What great teams back then T I Raleigh,La Vie Clare,Z,7-11 the strip still looks good now!Im not a total Luddite though last years Tour De France was the best for ages,Andy Schlecks lone breakaway after everyone saying he wouldnt anything without his bro!Surely though Thomas Voeckler made the race and made us all dream he could do it.Had to admit I was willing him on despite being British that guy is super up for it and makes and takes every chance going.In fact I thought it was the smaller teams that set it alight FDJ,EUROPCAR, and riders like Hoogerland,Rolland and Jelle Vanendert.Im sure you know who I mean Jeremy Roy and Sandy Casar love those breakaways!My favourites are usually real sportsmen like Jens Voigt What a super bloke he seems very popular with riders and fans a true gent cheers mate Paul Cheney UK

: ) You are very welcomed!

Thanks for putting up such great cycling pieces-its probably my age but when there were no helmets no radios and more on the spot decisions by the riders I think it made for more exciting racing.Less interference by P.R men also meant the personalities could shine through and there were such great characters who spoke their minds.A race that lasts 3 weeks with 2 rest days!They may look skinny but super hard men for sure-if you doubt it have a go!The distances are daunting enough but its the speed they are covered at which is so amazing.Its such a shame that since the EPO years the amount of doubt about good riders and the venom and nastiness on line its created takes the shine off the sport.Me I just love riding me bike knowing if I cant get up the hill its down to me not my team and if I have to explain why I love riding to someone then they will never get it!!Thanks again Paul C from the U.K

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It's almost the same as LeBron and Wade on the same squad. Why? If - IFFF they win the title - who gets credit? Cycling although the same technically (a team sport) only one guy gets the glory. In theory though, the team won - and in 86 - as the commentator says - Hinault and LeMond 'OBLITERATED' the field. However - unlike it's supposed 'team' sport - we know cycling is built around a star. My belief is that LeMond genuinely believed Hinault would work for him. If you believe that - why change teams and risk competing against him?

He signed with PDM after his La Vie Claire contract was up. His tenure with them was cut short by the shooting and consequent health problems (appendectomy which was actually cover for a kinked intestine). By the time he returned to the TDF, he was with ADR which was a decidedly weak team, but literally the best he could do given his health problems. After he won the TDF in 89, he was back in a position to pick the best team he could work with, and went about creating the Z team around himself (much like Hinault had created La Vie Claire around himself years earlier).

I remember back in '86, thinking that Hinault was the ultimate fink, but in retrospect I understand him even less. The second attack that he made (after he had taken the lead) was ridiculous and its hard to believe that he thought he would succeed in doing anything but blowing up. Hampsten later said that he didn't believe Hinault didn't know that the attack would kill him. In think that after 1985, Hinault knew he couldn't win without LeMond's cooperation (which he knew he wouldn't get), so he decided to mess with everyone's heads for the fun of it. LeMond had said that prior to the 86 TDF, he considered Hinault to be as close to him as a brother. To win in 86, LeMond had to basically beat Hinault down, which he did, but he would have preferred not to.

I know - the team really split up that year - and almost rightfully so for LeMond if he was promised to be worked for. The dynamics were amazing - Bauer, and Hampsten helped LeMond - and Hampsten was awesome. I almost thought the same was going to happen last year when Contador and Lance had their issues. Too bad Armstrong wasn't strong enough to allow us that showdown.

I love when Tesh asks Hampsten if LeMond is out of the race, and Andy says "not at all." very calmly. You can tell that Hampsten had assumed the role of first lieutenant for LeMond. The next day, Hampsten helped LeMond just completely blow apart the field. Those two were awesome when they worked together.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!