I’m currently watching the 2001 Tour de France on DVD. I can’t believe that it’s been 10 years. I was more focused on running sub 16:30 again in the 5K. I had just started getting more in MTBing. I haven’t posted in awhile, and need to finish some race reports, so I decided blogging about Le Tour would be a good idea.

As I watch the DVD, it’s amazing how some of the key guys are still around…Vinokourov, Kloden, et al. Some have served suspensions, others never have. Did they ever dope back then? Who knows. As a scientist by training, I don’t think you can retest from samples from that long ago. The big question is…”Did Lance dope?” I wouldn’t be surprised if he did, but he never tested positive. Whether he did or not, what’s most impressive is his performance against riders who DID dope. This is one of my favorite videos of Lance.

Now, for the 2011 Tour…I’m so excited. I hope I didn’t jinx this tour. Alberto Contador will be feeling the effects of the Giro. Andy Schleck took is easy with the Tour of California. I think it will come down to the end of the tour between the two of these guys (if they don’t crash). I hope my predictions hold true. Here’s a photo I took of Andy on the last stage of the Amgen ToC in Thousand Oaks, CA…