Tour of California LiveBlog: Stage 3, San Jose – Modesto
You know, the real reason I want to watch today’s stage is to see if there’s any mention of Bobke needing to shave his head, since we raised $5000 on his LiveStrong Challenge page yesterday.
Will we get the publicity we so richly deserve? We’ll find out soon.
Or soonish, anyway.
3:05 Paul’s interviewing Lance about yesterday’s stage. Lance sounds really hoarse.
Also, Lance is wearing enormous sunglasses.
I will not relate the substance of the interview, because there was none.
3:06 Of course we’re going to ads. A good time to see what’s going on at the cycling sites that have actual expertise.
Right now, there’s a group of 4 with a gap of 5ish minutes on the peloton.
3:11 White, Mollema, Vandborg, Mollema in the lead group.
3:12 Leipheimer touches his front wheel to Armstrong’s back. He goes down hard and causes a pileup.
Leipheimer hops back up and gets going again, hoping nobody saw him.
And I’m sure nobody did.
3:14 By "he goes down hard" I mean Leipheimer goes down. Armstrong stayed up, because there were no renegade musettes on the attack.
3:15 Mollema — one of the guys in the lead group — is with Rabobank. Have you noticed Rabobank has someone in every single breakaway in this tour?
You know why, right? It’s because they want us to say "Rabobank Rabobank Rabobank!"
3:16 What’s kind of sad about the TV coverage today is that it started right as the race finishes the second — and last — of the climbs.
3:17 So we get to watch everyone descend and then ride on the flats in the rain for a couple hours.
I expect we’ll find a way to entertain ourselves.
3:18 Hummer goes into commercial talking about the Leipheimer crash, saying, "Leipheimer is in a crash he caused himself! How much will it affect him? We’ll find out when we come back."
I hereby promise to donate $500 to the Bob Roll LiveStrong Challenge if Hummer finds out anything about how the crash is affecting Leipheimer when they come back from break.
3:21 Well, whaddaya know. They don’t seem to be describing anything about how the crash has affected Leipheimer.
3:22 Doesn’t seem to be raining on the lead group, which is only 5 minutes in front. Weird that the weather is so different in such a short distance.
3:24 Phil and Paul are talking about how the lead group isn’t going to last. With the big flat, I’d have to agree.
3:25 Bob’s interviewing Lance. LANCE, ASK HIM ABOUT SHAVING HIS HEAD!
He didn’t ask.
Darnit.
3:26 Phil and Paul are talking about how relaxed Lance is, and how he’s spending all his time fighting cancer. But you know what else they should talk about? How about how BOB EARNED $5000 for LiveStrong yesterday and NOW HE’S GOT TO SHAVE HIS HEAD.
Sorry. I’ll take a pill.
3:28 Breakaway gap is down to 4:30. Will it last? No it won’t.
Have I been successful in predicting race outcomes as I liveblog? No, I haven’t.
3:29 And we’re off to ads.
It’s an ad for a gizmo that makes things louder. But the thing is, that guy’s wife is such a nag, I’d expect him to want something that makes things much, much quieter.
Oh, you can use it to eavesdrop, too! That’s an actual selling point they’re describing.
And it costs $15. So you know it delivers top-notch audio.
3:32 I’ve lost my internet connection. Yay!
3:33 I’ve got my internet connection back. Yay!
3:34 Phil and Paul are describing how bad the weather has been, and that Leipheimer has said it’s been like stepping into a shower, turning it on cold, full blast, and standing there for four hours.
Yeah, whatever. I do that every single day.
3:35 A shot of Astana leading the Peloton…and we’re out to ads.
The lead ad here is for some product that gets rid of malware. It’s only for PCs, which is hilarious in light of the fact that the computer shown more than any other on the ad is a prior-generation iMac.
Well, there’s your problem, dude.
And then an Enzyte commercial. Which I am officially sick of.
3:36 Does anyone know of an awesome remedy for a lingering cold?
Hummer talks about how tomorrow is going to be spent mostly above the 2000 foot level. Um, I’d have to descend 3000 feet to get that high.
3:40 Hummer says it looks like some of the non-Astana teams "are getting anxious." Phil tells him ever-so-politely that he’s totally wrong.
3:41 Hummer points out that "a columbia rider is breaking wind."
Heh. Breaking wind.
3:42 Paul says that Thor is a warrior for whom it is important to take any shot he’s got.
