The men's Olympic road race is today, and the startlist is so money that this sports fan can barely stand it. Among them, this charming individual and his big, bad sunglasses:
I know you're all on the edges of your seat on this, so here's the Men's Olympic Road Race Update: Big G. made a powerful move with about 30km to go on the pavé, but he was soon caught. In the end, it was that little tiny Italian munchkin Paolo Bettini - a hot favorite for this race - who took the gold, Portugal's Sergio Paulinho suprised us with a great ride for silver, and Belgian Axel "Big Sexy" Merckx, rounding out the podium in bronze... and looking charming in olive wreaths, as you can see below:
Photos from AFP
George rode a good race (as always!), but he finished with the bunch, 12 seconds off the winning pace, in 24th. Alas. Best American was Tyler Hamilton in 18th, Bobby Julich was 28th, also in the pack. Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney did not finish. Out of 144 total starters, only 75 finished... it was hot over there in Athens.
Bike racing is a tough racket, people!
Jeez, enough Adrien Brody posts already.
Posted by: rcjohnso | 14 srpen 2004 at 09:43 dop.
Oh man, don't EVEN! This is the REAL Olympics! Not the one for DLB's.
Posted by: Jane Herself | 14 srpen 2004 at 10:03 dop.
And what a win too -- a break for the last few laps? Wow. Axel made a good go of it though.
I'm holding out for the time trial though.
I remember being in Trexlertown in September, 2001. Bobby Jullich was selling his old equipment and donating the proceeds to the red cross.
Go Bobby!
Posted by: J. Nathan Matias | 16 srpen 2004 at 04:37 dop.
It was a very impressive victory, especially considering that he was such a hot favorite. That always impresses me when someone who is expected to win actually pulls it off despite being the most marked man in the pack...
I can't wait for the ITT. I'm pulling for Jan!
Posted by: Jane Herself | 16 srpen 2004 at 07:09 dop.
Crayzee Baybee,
I like my Olympians wet, Baybee, wet!
My vote for sexiest Olympian:
http://www.rykneethling.com/images.html
Sweet.
Posted by: Tosho | 16 srpen 2004 at 08:00 dop.
That particular selection is a bit too "meat" for me, Tosho; but all in all, I'm not complaining a bit about the men's swimming...
Posted by: Jane Herself | 16 srpen 2004 at 11:22 odp.
Too "meat" did you say, Jane? No such thing. While I like the swimmers, my vote for sexiest Olympians go to the gooch-eyed Hamón twins. Get a load of the armpit hair on those guys.
nummy
Posted by: Matt Ambrose | 20 srpen 2004 at 10:41 odp.
Dearest Matt,
Those Hamms were pretty impressive, although I failed to note their armpit hair. I did say "too meat" but I must admit that it was a bit fey of me, since my personal choice for sexiest Olympian is that great slab of clean-shaven muscle from down under... yes, you know it... THE THORPEDO!
I just grossed myself out.
Love,
~jane
Posted by: Jane Herself | 21 srpen 2004 at 01:08 dop.