'Tour de France Nights: The Ballad of Eric Boyer'
He is the only grown man, besides my Dad, that I've seen climb into a full set of pajamas every night before he goes to bed. He was one of the best 'grimpeurs' in the world, at least until the Dr. Ferrari era began. When we were roomates, we used the French/English combo language. He'd get into those pj's and I'd say, "Hey, ou est your beenie, buddy?". He'd reply, "Que est ce que c'est un 'beenie buddy'?". He is one of many great French people that I've been lucky to have known. Eric is a sincere person with a vast affinity for friendship. Seeing Eric Boyer's quote, yesterday, sent me into a time warp:
Eric Boyer, Team Manager, (Cofidis):
"I hope that Vinokourov won't be a coward and deny everything. He said that he worked with Ferrari just for training plans. He always told us what a brave guy he is, that he is stronger than the pain, that the French ride behind everyone else because they are lazier. Now we see that he is a big bastard."
Eric would never pipe out the 'il est un grand batard' without being absolutely at his wits end. He should be, too. The French have been dealt way more garbage than they deserve in all of this. Once, a lawyer tried to explain reality to me by saying, "There is no justice. There is just us." I had to interject. Too many have abused sports, the Tour de France, French racing, the French and all of France, for that matter, living by that saying.
Ironically, as I drifted off to sleep, last night, the Tv was on in my room. It was playing 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'. Damn funny, always. Yet another reminder of how and why most of America feels the way they do about the French. Hollywood stereotypes do not reality make, America.
One day after Vino did less for Kazakhstan than Borat, Tinkerbell scorched every rider in the Tour de France off his wheel. There is not much to say about the race, today. The searing attacks from Contador never materialized. It was apparent with 10k to go that he might not have it in him. It felt like most of the world was wanting the yellow jersey to get pummeled some, today. Bike racing's frustrations remain pent-up.
Eric Boyer, Team Manager, (Cofidis):
"I hope that Vinokourov won't be a coward and deny everything. He said that he worked with Ferrari just for training plans. He always told us what a brave guy he is, that he is stronger than the pain, that the French ride behind everyone else because they are lazier. Now we see that he is a big bastard."
Eric would never pipe out the 'il est un grand batard' without being absolutely at his wits end. He should be, too. The French have been dealt way more garbage than they deserve in all of this. Once, a lawyer tried to explain reality to me by saying, "There is no justice. There is just us." I had to interject. Too many have abused sports, the Tour de France, French racing, the French and all of France, for that matter, living by that saying.
Ironically, as I drifted off to sleep, last night, the Tv was on in my room. It was playing 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby'. Damn funny, always. Yet another reminder of how and why most of America feels the way they do about the French. Hollywood stereotypes do not reality make, America.
One day after Vino did less for Kazakhstan than Borat, Tinkerbell scorched every rider in the Tour de France off his wheel. There is not much to say about the race, today. The searing attacks from Contador never materialized. It was apparent with 10k to go that he might not have it in him. It felt like most of the world was wanting the yellow jersey to get pummeled some, today. Bike racing's frustrations remain pent-up.
posted by Paul Willerton at
9:03 PM
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