And the phones at the Corsica Tourist Board must be ringing off their hooks!:hand: Just heard Ned Boulting say that the Phil 'n' Paul double act will be commentating later. :facepalm: If that's true, I just might have to give in and get Eurosport after all. ::-)
Excellent coverage from ITV4 this year too with Rendell, Boulting and Boardman on the mike, so no need for Eurosport either.
I hope something happens soon - anything to stop you lot moaning about the commentary ;D
I've made the calculation
And they are back...And I'm off to Eurosport. F*ck 'em. >:(
Did anything happen on the Isle of Elba? P+P have neglected to mention it. 3 times in 20 minutes.
Two crashes because bad banner next to the road and a bus stuck at the finish line it's all go at TDF.
Vacancy: Coach driver. Must have good height perception.:)
To me it looked like Cav swerved off his line and instigated the crash.. *takes cover*It was greipel, not Cav, cav was caught behind the crash.
To me it looked like Cav swerved off his line and instigated the crash.. *takes cover*It was greipel, not Cav, cav was caught behind the crash.
Potentially a big blow for OPQS, Eurosport reporting Tony Martin with a possible broken collarbone.
Well, I've made the calculation and the monthly Eurosport sub will only cost me 25p per day. *strokes chin*Goldilocks, the cheapest deal Sky are offering me is £26.50pm, half price for first year. Can you share, by PM if you want, what your deal is? Thanks.
Well, I've made the calculation and the monthly Eurosport sub will only cost me 25p per day. *strokes chin*Goldilocks, the cheapest deal Sky are offering me is £26.50pm, half price for first year. Can you share, by PM if you want, what your deal is? Thanks.
Was Millar up there?
Well that certainly seemed a bit erratic at the end. It didn't look like the bus driver was at fault, the race organisers should ensure that there's headroom for such vehicles, or not let them down there at all. Typically they aren't moving that fast, and people have plenty of time to stop them, so I can't see how the driver could be at fault. Conceivably the team had a vehicle that was too high, but I'm betting on the banner arrangement being too low.Said on telly that the banner is at a high setting during the day when the road is open, then it's lowered and the finish is closed to traffic. Sounds like a screw up where the driver was wrongly directed.
Well, I've made the calculation and the monthly Eurosport sub will only cost me 25p per day. *strokes chin*Goldilocks, the cheapest deal Sky are offering me is £26.50pm, half price for first year. Can you share, by PM if you want, what your deal is? Thanks.
I imagine it's the Eurosport Player streaming app, rather than via Sky.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.
Yesterday Liggett said "Voigt has found the elixir of youth" ;D
Yeah, Phil. Its called EPO.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.
Yesterday Liggett said "Voigt has found the elixir of youth" ;D
Yeah, Phil. Its called EPO.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.According to Ligget (within a minute of being on air), today is the warmest day of the Tour so far.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.
Yesterday Liggett said "Voigt has found the elixir of youth" ;D
Yeah, Phil. Its called EPO.
....Not surprisingly, Kittel hasn't managed to stay in yellow, although he does retain his green jersey, for the time being. He's now at 142 position, over 17 minutes down on the leader!
....Not surprisingly, Kittel hasn't managed to stay in yellow, although he does retain his green jersey, for the time being. He's now at 142 position, over 17 minutes down on the leader!
This is setting out to be a far more interesting opening week than the usual prologue TT, followed by three stage wins for Cavendish etc formula. Maybe the organisers could try shaking up the usual order of things like this every third year or so.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.
Yesterday Liggett said "Voigt has found the elixir of youth" ;D
Yeah, Phil. Its called EPO.
?
Voigt and EPO?
A rider who I would put my money on as being clean.
Ligget and Sherwin are just appalling twats.His book was a good read. No mention of JV.
Yesterday Liggett said "Voigt has found the elixir of youth" ;D
Yeah, Phil. Its called EPO.
Possible not every rider was doping, or do you assume 100% doping?
?
Voigt and EPO?
A rider who I would put my money on as being clean.
Hamilton would advise against that bet, I'm afraid.
He's convinced Voigt doped
/not that were made public
On the ITV coverage, they just mentioned that Belkin Procycling was formed from what was the Rabobank team, but I saw Rabobank team cars on the Noordwijk Classic in Noordwijk last week, and looking things up, it seems that it was the Men's Team that they pulled out from funding, and they still sponsor the Rabobank-Liv Giant woman's professional road racing team.
I guess that this reflects a lesser use of drugs (possibly) in the professional women's teams, and more likely simply the much lower profile of women's professional cycling. I never really understand why women's cycling has such poor support (presumably largely with the sponsors), hence the debacle which the Tour de France Féminin became in recent years. :(
Still disappointed with the no-show of David Harmon... Still, Carlton Kirby is an affable buffon in the David Duffield mould.
How many people on yacf are in Nice for the TTT on Tues? Seems like every second person here is British.
Rob
(I haven't been paying attention - why is Millar still 2nd on GC? Loads of riders on the same time finished in higher placings today. Is it decided on goal difference? Or net run rate?)
According to the live commentary on letour.fr Geraint Thomas is riding with a "small fracture of the pelvis". :o
Never mind he'll be mostly sitting down for the next 3 weeks.
According to the live commentary on letour.fr Geraint Thomas is riding with a "small fracture of the pelvis". :o
Never mind he'll be mostly sitting down for the next 3 weeks.
And on the cyclingnews commentary it's Clarke who has the pelvic fracture, and Thomas getting magic spray on his "tailbone"
Either way.. OUCH!
And the Tony Martin episode reminds me of years ago, when Stuart O'Grady (I think) was doing a tour diary to camera for Channel 4 after each stage. He'd come off in a sprint I think, and was "filmed" showering after. he screamed when the water hit hi back - all the skin and some of the flesh had gone from the area over his vertebrae. He was asked about continuing. The somewhat laconic response was along the lines "well, it's going to hurt anyway, may as well hurt on the bike"
How many people on yacf are in Nice for the TTT on Tues? Seems like every second person here is British.
Rob
An Aussie bloke at PBP03 cracked his pelvis before Loudiac but rode to the finish in time. He couldn't walk (carried in/out of controls by a couple mates riding with him) or ride standing up but was sort of comfortable sitting on a saddle.
As did our own Nick Jackson in 2011. Sub 60-hour finish and I rode some of the later stages with him.
Geraint Thomas is riding with a "small fracture of the pelvis".
Geraint Thomas is riding with a "small fracture of the pelvis".
Apparently we no longer say to someone "man up!", the current phrase is to "G up!"
;D
I like it that Paul Sherwen was reinstated when missing the cut-off by over 20 minutes after crashing in the first few minutes of a mountain stage, but rode solo for six hours to the finish.
But France is also a meritocratic society
But France is also a meritocratic society
Hands up everyone who thinks they would have done the same to Tommy Voekler...
