eyes were a pair of circus planes doing acrobatics…don’t take my word for it – look for yourselves…