OK. Good to know.
3:43 Hummer just said something I couldn’t figure out. he waits for Phil or Paul to respond. They do not, because I don’t think they could figure out what Craig said either.
So he goes to commercial!
3:45 "ITT Tech is education for the future." Do they teach you how to build phasers? Flying cars? How to use a light saber?
3:47 Hummer promotes the ToC Fantasy game. Here’s my fantasy: that I’m good enough to ride in the ToC.
Like I said: fantasy.
3:48 So, presuming this comes down to a sprint, who’s going to win?
My money’s on Cipollini.
3:49 You know what that comedian girl should do to be funny? Armpit noises. Armpit noises are hilarious. Joking about a GPs can also be hilarious, but it wasn’t in this instance.
3:50 Susan says, "As much as I like to root for breakaways, today I want a sprint finish."
So let it be written, so let it be done.
3:51 And we’re at ads. I am going to take a short nap.
3:55 Hummer just reported the gap as being at 5 minutes. Which is useful information. Kudos, Hummer!
3:56 Bob talks with Hummer. We can’t see Bob. Perhaps his head is already shaved and it’s just too, too hideous for television?
3:57 This tour has brought a bunch of guys I was excited to see race against each other: Basso, Landis, Hamilton. So where are those guys?
3:58 Lizzylou notes "cycling.tv just stated that Armstrong is getting daily fines from UCI because of his non-conformity in attire." This makes sense to me — he’s constantly got LiveStrong / Mellow Johnny’s stuff covering his Astana gear. I have mistaken him for the yellow jersey like a thousand times during this race.
Dude, when you’re on the clock, wear the uniform.
4:01 Ads.
Chuck just emailed me saying he’s doing what he can to get us some airtime, but the guys in the editing room are tough nuts to crack.
Editing room guys: give us some airtime and I’ll send you free Fat Cyclist T-shirts.
Really, what more could you want?
4:04 Hummer relates the boxing term, "Down goes XXXX" to "Down goes Leipheimer." Phil punches in Hummer in the throat, and down goes Hummer.
I can dream, right?
4:05 Hummer asks Phil and Paul MC-Hammer trivia. Yes, really.
Paul delivers a spin-kick to Hummer’s head, while Phil prepares a bonesaw to dispose of the body.
OK, that was out of line. I’m going to go take a pill.
Yes, another one.
4:08 Time gap is 4:20.
4:09 For a doomed breakaway like this, does anyone have an idea of what the breakaway riders are thinking as they churn along in their doomed way? So hard, yet so thankless.
That was not a comedy quesion. I really want to know.
4:10 Gap is down to less than 4 minutes now. Really, they’ve gained 30 seconds in a minute? Is that even possible? Did the lead group stop and buy snacks at a convenience store?
4:11 Ads.
Did you know ITT Tech has a criminal justice school? I’ll bet 95% of the people taking that class are doing it with an eye toward writing their hardboiled CSI script.
4:14 Astana still leading the peloton, behind the lead group at 3:20. Phil is pretending to think that it’s possible that the lead group will stay in front. Paul says, "Pish posh."
OK he doesn’t really say that. But I wish he would.
4:15 What, it’s a 3:45 gap? The timing random number generator is in fine form today.
4:16 Instead of 2 laps around the city block in Modesta, they’re just going to have one. Which means the peloton has that much less time to start reeling in the lead group.
4:20 Ads. I’m spending the time to watch an MC Hammer video. I recommend you do the same.
4:23 Recapping the early part of the stage. You know, the good part. The part that came before the television coverage.
Hey, I have a cold. I’m aloud to be a crybaby.
4:24 Velonews predicts the break will be pulled in at the 9-mile mark.
4:26 Hummer asks a question. Phil chuckles and pats Hummer on the head, then puts a snausage on Hummer’s nose.
4:27 I’m pretty sure that in this montage on Cavendish they just totally let him slip the word "a–hole" slip through. Oops.
4:29 I’m cranky today. Does it show?
4:30 Only a 3:20 gap. Columbia/High Road is starting to help with the pulling.
4:32 Ads.
That eHarmony couple is just evil. They must be stopped.
4:35 Gap’s down to 3 minutes. Now would be a perfect time for the lead group to pull off the road, hide their bikes, and wait for the rest of the peloton to come by, at which point they could jump out from behind a telephone pole (cyclists are very skinny) and yell "boo!"
