*Spoliers* Tour de France talk *Spoilers*

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  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited July 2009
    Attica wrote:
    As for LA doping now, I doubt it, but in the past? Hmmm let's not go down that road, there are already waaaaaaaaaay too many threads on that subject elsewhere

    Steve Rogers was a scrawny young boy who dreamt of fighting for his Country in WW2. Eventually he was given that oppurtunity and became the greatest soldier in American history. How he became great is secondary to what he represents and the lives he has inspired.

    Lance Armstrong is no different, he is the quintessential American rags to riches-American dream story. That he achieved this stature at the expense of the French and most of Europe just exudes the assumed (rightly or wrongly) brashness and arrogance America has over the rest of the World. A European would have had the decency and tact of letting others win the Tour.... :roll:

    But as for Lance, I just like to believe that he didn't take drugs. Though they probably boosted his blood to genetic/DNA altering levels during chemo-therapy, given that radiation kills of cells including blood cells...
    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
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    I think we should drop the LA-drug stuff and stick to the racing. As said above, there's lots of threads about this on the Road section of BR.

    DDD - not a dig at you; just think we should stick to armchair commentating. :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    cjcp wrote:
    I think we should drop the LA-drug stuff and stick to the racing. As said above, there's lots of threads about this on the Road section of BR.

    DDD - not a dig at you; just think we should stick to armchair commentating. :)

    Well it should be interesting today at the time trial for Astana, every other team is entering the team time trial whereas Astana have a collection of infighting individuals.

    Could Colombia shock everyone?
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  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    cjcp wrote:
    I think we should drop the LA-drug stuff and stick to the racing. As said above, there's lots of threads about this on the Road section of BR.

    DDD - not a dig at you; just think we should stick to armchair commentating. :)
    What about Eddie Mercx? Look at all the riders from the 70's who took drugs, and the poor testing regimes of the time. The guy was so good he must have been taking drugs. He's also a mate of Lance Armstrong, the well known drugs cheat.
    Its PROOF I tell you.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,392
    edited July 2009
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Steve Rogers was a scrawny young boy who dreamt of fighting for his Country in WW2. Eventually he was given that oppurtunity and became the greatest soldier in American history. How he became great is secondary to what he represents and the lives he has inspired.


    Comics again?
    Could Colombia shock everyone?


    It will shock me if they don't come last, saving there energy for more stage wins
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    cjcp wrote:
    I think we should drop the LA-drug stuff and stick to the racing. As said above, there's lots of threads about this on the Road section of BR.

    DDD - not a dig at you; just think we should stick to armchair commentating. :)

    Fair enough, I'm in one of my more amicable moods today, I'm practically sociable.

    What time is the Team Time Trial, gonna read it on Le Tour website.

    I think Astana are going to have a major breakdown of tactics today, Contador wounds aren't yet healed properly from yesterday and Columbia are going to hold back, their major profile wins will come from sprints and ensuring Cav rides till the end so they'll conserve energy.

    Garmin, Quick Step, Cervelo, Saxo Bank to shine!
    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
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    symo wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    I think we should drop the LA-drug stuff and stick to the racing. As said above, there's lots of threads about this on the Road section of BR.

    DDD - not a dig at you; just think we should stick to armchair commentating. :)

    Well it should be interesting today at the time trial for Astana, every other team is entering the team time trial whereas Astana have a collection of infighting individuals.

    Could Colombia shock everyone?
    Astana are going to enter a team of 4 and a team of 5 and George Hincapie will drop back from Columbia to help Lance. Just you watch.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    DonDaddyD wrote:

    I think Astana are going to have a major breakdown of tactics today

    With Johan Bruyneel in control? I doubt it.
  • tailwindhome
    tailwindhome Posts: 19,392
    Always Tyred wrote:
    Astana are going to enter a team of 4 and a team of 5 and George Hincapie will drop back from Columbia to help Lance. Just you watch.


    That's BIG George Hincapie

    (C) Ligget and Sherwin
    “New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    Columbia didn't break the field open yesterday on purpose, they were at the front chasing the break as is their job as the team of a major sprinter, and they went around a corner, thats all. Their pace was enough to split the field due to the echelon. Yesterday isn't going to convince any top GC riders to defect.
    I think it was Rabobank during this years Paris-Nice though, did it on purpose. They all moved to the front of the peleton when they had nio real business there, and as soon as the peleton came past the shelter of a forest into a clearing, there they were, team time trialling it in an echelon across the road. It completely destroyed the field, and was very clearly done on purpose.

