Bradley could stop off in his birthplace of Ghent if Team Sky take the Zeebrugge ferry.
??? Isn't it a traditional thing on the tour, to stop off in one's birthplace or home town if the race goes through it? I remember Sean Yates doing it in 1994
This could end up as one hell of a season for Wiggo. SPOTY dead cert if he comes good! I wonder if bets can be placed on that yet!?
Bradley could stop off in his birthplace of Ghent if Team Sky take the Zeebrugge ferry.
Why do you keep banging on about that?!! You're starting to sound like Nick Griffin with your obsession with peoples origins :P
This could end up as one hell of a season for Wiggo. SPOTY dead cert if he comes good! I wonder if bets can be placed on that yet!?
So yes ,I can't wait to cheer on the Brits in the tour. Froome and Wiggins will make a great duo, possibly riding like the Schlecks.
Speaking of the Schlecks... Andy out of the Tour after fracturing a vertebra in his Dauphiné crash. :o
As for nationalistic pride, I'm just happy to see that Britain is finally a genuine competitor on the world stage - it can only be good for the profile of the sport here and that has to be a good thing for those of us who enjoy both watching and participating in the support. It may come as a surprise to some people but amazingly, getting behind riders from my home nation/team isn't incompatible with continuing to admire and support riders from other nations/teams - this is cycling we're talking about, not football.
d.
I see some teams are announcing their TdF long lists of 13 or 14 riders, but not Sky yet. So how about some idle speculation? I’d suggest
Wiggins - natch
Froome – not only as super dom but also as Plan B should anything befall BW
Cavendish
Eisel – Cav’s only minder
Stannard - first week chaser of breaks
EBH
Porte
Uran
And one from Rogers, Siutsou, Knees, Lofkvist. I think I’d go for Lofkvist. Given that this may be Wiggins' best chance for overall, Cavendish and Eisel almost look like luxuries, and he'd be better served by those on my reserve list. But I don't see it happening.
It certainly projects a more positive view of News International than we see on P&OBI.
I'd add Pate to your list. He rode well in the Dauphine.
Lovkvist is going very well in Switzerland, Barry and Nordhaug are looking strong too, so they must all be in strong contention. Zandio is a first-rate climbing domestique too.
Kennaugh, Hunt and Flecha must also be under consideration...
I reckon there are seven places in the Tour squad nailed on, with the final two to be chosen from a dozen contenders... Talk about strength in depth.
1. Wiggins
2. Cavendish
3. EBH
4. Eisel
5. Froome
6. Porte
7. Uran
8. ...
9. ...
d.
It certainly projects a more positive view of News International than we see on P&OBI.
News International ≠ BSkyB ≠ Sky ProCycling
d.
Kennaugh is in the endurance squad for the Olympics (track) so forget him.
Uran, Hunt and Flecha all rode the Giro so forget them.
Lovkvist isn't good enough.
I suppose Cav's contending for the points jersey at the Giro will have left him out of contention at for the Green Jersey.
I suppose Cav's contending for the points jersey at the Giro will have left him out of contention at for the Green Jersey.
Speaking of the Schlecks... Andy out of the Tour after fracturing a vertebra in his Dauphiné crash. :o
Hmm. Although I've been happy to join in the merciless piss-taking of his performances so far this season, I am genuinely sorry about this. The race will be poorer without him.
In response to the Team Sky questioning, Team Garmin-Barracuda manager Jonathan Vaughters took to Twitter and commented, "not sure why ppl are surprised by sky:a few €800k guys pulling a €900k guy, who then pulls for a €1.3m guy,who helps a €2m guy."http://www.roadcycling.com/articles/Tour-de-Drama_004932.shtml
For all the sly comments regarding Wiggins becoming a real grand tour threat you first need to look at the mechanism behind the man. Team Sky has one of the richest budgets in professional cycling. And to quote Vaughters again, "they aren't doping, they are buying up talent."
IG Markets is the leading provider of Contracts for Difference (CFDs) to retail clients around the globe.
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So yes ,I can't wait to cheer on the Brits in the tour. Froome and Wiggins will make a great duo, possibly riding like the Schlecks.
Jebus, I hope not. ;D
Speaking of the Schlecks... Andy out of the Tour after fracturing a vertebra in his Dauphiné crash. :o
Michael Rogers is likely to be an invaluable super domestic for Wiggins at the Tour de France after he backed up his win from the previous week at Bayern-Rundfahrt with a second place at the Dauphine
Speaking of the Schlecks... Andy out of the Tour after fracturing a vertebra in his Dauphiné crash. :o
Rogers joined T-Mobile Team for the 2006 season, and finished 9th overall in the 2006 Tour de France.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Rogers_(cyclist)
On 15 July, Rogers withdrew on the 8th stage of the 2007 Tour after breaking a collar bone in a crash descending the Cormet de Roseland. He continued until the doctor arrived from attending fellow Australian Stuart O'Grady, who ended up stretchered to hospital.
It was after this that Rogers contracted mononucleosis (glandular fever), which caused a dip in his racing form for some time. By late 2009 he had returned to form and began to have significant racing success, with Team Columbia-High Road, the successor to T-Mobile. In 2010, as leader of his team, he won the Tour of Andalucia, and then the Tour of California (the first non-American to do so).
After a disappointing 2010 Tour de France (37th overall), Rogers announced he would concentrate in future on shorter races (e.g. one week in length) as he was no longer suited to the longer tours.
Oh dear, it's been a bit on an annus horibilis for Andy Schleck hasn't it?Apart from winning the 2010 Tour de France, yes.
Oh dear, it's been a bit on an annus horibilis for Andy Schleck hasn't it?Apart from winning the 2010 Tour de France, yes.
I think the timing and scale of the latest drug revelations including the fact bruyneel is under investigation also will help give the cleanest tour in a long time.Ladbrokes certainly seem to think so. He's 5/4 at the moment. That's not great odds.
Probably Wiggins best shot ever. (since his last best shot ever)
I think Rogers is unlikely.
Team Sky @TeamSky
Stay tuned as @TeamSky will be announcing our nine-man line-up for the Tour de France tomorrow. #TdF
Kennaugh is in the endurance squad for the Olympics (track) so forget him.
Of course. Forgot about that.QuoteUran, Hunt and Flecha all rode the Giro so forget them.
Lovkvist isn't good enough.
Hmmm. Well, I bow to your superior knowledge on these matters... Of course, Stannard also rode the Giro, so by the same reckoning, you'd have to cross him off the list too.
d.
Bradley Wiggins will lead the team after his consecutive victories at Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie and Critérium du Dauphiné, and will be joined by Edvald Boasson Hagen, Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Chris Froome, Christian Knees, Richie Porte, Michael Rogers and Kanstantsin Siutsou.
JT's superior knowledge wins.
SWMBO has come good again and we will be at the team presentation, sat somewhere on the prologue route and sat somewhere on the stage 1 route that is within walking distance of the city centre cheering everyone on but cheering exeprtionaly loudly for Team Sky and the rest of the Brit pack.
Is anyone else going to be in Liege for commencement of battle?
No real surprises in that team selection, then. Rogers certainly does appear to be in the form of his life.
d.
SWMBO has come good again and we will be at the team presentation, sat somewhere on the prologue route and sat somewhere on the stage 1 route that is within walking distance of the city centre cheering everyone on but cheering exeprtionaly loudly for Team Sky and the rest of the Brit pack.
Is anyone else going to be in Liege for commencement of battle?
I am. I'll get there the night before, watch the prologue and catch the start of Stage 1 before rushing for the Zeebrugge ferry.
SWMBO has come good again and we will be at the team presentation, sat somewhere on the prologue route and sat somewhere on the stage 1 route that is within walking distance of the city centre cheering everyone on but cheering exeprtionaly loudly for Team Sky and the rest of the Brit pack.
Is anyone else going to be in Liege for commencement of battle?
I think the timing and scale of the latest drug revelations including the fact bruyneel is under investigation also will help give the cleanest tour in a long time.
I feel theres a danger of unrealistic expectations of Cav given his last few tours, 1 stage win would be a good tour, 2 would be a excellent one and anything more would make it a fantastic tour.
And, off-topic, Go Nicole Cook !
Anyone know how easy it is to get close to the riders? Our youngest is keen to get Cav's autograph.
Anyone know how easy it is to get close to the riders? Our youngest is keen to get Cav's autograph.
I feel theres a danger of unrealistic expectations of Cav given his last few tours, 1 stage win would be a good tour, 2 would be a excellent one and anything more would make it a fantastic tour.
He says he's focussing on the Olympics but I don't think that means he won't be trying to win stages or the green jersey - just that he won't go into the red to do so.
I think he'll finish. Look how strong he's been in Paris these last few years.
Good luck!
Would you ever pull out of the Tour to make sure you're ready for the Olympics?
"No, only if I get eliminated by a time cut or... no, I'll finish the Tour de France. I pulled out in my first year as a pro after a week, but I wasn't ready for the Tour. Then in 2008, I stopped for the Olympics and since then I've finished it every time."
Do you regret stopping for the Olympics?
"Yeah, I never made a secret of that. I'll never do it again."
Can we use the spoiler symbol please, I've seen the result already but others may not have.
Der Zeitfahr-Weltmeister musste am Sonnabend im Prolog über 6,4 Kilometer in Lüttich nach der Hälfte der Strecke wegen eines „Plattfußes“ das Rad wechseln und war mit 23 Sekunden Rückstand im Kampf um den ersten Tagessieg der 99.Puncture caused by a piece of glass, apparently.
(click to show/hide)
Stage 1 has been underway for some time now and is being covered live on Eurosport. ITV4 are still showing yesterday's prologue ::-)
Anyone desperately trying to avoid finding out the results would be a fucking idiot to come to a cycling forum and open a topic entitled "Tour de France 2012"!!
Sagan :thumbsup:
Cancellara
Boassen Hagan
That was an epic last few km.. Just how crazy was that?
Sagan :thumbsup:
Cancellara
Boassen Hagan
Ahem - someone was on about spoilers :P(click to show/hide)
Why would cancellara need time? ...
[spoiler]I thought the usual form was to start a thread with "$RACE (Spoilers within)" as the title?[/spoiler]It is, but in this case the topic was started a couple of weeks before the Tour began, so anticipation was probably lacking.
Was that final hill really as brutally steep as it looked?!
Sagan was very impressive (though his victory salute was a bit twattish).
The celebration may have been a sign of his youth, but the finish itself was the work of a seasoned pro. If EBH or Gilbert had had the tactical nous to get on Cancellara's wheel, they might have given him more of a race, but Sagan seemed to be the only one who wasn't caught napping when Cancellara made his move. EBH did extremely well to close the attack down but he didn't have anything left for the sprint. Gilbert let himself down a bit on a stage that was made for him.
d.
How do you know it was lack of tactical nous on the part of Gilbert and not just that he 'didn't have anything left' to keep with Cancellara/Sagan or to close the gap?
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/mattlangridge/DSC02590.jpg)
... A rumour has it that Belgians produce some of the best beer in the world...
Personally, I don't think there's ever a place for arrogance... but that's only my opinion.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/mattlangridge/DSC02590.jpg)
DH mtb required!!
Sagan smashed it today but I can’t say I’m impressed with the victory salutes he is giving out. He is the most incredible rider at the moment and being so young makes it even more special. BUT just because he is way above the rest of us there is no need to try rub it in our faces that he wins so easy! Needs to cool the ego I think.
Re- Sagan's victory salute. Robbie Hunter's viewQuoteSagan smashed it today but I can’t say I’m impressed with the victory salutes he is giving out. He is the most incredible rider at the moment and being so young makes it even more special. BUT just because he is way above the rest of us there is no need to try rub it in our faces that he wins so easy! Needs to cool the ego I think.
From http://helivac.wordpress.com/ - looks like it may be an interesting blog to follow, even if he can't spell peloton.
Whatever Hobby Runter says, I liked Peter Sagan's victory salute today :D
Whatever Hobby Runter says, I liked Peter Sagan's victory salute today :D
I liked it too! Not sure what the fuck it was supposed to be, but I liked it :)
It was silly
It was silly
It was silly. Which makes it fun.
Imagine how much more interesting the tennis would be if Andy Murray substituted the clenched fist "COME ON!!" after winning an important point for a Sagan style dance around the court! :P
Whatever Hobby Runter says, I liked Peter Sagan's victory salute today :D
I liked it too! Not sure what the fuck it was supposed to be, but I liked it :)
It was silly
It was silly. Which makes it fun.
Imagine how much more interesting the tennis would be if Andy Murray substituted the clenched fist "COME ON!!" after winning an important point for a Sagan style dance around the court! :P
Not sure what Sagan you watched but he said himself that it was Forrest Gump.I liked it too! Not sure what the fuck it was supposed to be, but I liked it :)It was a T-1000
All the hype about Sagan's ability seems to be based firmly in reality.Lol! His victory dance thingy doesn't seem to be noticeably more arrogant than any other - and he has won, so celebration is in order. Besides, none of this is anything compared to what footballers routinely do after a single goal.
The bestest, happiest, classiest has to be Eros Poli's celebration of his unlikely win on the stage over Ventoux. Watch it at about 5min, and don't miss the nonchalant toss of his cap into the crowd. :)Little Cudzo's comments questions as we watched:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA)
The bestest, happiest, classiest has to be Eros Poli's celebration of his unlikely win on the stage over Ventoux. Watch it at about 5min, and don't miss the nonchalant toss of his cap into the crowd. :)I remember that. IIRC he was about 20 minutes ahead at the foot of the climb, & lost 17 minutes of it by the top. But did he care? He was expecting to be caught on the way up. Damn good sprinter, but he'd only gone off the front because he was such a bad climber he wanted to build up a big lead to be safe from failing to make the cut - and that was why nobody chased him for a long time. They took it for granted they'd take him on the climb, until it was too late. He was looking over his shoulder for the chasers from about half-way up, & I don't think he really believed he'd reach the top first until he was almost there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA)
Marcel KittelNow I'm having visions of Mr White (http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0002674/) saying "If you win this race, you die next. Repeat. If you win this race, you die next."
...
Alex Txurruka (never heard of him, I just like the photo)
Stage 3. What happened to Cav? I watched him outsprint (as well as out-think) Sagan at the intermediate sprint, after which I lost him for the remainder of the stage and have no clue as to where he was at the finish. Where was he?
I was chuffed though, with only 2 riders out of the 198 in the race from Slovakia, to see the two Slovaks finish today in 1st and 3rd places.
The bestest, happiest, classiest has to be Eros Poli's celebration of his unlikely win on the stage over Ventoux. Watch it at about 5min, and don't miss the nonchalant toss of his cap into the crowd. :)I remember that. IIRC he was about 20 minutes ahead at the foot of the climb, & lost 17 minutes of it by the top. But did he care? He was expecting to be caught on the way up. Damn good sprinter, but he'd only gone off the front because he was such a bad climber he wanted to build up a big lead to be safe from failing to make the cut - and that was why nobody chased him for a long time. They took it for granted they'd take him on the climb, until it was too late. He was looking over his shoulder for the chasers from about half-way up, & I don't think he really believed he'd reach the top first until he was almost there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA)
I really, really enjoyed that. Perhaps the most unexpected stage win ever, & one of the most popular.
All the hype about Sagan's ability seems to be based firmly in reality.
All the hype about Sagan's ability seems to be based firmly in reality.
