STAGE 19 SPOILER - let the culling continue

Dorset_Boy

Don't think that pic of Contador does the sport any favours, no matter what the spectator was suggesting. In any other sport punching a spectator in the face would result in a large fine and a long ban.

Also, watching the ITV4 highlights did I hear AC being booed as he was out in front on the Alpe?

mididoctors

Dorset Boy wrote:

Don't think that pic of Contador does the sport any favours, no matter what the spectator was suggesting. In any other sport punching a spectator in the face would result in a large fine and a long ban.

Also, watching the ITV4 highlights did I hear AC being booed as he was out in front on the Alpe?

yeah there is a problem with him in the race........ small mercy he didn't win.... can you imagine if cas rule against him.... what a train wreck

so fine if he turns up wins nothing but animates the race a bit... sort pre ban cycle sport community service

but then what is the tour without some good doping controversy?

afx237vi

Dorset Boy wrote:

Don't think that pic of Contador does the sport any favours, no matter what the spectator was suggesting. In any other sport punching a spectator in the face would result in a large fine and a long ban.

Also, watching the ITV4 highlights did I hear AC being booed as he was out in front on the Alpe?

What other sport lets "fans" run on the playing field and get in the way of the competitors? It's good to know there's enough interest in cycling to draw these crowds, but it totally hampers the race. How could anyone in the Schleck / Evans group think about attacking when there's barely enough space to keep turning the pedals?

Also, I heard booing for pretty much all the riders on Dutch corner, even Voeckler.

Stone Glider

Is Piere Rolland the next 'big thing' for the French? We have seen lots of him on this tour and now a Stage Win! French riders always labour under heavy burdens of expectation but he seems to have a serious amount of talent.

Garmin/Cervelo and Eurosport seem to be having the best of Tours (so far) considering their probable expectations. Any other teams 'exceeding expectations' for you?

sing_for_absolution

afx237vi wrote:

Dorset Boy wrote:

Don't think that pic of Contador does the sport any favours, no matter what the spectator was suggesting. In any other sport punching a spectator in the face would result in a large fine and a long ban.

Also, watching the ITV4 highlights did I hear AC being booed as he was out in front on the Alpe?

What other sport lets "fans" run on the playing field and get in the way of the competitors? It's good to know there's enough interest in cycling to draw these crowds, but it totally hampers the race. How could anyone in the Schleck / Evans group think about attacking when there's barely enough space to keep turning the pedals?

Also, I heard booing for pretty much all the riders on Dutch corner, even Voeckler.

Yes, it was near the end, but Evans attacking during the barriered off section's no coincidence. The poor buggers have to ride single file through some of those sections with the arses getting in their way.

I'm reliably informed Dutch corner's populated by July fans who are pissed and rather nationalistic, i.e. only the dutch floats their boat.

verylonglegs

sing_for_absolution wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

Dorset Boy wrote:

Don't think that pic of Contador does the sport any favours, no matter what the spectator was suggesting. In any other sport punching a spectator in the face would result in a large fine and a long ban.

Also, watching the ITV4 highlights did I hear AC being booed as he was out in front on the Alpe?

What other sport lets "fans" run on the playing field and get in the way of the competitors? It's good to know there's enough interest in cycling to draw these crowds, but it totally hampers the race. How could anyone in the Schleck / Evans group think about attacking when there's barely enough space to keep turning the pedals?

Also, I heard booing for pretty much all the riders on Dutch corner, even Voeckler.

Yes, it was near the end, but Evans attacking during the barriered off section's no coincidence. The poor buggers have to ride single file through some of those sections with the arses getting in their way.

I'm reliably informed Dutch corner's populated by July fans who are pissed and rather nationalistic, i.e. only the dutch floats their boat.

The slap was justified imo, I've been to quite a few different sporting events including the tour, you should turn up to enjoy them as a witness of achievement and applaud your approval. The moment you dress up in comedy outfits and look to make the event being about you getting your stupid mug on tv then you've entered the grey area of being a dick, a stupid attention seeking moron. I narrowly missed tripping up an Armstrong supporter running in front us once year as he tried to follow a rider, still regret that now whenever I watch a stage like today.

cal_stewart

as good as the last two days racing have been, they have only happen because as and bertie had no other choice not because there true champions.

fleshtuxedo

Cal_Stewart wrote:

as good as the last two days racing have been, they have only happen because as and bertie had no other choice not because there true champions.

That made about as much sense as a Cornymode post, interestingly

TMR

FleshTuxedo wrote:

That made about as much sense as a Cornymode post, interestingly

Almost as though they are one and the same. Interesting...

Stone Glider

Don't 'True Champions'TM respond to challenges by showing 'class'?

rick_chasey

afx237vi wrote:

57" is too much for Cadel I reckon, but would be happy to be proved wrong.

Depends if it's wet or not, I'd suggest.

rick_chasey

Leukemans didn't make it today.

Must be feeling pretty sh!t.

Make it to the penultimate day - see ya later.

cal_stewart

lets not go though this again. how's it not make sense. People are making out like its the second coming of merckx's era. The last 2 days as much as it was the best action in the tour for a few years, came about because AS and Bertie today were in the last chance saloon and had know other choice, Shame they don't always ride like this.

Bronzie

Finally finished watching the Eurosport recording

F*CK THAT WAS EPIC!!!!!!!

ALLEZ PIERRE!!!!