    I don't like Lance, I'll make that clear. To my biased eyes I see someone who should be a super-lieutenant for the pre-race favourite instead riding for himself and tearing his team apart. Fair enough if he has a chance to actually win, but he doesn't, and Contador does. I can't support that. It's one thing to be screwed over by the team (telling you your the leader then chainging it half way through) and riding for yourself, but that isn't what Lance is doing. That might be what Contador will have to do.

    Cav finished last years Giro (which had a horrible course, that mountain TT up the gravel ski roads for example) and only pulled out of the Tour to go to the Olympics. He's climbing a lot better this year than last year too. He's not a climber, but he's usually found at the head of the gruppetto behind. There is no way Cav doesn't contest minor placings group sprints if his rivals are there too.
  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    What would be the point though? Its for the 5th rider across the line (and obv, individual), surely if they have two teams, the 5 man team (including contador I'm guessing) would go first, put the hammer down and do a decent score. Regardless of the second teams times, they don't have a 5th rider to use as a time stopper, so they'd all end up on the first teams times regardless.

    Or have I got something wrong here?...
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  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    What would be the point though? Its for the 5th rider across the line (and obv, individual), surely if they have two teams, the 5 man team (including contador I'm guessing) would go first, put the hammer down and do a decent score. Regardless of the second teams times, they don't have a 5th rider to use as a time stopper, so they'd all end up on the first teams times regardless.

    Or have I got something wrong here?...

    I think it was all said rather tongue in cheek (or bill) ducky.

    The TTT is going to force an uneasy truce for today
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    To be honest I've been losing interest in the Tour the last few years, you get behind a rider then find out they doped, you sit glued to the screen watching an epic stage and find the stars of day were doped. This year though - we're only on day 4 and I'm hooked! I couldn't really give a toss about The Lance & Bertie Show. Even if Lance gets yellow today I don't believe he can win the tour. It's bound to be an exciting three weeks, the mountains always are, especially Ventoux right at the end, but as far as following the racing I think I'll be focussing on Cav and the green jersey competition.
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    What would be the point though? Its for the 5th rider across the line (and obv, individual), surely if they have two teams, the 5 man team (including contador I'm guessing) would go first, put the hammer down and do a decent score. Regardless of the second teams times, they don't have a 5th rider to use as a time stopper, so they'd all end up on the first teams times regardless.

    Or have I got something wrong here?...

    The time is the 5th man across the line, but anyone not in his group (so any of the other 4 who get dropped) will get their own time when they actually cross the line, so they will lose time on their teammates.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    Columbia didn't break the field open yesterday on purpose, they were at the front chasing the break as is their job as the team of a major sprinter, and they went around a corner, thats all. Their pace was enough to split the field due to the echelon. Yesterday isn't going to convince any top GC riders to defect.
    I think it was Rabobank during this years Paris-Nice though, did it on purpose. They all moved to the front of the peloton when they had nio real business there, and as soon as the peloton came past the shelter of a forest into a clearing, there they were, team time trialling it in an echelon across the road. It completely destroyed the field, and was very clearly done on purpose.

    I don't like Lance, I'll make that clear. To my biased eyes I see someone who should be a super-lieutenant for the pre-race favourite instead riding for himself and tearing his team apart. Fair enough if he has a chance to actually win, but he doesn't, and Contador does. I can't support that. It's one thing to be screwed over by the team (telling you your the leader then chainging it half way through) and riding for yourself, but that isn't what Lance is doing. That might be what Contador will have to do.

    Did you find the post-race interviews by JB and Armstrong re the upcoming bend a little contradictory?

    +1 that LA should ride for the favourite. He hasn't a chance in the hills against the Schlecks, let alone Contador. He said post-race that he deserved some credit for winning 7 TdFs, but I don't think that counts for anything when you've been away from racing for 3.5 years and you're 38.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    Attica wrote:
    I think it was all said rather tongue in cheek (or bill) ducky.

    The TTT is going to force an uneasy truce for today

    Ah ok. This is the first tour I've actually paid attention to the tactics and workings of it, so forgive me if I come out with some monumental trollop :lol:

    Reading it back, I'm guessing AT is talking about the rising conspiracies that lance was informed about the split by hincapie?
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  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    Eau Rouge wrote:
    The time is the 5th man across the line, but anyone not in his group (so any of the other 4 who get dropped) will get their own time when they actually cross the line, so they will lose time on their teammates.