The last time I saw that much ability was with Ricco in '08.
Then why do the pair of you bother to watch :-\So they can chip in here with their cynical smart-arse comments. Obviously!
In the hope that I might see some clean performances. There is always hope...
PS Mr B,
Did you ride the course before taking up spectator station? If so, what time were you there (just checking to see if I can get a Forumite Spot bagged ;D )
PS Mr B,
Did you ride the course before taking up spectator station? If so, what time were you there (just checking to see if I can get a Forumite Spot bagged ;D )
No, I'm afraid not. I did appear on the Eurosport live coverage though.
Both SWMBO and I appear in the ITV4 coverage (if you know exactly when to pause the picture and what we were wearing and can discern our blurred images)
In the hope that I might see some clean performances. There is always hope...
I'm reserving judgment on Sagan. If he carries on like that in the proper hills, that's when I'll start getting suspicious.
For now, I'm just enjoying the spectacle.
d.
In the hope that I might see some clean performances. There is always hope...
I'm reserving judgment on Sagan. If he carries on like that in the proper hills, that's when I'll start getting suspicious.
For now, I'm just enjoying the spectacle.
d.
Sagan makes me smile. Robbie Hunter doesn't.
d.
This (http://drupal-sporten.tv2.dk/tour/2012-07-06-sagan-med-ringeklokke-p%C3%A5-tourminator-cykel) made me smile.
Was yesterday's stage so boring that even we don't have anything to say about it?
Tyler Farrar found it so boring, he decided he'd rather have a nice lie-down. Again.
@KarstenKroon
(https://twitter.com/KarstenKroon/statuses/220926320635424769) That was the easiest day in my life as a pro. I will not tell you the SRM data my friends, it's embarrassing. The Tour is Freaking Hard!
@KarstenKroon
(https://twitter.com/KarstenKroon/statuses/220952736802410499) OK then my friends. 139 Watts average. If you try that at home you will fall off your bike. (because you're going to slow not exhaustion..)
Well it looked like he was trying to lean on another rider to stay upright so that when he had to brake because another rider came across his line and his support didn't brake he fell over.
Well I suppose that fits with Wiggo's comments. "I was losing fitness just cruising back in the pack all week, so we decided to do a bit of work for Cav today." <or similar>
I guess that on flat stages they only have to ride hard during the more technical sections, i.e. where there is some benefit to be at the front, thus (hopefully!) avoiding crashes. And in the last 10km (which are often also technical this year, it seems.)
A week of mountains should please them.
Considering that drafting behind another rider is supposed to save around 30% of the nominal power output for a given speed, barely ticking over while in the peloton is quite plausible."for a given speed" is the key there!
@millarmind (https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/221266836296175617): Oh sweet jesus that was scary. Approx 70km/h pile up, like a tidal wave of debris smashing towards us, could do nothing but brake and pray.
@millarmind (https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/221267352786968577): Knee caps smashed, chainring in chest, thigh + ankle bruised. Didn't even notice this scratch... http://yfrog.com/nvgutchj
Quote@millarmind (https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/221266836296175617): Oh sweet jesus that was scary. Approx 70km/h pile up, like a tidal wave of debris smashing towards us, could do nothing but brake and pray.Quote@millarmind (https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/221267352786968577): Knee caps smashed, chainring in chest, thigh + ankle bruised. Didn't even notice this scratch... http://yfrog.com/nvgutchj
"This photo has been removed" - I'm not surprised, it was pretty gory...
d.
Alex Txurruka (never heard of him, I just like the photo)
Amets Txurruka, iirc. You'll see a lot more of him in the mountain stages.
d.
Neat pattern but too wide apart for chainring teeth. What else could have caused them ?
Wolverine?Brad's got the sideburns but not the claws!
How many times are they going to mention Froome is Kenyan?!
According to ITV4 Froome attacked on a 20% section of the hill :o
IIRC he was Cipo's lead-out man for a while.The bestest, happiest, classiest has to be Eros Poli's celebration of his unlikely win on the stage over Ventoux. Watch it at about 5min, and don't miss the nonchalant toss of his cap into the crowd. :)I remember that. IIRC he was about 20 minutes ahead at the foot of the climb, & lost 17 minutes of it by the top. But did he care? He was expecting to be caught on the way up. Damn good sprinter, but he'd only gone off the front because he was such a bad climber he wanted to build up a big lead to be safe from failing to make the cut - and that was why nobody chased him for a long time. They took it for granted they'd take him on the climb, until it was too late. He was looking over his shoulder for the chasers from about half-way up, & I don't think he really believed he'd reach the top first until he was almost there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=RxTnLaH3gVA)
I really, really enjoyed that. Perhaps the most unexpected stage win ever, & one of the most popular.
He wasn't so much a sprinter as a lead-out man, he was part of the 100km time trial Gold medal wining team in the 1984 Olympics and won the amateur worlds TTT in 1987, those were the days of 'shamateurism' and the Italians were masters of it. He therefore turned pro late in his career. On the stage he won, a young rider staged a break on a hot day when it was agreed that they'd have a day off, which happens between the two mountain ranges. Eros was annoyed and chased him down to prove a point, then he just kept going with a tailwind. He always wore a cap with the top cut out, so as not to endanger his locks, the belief being that wearing a cap, let alone a helmet, makes you go bald.
I can't wait to see how SKY approach the really long climbs. Will they just keep turning the screws all the way to the top I wonder?
How much time did Froome lose to his puncture?1:25.
I'd like to think that Wiggo was content for Sky to end the stage with a rider in yellow & another rider with the stage win plus another shirt wearer in the team rather than himself steal all the thunder.
This is the sort of English sporting success that should be banner headlines on the sports pages of tommorow's newspapers.
I'd like to think that Wiggo was content for Sky to end the stage with a rider in yellow & another rider with the stage win plus another shirt wearer in the team rather than himself steal all the thunder.
This is the sort of English sporting success that should be banner headlines on the sports pages of tommorow's newspapers.
unfortunately it will be overwhelmed by the tennis
Evans seemed to be sprinting all in and Wiggins well within his comfort zone.Yes, I was really impressed by the overhead shots that showed Wiggins, still seated, eating up the gap to Evans while Froome powered off into the distance.
Barring mechanicals/accidents the tour is Wiggo's to lose.
Don't think Froome will be allowed to go for the mountain classment. He may of course pick it up naturally by supporting Wiggo.
Barring mechanicals/accidents the tour is Wiggo's to lose. All he has to do is defend and the best way for them to do that is to prevent attacks.
Barring mechanicals/accidents the tour is Wiggo's to lose. All he has to do is defend and the best way for them to do that is to prevent attacks.
Preventing attacks/defending the yellow jersey is going to mean Sky towing the peloton for 10 stages over the remaining two weeks. Big ask IMO.
Whilst I was chuffed as nuts to see Froome win the stage, I can't help thinking it might have been better to let Evans or Nibali take the yellow and give other teams the task of defending it for a while at least.
Evans seemed to be sprinting all in and Wiggins well within his comfort zone.Yes, I was really impressed by the overhead shots that showed Wiggins, still seated, eating up the gap to Evans while Froome powered off into the distance.
I think/hope that Wiggins still has a little in reserve.
Evans is probably holding something back as well but I think he's now going to be on the defensive.
Slightly OT for the not very cute about race tactics (that would be me then):-
Does it matter too much if BMC can't support Evans on the climbs in the way that Sky can support Wiggins ? Surely Evans canleach offtrackthe other contendersWiggins ?
Even the tactics employed by Andy Schleck's team last year (where they sent some riders ahead on a breakaway to tow Andy when he made that great effort up the Galibier) could be countered by Evans following Wiggins in a similar situation ?
Wow, Team Sky turn on the pain :o
Did I hear right that hill was 15% average :o
Don't think Froome will be allowed to go for the mountain classment. He may of course pick it up naturally by supporting Wiggo.
He won't be contesting the intermediate climbs on the big mountain stages, which is where the majority of the points are to be picked up.
There are two more mountaintop finishes, which he could win and which score double points... But he'd have to rely on all the intermediate climbs being shared out between lots of different riders to have a chance of taking the jersey himself.
d.
Some people wear Superman pyjamas
Superman wears Mr T pyjamas
Mr T wears Chuck Norris pyjamas
Chuck Norris wears Jens Voigt pyjamas
And Jens Voigt wears...
Wiggo, always good for a quote:
https://p.twimg.com/AxRvGRqCIAA0MSh.jpg:medium
Realistically Chris Froome can only win a mountain stage if Brad is on his wheel at the end or Evans is already sunk without trace
Great stage! I found myself cheering on a Frenchman! ;D ;)
Wiggins really has mastered the post-race interview, hasn't he? Sky's PR people must be having a nervous breakdown.I'd have thought they'd be loving it, all these viral clips of him mouthing off probably get the Sky logo more airtime than the tour itself.
Wiggins really has mastered the post-race interview, hasn't he? Sky's PR people must be having a nervous breakdown.
Wiggins really has mastered the post-race interview, hasn't he? Sky's PR people must be having a nervous breakdown.
I'm getting more and more respect for the guy. Finally a rider who says what thinks instead of just saying what the pr people
wants him to say. :thumbsup:
Oh, and what's with the closing song of My Way in French? At least, that's what it sounds like. Is that a theme tune or does it vary fromepisodestage to stage?
Thanks. I guess it was more likely to happen that way! Makes me wonder even more about the "Regrets, I've had a few" line and Piaf...Oh, and what's with the closing song of My Way in French? At least, that's what it sounds like. Is that a theme tune or does it vary fromepisodestage to stage?
Paul Anka stole the tune to write My Way, it's originally a french song, Comme D'habitude
Also, for those who actually know a bit about racing (unlike me), what is the significance if any of Evans trying but failing to make up time on this stage? Does it hint at Wiggins being strong enough in hilly stages to keep up with Evans, or should it rather be taken as a sign of Evans' perseverance and combativeness, or is it just one of those things?
I believe they did mention that! I was trying to ask about the fact that Evans failed to break away from Wiggins, or to put it another way that Brad kept right up with him - whether anything can be drawn from that?You can conclude that it's actually very hard to drop a rider of similar weight-n-power on the flat.
I believe they did mention that! I was trying to ask about the fact that Evans failed to break away from Wiggins, or to put it another way that Brad kept right up with him - whether anything can be drawn from that?
Being interviewed at the end, Cadel said something like "that's just the kind of guy he is".I believe they did mention that! I was trying to ask about the fact that Evans failed to break away from Wiggins, or to put it another way that Brad kept right up with him - whether anything can be drawn from that?
Eurosport played an interview with Nibali early on yesterday, in which he was asked if he was likely to attack on the final descent. He said probably not because his style of descending uses up too much energy and it wasn't a long or technical enough descent that he would be able to pull out enough time to make it worthwhile, plus there was a flatter bit at the bottom for the final few km.
In the end, he did have a little dig (I guess he's the kind of rider who just can't help himself) but was proved correct in his earlier assessment.
As Veloman says, Cadel had good reasons for having a go himself, the corollary being that Brad had good reasons not to allow him to escape. He was never going to be able to pull out enough of a gap unless Brad made a mistake (as Kessiakoff and Froome almost did), but it was worth taking a chance.
d.
Mark wossisname shouting out of the car at Pinot was just class.Apparently other FdJ riders were having to rip out their ear-pieces.
It's not an engine. Team Sky have reverted to steel bikes
It's not an engine. Team Sky have reverted to steel bikes
Wiggo is using a Barley Saddlebag on his steel frame...it's the only explanation for that incredible time.
This Tour could turn into the Wiggo/Frome SKY roadshow is Evans doesn't watch out.
Wiggo's first ever stage win, that's quite amazing in itself.
Asked in the post-stage press conference on Sunday evening how he responded to accusations of doping, Wiggins said: "I say they're just f****** w******. I cannot be doing with people like that. It justifies their own bone-idleness because they can't ever imagine applying themselves to do anything in their lives.
"It's easy for them to sit under a pseudonym on Twitter and write that sort of s***, rather than get off their a***s in their own lives and apply themselves and work hard at something and achieve something. And that's ultimately it. C****."
There's a substantial amount of incredulity being expressed after today's results , particularly in the French tongue.They can refer to Brad's answer from yesterday ;D
There's a substantial amount of incredulity being expressed after today's results , particularly in the French tongue.
Le cunts!
I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers:QuoteAsked in the post-stage press conference on Sunday evening how he responded to accusations of doping, Wiggins said: "I say they're just f****** w******. I cannot be doing with people like that. It justifies their own bone-idleness because they can't ever imagine applying themselves to do anything in their lives.
"It's easy for them to sit under a pseudonym on Twitter and write that sort of s***, rather than get off their a***s in their own lives and apply themselves and work hard at something and achieve something. And that's ultimately it. C****."
Is there a blue jersey for the best swearer? :D
From: http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/news/wiggins-takes-aim-at-doping-accusers/
I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers.
... or they only interview riders from"English speaking" countries, why do they assume viewers are automatically more interested in a domestique who happens to be Austrialian than the stage winner who might be be from say Belgium.
I'm sure his team could have prepped him with some boring politician-spin-style answer that actually said even less. But I far prefer the honest answer - that's why we listen to interviews, not to hear the PR-department's version of things.I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers.
I don't. It's the Armstrong tactic: don't answer the (entirely reasonable) question, but attack the character of the person asking. I'm sorry to see Wiggins adopting it.
I'm sure his team could have prepped him with some boring politician-spin-style answer that actually said even less. But I far prefer the honest answer - that's why we listen to interviews, not to hear the PR-department's version of things.I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers.
I don't. It's the Armstrong tactic: don't answer the (entirely reasonable) question, but attack the character of the person asking. I'm sorry to see Wiggins adopting it.
(I'd like to think I'd say the same thing even if I didn't believe his answer!)
Yep. I'm getting to like Wiggins for his to-the-pointness. He does it with humour and good grace, on the whole - I haven't seen the contentious interview in q. He has cool sideburns too!I'm sure his team could have prepped him with some boring politician-spin-style answer that actually said even less. But I far prefer the honest answer - that's why we listen to interviews, not to hear the PR-department's version of things.I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers.
I don't. It's the Armstrong tactic: don't answer the (entirely reasonable) question, but attack the character of the person asking. I'm sorry to see Wiggins adopting it.
(I'd like to think I'd say the same thing even if I didn't believe his answer!)
(I'd like to think I'd say the same thing even if I didn't believe his answer!)
Yep. I'm getting to like Wiggins for his to-the-pointness. He does it with humour and good grace, on the whole - I haven't seen the contentious interview in q. He has cool sideburns too!I'm sure his team could have prepped him with some boring politician-spin-style answer that actually said even less. But I far prefer the honest answer - that's why we listen to interviews, not to hear the PR-department's version of things.I love Wiggins' response to the doping accusers.
I don't. It's the Armstrong tactic: don't answer the (entirely reasonable) question, but attack the character of the person asking. I'm sorry to see Wiggins adopting it.
(I'd like to think I'd say the same thing even if I didn't believe his answer!)
Yep. I'm getting to like Wiggins for his to-the-pointness. He does it with humour and good grace, on the whole - I haven't seen the contentious interview in q. He has cool sideburns too!
"Bradley Wiggins' sideburns will never be back in fashion", reckons Sandra T. Ingrassia.
