Tour de Fiance

When the 2007 Tour de France began, cynicism and shame enveloped cycling. Doping scandals, admissions of dark secrets a decade old, and old battles between journalists, authorities, teams, and riders cast a cold shadow across the enthusiasm of cycling fans. Could the great race of the year boil away the fog and reveal a grand exercise of athleticism and competition again?

The first moment of television coverage revealed the answer -- a glorious day in London, nearly a million spectators lining the time trial course, and an amazing sequence of rides capped by the world time-trial champion eviscerating the field (and nearly overtaking the race motorcycles on one curve). The Tour de France was back, with defiance.

Each of the first four days -- the prologue and the first three stages -- has been magnificent, from Robbie McEwen's phoenix-like performance rising from the road and flying through the peloton to mysteriously grab a sprint victory to Fabian Cancellara's amazing tactical sense and strength to catch a breakaway and then hold off a surging sprint, it has been amazing.

The crowds lining the roads, the scenery, and the sportsmanship have all been exemplary. The Tour de France lives on as the world's premiere sporting event.