    Ah-thank-a-very-muh
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  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    Attica wrote:
    I think it was all said rather tongue in cheek (or bill) ducky.

    The TTT is going to force an uneasy truce for today

    Ah ok. This is the first tour I've actually paid attention to the tactics and workings of it, so forgive me if I come out with some monumental trollop :lol:

    Reading it back, I'm guessing AT is talking about the rising conspiracies that lance was informed about the split by hincapie?

    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    iain_j wrote:
    To be honest I've been losing interest in the Tour the last few years, you get behind a rider then find out they doped, you sit glued to the screen watching an epic stage and find the stars of day were doped. This year though - we're only on day 4 and I'm hooked! I couldn't really give a toss about The Lance & Bertie Show. Even if Lance gets yellow today I don't believe he can win the tour. It's bound to be an exciting three weeks, the mountains always are, especially Ventoux right at the end, but as far as following the racing I think I'll be focussing on Cav and the green jersey competition.

    It should be extremely interesting when they hit the mountains. In 07, we were treated to repeated attacks by Contador, with Evans and The Chicken trying to reel him in. Last year, not so much, despite A Schleck's best efforts. This year could see a return to the 2007 action. :D
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Eau Rouge
    Eau Rouge Posts: 1,118
    I'll give Lance credit for his 7 wins, but I'll give Bertie more for his Tour/Giro/Vuelta hatrick in his last three Grand Tours.
    But then, Lance thinks the Tour is the only cycle race that means anything, which is a huge part of why I dislike him.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    I like Contador but I have faith in Lance.

    I want the guys (Agritubel) riding Kuota's to step their game up, great bike, OK riders...
    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
  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    cjcp wrote:
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    Attica wrote:
    I think it was all said rather tongue in cheek (or bill) ducky.

    The TTT is going to force an uneasy truce for today

    Ah ok. This is the first tour I've actually paid attention to the tactics and workings of it, so forgive me if I come out with some monumental trollop :lol:

    Reading it back, I'm guessing AT is talking about the rising conspiracies that lance was informed about the split by hincapie?

    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    I take it you saw it before my edit then? :lol:
    I noticed as soon as I pressed submit :(

    On a different note: do all the riders of the team, set off at once, or are there gaps between them (but obv shorter than individual TT gaps?)
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  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Sad to say, I don't pay much attention to the Giro and Vuelta. Bit more to the former this year, but I much prefer the Classics.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    I take it you saw it before my edit then? :lol:
    I noticed as soon as I pressed submit :(

    On a different note: do all the riders of the team, set off at once, or are there gaps between them (but obv shorter than individual TT gaps?)[/quote]

    :lol: Yup.

    They do. No gaps between them.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • attica
    attica Posts: 2,362
    edited July 2009
    cjcp wrote:
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    I take it you saw it before my edit then? :lol:
    I noticed as soon as I pressed submit :(

    On a different note: do all the riders of the team, set off at once, or are there gaps between them (but obv shorter than individual TT gaps?)

    :lol: Yup.

    They do. No gaps between them.

    Whadee say? Whadee say?
    "Impressive break"

    "Thanks...

    ...I can taste blood"
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Attica wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    I take it you saw it before my edit then? :lol:
    I noticed as soon as I pressed submit :(

    On a different note: do all the riders of the team, set off at once, or are there gaps between them (but obv shorter than individual TT gaps?)

    :lol: Yup.

    They do. No gaps between them.

    Whadee say? Whadee say?[/quote]

    Now that would be telling. :P
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    does anyone have a live stream?
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    Shoulder of Lamb wrote:
    does anyone have a live stream?
    All the video ones on cyclingfans seem to be geo-locked. Listening to eurosport audio feed linked from there, though. Probably best for productivity ;)


    Crash-tastic... chute
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
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    Rides
  • Deadeye Duck
    Deadeye Duck Posts: 419
    cjcp wrote:
    Attica wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Deadeye Duck wrote:
    cjcp wrote:
    Heh heh. I was about to say, ref-er-ree!... :)
    I take it you saw it before my edit then? :lol:
    I noticed as soon as I pressed submit :(

    On a different note: do all the riders of the team, set off at once, or are there gaps between them (but obv shorter than individual TT gaps?)

    :lol: Yup.

    They do. No gaps between them.

    Whadee say? Whadee say?

    Now that would be telling. :P
    Shh! It'll be our little secret... :wink:


    :lol:
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  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    Time to geoUNlock then.

    Hot Spot Shield download and install is your friend.
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.

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