2004 Tour de France follow-up

Well, the Tour is over for this year and we all know US Postal and Armstrong took home the big award. There are categories that the Tour organizers overlook, so I’ve complied the following to commemorate the riders and background people of the 2004 Tour de France.

Best Teammate:
Paolo Bettini of Quick Step. A strong finisher in his own right in many of the one day classics, as well as champion of Italy in 2003, Bettini went over and above to protect Virenque’s Polka Dot jersey in the opening days of the tour. He also participated in breakaways that helped sprinter Tom Boonen win two stages in the tour.

Worst Teammate:
Any question on this one? Filippo Simeoni of Domina Vicanza. Regardless of his fued with Armstrong, this guy acted like a big baby, whining to the press and disrupting the peloton with his vengeance. Call the Wahmbulance, here comes Filippo.

Disappointments:
1) No sprint finish between Mario Cippolini and Alessandro Petacchi
2) The poor showing of Liberty Seguros, especially Roberto Heras and Isidro Nozal

Best Strip:
Fassa Bortolo

Worst Strip:
Credit Agricole

Most overused phrase by a commentator:
“Completely and utterly (fill in the blank)” Paul Sherwen

Favorite phrase by a commentator:
Paul Sherwen again. “He’ll have to dig into his Suitcase of Courage for this one, Phil.”

Best Job:
Hands down, it’s got to be Podium Girl

Worst Job:
Gendarme with the yellow flag in the traffic islands

The “if you were my son, what you’d hear from me” award: Vladimir Karpets.
Here’s the lecture: “Listen, son, you’re going to be on the podium in Paris tomorrow in front of millions of people all over the world. If you don’t have time for a haircut, at least wash and comb it, and trim up your beard. You look like a bum.”

Best Rider’s Diary:
Christian Vande Veldt”

The “I Hope He Gets A Good Coach” award:
Thomas Voeckler

Favorite Rider Name:
Dmitriy Fofonov

The “I Finished 11th in the GC and Never Had My Name Mentioned Until The Last Day” award:
Pietro Caucchioli

Best Tour Trivia:
The Guardian

That’s it for this year, cycling fans. Thanks for reading.