Domestique

It is team tactics that wins or loses races – lieutenants and dog soldiers use their energy blocking chasing moves when they have riders up the road in a position to win. It is also them that ride face into the wind so their aces can get an easier ride tucked behind their wheel. Rare indeed is the victory that cannot be credited to the groundwork laid by the domestiques. – St. Pierre

I live vicariously through you, Mr. Armstrong. If you aren’t following our national champion, Lance Armstrong, in his climactic glory in the Tour de France happening right now, you’re living under a rock in more ways than one. Lance is 38 coming on 39 – “30s is the new 20s” – and rockin’ in the saddle (saddle sores and all) with the twentysomethings. Father of five kids, still puttin’ it all on the line for the cause. Ask yourself, what was the farthest you’ve biked? These competitors bicycle 140 miles in one day, then do it again with another 100 miles the next day, and again with Le Tour de France a total of 20 stages, you do the math on total mileage of human powered racing. Make us proud, Lance.

Tour de France updates: Steephill TdF 2010 updates