"Besides, they look like they have the mange, with the top being thinned out by his helmet straps and/or his sunglasses. Really, he should just shave those awful things!"
I think Wiggins would have been on to a loser either way. He has a pop at the keyboard warriors who take advantage of the moral hazard of the internet to post stuff that would get their faces filled in if said face-to-face, and people are getting all po-faced. If he had given a non-committal answer, or had avoided/polite dismissed the questions, he'd be accused of not tackling the issue, or be called characterless and corporate.
I think Wiggins would have been on to a loser either way. He has a pop at the keyboard warriors who take advantage of the moral hazard of the internet to post stuff that would get their faces filled in if said face-to-face, and people are getting all po-faced. If he had given a non-committal answer, or had avoided/polite dismissed the questions, he'd be accused of not tackling the issue, or be called characterless and corporate.
There's a third thing he could have said, you know...
I love the specialised advert. Living the dreams..
"There was some chatter in the Twitter-sphere about the comparison between Sky and US Postal," said the AP journalist. "I'm wondering your reaction. And, what do you say to the cynics who say you have to be doped up to win the Tour de France?"
It was asked what he thought about those anonymous twitterers who were accusing him and Sky of doping. His answer was honest and to the point.
Imagine coming out of your final exams (I'm guessing that you've never won a pro bike race, but have taken some fairly important exams at some point.)
Someone sticks a mic in your face. "There are some people [who know nothing - Ed.] who say that exams are worthlessly easy these days, and that all students cheat anyway. What do you say?"
I'm guessing your answer wouldn't be very polite!
Great quote from david millar on twitter
Wiggo's now better at me in everything to do with cycling, profanity-filled interviews were all I had left. Now he's taken that crown. Darn
or they only interview riders from"English speaking" countries, why do they assume viewers are automatically more interested in a domestique who happens to be Austrialian than the stage winner who might be be from say Belgium.
Wiggins/Froome
And should he actually win this thing, you can be sure Wiggins will leverage his "c" word the same way Armstrong did, after which it's only a matter of time before the wrists of Fred-dom* are bejewled with C***Strong bracelets.
If in fact cheating were rife, and if the majority of the people who got the top mark in the last twenty years had been revealed to have cheated at some point, then this would be a fair question, wouldn't it? In such a circumstance, an honest exam taker ought to be angry at the cheaters, and at the people running the corrupt exam system which allows the cheaters to profit from their cheating, not at the people who are legitimately asking questions about it.
@janibrajkovic (https://twitter.com/janibrajkovic/status/222367781931335680): Couple of years ago every1 was laughing at @TeamSky for doing million things trying to improve performance, now when they're flying...
@janibrajkovic (https://twitter.com/janibrajkovic/status/222368263445819392): ....it's very easy to say they must be doing something... Yes, they r, training, nutrition, dedication, etc. well deserved
It sounds typical of Dave Brailsford's attention to detail. It worked in the Velodrome and it seems to be working on the road. He doesn't leave any stone unturned when it comes to preparation and he is a master at getting a team to peak at the right time, even sacrificing races along the way in the name of it.
It was asked what he thought about those anonymous twitterers who were accusing him and Sky of doping. His answer was honest and to the point.
It's not to the point at all. The concerns of the twitterers are entirely reasonable, even if their accusations are false in this case. He could have said something like, "It's only natural, after the many disappointments of the last twenty years, that people should be suspicious that riders have to be doping to win."
I didn't see the interview but I suspect his tirade was against anonymous twitterers rather than against the journalist who asked the question; a case of "kick the cat". If he really thinks that no-one else does a job in the world other than someone who starts off supremely gifted anyway, then he's just wrong.
Has he always had a short fuse?Well have you watched any of his other dozens of interviews? Or even listened to the rest of the press conference leading up to the twitter/drugs question?
There's a substantial amount of incredulity being expressed after today's results , particularly in the French tongue.
I am loving Bradley more and more having listened to his recent comments to camera and interview :D
He seems to have upset some of the stuffiest up-themselves holier-than-thou kinds in the process ... epic :thumbsup:
Personally I would have called the twattering idiots twats not cunts, but hey that's just me. Go Bradley ;D
Voter
OUI 56%
Oui
NON 37%
Non
NSP 7%
NSP
4 706 votes
There's a substantial amount of incredulity being expressed after today's results , particularly in the French tongue.
The French could have got a great big team with a shed load of cash being chucked at it.
Team Sky also have shedloads (or c***loads?) of money.
If SKY have all the money then I'd be tempted to offer Sagan a deal next year.
I don't know how long Wiggins has got left at this top level but between him, Cav, Froome and Sagan, they'd have someone who could win any type of stage. Realistically, they could be domestiques for Froome.
They have, in FdJ, which is (I hope) why Thibaut Pinot won the other day. But they don't have the management to capitalise on the riders and the money. Sorry, M Madiot, but passion alone is not enough.
Can we order some "YACF C***strong" bracelets?
Froome is Lemond to Wiggins's Hinault... Except Wiggins isn't nearly as exciting a rider to watch as Hinault.
I didn't see the interview but I suspect his tirade was against anonymous twitterers rather than against the journalist who asked the question; a case of "kick the cat". If he really thinks that no-one else does a job in the world other than someone who starts off supremely gifted anyway, then he's just wrong.
What an astonishing conclusion to draw from so little basis.Quote
You're absolutely right, Matt, which is why I said "really". I have absolutely no axe to grind on this at all. I think he would have liked to get at the twitterers but couldn't which is why he let fly via the journalist. I don't think his choice of words was the finest in the world and I certainly don't take a delight in it but it must be incredibly wearing to have your every performance under scrutiny, though of course, there is history to consider. I think maybe, just to be absolutely certain, the authorities ought to search his sideburns!QuoteHas he always had a short fuse?Well have you watched any of his other dozens of interviews? Or even listened to the rest of the press conference leading up to the twitter/drugs question?
No, which is why I asked the question; there was no side to it at all. This internet is a dangerous place, isn't it?
Somehow I can't imagine Wiggo having fisticuffs with angry farmers blocking the route. Le Blaireau decked the nearest one with a right cross and rode past the rest.
Peter,
Fair enough. I guess my main beef is that Wiggo is (IMHO) a gentleman of the sport and is very polite and reasonable in 99% of interviews. Most athletes have been asked a stupid provocative question by journos, purely to generate column inches. The press don't really earn any intelligent replies to their questions.
(I think if you reread your post you can see the strong anti-Wiggo undercurrent that I inferred from it. I'm happy to accept that it was not intended :thumbsup:)
If SKY have all the money then I'd be tempted to offer Sagan a deal next year.
Not sure how Sagan would fit in at Sky when they already have Cav and EBH, not to mention Swifty and others coming up through the ranks.
This is evident when you look at a) how they have brought in Dr Tim Kerrison(?) who has a strong track record in swimming to transfer the knowledge they have developed there into cycling.
Rob has been following this Tour increasingly avidly and is now making noises about wanting us to get a late deal to go to Paris to watch the final stage. Any tips/pointers from those of you who’ve done so?
The French press have been very quick to point out that the case was opened when Di Gregorio was riding for Astana,
but it doesn't look great for Cofidis either - even if the team was nothing to do with his doping, if he was carrying on doping after he joined them, it doesn't reflect well on their internal controls. You'd have thought that Cofidis in particular would have learned that lesson.
Indeed. Millar all those years ago, now blackening the name of Wiggo. Oh, there's an idea...
I am not a smoker but it is friends that are ex-smokers that seem to rant on more than I do about how selfish smokers are when smoke drifts our way. Maybe it's the same with other drugs.
Froome is Lemond to Wiggins's Hinault... Except Wiggins isn't nearly as exciting a rider to watch as Hinault.
Somehow I can't imagine Wiggo having fisticuffs with angry farmers blocking the route. Le Blaireau decked the nearest one with a right cross and rode past the rest.
Dunno, but Millar has put most of his money into founding Slipstream aka Garmin-Slipstream/Barracuda/Sharp as a clean team.
But you're right about ex-smokers. Converts often make the best zealots.
If in fact cheating were rife, and if the majority of the people who got the top mark in the last twenty years had been revealed to have cheated at some point, then this would be a fair question, wouldn't it? In such a circumstance, an honest exam taker ought to be angry at the cheaters, and at the people running the corrupt exam system which allows the cheaters to profit from their cheating, not at the people who are legitimately asking questions about it.
Thanks jo. Just the sort of thing I was after.
People shamelessly pushing their way to the front reminds me of festivals where I’ve waited at the front for ages for the headline act…or even London Transport…thanks for the warning.
I think we should have life bans on all the cheaters, they are the ones who have despoiled cycling in the first place. Get rid of the Bjarne Reese's and the David Millar's and start again with the Sky like teams. I am still angry at these cheats.
I think we should have life bans on all the cheaters, they are the ones who have despoiled cycling in the first place. Get rid of the Bjarne Reese's and the David Millar's and start again with the Sky like teams. I am still angry at these cheats.
QuoteHas he always had a short fuse?Well have you watched any of his other dozens of interviews? Or even listened to the rest of the press conference leading up to the twitter/drugs question?
No, which is why I asked the question; there was no side to it at all. This internet is a dangerous place, isn't it?
Sean Kelly has his doubts concerning Wiggins' psychological strengths.Quote"Bradley has always been fragile, a puncture or another upsetting incident can make him lose his head
Maybe we should have a lifetime ban on forum posting for those who misspell people's names... :)
If he has a known weakness then it's up to the coaches to do something about it. It's quite possible to put decent strategies in place for people who have short tempers and I'm certain, given how driven Wiggins appears to be, that this will have been dealt with. If it's likely to jeopardise the overall aim then you can rest assured that it will have been dealt with in training and preparation.
If he has a known weakness then it's up to the coaches to do something about it. It's quite possible to put decent strategies in place for people who have short tempers and I'm certain, given how driven Wiggins appears to be, that this will have been dealt with. If it's likely to jeopardise the overall aim then you can rest assured that it will have been dealt with in training and preparation.
I guess it is a difference of opinion over 'venial' and 'mortal' sins. Everyone deserves a second chance for venial sins if they show some repentance.
If he has a known weakness then it's up to the coaches to do something about it. It's quite possible to put decent strategies in place for people who have short tempers and I'm certain, given how driven Wiggins appears to be, that this will have been dealt with. If it's likely to jeopardise the overall aim then you can rest assured that it will have been dealt with in training and preparation.
Beta blockers are apparently good for that sort of thing, is it banned though and can it be detected?
Can we please have two threads?
Tour de France 2012 (enjoying the racing)
and
Tour de France 2012 (cynically whining about drugs)
::-)
"You bastard Landis", I thought. "You have completely ruined my own small achievement of getting around the [2006] Tour de France and being a small part of cycling history. You and guys like you are pissing on my sport and my dreams. Why do guys like you keep cheating? How many of you are out there, taking the piss and getting away with it? There is me trailing home 131st, and for all I know, I might be a top 50 rider if we all started on a level playing field. Sod you all. You are a bunch of cheating bastards and I hope one day they catch the lot of you and ban you all for life. You can keep doing it your way and I will keep doing it mine. You won't ever change me, you sods. Bollocks to you all. At least I can look myself in the mirror."
That's why I think it's a shame that he seems to be doing an Armstrong.
But it's just one outburst and there will be plenty of opportunities for him to do better.
In that you're continuing the derailment of the thread into a discussion of which cyclists are taking drugs, yes I would.
Tony Martin is now out, I see, to enable his wrist to heal before the olympics.That's sad. Respect to him for continuing, but it's probably the best decision to step off now.
It's not been a good tour for him, has it?
I understand you guys are upset by the drug-takers, but it ain't going to change during July 2012. So either sit back and enjoy the race, orooh, what happens if you combine a Wiggo word and a boab word in the same sentence? I think we'll need a new phrase for that one!shut the <Wiggo word> up.please desist from raising the sordid topic in this worthy and genteel arena.
Wishing the questions away is worse than useless.Almost as useless as you repeating them here!
The forum has collectively carried out several 'little bits of good' in the past. Why not again?OK good - I admire your principles (really).
Pro sport survives because people pay to watch and buy their sponsors' products. Enough people say not interested because of doping, the money goes elsewhere and the sport changes or dies. Are you going to support doping?
Anyway, it's impossible to discuss the Tour without doping coming into it somewhere. First Wiggo's rant, now Di Gregorio's arrest. These are newsworthy events directly related to the Tour so belong in this thread. There will be more stories relating to doping before this Tour is doneOh sure, but it seems some people can't discuss Wiggo swearing without discussing the likelihood that the whole race is a shame due to cheating, and digging up events from 2007 (and earlier).
Bollocks to that. The answer to the question of which Tour riders are doping is 'most of them.' ...
How fast would Wiggers be if he shaved those ridiculous sideburns?
I really like his sideees, which I assume he modelled on those sported by our very own SimonP. Certainly better than Wiggo's 'modfather' haircut of a few years ago.
"Bradley Wiggins' sideburns will never be back in fashion", reckons Sandra T. Ingrassia.
"Besides, they look like they have the mange, with the top being thinned out by his helmet straps and/or his sunglasses. Really, he should just shave those awful things!"
may the Brad and The Froome confront, hold firm and repel the onslaught.
The unfounded murmurs online – and in the press room too – have clearly rattled him. But compare his statements with Armstrong's during his seven year reign. The American was measured, composed, rehearsed but lacking a level legitimacy, and while Wiggins still has more to do in this year’s Tour to clear up his stance on doping, at least he spoke from the heart. There’s no doubt he has worked hard, perhaps harder than all of his rivals, but the next time he’s offered the doping topic lets hope he has the maturity and quite frankly the respect for the yellow jersey to deliver something with a little more substance.
Thanks jo. Just the sort of thing I was after.
People shamelessly pushing their way to the front reminds me of festivals where I’ve waited at the front for ages for the headline act…or even London Transport…thanks for the warning.
It really is an experience - one thing I remember was not knowing who won the sprint till the next day - despite accidentally being in the perfect position to watch the finish.
If you want to move around at all (rather than spend hours in the same position) take a little portable foldable ladder. You can then be at the back of 4 rows of people and still see lots.
FWIW, I think this comment is spot on:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/10-conclusions-from-the-tour-de-franceQuoteThe unfounded murmurs online – and in the press room too – have clearly rattled him. But compare his statements with Armstrong's during his seven year reign. The American was measured, composed, rehearsed but lacking a level legitimacy, and while Wiggins still has more to do in this year’s Tour to clear up his stance on doping, at least he spoke from the heart. There’s no doubt he has worked hard, perhaps harder than all of his rivals, but the next time he’s offered the doping topic lets hope he has the maturity and quite frankly the respect for the yellow jersey to deliver something with a little more substance.
FWIW, I think this comment is spot on:Quotelets hope he has the maturity and quite frankly the respect for the yellow jersey to deliver something with a little more substance.
Can we hace a separate thread for sideburns please, and keep this thread real.
Can we hace a separate thread for sideburns please, and keep this thread real.
You saying his sideburns are not real ?
Who on earth would want fake stick on ones like that ?
IGMC
I'm pretty sure Jens was the first rider to be made of shark skin. SKY just nick all the best ideas.
Can we hace a separate thread for sideburns please, and keep this thread real.You are Eminem?
Can we hace a separate thread for sideburns please, and keep this thread real.
You saying his sideburns are not real ?
