following TdF..

[bYuPride]

So I'm trying to get more into the TdF this year.. i'm DVR'ing all the stages and watching some of them.. I've recognized a few names from my rookie year last year which increases my interest.. but it doesn't seem like most other sporting events where you pick a team and go with it, because sponsorship changes so often, team members change all the time, etc. plus there are so many sub stories going on with trying to win the Yellow, Green, the polka dot, and the white jersey. I guess when Lance was around, you'd cheer for him and Discovery?

So the big stories of this year...
1. Having 2 American teams in the TdF with Team Columbia and Garmin Chipotle.. although, aren't there just a few Americans on those teams? Christian Vandevelde, Danny Pate, George Hincapie, Will Fishkorn and I think there is only 1 more..
2. What happened to Dave Zabriske and Levi Leipheimer? Did they dope or guilty by assocation? Will they be back next year?
3. Did Jan Ullrich retire with Lance?
4. I recognize a few names... Cadel Evans, (really in the running to win the whole thing?) Robbie McEwen, Fabian Cancellara, the easy names to pronounce..

What are some things to look for? I wanted to just pick an American team and just go for them, but the teams are all so mixed that I'm just watching to watch for the fun of it.

I don't like the French.