Tour De France 2010 - *May contain spoilers*
Comments
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Cheers JG
FCN 4(?) (Commuter - Genesis Croix de Fer)
FCN 3 (Roadie - Viner Perfecta)
-- Please sponsor me on my London to Paris ride --
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Before Lance did anyone ever retire and come back to get a podium place as in 09, and while being an older rider?
Well done Lance Bikes, saddles and stuff
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
More stuff:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/
Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed0 -
Also, live text tickers on:
letour.fr
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 814441.stm
live.cyclingnews.com0 -
My brother is standing on the route today. Just got a text to say that five giant chickens have rolled through as part of the caravan. Ahhhh....the magic of Le Tour!0
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JonGinge wrote:
Yes, yes it isholybinch wrote:Anyone would have an idea if it's possible to watch the tour online?
Now that the worldcup is over, they've removed the TVs from our office
A few options:
Look for streams from www.cyclingfans.com or steephill.tv
ITV4 is also streaming the stages
Get eurosport player
Well, that's this afternoon's "To Do" list out the window.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Got to love background tasks running.
For once, the functional peeps in the office are working, while I , erm, wait patiently to run another batch.
Bring on the viddie!FCN 4(?) (Commuter - Genesis Croix de Fer)
FCN 3 (Roadie - Viner Perfecta)
-- Please sponsor me on my London to Paris ride --
http://www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/cha ... n_to_paris0 -
Anyone notice how, despite the blacking out of Boardman on the bikes, Mr Boardman's got a cheeky "cb" on the left chest of his cycling jersey? FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
Erm anyone else recording itv4 coverage, yet again they cut off the last few mins FFS
arrrggghhhhh!!!!!!
Switched to eurosports live and full coverage 8)Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
Sky and Wiggins is one big let down.
His (their problem), not aggressive enough to challenge for a stage or lead the race. This is why its likely that despite the hype we've seen nothing from Wiggins except remaining within the warmth of the peloton.
Anywho... Contador is likely to leave Astana at the end of this tour, what team do you reckon he'll join in 2011?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:Sky and Wiggins is one big let down.
His (their problem), not aggressive enough to challenge for a stage or lead the race.
Thing is, this is where it's brutually simple: it doesn't come down to aggression in the steeper hills, just whether you have the legs and lungs, and Wiggins has been shown not to have them (compared to the stratospheric abilities of AC and AS!). He didn't really attack last year, more stayed with the group and made up time in the TTs. I agree though, it's been a bit of a shame not to see him challenge like last year .
If Sky are going to try for a stage win, I imagine it would have to be in support of EBH rather than a breakaway by Wiggins.FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
To be fair though only one of the GC contenders has won a stage, presumably the other riders winning the stages are allowed to do so because they aren't a threat to the podium.
Given that Wiggins isn't likely to win or finish on the podium, it would be nice to see him at least try and do more than take part in a group ride, you know, give the fans something for the support like an attack go for a stage.
What annoyed me is an interview after a race where he admitted things haven't gone to plan and he said "perhaps he needs to review the goal, he doesn't want to give up so perhaps go for a top 10 place or something..."
When does 'winning' something come into contention?
I like Wiggins, but his 'number 2' persona gives me the impression you could leave your wife with him and not worry... Nice guy to have pint with..
Now Cavendish, that's a man I can set my watch to! Sure he is a dick but he's a winner. Think 'Team America'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:To be fair though only one of the GC contenders has won a stage, presumably the other riders winning the stages are allowed to do so because they aren't a threat to the podium.
Given that Wiggins isn't likely to win or finish on the podium, it would be nice to see him at least try and do more than take part in a group ride, you know, give the fans something for the support like an attack go for a stage.
What annoyed me is an interview after a race where he admitted things haven't gone to plan and he said "perhaps he needs to review the goal, he doesn't want to give up so perhaps go for a top 10 place or something..."
When does 'winning' something come into contention?
I like Wiggins, but his 'number 2' persona gives me the impression you could leave your wife with him and not worry... Nice guy to have pint with..
Now Cavendish, that's a man I can set my watch to! Sure he is a dick but he's a winner. Think 'Team America'
I think you're being a bit harsh there, Wiggins isn't the kind of rider who can attack for stage wins, his best chance would be a break away but he is a GC threat so unlikely to be allowed the opportunity. He might get that later on I suppose, but is sensibly holding out for the Pyrenees with a view to breaking into the top 10 - a worthy aim. I think he's at worst a victim of holding himself out as a potential winner which was probably never on the cards, not with this year's route and in particular the heat.
