UKC

In reply to Christheclimber:
Thats funny.

This one is better
youtube.com/watch?v=cbv3N-qt2EI&

In reply to Graham T:

This one is scary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pya6ZVW-oKg&feature=related

In reply to Christheclimber: Just seen the highlights on eurosport, that was a great finish by Cavendish....he looked well out of it but came fron nowhere and did it on his own. It reminded me of one of his finishes last year, the one after Renshaw had been disqualified....I think after that stage where Cav won he reminded everyone that he had been a 'jumpy sprinter' long before he had the HTC train leading him out...

In reply to abr1966:

Any thoughts on tomorrow?
Dinan to Lisieux which is the longest stage 226.5km. It has a steep climb before the finish so the sprinters will really have to work to win.
Are they deliberately making it harder for the sprinters this year?
Cav to win???

In reply to Christheclimber:

Cav thinks so. French bias again?

In reply to Lord of Starkness:

And those Boardman Halfords voice overs "When my team had to lift me off my bike I knew I had given it everything" WTF!!

In reply to Ady Short: I wonder why Vegas keeps pedalling oversized clothes at cycling fans. It's not like the average cyclist is 5XL.

In reply to Escher:

They've definitely reduced the number of flat and straight run-ins for bunch sprints. And I do think they've done it as a reaction to HTC crushing the sprints. But, I don't think it's necessarily a French bias that's motivating it, I think it's purely for making the race more interesting. You have to admit that in the flat stages with straight run-ins that it is quite formulaic and rather boring when the HTC train just absolutely crushes the final 10km (same with when it was Fassa Bortolo, Acqua & Sapone, etc). Yesterday's win for Cav was far more interesting to watch.

Remember, they did the same thing during the Armstrong years with respect to knocking down the length and number of time trials. The race organizers need to keep viewership as high as possible, and if a certain someone or some team make certain stages too predictable, it's time to shake it up a bit.

In reply to highcamp:

Should it be renamed the English Tour? 7 of top 10 are native English speakers. The other 3 are Nor and Den, which is pretty close.

In reply to MikeTS: nearly the end of the first week and 3 brits in the top 10. didn`t see that coming. theres a couple of mid mountain stages this weekend which should mix things up a bit . but the proper climbs dont start til next thursday.

In reply to tim000: and emma pooleys doing well in italy.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/529275/pooley-moves-up-to-second...

In reply to MikeTS:

1. Thor Hushovd, Team Garmin – Cervelo, in 22h 50′ 34″
2. Cadel Evans, BMC Racing Team, at 00:01
3. Frank Schleck, Team Leopard-Trek, at 00:04
4. David Millar, Team Garmin – Cervelo, at 00:08
5. Andréas KlÖden, Team RadioShack, at 00:10
6. Bradley Wiggins, Sky Procycling, at 00:10
7. Geraint Thomas, Sky Procycling, at 00:12
8. Boasson Hagen Edvald, Sky Procycling, at 00:12
9. Jakob Fuglsang, Team Leopard-Trek, at 00:12
10. Andy Schleck, Team Leopard-Trek, at 00:12

I count 4, but I get what you mean.... definitely a great year for GB at the Tour so far. Great showing for Sky today. Cadel is doing phenomenal as well... just hope he doesn't have one of his Cadel Days where things implode. Still, this time next week, I reckon people will start calling it the ContaTour.

Sí.

In reply to highcamp:

Cav will stand more chance tomorrow

In reply to highcamp:

Great effort from the British guys som far

In reply to highcamp: be interesting to know what they'd do if there was a dominant French sprinter, but yes it is making for an interesting tour so far and Cav's win was epic. Can't wait for the mountains.

I thought it was an outstanding ride today by Malori. Breakaway groups inevitably get caught but after a long ride alone, he looked like he may manage to keep the lead. Holding the main field off for so long, doing in effect a time trial was fantastic to see, the lad has promise.

In reply to highcamp:


First stage win in tdf, so a big day for sky. No doubt it will be the lead item on sky news, but then it is a bit of a slow news day....