...no, nobody? :-\
I thought he was sacked. I didn't know they'd taken him back on again! :o
But France is also a meritocratic society
Hands up everyone who thinks they would have done the same to Tommy Voekler...
...no, nobody? :-\
Voekler wouldn't have been left on his own. The time is for the first 5 over the line, so a rider would have been there to shepherd him if it was felt to be the right thing. King is just an apprentice in the Tour, Voekler is a master. Aspects of the Tour are a nod to the French apprenticeship system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_Tour_de_France
Is anyone troubled by Greenedge posting the fastest ever TTT and having a former US Postal doper for a DS?
According to the live commentary on letour.fr Geraint Thomas is riding with a "small fracture of the pelvis". :oGiven that 18 months after my small fracture of the pelvis, I can't bear to be on a bike for more than about 2 miles at a time because of the pain, I have no idea how he's doing it. His must be a smaller fracture and in a different place, because there's no way he's tougher than me. ;D
Never mind he'll be mostly sitting down for the next 3 weeks.
We Brits are all very blasé about Cavendish wins these days, aren't we?
And to make matters worse he was really nice & personable in the interview afterwards, and completely failed to be arrogant or controversial.We Brits are all very blasé about Cavendish wins these days, aren't we?
What, because he boringly won again. Meh.
;D
What, with your profile pic? I'd never have guessed.
Still overtook three cars in a single move.Was probably doing 30mph + at the time and only just had room to get by the car at the exit bollard.
Froome = alien! Amazing last climb in crushing temps....
Yay, that's Sky TV up and running chez nous. so Eurosport FTW. No more Phil 'n' Paul drivel, no more throwing things at the telly.The Phil 'n' Paul show is a bit grim, but better that Sean 'more boring than Steve Davis' Kelly!
Note to Sherwen: "lime green" is not the only green; other shades are available.
Froome = alien! Amazing last climb in crushing temps....
Having been born in Kenya and brought up in SA I would imagine he felt it less than northern Europeans.
Not according to this link (http://www.fillarifoorumi.fi/forum/showthread.php?38129-Ammattilaispy%F6r%E4ilij%F6iden-nousutietoja-%28aika-km-h-VAM-W-W-kg-etc-%29&p=2045251#post2045251) (I can't vouch for accuracy) but it's a darn close run thing. And faster than Ullrich, Basso, Vino did.Froome = alien! Amazing last climb in crushing temps....
Having been born in Kenya and brought up in SA I would imagine he felt it less than northern Europeans.
Alien indeed - he did the climb faster than Armstrong ever did.........
Froome = alien! Amazing last climb in crushing temps....
Yay, that's Sky TV up and running chez nous. so Eurosport FTW. No more Phil 'n' Paul drivel, no more throwing things at the telly.The Phil 'n' Paul show is a bit grim, but better that Sean 'more boring than Steve Davis' Kelly!
Note to Sherwen: "lime green" is not the only green; other shades are available.
what's happened to David Harmon ???
That wasn't so much blowing the race apart as dropping a nuke on it.
But France is also a meritocratic society
Hands up everyone who thinks they would have done the same to Tommy Voekler...
...no, nobody? :-\
Voekler wouldn't have been left on his own. The time is for the first 5 over the line, so a rider would have been there to shepherd him if it was felt to be the right thing. King is just an apprentice in the Tour, Voekler is a master. Aspects of the Tour are a nod to the French apprenticeship system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_Tour_de_France
But the ASO could have been lenient, and have been lenient in the past.
Of course this is the same ASO who have apparently, on the same day, fined Tony Martin 2,000 CHF for having world champ stripes on his TT bike. I suspect a massive sense-of-humour failure. :facepalm:
Well today will be interesting. Five big climbs and a cut-off point of reportedly just half an hour or so. Let's hope the sprint guys brought their climbing legs, if the race jury continues to be as strict as they are then some big names just might need them.
A Brailsford feint perchance?
Well today will be interesting. Five big climbs and a cut-off point of reportedly just half an hour or so. Let's hope the sprint guys brought their climbing legs, if the race jury continues to be as strict as they are then some big names just might need them.
Doubt it very much. What if Froome crashes out or gets ill?
Point I am making is that Sky are unlikely to deliberately pull Porte back. No way would Sky have chosen for Froome to be isolated
Yup, just saw the highlights - fecking heck what a sprint and not a in a good mood Cab at the interview. It looked to me that the other fella drifted towards Cab and he retaliate a wee bit hard, because he was pissed that he had run out of lead outs.
It looked to me that the other fella drifted towards Cav and he retaliate a wee bit hard, because he was pissed that he had run out of lead outs.
Just watched the highlights - exciting stuff!
Noticed Froome's elliptical chainset - I suppose there must be some advantage to using them then...
Noticed Froome's elliptical chainset - I suppose there must be some advantage to using them then...I tried some out around 18 years ago and for my kinda riding on a MTB - I could feel a wee bit as I was pulling or rather dragging more chain around on each stroke. But that feeling only hanged around for a ride or two.
not impressed with the urine soaking of Cav either......When interviewed about it did Froome really say: "It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth."?
not impressed with the urine soaking of Cav either......When interviewed about it did Froome really say: "It leaves a nasty taste in the mouth."?
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling as opposed to Wiggins as Tim Henman? British but kind of viewed as not?
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling
Harsh!
I really like Froome. I like the way he rides (though not the way he looks on a bike), and I like him as a person - he seems intelligent, measured and grounded.
He also knows how to make a bike race exciting. Remember stage 17 of the Vuelta in 2011?
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling
Harsh!
I really like Froome. I like the way he rides (though not the way he looks on a bike), and I like him as a person - he seems intelligent, measured and grounded.
He also knows how to make a bike race exciting. Remember stage 17 of the Vuelta in 2011?
Best description I've seen: 'Looks like an octopus that fell out of a tree' ;D I quite like him. I think his apparent blandness come from being shy.
I just don't see it. For me it'll always be "pushing a shopping trolley with a phone tucked on his shoulder".Perfect!
I just don't see it. For me it'll always be "pushing a shopping trolley with a phone tucked on his shoulder".Perfect!
Has there been a less likely looking favourite/winner ever before?
I just don't see it. For me it'll always be "pushing a shopping trolley with a phone tucked on his shoulder".Perfect!
Has there been a less likely looking favourite/winner ever before?
What a fantastic stage! Wasn't expecting anything like that today!
Sky are down to 7 men and G is injured. F won't ride unless he absolutely has to.Dithered on whether to hang on to breakaway Saxo group. You could actually see him in no-mans-land thinking it through. For the sake of 45 seconds worth of 100% effort i'm surprised he didn't bite. But with echelons it is difficult I admit.
Tomorrow may well be interesting too. Missed the last hour - how come Froome got caught out?
