More cycling, anti-french news. In the Dauphine race I've been talking about, the French cyclists decided to protest the new helmet rule in pro cycling. The rule, which requies pro riders to wear helmets at all times, except within the final kilometers of a mountain top finish, was put in place in May after a well known cyclist, Adrei Kivilev, died in a crash. Kivilev was using both hands to adjust his radio earpiece when he rubbed tires with another rider, flipped over his handlebars, and died. Here's what American Tyler Hamilton had to say about the French protest.

So today, all the French riders took off their helmets to make a statement. I have to admit, I'm all for freedom of expression and protesting what you don't agree with. But, I think today's message from the French riders was derailed when one of them collided with a motorcycle on the race course and had to be rushed to the hospital. Luckily, he's okay. But the accident certainly won't help them defend their case down the road.

What's French for "morons"?
- posted by Tom Sawyer @ 1:36 PM