Sad to See it Go

Just watching the formal procession of riders before the racing begins on the Champs Elysee. Seeing this year's Tour de France end elicits a sense of both sadness and relief--sadness that the great race and all its drama is gone for another year, but also relief that I will no longer be glued to the television every morning/afternoon and will be free to work out in the few more weeks of freedom that remain before school starts. The race next year: no more Lance; the Schlecks on a new team--and hopefully Frank healthy for the Tour; new sponsor for the Saxo Bank team--and who will be their new GC rider?; God willing, *new uniforms* for Footon-Servetto!; a healthy Cadel, but probably no longer wearing the World Champion stripes. Lots of anticipation for the next twelve months.