Or they could stretch very strong, but thin, line across the road. Either way: hilarious.
4:38 Phil reports a lack of enthusiasm problem with the peloton.
Chin up, peloton!
You’re welcome.
4:39 Gap’s down to 2:45. So the lack of enthusiasm doesn’t seem to be getting in the way of the peloton doing their job. However listlessly.
4:40 It’s raining again.
4:42 It’s time for ads. ITT Tech. They’re talking about the construction industry. The announcer says of the idyllic community, "Bonds are built."
The problem is, he’s kind of sloppy with the way he says "bonds." Sounds more like "bombs."
Which changes the meaning of the sentence a lot.
4:46 The lead group continuing to lose time. Gap of 2:25.
4:47 There’s Bob Roll, interviewing Cavendish. Bob still has hair. With any luck, this will be the last day we see him that way.
4:49 The camera stays on Cavendish, long long after anyone has anything to say about him.
Paul asks Hummer why Modesto is named Modesto, and Hummer knows the answer!
So that’s why they have Hummer along. Just in case a game of Trivial Pursuit breaks out.
4:50 Gap of 2:05, with 20 miles to go. Phil seems unconvinced that the peloton will catch the lead group.
I do not share Phil’s concern.
4:52 Has anyone else noticed that Hummer uses a different voice when he’s doing his "transitioning to commercial" announcing? He sounds so excited. I believe it’s his favorite part of the job.
4:55 What? They’re not going to show the finish? Oh, that’s awesome, Versus. Very good executive decision you made there.
Really, when you broadcast a flat, boring stage with a sprint finish, nobody’s really interested in how the stage ends anyways.
4:58 So, for those of you who — like me — have been watching on TV, you’ll probably want to go ahead and open a browser to:
http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/
I’m heading there now.
Hockey’s more important than a stage finish anyway.
5:01 Um, who are the guys announcing on http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ anyway? They don’t seem to be aware that we can hear them.
5:07 Gap’s down to 1:40
5:10 The peloton is stretching out at the front end. Gap’s down to one minute.
So does anyone think the lead group will survive?
5:12 Frankie says the peloton is going 28 mph while the lead group is going 24.
5:13 Velonews play-by-play makes a good jab: "Hey, for you Versus viewers out there, how’s that hockey game?"
Shyeah.
I fear for my Tour de France stage ends.
5:15 The gap’s down to 30 seconds and the team cars are pulling out of the way. Nice try, lead group!
5:16 Louder attacks. White and Vandbourg drop off the back.
5:17 Now it’s just Louder and Mollema. Louder working hard. How can you not root for him?
But it’s not going to happen. I don’t think you can maintain this pace for 8 miles.
5:18 Louder and Mollema are working well together. But there’s Mollema, softpedaling. It’s over, they just don’t know it.
5:20 Vandbourg sucked into the peloton (and probably shot out the back — hard to tell on my teeny tiny laptop with crummy streaming video, thanks Versus!)
5:21 Frankie is unequivocal: "They’re not going to make it."
5:22: Gap of 12 seconds. Mollema jumps. I hereby call it the jump of doom.
Louder catches him and sits in, resting for a second. Count on Louder jumping in a moment.
Cuz, why not?
5:23 You can see the peloton behind Mollema and Louder. They’ve sat up. Kudos for the try, guys.
5:24 And now it’s the sprinter’s turn. I can never tell who’s who or who wins in these chaotic things.
What kind of person can even do one of these mass sprints? I would poop myself.
5:25 You know, you’re going to get better reporting by going somewhere else for the next few minutes. CyclingNews or VeloNews. Come back afterward.
5:26 I wonder how that hockey game is going?
And it’s Thor Hushovd!
I wish I would have been able to see that sprint on something bigger than a postage stamp. You know, like on my high-def 50" plasma.
Thanks Versus!
5:29 I don’t think this changes much at the top of the GC standings.
Replay of the sprint shows Hushovd like about three miles ahead of everyone else. Beautiful lead-out.
5:32 As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t fault Versus at all for when they can’t get a signal. But when they cut away from THE MAIN REASON TO WATCH THE WHOLE STAGE, well, yes. I need a name of someone to blame, please.
Let’s end with a nice shot Scot got…of Bob protecting Levi from the rain.
Bob’s looking kind of wistful, as if he were contemplating how he’s going to look without his hair.
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 4:07 pm
Ah, man… there’s GOTTA be mention of it!