In reply to Escher:

Ha! If France had a sprinter with a viable shot at a stage victory, you better believe every stage of that Tour would consist of laps up and down the Champs Elysees.... one day clockwise, the next day counter-clockwise.... repeat for 3 weeks.

In reply to Chris the Tall:
... but then it is a bit of a slow news day....

Well it is for the Murdoch press....

Schlecks are English speaking aren't they?

Does anyone else think Cadel Evans looks like a bewitched ventriloquists dummy/ Mr Punch doll - or is it just me?

In reply to MikeTS:

They're from Luxembourg, so no.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4JUwuBkEUHk/TPQqf7sJFbI/AAAAAAAAABs/RxOrSvVi5vI/s...

Cadel Evans


vs

http://walshworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/cadel_evans_port_wideweb__470...

Ventriloquist's Dummy

In reply to jfw:
Definately has a "Punch me face"

Looks like HTC are going to have top do all the work. Oops (Bump) big crash. Wiggins is down.

In reply to Christheclimber:

Wiggins is down and out!!!

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

Buger just realised I am watching on 4+1 not live!!!

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

Buger? Bugger me I am also watching on 4+1 my excuse is I fell asleep when I got home after work. What's yours

In reply to all:

NO Brad's out damm now I have to change my GC rider
I was really hoping he was going to do something this year

In reply to Christheclimber: Gutted for Wiggins.

In reply to wayno265:

Real shame for Brad and the Sky team............. still watching on catch up!

In reply to wayno265: Yeah, I'm absolutely gutted for him. Everything was going his way but the moment I saw him with one arm supporting the other I knew he had a bust collarbone.

I'm picking Cadel now for the GC, and for Geraint to win a stage at some point.

Cavendish was quality again. How he copes with the pressure of everyone saying 'he'll win' I'm not really sure.

In reply to Mr Fuller:

What a great finish for a moment I thought Cav was not going to do it.

In reply to Christheclimber:

Still can't believe Brad is out he was in such great form and was in with a real chance.
Well done to Cav and his excellent HTC team, he looked really surprised when he was told about Brad."Gutted"

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

Hushovd is going well all top 10 finishes I think.

In reply to Christheclimber:


Definitely feel for Wiggins, but I feel worse for Horner.... 39 and in the best shape of his life, pretty much the last chance at a podium. Word is he hit his head hard and is at the hospital getting checked for concussion. Chances are if he really rung his bell, he won't be starting tomorrow.

So who's realisitally left for the podium? AC, Cadel, A.Schleck, F.Schleck... "maybe" Kloden or Gesink as longshots. Losing Wiggins, Leipheimer, and Horner from the GC all plays better for AC, that's for sure.

[EDIT TO ADD: just read on German Radsport that after the initial crash Horner didn't know where he was or what happened... didn't believe JB telling him that he crashed.... Tour doctor was waiting for Horner at the finish line. If true, JB needs a punch in the mouth for not putting Horner in an ambulance immediately after the wreck.]

In reply to highcamp:

Amazing anecdote is it true?

In reply to Christheclimber:

Did you see that after Bradley Wiggins crashed, he tried to get back on his bike. He was resting his left wrist on the handlebars and was trying to get on, when some very wise people gently moved him away.
What a race focus.

But he and his team will be gutted.

I liked Mark Cavendish's reaction to the news on his post-victory interview. He does wear his heart on his sleeve, and sometimes his heart is definitely in the right place (sorry for the mixed metaphors).

In reply to Christheclimber:


Wow!!! Cannot believe they let Horner back on the bike. Really irresponsible. Check this video (watch it to the end)....

http://video.bicycling.com/video/Chris-Horner-Post-Stage-7-Crash

In reply to highcamp:

Bloody hell. Did I hear that right, they let him ride on even though he was asking where he was and what happened?

In reply to Toby S:

Reading reports that he was actually momentarily unconscious while in the ditch. But they still let him ride because 'he wanted to get back on the bike.'

It's crazy in that vid how while getting loaded in the ambulance at the finish that he'd already forgotten that he indeed just finished the stage. Not good. Really disgusted by JB not looking out for his rider, same with the team doctor.

In reply to Christheclimber: wow.. thats pretty fecking irresponsible

In reply to highcamp: The same bruyneel who has encouraged riders to dope. The guy has a very dodgy record. Not the only team director either.