Cav put it rather well in the post-race interview (he was last to make the jump to the leading breakaway) - it's like falling though ice; you have about 5 seconds to sort yourself out or you're finished.
Mr Nibbles going against the tide of popular opinion, I suspect:
@VincenzoNibali:
L'azione al #TdF2013 di oggi nei confronti di @alejanvalverde è una cosa che non piace a nessuno!! La ruota gira per tutti prima o poi.
https://twitter.com/VincenzoNibali/status/355713756908621824
What was that about the wheel coming round, Mr Nibbles?
@mrconde:
There is your answer to why Belkin are in front.. #tdf RT @Nancy_Arreola Tour de Swiss 2011 movistar went full gas when Bauke had a flat
And the Dauphiné when Gesink had some issues with Valverde.
Mr Nibbles going against the tide of popular opinion, I suspect:
@VincenzoNibali:
L'azione al #TdF2013 di oggi nei confronti di @alejanvalverde è una cosa che non piace a nessuno!! La ruota gira per tutti prima o poi.
https://twitter.com/VincenzoNibali/status/355713756908621824
With that finish, I hope Froome isn't doping...::-)
I bet the Cyclingnews forum has melted.
edit: Bugger me, I've just checked - it has 404 Not Found ;D
I bet the Cyclingnews forum has melted.
edit: Bugger me, I've just checked - it has 404 Not Found ;D
Damn, blast and Bugger you and your pointing out of yet another blinking forum which I was hitherto unaware of.
Someone isn't impressed:
Here is the translation from Virenque: "Totally acceptable and believable perfomance, middle of the pack rider in Continental races for years, average clocker (time trialist), and can easily respond to attacks made by a world-class Colombian that weighs 12kg less than him in a Grand Tour on a 10% ramp, like Sir Dave, (mockingly) I also don't believe in physics, logic, or sharing performance data, I just believe in heart. All you need is heart. All the greats have heart, guys like me, Pantani, Vino, Di Luca, Armstrong, it's just heart. Unfortunately it's a heart of darkness."
and makes me feel like a seven stone weakling!
Someone isn't impressed:
Here is the translation from Virenque: "middle of the pack rider in Continental races for years, average clocker (time trialist),."
Froome (hoping he wins) shows he tour is winnable clean.
and makes me feel like a seven stone weakling!My worry is that after years of being an average pro rider he joins Sky, and now makes the entire peloton feel the same way.
Virenque is spouting sour grapes. Quintana was a non-entity on the world scene till this year.
Froome appears to be trying to win with some style rather than just use the Brailsford grind it out by the numbers method. Hope he keeps it up. I though he wasn't going to make it down the steps after the jersey presentation it looked like his legs were going to give out on him. good job there,s a rest day.
Is it just me, or does Bauke Mollema sound like some kind of medical condition?
"I'm sorry, but we have diagnosed the very rare Bauke Mollema syndrome..."
Quintana was a non-entity on the world scene till this year.
If you take Froome out of the equation, who would have punted Mollema as a potential tour winner?
Virenque and his mates must know why Froome was a middle of the pack rider.
...All the greats have heart, guys like me, Pantani, Vino, Di Luca, Armstrong, it's just heart. Unfortunately it's a heart of darkness."
Depends who you listen to. Some people are just selecting whichever portion of the climb suits their agenda.
But.... it did look a bit like The Chicken before he got caught didn't it
There's probably a very good reason for this. Virenque and his mates must know why Froome was a middle of the pack rider.
Quintana was a non-entity on the world scene till this year.
If you take Froome out of the equation, who would have punted Mollema as a potential tour winner?
Depends who you listen to. Some people are just selecting whichever portion of the climb suits their agenda.He also cycles for a team who will not even consider employing 'reformed' cyclists and who have a 'below zero' tolerance to misuse of substances.
But.... it did look a bit like The Chicken before he got caught didn't itinerar
Any bona fide sources out there?
No, it looked like an athlete who had trained hard on the climb previously....
Depends who you listen to. Some people are just selecting whichever portion of the climb suits their agenda.He also cycles for a team who will not even consider employing 'reformed' cyclists and who have a 'below zero' tolerance to misuse of substances.
But.... it did look a bit like The Chicken before he got caught didn't itinerar
You are being more than a little naive if you think that Sky didn't know about the dodgy history of Sean Yates, Michael Barry, Shane Suttton, Michael Rogers, Bobby Julich, Steven de Jong and ex-Rabobank doping administrator Geert Leinders BEFORE they hired them
Froome? His first ride up Mont Ventoux was a month or so before the TdF, checking it out with Sean Kelly and a Norwegian amateur
From Twitter:
Froome's time for the complete climb was 59:07, but time for the last 15k is 2nd fastest ever.
http://www.fillarifoorumi.fi/forum/showthread.php?38129-Ammattilaispy%F6r%E4ilij%F6iden-nousutietoja-%28aika-km-h-VAM-W-W-kg-etc-%29&p=2061073#post2061073
Well, I was thoroughly unimpressed with Froome until yesterday....
From Twitter:
Froome's time for the complete climb was 59:07, but time for the last 15k is 2nd fastest ever.
http://www.fillarifoorumi.fi/forum/showthread.php?38129-Ammattilaispy%F6r%E4ilij%F6iden-nousutietoja-%28aika-km-h-VAM-W-W-kg-etc-%29&p=2061073#post2061073
There was some really interesting stuff further up the thread on this link - from what I read Froome's time was the 2nd fastest for this sector for the 4 TdF in 2000, 2002, 2009, and 2013, but the record was held by Iban Mayo in 45.47. THere was also some stuff (i didn't try to look fully into the links behind it - especially as am not sure what bodyweight they were using), about converting the ascent time into W/kg of body weight - which suggested the point at which times became supra-human (6W/kg) was 47m 35s.
There would be at least two other big factors to consider - the first is that this was an exceptional long and hard-ridden stage - I understand that they were 45 minutes ahead of schedule - and so the riders would have been more fatigued. The second is that there was, again to my understanding having watched the coverage live - a significant tailwind on the upper, exposed section of Ventoux, which would have led to faster ascent times. These two factors would balance each other out, but I think at this point it would be a foolhardy scientist who could draw a conclusion either way as to the legitimacy or not of any of the top performances.
Bradley Wiggins in 2009 was 47 seconds slower than Froome. Bradley struggled very hard to stay in the wheels and avoid losing time - eventually holding onto 4th overall prior to any disqualifications - so again not sure how this would compare with Froome. The more data you unearth the more difficult, it seems to me, to draw any conclusion from the data.
Yours in fence sitting and non-aspersion casting good grace
CET
Brailsfords reluctance to release data can be explained either way.
The Independent is reporting that one of the Belkin riders (Ten Dam) has uploaded his trace of the Ventoux climb onto Strava and is rather annoying the amatures who now can't get anywhere near the KoM for the climb.If true, that is very very funny.
