From velonews.com, the inimitable Mike Ditka and host of notables hail
LA's accomplishments. Makes for a few laughs.
<excerpt>
Former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka also paid tribute to Armstrong,
although some details of the effort escaped the retired American
football mastermind.
"Look at that guy in France riding that bike," Ditka said. "I have no
idea what he's doing over there. But do you understand how hard that
is? Get on your bike and ride for 10 minutes and tell me how you feel.
And this guy is going to win again? This guy is going to live his dream
again? That's just amazing."
Many Americans have trouble deciphering the Tour's stage format, most
not paying enough attention to understand the time gains mountainous
stages can bring and the reasons behind teamwork and allowing rivals to
win other stages.
Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski admitted: "I don't understand
how any of this works. I've been following the Tour de France since
Armstrong started winning and I still don't get it. Stages? Time
trials? And I'm not the only one who is mystified. Last week, a man
called to ask if 'Armstrong had caught that guy Pyrénées for the lead.'
I had to say, 'Uh, Pyrénées is not a person. It's a mountain range.' To
which he replied: 'Oh, so he did catch him?'"
Posnanski later noted: "Hey, stupid people should be allowed to enjoy
the Tour de France, too."
.......
<end excerpt>