That will be all

cornoyemade

Luckao wrote:

How can you call single-handedly taking up the chase to close the gap on Andy as "just hanging in there"? He's the one who instigated it today, all whilst other GC riders looked a bit miffed as to what they could do.

l thought i was clear enough, i'd have thought Andy's ride yesterday was the sort of thing FF greatly admires in a rider. Evans would seem to be exactly what FF dislikes in a rider, just hanging in there all the time never venturing out.

I hope that clears that up.

cheers.

dilemna

A French rider winning Le Tour is like a Brit trying to win Wimbledon .

Gazzaputt

What a stage. I even thank Bertie for going on the attack (even the punch).

Crowds on the Alpe were crazy. I think in years to come they may barrier of the whole mountain.Was times there I thought a rider may come off.

Dutch corner looked looked great but to boo Tommy?

Reading Ned Boultings book where he tells of the Basque supporters kicking off on the mountains attacking the caravan as they make their way up. To much beer and not able to handle it.

BikingBernie

Gazzaputt wrote:

Dutch corner looked looked great but to boo Tommy?

Reading Ned Boultings book where he tells of the Basque supporters kicking off on the mountains attacking the caravan as they make their way up. To much beer and not able to handle it.

Then there were those German fans who were there to support Ullrich that were spitting at riders in the Alpe d'Huez time trial a few years back.

What dismays me is often, especially on American forums, all such bad behaviour is attributed to 'The French', as though everyone at the side of the road at the Tour is French. These days the locals are probably outnumbered by other nationalities, especially at places like Alpe d'Huez.

Unfortunately Paris-Roubaix has been having similar problems with all the fanatical and bevvied-up Belgians who congregate on the final sections of pave.

nevman

Rick Chasey wrote:

afx237vi wrote:

57" is too much for Cadel I reckon, but would be happy to be proved wrong.

Depends if it's wet or not, I'd suggest.

this from bbc weather ?

Saturday
Day weather Light Rain Shower
20°C 68°F Max. Day Northerly11mph 18km/h 58%
1012mb
Very good

graeme_s-2

nevman wrote:

this from bbc weather ?

Saturday
Day weather Light Rain Shower
20°C 68°F Max. Day Northerly11mph 18km/h 58%
1012mb
Very good

I don't mind it being wet/steady rain, but a sudden shower spoiling someone's run would be pretty hard to take at this point. At least the main contenders tend to go out at very similar times of day.

dilemna

BikingBernie wrote:

Gazzaputt wrote:

Dutch corner looked looked great but to boo Tommy?

Reading Ned Boultings book where he tells of the Basque supporters kicking off on the mountains attacking the caravan as they make their way up. To much beer and not able to handle it.

Then there were those German fans who were there to support Ullrich that were spitting at riders in the Alpe d'Huez time trial a few years back.

What dismays me is often, especially on American forums, all such bad behaviour is attributed to 'The French', as though everyone at the side of the road at the Tour is French. These days the locals are probably outnumbered by other nationalities, especially at places like Alpe d'Huez.

Unfortunately Paris-Roubaix has been having similar problems with all the fanatical and bevvied-up Belgians who congregate on the final sections of pave.

Fans have always been very partisan - none worse than the Spanish fans and riders toward Robert Millar back in the day.

Nice pic in the Telegraph of the moment Contador connected a well timed right jab with the idiot fan who got too close and was desssed in medics gown, anti-contamination mask with stethoscope round his neck. Pillock.

Pross

Why are people making such a fuss about the crowds? It has been far worse in the past when used to block the entire road and just about open a gap as the riders came through. The thing that has got worse is the idiots running alongside which is all about getting on telly just like the idiots who go to rugby matches and the cricket in fancy dress and spend the whole time looking for the cameras. The thing that really stands out is how international the Tour has become over the last 20 years, you used to see French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Basque flags now you see all sorts even an Israeli flag yesterday.

Also Andy confirming what a whinger he really is by complaining that Evans wouldn't work. Contrast with Sanchez congratulating Rolland despite towing him across to Berries.

Cumulonimbus

RichN95 wrote:

mididoctors wrote:

mididoctors wrote:

official time on the alpe for PR is 42,01

slower than a 1987 Luis Herrera on a 200km stage

stopwatch starting point?

There's a polka dotted banner at the side of the road showing where the climb starts (13.8km from the finish)

L'equipe had Sammy Sanchez as the fastest with a 41.45 followed by Contador with 41.54. Rolland was given 42.22 - was he that far ahead at the bottom?

Apparently all riders were officially timed.

Cumulonimbus

Was surprised to hear of the various problems up the mountain - where i was it all seemed very good natured, cheering for every rider.

Leukemans was only 8 minutes down on the autobus, he seemed to be that far back as he passed us (10.3km to go) so if he could have latched onto the back of a group at the top of the Galibier he would probably have made it.

frenchfighter

Voeckler couldn’t follow Contador, and, halfway through the race, he told Rolland to quit supporting him and go for a win, both men said. Rolland was ready.

“I’ve made 10 practice runs up the Alpe d’Huez this year,” Rolland said. “I know it by heart. I knew that after the first turn, I could shift gears to my big disk and power all the way up.” That he did, becoming the first Frenchman to win a stage this year. “I’ve watched all the videos of [Lance] Armstrong and [Marco] Pantani going up the Alpe d’Huez to see how they went so fast,” he said.