It isn't as easy as that. People aren't comparing like for like. There is no set boundary for what is within undoped human capability. Finally, the world is awash with bedroom experts, educated by internet, ready to publish their findings on twitter ......under a pseudonym, of course.
Brailsfords reluctance to release data can be explained either way.
absolute clarity and release one set of very specific data which benchmarked my rider as being within an accepted performance benchmark,
It isn't as easy as that. People aren't comparing like for like. There is no set boundary for what is within undoped human capability. Finally, the world is awash with bedroom experts, educated by internet, ready to publish their findings on twitter ......under a pseudonym, of course.
Brailsfords reluctance to release data can be explained either way.
That's the way I would spin it if I had something to hide! Lots of ambiguity, not clear boundaries, confidential, data open to misinterpretation, etc.
But if I had a clean story I would not do that. I would go for absolute clarity and release one set of very specific data which benchmarked my rider as being within an accepted performance benchmark, and keep referring back to it whenever the question arose as 'proof'.
He's uploading the whole race.
This might kill off Strava in large parts of France (and Corsica).
It was a bold prediction that Nilsen would eventually endorse. Froome missed the next three Tours because, undetected by European doctors, he was ill with bilharzia – a parasitic disease he had caught in Africa. His performances for his new team at Sky were so inconsistent that Froome seemed in danger of being axed. It was only when visiting Kenya that, before a routine UCI blood passport test, Froome asked the doctor to see if he could identify a cause of his mysterious exhaustion and sickness. The Kenyan blood tests proved that Froome was riddled with bilharzia.http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jun/22/chris-froome-tour-de-france
In the exact opposite of a drug like EPO, bilharzia destroys red blood cells and so Nilsen was stunned by Froome's ability to keep riding despite the debilitating disease. He told his friend that, restored to full health, he would win the Tour de France. "Chris just looked at me and said: 'Are you serious?'" Nilsen recalls. "I had no doubt."
He's uploading the whole race.
This might kill off Strava in large parts of France (and Corsica).
Alex Dowsett goes Strava-bagging over mid-Essex, and that doesn't seem to have killed off Strava there. If anything I think it encourages people - the chance to race against a professional (albeit virtually) was much less easy to come by before Strava.
There was some really interesting stuff further up the thread on this link - from what I read Froome's time was the 2nd fastest for this sector for the 4 TdF in 2000, 2002, 2009, and 2013, but the record was held by Iban Mayo in 45.47.
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
The only time I "use" Strava is clicking on links published by friends. (I rarely learn much, probably due to not being registered). Most of the talk I see is about KOM (I'm sure I can find YACF posts about bagging these). Once a pro has claimed your local KOMs that contest is over.
However, if folks are using it in a different way - and are even motivated by comparing themselves with the Uber-peformances - then great.
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
There is no performance benchmark.
Repeat x 1000
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
Head over to TTF and have a look at all the guys (including lots of rookies) analysing power (or 'wattage' as they like to call it), HRM, shoving it into Aerolab, doing all sorts of analysis (without ever having heard of a confidence interval or an error bar half the time) and coming up with all sorts of overly-specific results that are not supportable by the available data. Now imagine a million bedroom rookies doing the same to whatever Brailsford released (probably while reading the latest Dan Brown conspiracy). I can see why he's reluctant.
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
Head over to TTF and have a look at all the guys (including lots of rookies) analysing power (or 'wattage' as they like to call it), HRM, shoving it into Aerolab, doing all sorts of analysis (without ever having heard of a confidence interval or an error bar half the time) and coming up with all sorts of overly-specific results that are not supportable by the available data. Now imagine a million bedroom rookies doing the same to whatever Brailsford released (probably while reading the latest Dan Brown conspiracy). I can see why he's reluctant.
There is no performance benchmark.
Repeat x 1000
There is no universally or even generally accepted benchmark but that is not what I meant. Anyone can say something is a benchmark if they define it as such!
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
Head over to TTF and have a look at all the guys (including lots of rookies) analysing power (or 'wattage' as they like to call it), HRM, shoving it into Aerolab, doing all sorts of analysis (without ever having heard of a confidence interval or an error bar half the time) and coming up with all sorts of overly-specific results that are not supportable by the available data. Now imagine a million bedroom rookies doing the same to whatever Brailsford released (probably while reading the latest Dan Brown conspiracy). I can see why he's reluctant.
Dave B's offer to allow WADA to scrutinise all the data they have and use their analytical tools and expertise to determine the credibility or otherwise of Sky's performances seems sensible and genuine. I would far rather an organisation like WADA do the number-crunching than have the numbers in the public domain for every armchair expert to have a go at. It's already obvious that the tools available to pundits to measure cyclists' performances are woefully inadequate to use as indisputable evidence of doping or otherwise; let the real experts deal with it.
I would choose one of those and it would be one that supported the story I wanted to put across!
Head over to TTF and have a look at all the guys (including lots of rookies) analysing power (or 'wattage' as they like to call it), HRM, shoving it into Aerolab, doing all sorts of analysis (without ever having heard of a confidence interval or an error bar half the time) and coming up with all sorts of overly-specific results that are not supportable by the available data. Now imagine a million bedroom rookies doing the same to whatever Brailsford released (probably while reading the latest Dan Brown conspiracy). I can see why he's reluctant.
I don't have sufficient time or, to be honest, sufficient interest in the subject to do that. But if I was running the PR for a cycling team being wrongly suspected of cheating, and if I believed I had a good story to tell, then I would be more motivated to do it!
I don't have sufficient time or, to be honest, sufficient interest in the subject to do that.
I don't have sufficient time or, to be honest, sufficient interest in the subject to do that.
And yet you still think you have something worthwhile to say on the subject?
Really, I feel more sympathetic to Brailsford the more of this kind of crap I read.
It turns out it was guesswork as the camera was not on Armstrong as he started the climb. So the whole thing is not only based on dodgy assumptions but also has no empirical data to start with.
It doesn't suggest that you have understood my point or that you have a positive contribution to make.
Meanwhile, there's a really interesting bike race going on. Can't we talk about that instead?
I'm surprised that this "we can't release the data because some people might misinterpret it" excuse has so much traction here.My view is that they have no obligation to release anything. There is no case to answer. They don't need any excuses.
Meanwhile, there's a really interesting bike race going on. Can't we talk about that instead?
AND .... Wow's evil twin is back again this year! (he wasn't there last year, was he?)
That day was a leeeetle more frenetic
PHILIPPE GILBERT @PhilippeGilbert (https://twitter.com/PhilippeGilbert)
Contador have always his best day the day after the second rest day. So remake of 2011? Nice stage for offensive
I'm bored. I've read nothing original or insightful in any of your comments, just the same old tedious "reasonable suspicion" guff. I understand your point well enough - I've heard the same point made countless times before.
Meanwhile, there's a really interesting bike race going on. Can't we talk about that instead?
