The biggest endurance tour known to man has started in France. The 98th Tour De France has commenced.
This annual cycling event is the pinnacle of endurance sports, the crowning jewel to the testament of man's courage, grit & determination.
Riddled with it's share of controversies for doping, the tour has nonetheless been in the public eye. It was made legendary when Lance Armstrong won 7 titles back to back after coming back to sport post his battle with cancer. This is the stuff dreams are made of.
Every cyclist aspires to be on the top step wearing the legendary yellow jersey once the the 3 weeks have ended.
What testing 3 weeks those are: cyclists cover almost 3200 kms in those days with ony 2 rest days between, the sport demands the highest level of fitness and some?
Imagine climbing mountains that have 7% to 9% gradient, and climbing without stop. The sport demands you to succeed on the strength of you character. Talent can get you only so far there.
Following this sport religiously for over 5 years now, I have seen athletes in peak physical condition left broken on the road side, only to jump back on the bike and hammer out a blistering stage win the next day.
In a cricket obsessed nation, I often feel frustrated that I am not able to catch this sport in it's full glory as the broadcasters are obssessed with cricket revenues.
The tour brings a lot of people on road, following the route taken by the cyclists on a daily basis, their caravans can be parked anywhere a good spot can be found & u get a front side view to the tour. The best part is it's free, no tickets required.
A true mass sport, but alas one which can't be enjoyed in India as we lack the broadcast... :(
This annual cycling event is the pinnacle of endurance sports, the crowning jewel to the testament of man's courage, grit & determination.
Riddled with it's share of controversies for doping, the tour has nonetheless been in the public eye. It was made legendary when Lance Armstrong won 7 titles back to back after coming back to sport post his battle with cancer. This is the stuff dreams are made of.
Every cyclist aspires to be on the top step wearing the legendary yellow jersey once the the 3 weeks have ended.
What testing 3 weeks those are: cyclists cover almost 3200 kms in those days with ony 2 rest days between, the sport demands the highest level of fitness and some?
Imagine climbing mountains that have 7% to 9% gradient, and climbing without stop. The sport demands you to succeed on the strength of you character. Talent can get you only so far there.
Following this sport religiously for over 5 years now, I have seen athletes in peak physical condition left broken on the road side, only to jump back on the bike and hammer out a blistering stage win the next day.
In a cricket obsessed nation, I often feel frustrated that I am not able to catch this sport in it's full glory as the broadcasters are obssessed with cricket revenues.
The tour brings a lot of people on road, following the route taken by the cyclists on a daily basis, their caravans can be parked anywhere a good spot can be found & u get a front side view to the tour. The best part is it's free, no tickets required.
A true mass sport, but alas one which can't be enjoyed in India as we lack the broadcast... :(
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