Who on earth would want fake stick on ones like that ?
IGMC
http://www.lequipe.fr/qdj/2642
La question du jour (Mardi 10 juillet )
Bradley Wiggins va-t-il gagner le Tour de France ?
Code: [Select]Voter
OUI 56%
Oui
NON 37%
Non
NSP 7%
NSP
4 706 votes
Are you Hillbilly of fixie skid fame?
I see that Wiggin's own goal from the other day remains on the agenda.
And if what Nibali is saying about his actions on the finish line are true, then that's a poor show.
If he wins I'll certainly be thinking twice about voting for him in SPOTY.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-im-not-some-s-t-rider-who-has-come-from-nowhere
When we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
As I said upthread, a poor show.
http://www.steephill.tv/2012/tour-de-france/photos/stage-10/#355-IMG_2739_edited-1.jpg
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteWhen we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteWhen we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
And sometimes it isn't.
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteIf he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries.
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteWhen we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteWhen we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
As I said upthread, a poor show.
http://www.steephill.tv/2012/tour-de-france/photos/stage-10/#355-IMG_2739_edited-1.jpg
btw, I half heard a mention on the radio suggesting Wiggins has now held the MJ for more consecutive days than any British rider before. Is this true?
Meanwhile breaking news is that Cancellara has withdrawn.
Meanwhile breaking news is that Cancellara has withdrawn.
due to not withdrawing 9 months ago.........
Meanwhile breaking news is that Cancellara has withdrawn.
due to not withdrawing 9 months ago.........
a rider he regards as having a bit more panache.
I suspect he'd've hated Indurain, too.
a rider he regards as having a bit more panache.
Or does he resent losing to a rider who twiddles along smoothly and calmly instead of honking up hills pulling faces and swinging about like a bag of spanners in the traditional pro-cyclist manner?
I suspect he'd've hated Indurain, too.
That's not how Nibali interpreted it.QuoteWhen we crossed the line, Bradley turned and looked at me. If he wants to be a great champion, he needs to have a bit of respect for his adversaries. Sometimes turning around and looking into your face is an insult.
I dunno, it's all ME, ME, ME with some people
Was the Wiggins swear fest recorded anywhere?Yup. ITV4 Highlights show led with it on the day (bleeped, obviously!). So it must exist 'out there' somewhere.
a rider he regards as having a bit more panache.
Or does he resent losing to a rider who twiddles along smoothly and calmly instead of honking up hills pulling faces and swinging about like a bag of spanners in the traditional pro-cyclist manner?
I suspect he'd've hated Indurain, too.
Very good indeed. I think, bobb, that you have to be extremely careful: Wiggo's hair must be at least as col as yours. It's the sideburns that make it. :P
Very good indeed. I think, bobb, that you have to be extremely careful: Wiggo's hair must be at least as col as yours. It's the sideburns that make it. :P
I shall not be making an attempt to grow sideburns!
Anyway, how come you're so interested in Le Tour all of a sudden?!!
Was the Wiggins swear fest recorded anywhere?Yup. ITV4 Highlights show led with it on the day (bleeped, obviously!). So it must exist 'out there' somewhere.
Was the Wiggins swear fest recorded anywhere?@Domestique @mattc The Wiggins considered response is quoted in full near the start of an interesting article at http://www.sportsscientists.com/2012/07/tour-in-mountains-analysis-discussion.html (Not sure of my source for that link ... apologies if it was from somebody from this parish.)
If I was Froome I'd be extremely frustrated having to carry another rider for the second time on a grand tour. There is just the impression, like the Vuelta, that Sky is putting the brakes on him in order to deliver a win for a cyclist who is no stronger and probably less strong.But which of us hasn't thought that they could do better than the next guy up the hierarchy at some time in our careers , whatever area we have laboured in.
I suspect he'd've hated Indurain, too.
Exactly. Much as we want to see a Brit win, we don't really want to see a repeat of the 1995 Tour, do we?
Blitzing the field with high-tempo group riding up mountains is hugely impressive, but it lacks the excitement of the mano a mano, suitcases of courage stuff we saw in stage 17 of last year's Vuelta.
d.
Amazing stage. Froomy was on fire! Shame that Cuddles lost it a bit.
If I was Froome I'd be extremely frustrated having to carry another rider for the second time on a grand tour. There is just the impression, like the Vuelta, that Sky is putting the brakes on him in order to deliver a win for a cyclist who is no stronger and probably less strong.
And Nibali had the cheek to moan about the Wiggo stare. He couldn't have been more hypocritical if he tried today. And Wiggo had the grace to say well done to him at the line. I would have just said FAIL.
If I was Froome I'd be extremely frustrated having to carry another rider for the second time on a grand tour. There is just the impression, like the Vuelta, that Sky is putting the brakes on him in order to deliver a win for a cyclist who is no stronger and probably less strong.
Well, it is a team, and riders are used according to their strengths and according to a game plan. Bigger picture sort of thing. Froome's job is to help out Wiggo on the pointy bits, at the moment, and he's not (quite) as good a time-triallist. But, yes, he could be a winner with the right team backing, although whether he could be a team leader is another matter.
I just hope if he jumps ship, he goes to another team that supports its riders as well as Sky (if there is one). He could end up getting big bucks in the short term to move to another team with cr@p management, strategy, training, care for the riders and (dare I say it) ethics, which could be the end of him one way or another.
If I were him I'd stick with the Sky set-up and take over when Wiggo starts to fade.
Froome deserves a medal thinks. What is Cav up to?
What is Cav up to?153rd, from 157th yesterday.
What is Cav up to?153rd, from 157th yesterday.
First hour long highlights I've managed to watch so far - good stuff. Well done Froome & Wiggins.
It comes up at 9pm but the adverts are still in.First hour long highlights I've managed to watch so far - good stuff. Well done Froome & Wiggins.
If you're watching itv4's coverage you can save yourself 15 mins if you (can) wait until it comes on itvplayer (about 9pm ish i think), as all the adverts are cut out.
It comes up at 9pm but the adverts are still in.
If I was Froome I'd be extremely frustrated having to carry another rider for the second time on a grand tour.Yebbut, if you were planning for this 12 months or more ago and you had two very strong riders either of whom could win the TdF, but one of them had suffered from recurring outbreaks of a debilitating disease (bilharzia) at unpredictable intervals which one would you build your team around?
Fingers crossed Froome gets to lead a team next season.Mebbe the Vuelta?
That's more like it. Chapeau to both.This link worked better for me
http://www.steephill.tv/2012/tour-de-france/photos/stage-11/#334-PIC295585741.jpg
I suspect he'd've hated Indurain, too.
This year, every time I listen to the radio on the way home from work or watch the TV news some git launches into a report of the stage and I find out the gist of what happened before I can hit the off button or launch myself from the room, hands over my ears shouting "La La LA La- I'm not listening!"
Well there were big breaks on climbs back in the 60s and before when non of the drugs actually worked (other than phonologically).
BTW, does anyone know if Rolland gets double points for mountain top finish?
Today's effort OK for you? I thought it was brilliant to watch.
Sky are sitting very firmly in the tactic of training for essentially a team time trial up the mountains rather than attack after attack.Yeah. It's great to see Wiggins in yellow (and Froome second) but the most exciting part of the racing IMO is the breakaways which don't actually have any impact on GC. Dramatic inefficiency is more fun to watch and wins the stage but efficient steadiness wins the race.
Well there were big breaks on climbs back in the 60s and before when non of the drugs actually worked (other than phonologically).
Amphetamine can "pep you up", even in the 60s.
Well there were big breaks on climbs back in the 60s and before when non of the drugs actually worked (other than phonologically).
Amphetamine can "pep you up", even in the 60s.
It keeps you awake and makes you feel energized but it doesn't actually let you develop any more power. The most it can do is give you more will power to keep pushing.
It keeps you awake and makes you feel energized but it doesn't actually let you develop any more power. The most it can do is give you more will power to keep pushing.
I see Cancellara has retired because his wife's about to give birth. Good for him I say, but is that all there is to it? After all, it's hardly unpredictable, so if he knew he was only going to ride the first ten or so stages, why start and take a place in the team away from someone who could ride the whole Tour?
I see Cancellara has retired because his wife's about to give birth. Good for him I say, but is that all there is to it? After all, it's hardly unpredictable, so if he knew he was only going to ride the first ten or so stages, why start and take a place in the team away from someone who could ride the whole Tour?
True, that all makes sense. And I guess most - all? - teams lose one or two members over the course of three weeks due to injury, time limits, and whatever.
in the past 12 Grand Tours (Giro, Tour and Vuelta) the team has always started and finished the race with all its men.http://www.teamliquigascannondale.com/2012/eng/main.php?mod=palmares
Well there were big breaks on climbs back in the 60s and before when non of the drugs actually worked (other than phonologically).
Amphetamine can "pep you up", even in the 60s.
I can point you in the right direction but, that might be considered entrapment ;)
It keeps you awake and makes you feel energized but it doesn't actually let you develop any more power. The most it can do is give you more will power to keep pushing.
Where can I get some?
I'm tempted to scoot up to Look Mum, No Hands for lunch.
Very shrewd riding from Millar. Nice one :)
I'm tempted to scoot up to Look Mum, No Hands for lunch. Anyone want to join me?Wish I'd seen this earlier. I work just down the road (around the corner from Condor).
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
& as ever there's nary a shout in the British press ::-)
Don't mistake acceleration for strength. Wiggo has never been one to adapt well to changes in pace. He doesn't have the explosiveness of Froome. However, he is the stronger rider and has a better track record (and 2 mins in hand).
Froome is a better climber, can adapt to changes in pace etc but whether he would do as well against nibbles etc is another thing. Sky are sitting very firmly in the tactic of training for essentially a team time trial up the mountains rather than attack after attack. Would Froome have the discipline of a wiggins in not responding but raising the pace a bit and reeling the attacks back in slowly? When I saw Cadel attack I wondered whether it was a mistake - when he couldn't hold TJ's pace I knew it was. The changes in pace put you into the red and recovery is not trivial. It is different in the last few K as there is no need to recover - it is essentially a battle for the line then and that is the part where Wiggins will really suffer compared to the real climbers.
I'm pretty sure Froome will get the chance to lead for the Vuelta. Next year could be interesting as Froome will then be capable of leading a TdF team in his own right. What we don't know is how well he would inspire the rest of the team (and we have seen how key the Sky team ethos is). Anyway, for 0.5M Euro a year, you can't really afford to be frustrated at not being the team leader...
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.I suppose it all goes back to Manchester velodrome and Dave Brailsford. They should upgrade his CBE to a knighthood, really - he's done more for competitive cycling in the UK than anyone else, ever.
d.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
& as ever there's nary a shout in the British press ::-)
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.I suppose it all goes back to Manchester velodrome and Dave Brailsford. They should upgrade his CBE to a knighthood, really - he's done more for competitive cycling in the UK than anyone else, ever.
d.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.I suppose it all goes back to Manchester velodrome and Dave Brailsford. They should upgrade his CBE to a knighthood, really - he's done more for competitive cycling in the UK than anyone else, ever.
d.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
& as ever there's nary a shout in the British press ::-)
The issue for Monday 23 July is going to be a bit of a collectors' item.
d.
The issue for Monday 23 July is going to be a bit of a collectors' item.
d.
If I can manage to get hold of one in Paris, I'll bring it back for you.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.I suppose it all goes back to Manchester velodrome and Dave Brailsford. They should upgrade his CBE to a knighthood, really - he's done more for competitive cycling in the UK than anyone else, ever.
d.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.I suppose it all goes back to Manchester velodrome and Dave Brailsford. They should upgrade his CBE to a knighthood, really - he's done more for competitive cycling in the UK than anyone else, ever.
d.
The Commonwealth Games Legacy. Let's see the Olympics top that.
Definitely time to start the #KnighthoodForBrailsford campaign.
Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
& as ever there's nary a shout in the British press ::-)
BBC 5 Live have been giving it decent coverage in their breakfast show - talking about it enthusiastically, if not exactly knowledgeably. But it's been a pleasant surprise to wake up to people on mainstream radio discussing something I'm actually interested in. And I have a feeling the level of press coverage will increase over the next week or so too.
On the subject of newspapers, does anyone know where in London I can buy L'Equipe? I really wanted to get the issue the other day with the front page pic of Wiggo drinking from his Union Jack mug of tea. The issue for Monday 23 July is going to be a bit of a collectors' item.
d.
It's not the worst example of switching I've ever seen (go and watch an average 3rds-and-juniors road race for the full going-home-in-a-meat-wagon experience). I think it was obstruction rather than endangerment.
On the subject of kit, the one with the brown shorts and blue-and-white top is just :sick:
It's not the worst example of switching I've ever seen (go and watch an average 3rds-and-juniors road race for the full going-home-in-a-meat-wagon experience). I think it was obstruction rather than endangerment.
On the subject of kit, the one with the brown shorts and blue-and-white top is just :sick:
Yes, Roger, I had obviously made an effort to blank that out!
If I can manage to get hold of one in Paris, I'll bring it back for you.
(http://i.pravda.sk/12/072/skcl/P50447bc4_sagan_protest.jpg)
Swapping their finishing positions seemed like sensible justice but the 30 point penalty for Goss seems excessive to me. What do you think?
They usually have it at Clapham Junction; otherwise in the paper shop in Long Acre near Leicester Sq tube; or try St Pancras Station..
ahem, it is at the top of the front page of today's FT, with a big photograph as well. You just read the wrong papers.Four British stage winners on a single Tour. British World Champion. British yellow jersey. Unbelievable.
d.
& as ever there's nary a shout in the British press ::-)
The Grauniad, Independent and Torygraph coverage is good. Haven't seen The Times coz it belongs to Rupert, or any tabloids.
OTOH there's bugger-all (well, 100 words a day hidden at the bottom of an LH page five from the back) in the London Evening Standard, despite Wiggo sometimes being described as a Londoner and having cut his track teeth at Herne Hill.
... the 30 point penalty for Goss seems excessive to me. What do you think?
Lovely piece in - of all things - the Sun today about family man Cav. More a celebrity lifestyle piece than anything to do with the sport, but that just shows how the public profile of cycling is changing...
Lovely piece in - of all things - the Sun today about family man Cav. More a celebrity lifestyle piece than anything to do with the sport, but that just shows how the public profile of cycling is changing...
Interestingly, nothing about red lights, pavements, road tax etc etc ad nauseam in the Comments.
Yet.
In case anyone was wondering where
"Edited out Image of The Devil"
is this year,
http://road.cc/content/news/61234-didi-devil-misses-tour-he-recuperates-brain-surgery
BTW, road signs imply there's a nudie village at Cap D'Agde. French TV need to take care with those aerial chopper shots today.
Lovely piece in - of all things - the MURDOCH OWNED Sun today about family man Cav WITH A GOOD PIC OF HIM WEARING THE KIT SHOWING HE IS SPONSORED BY MURDOCH OWNED SKY
it's a two-page spread in the MURDOCH OWNED Times today, with a good piece on why Sky, THE TEAM SPONSORED BY MURDOCH OWNED SKY are doing so wellI venture to suggest that if the Sky team was at the back there would be hardly any coverage in the Murdoch press. And it is really interesting to see the Murdoch owned Times going out of its way to show that the team the Murdoch owned Sky is sponsoring is doing really well without using drugs. And I am sure they are not (there is some quite closely argued stuff I have seen recently looking at power output and saying they are not using drugs this year), because if they were found out, that would be yet another nail in the public relations for the Murdochs. It is good to see the sport getting good coverage, but there is a hidden agenda in this for some publishers.