And I do like your not-so-hypothetical question… What would Bobke do if we raise $10000?
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 4:10 pm
I think $10,000 should earn us a Craig Hummer/Bob Roll cage fight.
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 4:12 pm
I’d have to vote for old age and treachery in that one. Hummer wouldn’t stand a chance. :D
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 4:13 pm
That’s what I’m counting on…
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 4:14 pm
Maybe Bob could ride a bull?
Comment by Elizabeth | 02.17.2009 | 4:16 pm
Lame! The totally skipped Sierra Road in San Jose and started coverage in Livermore. Boooooo!
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 4:18 pm
man I am getting sick right now, watching http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ Apparently, one camera is hanging limply off the wrist of one of the moto riders, pointing at the bare road. Bleeeah!
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 4:24 pm
Oh boy, another Lance interview!
Comment by bikemike | 02.17.2009 | 4:35 pm
levi wasn’t actually whinning, was he?
Comment by Lizzylou | 02.17.2009 | 4:36 pm
Is it just me, or does it sound like we’re talkin about diseases? I could totally picture somebody coming out of the dermatologist saying, “Yeah, that lump on my back turned out to be a Mollema.”
…not that my last name is any better, I’m just sayin
Comment by Bob | 02.17.2009 | 4:37 pm
@3:34 – Don’t forget to add occasionally slamming yourself into the floor of the shower in order to get the true experience
Comment by Anthony | 02.17.2009 | 4:41 pm
I hear Zicam works really good for Colds…or you can take Levi’s advice and stand in a cold shower for 4 hours straight and hope that the cold gets a cold?
Comment by Aaron | 02.17.2009 | 4:41 pm
I wonder how many smiling guys the Enzyte people had to interview, before they picked that guy?
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 4:43 pm
And now Hummer says… Absolutely nothing!
What? A guy can dream, can’t he?
Comment by Anonymous | 02.17.2009 | 4:45 pm
3:40 Hummer says it looks like some of the non-Astana teams “are getting anxious.” Phil tells him ever-so-politely that he’s totally wrong.
I love Phil. I’d listen to him read the phone book.
Comment by Zack | 02.17.2009 | 4:45 pm
Take Zicam swabs for that lingering cold. Swear by them…
Comment by Mutt | 02.17.2009 | 4:45 pm
Maybe Hummer needs to go to ITT TEch.
Comment by Elizabeth | 02.17.2009 | 4:45 pm
Peloton takes turn breaking wind…hee, hee…
Comment by Mutt | 02.17.2009 | 4:49 pm
LOL and SHE’S trying to figure out what cycling’s all about? PAT ATTENTION HUMMER and take note!
Comment by Mutt | 02.17.2009 | 4:49 pm
Pay even.
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 4:49 pm
A hot tottie or three is good for a cold. Even if it doesn’t cure you, it sure makes you not care.
Comment by Miles Archer | 02.17.2009 | 4:51 pm
Finally my power is back on and I can watch (and more importantly read Eldon’s commentary)
Comment by Mel | 02.17.2009 | 4:54 pm
Re: cold cures – slice a lemon & a chunk of fresh ginger, put in a pan of water with a cinnamon stick and bring to a simmer; add honey to taste & drink hot, with a couple of paracetamol. Tastes a damn sight better than the average instant hot lemon cold-cure powder, and always works for me. Also try this Martha Stewart version: http://www.wholeliving.com/article/natural-cough-control-tea-recipe?xsc=eml_bas_2009_02_16, sonds tasty.
As for the race – I’m impressed with http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ – why can’t all bike race websites have so much useful content? And video I can watch from the UK – hurrah! I’m hoping for at least one Cavendish sprint finish this week.
Mel x
Comment by Lizzylou | 02.17.2009 | 4:58 pm
Interesting… cycling.tv just stated that Armstrong is getting daily fines from UCI because of his non-conformity in attire.
Anybody confirm or deny that? As pointed out, it is nearly impossible to tell that he is riding for Astana… you’d think that Astana would be more annoyed than UCI.
Comment by Mutt | 02.17.2009 | 5:04 pm
Since we are enduring yet another enzyte commercial, anyone know a good way to de-rust some old parts? I’m restoring an older bike that’s all Campy.
Comment by Mutt | 02.17.2009 | 5:07 pm
What??? MC Hammer??? and WHY???