In reply to highcamp:

Thamks for posting this. Hard to believe

So who do you think is going to win todays stage?

In reply to Christheclimber:

Schleck ???

In reply to Christheclimber: To late to say Tejay?

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

Which one?

In reply to Swirly:

BMC seem keen to lead out Cadel Evans and get him in the yellow jersey. I'll say Evans for the win.

In reply to Swirly:

He is still up there! Vinoukorov (sp) going strong

In reply to Christheclimber: Very pleased that vino didn't win or take yellow

Excellent effort by Gilbert to take green and hushovd to stay in yellow. Wonder if Cav will give up on green and just concentrate on stage wins, Gilbert will pick up far more points on the hilly stages

In reply to Chris the Tall: cav definitely won't give up on yellow jersey, plenty of opportunities for him to win stages. I'd say he has an excellent chance this year of pulling on the green jersey, and even if he declares stage wins to be his priority I'd say that jersey is very important for him. He has a chance on tuesday and wednesay before the high mountains. Go Cav!

In reply to jamesgreenfield: ha ha, that should have read won't give up on green jersey, no pretensions for GC

In reply to Chris the Tall:

I don't think Cav will get the green, he should just go all out for satge wins this is what he is best at (sprints not climbs).
Gilbert will take the green he was really strong today.

In reply to jamesgreenfield:

I'd like to see Cav go for green but not sure he will do it with Gilbert being a stronger overall rider but lets hope. As you say come on Cav.

In reply to Theho: have been out there in preivous years get there very early to grab the best spot where ever you go it is an amazeing day out enjoy

In reply to tri:

Vino and Van der Brook out now!

In reply to Christheclimber:
Spoilers, people! This is meant to be the safe thread for people who are planning to watch the highlights later...

In reply to Ramblin dave:

You don't have to read the thread it clearly is about the Tour de France which is live on TV

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Why are you reading the thread if you do not want to know what is happening? As the tour is live it will bve commented on "live"

In reply to gritstoneclimber: Because in threads that comment on live events usually have the word spoiler attached.

In reply to Christheclimber:

Plenty of action today with crashes etc. Vino? has broken elbow and a guy has just been taken out by a car, missed the name, Voeckler going well looking to get the lead yellow?

In reply to Christheclimber: Vino's bust his leg according to 5 live.

In reply to wayno265:

Lots of action. How many have had to drop out today? Gilbert looking good for green.

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

He is clearly wanting the green has been riding really well. Cav may just have to go for stage wins.

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

It was Juan Fletcha from Sky who are not having the best of luck perhaps its the Murdoch influence!

In reply to Christheclimber:

It's a joke that the best sprinter in the world by a country mile can't seriously contest the green jersey. It devalues the competition IMO.

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

Strange move from Gilbert the way he changed his bike

In reply to gritstoneclimber:

You were right about Voeckler he will be in yellow

Is the Tour getting more dangerous? So many crashes so far and some really bad injuries again today. Is it because the cyclists are a lot fitter and has become more cut throat? There seems to be less comeraderie (sp)

In reply to Christheclimber:

not so sure i'm enjoying the TdF this year, it maybe exciting but for all the wrong reasons. i have a bad feeling we haven't seen the worst crashes yet

In reply to Christheclimber:

I was wondering that too, but then remembered back on the years when there were routine bunch sprint crashes in the final 500m of flat stages.... top speed close-quarter wrecks that went from barrier to barrier, with bodies and bikes stacked 3-4 high. Those were insanely dangerous and usually resulted in multiple people crossing the finish line in the back of an ambulance.

What's unique about this year is how many GC contenders are getting picked off in the wrecks.

In reply to wayno265:

The best sprinter in the country is doing ok in the contest for most consistent rider. Seems reasonable to me. how does it devalue the competition?

In reply to Alan Taylor:

With or without the word spoiler you'd have to be a bit of a numpty to click on a thread titled "TDF 2011" when you want to watch the highlights later.

