Tour De France 2010 - *May contain spoilers*
tailwindhome
Posts: 19,356
Rather brilliantly I'm away on holiday from the 11th to the 18th so I'll miss the first battle in the mountains.
“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!
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“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0
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coincidentally arranged my hols so I'm at home for the lat week then away, huzzar0
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TailWindHome wrote:
Using that theme for le Tour should be made law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04 : forward to 1:54 for the exciting bit. One of my favourite bits of Tour history.0 -
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Agent57 wrote:TailWindHome wrote:
Using that theme for le Tour should be made law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQojh-wqL04 : forward to 1:54 for the exciting bit. One of my favourite bits of Tour history.
I alternate between that tune and the classic kraftwerk for my ring tone :shock:FCN 3/5/90 -
TailWindHome wrote:
Simples !On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back
December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs
July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles
http://39stonecyclist.com
Now the hard work starts.0 -
cyberknight wrote:the classic kraftwerk for my ring tone :shock:
You know what, I'd forgotten that one. =/ It was immediately familiar when I sought it on YouTube though.0 -
That old Channel Four theme is such a classic, I can't believe they don't use it more often. Anyone know who wrote it?0
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Just seen Wiggin's interview with ITV4
Doesn't "give a monkey's" what time his rivals do in the prologue.
Would these be the same rivals who you couldn't keep up with in the mountains last year.
I have decided that Wiggins is a c0ck*
*not one to rush to judgement me“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
Psychological game init'
Wiggins was the big surprise last year fact he kept up in the mountains last year has everyone wondering what he's going to be like this year now he has specially prepared (with Sky - adds to the fear factor). So his not interested in the TT - a stage he woul previously specialised in adds to his status as a threat/proper contender.
I wouldn't be suprised if he was told to say that by the powers that be at Sky.
This isn't to say I think he'll win, my money is on Contador or Schelk with Geraint (sp) Thomas or Nibali (if racing) as this years suprise GC contenders. Oh and Vino....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 Game0 -
DonDaddyD wrote:So his not interested in the TT
Big difference between not going for the stage win and being 30s down after only 5 miles.
Long way to go of course
Do Sky have a 'fear factor'?“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
DonDaddyD wrote:This isn't to say I think he'll win, my money is on Contador or Schelk with Geraint (sp) Thomas or Nibali (if racing) as this years suprise GC contenders. Oh and Vino....0
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TailWindHome wrote:Doesn't "give a monkey's" what time his rivals do in the prologue.
Would these be the same rivals who you couldn't keep up with in the mountains last year.
I read it as him saying that 30seconds won't mean much if he gets his arse handed to him in the hills, thats where the real battle will be.0 -
Anyone know what's up with the cyclingnews.com TDF podcast? The Prologue episode doesn't seem to want to download...0
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TailWindHome wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:So his not interested in the TT
Big difference between not going for the stage win and being 30s down after only 5 miles.
Long way to go of course
Absolutely, and I don't think the prologue went as well as he had hoped. But its still just the prologue and I don't think his intention was to focus on it.
Still could have done better.Do Sky have a 'fear factor'?
Then there is the fact that they seem to have more money than the other teams and with that an implied better training, rider development programme. Then there is how they hit the scene: Olympics (albeit that was Team GB) and the aggressive captures of Wiggins and others. I'd say there is a supposed fear factor centered around the team if not anyone specific rider, at least in this tour.AT wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:This isn't to say I think he'll win, my money is on Contador or Schelk with Geraint (sp) Thomas or Nibali (if racing) as this years suprise GC contenders. Oh and Vino....
I'm hardly mentioning all, I've only predicted 2 winners. But in race where there is at least four competitions (yellow, green, polka-dot and white jerseys) and worthy mentions (Wiggins, Nibali, Armstrong last year). It's hard to predict one winner without mentioning other riders. The Tour has always had a larger story to tell than simply "who one the race". That's why as a kid I liked it so much.
OK let me break it down for you. Ready?
DonDaddyD's predictions:
Contador or Andy Schelk - Overall GC (winners)
Geraint Thomas and Nibali (surprise packages as in they will be fighting with the favourites right up to the end - not sure they will be on the podium, but they'll earn their respect)
Vino as the guy who comes out of know where to suddenly be in the 'form' of his life.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 Game0 -
Now that Vino has left his magic pixie dust at home, he won't do much more than support his team leader and make one or two suicide breaks on transitional stages.
Schleck, A has already blown it.
Ditto Wiggins. All he can do in the mountains is hang on and at the expense of being moderate in the tt. He'll do commendably everywhere and sip back slowly. Top 6.
Geraint Thomas is not a dark horse - he's Wiggins' support guy. Not a contender.0 -
Always Tyred wrote:Now that Vino has left his magic pixie dust at home, he won't do much more than support his team leader and make one or two suicide breaks on transitional stages.
