TDF Stage 17 *spoiler*
Comments
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Contador is the Greatest0 -
Nope. Froome is probably the better climber by a minuscule margin. Wiggins however is comfortably a better TT rider.jim453 wrote:I think only the most ardent Wiggo romanticist would argue that Froomey wasn't the best rider on that team now, and has essentially allowed Wiggins to win.
On the flat stages and on the climbs both have rested at one time or another which is only right. The only time we have seen Wiggins and Froome genuinely head to head is in the TT. Now who's best there I wonder?You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.0 -
smithy21 wrote:So I gave you my opinion. Not sure I see what your problem is- although having read the thread you clearly have one. :?
I thought your previous post was a pop at me, if ive misjudged that, my apologies.
All i'm saying in general is there doesnt have to be a grand reason why somebody doesn't like something, sometimes not likeing something is a simple human reaction. One persons idea of an exciting race isn't always the same as anothers, as clearly this Tour has shown. But whether people are enjoying the fact that Wiggins has won or not, I think anybody would be hard pushed to say that this tour has been 'exciting'. Interesting maybe, good for British people who are patrotic, yes. Exciting that the race is being led by Bradley Wiggins, yes. Exciting race with exciting tactics, attacks, epic fails, epic wins, amazing stories? No.
People saying that Sky have achieved, that they should be applauded, that they have ridden a fantastic race, that is of course all correct, of course they have. But people are confusing 'winning' with 'exciting'. They are not the same thing, one can happen without the other and of course both can happen in unison.0 -
I'm not a fan of Sky although I do like Brad , I wish froome had been allowed to try for the stage win today though and beaten one of the other Spanish dopersThe UCI are Clowns and Fools0
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Daz555 wrote:
Nope. Froome is probably the better climber by a minuscule margin. Wiggins however is comfortably a better TT rider.jim453 wrote:I think only the most ardent Wiggo romanticist would argue that Froomey wasn't the best rider on that team now, and has essentially allowed Wiggins to win.
On the flat stages and on the climbs both have rested at one time or another which is only right. The only time we have seen Wiggins and Froome genuinely head to head is in the TT. Now who's best there I wonder?
Wiggins will beat Froome in most TT's yes, but by seconds not minutes. Froomes lost time in this tour has come from a mechanical, he wasn't country miles behind Wiggins in the TT, but I do think where as he may lose seconds to Wiggins in a TT, as it stands right now, he could probably take minutes out of him if let loose on a steap climb.0 -
To be honest, that Froome 'dropped' Wiggins on a few occasions shows how he is not doing his job properly. He is definitely not the guy you want to pace you up a mountain...
Also:
...the system of UCI points rewards those able to secure consistent overall finishes ahead of the stage winners...
http://inrng.com/2012/07/romanticism-prudhomme-tour/
Contador is the Greatest0 -
LeicesterLad wrote:smithy21 wrote:So I gave you my opinion. Not sure I see what your problem is- although having read the thread you clearly have one. :?
I thought your previous post was a pop at me, if ive misjudged that, my apologies.
All i'm saying in general is there doesnt have to be a grand reason why somebody doesn't like something, sometimes not likeing something is a simple human reaction. One persons idea of an exciting race isn't always the same as anothers, as clearly this Tour has shown. But whether people are enjoying the fact that Wiggins has won or not, I think anybody would be hard pushed to say that this tour has been 'exciting'. Interesting maybe, good for British people who are patrotic, yes. Exciting that the race is being led by Bradley Wiggins, yes. Exciting race with exciting tactics, attacks, epic fails, epic wins, amazing stories? No.
People saying that Sky have achieved, that they should be applauded, that they have ridden a fantastic race, that is of course all correct, of course they have. But people are confusing 'winning' with 'exciting'. They are not the same thing, one can happen without the other and of course both can happen in unison.
+1 We've probably been brought up and spoiled with the likes of Zootemelk,Hinault,Fignon, etc - same as LL it's ok to say that the race this year has been pretty dull.it's a democracy in action on a forum0 -
“Chris said he wanted to go for the stage and I said, ‘Yeah... ah... pff'…you know. I wasn't too sure on the time gap at that point but from the moment I crossed the Peyresourde [1.5km from the finish] I allowed myself to drift; at that point it was the first time I allowed myself to think that I've won the Tour.”
"All the way up the last climb I almost had tears in my eyes. It's a really nice feeling.”