In case anyone was wondering where
"Edited out Image of The Devil"
is this year,
http://road.cc/content/news/61234-didi-devil-misses-tour-he-recuperates-brain-surgery
I hadn't realised he was missing, until you mentioned it. He has been shown on the coverage most years, often either being explicitly mentioned, or shown in a montage at the end of the days show. Hopefully he'll be back, being a nutter, next year. :thumbsup:
Today's finish was quite exciting. The front couple of riders being caught, and leaving a sprint finish, that Greipel just took from Sagan. I though it a little amusing that Wiggins acted as a lead out for Boasson Hagen, who failed to quite make good, only coming in third behind the others. Wiggins came in tenth, wisely staying out of the very front, where nastiness can happen, but far enough up to make sure no time gaps appeared.
Wiggins can clearly put a bit of speed on when he needs to. The wind looked somewhat punishing, although the speeds being done for the final hour or so would be impressive for me over a much shorter distance, with a stronger wind behind me! When they're averaging 35mph, which I can achieve on the flat for a short while, you realise what a phenomenal achievement it is, doing this day after day for three weeks.
Cav has been dropped on nasty little climbs near the finish like that on stages in the past when he's been tipped to win. Even with all of his HTC team mates around him. He can barely get over a railway bridge - even if he has lost 4 kilos!;D I agree he will never win yellow but in a bunch sprint finish your money has got to be on cav ? (mine iS)
... Will one yellow jersey be enough for wiggins?
Is the Times contriving coverage of an event no-one's invested in? No. Fer chrissakes, we've been complaining for years that cycle racing gets a bum deal from the mainstream press. Now they're flavour of the month, we're going to complain because a Murdoch paper gives a Murdoch-sponsored team some space? Are the other papers ignoring the Tour because they don't like a competitor's team doing the winning? No, of course they aren't. Enjoy it while it lasts, no doubt we'll be back to obscurity soon enough.
Brad said in his post race interview that they had discussed that but the split was too big to do anything about.Then someone was asleep on the job. Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't? Yes, I know these things happen - and it may have been Cav himself that was asleep - but it seems a damn shame
Froome is contracted for another 2 years to Sky. I can see him being the 'second GT leader' for the Vuelta, and maybe the Giro. Then we will see. Will one yellow jersey be enough for wiggins?
He got dropped on that hill 25km before the end and no-one in the group he was dropped with had any desire to catch up. He clearly realised he couldn't do it alone and sat up.
I reckon if this were the Olympic Road Race then all of Sky would have hung back, let him keep going and dragged him up to the front for the sprint finish. At least, I'm hoping that's what'd happen!
Brad said in his post race interview that they had discussed that but the split was too big to do anything about.Then someone was asleep on the job. Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't? Yes, I know these things happen - and it may have been Cav himself that was asleep - but it seems a damn shame
Froome is contracted for another 2 years to Sky. I can see him being the 'second GT leader' for the Vuelta, and maybe the Giro. Then we will see. Will one yellow jersey be enough for wiggins?
As for Froome, he'll stay if the cheque is. If enough and he's given a shot at the Vuelta and/or Giro.
Is the Times contriving coverage of an event no-one's invested in? No. Fer chrissakes, we've been complaining for years that cycle racing gets a bum deal from the mainstream press. Now they're flavour of the month, we're going to complain because a Murdoch paper gives a Murdoch-sponsored team some space? Are the other papers ignoring the Tour because they don't like a competitor's team doing the winning? No, of course they aren't. Enjoy it while it lasts, no doubt we'll be back to obscurity soon enough.
Totally agree with TimC.
As I have already indicated, there are some very negative comments regarding the TDF on this Forum and it would appear that when we are in the best position we have ever been in the TDF as a nation, all some want to do is moan about something; commentary, tactics, drugs, press coverage etc etc.
My reaction is similar in sentiment to that of BW, if that is all you have got to contribute, then well ...............
Brad said in his post race interview that they had discussed that but the split was too big to do anything about.Then someone was asleep on the job. Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't? Yes, I know these things happen - and it may have been Cav himself that was asleep - but it seems a damn shame
Froome is contracted for another 2 years to Sky. I can see him being the 'second GT leader' for the Vuelta, and maybe the Giro. Then we will see. Will one yellow jersey be enough for wiggins?
As for Froome, he'll stay if the cheque is. If enough and he's given a shot at the Vuelta and/or Giro.
I believe there is a real flat day on Friday for Cav.
Why should half or more of a team wait for Cav to get over a tough dig when he has little chance of getting back into the lead group? The reason EBH had a shot is because he went over the top of the climb in the lead group.
Brad said in his post race interview that they had discussed that but the split was too big to do anything about.Then someone was asleep on the job. Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't? Yes, I know these things happen - and it may have been Cav himself that was asleep - but it seems a damn shame
Froome is contracted for another 2 years to Sky. I can see him being the 'second GT leader' for the Vuelta, and maybe the Giro. Then we will see. Will one yellow jersey be enough for wiggins?
As for Froome, he'll stay if the cheque is. If enough and he's given a shot at the Vuelta and/or Giro.
I believe there is a real flat day on Friday for Cav.
Why should half or more of a team wait for Cav to get over a tough dig when he has little chance of getting back into the lead group? The reason EBH had a shot is because he went over the top of the climb in the lead group.
They shouldn't, of course - and I did say it may have been Cav who screwed it up - but it is a damn shame. Of course, it may all be part of the great Brailsford Olympic Plan!
Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't?
As for Froome, he'll stay if the cheque is. If enough and he's given a shot at the Vuelta and/or Giro.
I believe there is a real flat day on Friday for Cav.
why employ a superstar sprinter as little more than a non-climbing domestique when a top rouleur would be of more use to the team?
At the end of the day, whilst winning stages is important, it's not as important to any team as keeping the Yellow Jersey, quite possibly until the end, so Cav lost out to Wiggins, quite rightly.
Cav is never likely to win the Yellow Jersey on The Tour, he's not really enough of a climber. Even if he has improved his performance on the hills, this Tour has shown that he's still not enough of an all rounder to keep the Yellow Jersey. Wiggins on the other hand, can, and the Yellow Jersey has a lot more credibility for advertising than individual stages, and at the end of the day, the team has to keep it's profile high, so that it's advertisers get coverage, since that's basically what they're paying for.
[snipped to save space - Ed]
We seem to be too hard on Cav. Today was a tough dig with 23k ish left from the top. Maybe if Lotto hadn't chased down Vino/Albadini he may of got back.
I've never been up Box Hill or checked out the gradients but is it a hill Cav can do 9 times and be close enough to be bought back to the lead group by 4 team mates before they hit that Landon ??? Or should I be betting on a Sagan/Gilbert type ???
I see what you mean, but I wasn't complaining about today. I just don't really understand why Cavendish chose Sky (and vice versa). It doesn't seem to be a marriage made iI heaven.
He won a stage, might have won two more if things had gone his way, and will probably win at least one more.
Sheesh, I guess it's a sign of how far we've come when we have a British World Champion who's won a stage of the Tour de France and we're complaining because the team is putting its efforts into backing the British rider who's leading GC...
It never rains, eh?
d.
Elsewhere on the webs, I noticed yesterday that someone had quoted Laurent Jalabert as saying that many riders were going to find that hill to be a nasty surprise. He wasn't wrong.
Regarding Box Hill, I used to live nearby - it's not especially steep, though the part before the first hairpin on the way up always used to feel somewhat "draggy".
I just don't really understand why Cavendish chose Sky (and vice versa). It doesn't seem to be a marriage made iI heaven.
If he hangs around that long?Cav should never have been allowed to be the wrong side of the split. This was probably his only chance till the last day to have a serious chance of another stage, and as World Champion he should have been put in the right place to have a shot - how come EBH had that chance and Cav didn't?2. The opportunity to make it 4 out of 4 on the Champs-Elysées. You can guarantee that Sky will give him the full lead-out in Paris
but it is a shame for cav to be a rainbow jersey wearing domestique (http://drunkcyclist.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/cavdom-550x365.jpg)
Cav has always been first to express his gratitude to his team-mates for the work they do on his behalf.
Adverse comments? Not really. Just disappointment that a stage that was hyped as ideal for Cav didn't work out that way. It was still a fascinating stage.Except that the hype was misinformed. That was a killer hill.
What makes you think he won't?Well it was a question not a claim, but based on the fact that there's no shortage of speculation out there. Just a few days before the Tour started Geraint Thomas said
the majority of the British public, even the ones who follow cycling, don't really understand why stage wins don't equate to overall victory. <snip>
This is why Chris Hoy is so popular - it's much easier (and less time consuming)* to follow track racing (silly events like the points race notwithstanding).
d.
*and less interesting.
On the subject of kit, the one with the brown shorts and blue-and-white top is just :sick:Curiously, of all the teams, that's the kit I like best.
On the subject of kit, the one with the brown shorts and blue-and-white top is just :sick:Curiously, of all the teams, that's the kit I like best.
What happened last year?
Funny, the last people than I can remember really taking the tour apart on a climb and winning it were Ulrich and Pantani. Do I have a short memory?
A theory: Cav/Sky are playing mind games. Shoot me down.
Cav is soft pedalling to give the impression that he is shot. He is not needed for Wiggos overall. He has wone his contractual stage. @London 2012 he lets leash. I do love a conspiracy :P
As of today Wiggins is leading the race as patron, not just leader.
There are times when I'm proud of the sport, today was one.
As of today Wiggins is leading the race as patron, not just leader.Yep. Only one rider didn't do as he said, & the peloton rode him down before the end, so he didn't gain from it. The peloton obviously respects Wiggo, & agreed with his action.
There are times when I'm proud of the sport, today was one.
But isn't Van Garderen in the same team as Evans? I suppose he could argue that he's protecting his white jersey, which Evans isn't contesting.There's already been one stage in the Alps where Van Garderen had to slow down to allow a knackered Evans to catch up, and he was visibly unhappy there. I reckon he probably feels he's stronger than Evans in this race, and quite likely he's right, and he's frustratedly champing at the bit. I'm not sure whether the same is also true of Froome with regard to Wiggins - I think Froome is more loyal/sensible/patient.
Is there any clue as to who threw the tacks? Just hoolies for the lulz? It can't have been aimed at any particular rider or team and if it had been some kind of social/political/industrial/etc protest, you'd have thought there'd be some demonstrators. "We will disrupt every stage in the Pyrenees until the Pyrenean dialect is recognised as an official language" or whatever.
They did mention it was the first time the Tour's used that road, I forgot that. Could be so, Fuzzy, though it sounds terribly un-French to protest against le Tour!
Apologies if this has been discussed somewhere in the preceding 40+ pages but what's Cav's plan? I'm guessing he is planning something spectacular for the Champs-Élysées and wants an Olympic gold to add to his impressive collection of achievements. In the meantime he seems to have been doing a great job supporting his team during the Tour or have I got that bit wrong?
But isn't Van Garderen in the same team as Evans? I suppose he could argue that he's protecting his white jersey, which Evans isn't contesting.
Posted by: Rhys W: Today at 12:21:01 AM
I blame the Russians. I heard they were Karpets' tacks.
Oh dear!!!!!! Give that man a cigar!
Could've been the 'Non a l'ours' mob.
Posted by: Rhys W: Today at 12:21:01 AM
I blame the Russians. I heard they were Karpets' tacks.
Oh dear!!!!!! Give that man a cigar!
They don't use tacks, they use stair rods
Have any team heads jacked in? If so, there'll be domestiques out for a moment of glory, trying for a long breakaway on a stage where the GC isn't being contested. Sometimes entertaining, especially when they get away with it & win the stage.
They were definitely taking it easy today. But the more I see, the more I think there's no such thing as easy for them. The distances and mountains combined are simply crazy!
The Race: time is running out for teams to win a stage so expect a furious start with many riders and teams wanting to be in the breakaway. The stage is short meaning the pace should be intense until the elastic finally snaps, either figuratively or when Wiggins pulls down his shorts for a pee, the sign of a patron indicating it’s time to stop chasing.
I like the full Jens Voigt interview.
http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/news/cult-cycling-hero-jens-voigt-talks-to-ned-boulting/
Pete Geyer @cyclingfans
4 press/media vehicles kicked out of the Tour de France (3 for speeding, 1 alcohol related). (L'Equipe)
I think today's stage can be best described as being only "relatively" flat - there was still around 2,500 vertical metres of climbing.
The Inner Ring called it right: (http://inrng.com/2012/07/tour-stage-15/)QuoteThe Race: time is running out for teams to win a stage so expect a furious start with many riders and teams wanting to be in the breakaway. The stage is short meaning the pace should be intense until the elastic finally snaps, either figuratively or when Wiggins pulls down his shorts for a pee, the sign of a patron indicating it’s time to stop chasing.
Jens seems remarkable in that he's very likeable without being bland. Many successful sportsmen come across as either arrogantly super-concentrated or totally characterless; perhaps it's his character which stops him being more successful?! I didn't realise he was born in the DDR - he was 18 when the Wall fell, so too young to have been involved in the machine himself, but he must know a bit about doping! And according to various studies which show Germans from the East are more cooperative etc than those from the West, maybe we can say he has an East German character?
Apologies if it's been posted elsewhere already, but it doesn't look good for Schleck...
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12427/Frank-Schleck-tests-positive-for-banned-diuretic-UCI-wants-him-to-leave-Tour-de-France.aspx
Apologies if it's been posted elsewhere already, but it doesn't look good for Schleck...
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12427/Frank-Schleck-tests-positive-for-banned-diuretic-UCI-wants-him-to-leave-Tour-de-France.aspx
Well, 2 cases so far. Any bets on the final total?
We'll have to wait 8 years to get the correct total.
Nobody in tennis and soccer wants to actually catch dopers, so never, I guess.
Nobody in tennis and soccer wants to actually catch dopers, so never, I guess.
So is ESL saying that Bradley Wiggins is the Geoffrey Boycott of cycling? ;)
What happened to the TdF 2012 topic about the race?
Back to the Tour, I was in France for a week, and read the local papers each day. Oddly, the Tour was dominated by Evans, the Schleck in question and a few other French, Eastern European and Benelux riders. I wasn't informed if any Brits were riding, or rather not unless I looked at the general classification table. I have just read Liberation's on-line edition, and in there they appear to slag off the Sky team for being too 'mechanical'in their approach, and they long for the return of (long list of adjectives) party people. Real cyclists, heroes, perhaps like Richard Virenq.....oops.
So is ESL saying that Bradley Wiggins is the Geoffrey Boycott of cycling? ;)
So is ESL saying that Bradley Wiggins is the Geoffrey Boycott of cycling? ;)
Pretty much. And if he's not careful, Chris Froome will deliberately run him out!
History may show that all previous "swashbuckling spectacles" were drug-fuelled.Not necessarily.
LA showed that systematic doping of the entire team consistently wins the TdF.
So is ESL saying that Bradley Wiggins is the Geoffrey Boycott of cycling? ;)
I might take a mosey up around tomorrow lunchtime. Hope it won't be too rammed.
He has incredibly deep frown lines above his nose, which are concealed with a strategic placing of a baseball cap.
a strategic placing of a baseball cap.
