Tour de France 2012

[tiermat]

Today's stage was more like it, tension, excitement and a French bloke getting all emotional.

Mark wossisname shouting out of the car at Pinot was just class.

Pinot's face as he crossed the line was brilliant, he so deserved that win.

Nice to see EBH no come home in the last group (at one point he was in danger of being swept up by the broom wagon)

I felt a bit sorry for Kessiakof, he had a great ride but jus couldn't keep it going.

[Cudzoziemiec]

Someone mentioned itv player... Doh on me! I hadn't thought of that, so today I finally got to watch a stage (well, the highlights). Pinot go! Phil n Paul - I'm never sure which of them is which, but hmm, some of their commentary seems to be like Test Match Special but via Wikipedia. Old style, made-up "facts" Wikipedia. Oh, and Wiggins deserves a yellow jersey for his sideburns.

[Cudzoziemiec]

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 from episode stage to stage?

[Cudzoziemiec]

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?

[David Martin]

Evans will probably lose time to Brad in the TTs. (not much, but probably lose some). Evans already has a time deficit. He needs to make up time and every second counts.  He is an aggressive rider so will take any opportunity, and it was worth a try. Try and you might gain. Don't try, and you accept defeat.

good stage, great win by Pinot. Sad to see Sanchez out. I hope this doesn't go down as the tour that was won by everyone else crashing out (though it seems like it at times).

Cant wait for the Modcyclingphotos book after the tour (surely there has to be one.)

[Rig of Jarkness]

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. 

Yes, Gerald Ratner would be proud of him.

[Gaston Lagaffe]

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 from episode stage to stage?

Paul Anka stole the tune to write My Way, it's originally a french song, Comme D'habitude

[Rainmaker]

 I really enjoyed yesterday's stage, it had a bit of everything and the jubilation shown by Marc Madiot and the other guy in the back of the team car showed how much the stage win meant to them.   Plus all the team members gatecrashing the post race interview to show their delight.
Slightly off topic, and I don't know if it has been shown on any network other than Eurosport, but the Specialised advert, with the young boy on a bike being "chased" by Tom Boonen in Paris Roubaix, deserves some mention.   IMO it is a classic.

[David Martin]

I love the specialised advert. Living the dreams..

[Cudzoziemiec]

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 from episode stage to stage?

Paul Anka stole the tune to write My Way, it's originally a french song, Comme D'habitude

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...

Meanwhile, back in the race... Sherwen or was it Ligget was hinting somehow that Wiggins knew something somehow special about today's TT.  Well, we'll find out today.

[Veloman]

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?

Evans would far prefer to go after Wiggo today for time checks.  Now that Wiggo is going after Evans, Wiggo will know exactly where he is with respect to timings.  Always better to chase than be chased.  I believe Phil/Paul mentioned this yesterday!

Also, Evans will take every opportunity to take time out of Wiggo because you never know what might happen, puncture etc.  Long way to go and the time to relax is in those last 3km in Paris.  Imagine a mass pile-up on the last day, when Yellow fell and was badly injured.  Might be really important where others were on time.  That's why they will always race right to the end.

[Cudzoziemiec]

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?

[mattc]

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.

[citoyen]

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.

[Cudzoziemiec]

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.

Being interviewed at the end, Cadel said something like "that's just the kind of guy he is".

[citoyen]

Great cyclistsminds...

I like Nibali. He's always good to watch. He has panache. And he gives good interviews too.

d.

[rafletcher]

What I didn't get was Brad and Froome taking turns in the line on the run in, instead of just sitting on.

[Nuncio]

Mark wossisname shouting out of the car at Pinot was just class.

Apparently other FdJ riders were having to rip out their ear-pieces.

I might be able to race Brad Wiggins home if I time it to leave the bike shed at 15:39.  He has the following advantages:
- he's very fit
- he's a time-trial specialist (I'm more of your rouleur)
- he doesn't have to go up that hill from Pontardawe to Rhos.
- he has a better bike (I'm on the Thorn today rather than the Sabbath)
- he won't be carrying tyre levers, spare tube, or that space blanket I keep forgetting to remove from my Carradice
- he'll be wearing a silly hat
- he has more to win

I have the following advantages:
- A bit less pressure for me
- I only have 13.5km as opposed to his 40-odd.

It's going to be close.
 

[Ewan Houzami]

The question in my mind is will Brad deign to get out of the saddle on the hill at 22' ?!

[Gus]

Have they x-rayed Froome's bike for an engine, his flying 

[David Martin]

It's not an engine. Team Sky have reverted to steel bikes, knowing everyone else is on carbon, and the Sky Battle bus has a Hyooooge magnet in it at the finish line..

[TimO]

That was rather impressive by Chris Frome.

[LEE]

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.

[Gus]

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.

Or Sky disguised Teethgrinder as Wiggins.  He crushed all opponents. 

[spesh]

Funky Nell, that was awesome display by Wiggo and Froome today.