If anything, Sky were too aggressive on the first Alpine stage. Riding tempo up Ramaz didn't strike me as a good idea, the heat up there was infernal and that must have taken its toll. They need to wise up a bit, EBH is still a decent bet for a stage win and the likes of Flecha and Thomas could still get in a breakaway.0 -
MatHammond wrote:
I think you're being a bit harsh there, Wiggins isn't the kind of rider who can attack for stage wins, his best chance would be a break away but he is a GC threat so unlikely to be allowed the opportunity. He might get that later on I suppose, but is sensibly holding out for the Pyrenees with a view to breaking into the top 10 - a worthy aim. I think he's at worst a victim of holding himself out as a potential winner which was probably never on the cards, not with this year's route and in particular the heat.
If anything, Sky were too aggressive on the first Alpine stage. Riding tempo up Ramaz didn't strike me as a good idea, the heat up there was infernal and that must have taken its toll. They need to wise up a bit, EBH is still a decent bet for a stage win and the likes of Flecha and Thomas could still get in a breakaway.
I guess my assessment reflects the exact type of rider I am. See a small group and attack like my pants are on fire until a determined finish like (traffic lights). Recover while the group spits me out the back over the course of the journey. I have no discipline....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:MatHammond wrote:
I think you're being a bit harsh there, Wiggins isn't the kind of rider who can attack for stage wins, his best chance would be a break away but he is a GC threat so unlikely to be allowed the opportunity. He might get that later on I suppose, but is sensibly holding out for the Pyrenees with a view to breaking into the top 10 - a worthy aim. I think he's at worst a victim of holding himself out as a potential winner which was probably never on the cards, not with this year's route and in particular the heat.
If anything, Sky were too aggressive on the first Alpine stage. Riding tempo up Ramaz didn't strike me as a good idea, the heat up there was infernal and that must have taken its toll. They need to wise up a bit, EBH is still a decent bet for a stage win and the likes of Flecha and Thomas could still get in a breakaway.
I guess my assessment reflects the exact type of rider I am. See a small group and attack like my pants are on fire until a determined finish like (traffic lights). Recover while the group spits me out the back over the course of the journey. I have no discipline....
And my assessment reflects the fact that I too came close to cracking 4km from the top of Avoriaz, although you'll be pleased to hear that I managed to find a kick to outsprint the Italian I'd been racing the whole way up - an international SCR scalp! 0 -
MatHammond wrote:DonDaddyD wrote:MatHammond wrote:
I think you're being a bit harsh there, Wiggins isn't the kind of rider who can attack for stage wins, his best chance would be a break away but he is a GC threat so unlikely to be allowed the opportunity. He might get that later on I suppose, but is sensibly holding out for the Pyrenees with a view to breaking into the top 10 - a worthy aim. I think he's at worst a victim of holding himself out as a potential winner which was probably never on the cards, not with this year's route and in particular the heat.
If anything, Sky were too aggressive on the first Alpine stage. Riding tempo up Ramaz didn't strike me as a good idea, the heat up there was infernal and that must have taken its toll. They need to wise up a bit, EBH is still a decent bet for a stage win and the likes of Flecha and Thomas could still get in a breakaway.
I guess my assessment reflects the exact type of rider I am. See a small group and attack like my pants are on fire until a determined finish like (traffic lights). Recover while the group spits me out the back over the course of the journey. I have no discipline....
And my assessment reflects the fact that I too came close to cracking 4km from the top of Avoriaz, although you'll be pleased to hear that I managed to find a kick to outsprint the Italian I'd been racing the whole way up - an international SCR scalp!
Bah you should have sprinted in the 'red zoned' to the summit, and as your crested, roared defiance in the face of your mortal human limitations.
That's what I do when going up Balham Hill! 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 -
Do we think that Lance will be gifted a stage win?0
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I think so but it'll either be:
The hardest thought stage win ever seen in Sport.
Or
the most pathetic as no one dare challenge Lance after the agreement is arranged (that he can go for the win) meaning the entire peloton remains a peloton and Lance attacks on his own.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 -
All this talk of a stage being gifted to Lance Armstrong?