He has incredibly deep frown lines above his nose, which are concealed with a strategic placing of a baseball cap.
Science in cycling - phrenology :facepalm: ;)
The main one was when are you going to get a hair cut?Lots of sportsmen are contrary, it's what makes them try harder in adversity, but it makes them hard to manage.
Just now, I’ve just had one (for the photo shoot), haha. I find it fascinating that people find my hair fascinating, haha, half the reason why I don’t cut it is because you’re not supposed to have long hair when you’re riding a bike. I’ve always been a bit of a non-conformist, I’m a bit of an anarchist at heart.
Following on from that, what’s up with the long black socks…
Haha, that’s another thing, yeah. Again, it’s tradition to wear white socks so I like to wear black, it’s good to be different. The more people that bang on about it the more I want to do it, haha. But you’ll notice that a lot more people are wearing black socks in the peloton now…
Do you think that the pro peloton is a little bit too serious, maybe?
I don’t think it’s too serious, we all have our own individual characters but I think we’re all different, everybody’s different and it’s good that you can express that through your sport and not just be robotic like everybody else. That’s one of the nice things for me having Fred Perry because I’m not like Daley Thompson in an Adidas tracksuit or a typical sportsman you know? Sitting here now I could be anyone and that’s what’s really nice about it.
Odd that he should have cited Daley Thompson as a typical sportsman!
a strategic placing of a baseball cap.
not even News Corp are evil enough to insist on a logo tattoo'd onto Wiggins' forehead ;D
On a completely different subject, I do hope Tommy Voeckler enters the world gurning championships once he quits cycling. He is a natural! Love watching his face.
LA showed that the 'scientific' approach can be used to consistently win.I thought that was Indurain.
I can see why Voeckler's been nicknamed "Hollywood". ;DGoing by his horrendous play-acting record during the Tour, and his incredibly evasive post-race interview, i'd say OUI!
It will be interesting to see what Brice Feillu's post-stage comments are, I thought he looked pretty unhappy as he crossed the line - I wonder if there had been a deal earlier in the stage that Feillu would let TV take maximum points over each col in return for the stage victory? :demon:
Mark Cavendish @MarkCavendish
Today's stage can be put into perspective by the fact that by the end I didn't care that I was just puking over myself. Hills+Heat=Suffering
David Millar @millarmind
@MarkCavendish We could've been puking on each other and we wouldn't have cared. DZ puked all the way home in the bus. It's just wrong.
Yeah, I really enjoyed Tommy doing it old skool. It would be great if Wiggins attacked just for the fuck of it tomorrow, but in this modern age of boring your way to victory, I don't hold out much hope...I've been reading a biography of Jacques Anquetil and in some ways the 2012 TdF is not too different from 1961. Anquetli's team (the French team) rode "at a sufficient pace to stifle all attacks." By the time they got to the Pyrenees the press was accusing Anquetil and his team of having "killed the race." Anquetil won a total of 2 stages in '61 - both individual time trials!
I remember that!
Meanwhile, some wit from the mind of Millar.
https://twitter.com/#!/millarmind/media/slideshow?url=http%3A%2F%2Fyfrog.com%2Fh0bvuomj
Come on Bradders, give us one for old time's sake! (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/348792/tour-de-france-2007-wiggins-makes-lone-attack-on-stage-six.html)
He won the combativity award on stage six for a long solo breakaway, on the 40th anniversary of British rider Tom Simpson's death at the 1967 Tour de France, and his wife Catherine's birthday. Cofidis withdrew after Cristian Moreni failed a doping test, and Wiggins and his team mates were led away from the Tour by police.[6] In the aftermath of Moreni, and race leader Alexandre Vinokurov's positive drug tests, Wiggins spoke out against dopers at the Tour[7], and threw away his Cofidis kit, vowing never to race for the team again.[
I'm not sure if it's because Sky & Wiggins are so good this year or the rest are crap, but it's the most boring tour in years.
1 half hearted attack in how many days?..and I don't think anything will happen tomorrow either. *Yawn*. At least Voeckler provided some entertainment today.
I can see why Voeckler's been nicknamed "Hollywood". ;DGoing by his horrendous play-acting record during the Tour, and his incredibly evasive post-race interview, i'd say OUI!
It will be interesting to see what Brice Feillu's post-stage comments are, I thought he looked pretty unhappy as he crossed the line - I wonder if there had been a deal earlier in the stage that Feillu would let TV take maximum points over each col in return for the stage victory? :demon:
I'm not sure if it's because Sky & Wiggins are so good this year or the rest are crap, but it's the most boring tour in years.
1 half hearted attack in how many days?..and I don't think anything will happen tomorrow either. *Yawn*. At least Voeckler provided some entertainment today.
Meanwhile, back in the grupetto...Having read those tweets, the footage of Cav signing autographs at the finish becomes quite impressive (in a quiet way). Great idea; getting a sprinter's autograph at the finish of the toughest mountain stage!Quote from: Mark CavendishMark Cavendish @MarkCavendish
Today's stage can be put into perspective by the fact that by the end I didn't care that I was just puking over myself. Hills+Heat=SufferingQuote from: David MillarDavid Millar @millarmind
@MarkCavendish We could've been puking on each other and we wouldn't have cared. DZ puked all the way home in the bus. It's just wrong.
I'm not sure if it's because Sky & Wiggins are so good this year or the rest are crap, but it's the most boring tour in years.
1 half hearted attack in how many days?..and I don't think anything will happen tomorrow either. *Yawn*. At least Voeckler provided some entertainment today.
Wiggins tests positive (http://www.newsbiscuit.com/2012/07/17/bradley-wiggins-tests-positive-for-quadrophenia/)...
Meanwhile several smaller teams have withdrawn into themselves looking for answers, after their riders tested positive for EMO.
AndyK, you are a B'stard. My stomach churned briefly till I opened that link ;D
As an antidote to the coming wave of patriotism, I've been trying to remember who the last stage winner born in Great Britain was, not including prologues. I'm wondering if it was Max Sciandri in 1995, stage 11.
...petty anti-patriotism ... seems to me to be just as annoying.
Strangely the phenomenon of decrying British "winners" as non-British, because of their parentage/place of birth, only seems to target white athletes.
Epic stuff- looks like another 18s or so put into Nibali.
Froome could have taken the yellow though as far as I could judge.
What does the team think?
I think that given the care that went into preparation, either they knew that Froome is stronger, or in training he wasn't stronger.Exactly right. Sky don't do 'let's see what happens'. This is Bradley's Tour because it's heavy on TTs and he's the better TT rider. Froome is - marginally - better in the mountains, but Bradley is over 2 minutes ahead of him for a bloody good reason. If the parcours had favoured climbers, maybe Froome would have been leader. Next time, he might be. But this is Sky's call and Bradley's the selected leader.
Their tactics have been very carefully worked out, down to precise power output on climbs, per rider.
It may be they had to pick one lead rider and stick with them, but are keeping the 'reserve' close enough to yellow that they can take over and still have the team win if Wiggo crashed or cracked.
Is it just me who finds the last stage boring and anti-climactic? I think they should do a Lemond/Fignon TT on the last day again. Anyway, Wiggers has it now if he doesn't fall off.
If they did "let's see what happens" then they'd have ended up exactly where they are now: Wiggo would be 2 minutes up by virtue of the TTs
Wiggins admitted to losing concentration once he saw that Nibali was cracking, and temporarily forgot about "all that performance crap". To me, it looked like Froome was trying to egg him on/ keep him going further up the Peyregudes climb, because Wiggo might have slightly overcooked it when they dropped everyone else. Note how Pinot and Nibali were starting to work their way back up to the Sky pair nearer the finish. Wiggins and Froome know what the deal is, this year is probably Wiggins' last best chance for the TdF, and he reiterated that he's happy to ride for Froome, so I'd imagine that Sky will have a plan for La Vuelta, learning from their mistakes last year, when they switched leadership roles too late in the race.
I do not care wether Wiggins or Froome wins.If a British cyclist wins it,riding in a British teamBankrolled by a currently unpopular Australian/American media mogul ;)
Strangely the phenomenon of decrying British "winners" as non-British, because of their parentage/place of birth, only seems to target white athletes.I think it's because Daley Thompson's mother is Scottish and as he kept winning, he was obviously British. ::-) ;D
Is this because it would appear racist to use the same arguments against, for example, Linford Christie (born in Jamaica, to Jamaican parents) or Daley Thompson (Nigerian father)?
Only a Frenchman will be properly accepted as a genuine TdF winner by the French.Not like Richard Virenque, their
The French reckon any other nationality winner is on the zoomzoomstuff.
...petty anti-patriotism ... seems to me to be just as annoying.
^ ThatStrangely the phenomenon of decrying British "winners" as non-British, because of their parentage/place of birth, only seems to target white athletes.
^ And that
I don't know why ESL has such an obbsession with this. No thread about bicycle racing is complete without it being brought up again. And again. And again ::-)
About the Ride With Brad Sportive August 19th 2012http://www.bradleywigginsfoundation.org/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=42&Itemid=27
Ride with Bradley Wiggins in Aid of the Bradley Wiggins Foundation
"Come and join me on a challenging ride through the stunning Lancashire countryside and experience the roads and climbs I regularly train on. This brand new event has been specially organised to help celebrate the launch of the Bradley Wiggins Foundation. I look forward to welcoming you all and riding alongside many of you on what will be a special day for all the family."
Bradley Wiggins CBE
Can anyone name the rider who was born in Great Britain who is riding the Tour?
Daniel Martin
Born 20 August 1986, in Birmingham.
If you are so sold on internationalism, why such a hangup about birth location?
Daniel MartinI must admit I'd missed that one,
Born 20 August 1986, in Birmingham.
Wright was born in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire. His father died in World War II and his mother re-married to a Belgian soldier. The family emigrated to Belgium when Wright was only three. He grew up in Liège.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Wright_(cyclist)
Wright's first sport was football. However, when his stepfather died leaving the family short of money, Wright turned to cycling as a more lucrative way of exploiting his athletic talent.
His first language was French and, although he represented Great Britain at the Tour de France and several World road race championships, his English was limited. During the winter of 1967-8 he took evening classes to brush up his English in preparation for riding with the British team. In 2006, he told Procycling magazine that his English is poor.
I don't think he will be properly accepted by the French until he calls himself Ouiggeaux.
What was that phrase about Voeckler, "the housewife's favourite"? You can see why!
Mr Bean goes bike racing. (http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/article/rubber-face-the-tours-most-expressive-man-34659/1)
Before I attempt to endure the interminable adverts on ITVplayer interspersed with a documentary about a Mr B. Wiggins (I was out when it was broadcast earlier), does anybody know when or if said programme will be repeated soon?
I do not care wether Wiggins or Froome wins.If a British cyclist wins it,riding in a British teamBankrolled by a currently unpopular Australian/American media mogul ;)
I do not care wether Wiggins or Froome wins.If a British cyclist wins it,riding in a British teamBankrolled by a currently unpopular Australian/American media mogul ;)
It's good that a colonial should contribute something to the mother country :demon:
Seriously,I would have thought his preference would have been to inject all that £ into the Australian scene. To raise Cadel Evans's profile?
I do not care wether Wiggins or Froome wins.If a British cyclist wins it,riding in a British teamBankrolled by a currently unpopular Australian/American media mogul ;)
It's good that a colonial should contribute something to the mother country :demon:
Seriously,I would have thought his preference would have been to inject all that £ into the Australian scene. To raise Cadel Evans's profile?
The UK media market is worth maybe 10 times that of Australia, and Sky must be looking to the potential market in Europe. Australia is a tiny market by comparison and, anyway, Murdoch left there a long time ago. His loyalty is to cash, not countries.
Before I attempt to endure the interminable adverts on ITVplayer interspersed with a documentary about a Mr B. Wiggins (I was out when it was broadcast earlier), does anybody know when or if said programme will be repeated soon?
Wiggins was born in Belgium and spent several years with French cycling teams, so he can - if he wants - speak French fluently.Bradley Wiggins: What the French make of cycling hero http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18899902
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/19/tour-de-france-bradley-wiggins
If that's an accurate report, it sounds like tempting providence to me. All sorts of things can go wrong between now and the Champs Elysées.
One thing that really makes us flinch when watching is the spectators getting in the riders faces as they climb. I'm surprised no-one has commented on Cav's crash yesterday, when a flag waved in his face by a "fan" wrapped around his bars and brought him down. Perhaps it's time to start looking at some crowd control?
https://twitter.com/MarkCavendish/status/226004930098503681
Anyone arriving at the top of a climb in fancy dress or a mankini should be thrown off it. Literally.
T'was ever thus; or have things got worse re the mountain crowds?
It's all Didi's fault (the Devil). He was regularly show in his daft costume so people copied him, thinking they'll get on TV too. I suppose it's really the fault of TV, giving airtime to these idiots.
One thing that really makes us flinch when watching is the spectators getting in the riders faces as they climb. I'm surprised no-one has commented on Cav's crash yesterday, when a flag waved in his face by a "fan" wrapped around his bars and brought him down. Perhaps it's time to start looking at some crowd control?
https://twitter.com/MarkCavendish/status/226004930098503681
So they see him the same way we see Eric Cantona, really.
Love the front page of today's Equipe:
http://p.twimg.com/AyOe_YkCYAAg-jx.jpg#twimg
d.
Me, too - I just hope it's not the proliferation of side-burns! (But I expect it will be.)
Me, too - I just hope it's not the proliferation of side-burns! (But I expect it will be.)
Me, too - I just hope it's not the proliferation of side-burns! (But I expect it will be.)
As usual, I'm ahead of the curve.
Me, too - I just hope it's not the proliferation of side-burns! (But I expect it will be.)
As usual, I'm ahead of the curve.
I think that Matt has discovered the supernatural chink in the great rationalist's armour. :)http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/19/tour-de-france-bradley-wiggins
If that's an accurate report, it sounds like tempting providence to me. All sorts of things can go wrong between now and the Champs Elysées.
Do you actually think that "tempting providence" has any influence on professional world-class sport?
What next - will you be checking they don't tread on any cracks on their way to the start?
NSTN, Have a fab time on Sunday and, if you can get close enough to get hold of him, give Wiggo a big wet sloppy kiss from me :thumbsup:
I reckon Wiggo's 'burns are a tribute to Jonathan Vaughters. Brad's facial hair waxed and waned at Garmin, in the presence of the master of novelty facial fuzz.Hes weed himself in that picture. No good having burns to draw attention if you are incontinent.
(http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/11/25/murphy.vaughters/vaughters-jon.jpg)
I think that most YACFers are better modelling themselves on Froome, whose rapidly receding hairline is tending to a coconut tuft.
I wonder what would have happened if Wiggins had stayed at Garmin? Would he have consolidated on his 2009 result?
In some ways I'd have liked to have seen Froome compete as a Kenyan, as he did when he won bronze in the All-Africa Games in 2007. It might have helped focus some attention on the failure of Eritreans to break through into the big time in world cycling.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_at_the_2007_All-Africa_Games
Excellent. A YACF Wiggo-based sideburn contest.
Count me in. I know someone who digs men in chops.