“Chris was super strong again today. He's super excited,” he said. “He's been a fantastic team-mate during this Tour de France. For sure, one day, he'll win the Tour and I'll be there beside him to do it.”Contador is the Greatest0 -
Daz555 wrote:
Nope. Froome is probably the better climber by a minuscule margin. Wiggins however is comfortably a better TT rider.jim453 wrote:I think only the most ardent Wiggo romanticist would argue that Froomey wasn't the best rider on that team now, and has essentially allowed Wiggins to win.
On the flat stages and on the climbs both have rested at one time or another which is only right. The only time we have seen Wiggins and Froome genuinely head to head is in the TT. Now who's best there I wonder?
So far, Bradley is up by 40s (fron TT's). My belief, though it wasn't a week ago, is that Froome could have had those 40s and more from Wiggo if given the green light. I think both riders will be giving it absolutely everything on Saturday, even more so than normal as they now have their own particular axes to grind. We'll see. As I said (and as he has before) Froome may surprise Wiggo against the clock.
At least it'll be interesting finding out.0 -
Thought Wiggin's moan/rant in the press conference about the press being so negative was interesting.
Not sure what to think of it. He has a point, but I can't feel he bring it on himself a bit, though I can't find any good reason to say why I feel that.0 -
LeicesterLad wrote:Daz555 wrote:
Nope. Froome is probably the better climber by a minuscule margin. Wiggins however is comfortably a better TT rider.jim453 wrote:I think only the most ardent Wiggo romanticist would argue that Froomey wasn't the best rider on that team now, and has essentially allowed Wiggins to win.
On the flat stages and on the climbs both have rested at one time or another which is only right. The only time we have seen Wiggins and Froome genuinely head to head is in the TT. Now who's best there I wonder?
Wiggins will beat Froome in most TT's yes, but by seconds not minutes. Froomes lost time in this tour has come from a mechanical, he wasn't country miles behind Wiggins in the TT, but I do think where as he may lose seconds to Wiggins in a TT, as it stands right now, he could probably take minutes out of him if let loose on a steap climb.
Has Wiggins let loose on Froome? No, because he is more mature (as a rider), and a better rider (for the GC) as he knows exactly what to do when to power up, when to diesel etc etc. Head to head, I'd put my money on Wiggo. He hasn't had to attack to outpace anyone as he has so much riding on this, he has been calculating every manoeuvre, staying within his limits and saving for the TT tomorrow. Froome is a bit hot headed by dropping Wiggo and chasing attacks, and vs Wiggo THIS year, wouldn't stay competitive. Not to say he isn't very strong, and has his fortes, and if it were Froome INSTEAD of Wiggo, i'd gift it to him. vs Wiggo, a different story altogether.0 -
With all the talk of Wiggins only being up there because of Froome's support, yes its been valuable but what about yesterday? Brad proved he was more than capable of dealing with the out and out climbers, he brought Nibali back on his own, it wasn't Froome or Porte or Knees it was Brad. Evans has shown that a team can't just drag you up a mountain and win. I was anticipating a real battle between Cadel and Brad (not based on Cadel's form) but its been disappointing. Froome will be the man for years to come. Does anyone think they will have offered him the chance to fight Contador when he returns in the Veulta? or is it too soon after the tour and the Olympics?
I can't wait for Brad to cross the line in Paris in yellow hands held aloft of his head. Surely it will be the greatest sporting achievement (outside the olympics) of a Brit in a long time? Dare I say as far back as 69'?
Last question is does Brad have a shot at the TT Olympic gold or are Martin, Fab's et al to strong? I dont know the course at all.0 -
Wiggins would have won the Tour if Froome wasn't here I would have thought.
This Tour will be remembered by:
Think of the excitement you felt this time last year going into the final TT. A World away.Contador is the Greatest0 -
Jez mon wrote:ThomThom wrote:Jez mon wrote:ThomThom wrote:Poor fella'. Ongoing surgery in Toulouse and might not start tommorrow. Apparently the wound was that bad you could see the bones. Lost a lot of blood througout the stage.
Nasty. What actually happened to him?
Simone Stortoni dropped his newspaper right in front of him before the descent. Chris rode with 60 km/h and got the newspaper in his front wheel. Worried that it would affect his brakes and make him tumble over his handelbars with that speed he had to remove it quickly. While doing that he hit a small pothole and his fingers got right in the blender.
And still finished the stage...as Frenchie says. HEAVYWEIGHT!!