QuotePHILIPPE GILBERT @PhilippeGilbert (https://twitter.com/PhilippeGilbert)
Contador have always his best day the day after the second rest day. So remake of 2011? Nice stage for offensive
:demon: ;D ;) :demon:
Brilliant stage wrt entertainment value. This years Tour is way more exciting than 2012 which was quite the dullest in the 35 years I've been following it. (No offence to Wiggo, he did his job)
QuotePHILIPPE GILBERT @PhilippeGilbert (https://twitter.com/PhilippeGilbert)
Contador have always his best day the day after the second rest day. So remake of 2011? Nice stage for offensive
:demon: ;D ;) :demon:
Cheeky. ;D
Just watched it - wow what a bit of downhill. Hear on Twitter that Cav had a Radcliff moment.
Mark Cavendish @MarkCavendish
Had the embarrassment of having to stop in a field today in front of the whole peloton with a VERY poorly stomach. #mindyourstep
Chris Froome @chrisfroome
Almost went over your head @albertocontador.. Little more care next time?
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling as opposed to Wiggins as Tim Henman? British but kind of viewed as not?Wiggins was born in Belgium, to one British & one Australian parent. Froome was born in Kenya to one British & one Kenyan-born (to British parents) parent. He's always been a British citizen, with a British passport. His older brothers went to school here.
Froome is the Greg Rusedski of cycling as opposed to Wiggins as Tim Henman? British but kind of viewed as not?Or Mike Catt to Wiggins' Jonny Wilkinson, with Dave Brailsford in the role of Baldy Mr Marginal Gains, Clive Woodward.
He presumably knew the rules when he was in Kenya, so I don't have any problem with him. But Billy used the phrase:
"British but kind of viewed as not?"
.... which I think sums him up for many people. One's emotive reactions to sportsmen/heroes will never be 100% logical.
Chris Froome, with the number one race number pinned on his back and a time trial helmet on his head, is off and running.
It's an ugly thing to see, a planned bike-change.
"It's not about the bike ... "
Anyways, Froome doesn't sound British. It's superficial, but that's the currency of public opinion.
I was replaying Mollema's off nearest the finish, and his bike went from under him the moment he hit a small patch of white road paint. Well worth avoiding road markings like the plague in the wet, esp on corners...
The advantage of a TT bike over the descent must be close on a minute - well worth the 11 or so seconds to fluff the change (Quintana had the slickest change). One thing to remember is to keep the bike on the road (especially if you are dutch)
The advantage of a TT bike over the descent must be close on a minute - well worth the 11 or so seconds to fluff the change (Quintana had the slickest change). One thing to remember is to keep the bike on the road (especially if you are dutch)
Counting the time taken for the change, Croome descended 20 seconds faster than Contador. Bit crafty making the change just before the crest for maximum pushing advantage. ::-)
I bet the Cyclingnews forum has melted
A simple fix would be to make all bikes conform to road-stage rules. No special TT bikes on any stage.It's an ugly thing to see, a planned bike-change.
"It's not about the bike ... "
I was just thinking more or less that. I even caught myself thinking UCI like thoughts along the lines of, "Pick your bike for the TT. If it breaks during the event you should be permitted to use a substitute bike of the same configuration." I know, I know. it's not against the regs and Le Tour is and always has been more socking great commercial entertainment than corinthian sporting competion, but, oh I don't know, it just doesn't feel like it's in the spirit of things.
Good. On a quick read it looks like very powerful evidence to silence uninformed criticism. It had to be the sensible thing to do, for Froome personally and for the sport.
13km Col de Manse (1,268m) 6.6km at 6.2% Cat 2
• 45km Rampe du Motty (982m) 2.4km at 8% Cat 3
• 95km Col d'Ornon (1,371) 5.1km at 6.7% Cat 2
• 122.5km Alpe d'Huez 1 12.3km at 8.4% Hors Cat
• 131.5km Col de Sarenne 3km at 7.8% Cat 2
• 172.5km Alpe d'Huez 2 13.8km at 8.1% Hors Cat
Ouch! Poor old Peraud. To crash on an already broken collar bone looked more than very painful.
Today:Quote13km Col de Manse (1,268m) 6.6km at 6.2% Cat 2
• 45km Rampe du Motty (982m) 2.4km at 8% Cat 3
• 95km Col d'Ornon (1,371) 5.1km at 6.7% Cat 2
• 122.5km Alpe d'Huez 1 12.3km at 8.4% Hors Cat
• 131.5km Col de Sarenne 3km at 7.8% Cat 2
• 172.5km Alpe d'Huez 2 13.8km at 8.1% Hors Cat
Ouch!
(From the Grauniad).
Ah. So evidence will silence uninformed criticism will it? The triumph of hope over experience.
It could be just like school cross country. Naughty boys Cav and Greipel appear from the bushes, stubbing out their fags, and sneakily do just one lap.
I assume the 50km gap will be enough to avoid the chance of the autobus being caught by a leading group on their second ascent? Now that would be interesting...
Interesting: the UCI have announced a surprise bike weight check at the end of the stage - Contador has now changed bikes. :o
Interesting: the UCI have announced a surprise bike weight check at the end of the stage - Contador has now changed bikes. :oOnce a cheat......................
20 seconds seems like a very lenient penalty to me, given that without the gel/drink his bonking could have cost him several minutes.
Non-regulation supply of refreshments ... Rider: 20 [seconds] per offence
Are riders not allowed to pass stuff over to each other towards the end of the stage?
All riders may render small services to each other, such as lending or exchanging food, drink or accessories.
or is it just collecting stuff from the team car that attracts penalties?
continuous supplying [that is, from the team car] is authorised between the signs located near the 50th kilometre and the signs marking the end of the feeding zone posted 20 kilometres from the finish. Race directors may, with the approval of the stewards, change these provisions during a stage to adapt to weather conditions or any exceptional circumstances.
(click to show/hide)
I also reckon the tour was very lucky not to have an 'orrible crowd-related incident today. Even I saw 2-3 near misses - imagine the uproar if Froome had clouted that tiny kid who ran out in front of him! Unless they can come up with some magic crowd-control strategy, they'd be mad to run this stage again, and I predict problems on other stages in the near future.
There was also a musette hand-up to Froome at 10km to go of the Ventoux stage that the commissaires missed (but not the cameras).
It's certainly an iconic part of the show, would be a shame to lose it.I also reckon the tour was very lucky not to have an 'orrible crowd-related incident today. Even I saw 2-3 near misses - imagine the uproar if Froome had clouted that tiny kid who ran out in front of him! Unless they can come up with some magic crowd-control strategy, they'd be mad to run this stage again, and I predict problems on other stages in the near future.
There are always near misses, actual incidents are very rare, it's just part of the tour really and has been for countless years.