His use of Spinacis in 2001 would mean that it's the mountain TT stage, as they were banned for road stages in 1997, helmets weren't compulsory before 2003, and even then were optional for uphill finishes. We haven't seen a mountain TT for a long time in the Tour. They always were a festival of sweating.I reckon Wiggo's 'burns are a tribute to Jonathan Vaughters. Brad's facial hair waxed and waned at Garmin, in the presence of the master of novelty facial fuzz.Hes weed himself in that picture. No good having burns to draw attention if you are incontinent.
(http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/magazine/specials/sportsman/2007/11/25/murphy.vaughters/vaughters-jon.jpg)
What it exhibits is Wiggins' state of mind. Psychologically, he's in Paris already. That's a very dangerous place for his mind to be. It won't be "in the bag" until he's crossed the finishing line and I hope his psychologist is working on this.I think that Matt has discovered the supernatural chink in the great rationalist's armour. :)http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/19/tour-de-france-bradley-wiggins
If that's an accurate report, it sounds like tempting providence to me. All sorts of things can go wrong between now and the Champs Elysées.
Do you actually think that "tempting providence" has any influence on professional world-class sport?
What next - will you be checking they don't tread on any cracks on their way to the start?
I reckon Wiggo's 'burns are a tribute to Jonathan Vaughters.I reckon he's the long lost son of John McCririck.
Perhaps not the right thread, but it will do.
It struck me yesterday evening how many yoofs and not-so-yoofs there were in the park practising their fupbol and how futile it was. Even though the fupbol season hasn't started yet, there they are, all in their kit, attending orgnised club training sessions and yet England remains stubbornly useless at the so-called Beautiful Game. We cyclists, however, are out in far smaller numbers yet those ladies and gentlemen at the pinnacle of Brishsh cycling are indeed the best in the world.
I feel immensely proud of having instigated the WARTY and of its undoubted contribution to the successes of Messrs. Hoy, Wiggins, Cavendish et al, not to mention Mlles. Cooke and Pendleton.
T'was ever thus; or have things got worse re the mountain crowds?The race has got more popular - I'm sure I've seen statistics. Of course Le Tour WANTS to get more popular.
What it exhibits is Wiggins' state of mind. Psychologically, he's in Paris already. That's a very dangerous place for his mind to be. It won't be "in the bag" until he's crossed the finishing line and I hope his psychologist is working on this.I think that Matt has discovered the supernatural chink in the great rationalist's armour. :)http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jul/19/tour-de-france-bradley-wiggins
If that's an accurate report, it sounds like tempting providence to me. All sorts of things can go wrong between now and the Champs Elysées.
Do you actually think that "tempting providence" has any influence on professional world-class sport?
What next - will you be checking they don't tread on any cracks on their way to the start?
I have very bitter personal experience of competitors relaxing too soon and not winning titles when they were clearly the best, on paper, in the competition. Having said that, my teams have also been the beneficiaries when other, supposedly better, teams have stalled through over-confidence.
Excellent. A YACF Wiggo-based sideburn contest.
Count me in.
Perhaps not the right thread, but it will do.
It struck me yesterday evening how many yoofs and not-so-yoofs there were in the park practising their fupbol and how futile it was. Even though the fupbol season hasn't started yet, there they are, all in their kit, attending orgnised club training sessions and yet England remains stubbornly useless at the so-called Beautiful Game. We cyclists, however, are out in far smaller numbers yet those ladies and gentlemen at the pinnacle of Brishsh cycling are indeed the best in the world.
I feel immensely proud of having instigated the WARTY and of its undoubted contribution to the successes of Messrs. Hoy, Wiggins, Cavendish et al, not to mention Mlles. Cooke and Pendleton.
It's about high-quality coaching from a young age.
GB Cycling has the best coaching structure in the world.
British Football has about the worst.
GB Cyclists are taught the best techniques for winning.
GB Footballers are not taught technique, they are encouraged to run about a lot and hope the ball bounces off one of them, fortuitously, into the net. It's a form of technique based on Brownian Motion and the National Lottery.
I don't see why playing football is futile? And I don't see what the perfermance of the England national team has got to do with it either!
And as for England being "stubbornly useless" - they're not really. They regularly get to the quater final stages (and occassionally semi finals) of major competitions and their results are comparable and even favourable compared to many other national sides. Just because they don't win the world cup and Euro champs every single time (as the general public seems to expect) doesn't make them useless.
I love Tommy V's KoM Colnago!
Excellent. A YACF Wiggo-based sideburn contest.
I was wondering last night if having a fixed cut-of time might invigorate the racing. At present a rider is disqualified if they come in more than 20% later than the winner. That's a strong disincentive for attacks, as vigorous riding might eliminate team-mates. Equally, those who have attacked one day need to recover the next, and can't know if an attack might put them over the time limit. I can see that the problem would be longer road closures.
My favourite moment of the Tour was when Nibali was evicted from yesterday's break by Valverde.
T'was ever thus; or have things got worse re the mountain crowds?The race has got more popular - I'm sure I've seen statistics. Of course Le Tour WANTS to get more popular.
I actually like the fancy dress - if they stay out of the way of the riders. Clearly it's possible to put on a show without interfering with the MAIN show - everyone loved the Devil (where's he got to this year? )
My favourite moment of the Tour was when Nibali was evicted from yesterday's break by Valverde.
All those people who were adamant that Cav would pull out of the Tour to prepare for the Olympics, I hope you're enjoying your slice of humble pie. ;D
Cav's sideburns are almost as good as Brad's!
All those people who were adamant that Cav would pull out of the Tour to prepare for the Olympics, I hope you're enjoying your slice of humble pie. ;D
I'd say Wiggo is definitely off Luis Leon Sanchez's Christmas card list now - that's the second time that a monster turn at the front has resulted in LLS being swamped before the line. ;D
julienpretotRTR@julienpretotRTR
Brad asked about French president Hollande: "I didn't know who he was, I thought he was some guy from Loft Story (Big Brother)" (https://twitter.com/julienpretotRTR/statuses/226342161417924608) #QOTD
......... the camera did flatter Cav a bit, as the riders we got to compare him with were Sanchez and Roche, who'd just been on a long breakaway.
RadioShack didnt want to wear them ... and they still lead the team classification.
It was a great sprint performance, but the overhead shot shows him passing Roche and Sanchez, which exaggerates the speed differential. http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/stages/stage18/
We don't see any of the other sprinters in the overhead shot.
http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/stages/stage18/
It was a great sprint performance, but the overhead shot shows him passing Roche and Sanchez, which exaggerates the speed differential. Cavendish seemed to lag behind Boasen Hagen, and was on a Lotto wheel, but it gave him a clearer run in the end. We don't see any of the other sprinters in the overhead shot.
.....Brad's turn of speed was impressive in the lead-out, but the camera did flatter Cav a bit, as the riders we got to compare him with were Sanchez and Roche, who'd just been on a long breakaway
There was me lusting after that sexy French Eurosport interviewer and it turns out she's Hungarian ! Where is Professor Higgins when you need him ?
I don't think it flattered him one tiny bit. I think it demonstrated what the best sprinter in the World (ever?) can do and how it compares to "normal" World Class cyclists when it comes to those final 200 metres.
Usually we only get to see him surging past other sprinters but this really showed what a special person he is and just how quickly these folks move. I'd love to see the final 500m from above.
Stunning speed and perfect timing. I knew beforehand that he'd won the stage but, with 100 to go, I thought there must have been a clerical error.
Overheard: Sean intv with Belgian radio. "Roche didn't win but we'll claim Cav. The IOM is nearer to Ireland than Britain anyway." Quality
Loved this tweet from David Harmon;DQuoteOverheard: Sean intv with Belgian radio. "Roche didn't win but we'll claim Cav. The IOM is nearer to Ireland than Britain anyway." Quality
I'm amused that Wiggle is using the Allez Wiggo thing with their logo modified appropriately! Quick thinking on their part!
Brilliant, just brilliant by both Froome and Wiggo, and Richie P as well. 3 Sky riders in top 5 for TT.a message to the Australian Olympic selectors?
Did my eyes deceive me, or was Wiggins using egg shaped chain rings?
Did my eyes deceive me, or was Wiggins using egg shaped chain rings?
Ha! It's likeDeja vuBiopace all over again.
Next year, Froome and Cav will not be riding for Sky. Why would they?
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?
Merckx once won Yellow, Green and Mountains all in the same year. If the White jersey had existed then, he would have won that too! So yes!
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?Apart from Eddy (bobb posted while I was typing)... Yup, Telekom did it with Riis (GC) and Zabel (points) in '96, then again in '97 when Ullrich took yellow. Can't think of any teams that did it off the top of my head, must have happened though. Hinault took yellow & green in '79.
Merckx was called The Cannibal because he left nothing for anyone else to win. There is a replica jersey that combines all three winning categories (yellow, green and polka dot) although I don't know if Merckx ever wore one.
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?Apart from Eddy (bobb posted while I was typing)... Yup, Telekom did it with Riis (GC) and Zabel (points) in '96, then again in '97 when Ullrich took yellow. Can't think of any teams that did it off the top of my head, must have happened though. Hinault took yellow & green in '79.
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?Apart from Eddy (bobb posted while I was typing)... Yup, Telekom did it with Riis (GC) and Zabel (points) in '96, then again in '97 when Ullrich took yellow. Can't think of any teams that did it off the top of my head, must have happened though. Hinault took yellow & green in '79.
OK. Thanks.
It's not going to happen again though, is it?
Ha! It's likeDeja vuBiopace all over again.
Non-circular rings ... periodically "invented"
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?Apart from Eddy (bobb posted while I was typing)... Yup, Telekom did it with Riis (GC) and Zabel (points) in '96, then again in '97 when Ullrich took yellow. Can't think of any teams that did it off the top of my head, must have happened though. Hinault took yellow & green in '79.
OK. Thanks.
It's not going to happen again though, is it?
Well, not this year. Liquigas might have done it with Nibali and Sagan this year if the Sky masterplan had fallen flat...
OK. 'nuvver question from the one that doesn't know. Has any team won the GC and Green Jersey in the same year?Apart from Eddy (bobb posted while I was typing)... Yup, Telekom did it with Riis (GC) and Zabel (points) in '96, then again in '97 when Ullrich took yellow. Can't think of any teams that did it off the top of my head, must have happened though. Hinault took yellow & green in '79.
OK. Thanks.
It's not going to happen again though, is it?
Well, not this year. Liquigas might have done it with Nibali and Sagan this year if the Sky masterplan had fallen flat...
Thanks for your tolerance Stu. :thumbsup:
(Gosh - this is just like sitting in the Country Girl , pretending to the Cadbury lads that I know F all about football)
(Except this is actually interesting - and football isn't)
Stage 19 result:
1. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky 1:04'13"
2. Christopher Froome (GB) Team Sky @ 1'16"
3. Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Rabobank @ 1'50"
4. Peter Velits (Svk) Omega Pharma @ 2'02"
5. Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky @ 2'25"
What was interesting here was that in the pre-race interview Peter Velits was coughing and clearing his throat, saying that he has been ill for a couple of days and will be glad just to get through the remaining two days. In the post-race interview he was clearly out of breath but still choking on phlegm and clearing his throat. I wonder what he could have managed if he was not ill. 3rd place perhaps? That was only 12 seconds outside his reach today.
Methinks there will be many an overloaded bandwagon doing the rounds in thr future ;DAye, and a short period of boundless and, alas, unfulfilled, optimism about everyday cycling such as commuting. Even Chris Boardman was at it on the ITV4 summary show last night.
Just wondering to what extent people reckon winning the TdF is a team effort?
Methinks there will be many an overloaded bandwagon doing the rounds in thr future ;DAye, and a short period of boundless and, alas, unfulfilled, optimism about everyday cycling such as commuting. Even Chris Boardman was at it on the ITV4 summary show last night.
However what it might have done is shown the impressionable/interested youngsters of 8 or 9 years and upwards that it is possible to be British and to be a world beating cyclist and that has got to be a good thing for the long term future of sport (if not everyday) related cycling.
BTW, as an everyday cyclist, I desperately want to believe that CB is right about cycling becoming normalised.
What a strange dichotomy, the French love and participation in cycling versus the general British apathy, and yet the British dominance in competition versus the French.......meh. I mean 3 French winners in 45 years !!! That's a fairly terrible return on what is considered a national sport. Down there with England and Football.
The assumption seems to be that Froome will win the Tour regardless of which team he's on. This is far from certain. If he joins another team, it better be one that can offer him the same level of support as he gets at Sky, or he could just end up being the next David Moncoutie.
d.
The assumption seems to be that Froome will win the Tour regardless of which team he's on. This is far from certain. If he joins another team, it better be one that can offer him the same level of support as he gets at Sky, or he could just end up being the next David Moncoutie.
d.
+1. I'm surprised at the number of people commenting on various fora who don't realise this. If they ended up in teams with cr@p rider support, strategy, tactics or technology, any of the Sky team would be less than they are now (and if I were Sky I'd be thinking about signing up Van Garderen and Thibaut Pinot).
Let's hope BSkyB don't outbid ITV for it next year.That reminds me.
Let's hope BSkyB don't outbid ITV for it next year.That reminds me.
Thank you BBC for losing F1 and now showing only highlights for most races. Today the German GP highlights start after the TdF. :thumbsup:
*and, once, Test cricket, until Sky proved that money talks and bullshit walks.
Some rather familiar riding at the moment for anyone who's done PBP. They also seem to be riding at (sub) Audax pace.
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
I'm blubbing...
Christ, someone's strangling a cat now...
Some rather familiar riding at the moment for anyone who's done PBP. They also seem to be riding at (sub) Audax pace.
Only 40 km in the first hour and a half.....slower than usual race pace, but not that slow!
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
I'm blubbing...
Oh good. Not just me then. I just got seriously emotional.
*sniff*
Worst Ginger Spice tribute ever
Ok and the winner of the cuddly lion is ticket yellow 101.
If Sky want to buy cycling, they'll have to outbid not just ITV but Eurosport too - no point having it on Sky Sports when it's free to air on Eurosport. Not sure how they could tie up an exclusive deal in the way they've done with football and cricket.
I was just wondering: Are we the only country in the world to have a national anthem which is not about the nation but about the head of state?
<snip>
Who do you think could be a British challenger for King of the Mountains in the future? Or is that going to be Froome, too?
(b) Lesley Garrett WTF?
<snip>
Who do you think could be a British challenger for King of the Mountains in the future? Or is that going to be Froome, too?
If you believe the various fora / press reports Froome is gonna be a cycling god apparently
Heresy alert(click to show/hide)
Whoever dreamt that stunt up were out of their minds
I started this thread back in June and have enjoyed every millimetre of the race, and all the banter on here.Agreed.
Bradley has laid to rest Tommy Simpson's ghost and in doing so has achieved as much as any British sportsperson has ever achieved.
It is a great day and will linger long in the memory
I was just wondering: Are we the only country in the world to have a national anthem which is not about the nation but about the head of state? Totally inappropriate at times like this - or any time. Any time someone does well enough to win something, we have to worship the queen - what's wrong with us?
Christ, someone's strangling a cat now...
That was Lesley Garrett - and was complete carp 'cos she set off too high
Fantastic! I was just wondering: Are we the only country in the world to have a national anthem which is not about the nation but about the head of state? Totally inappropriate at times like this - or any time. Any time someone does well enough to win something, we have to worship the queen - what's wrong with us? Play the tune, certainly, even if it is in 3 time, but not the words.
