TdeF 2017

[Beardy]

Iz question ov enough hours 2 catch up with teh recording. F Aru crossed teh finish lien @ 6pm local tiem.

On this occasion I suppose I iz prepared to make exceptions, though given the extra time you have to rite it I will accept nothing short of a ripping yarn like description of toady's yarnfull ripping in the lumpy bits.
 

[Mr Larrington]

What I really want to know, though, is:

• What happened to the improbable-sounding Jhon Darwin Atapuma on the final descent, and
• How he, or indeed anyone, could end up with a name called Jhon Darwin Atapuma in the first place

Also, who was it who attacked Sir D Brailsford with the barrier?

[spesh]

Also, who was it who attacked Sir D Brailsford with the barrier?

Couldn't say, but I did see that SDB was having a bit of a spat with a Cycling News journalist earlier this week...

[T42]

And Contador's red and white bike is so pretty.

I was rather admiring Roglic's Bianchi during the descent.

I've never liked Bianchi green, three shades snottier than the snottyjumper*. With a name like Bianchi they should be brilliant, blazing white - like Alberto's Trek, in fact.


*M. Le Maire, vous nous avez haz tous infectés.

[Little Jim]

Also, who was it who attacked Sir D Brailsford with the barrier?

Couldn't say, but I did see that SDB was having a bit of a spat with a Cycling News journalist earlier this week...

We saw that last night in the highlights and I did wonder if the journo interviewing Sir Dave had spent 5 minutes asking innocuous questions while slowly manoeuvring him into position.

And what has happened to Quintana this race?  He is no where - is he ill or injured?  He was miles off the pace yesterday (quite literally I think) and yet it was a mountain stage where you would have expected him to do well.  He rode well in the Giro but is a very different rider now.

[citoyen]

And what has happened to Quintana this race? ... He rode well in the Giro

Answering your own question there.

[psyclist]

It feels like it is the last realistic chance for Bardet and Uran today, though its a mighty difficult task given how well Sky have performed when needed.

If by some miracle the gap was only say 10 seconds between 1st and 2nd come Sunday, would they actually race the last stage?

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Yes

[woollypigs]

Damn I forgot that La Course was on and live today. Though managed to turn on with 8km to go and local lass Lizzie is in the front and controlling the race. The other 7-9 are just about hanging on. 

[fd3]

Will it get its own highlight show or will it get a 5 min mention in the Tour highlights? 

[woollypigs]

I heard them speak about it yesterday on ITV so hopefully you will get a wee bit more than normal.

[woollypigs]

Brilliant win for Annemiek van Vleuten and second for Lizzie. I know that ITV might not read this, but PLEASE show more !!!

[Legs]

Will it get its own highlight show or will it get a 5 min mention in the Tour highlights?

Well, it got full live coverage on ITV4, and it's available on catch-up, so ITV4'd be forgiven (IMO) for just giving it a cursory mention and getting on with the 7pm highlights show.

[Ian H]

And what has happened to Quintana this race? ... He rode well in the Giro

Answering your own question there.

Merckx managed to win both in a year, three times. 

[mattc]

Brilliant win for Annemiek van Vleuten and second for Lizzie. I know that ITV might not read this, but PLEASE show more !!!

I hope they show Highlights; it will be exciting finding out who wins!

[Veloman]

And what has happened to Quintana this race? ... He rode well in the Giro

Answering your own question there.

Merckx managed to win both in a year, three times. 

And as you well know that was in a time when dates were different and team tactics that we see in races of today did not exist.  So comparisons of old may be considered a tad meaningless which I am sure you are aware of by your winky face.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Indurain did it a couple of times.

[Legs]

...and Pantani.

[citoyen]

Merckx managed to win both in a year, three times. 

Yeah, but he was a doping git.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

And how is this different?

[Veloman]

There you go:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Crown_of_Cycling#Winning_two_grand_tours_in_one_year

[Hot Flatus]

And how is this different?

Talking of which...

stark contrast between the ethical behaviour of Tim Wellens, (who abandoned the Tour rather than use a TUE) and self-proclaimed 'whiter than whiter Team Sky, who not only refuse to join the MPCC (because they "hold themself to a higher standard"       )    but USE Tues to win races.

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/tim-wellens-refuses-tue-treat-illness-abandons-tour-de-france-342198

[citoyen]

And how is this different?

 

[Wowbagger]

Can someone explain something please?

There's a graphic on the ITV4 screen which shows a chequered flag, numeral 1, the distance left in the stage, a double-ended arrow, numeral 2, a yellow jersey, and then a time, currently over 8 minutes.

Does that really mean that the yellow jersey is 8 minutes behind the stage leader?

[Legs]

Yes.  It's a soft break - the best-positioned on GC is more than half an hour behind, so it's of little consequence overall.  The GC contenders will almost certainly catch them all by the end of the Izoard.