TDF Defaced

Pathetic.

I guess that any time big money enters the professional athletics equation, all bets are off as far as sportsmanship and ethics are concerned. Today was a sad day for the Tour de France and the world of cycling as a whole. First "Vino", then Moreni and today, the man in yellow: Rasmussen. Cycling's showcase event has once again been disrespected and disgraced.

If there's any humor to be found in the situation it is this: The win-at-all-cost attitude within Pro Cycling is eroding not only public interest in the sport, but the very sponsorship that the elite athletes/drug cheats are relying upon to make their living! Nothing like slitting your own throat in exchange for a brief moment of fleeting glory.

These days, I find myself more impressed by the results being turned in by local, hard working athletes like Dean Phillips (of the NE triathlon circuit/Fitwerx2 fame). His 23:40 (or was it 23:37 Dean???) on the 11.3 mile ECV TT course two weeks ago was simply off the charts. Factor his 3 kids, wife, house and brand new, 7 day-a-week business (read: 60+ hour work weeks and lots of stress) into the mix, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more inspiring performance.

So go ahead and continue hero-worshipping the phonies you're seeing on the TV screen; I'll marvel at the real athletes that we have right here in our own backyard.

For all the latest on this year's rendition of another ruined TDF, check out http://www.velonews.com/

-Janda