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Saturday, July 08, 2006

Robbie McEwan Cycling Hero


For such an apparently corrupt sport, it is encouraging to see the success of Robbie McEwan in the Tour de France. With most of the favourites kicked out as drug cheats, before a pedal was turned, it is good to see an (apparently drug free) Aussie hero. I watched his first two stage wins live on SBS. Last night he won another stage. The ABC Radio News this morning short changed him attributing this as his second stage win this year. Note to ABC: Get some fact checkers. Originally SBS showed only highlights, then longer coverage very late. Now they show the whole race. Cycling must be very popular here in Australia. Nobody talks about it much. Must be taboo to admit to enjoy watching the race. It is like a four hour version of one of the travel programmes, with often interesting visual coverage of the French countryside, interspersed with the occasional crash, flat tire and assorted maladies. I remember watching them eating lunch last year. They get containers of things and just eat what they want and throw away what they don't. Not so environmentally friendly. My wife cannot comprehend watching it, especially so late at night. She has similar feelings about cricket. It is strangely addictive from a spectator perspective. The commentary is measured and knowledgable and the tactics (apparently there are a lot) are becoming more clear. Next year they are even starting in London. Sacre blue (it can't be true). Tour de Londres?????

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