Just watched ABC's coverage of the 1989 Tour for the first time in years and was reminded of how much cycling has changed. (other than down tube shifters, first generation aero bars and steel frames!) If I ever feel the urge to complain about Liggett and Sherwen, I'll just have to listen to Al Trautwig, Pierre Salinger and Sam Posey again.
Star riders actually attacking each other and reacting late in a mountain stage, not using their army of domestiques to keep the tempo high for hours and then attacking with 4 km to go. Racers actually looking tired after a hard stage, slumped over their bike. LeMond had no one to lean on but himself in the crucial points of the race, and Delgado and Fignon weren't surrounded by domestiques either. Paul Kimmage, in 161st place, abandoning in tears a couple of years before writing his book.
Ah, the memories before EPO. Of course, they still doped, but it seemed more human. One thing that hasn't changed, the known dopers in the race (Pedro Delgado and Gert Jan Theunisse) got the kid gloves treatment from broadcasters. A brief mention of past indiscretions and free pass issued.
Star riders actually attacking each other and reacting late in a mountain stage, not using their army of domestiques to keep the tempo high for hours and then attacking with 4 km to go. Racers actually looking tired after a hard stage, slumped over their bike. LeMond had no one to lean on but himself in the crucial points of the race, and Delgado and Fignon weren't surrounded by domestiques either. Paul Kimmage, in 161st place, abandoning in tears a couple of years before writing his book.
Ah, the memories before EPO. Of course, they still doped, but it seemed more human. One thing that hasn't changed, the known dopers in the race (Pedro Delgado and Gert Jan Theunisse) got the kid gloves treatment from broadcasters. A brief mention of past indiscretions and free pass issued.