There are two sports I follow without fail. One, you should know is Formula One auto racing and the other is road race cycling. Huh? You may have heard of it. A road race over three weeks - like the Tour de France?
Well there is this very nice Canadian, the only Canadian in a starting field of 198 riders who had a very bad day today. He is talented and tough. To give a perspective to finish the Tour de France is a milestone. To win the Giro d'Italia makes him the Sidney Crosby of the sport but to be a legend like Gretsky he had a chance to win the historic Tour de France in the same year. Until today.
His name is Ryder Hesjedal and he is one of the world's top athletes period. But some stupid guy touched wheels with another which caused almost half of the riders in the peleton to go down. Unfortunately, his fellow team mates were in the wrong place and the entire team took a tumble except for two. This is unprecedented even for the Tour de France. They were going about 70 km per hour at the time of the crash.
Seriously, it was the worst accident I can remember at the Tour de France. But there is good news. No one died or was seriously injured although it is likely Ryder will not be able to continue. His Olympic bid is doubtful now too.
That's the thing about racing a Formula One car or a road bicycle that is so frustrating. Some idiot makes a mistake and your race is ruined. That's racing. It is a harsh reality but they are gladiators and I have no doubt Ryder will ride if he can.
Sometimes things come up that are more important than a post about drink stirrers. So I promise tomorrow my last installment on drink stirrers parasol pretty.
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