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 5:11 pm
The doomed breakaway riders are probably thinking of the sweet bonus they/their team will get from their sponsors for having so much TV time.
Comment by pxt0909 | 02.17.2009 | 5:15 pm
The doomed breakaway riders are thinking the faster we go the sooner we can get out of this f$%$ weather – or – they are thinking, if we stay out here long enough, maybe we’ll keep our contracts for another season…
Comment by WheelDancer | 02.17.2009 | 5:18 pm
Lingering Cold Remedy:
Neti Pot!
I have serious sinus issues (surgery couldn’t even help) and flush my sinuses every day, multiple times a day on the rare occasion that I get a cold. My sweetie does it when she gets a cold and finds it really helps. I have tried several and prefer the Rhino Horn style.
Comment by Big Boned | 02.17.2009 | 5:22 pm
Ohhh, Ohhh – Hammer Time!
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 5:22 pm
I’m wearing my Hammer Pants
Comment by Anonymous | 02.17.2009 | 5:22 pm
zylotrim! sounds like the magic pill of weight loss
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 5:22 pm
You’re missing the secret cure that lets you lose weight.
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 5:26 pm
Well, they’ve explained the reason riders stuff newspapers in their jerseys. Why haven’t they explained how clipless pedals work? Phil has to do that at least 4 times during the TdF during the commentary lulls.
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 5:26 pm
clod remedy: This may be what Wheeldancer was talking about, but you don;t need to use pot, Elden. Sample size bottle with flip up top, rinse out the acid or poison that was in it. Fill with 98.6 degree salt water, just enough salt to taste the same as snot.
Go in shower, (this is messy) tilt head back, plug 1 nostril and empty contents into the other. Let the salt water and rinsed stuff come out mouth, amidst much coughing and hacking.
Repeat with other nostril. Several times. And deep gargle some of it.
sounds gross. it is, but it really feels good when you stop.
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 5:27 pm
cold, not clod.
gargle the salt water, not the stuff coming out mouth via nostril.
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 5:29 pm
I’ll bet that Cavendish has a sweet pair of Hammer Pants
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 5:29 pm
the lead riders are feeling really strong, like they could hold off Mark Cavendish from 300m out in an all-out sprint.
you said something about fantasies, right?
Comment by Aaron | 02.17.2009 | 5:29 pm
Was that Arsenio Hall?
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 5:30 pm
Hummer could use a clod remedy.
Comment by Anonymous | 02.17.2009 | 5:33 pm
MC Hammer video is making my dogs go berserk…
Comment by Kathleen | 02.17.2009 | 5:38 pm
Go peloton go! I’m biting my nails…
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 5:40 pm
every time i see the eHarmony adds I’m reminded of the Mad TV skit “lowered expectations”
Comment by Kathleen | 02.17.2009 | 5:42 pm
How big does a breakaway group need to be to hold off the peloton? Any rule of thumb?
Comment by lindsay | 02.17.2009 | 5:47 pm
I was unaware they added a mountaineering stage to this race. I bet that’ll weed out some of the weak ones.
Comment by Erin | 02.17.2009 | 5:48 pm
Did you know it’s windy?
Apparently, it’s raining as well. Spot-on commentary!
Comment by Maile in Florida | 02.17.2009 | 5:49 pm
For a lingering cold (or an incipient cold, or any cold): make a mug of Celestial Seasonings blueberry tea and add about 4 tablespoons of honey and 4 tablespoons of lemon juice. Drink while nice and hot. It works, it tastes pretty good, and it isn’t expensive or hard to find. What could be better?
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 5:50 pm
Boy, Hummer gets tossed a softball and Paul leaves?
Comment by Jamieson | 02.17.2009 | 5:52 pm
I think that I heard them say that it was 1 minute for every 10km to go that they had to reel the break in.
Comment by matt (ming) | 02.17.2009 | 5:53 pm
cold cure
ride your bike hard and heavy, repeat. thank me later
Comment by Brian | 02.17.2009 | 5:55 pm
In 2007, Modesto was named last in a list of best American cities in Cities Ranked & Rated, 2nd Edition[3] and one of the top three most dangerous metropolitan areas in California by Morgan Quitno[4] (it ranked second in 2006)[5].
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 5:56 pm
Elden,
Just another comment to say THANKS for the fun commentary. Makes it possible for those of us at work unable to access streaming video. And far more entertaining than the official Play-by-Play.
