Tour shows ability, strength
Steroids: check. Players returning from retirement to win championships: check. Severe injuries: check. What sport could contain all of these entertaining aspects and be broadcast during this time of year? Cycling.
As the Tour de France came to a close on Sunday, I was captivated by the struggles and victories these athletes achieved throughout the race. Traveling 2,132 miles, these cyclists ride rain or shine over a distance equivalent to driving from Columbia to Las Vegas. Split up into 21 stages that vary in distance, each rider is part of a team that fights to have the lowest combined time throughout the race. The individual winner has the lowest overall time. Although this sport may seem boring to some, I admire the strategy and endurance of these athletes. It’s my personal belief that their performances over the course of the tour proves their athleticism is equal — if not greater — than the participants in the biggest sports in America.
So what if you can run a 40-yard dash quickly or swing a bat at a ball one or two nights a week? Granted, I enjoy watching the games, but they seem dull in comparison to cyclists. This doesn’t mean I believe Lance Armstrong standing at 5-foot-9 would pose much of a threat snaking down a football field, but cyclists have to push their bodies to the absolute limit more than athletes in other sports do.
Another enticing aspect of the Tour de France is the chance to cheer for individual riders or teams, which makes the Tour de France bring out the nationalism in the viewers. This year, an Australian part of the American BMC Racing Team won. Another member of this team was George Hincapie from Greenville, S.C. I’ve never really taken the time to follow this sport before, but I’ll definitely be keeping up with it after this event. I urge anyone who wants to see some amazing athletes check out cycling races and upcoming tours.
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