The Year that was
by James Moffat on Dec 20, 2009 8:32 PM EST
Email
Print
2009 has been a great year for cycling. The Tour again had been on every bodies minds but one man stood above the rest. He doesn't need any introduction for anyone who has ever watched any Tour de France in the past 10 years.
The boss dominated the tour from 1999 - 2005. He started out as a Triathlete and was a very good one but as a cyclist he was even better. He was the youngest road world champion ever winning the Professional race on a cold rainy day in Oslo. He was the next American Legend just after Greg Lemond the three time winner had called it quits. In 1995 on a Pyreenean stage his team mate Fabio Casetelli died. The next day the whole Motorola team crossed the finish line ahead of the bunch but Lance attacked on a Mountain stage and when he won the race he pointed to the sky in a gesture to Fabio.
In September of 1996 Lance Armstrong was Diagnosed while Testicular Cancer but it had spread to his Brain and to his lungs. He survived against the odds and then came back as a whole new rider and won the tour 7 times. After the 2005 tour he retired but in September of 2008 he announced to the World that he was back.
He joined the mighty Astana team where his former directuer Sportif Johann Bryuneel worked and the 2007 tour winner Alberto Contador worked. For most of the year the year was a media slinging battle but when the Tour came around Alberto was the stronger.
The year also signaled the dominance of Mark Cavendish as the best Sprinter in the world. He won 6 stages in the tour de France as well as multiple stages in the Giro and the Milan san Remo. He didn't win the Green Jersey though with Thor Hushovd winning the Honor. Part of the Reason he won was a epic solo breakaway on a Mountain stage. Cavendish admired Hushovd saying that was something he would never do.
Fabian Cancellara all showed that he was the best time trialler in the world he won the World Championship time trial by an incredible margin.
The world road championship was won by Cadel Evans with an Amazing Attack with two climbs to go. Finishing an amazing year of cycling
To 2009 has been an incredible year with close fights in the Grand Tours. The war between Contador and Armstrong and amazing performance in the World Championships.
27 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
You're a champion James... still writing even on holidays...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Pretty accurate analysis I'd say
All 4 of the biggest cyclists of the year mentioned and the 4 biggest stories of the year nicely precised.
I understand (from this site) that that Eurosport International is now available in Oz.
If your TV package means you will receive it – then you will love next year.
If not – as a New Year’s resolution – promise to ask your mum and/or dad for it once a day.
The cycling coverage will rock your world
Merry Christmas!
Thanks
Actually the Television coverage in Australia is awesome with all the Grand Tours having a 15 mins highlight package and highlights of all the big races. This year the World Champions was broadcasted on Prime time tv. It was sad because neighbours (Australias equivelant of friends was cancelled.)
and yes I am lucky enough to have eurosport but I think most of the coverage will still be on Free TV
Merry Christmas
James Moffat
by James Moffat on Dec 21, 2009 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
I don't think the coverage is awesome.. But it is getting better..
The Foxtel package will hopefully improve what is lacking on Free TV..
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
As we get older we become less forgiving...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Although I am thankful they actually had the cycling on prime time..
in aus..(even the women’s….) I could not believe how much they butchered it with ad breaks..!! anytime someone made a move..time for a break, I completely missed the winning move by Tatiana Guderzo..luckily I watched online and in tv..
But agreed..compared to what we used to get on tv in aus.. they do have good cycling coverage..
A little off topic, did anyone hear about Cadel’s twitter ride?
I like bikes!!!
Bec*
Merry Christmas to you too.
Are you going to do a post about TDU?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Together with Cyclegirl and Flatbagger
Those two rocked last year!
Football is a game, cycling a sport.
Thanx Lopex... I'll be posting, and hopefully I can find Flatbagger to get him posting again
Must say i’m pretty excited about being there this year, apart from all the normal stuff, I have Media Accreditation for a new project I am a partner in.. so apart from the normal pics & stories, i’ll hopefully be able to give some great posts for PdC…..Ohh and there will always be the first rear shot for the year :-)))
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
I'm here CG...
..PdC party at my place on the 18th after the RLC (and a vets crit for me.)
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
Look at James' profile... it's an additional and welcome perspective
and no disrespect to Flatbagger and Cyclegirl. i know they understand ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Just like Jens! said
More is better. 2 Aussie TDU bloggers is good, 3 is better :)
Football is a game, cycling a sport.
They'll have all bases covered: hardened expert, expert fangirl and young man becoming expert :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Bases covered indeed... Bring it on!
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Everyone has there own perspective on the TDU...
I’ve only ever missed one stage in 10 years….and that was cos I was having one of me nuts ripped out.
I’m giving the Volvo some PdC signwriting and with CG’s press pass we can go anywhere…lookout Fanny on Camera one I’m on ya tail!!
errrr....am i supposed to sign this??
Dangerous man!
Only one stage? Man, even Stuey would dip his lid. But I’m thinking James (of the post) was three. Go the multi-perspectives.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
James are you going to be at TDU?
If you are would love to catch up with you, maybe you can come with me when I do an interview… Let me know, I’ll see what I can do..
"the rest was over 30. And that doesn't mean old and useless, but experienced and with the stamina"
Jens! Voigt, Crit Intl Interview, 2009
Now that's a good early Christmas present...
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Unfortunately not. The sportive ride is too far for this year but I just did a 4’20 120km so hopefully next year dad said he would take me
thewhitejersey.com
the hub of junior cycling
James at this rate, I'm expecting that rather than talking to you,
we’ll be talking about you at the TDU. Maybe CycleGirl will interview you. Well done.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
