As usual, when Americans get into a Euro sport...

[SteelBlue]

they bend over backwards trying to copy the European fans. Over the past 2 stages I must have seen more than 60 costumed men in various stages of dress chasing the cyclists a la Satan and Santa Claus in Europe. There were a couple of them who were fantastic. The dude with the yellow football helmet with the gigantic Elk antlers was hilarious. He would get into full sprint mode, rarely even looking at the cyclist, and he'd hang on to his 15 minutes of fame as long as his legs would allow. But for the most part it was just fat dudes in speedos trying to get on camera. It reminds me so much of what MLS fans were (and sometimes still are) like when that league was started. All the Euro cheers, team scarves, etc... It looks very little brother.

[TripletDaddy]

How is this different from baseball fans in Japan or basketball fans in almost any country? The entire American sports culture has permeated throughout the globe via merchandising, advertising, etc..

[creekster]

I was actually embarrassed by the fans. They were over the top. In europe they enjoy running but they also know not to get out of the frickin' way. I was getting very angry watching it. DId you see one of the schleck brothers smack one guy on the face? I thought that was great.

The antler guy used to run on some of the TdF strages, btw.

[SteelBlue]

How is this different from baseball fans in Japan or basketball fans in almost any country? The entire American sports culture has permeated throughout the globe via merchandising, advertising, etc..

It isn't different and that's my point. This is America dammit, we don't need to copy anybody.

[SteelBlue]

I was actually embarrassed by the fans. They were over the top. In europe they enjoy running but they also know not to get out of the frickin' way. I was getting very angry watching it. DId you see one of the schleck brothers smack one guy on the face? I thought that was great.

The antler guy used to run on some of the TdF strages, btw.

How about the morons who were holding a baby out toward the riders and running at full speed. I think I saw it twice.

[creekster]

How about the morons who were holding a baby out toward the riders and running at full speed. I think I saw it twice.

It was as bad or wrose than Michael Jackson, IMO. WHat idiots.

[SteelBlue]

It was as bad or wrose than Michael Jackson, IMO. WHat idiots.

Agree. It's probably a function of it being too easy to get to the good spots on the ToC at this point. No camping out for a week, you can just take the day off and find a spot that will get you tv time. I'm sure that brings out some idiots who might not otherwise take the time.