Ok which one? Surely the sprinters wont want to give up the points on a sprinty stage (like today's) and if its a hilly stage (like yesterday) the GC/KOTM contenders wont want to do it then either.
To be honest they shouldn't have to either, I don't get all this unity in the peloton/the slow pedalling/stage giving stuff. Cycling as far as I understand is competitive? It's not like on a downhill mountain bikers last race they let him/her win is it!!
It all seems a bit "old boys club" to me, like the others complaining about Cavendish for being too aggressive or the situation with the cobbles, surely as long as he's not breaking the rules and the routes deemed safe what's the complaint?
Is it simply doing things the "accepted way" is the way it's done in roadie land?
:?
*I'm not trying to cause a fuss here i'm just trying to understand the way pro cycling works.
P.S. doesn't today's stage look easy (well compared to yesterdays) 50+kms of incline and 130+kms of downhill easiness! "I have a plan, a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a fox." (from the Blackadder TV series)0 -
anton1r wrote:All this talk of a stage being gifted to Lance Armstrong?
Ok which one? Surely the sprinters wont want to give up the points on a sprinty stage (like today's) and if its a hilly stage (like yesterday) the GC/KOTM contenders wont want to do it then either.
To be honest they shouldn't have to either, I don't get all this unity in the peloton/the slow pedalling/stage giving stuff. Cycling as far as I understand is competitive? It's not like on a downhill mountain bikers last race they let him/her win is it!!
It all seems a bit "old boys club" to me, like the others complaining about Cavendish for being too aggressive or the situation with the cobbles, surely as long as he's not breaking the rules and the routes deemed safe what's the complaint?
Is it simply doing things the "accepted way" is the way it's done in roadie land?
:?
*I'm not trying to cause a fuss here i'm just trying to understand the way pro cycling works.
P.S. doesn't today's stage look easy (well compared to yesterdays) 50+kms of incline and 130+kms of downhill easiness!
I'd be very surprised if he was gifted a stage, too. As you say, which one?
And I vaguely remember Hinault being reported as saying to LA on the podium after, I think, the sprint finish against Kloden in 2004, "No gifts".FCN 2-4.
"What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
"It stays down, Daddy."
"Exactly."0 -
+1cjcp wrote:anton1r wrote:All this talk of a stage being gifted to Lance Armstrong?
Ok which one? Surely the sprinters wont want to give up the points on a sprinty stage (like today's) and if its a hilly stage (like yesterday) the GC/KOTM contenders wont want to do it then either.
To be honest they shouldn't have to either, I don't get all this unity in the peloton/the slow pedalling/stage giving stuff. Cycling as far as I understand is competitive? It's not like on a downhill mountain bikers last race they let him/her win is it!!
It all seems a bit "old boys club" to me, like the others complaining about Cavendish for being too aggressive or the situation with the cobbles, surely as long as he's not breaking the rules and the routes deemed safe what's the complaint?
Is it simply doing things the "accepted way" is the way it's done in roadie land?
:?
*I'm not trying to cause a fuss here i'm just trying to understand the way pro cycling works.
P.S. doesn't today's stage look easy (well compared to yesterdays) 50+kms of incline and 130+kms of downhill easiness!
I'd be very surprised if he was gifted a stage, too. As you say, which one?
And I vaguely remember Hinault being reported as saying to LA on the podium after, I think, the sprint finish against Kloden in 2004, "No gifts".
"No gifts" arose from the war of words after Pantani won the Ventoux stage in 2000 and was applied thereafter.0 -
Public announcement: Podium Girls thread over on the Pro Race forum rivals the Girls in Lycra thread.....
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=126987100 -
anton1r wrote:To be honest they shouldn't have to either, I don't get all this unity in the peloton/the slow pedalling/stage giving stuff. Cycling as far as I understand is competitive? It's not like on a downhill mountain bikers last race they let him/her win is it!!
It all seems a bit "old boys club" to me, like the others complaining about Cavendish for being too aggressive or the situation with the cobbles, surely as long as he's not breaking the rules and the routes deemed safe what's the complaint?
Is it simply doing things the "accepted way" is the way it's done in roadie land?
:?
*I'm not trying to cause a fuss here i'm just trying to understand the way pro cycling works.