Thanks,
Ian
Comment by Julie | 02.17.2009 | 5:58 pm
No commercials watching at versus.com, bonus!
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 5:59 pm
Cutting off coverage at 4pm Pacific? That’s cold… and stupid.
Or, brilliant. Now folks will tune in for the evening’s broadcast, and see even MORE Enzyte commercials!
Comment by Kathleen | 02.17.2009 | 5:59 pm
They heard you Fatty…
Comment by Kathleen | 02.17.2009 | 6:00 pm
Oh wait…seriously?
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 6:00 pm
http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/media/tn_Hummer_Everest.JPG
Oh Canada!
Comment by Elizabeth | 02.17.2009 | 6:00 pm
Booooo!!!!
Comment by Sandy | 02.17.2009 | 6:01 pm
Cannot believe that they cut away for Hockey. HOCKEY???? What is this Canada?
Comment by Anonymous | 02.17.2009 | 6:01 pm
oh man, leave the room for five minutes and a hockey game breaks out!
Comment by Juls | 02.17.2009 | 6:01 pm
The floosie doing interviews is ridiculous. The other day she was interviewing Zirbel and had to ask him his name – and the proceeded to hit on him. Irritating!
For colds – you have several options – whichever you fancy:
1) Emergen-C for energy and it helps your body fight what it is fighting. This can be taken WITH 1 of the following (please don’t overdose on cold medicine. I am a programmer, not a doctor)
2) Thera-Flu – I love, love, love this. Multiple formulas for whatever you have. It’s hot tea with medicine. (Sore Throat and Severe Cold works wonders). OR
3) Alka Seltzer Cold Plus – the fizzy stuff, OR the capsules. It dries you right up. It may also knock you out – so maybe take this before bed.
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 6:04 pm
*withholds commentary about the online announcers*
I watched them yesterday, and, well… yeah. Wish I hadn’t.
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 6:05 pm
OK, so I withheld ‘detailed’ commentary. ;)
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 6:05 pm
Frankie Andreau(sp?) is chewing out the tech guys on the live cast – i don’t know who the other guy is
Comment by Erin | 02.17.2009 | 6:06 pm
“We’re in America – can’t get it right all the time.”
Thanks, onlinecommentaryguys, for killing a little piece of my soul.
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:06 pm
Frankie Andreau and some other moron. They are complete doofs. Now I know why LA does not like Frankie Andreau.
Comment by Zack | 02.17.2009 | 6:06 pm
Thanks to Amgen for busting the drought in California…really, you guys outdid yourselves…
Comment by Kristen | 02.17.2009 | 6:08 pm
The other announcer is Joe Silva
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:09 pm
other moron is Jow Silva. misspelling is purposeful, no balance their mispronounciations.
Comment by Julie | 02.17.2009 | 6:10 pm
phil & paul are announcing at versus.com
Comment by Stephen | 02.17.2009 | 6:11 pm
You missed Joe and Frankie arguing with the video truck about which monitor to follow when they talk about the action.
At least it’s free.
Which is how much I hope Joe and Frankie are being paid.
Comment by Ryan | 02.17.2009 | 6:12 pm
cycling.tv’s coverage is free too. The website is a real clunker but the euros at least know how to commentate on a race
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:13 pm
nope, catch will be between mile 6 & 7
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:19 pm
they don’t have a hope, but i always love the break guys at this point if they hammer it
Comment by allison | 02.17.2009 | 6:20 pm
I keep losing video and audio feed!
Comment by Ian | 02.17.2009 | 6:21 pm
C’mon… Group sprint… For Susan!
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 6:22 pm
they’re toast
Comment by El Animal | 02.17.2009 | 6:25 pm
My money is on cavendish
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:27 pm
yay Thor!
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 02.17.2009 | 6:27 pm
why didn’t cavendish go with hincapie? oops!
Comment by Erine | 02.17.2009 | 6:31 pm
Thor is a God.
Comment by Clydesteve | 02.17.2009 | 6:31 pm
cav screwed up. Georgie was right there for him
Comment by Nick | 02.17.2009 | 6:32 pm
don’t worry about the stage ends for the TDF, hockey season will be over by then. It will, however, be bull riding season :o
Comment by Nick | 02.17.2009 | 6:35 pm
is he calling it “licky gas?” That’s disturbing on a few levels
Comment by Hat | 02.17.2009 | 6:41 pm
Canada’s behind all this, somehow. Mark my words.