Anyway - have you all seen this:
http://www.nieuwsblad.be/article/detail.aspx?articleid=DMF20110710_089

E

In reply to Enty: I should not have clicked on that. Ouch

In reply to Enty: Watched it on channel 4 highlights just now....shocking and seeing him somersaulting turned my stomach over. Tough guy to get back on to finish the stage but he looked well shook up by it.

In reply to Enty:

Bloody hell, that's got to smart a bit very lucky.

That car driver wasn't paying attention, do'nt think he saw the tree until he was in a position where he couldn't stop (and maybe swerved with instinct)

Don't understand why the 2 riders involved can't be awarded the same time as the group they were with it seems awfully unfair that they are now that far back through no fault of their own.

In reply to Enty: dont think he is going to last the tour with his Arse in tatters, Chapeau for getting back on the bike and finishing for the spots

In reply to jethro kiernan:

The cuts on his arse are cosmetic compared to the gash on his knee; there's white visible!!, and that is most definitely not good. Hopefully the barb just exposed it and didn't knick it. He'll most definitely have to violate the "No needle" policy today as he'll need at minimum a tetanus booster. Don't think he'll be coming back. Even if he didn't knick the tendon/bone, that gash is at a flex point, which means stitches there won't hold up to a 90 cadence for 5hrs. There's no benefit at this point for him to keep going. Better to heal up and compete at full strength later in the season. Chapeau for being tough as nails to claim his well deserved KOM jersey.

In reply to Enty:

What a star for finishing though, if that was me I'd be lying on the ground squealing for an ambulance. These guys are incredible athletes and make those pampered primadonnas in the Premiership look like a right bunch of fairies.

Velo news published the list of todays injuries earlier...

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/07/news/andrew-hoods-2011-tour-de-franc...

Medical report

Crash at 40km: Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel-Euskadi), fractured collarbone, transported to hospital; Lars Bak (HTC-Highroad), cuts, scrapes to right elbow; David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo), trauma to right elbow; Jean-Christophe Perraud (Omega Pharma-Lotto), cuts to right elbow, knee; Marcus Burghardt (BMC), scrapes to left knee, elbow.

Crash at 100km: Alexander Vinokourov (Astana), fractured right femur, evacuated by ambulance; Jurgen Van den Broeck (Omega Pharma-Lotto), fractured shoulder blade, evacuated by ambulance; Frederik Willems (Omega Pharma-Lotto), fractured clavicle; David Zabriskie (Garmin-Cervelo), probable fractured wrist; Brent Bookwalter (BMC), cuts to left shoulder, knee, light head trauma.

Crash at 130km: Yaroslav Popovych (RadioShack), cuts to left elbow.

Crash at 170km: Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil), multiple cuts and scrapes, transported to local hospital; Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky), multiple cuts and scrapes.

Marco Marcato (Vacansoleil), Arnaud Coyot (Saur-Sojasun), digestive problems.

Grega Bole (Lampre), pain in left knee

In reply to Toby S:

Typical cheating french really. Just run over the other guys so the frenchman can win the stage!

In reply to highcamp:

Cav reckons that a lot of the riders are not good enough hence the crashes in the peleton!!?? Re interview last week?

In reply to Enty:


Bl**dy hell ouch

In reply to Christheclimber:

What a guy to have the courage to finish

In reply to Christheclimber: Impressive tan lines!

In reply to Christheclimber:
That was a pity awful crash to witness. Amazed that Hoogerland finished the stage after that, let's hope he can continue. Well done to voekler for taking yellow, but wish casar had got the stage win, he always seems to be trying something. Wonder if flecha would have taken it, but for the crash. More bad luck for sky

In reply to DanH9883:

Only a Frenchman didn't win the stage...

In reply to Byronius Maximus:
Bump...

In reply to Byronius Maximus:

Thus proving how devious they can be

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Actually, my wife said it was a woman driving, not a he

In reply to Tiberius:

The TV car has been thrown out and in other news:

Jurgen Van Den Broeck will stay in intensive care for two or three days as he recovers from his injuries after crashing out on a descent during Sunday’s ninth stage to Saint Flour.
The Omega Pharma-Lotto team leader fractured three ribs, his shoulder blade and also suffered from a collapsed lung. He initially tried to continue in the race but the pain was too great and doctors feared he had suffered a ruptured spleen or liver damage.