Schleck, A has already blown it.
Ditto Wiggins. All he can do in the mountains is hang on and at the expense of being moderate in the tt. He'll do commendably everywhere and sip back slowly. Top 6.
Geraint Thomas is not a dark horse - he's Wiggins' support guy. Not a contender.
To say that Schleck and Wiggins have already blown it is to say that the tour could be won on merit of the first stage alone. It's the second stage of a three week race. Marathon not a sprint.
Have faith in Thomas...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 Game0 -
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DonDaddyD wrote:TailWindHome wrote:Do Sky have a 'fear factor'?
Then there is the fact that they seem to have more money than the other teams and with that an implied better training, rider development programme. Then there is how they hit the scene: Olympics (albeit that was Team GB) and the aggressive captures of Wiggins and others. I'd say there is a supposed fear factor centered around the team if not anyone specific rider, at least in this tour.
I don't think it would be too harsh to say they haven't done much this year though?
I wonder if those black shirts will seem such a good idea on a long alpine climb in mid july?“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
TailWindHome wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:TailWindHome wrote:Do Sky have a 'fear factor'?
Then there is the fact that they seem to have more money than the other teams and with that an implied better training, rider development programme. Then there is how they hit the scene: Olympics (albeit that was Team GB) and the aggressive captures of Wiggins and others. I'd say there is a supposed fear factor centered around the team if not anyone specific rider, at least in this tour.
I don't think it would be too harsh to say they haven't done much this year though?
I wonder if those black shirts will seem such a good idea on a long alpine climb in mid july?0 -
TailWindHome wrote:
I don't think it would be too harsh to say they haven't done much this year though?
TrueI wonder if those black shirts will seem such a good idea on a long alpine climb in mid july?
TrueFood 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 Game0 -
DonDaddyD wrote:To say that Schleck and Wiggins have already blown it is to say that the tour could be won on merit of the first stage alone. It's the second stage of a three week race. Marathon not a sprint.
Have faith in Thomas...
You can't win the tour on day 1, but you can lose it. Really, they've already blown it. If you assume that Contador is fit, and finishes, how much time is anyone realistically going to put in to him?
IF anyone beats him, it won't be by much, certainly not helped by giving the guy a 40 second head start. That's a good Schleck/bad Contador day in the mountains to even get close. Plus there is the long tt to think of. If Schelck was leading and had the ride of his life, he'd still need over a minute against Contador, more if the prologue is anything to go by.
Wiggins never stood a chance. Last year he was the unknown. No one bothered about him. This year he will be worth attacking. He's a steady climber, not one of those guys who can accelerate. The guys who can do that (which even included Armstrong last year) will make more effort to get rid of him this year. You watch - he'll be out of the running early, and in the hunt for a good top 10, top 5 finish overall.
Sorry - no tub thumping for Brad this year - he should have used his form in the Giro.0 -
Any predictions for today's stage, a mere 201km into SpaStage 2: Brussels - Spa
There are half a dozen short, sharp climbs on this bumpy 201km ride that follows part of the Liège-Bastogne-Liège route.
The hills are not hard, but they could put pay to the hopes of the pure sprinters, although a downhill finish into Spa could mean a bunch finish. Hushovd likes the cobbles and could put some distance between himself and Cavendish.
Sort of live coverage here
http://gaps.letour.fr/us.html
The BBC coverage hasn't started yet
There is no report yet wether Cav has the stabilisers back on.“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
Yesterday's run into the finish was kwality!
I'm looking forwards to see how they cope with the pave today :twisted:FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.0 -
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This is quite interesting too:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/mytrackstour/
Live telemetry from HTC-Columbia riders. No HR data, as I suppose that's too sensitive.0 -
The BBC are up and running
No official apology to AndyManc for Mocktheweekgate as yet...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_s ... 788532.stm“New York has the haircuts, London has the trousers, but Belfast has the reason!0 -
Nibali isn't riding this year.
Sky have had a pretty good year so far, plenty of wins including a semi-classic.
Thomas is a dark horse - not to win, but a high GC place could be on the cards, and by that I mean top 30 or so - brilliant for a young British rider, we've just been spoilt lately.
Wiggins' prologue was pants. He gambled and lost. But, he then took it very cautiously to avoid crashing in the wet, big pressure on him this year. Lets wait and see where he is say this time next week before judging his chances too harshly - top 10 would be an impressive performance in my opinion.0 -
What is it with Holland and Belgium seems like these "cycling friendly countries" have roads race routes designed to wound and maim.
Just read the live feed, sounds like drama. Someone explain please? The Story of the Tour is as good as who wins the races.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 Game0 -
well that stage was a f**king mess!0