CSC - "Overcoming"

I made a few purchases recently that included a couple of cycling DVDs and black and white TDF 2006 calendars. The DVDs were for our cycling room at Cumberland while the calendars are for home and office.

I don't know about you, but I prefer old black and white photos for calendars over color contemporaries any day. I've had calendars of trains, cities, cycling, etc., but all in black and white. Why? Either I was born in the wrong era or it's that I think mostly in black and white on most topics. All I know for sure is I like them.

Back to the DVDs....I purchased two team documentaries, one about CSC's 2004 season called "Overcoming", and another about Telekom/T-Mobile's 2003 Tour de France called "Hell on Wheels." Unfortunately the Telekom DVD was backordered and will hopefully arrive soon, but I have already watched both DVDs of CSC.

Overcoming includes two DVDs, one the actual documentary itself while another is several more chapters making up an "extras" bonus DVD. The documentary includes chapters on Alpe d'Huez training & Tour stage, doping, the Tour itself, Ivan & Lance, and Plateau de Beille to name a few. I won't ruin it for you by going into great detail about what you'll see, but after watching this you'll understand why this organization has been as successful as it has the last few years.

Whatever your impressions were before seeing Overcoming I would imagine it will change somewhat afterwards. Not bad to good or good to bad of people, but of their character and demeanor as men. I walked away admiring Bjarne Riis and his leadership abilities as well as others on his staff such as Ole Kaare Fuli, the team spiritual and physical therapist. You sense these two men are able to reach their rider's hearts and souls in a way that brings out their very best.

You'll be surprised to hear that a lot of the time English is the spoken language within the team. There are subtitles, but I estimate it's 50% English and the rest in Dutch, Italian and Spanish.

My most favorite section was in the bonus DVD about Jens Voigt (pronounced Vote). We know him as the one guy who will always be in the breakaway, but of the entire team he is definitely the most admirable man on CSC. Voigt provides enthusiasm, a positive attitude, humor, loyalty and professionalism.

Bobby Julich's voice over states at the beginning of the Voigt section, "Jens Voigt from CSC is a power source. A good centre on a cycling team." After you watch the 26 minute clip dedicated to Jens you understand exactly what Bobby is saying. You want Jens on your team.

Overcoming has set a pretty high standard for Hell on Wheels to reach. After my next shipment arrives I'll give a short review of the Telekom DVD, and hopefully I'll be able to say I made wise choice in entertainment spending.