Tour de France 2013 - Race Chat

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Comments

  • mike6
    mike6 Posts: 1,199
    Crankbrother wrote:
    Starting to feel that little bit of excitement that le Tour brings ... The Giro is a better race but has an awful lot of 'who cares' stages ... The TdF is 'go' from the gun and apart from the 2nd or 3rd last flat/rolling stage it never lets up with something to play for ...

    If SKY strangle the race then I'm just gonna accept it and look to the other competitions or rivalries for entertainment ... I have faith that the 3 amigos (AC, J-Rod, Valv) and their supporting cast will mix things up on the GC ...

    It also helps I'm not having to go into the office for the whole 3 weeks ... Only the kitchen being refitted at the start of week 2 can ruin my viewing ...

    I dont really mind what tactics are used by whatever team, to win the Tour you have to be the strongest rider over the three weeks.
    Sky cant chase every break or attack, it would destroy them. Head and legs to win the Tour. Whoever wants to win will have to use there domestiques properly and also use there energy wisely. That is how its always been.
    Even in the "golden" past teams have smashed the flat stages, and approaches to the climbs, to take the sting out of the specialist climbers. Sky did not invent this tactic.

    I would love a Frenchman to win, as its the 100th edition. France would go ballistic.
  • greasedscotsman
    greasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    mike6 wrote:
    I would love a Frenchman to win, as its the 100th edition. France would go ballistic.

    That would be good. Just don't see it though.
  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    It's going to be great.

    There should be a fascinating battle for green. Hopefully we'll get to see Contador take a bit of a kicking, and a proper battle for the podium places. While I expect both Sky and Saxo to try to train there way up mountains, certainly Movistar and BMC are promising that they'll feature attacking riding from their GC men.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    I was feeling excited a few weeks ago. Now I'm not. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the weather is suggesting it is February. The weather should at least suggest you may be able to dissect the stage just gone sitting outside with a beer. As it is at the moment I'm going to be sitting inside with a cup of tea under a blanket.

    I was planning on working from home for most of the Tour (I can do that now it is the holidays) go riding in the morning and do work/watch the stage in the afternoon. Now that looks less attractive as I'm back to wearing tights, ear warmers and long fingered gloves.

    Someone give me a reason to get excited, just not a picture of a sun drenched Corsica or anything Sagan related please.

    :cry::(:cry:
    Correlation is not causation.
  • salsiccia1
    salsiccia1 Posts: 3,725
    I'll have a go, ATC

    1. The Tour's never been to Corsica, it's beautiful so the scenery for the first 2 stages should be good
    2. The course is hillier than last year, and Froome is climbing well, Contador is hopefully coming back to form, Purito is there, BMC should have a good 1-2, so the mountains should see some fireworks
    3. The Green Jersey battle should be interesting, with Sagan looking good for a variety of stages, Cav looking good for the sprints, and Griepel/Degenkolb/Kittel there too
    4. The race for the podium is quite wide open so there should be some good racing for places 1-10
    5. It's the Tour!
    It's only a bit of sport, Mun. Relax and enjoy the racing.
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    Team presentation at 5.30pm today. There will be live video.
    Contador is the Greatest
  • frenchfighter
    frenchfighter Posts: 30,642
    BNxgvJjCMAMIOGr.jpg:large
    Contador is the Greatest
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    Salsiccia1 wrote:
    I'll have a go, ATC

    1. The Tour's never been to Corsica, it's beautiful so the scenery for the first 2 stages should be good
    2. The course is hillier than last year, and Froome is climbing well, Contador is hopefully coming back to form, Purito is there, BMC should have a good 1-2, so the mountains should see some fireworks
    3. The Green Jersey battle should be interesting, with Sagan looking good for a variety of stages, Cav looking good for the sprints, and Griepel/Degenkolb/Kittel there too
    4. The race for the podium is quite wide open so there should be some good racing for places 1-10
    5. It's the Tour!


    And don't forget coverage of the Lantern Rouge competition by Tusher, who's probably still blushing as Cav was able to stay overnight after his Glasgow win. She'll be checking in any minute now to explain the rules. Won't be long...
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Thanks folks!

    I'm going to tune in for the presentation in a second. Hopefully that'll cheer me up.

    :D

    Edit - Might go and buy a bag of crisps first. I really want some crisps.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • skylla
    skylla Posts: 758
    Above The Cows wrote:
    Thanks folks!

    I'm going to tune in for the presentation in a second. Hopefully that'll cheer me up.

    :D

    Edit - Might go and buy a bag of crisps first. I really want some crisps.

    You're in Holland, crisps are only for birthdays. Sorry.
  • yourpaceormine
    yourpaceormine Posts: 1,245
    2 sleeps
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    OK the teams presentation isn't really helping. It is pretty bad. :cry:

    EDIT - I ate some crisps.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • Richmond Racer
    Richmond Racer Posts: 8,561
    Above The Cows wrote:
    OK the teams presentation isn't really helping. It is pretty bad. :cry:

    EDIT - I ate some crisps.


    I only seem to be able to watch a livestream with Japanese commentary of it, at the office

    oh well...I'm very mult-cultural
  • zammmmo
    zammmmo Posts: 315
    Milton50 wrote:
    I'm really excited about it. It's the 100th Tour: the racing and attacking for most of the non-pan flat stages is going to be awesome. I can't wait for that Alpe D'Huez stage.

    You've got pure climbers vs strong punchy riders vs random mad frenchmen. You'll love it trust me.

    As far as I can see from the first week, unfortuntely there doesn't seem to be stages finishing with final climbs. IMO these make for great viewing as an alternative to more sprint-oriented stages.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Richmond Racer wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    OK the teams presentation isn't really helping. It is pretty bad. :cry:

    EDIT - I ate some crisps.


