Anti-Dopage

Here it is. This is the place that all the leaders have to go. I'm keeping a careful eye on the situation! Here's what they told me at the gate: (you be the judge)

Every rider in the Tour is tested for banned substances prior to the race. Various cyclists are tested after every stage, according to a selection process determined before the race. Under current rules, at least 180 urine drug tests are given, including daily drug tests for the race leader and stage winner and six to eight cyclists selected at random throughout the field.

Tour drug tests are administered in accordance with the rules of the Union Cycliste Internationale and the French Federation of Cycling or Federation Françoise de Cyclisme. TheTour conducts banned substance testing under secure and strictly monitored conditions. A specially equipped caravan is established near the finish line of every stage to transport drug samples to a private location following the race. Drug test samples are then transported by private plane for analysis, and results are quickly reported to Tour officials.

What an adventure!

After 4500 Km, 600 L of diesel and two weeks on the road, the Tour de Force Hymer camper has made it home safely.

The European Road PR crew accompanied by American colleagues Alex Wasmann and Charlie Walker made sure they were seen and heard on the Tour de France scene. The adventure started on the 12th of July, with the Etape du Tour, where 8500 people rode an extremely difficult stage of the Tour de France one week prior the professional riders.

A few days later, the Tour de Force adventure continued in Tallard on July the 18th. During the following days, the Hymer camper was seen in Marseille, Montpellier, Albi, Mazamet and Foix. Either in the narrow streets of Marseille, or on the heights of the Cantal (800 m), people took a close look at it.

If you happen to meet anybody who was at the Tour de France, ask him about the SRAM Tour de Force camper, I am sure he will tell you a good story.

The Road to Paris - epilog 1

2 years ago, I developed a plan to get SRAM to Paris. It included launching 2 road groups to the international media, sponsoring some race teams, going to some trade shows, and a whole bunch of other 'marketing' type elements. Today I sit here in the United terminal of Chicago's O'Hare airport awaiting the concluding element of the initial launch of SRAM Road.

I'm awaiting my flight to Paris. The flight that will put it all to a sort of closure to me. Its going to be a long flight. Usually I think about the work ahead, and the things I have to do as soon as I get on the ground. Usually I think about the logistics of travel and the type of car the car rental place will issue me. Usually I think about where my best meal will be, or where the best street food can be found. But today, all I'm thinking about is Paris. And of course my family whom I'm leaving for 7 days.

I'm off to catch the final days of the Tour de Force. We've been doing pretty good with Saunier Duval. Mayo has had some good results. Millar has had some good results. The balance of the team has had an amazing race. Force has shined on us. Force has shown to us that it is Pro-Tour proven. Force will be victorious. We didn't seek out to win the Tour. We sought out to race in the tour.

I'll be chasing the last days of the tour into Paris. For those of you wondering what the heck I'll be doing over there, here's my agenda: 1. I'm going blog about Force and its happenings at the Tour. 2. I'm going to meet with Team management to talk about how things went, and how they'll go in the future. 3. I'll meet with the bike brand Scott (bike sponsor of Saunier Duval) to talk about how we promote our great showing at the Tour and the Giro. 4. I'll intercept a few hopeful teams that want to have SRAM sponsor them for upcoming seasons. 5. I'll ensure that SRAM has a visible presence on and around the race. We've been praised for really providing top notch support to the industry, in the way that the competition has not seen before. 6. I'll review how the tech side of things went with Wim - or man on the streets liaison for SD. 7. Meet with key media to talk about Force - I have Steve Madden (Executive editor for Bicycling) on the line for a meeting. 8. Try to connect with ASO (Event promoter) to see what type of future sponsorship opportunities might exist for us. I'll also connect with Versus' staffers Robie Ventura and Frankie Andreau to keep up the Force hype. 9. Frog Guerrilla - try to see if I can get some frogs visible - Make the Leap! 10. And finally - enjoy it. Its important to stop and smell the pavement every once and a while. We've all worked hard for the Tour de Force, and I want to make sure that I take a little home for everyone.

Stay tuned! - DZ.