Barriers are no good at crowd control, when you have 15+ riders on the last lap of the Colne Gran. Prix slamming into it. And.flying over it and land on two little girls on the other side. Lucky for the first aiders who where on hand even before the first of the rider in the pileup got on their feet.
I also reckon the tour was very lucky not to have an 'orrible crowd-related incident today. Even I saw 2-3 near misses - imagine the uproar if Froome had clouted that tiny kid who ran out in front of him! Unless they can come up with some magic crowd-control strategy, they'd be mad to run this stage again, and I predict problems on other stages in the near future.
There are always near misses, actual incidents are very rare, it's just part of the tour really and has been for countless years.
Wasn't that Guerini with the spectator incident?
Pity for Froome that he allready passed Julien when he had the hunger problems:
http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/sporten/wielrennen/TourDeFrance/Tour_ViveLeVelo/ViveLeVelo_18juli/MV_130718_VLV_repo_gasten
If you look back to the history of the tour things are actually calmer.
Maurice Garin narrowly avoided being lynched by a mob because he had accepted a gel.
PS: add "unsportsmanlike behaviour" to the list of things that makes Froome not British ;)
If you look back to the history of the tour things are actually calmer.Is that the same bloke who was DQed for taking the train? You'd think he would know better ::-)
Maurice Garin narrowly avoided being lynched by a mob because he had accepted a gel.
Fingers crossed that Froome hasn't burnt himself out.
it would make no difference until after he'd crossed the line.
Wasn't that Guerini with the spectator incident?
What I'm confused about is why he sent Richie Porte to get food only 5 minutes from the end, when it would make no difference until after he'd crossed the line.
It looked like he just bonked - it was mentioned that there was very little chance to take on food in the last 3 hours. What I'm confused about is why he sent Richie Porte to get food only 5 minutes from the end, when it would make no difference until after he'd crossed the line.
Voigt for Sky next year? Then in the future, if Froome starts to get *that* feeling in his legs, he can take a lick of Jens' sweat, which scientific tests have shown is the most effective substance for beating the bonk.
It looked like he just bonked - it was mentioned that there was very little chance to take on food in the last 3 hours. What I'm confused about is why he sent Richie Porte to get food only 5 minutes from the end, when it would make no difference until after he'd crossed the line.
What I'm confused about is why he sent Richie Porte to get food only 5 minutes from the end, when it would make no difference until after he'd crossed the line.
I expect there's some kind of homeostasis going on: the body is keeping energy in reserve but releases it once it knows that more food is on the way.
It means that if you have a smart TV or are watching on a laptop you can select a rider of your choice (press the red button to choose) and then shout encouragement at them which they will hear via their in ear radios.
It means that if you have a smart TV or are watching on a laptop you can select a rider of your choice (press the red button to choose) and then shout encouragement at them which they will hear via their in ear radios.
If you look back to the history of the tour things are actually calmer.
Maurice Garin narrowly avoided being lynched by a mob because he had accepted a gel.
If you look back to the history of the tour things are actually calmer.
Maurice Garin narrowly avoided being lynched by a mob because he had accepted a gel.
Didn't know they had gels in 1903 ??? ;D
Class!
But I'd like to see what happened next, when his mate-in-yellow-tights arrives on the scene.
(also a good demonstration of the safety benefits of cycling mitts :thumbsup: )
We've all wanted to.....
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/17611_10151498757331314_1380801995_n.jpg)
I'm impressed by Richie Porte's evident cheerfulness, good humour, and level-headedness.
I'm impressed by Richie Porte's evident cheerfulness, good humour, and level-headedness. It's difficult to keep your morale high when you're tired and hungry, so it must be really helpful to have someone like Porte with you.
We've all wanted to.....
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/17611_10151498757331314_1380801995_n.jpg)
He gave an additional, and quite curious reason for not being aggressive on the descent. “I didn’t want to attack because, watching on TV, there are people who love me and get nervous when I attack on a descent.”
Bless. Quintana crying during a post-race interview. I get emotional when I've necked a load of drugs too, tbf.Unwarranted, stupid and pathetic
Bless. Quintana crying during a post-race interview. I get emotional when I've necked a load of drugs too, tbf.
Bless. Quintana crying during a post-race interview. I get emotional when I've necked a load of drugs too, tbf.
Tomorrow sounds ghastly as a 'spectacle'.
Has anybody had access to Wiggins' tweets recently? Just curious.
There are two 4th cat climbs on the last stage (worth 1 point each), so not enough to make any difference.
Pretty much the perfect result on the day; I'd say Quintana deserved it. Somewhat surprised Chris Froome didn't make more of a fight for the stage win, did he lose a bit of motivation once he knew he would hit the line with his lead intact?
Tomorrow sounds ghastly as a 'spectacle'.
1989 for the YJ obv.
Or (like Contador) genuinely 'stuffed'? Another sign that the peleton is cleaning up?
OOI when was the last time all the podium positions went down to the wire on the last day? Ont news they were going on about the last day traditionally being a victory parade.
I just thought that Froome was knackered and after trying to gap Quintana and Rodriguez, and had nothing left in the tank when they chased back on and went past him.
I just thought that Froome was knackered and after trying to gap Quintana and Rodriguez, and had nothing left in the tank when they chased back on and went past him.
Ocasionally there's a final timetrial on the last day, in that case we can have a very thrilling finish.
Ocasionally there's a final timetrial on the last day, in that case we can have a very thrilling finish.
As I'm sure you of all forumites know, 1989 wasn't even the first time GC was decided on a final stage time trial.
God this is dull.
What do you mean? Froome's been dropped while being caught on camera in the act of ingesting banned substances!
What do you mean? Froome's been dropped while being caught on camera in the act of ingesting banned substances!
Not banned in cycling, though! (It is banned in aeronautics, archery, automobile, karate, motorcycling, and powerboating.)
Even if it was banned, the French would still allow it.What do you mean? Froome's been dropped while being caught on camera in the act of ingesting banned substances!
Not banned in cycling, though! (It is banned in aeronautics, archery, automobile, karate, motorcycling, and powerboating.)
You're absolutely right - I've been misinformed.
I just looked it up to check and apparently it's banned in tenpin bowling too!
It's been rare for much to happen on the final day. There's sometimes an attack, but it rarely goes anywhere, because the sprinters teams want to have a go. I'd imagine that's what will happen today, too many of the sprinters want a go, not least being Cav.
That fly past was impressive.
Why is there a tomb for an unknown shoulder? Phiggett has mentioned it twice now.
It hasn't really started until Jens Voigt goes off the front.
God this is dull.
It's getting a bit interesting now though. Are they going to reel him in...
Please tell me that Liggo didn't confuse the Moon for the Sun just then!
"For Froome the bell tolls.."
"For Froome the bell tolls.."
Cav will have to get a better lead-out train to have a better chance.
Not really. It's not "the sprinters'" jersey.No, but perhaps it should be?