    I only seem to be able to watch a livestream with Japanese commentary of it, at the office

    oh well...I'm very mult-cultural

    That probably makes it better.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    This bringing in the teams by boat isn't really providing the spectacle it was probably meant to. All you see is an ugly motor yacht reversing into a pier. Lacks panache. They should have got them to use pedalos.

    EDIT - the Inner Ring ‏@inrng 2m

    Watching boats dock and unload teams and then seeing riders respond with a wave when their name is called out by the MC is not very exciting

    And no I am not Inner Ring.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    Why is it so much harder to recognise riders when they're helmet-less?
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    This Tibet flag is the most exciting thing to have happened so far. Yay, Go Team Tibet. Great bunch of climbers.

    In other news we don't even have the beauty of Bernie to make the Sky squad an enticing prospect. :cry:

    I'm off to cook dinner and it isn't even my turn...
    Correlation is not causation.
  • joelsim
    joelsim Posts: 7,552
    Above The Cows wrote:
    I was feeling excited a few weeks ago. Now I'm not. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the weather is suggesting it is February. The weather should at least suggest you may be able to dissect the stage just gone sitting outside with a beer. As it is at the moment I'm going to be sitting inside with a cup of tea under a blanket.

    I was planning on working from home for most of the Tour (I can do that now it is the holidays) go riding in the morning and do work/watch the stage in the afternoon. Now that looks less attractive as I'm back to wearing tights, ear warmers and long fingered gloves.

    Someone give me a reason to get excited, just not a picture of a sun drenched Corsica or anything Sagan related please.

    :cry::(:cry:

    Here you go, always a bonus to be at the rear

    http://i35.tinypic.com/rt0u12.jpg
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    What's the story with the Argos 'look'?

    https://twitter.com/Nicogeay/status/350289625765511169/photo/1/large
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Joelsim wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    I was feeling excited a few weeks ago. Now I'm not. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the weather is suggesting it is February. The weather should at least suggest you may be able to dissect the stage just gone sitting outside with a beer. As it is at the moment I'm going to be sitting inside with a cup of tea under a blanket.

    I was planning on working from home for most of the Tour (I can do that now it is the holidays) go riding in the morning and do work/watch the stage in the afternoon. Now that looks less attractive as I'm back to wearing tights, ear warmers and long fingered gloves.

    Someone give me a reason to get excited, just not a picture of a sun drenched Corsica or anything Sagan related please.

    :cry::(:cry:

    Here you go, always a bonus to be at the rear

    http://i35.tinypic.com/rt0u12.jpg

    Joel, I am a woman.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    DeadCalm wrote:
    What's the story with the Argos 'look'?

    https://twitter.com/Nicogeay/status/350289625765511169/photo/1/large

    Watched too much Dukes of Hazard at the training camp?
    Correlation is not causation.
  • slim_boy_fat
    slim_boy_fat Posts: 1,810
    Above The Cows wrote:
    Joelsim wrote:
    Above The Cows wrote:
    I was feeling excited a few weeks ago. Now I'm not. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the weather is suggesting it is February. The weather should at least suggest you may be able to dissect the stage just gone sitting outside with a beer. As it is at the moment I'm going to be sitting inside with a cup of tea under a blanket.

    I was planning on working from home for most of the Tour (I can do that now it is the holidays) go riding in the morning and do work/watch the stage in the afternoon. Now that looks less attractive as I'm back to wearing tights, ear warmers and long fingered gloves.

    Someone give me a reason to get excited, just not a picture of a sun drenched Corsica or anything Sagan related please.

    :cry::(:cry:

    Here you go, always a bonus to be at the rear

    http://i35.tinypic.com/rt0u12.jpg

    Joel, I am a woman.
    lol, how many have made that mistake on here ATC? Always makes me chuckle when it happens. Most assume, computer, Internet, forum? Must be a bloke.
  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    All the new national champs jerseys have been disappointingly okay so far.
  • Crankbrother
    Crankbrother Posts: 1,695
    I must be getting carried away ... I've just bought a Tour t-shirt :oops:

    (in fairness it is this: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/m ... shirt.html)
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    https://twitter.com/lequipe/tour-de-france-2013/members

    I dare you to follow them all.
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    Seriously, if you're going to get the translations so incredibly wrong, don't bother.
  • above_the_cows
    above_the_cows Posts: 11,406
    Slim Boy Fat wrote:
    lol, how many have made that mistake on here ATC? Always makes me chuckle when it happens. Most assume, computer, Internet, forum? Must be a bloke.

    I thought my reputation as the forum raging feminist preceeded me, but clearly not. :wink:

    Ah, now for the final team. Team Froome and Friends.
    Correlation is not causation.
  • DeadCalm
    DeadCalm Posts: 4,249
    Above The Cows wrote:
    I was feeling excited a few weeks ago. Now I'm not. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the weather is suggesting it is February. The weather should at least suggest you may be able to dissect the stage just gone sitting outside with a beer. As it is at the moment I'm going to be sitting inside with a cup of tea under a blanket.

    I was planning on working from home for most of the Tour (I can do that now it is the holidays) go riding in the morning and do work/watch the stage in the afternoon. Now that looks less attractive as I'm back to wearing tights, ear warmers and long fingered gloves.

    Someone give me a reason to get excited, just not a picture of a sun drenched Corsica or anything Sagan related please.

    :cry::(:cry:
    With apologies:

    https://twitter.com/a_thomas_commin/status/350309838615633920/photo/1/large
  • Turfle
    Turfle Posts: 3,762
    Always a surprise to see that Kiryienka is actually a very small human.

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