OTHER: 20 famous Tour de France moments [Archive]

Papelgod

07-07-2009, 01:31 PM

Unless you live in the Pyrenees, chances are the Tour de France isn't a big "go to the bar with your friends" event for you. (If it is, though, more power to you.) But as the stages unfold, odds are it will gradually become a bigger part of your everyday conversations. If you know absolutely nothing about cycling -- for shame -- we suggest consulting the goods below. It is a collection of 20 famous Tour de France moments done under the umbrella of "Clip Reel," (http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/package?id=3481638) a concept that lived at ESPNTheMag.Com prior to its super-content merger with ESPN Insider. Enjoy.

(1) Everyone knows that even though it's awkward to laugh, people falling down is funny. So, we'll open with the Top 10 Tour de France wipeouts (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsvscE5Z_0E) of all-time.

(2) This is probably the best list (http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/a-few-dramatic-tour-de-france-moments.html) of famed Tour moments for non-cycling fans.

(3) The slug of this clip is "Best Tour de France footage ever filmed?" and while that might be up for debate, it's certainly in the discussion. It's 3.17 seconds of quality cinematic video. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypGlreJYFWM)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypGlreJYFWM)
(4) Greg LeMond vs. Laurent Fignon in 1989 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyvwtOQYQ-E) was epic. Check out how fast LeMond is riding his bike.

(5) When Lance Armstrong won in 1995, he dedicated the victory to Fabio Casartelli, who had died after an accident in an earlier stage. The skyward finger point by Armstrong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaHsY6nuab0) is considered one of the more dramatic Tour moments ever.

(6) While on the topic of Armstrong, this is one of the best tribute videos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kif_S8wwRRs) about him you'll find on the Web -- it's also set to Coldplay.

(7) Seems fitting to include an Armstrong Nike commercial on the list. He has done several, but this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CbQOLqZ8IA) might be the best.

(8) More classic Armstrong. In the 2003 Tour, Stage 9, he rode off course into a hayfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr89ku-K2WU) to avoid a crash.

(9) There is a 12-part history of the Tour de France series on YouTube. This link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3uP_IQeyII) will take you to Part 1. You can access the other 11 parts on the right sidebar. Each clip is about 9 minutes, so it's a time investment, but worth it.

(10) Stephen Roche at La Plagne in 1987 is classic (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04).

(11) If you're unfamiliar with the various stages of the Tour, this is the best place (http://www.letour.fr/indexus.html) to start your research.

(12) Go here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_de_france) next.

(13) Back to videos: This is a nine-part series about the best climbs in Tour de France history. Here's Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXetEbQYCjI). You can find the other eight parts on the right side. Amazing footage in there.

(14) This is interesting: the Tour in Google Maps street view. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmlt72nvfZw)

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmlt72nvfZw)
(15) The Alpe d'Huez is the most famous climb on the tour. (Some call it "cycling's holy land.") Here is the 2008 version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUtvRPQrny8) of the climb.

(16) This is a good promo for the DVD "Hell on Wheels," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly5IkBxvYL0) which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Tour in 2003.

(17) In that '03 Tour, Armstrong had quite a duel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7QYi8_EZDk&feature=related) with Jan Ullrich in Stage 19.

(18) Check out where it ranks on this slideshow of Armstrong's greatest Tour moments. (http://www.bicycling.com/TDF_lance/1.html)

(http://www.bicycling.com/TDF_lance/1.html)
(19) The 30 Defining Tour de France Moments.
(http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/30moments/30.html)

(http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/30moments/30.html)
(20) And finally, here's another look (http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200507/tour-de-france-greatest-moments-1.html) at the best moments in Tour history. (And still another (http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02072008/58/tour-de-france-tour-countdown-memorable-moments.html).)