Didn't affect the result, but jeez that was a hell of kick of Cav's back wheel - he almost Endo'd over the line :o.
Not really. It's not "the sprinters'" jersey.No, but perhaps it should be?
I hated Sagan before this tour, but he is turning into a bit of a legendary character, wheelies at the top of Annecy, green beards etc. However, i'm not sure his performance overall should justify a jersey.
Or maybe I just dislike the Argos-Shimano kit so much that i'd want Kittel to be in green.
Don't you love it when commentators keep trotting out, "It won't sink in for a few days"? How would they know? I bet it sank in immediately, judging by Chris's tears at the end.
So. Where next for Team Sky?
Only a month til the Vuelta!!
Next week there will be a big Tour shaped hole in my evenings....
Is Armstrong watching telly tonight?
Is Armstrong watching telly tonight?
They had Hinault and Indurain as sample great champions for the 100th finish podium
One can't fail to see the irony that Indurain gets feted but Armstrong isn't even there
might be a slight downer at the OPQS party tonight - they still haven't worked out how to do a proper leadout, wheras A-S have had it pretty well nailed.
So. Where next for Team Sky?
Hopefully more of the same!
(But with cars that don't have problems due to a bit of internal flooding)
Really? I watched Eurosport for most of the tour.
What a Tour! I can't recall enjoying a Tour so much, largely thanks to ITV4.
might be a slight downer at the OPQS party tonight - they still haven't worked out how to do a proper leadout, wheras A-S have had it pretty well nailed.
I think even with a perfect lead-out he might just have been outpowered by Kittel.
Good to see Hinault looking well.
\o/Next week there will be a big Tour shaped hole in my evenings....
Next month you'll be riding some of those roads :)
Bet they won't want any more of this either. Don't ask me wtf it was all about
Really? I watched Eurosport for most of the tour.
What a Tour! I can't recall enjoying a Tour so much, largely thanks to ITV4.
Sequins :facepalm:
Just saw the BBC News bit on the TdF. They just can't get through a TdF story, even tonights, without whining out about the "suspicions" about Froome.
oh, I don't know, if the line had been 5m further down the road I think Cav would have had it. He was gaining on the other two as they went over the line.might be a slight downer at the OPQS party tonight - they still haven't worked out how to do a proper leadout, wheras A-S have had it pretty well nailed.
I think even with a perfect lead-out he might just have been outpowered by Kittel.
So. Where next for Team Sky?
Hopefully more of the same!
(But with cars that don't have problems due to a bit of internal flooding)
Bet they won't want any more of this either. Don't ask me wtf it was all about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHJistBOCu8&feature=youtu.be
So. Where next for Team Sky?
Hopefully more of the same!
(But with cars that don't have problems due to a bit of internal flooding)
Bet they won't want any more of this either. Don't ask me wtf it was all about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHJistBOCu8&feature=youtu.be
A bunch of French behaving like pricks, basically.
The cameraman (french) was disgusted at the racism of his countrymen. It seems that knob in the polka jersey had reversed into ten Sky car and then attacked them shouting that they weren't 'at home' etc. Cameraman applauds Sky and say they were the best team.
So. Where next for Team Sky?
Hopefully more of the same!
(But with cars that don't have problems due to a bit of internal flooding)
Bet they won't want any more of this either. Don't ask me wtf it was all about
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHJistBOCu8&feature=youtu.be
A bunch of French behaving like pricks, basically.
The cameraman (french) was disgusted at the racism of his countrymen. It seems that knob in the polka jersey had reversed into ten Sky car and then attacked them shouting that they weren't 'at home' etc. Cameraman applauds Sky and say they were the best team.
Spotty falls down :D
Really quite strange that the Green Jersey was one by somebody who was no where near the best sprinter.
..'this is one yellow jersey that will stand the test of time' - Chris Froome
Not really. It's not "the sprinters'" jersey.
Cav will have to get a better lead-out train to have a better chance.
Renshaw's on his way to OPQS next season which should help
Sean Kelly won 4 TdF green jerseys. On only one of those Tdfs did he win a stage.
Only a month til the Vuelta!!
Sequins :facepalm:
Sequins on a bike jersey. A welcome change to the Rapha catalogue I think, though Mrs Dan says I have to sew my own on.
Good race though, I've enjoyed that.
Really? I watched Eurosport for most of the tour.
What a Tour! I can't recall enjoying a Tour so much, largely thanks to ITV4.
ITV ad breaks were long and frequent and one actually occurred when Froome attacked up to Ax 3 Domaines.
Eurosport ads are only about 3 ads in length and the dulcet tones of Carlton and Kelly soothe me.
Not really. It's not "the sprinters'" jersey.
Didn't they change the scoring a couple of years ago with the aim of favouring the sprinters?
The mountain classification scoring was changed this year, giving more points for the HC and 1st category climbs.
This in contrast with the Giro and the Vuelta where they don't distinguish between the mountain and flat stages. In the Vuelta Mollema and Rodriguez had a great fight over the points jersey. Mollema won because he dared to enter the final bunch sprint while Rodriguez didn't. Just a few points in the lower spots were enough.
Tweet from Dr Hutch:
A radio station rings 'Would you like to come on our lunchtime show and talk about the question of how British Froome is?' No. I wouldn't.
:thumbsup:
Still, Cav will be back next year, with Renshaw back as his leadout man, so that should get his opposition quaking with fear.
Tweet from Dr Hutch:
A radio station rings 'Would you like to come on our lunchtime show and talk about the question of how British Froome is?' No. I wouldn't.
:thumbsup:
ISTR he's previously turned down opportunities to discuss how Irish Dan Martin is too. Good for him!
The mountain classification scoring was changed this year, giving more points for the HC and 1st category climbs. The green jersey points scoring has always been more favouring for the flat stages. This in contrast with the Giro and the Vuelta where they don't distinguish between the mountain and flat stages. In the Vuelta Mollema and Rodriguez had a great fight over the points jersey. Mollema won because he dared to enter the final bunch sprint while Rodriguez didn't. Just a few points in the lower spots were enough.Tour of Britain has a points and a sprinters jersey doesn't it? One for pure stage finishing points and one with intermediate sprints? Or is my memory failing me again.
Sky is an international team, and Froome is an international rider. Brits can be proud, Kenyans can be proud, South Africans can be proud, but, most importantly, cycling fans can be proud and impressed by his achievement.
Sky is an international team, and Froome is an international rider. Brits can be proud, Kenyans can be proud, South Africans can be proud, but, most importantly, cycling fans can be proud and impressed by his achievement.
Yeah, I'm surprised more hasn't been made of him being the first African winner of the Tour. But then maybe I'm just not seeing it because I only look at the British press.
Personally, I see no conflict in him being both a British and an African winner.