I can't think of another sporting achievement where a team has set out to do so many things, said they were going to and then done it. Not even the great Australian cricket teams. Who do you think could be a British challenger for King of the Mountains in the future? Or is that going to be Froome, too?
GO ON JENSIE, STAY AWAY THIS TIME!
Aww.
I will admit to shouting "Cav's gone too early" but it seemed he went at the perfect moment.Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't quite a few recent Cavendish wins been from going earlier than "usual". (Incl the World champs??) Could it be no coincidence? Perhaps going late, with HTC, was just by virtue of the quality of his leadout with HTC?
LOL at the closing music to the ITV4 highlights!
LOL at the closing music to the ITV4 highlights!
... and with music - there's the Abba Dancing Queen spoof of "Lance is King" ... any ideas for adapting a song for Wiggo?
Rob
It does seem hard that they will have to hold back from a big knees-up because the Olympics are so close.
It does seem hard that they will have to hold back from a big knees-up because the Olympics are so close.
Has Christian been selected for the German Team? Riders like him, who do a lot of the unseen spade-work for victory, are often overlooked.
Mr. Bridger would be most pleased.
Has Christian been selected for the German Team?
Well done Stanley Wiggins… who? ::-)Please tell me you shopped that! :o :D
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/Minitar1/Random/ohdear.jpg)
I’m hoping Chris Froome will have the support and freedom to win the Vuelta,
(b) Lesley Garrett WTF?
Yeah, save all the faux jingoism for the last night of the proms, love. Whoever dreamt that stunt up were out of their minds. All it did was steal the opportunity for a unique (to date!) opportunity for Bradley and the British crowd to sing along to the national anthem on the champs elysees. I feel robbed...
"We're just about to draw the raffle numbers" - wonder how many miles of footnotes this will bring about in the extra-Britain pressI can only find one and that's from ITV4's TdF programme web site.
Watched it live on the telly wishing I was on the Champs Elysee. Wow! Nothing else covers it.
Just packed away the stuff after a celebratoruy BBQ fuelled by Belgian beer bought for just this outcome at a supermarket in Liege during the Depart.
Chuffing well don to Brad, Dave and all the boys that make up the rider and support roster for team Sky :thumbsup:
I really don't get it, before the dust has even settled and they've had time to enjoy their success there is already talk of who's going to be riding for who next time, this morning on the interweb reports of "Cav can leave if he wants to", bit demoralising I feel, or is this a push before he jumps anyway ?
typical brits got to start fiddling, if it ain't broke leave it alone, I would have thought it would be better to get the olympics out of the way first, then sit down and discuss who's doing what, just my opinion :))
If Sky had woken up in the first week to the fact that the safest place in the peleton in the last 10km is on the front and run a leadout train for Cav rather than try to keep Brad out of trouble they could have taken more stages and kept Brad safe.
If Sky had woken up in the first week to the fact that the safest place in the peleton in the last 10km is on the front and run a leadout train for Cav rather than try to keep Brad out of trouble they could have taken more stages and kept Brad safe.
SKY seemed to do OK in the Tour. Just my opinion of course.
GC (Brit)
3 Stages for Cav (Brit)
2 Stages for Wiggins (Brit)
A stage for Froome. (Brit)
I think we'd all have settled for that before the start.
We don't know what the effects would have been if Wiggins had been involved in countless Leadout trains. Possible weakened himself for the mountains and TT. It was clear that, once the GC was in the bag, Wiggins felt free to have some fun and help Cav but it was too risky to do this between Mountain stages.
No other sprinting team felt that confident in their sprinters to put in the effort, unlike in previous years when HTC did and would.Or no other team that didn't also have a GC contender - perhaps Sagan would have won the Green Jersey by an even greater margin if he hadn't been on the same team as Nibali?
The achievement was highlighted by Brad's comment about drawing the raffle numbers at the end of his podium speech. I've been to countless events where that's what the winner does, after putting on the gold-coloured hat. The difference with cycling is that Bradley Wiggins might well turn up at the Levens '10', and draw the raffle prizes, so it's a victory for all those who baked cakes, donated raffle prizes, stood on roundabouts and entered events as middle-markers to keep them going. Cycling is amateur grassroots sport in the UK, similar to rowing in that sense, but more widespread and democratic.
It's surely impossible to finish in the top three without support from your team. That Nibali did it and Evans didn't must reflect partly on the riders and partly on a better organised team. I wonder how well Van Garderen could have done if he'd been team leader rather than Evans? Quite possibly he would have cracked under the pressure. Or maybe not. Either way he's obviously a talent to watch for in the next few years (though personally I find I dislike him, but I might just be having a bad reaction to his accent :-[ ).... perhaps Sagan would have won the Green Jersey by an even greater margin if he hadn't been on the same team as Nibali?
Sagan looked liked a one trick pony, staying tucked in near the yellow jersey for most of the stages then following the lead out riders for the sprints and trying to outsprint 4 or 5 in the final 300 metres. One the whole it seemed to be a one man tactic. Cavendish came across as more mature and a better tactician.
Nibali could therefore afford to have the rest of the team ride for him. 3rd place shows he has the ability ... with a little help from his friends.
I was just thinking about the incredible "Brad and Cav show" back in 2008 when they won the Madison to become world champions in one of the most exciting track races ever:
(http://www.zaribor.com/raz/pics/bradcavmad.jpg)
I never thought that 4 years later I would see them on the road, in the same team, wearing these jerseys on Avenue des Champs-Élysées:
(http://www.zaribor.com/raz/pics/bradcav.jpg)
Wiggins sometimes climbed 4km (2.5 miles) in the course of day's training, his power output constantly monitored by Kerrison, and plotted on graphs
The achievement was highlighted by Brad's comment about drawing the raffle numbers at the end of his podium speech. I've been to countless events where that's what the winner does, after putting on the gold-coloured hat. The difference with cycling is that Bradley Wiggins might well turn up at the Levens '10', and draw the raffle prizes, so it's a victory for all those who baked cakes, donated raffle prizes, stood on roundabouts and entered events as middle-markers to keep them going. Cycling is amateur grassroots sport in the UK, similar to rowing in that sense, but more widespread and democratic.Hear Hear :thumbsup:
I've had a little google around, but can't seem to find an answer - what sort of ascent amount are they doing on a mountain stage in the Alps or Pyrenees?
4000m a day is a lot in my book (recent Mille Alba was roughly that each day for three days - plenty enough for me!).
The achievement was highlighted by Brad's comment about drawing the raffle numbers at the end of his podium speech. I've been to countless events where that's what the winner does, after putting on the gold-coloured hat. The difference with cycling is that Bradley Wiggins might well turn up at the Levens '10', and draw the raffle prizes, so it's a victory for all those who baked cakes, donated raffle prizes, stood on roundabouts and entered events as middle-markers to keep them going. Cycling is amateur grassroots sport in the UK, similar to rowing in that sense, but more widespread and democratic.Hear Hear :thumbsup:
Wiggo has gone up even further in my estimations this month, and that joke was the icing on the cake. Good for him.
(and I hope a few sportifs read your comment)
Edit: I've just seen the 'gold hat' in Bunbury's picture - they're hideous! Is that BB with him?
Oh.... and on the Bandwagon front....
These guys http://www.bauduc.com/ who do decent wine (tenner+ a bottle in the UK, can be done in France without duty) are handing out one of these :
(https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/y/14/590/3BA/csimport/georgie_apron_yellow.120331.jpg)
With every order for > 12 bottles up to the end of July. I am curiously tempted.
Brilliant! Maybe it's just the photo, but that looks a much more tasteful colour.
(I've got one of those gold caps - but more yellow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acf_windy/7620989880/) in my time).
Brilliant! Maybe it's just the photo, but that looks a much more tasteful colour.
(I've got one of those gold caps - but more yellow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/acf_windy/7620989880/) in my time).
(I have no idea what/who/where GHS is - you should comment the piccie, no harm in blowing your own trumpet :) )
And I was at both! :smug: ;D
The total distance was 3,496.9 km and the total time was about 22 days for an average speed of about 6.6 km/h. The Handbook says, "5.7 (i) The minimum speeds may not be altered and shall be: ... for events over 2499 km, 200 km per day [8⅓ km/h]" so I don't think the ride would be validated.So we have proved that Bradley Wiggins is too slow for audax.
The total distance was 3,496.9 km and the total time was about 22 days for an average speed of about 6.6 km/h. The Handbook says, "5.7 (i) The minimum speeds may not be altered and shall be: ... for events over 2499 km, 200 km per day [8⅓ km/h]" so I don't think the ride would be validated.So we have proved that Bradley Wiggins is too slow for audax.
And I was at both! :smug: ;D
And I was with you the second time!
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7632463366_b91eefd620.jpg)
Me and Rob had an absolutely brilliant day waiting and watching with JT & Mrs JT :thumbsup:
I yelled and screamed like a womanoffroadingpossessed ;D
;D
To be fair it was just a wee bit crowded... :P
The total distance was 3,496.9 km and the total time was about 22 days for an average speed of about 6.6 km/h. The Handbook says, "5.7 (i) The minimum speeds may not be altered and shall be: ... for events over 2499 km, 200 km per day [8⅓ km/h]" so I don't think the ride would be validated.So we have proved that Bradley Wiggins is too slow for audax.
Is it coincidence that this crash happened right next to a camperwagon on an otherwise empty road? The guy in yellow on the right is something to do with the 'van and was scrambling away as it happened.Looks like a German Id say.
(http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/tour_de_france_2012a/bp27.jpg)
As ever the Bigpicture is worth a view, although some will have been seen elsewhere
8, 20 & 21 are my faves in part one
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/07/tour_de_france_2012_part_one.html
21 prob in part two
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2012/07/tour_de_france_2012_part_two.html
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/local-news/tour-de-france-winner-bradley-wiggins-to-ride-in-east-lancashire-1-4764910
He's riding a cyclosportive in Pendle and the Ribble Valley in August - Barlick to Barlick via a few lumps (Nick O'Pendle, Trough of Bowland, etc). My home turf! Mum just reported he was being interviewed at a Lancashire crossroads saying it was a 'little bit overwhelming!'
Hopefully Brad and Cav will ride the Tour of Britain to bring out the crowds - it would be a massive boost to the race.
http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/local-news/tour-de-france-winner-bradley-wiggins-to-ride-in-east-lancashire-1-4764910
He's riding a cyclosportive in Pendle and the Ribble Valley in August - Barlick to Barlick via a few lumps (Nick O'Pendle, Trough of Bowland, etc). My home turf! Mum just reported he was being interviewed at a Lancashire crossroads saying it was a 'little bit overwhelming!'
I too loved his raffle comment, though I wish he'd said at least a few words in French. Cavendish was overheard trying to speak French in the early parts of yesterday's stage. He kept inquiring, "Was that right? Did I say it right?" :)
Hehe. I know Barlick well. I used to ride my bike (and horses) around there. I am from Winewall, near Trawden. I'd try and get there if I were you! :Dhttp://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/local-news/tour-de-france-winner-bradley-wiggins-to-ride-in-east-lancashire-1-4764910
He's riding a cyclosportive in Pendle and the Ribble Valley in August - Barlick to Barlick via a few lumps (Nick O'Pendle, Trough of Bowland, etc). My home turf! Mum just reported he was being interviewed at a Lancashire crossroads saying it was a 'little bit overwhelming!'
I too loved his raffle comment, though I wish he'd said at least a few words in French. Cavendish was overheard trying to speak French in the early parts of yesterday's stage. He kept inquiring, "Was that right? Did I say it right?" :)
Eek! This is the day after we return home to Doncaster from 3 weeks away on holiday.
Do you think I can swing it?
The start is about 2 miles from my dad's house (where I grew up).
And you said Barlick.
Barlick!!
I'm beside myself.
Hopefully Brad and Cav will ride the Tour of Britain to bring out the crowds - it would be a massive boost to the race.
Hopefully Brad and Cav will ride the Tour of Britain to bring out the crowds - it would be a massive boost to the race.
Forgot about that. That would be truly amazing.
When was the last time the World Champion and Tour de France winner rode in the Tour of Britain?
d.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/07/the-2012-tour-de-france-part-1-of-2/100337/
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2012/07/the-2012-tour-de-france-part-2-of-2/100341/
There's a sudden rash of Team Sky kit. I saw a fairly convincing wannabe this morning, in the full strip, including leg and arm warmers, and a yellow helmet with the air vents blocked up. He was coming over the bridge out of Eccleston at about 10am, he even had the sideburns and was riding a Pinarello Dogma. Oh, wait a second.
I and my Brompton passed a fully Sky outfitted bloke on a Pinarello on London Embankment. He didn't like it. He didn't like it at all.
Hehe. I know Barlick well. I used to ride my bike (and horses) around there. I am from Winewall, near Trawden. I'd try and get there if I were you! :Dhttp://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/local-news/tour-de-france-winner-bradley-wiggins-to-ride-in-east-lancashire-1-4764910
He's riding a cyclosportive in Pendle and the Ribble Valley in August - Barlick to Barlick via a few lumps (Nick O'Pendle, Trough of Bowland, etc). My home turf! Mum just reported he was being interviewed at a Lancashire crossroads saying it was a 'little bit overwhelming!'
I too loved his raffle comment, though I wish he'd said at least a few words in French. Cavendish was overheard trying to speak French in the early parts of yesterday's stage. He kept inquiring, "Was that right? Did I say it right?" :)
,
Eek! This is the day after we return home to Doncaster from 3 weeks away on holiday.
Do you think I can swing it?
The start is about 2 miles from my dad's house (where I grew up).
And you said Barlick.
Barlick!!
I'm beside myself.
I have hazy memories of the summer 46 years ago when England won the World Cup.
Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Geoff Hurst and Nobby Stiles became household names and idols to eight year old boys like myself.
In the world of cricket, Boycott and Edrich were the opening pair for England, and West Indian Gary Sobers was acknowledged to be the world's best all rounder.
Another often-heard name in those childhood summers was that of Tommy Simpson. In an era when Football and Rugby were played in the winter and Cricket and Tennis was the only summer fare, in this alternative sport of cycling, Simpson's progress in the Tour was relayed back to us in Blighty by radio broadcast and maybe a mention in the sports part of the BBC's Six O'clock News. In 1966, Simpson finished second in two stages of the Tour before crashing out on a mountain descent.
The following year of course, Tommy died on the slopes of Ventoux. This event acted as a catalyst for me to check up on the progress of British riders in ensuing renewals of the race, gradually becoming more absorbed and enthralled by the event, despite all its vicissitudes.
And now, after such a long span of time, we have an Englishman, Bradley Wiggins, who is favourite to win the Tour.
The parcours, with much TTing, favours him to a certain extent, and his form and the form and strength of his team is excellent. So let's hope that he can avoid mishap and arrive in Paris in July wearing the yellow jersey and thus inspire a new generation of youngsters to appreciate
the excitement and benefits of cycling
What a truly great achievement it has been by Wiggo and Team Sky to realise Dave Brailsford's ambition of winning the Tour with a clean British rider by 2014.
Just saw on twitter that they're looking for 'tour-makers' in Yorkshire (presumably similar to the 'lympic Gamesmakers).
Milltag is celebrating with a jersey (http://bit.ly/M55Igq). I really like it. But I don't need another jersey (even though Milltag ones are good). Also, I'm not the yellow jersey type. But I think it looks great.