*Spoliers* Tour de France talk *Spoilers*

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  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    Holy moly! Hushovd set of ruddy early didn't he? I thought Hushovd would have an advantage on this kind of finish, but that was way too early. Considering all he had to do was come in second place, he certainly fluffed that one up. I feel sorry for him. He must be gutted about that result, from 6 infront to 6 behind. Poor Thor!
    Schwinn Fastback Comp : FCN 5
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    My Life, My Bike & My Xbox
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Did Cavendish win again?

    Did the GC contenders ride around the yellow jersey, again?

    Has there been any significant movement on the GC leaders board?

    Is Contador still 6seconds behind the yellow jersey and is Lance Armstrong 8secs?

    Are other GC contenders like Cadel Evans making no significant time gains because they won't attack?

    Are the overall results pretty much the same as yesterday as they were the day before yesterday with no real significant changes?

    I'm just playing.... :wink:
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    Today was about green and an awesome display from Cav - can't wait for the mountains at the weekend though, if it wasn't Cav and, say Thor dominating the flat stages I'd have long since lost interest.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Well, I was looking forward to watching todays stage tonight but all ruined by the Bike Radar Admin muppets posting a huge spoiler on the main page. What is the point of DDD being courteous enough to post 'Spoiler' in the thread title when the Admins don't observe the same etiquette? Well pissed off.

    At least I now know not to look at the Home page ever again but it really shouldn't have happened.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    By "posting a huge spoiler on the main page" I assume you mean "reporting the latest cycling news"?

    That's a bit like asking the BBC not to put any headlines on the front page until you've got home and had your dinner.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Jamey wrote:
    By "posting a huge spoiler on the main page" I assume you mean "reporting the latest cycling news"?

    That's a bit like asking the BBC not to put any headlines on the front page until you've got home and had your dinner.

    Not really. It is a sporting event that the site admin can reasonably assume that many site users will want to watch this evening and not want spoiled. There is nothing clever in Bike Radar having the results in this day and age given how easy data streaming is. All they need is a headline saying - Todays TDF results here. Anyone who is interested in the TDF will either try to watch it during the day (and therefore know the results anyway) or want to watch it in the evening (and therefore not want BikeRadar ruining it for them). The only folk who could possibly be pleased at what BikeRadar are doing are those who can't watch it in the evening - and even those would presumably be happy enough to just click a link without a spoiler.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • oscarbudgie
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    DDD - if you don't find the last 4 kms of todays stage totally gripping there's probably no hope for you as a racing fan....I'm not sure what sporting spectacle would do it for you - Live Cliff Jumping from Newquay maybe?
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • Jamey
    Jamey Posts: 2,152
    Rolf - if you honestly didn't expect to see the Tour de France results splashed across the frontpage of a British cycling website on the day Mark Cavendish equalled the British record for stage wins then there is absolutely nothing I (or anyone else) can say to you tbh.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Jamey wrote:
    Rolf - if you honestly didn't expect to see the Tour de France results splashed across the frontpage of a British cycling website on the day Mark Cavendish equalled the British record for stage wins then there is absolutely nothing I (or anyone else) can say to you tbh.

    Maybe I am wrong/ probably am - but it could have easily been done in such a way that folk didn't have to accidently learn the results before the evening coverage. And at no loss to anyone. I suppose I have never understood why anyone would be remotely interested in the result of any sporting event without actually seeing it! For that reason, I have never really bothered reading sports pages.

    Anyway, I've moved on. I shall sulk in peace for a bit and then watch it even so. Probably a bit of a foregone conclusion anyway.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    DDD - if you don't find the last 4 kms of todays stage totally gripping there's probably no hope for you as a racing fan....I'm not sure what sporting spectacle would do it for you - Live Cliff Jumping from Newquay maybe?

    :lol: Tremendous.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    MatHammond wrote:
    Today was about green and an awesome display from Cav - can't wait for the mountains at the weekend though, if it wasn't Cav and, say Thor dominating the flat stages I'd have long since lost interest.

    The highlights are presently focusing on the Col-HTC train. Six or so in a line, close up. Looks impressive. Looking forward to this.

    My room mate said I did a lot more work on Monday (rest day). :lol:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Damn! He's fast! 8)

    EDIT: Renshaw in line for a pay rise me thinks.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    JonGinge wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    risi wrote:
    cjcp wrote:

    2. Wiggins is awesome. Looking a teeny, weeny bit thin, but still awesome. He's climbing with the GC contenders. Bit of a boo boo yesterday being on the wrong side of the split at the finish and losing 15 secs to slip down the GC to, um, 7th, is it? But, all the same, he's awesome. 8) We'll see on Friday whether he can keep it up.

    They decided that the 15s didn't actually exist. He's back up to 5th.