Bizarre that his nationality is even considered an issue when one of the most popular riders on the Tour this year, even among people who have questioned Froome's British credentials, was a Colombian - who, in fact, isn't actually all that popular back home because of slightly unsavoury attitudes towards his "Indian" heritage (this according to my dad, who has lots of Colombian friends).
He's reportedly had racist hassle from French, US and Australian riders (but didn't say anything about british riders).
On a lighter note, was Ned Boulting trying to subtly ask Peter Sagan if his collar and cuffs matched? :demon: ;D
Cav was well beaten. His leadout was going so well until they were just about to hit the Place de la Concorde for the last time. Steegmans looked round, saw a Cannondale rider on his wheel and sat up, allowing Argos to come past and take the best line through the dogleg onto the Champs-Élysées. It was lost at that moment. Though anyone else apart from Cav would have been a lot further back by the time they crossed the line.Wasn't it Trentin who sat up? Steegmans had let the cannondale rider in which screwed the leadout, allowing Argos to come past. Cav would have won from Kittels wheel, but was far too small to persuade Greipel to relinquish that spot.
I don't think anyone's commented on it, but I loved the new Arc de Triomphe turn.
OK, so they still had to tiptoe round a bit on the cobbles, but the old 2mph turn was a joke, and this is sooooo much more photogenic. :thumbsup:
I don't think anyone's commented on it, but I loved the new Arc de Triomphe turn.
OK, so they still had to tiptoe round a bit on the cobbles, but the old 2mph turn was a joke, and this is sooooo much more photogenic. :thumbsup:
He's reportedly had racist hassle from French, US and Australian riders (but didn't say anything about british riders).
I think you are taking the analogy too seriously(!)Froome sounds as British as some British born & raised pro riders who've spent years on the circuit in France, & I've never heard anyone question their nationality. He sounds at least as British as Virginia Wade. He doesn't sound like a South African, he sounds like what he is: someone who lived there long enough to have his accent influenced.
Anyways, Froome doesn't sound British. It's superficial, but that's the currency of public opinion.
+1Sky is an international team, and Froome is an international rider. Brits can be proud, Kenyans can be proud, South Africans can be proud, but, most importantly, cycling fans can be proud and impressed by his achievement.
Yeah, I'm surprised more hasn't been made of him being the first African winner of the Tour. But then maybe I'm just not seeing it because I only look at the British press.
Personally, I see no conflict in him being both a British and an African winner.
Bizarre that his nationality is even considered an issue when one of the most popular riders on the Tour this year, even among people who have questioned Froome's British credentials, was a Colombian - who, in fact, isn't actually all that popular back home because of slightly unsavoury attitudes towards his "Indian" heritage (this according to my dad, who has lots of Colombian friends).I'm hoping we see more of Quintana, for lots of reasons.
Sky is an international team, and Froome is an international rider. Brits can be proud, Kenyans can be proud, South Africans can be proud,Don't forget Monegasques.
As I see it, Indurain just got on with it, doing what everyone else did, & doing it pretty quietly. Armstrong made a big thing about being clean, & viciously bullied anyone who challenged it, while leading the pack in drug use.Is Armstrong watching telly tonight?They had Hinault and Indurain as sample great champions for the 100th finish podium
One can't fail to see the irony that Indurain gets feted but Armstrong isn't even there
I did wonder about Mig's presence. But I guess Lance was just in a different league, doping wise.
Froome sounds as British as some British born & raised pro riders who've spent years on the circuit in France, & I've never heard anyone question their nationality. He sounds at least as British as Virginia Wade. He doesn't sound like a South African, he sounds like what he is: someone who lived there long enough to have his accent influenced.Not that it matters ... but has Froome ever lived in Britain?
I've heard British actors speaking in stronger US accents after years living over there, without any questions being raised.
What presents itself as racial prejudice also has other dimensions.
Memory is hazy ... were Barloworld South African or British?
As I see it, Indurain just got on with it, doing what everyone else did, & doing it pretty quietly. Armstrong made a big thing about being clean, & viciously bullied anyone who challenged it, while leading the pack in drug use.
I think Indurain would probably have won just as much if everyone had been drug-free - only a little slower.
Armstrong didn't make a big thing about being clean, he just got asked the question a million times more than anyone else.
Armstrong didn't make a big thing about being clean, he just got asked the question a million times more than anyone else.
Ha! Good one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIl5RxhLZ5U
I think it's teh way Lance bullied and tried to destroy everyone who even hinted at him doping that really pisses people off.
Armstrong didn't make a big thing about being clean, he just got asked the question a million times more than anyone else.
Ha! Good one!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIl5RxhLZ5U
That's a NIKE advert.
I assume NIKE came to him with a gazillion dollars to make their commercial and he lied to them about doping.
I get it that Lance lied but not that he is in some way special in lying to the media and sponsors about it.
Even before the libel cases, I bet Lance was asked the question more often than Big Mig.Yes.
Or rather I would if there was any hope of proving it either way ...
I don't really see how protesting your innocence makes you more (or less) of a cheat. Trying to compare two wrongs seems pointless.
If Wiggo and Froome are both caught out in a 2017 investigation, which one will we consider the "worst cheat"?!? Wiggo cos he called the anon accusers cunts?
Someone upthread mentioned Sky's having luxury team cars (Jag). We should be grateful that the team wasn't brought into being in the 70s.* Imagine sending a team to the Tour backed up by Morris Marinas or Austin Maxis :facepalm:
*For the peduntz, yes I know Sky didn't exist then.
Someone upthread mentioned Sky's having luxury team cars (Jag). We should be grateful that the team wasn't brought into being in the 70s.* Imagine sending a team to the Tour backed up by Morris Marinas or Austin Maxis :facepalm:
*For the peduntz, yes I know Sky didn't exist then
The ANC Halfords team of the 80s seem to have had Maestros, Montegos and a Sherpa van.
The ANC Halfords team of the 80s seem to have had Maestros, Montegos and a Sherpa van.
Oooeerrr...The sheer glamour of pro cycling. "Family Magnets" ?
Hope your driving was better than Griffo's :o
Interesting Kittel-related stuff:
http://m.cyclingnews.com/news/cas-rules-uv-light-blood-treatments-in-germany-were-not-doping
Ok it's old news and in the past, but what strikes me about it is, what kind of medical professional would encourage an 18 year old to do something like this to themselves?
And elsewhere, the Cyclingnews forum went offline last Sunday evening, and still is. I'm wondering if Susan (admin) could see a team of expensive lawyers from Sky bearing down on her for some of the stuff posted in the Clinic.....
Some good stuff in the latest Secret Pro blog post:
http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/07/the-secret-pro-post-tour-de-france-edition/
Of course we in the peloton suspect certain riders are doping. We see each other day in and day out, and when some unnamed French team who had some issues in the Dauphine takes the piss out of the rest of the peloton in previous years then is back to normal this Tour and riding with a little less panache, we have to ask the question.