Tour de Farce
It's not a good time for the Tour de France, not when the only buzz it creates is:
"Did you see that guy crash into the dog?!?!"
The Tour is of course getting a lot of attention, but not buzz. Buzz is good, this race is drawing controversy. That's bad.
But in terms of cycling's popularity, how much of an effect are blood doping, steroids, and all that other nonsense really hurting the sport? I say very, very little, and for one simple reason:
NOBODY WATCHES ANYWAY!
All the cheating can have an impact on how people feel about the sport (obviously a negative one), but these guys could be cleaner than Reverend Billy Graham and nobody would watch, because IT'S BORING! If I wanted to watch people ride bikes, I'd head over to the Lake- at least some of those cyclists are wearing halter tops.
How much fun is it to watch guys with names I can't pronounce, pedal down streets no wider than my hallway? Now, you may ask:"Well what about NASCAR? Don't they just drive around in circles for 3 hours?"
Yes, they do, but there's always the potential for a spectacular crash.
"But there are crashes in the Tour de France."
Yes there are, but no one catches on fire.
For me, the Tour de France falls into the same category as televised chess matches and the Winter Olympics- sports programs I'd surf right past, even if the only alternative was "Judge Hatchett."
Comments
Hey Pat! Why are you stading outside wearing a T-shirt that says "yes I'm pat tomasulo" I thought about stopping and asking you, but was afraid they'd get me on camera or something.
Posted by: stacey | August 1, 2007 12:28 PM