A typical stage is 4 to 5 hours long, the one-day races are longer still, and for all but the 5 guys off in a breakaway, everyone else is, thanks to the shelter of the peleton, sortoff cruising along. Yesterdays stage being a prime example where all but the breakaway guys did little more than go for a training ride. It's actually fairly boring doing that, if you don't pass the time talking to the other cyclists.
Add in the fact they tend to share hotels, and pre-season training camps, and move around from team to team and then live in mostly the same places so often socialise together often and yes, it does become an "old boys club".
The same is true in almost any sport where the "show" is doing the same thing in a new place. I know the same thing exists in motorsport, even F1. Look at the way teams got back from China this year, for example.
Taking advantage of a bit of bad luck that could effect anyone (idiot spectator knocking you off etc) is seen as bad form, but you also know that if you wait today, they will wait in the next race when it's your turn for the bad luck.
Stage giving isn't perhaps what you think. Armstrong isn't going to be let go with a km to go while everyone else holds back. If he is to be gifted a stage he'll need to get to the last 100m with a small group that then won't contest the sprint, he'll have to work for it.
You see it where a GC contender and another rider get away on a climb. The climber works with the GC guy, they stay away, and the GC guy lets him cross the line first.0 -
Eau Rouge wrote:...
Stage giving isn't perhaps what you think. Armstrong isn't going to be let go with a km to go while everyone else holds back. If he is to be gifted a stage he'll need to get to the last 100m with a small group that then won't contest the sprint, he'll have to work for it.
You see it where a GC contender and another rider get away on a climb. The climber works with the GC guy, they stay away, and the GC guy lets him cross the line first.
Ok, this makes sense more so than the whole peloton giving him/anyone else a stage without having to work for it. 8)
But to another of my points, the slow pedalling.
Now as I understand it the slow pedalling on an earlier stage (2 or 3) which lead to it being neutralized was because the riders were unhappy at the previous stage being too "dangerous" i.e. the cobbles were too slippy. If it was any other sport the athlete(s) would voice their opinions to the team management and the management would take issue up with the organizers and the athletes would continue to be competitive as normal. Why is this different in cycling? and what was the logic from the organisers in neutralizing the stage? :?:
Apologies for the noob questions but in just curious as to how it all works. there's more to this cycling malarkey than i first thought! :?"I have a plan, a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a fox." (from the Blackadder TV series)0 -
anton1r wrote:But to another of my points, the slow pedalling.
Now as I understand it the slow pedalling on an earlier stage (2 or 3) which lead to it being neutralized was because the riders were unhappy at the previous stage being too "dangerous" i.e. the cobbles were too slippy. If it was any other sport the athlete(s) would voice their opinions to the team management and the management would take issue up with the organizers and the athletes would continue to be competitive as normal. Why is this different in cycling? and what was the logic from the organisers in neutralizing the stage? :?:
The stage wasn't neutralized. The riders were not happy with a particular decent where many of them fell off while riding in a straight line. The more vocal riders, led by then-Yellow Jersey Cancellara agreed amongst themselves not to compete for the rest of the stage, allowing many of the fallers to get back up to them. The points were neutralised other than the stage winners 25 though.
You can be sure the riders would have been talking to their teams and the teams talking to the commissares too but the riders know that if they want a stage neutralised they can do it themselves, if they can get agreement. It happened in last years Giro where the stage around Milan was controversial. The riders didn't like the way the route crossed tram lines.
The Paris-Roubaix cobble sections this year, though, were not protested nor neutralised. They are part of the sport it seems. (and too many of the ringleaders in the peleton do well on them to agree to ride slowly)0 -
Cheers Eau Rouge,
I'm still not sure I understand why/how they get away with, slow pedal protest in general rather than just getting on with it as surely it makes a bit of a mockery of the competitive nature of the race and why the race organisers don't just tell them to get on with it.
Going back to F1 I cant see Bernie Eccleston standing for it if the drivers decided to go slow/not race because of a bumpy/slick bit of track (not that i imagine they would). but if that's just the way it is in cycling where the Peloton sticks together then fair enough, i guess that kind of camaraderie with competitors isn't a bad thing (Footballers, rolling around "injured" and waving imaginary cards at the ref I'm looking at you!)
Anyway today's stage has been a bit dull so far, here's hoping for some excitement at the finish! Predictions? Cav will be there... he kinda needs it for the green."I have a plan, a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a fox." (from the Blackadder TV series)0
The boss is also WFH today 
