The Tour so far.

Aggieboy

Great tour so far, for various reasons. The lack of anything special by the GC contenders so far, has been made up for me by -

Hoogerland's and Flecha's continuation (now add Ten Dam)

Thor H breaking away from the peloton and the chase, made all the better for some reason as he was in the WC jersey




Voeckler's gutsy ride today.



Just seeing Stuart O'Grady and especially today Jens Voigt after 2 accidents, putting the pressure on for so long at the front of the LT team. They are awesome. Shame they're on the Schleck's team, I can't stand them.

neilo23

Jen's is my man of the day, too. He seemed to be hanging around for ages after his first crash, waiting for his wheels to get changed, and after crash number 2 I thought he'd lost any motivation. Couldn't work out how he seemed to suddenly appear in front of the Shreks. Did he get beamed there?

Also been enjoying it and been let down by the "stars". It's very rare that I enjoy the flat stages more than the mountains.

Aggieboy

After his accidents and being picked up by the peloton when he went and got the bottles/gels, whizzed back along handing them out and then took a long turn at the front :shock:

neilo23

Aggieboy wrote:

After his accidents and being picked up by the peloton when he went and got the bottles/gels, whizzed back along handing them out and then took a long turn at the front :shock:

You forgot about nipping to the blacksmith's to forge some new forks

cornerblock

I hope Voeckler stays in the yellow all the way to Paris. He was fantastic today. If none of the big boys can be bothered, then let someone who shows real desire and passion. I like Voeckler.

neilo23

Cornerblock wrote:

I hope Voeckler stays in the yellow all the way to Paris. He was fantastic today. If none of the big boys can be bothered, then let someone who shows real desire and passion. I like Voeckler.

I'll second that. And I hope that Roy gets a 10 minute lead on the final day and wins on the Champs Elysees. Both unlikely, but they, along with a few others, have overshadowed the big boys completely.

Martincan

Some nice piccies here for the arty type:

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/07/2011_tour_de_france_part_1.html

Cleat Eastwood

I liked rollands pacing of tommy V. The pair of them suffering for the jersey, brrilliant.

kev77

Do you think it is being ridden very conservative?

With the expected big hitters not firing, or is it just me expecting to much! to soon.

ChrisSA

Tomorrow will change things. There is under 2 minutes separating Voeckler and Frank Schleck. Keep an eye out.

Any idea why Boardman believes Voigt's second crash was due to carbon rims? Too much flex? Voigt is the man.

MrChuck

ChrisSA wrote:

Tomorrow will change things. There is under 2 minutes separating Voeckler and Frank Schleck. Keep an eye out.

Any idea why Boardman believes Voigt's second crash was due to carbon rims? Too much flex? Voigt is the man.

Harmon on Eurosport was speculating about carbon rims causing Thomas's problems the day before, because the brakes get grabby. It was damp though, and Thomas didn't mention rims afterwards.

ChrisSA

Hmmm.......I imagine it's fairly damp at the top of a mountain.

Martincan

I was only able to have today's stage on in the background, but didn't they say it was possibly due to the melting tarmac?

redddraggon

ChrisSA wrote:

Tomorrow will change things. There is under 2 minutes separating Voeckler and Frank Schleck. Keep an eye out.

Tomorrow is a flat stage, can't see anything happening apart from some one falling off.

Aggieboy

redddraggon wrote:

ChrisSA wrote:

Tomorrow will change things. There is under 2 minutes separating Voeckler and Frank Schleck. Keep an eye out.

Tomorrow is a flat stage, can't see anything happening apart from some one falling off.

I agree. Someone's got to do something in the Alps or it'll be down to the TT'ing of Evans. As I said I can't stand the Schleck's but I think they'd be better off in seperate teams, taking control/making decisions for themselves.

MrChuck

I think the Schlecks are OK but I did wonder about Andy saying he didn't mind whether he or Frank wins. I can't really see how that approach sits with either of them being able or prepared to take it by the throat and make it happen.

thegreatdivide

Today's highlight - the Eurosport egg in crisps experiment

Tomorrow's highlight (I hope) - Canvendish loses the green jersey

dag_on_a_bike

MrChuck wrote:

ChrisSA wrote:

...

Harmon on Eurosport was speculating about carbon rims causing Thomas's problems the day before, because the brakes get grabby. It was damp though, and Thomas didn't mention rims afterwards.

Sh1t...or more specifically 'mousse vache' I recall as being blamed for residue on the road causing problems.

Voeckler. Please. If only to keep the others on their toes.

Cleat Eastwood

I have to say as well having watched eurosports coverage and itv4's that itv's wins hands down. Not just ligget and shrwin but also rendell/imlach and boardman.

The excitement of Hushovds solo effort into lourdes was matched by Ligget and Sherwans rapid exchanges; they just captured the excitement.

Harmons was dead.

Aggieboy

Fignon's being honoured in Montpellier tomorrow by having a street named after him.. Hopefully, someone (Voeckler excluded) will take inspiration from it.

Homer J

I'm really enjoying this tour, loads more than last years. But the guys over in pro racing are slagging it off big time. :?

holmeboy

Do you think the fact the "favorites" are locked together up the climbs is the lack of dope?

Aggieboy

holmeboy wrote:

Do you think the fact the "favorites" are locked together up the climbs is the lack of dope?

Yeah, Contador would be leading otherwise


Anyone else notice Bertie's name printed across one of these Spanish flags during y'day's stage? Oh, the irony.

t.m.h.n.e.t

Aggieboy wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

Do you think the fact the "favorites" are locked together up the climbs is the lack of dope?

Yeah, Contador would be leading otherwise


Anyone else notice Bertie's name printed across one of these Spanish flags during y'day's stage? Oh, the irony.

Haha contaminated meat

sloppyschleckonds

bullocks

Aggieboy

Respect..................

Frank the tank

That image is a picture of professionalism/grit and determination personified.

Great post Aggie.

Bobbinogs

Yepp, respect is due.

Mind you, I have seen a few starting audaxes that look like that