    Brilliant. 8)

    yeah what on earth is all this about, why have these 15" been erased from history?
    Haven't seen the news of this yet. Looking at the footage last night it seemed very harsh to split the bunch as the gap was only a couple of bike lengths so must only just have been above the second required for the split to be called

    Edit: reported on cyclingweekly: http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/lat ... ersed.html

    Did you hear Wiggins's interview on ITV4 about the 15sec gap being removed? A jolly boys outing! Love it! :lol:
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • edhornby
    edhornby Posts: 1,780
    Jolly boys outing, made me laugh as well !!! makes a change from the usual cliche's that you get with a lot of sportsmen
    "I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
    --Jens Voight
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    edhornby wrote:
    Jolly boys outing, made me laugh as well !!! makes a change from the usual cliche's that you get with a lot of sportsmen

    Wiggins seemed a bit 'am I bovvered' yesterday when he was told about the split which I thought a bit funny. The Stewards will be on the hunt for him now...... :lol:
    Faster than a tent.......
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    Cav and his team are astounding - today's stage reminded me of the "old days" of Cipollini and his whole Saeco team at the front forcing a pace in the last few km's that no-one, absolutely no-one, could beat. Fcuking awesome :twisted:

    In fact, hasn't Cipo got some link with the Columbia team, or at least Cav?
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    iain_j wrote:
    Cav and his team are astounding - today's stage reminded me of the "old days" of Cipollini and his whole Saeco team at the front forcing a pace in the last few km's that no-one, absolutely no-one, could beat. Fcuking awesome :twisted:

    In fact, hasn't Cipo got some link with the Columbia team, or at least Cav?
    Is he their stylist?
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    Well I've not seen them dressed as Caesar yet :)

    cipo-caesar.jpg
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    WTH is going on with the sunglasses? The Fly had smaller eyes FFS.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Capo
    Capo Posts: 439
    I remember Cipo arrived at the start in a chariot with a stripper called Cleopatra... most worthwhile fine for non-regulation kit ever.

    Of course TDF organiser LeBlanc never forgave him for this and other stunts - no invites to the TDF from 2000-03 (despite Cipo being World Champion in 2002).

    ps - At least the real Caesar managed to get across the Alps a few times, mind... :wink:
    Can\'t drive, won\'t drive
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    iain_j wrote:
    In fact, hasn't Cipo got some link with the Columbia team, or at least Cav?

    Cipo works with the Pro Continental ISD team. Eric Zabel is the guy who works with Cav.
    Cipo actually "joined in" one of the stages of this years Giro when it passed near where he lives, riding along in the peleton for a bit talking to everyone and having his picture taken.
    How great is that!
  • Capo
    Capo Posts: 439
    I read one of my favourite Cipo stories in a letter in one of the earliest issues of Procycling.

    A reader took a few days out to go cycling down Nice/Monaco way, riding along on the coastal road high above the Cote d'Azur he sees a rider a bit further ahead, full Saeco kit, red Cannondale, both hands off bars, one holding mobile phone to his ear.

    "Flash git", thinks the writer, "who does he think he is, Mario Cipolllini?"

    As he passes him, he glances across, realises, "Bloody hell, it IS Mario Cipollini!"

    Got sent on his way with a "Ciao" and a cheery wave with the other hand.

    Legend.
    Can\'t drive, won\'t drive
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    cjcp wrote:
    WTH is going on with the sunglasses? The Fly had smaller eyes FFS.

    Are they on upside down?

    I see Cav just contested and won an intermediate sprint, perhaps he will try to keep the green after all
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Attica wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    WTH is going on with the sunglasses? The Fly had smaller eyes FFS.

    Are they on upside down?

    I see Cav just contested and won an intermediate sprint, perhaps he will try to keep the green after all

    Yeah. He's got to want it, surely? Especially after putting it on for the second time.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    His competitive urges are getting the better of him, Silly Commuter Sprinting perhaps.

    I reckon he'll do it too
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    I'm curious about that sprint. Thor was second, so was it all lead-out trains from a km out as usual, or was it different to that?
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    That's got to be pretty much the first intermediate sprint this year where it's been 'gruppo compatto'. I think breakaways have mopped up all the rest, but I could be wrong
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    I'm curious about that sprint. Thor was second, so was it all lead-out trains from a km out as usual, or was it different to that?

    From the BBC:
    1225: Round one to Cav. With nobody breaking from the peloton, there's a good old-fashioned sprint in Channes and the Manxman outdoes Hushovd to take six points and extend his lead in the green jersey. Hushovd was second, so it's not like he wasn't trying for it himself.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    I'm going to wait untill after the last few hilly stages to make up my prediction for cav & the green jersey because that's when he'll really struggle. It'll hit him really hard if he gets a DNF or has to drop out due to pushing himself too hard & the press may hit him harder for saying he wasn't bothered about green at the start.

    Considering he said yesterday after his win that he only wanted to sprint for paris now, I'm wondering if him taking intermediate points, is his way of making sure he doesn't have to push himself sprinting to the line from now till paris.
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    The Flying Scot : FCN 515q6cuv.png
    My Life, My Bike & My Xbox
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    UCI dropped idea of radio ban tomorrow. Might have actually been more interesting on a "mountainous" stage (okay, so the Vosges ones are pretty small*), but judging by Tuesday, the riders weren't playing ball with the whole idea.




    * but I'm off there in August and hoping to ride the Col de la Schlucht & the rather marvellously named Col de Platzerwasel).
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