Many Europeans and other cycling fans praise champions of the past, who raced every day, virtually year-round, for the simple reason that they needed the money.

Many cycling fans, especially those in Belgium, also expressed against the changes in the route and thinking that the changes were made for commercial reasons.

One disapproving cycling fan relates his experience of Duffield's commentary style thus:

But since those victories, his aloof personality has seemingly poisoned most of the cycling fans in his native France.

He has generally been well received by French cycling fans by the side of the road, however, and claiming French anti-Americanism is not fair.

Ralf Hütter is an enthusiastic cycling fan.

He is an avid cycling fan and has presided over a cycling club in Llodio.

American cycling fans, unlike much of the world, cannot catch the tour live on television.

Toulouse-Lautrec was a cycling fan and often went to Paris velodromes.

"I'm doing it for passion," said Virenque, who is still extremely popular with French cycling fans.