Comment by Kristen | 02.17.2009 | 6:42 pm
Bob still has hair!
Comment by Scott | 02.17.2009 | 6:46 pm
Actually, the anouncers were the only ones pronouncing Boonen correcetly. Should sound like “bonin’”.
Comment by Amy | 02.17.2009 | 6:52 pm
I thought it was pronounced “leaky gas.” I’ve also heard “liquee gas.” Which I do not love.
Comment by IntinerantRick | 02.17.2009 | 6:54 pm
Versus now has their version of the ‘Heidi game’, the ‘Hockey race’.
Guess it was just as good I continued to work in the backroom while watching on the computer rather than move to the front room to see it on the 42″ plasma.
Comment by WheelDancer | 02.17.2009 | 7:51 pm
LOL ClydeSteve,
Neti Pot is the name of the device, like tea pot. You fill it with warm water, put in a measuring spoon full (the spoon comes with it) of salt and then just pour some of it in one nostril and it comes out the other. Switch over to the other nostril and pour in the rest.
Not nearly as messy as what you describe though in principle it’s the same thing.
http://www.sinusbuster.com/netipot.html
Comment by joliver3 | 02.17.2009 | 9:23 pm
Really enjoyed the commentary, some of the described cold remedies not so much. And isn’t it an amazing coincidence that FC gets “sick” during the biggest race in the US, conveniently allowing him to watch it all while at home….
Best news of all, your “Shave Bob Roll’s Head” contest made cyclingnews.com! Go to http://tinyurl.com/cu5gjq and scroll down to the headline “Roll, Fatty Nelson raising money for Livestrong”. Awesome!
WIN Susan!
Comment by Zack | 02.17.2009 | 9:34 pm
Breaking news from SI — just in case you weren’t able to sleep without knowing:
Leipheimer and numerous other riders crashed when Leipheimer and Armstrong bumped wheels, but Leipheimer received a new bike and quickly returned to the field.
It was my fault,” Leipheimer said. “Usually, you can put your foot down, but not today. I just didn’t concentrate for a second. I landed on my butt. It hurts, but nothing’s broken, so it’s no big deal. It’s racing etiquette not to attack when the race leader crashes, so I just took my time.”
Comment by Barbara | 02.17.2009 | 9:34 pm
I just watched what I had TIVO’d earlier today and I am SO BUMMED that I watched all that silly commentary on nothing (well, I did FF through a lot of it) only to find they didn’t get the FINISH! This will probably be the only sprint finish in the race, and VS missed it!
You know, Elden, they say a cold will last a week, unless you take cold medications, in which case it will last 7 days. I spent my weekend hunkered down with a box of tissues, but I’m on day 8 now and feeling pretty normal.
thanks for the commentary!
Comment by KT | 02.17.2009 | 10:55 pm
Hey Fatty, I might be a little late on this, but if you can find it, get Cold Calm. I found it at Whole Foods, so you may need to try one of those hippie-expensive fancy grocery stores.
It’s homeopathic stuff. Follow the instructions carefully.
I had the monster-bad-icky cold that made the rounds of the office for only 7 days– most everyone else had it for minimum 2 weeks. Mom’s had it for 3.
:) Also: thanks for the live-blogging!!!!! :) You rock.
Comment by drKim | 02.17.2009 | 10:57 pm
I am so excited that the Bob Roll Challenge made cycling news.com! I hope it leads to lots more donations for Susan!!!
Win Susan!
Comment by FlatsMan | 02.18.2009 | 7:38 am
Good News Versus Cycling Fans.
GM today announced it is closing down Hummer.
Yeahhh.
Your Bail Out $$$ at work
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » We Did It! $5000+ in ONE DAY! Bobke’s Gotta Shave His Head | 02.18.2009 | 8:35 am
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Comment by kiwi | 02.18.2009 | 9:59 am
Im loving TFC…bad weather but what can you do.
The thing that got me so mad the “girl” who does the
“UNDER STANDING CYCLING” reports! she asked
a ride what race his girlfriend was?? Just put a blonde wig on her and been done!As a woman and a cyclist give us a brake……Love cycling ,woman acting dum not so much!
“WIN SUSAN”
Kiwi
Comment by Trapperdan | 02.18.2009 | 11:09 am
I use Wild Turkey (repeat as needed) and generic cold fizzies. Then I sleep for several days.
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