TDF Stage 7 **SPOILERS**

Cleat Eastwood

They're talking of chavanel packing it in too. Pourquoi?

rick_chasey

P!ssed off now.

RichN95.

FleshTuxedo wrote:

Cogidubnus wrote:

With the sprint coming so close to the end of the stage will the sprinters really be that bothered? Its alot to ask HTC's train to act for a sprint and then 15km start again. I wouldnt be surprised if they let the breakaway stay out and then just squabble for minor points

I can't believe the lack of ambition.

It's not a case of ambition it's a case of simple maths. Cavendish will close the gap to Rojas by winning stages as points difference between positions are far greater there.

They could put a lot of effort into catching the break and Cav into winning the IS, but Rojas would come second as it's unlikely anyone else will contest it. The only result is Cav makes up five points and him and is team are tired for the finish, effecting his performance.

If they don't catch it, Rojas will go for it and win, but Cav can take and easy second and only lose one point. Then he's fresher at the finish where he should take 20-30 points out of Rojas lead, if he wins.

rick_chasey

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

They're talking of chavanel packing it in too. Pourquoi?

He crashed with Boonen.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wounded ... to-lisieux

Chavanel doesn't have a broken collarbone but it might be as painful as that," he explained. "It's remarkable to see that if things are improving only five per cent he's got [good] morale again."

Steegmans is the least fortunate," Cruyt said. "His left wrist is very painful and swollen this morning. We'll have to see if he can keep his bike under control today. He has a lot of tape around his wrist. He will not be able to move that a lot. He is in a lot of pain."

The Quickstep riders kept the moral high with a masochistic competition in the team bus. "Yesterday we did a small 'who has the most grazed skin' competition which Tom won by a huge margin. Now it's about turning the pedals, avoid thinking about it and riding the bike."

At least Boonen won something. :roll:

Crozza

Monty Zoncolan wrote:

Graeme_S wrote:

Boonen's just climbed off and got into the team car.

A real shame. Credit to him for undoubtedly making a fair fight of staying in the race.

Are you sure he's pulled out? Isn't this just what Feillu did the other day when he got left behind

graeme_s-2

Sean Kelly's just explained how Millar should take the yellow jersey today. Winning the stage by 12 seconds from 1.5km out after the peloton gets split up by cross winds. Sounded easy, look forwards to it this afternoon

Presumably Millar wouldn't attack his team mate to take the jersey anyway?

fleshtuxedo

RichN95 wrote:

FleshTuxedo wrote:

Cogidubnus wrote:

With the sprint coming so close to the end of the stage will the sprinters really be that bothered? Its alot to ask HTC's train to act for a sprint and then 15km start again. I wouldnt be surprised if they let the breakaway stay out and then just squabble for minor points

I can't believe the lack of ambition.

It's not a case of ambition it's a case of simple maths. Cavendish will close the gap to Rojas by winning stages as points difference between positions are far greater there.

They could put a lot of effort into catching the break and Cav into winning the IS, but Rojas would come second as it's unlikely anyone else will contest it. The only result is Cav makes up five points and him and is team are tired for the finish, effecting his performance.

If they don't catch it, Rojas will go for it and win, but Cav can take and easy second and only lose one point. Then he's fresher at the finish where he should take 20-30 points out of Rojas lead, if he wins.

You edited the intended humour out of my post :roll: That's the last time I quote a Boardman advert.

I think the points Cav will lose to Rojas, Gilbert, Thor etc. on some of the lumpy stages coming up mean he needs to make hay on a day like this and go for both sprints if he wants to take the green. I haven't sat down and worked it all out stage by stage, but my gut feel is that he's not going to get enough stage wins to offset the losses.

Time will tell.

RichN95.

FleshTuxedo wrote:

You edited the intended humour out of my post :roll: That's the last time I quote a Boardman advert.

I think the points Cav will lose to Rojas, Gilbert, Thor etc. on some of the lumpy stages coming up mean he needs to make hay on a day like this and go for both sprints if he wants to take the green. I haven't sat down and worked it all out stage by stage, but my gut feel is that he's not going to get enough stage wins to offset the losses.

Time will tell.

My apologies on the humour thing.

I really don't think Hushovd or Gilbert are really going to try for green for now on. It's a straight fight between JJ and Cav as far as I can see. It'll be close, that's for sure.

smithy21

I take it nothing is happening at the moment?

graeme_s-2

Big question of the day - can I cycle home from work in time to see the sprint!?

andyjr

still four escapee's ~ 3.30 ahead

ratsbeyfus

Wiggins down and hurt.

seven7faces

b******s

milton50

Wiggins does not look good at all. He's holding his arm very gingerly.

RichN95.

Looks like the end for Wiggins. Horner too.

Ben6899

FUCK!

Pokerface

Broken colarbone by the looks of it. Wiggins is done.

cogidubnus

pjm300

bad news

jonginge

damn it

Le Commentateur

Game over for Bradley.

finchy

bollox and double bollox.

OffTheBackAdam

Bollocks!

stokepa31

Gutted dot com. what a shame, i was looking forward to seeing what he had.

emadden

Feel bad for Wiggans. Dont really feel bad for Horner...

moray_gub

Rick Chasey wrote:

P!ssed off now.

In the Tour these days he is a bit part figure certianly as far as as sprinting goes.

evil_breakfast

from ectasy to agony in 24 hours.

milton50

I was really looking forward to seeing how far Wiggins could go this year. Bollocks.

Le Commentateur

Which group is Thomas in? Hope he didn't hang around for Wiggins.

Pokerface

On the up side, maybe Sky will ride for G instead now.