Chris was a good sport as well. Didn't blame Stortoni for anything and said; that's what happens. Noone to blame.0 -
ddraver wrote:-1 LL, you ve forgotten about Sagan, Rolland, pinot(?), Voeckler twice, Millar, LLS and all of the sprinters. All of the stages have had epic attacks and epic fails.
Yes I agree with you their ddraver, I've loved Pinot, he has been a revelation, and the race would have been far duller without TV, although most on here hate him, but I was talking mainly regarding the GC and the surrounding GC riders.0 -
frenchfighter wrote:Think of the excitement you felt this time last year going into the final TT. A World away.
That sums it up pretty perfectly.0 -
I'm struggling slightly to see the relevance of t interview about the Pic du Midi with Brian LeCox on Sporza though. Looks like a good excuse to show off their spanky HD camera
They ve just showed Hoban Outsprinting Simpson for t stage preview tomorrow tho...We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Right, I'm done with the photos now!Contador is the Greatest0 -
"Pure climbers are another breed. They still talk about sensations rather than numbers, and about things like the feel of their pedals. They exist partly outside of the training mannual, partly beyond numerical definition and do things very much on intuition. They are a living reminder of an old way of cycling, the spiritual descendants of mountain kings like Bahamontes, Charly Gaul and Van Impe" - CycleSport.
This is the antithesis of Sky.Contador is the Greatest0 -
LeicesterLad wrote:ddraver wrote:-1 LL, you ve forgotten about Sagan, Rolland, pinot(?), Voeckler twice, Millar, LLS and all of the sprinters. All of the stages have had epic attacks and epic fails.
Yes I agree with you their ddraver, I've loved Pinot, he has been a revelation, and the race would have been far dullrer without TV, although most on here hate him, but I was talking mainly regarding the GC and the surrounding GC riders.
The GC is always boring for 21 stages....We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
ddraver wrote:LeicesterLad wrote:ddraver wrote:-1 LL, you ve forgotten about Sagan, Rolland, pinot(?), Voeckler twice, Millar, LLS and all of the sprinters. All of the stages have had epic attacks and epic fails.
Yes I agree with you their ddraver, I've loved Pinot, he has been a revelation, and the race would have been far dullrer without TV, although most on here hate him, but I was talking mainly regarding the GC and the surrounding GC riders.
The GC is always boring for 21 stages....
Usually its pretty boring for about 17 of them, this year it was literally boring for all 21.0 -
He's definitely got a shot (he's the favourite with the bookies). Martin's been plagued by injury all season and Cancellara hasn't been at his best in long TTs for a season and a half (Wiggins has beaten him the last 5 times). Froome, Phinney and maybe Larsson will a threat too.sjmclean wrote:Last question is does Brad have a shot at the TT Olympic gold or are Martin, Fab's et al to strong? I dont know the course at all.Twitter: @RichN950 -
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Rick Chasey wrote:ddraver wrote:Sporza and NOS have both filled hour long nightly shows talking about the race...
We both know Smeets fills the hour with a lot more than just cycling chat
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Do they discuss who has the sexiest dad?Twitter: @RichN950 -
Rabo or not, Sky isn't truelly a GB team, it was originally a Dutch concern not a GB one.Rick Chasey wrote:
Brit leader though.iainf72 wrote:
Yes, team GB where 3 of the riders are from GB (out of 9). 2 out of the 6 managers are British.Earthbound wrote:We really ought to stop calling them Sky and call them what they are, Team GB, all be it with some Aussies and Danes thrown in. But the approach, the professionalism, the attention to detail, the commitment, the determination, the planning, the execution, everything really, has evolved from Team GB. An approach to performance who's roots go back to Kean and Boardman in Barcelona 1992.
They're an international team.
S'better than sodding Rabo.
Nowadays, based on subscriber figures, Sky also doesn't have the British Isles for its basis income - it has about 11.5 million subscribers in Italy compared to 11.0 million in the GB and Ireland.
Given many of the comments here (national pride taking over ability), thank goodness the Tour doesn't have national teams any more. Many Wiggins' supporters must be Chelsea fans.0 -
RichN95 wrote:Rick Chasey wrote:ddraver wrote:Sporza and NOS have both filled hour long nightly shows talking about the race...
We both know Smeets fills the hour with a lot more than just cycling chat.
Do they discuss who has the sexiest dad?
Having watched hours of Smeets, I'd suggest that's probably not that unlikely.0
