ESPN

Spandex and bicycles really don't seem like fitting materials for a sports feud. Fireproof racing suits and cars that top 200 miles per hour? Now you're talking. But a feud for the ages seemed to be the way this year's Tour de France was heading until recent events intervened and ruined the fun. Someone has to get Kyle Busch to race in this thing next year (or at the very least, Carl Edwards).

As recently as the weekend past, SportsNation still picked Lance Armstrong as the Tour de France favorite. Shortly thereafter, Alberto Contador dominated his Astana teammate in a key stage and put his stamp on this year's race to the degree that even Armstrong conceded he was essentially accepting a support role from second place.

Two weeks ago (this thing is the Brett Favre of sporting events), we saw that the 'Nation had strong feelings about Armstrong back when he was in the midst of his run of Tour wins. The depth of the lingering passion remains to be seen, but losing this year's race apparently won't hurt his legacy. In fact, if he lives up to being a role player, it might add another level to his reputation.

• A harsh haiku composed by SportsNation blogger thehunter000 summed up the potential friction some felt Armstrong might create in challenging Contador.

“

Contador is clearly the stronger rider. If Astana did anything but work for Contador to win this race, it would be one of the most asinine plans ever. Sunday proved that Lance is not their strongest rider. More importantly he was weaker than both Schleck brothers, Wiggins and Sastre, even Evans got a little time on him. As a team you have to go with you #1 guy, and Contador has been that. ... Contador wants to win (as do most athletes). Until Lance came back, he had a team assembled to do just that. He wanted to end the drama and put a stamp on this tour. Sunday he did that.

” -- ronb

“

So Lance isn't going to win? Great. Now, cycling can fade back into the obscurity whence it came.

” -- the.sports.dude