Tour Pedals On Well Regardless
- July 24th, 2007
- Posted by 7thmin
Two thirds of the way through the Tour de France, officials were talking of ongoing success for the event, despite problems with drugs, much thanks to the loyalty of fans.
European television audiences continued strong despite the pull-out by German TV, in protest against doping, when one of the country’s lead contenders tested positive to a banned substance.
In Italy they counted 1.2- million viewers following the race; in Denmark some 80% of the population at some stage watched their own Michael Rasmussen take the lead – losing it (22.7.07) to Spain’s Alberto Contador, in the grueling mountain ride to the Plateau de Baille in the Pyrenees.
That enthusiastic public support bodes well for cycling retaining sponsorships for the Tour de France in the order of $US 100-million (A$113.10-million; dcerates.com 23.7.07).
In the Pyrenees Australia’s surviving hope, Cadel Evans, (pictured – SBS), slipped in the rankings but at the end of the weekend (23.7.07) remained in contention in seventh place.
At 30 he has won nine major titles.
Among the accident afflicted other Australians, Robbie McEwen has forecast he’ll be back on a bike at the end of this month, getting over the wrist and knee in juries that ended his promising try at the title this time.
The Tour de France started in its 2007 host country, the United Kingdom, on 7.7.07; in the coming days the riders will make the final big turn for the run up to Paris, set to finish on the Champs Elysees this Sunday.
Reference:
Tour de France, http:// www.letour.fr (23.7.07)
SBS Australia, http://tdf.sbs.com.au (23.7.07)