Tried to carry on with a collapsed lung - nice one!!

E

In reply to Christheclimber: first positive test of the tour. let hope it`s the last.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kolobnev-tour-de-frances-first-doping-case

In reply to Enty:

Yeah, incredible effort. These guys really are unbelievable athletes. You could tell how much pain Hoogerland was in when he started to break down in the interview at the end but he still managed to finish the stage. Truly inspirational!

In reply to Byronius Maximus:

I thought he was crying because he's Wouter Weylandt's mate and he was lucky to be alive.
You're right though - tough nuts the lot of em.

E

In reply to Enty:
He's going to give it a go tomorrow, see how he gets on. Gutted for him as he really wanted to give the mountains jersey a good shot and thought he had a chance.
As a dutchie it's great to have riders leading the standings in 2 competitions (Gesink as well), but sadly they're both cycling wounded so may not hold on to their leads for long.

In reply to Enty:

Ah yes, hadn't looked at it that way, maybe you're right.

Very excited to find out that the TdF is going right through the area where I'll be on holiday next week. Any tips for choosing where to go to watch them? I'll be staying in Ailfroide, so nearest place would be to watch them come through Argentiere La Bessee (stage 17, wed), but wondering if it would be better to try and watch one of the hill climbs, Col d'Izoard is probably the closest.
I saw at the top of this post advice to get there the night before and camp - is this generally the best way, or are there ways of just getting close on the day? How long are the roads likely to be closed each side of the estimated times they will come through?
Final question, on the time schedules what do the 38.0, 36.0 and 34.0 times refer to?

thanks

In reply to cavegirl99:
Average speeds - for that stage they will be expected to average 36kmph, but they aslo estimate times should they be a couple of ks quicker or slower than that.

In reply to cavegirl99:

Definitely try to get to a hill. On the flat they will pass you in a few seconds (still good to see) but on a big hill it will be much longer and you will actually be able to identify individual riders (although they still go past impressively quickly even on the steepest climbs). If you do go for a hill, it will be busy, and you will have to walk/cycle there and be there quite early. I suppose that camping is a good way of getting the best spot (and people in campervans start arriving a couple of days before the tour goes through), but there's always a way to get a good spot if you are happy to walk or cycle.

There's a real festival spirit around the tour though, so waiting is actually quite fun even before the calvacade of promotional vehicles comes through ahead of the tour giving out free tat.

In reply to cavegirl99:

Yes - always best to get there the night before - the mountains will be rammed with fat sunburned Dutchies in campervans.

I would have a look at the Galibier (Thursday) - if you head up the night (better the afternoon) prior and try get parked on the turn up from the Lauteret.

If you do want to see the 17th stage try somewhere like Montgenevre - it is a Cat 2 climb so they will be hurting by then. Either way, try to be on a mountain so that they don't just come hurtling past and it is all done in 30 seconds.

I don't think they do the D'Izoard this year. Could be wrong.

Well Cav beaten on the line!

In reply to John Rushby:

They do, after the Agnel then a finish on the Galibier - It's a monster.

E

In reply to Enty:

Ah, so it is on the Galiber day. I did the Telegraph, Galibier and Alp D'Huez in one day.

I died on my arse.

In reply to Christheclimber: Having never watched it before I'm rapidly getting quite hooked on this, I was bored on one of the flat races last week, but since then its been addictive!

Thanks for all the replies, I thought about the Col d'Izoard as it might be a bit quieter than the Galibier.

In reply to cavegirl99: how is there not going to be a crash at the finish?...conditions look evil...

In reply to La Shamster:

....and now Cav is in Green whoop whoop!

In reply to La Shamster:

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssss.

Cheers

Toby

In reply to Christheclimber:
Looks like he's going for it properly as well - he's been chasing intermediate sprint points for the last couple of days...

In reply to cavegirl99:

I've done quite a few of the Alpine Cols and the Izoard is my fave and it's one of the prettiest. Try to get down to the Casse Deserte about 2km down from the summit on the south side.

E

In reply to La Shamster:

If you want to post spoilers please do it in another thread with spoilers inthe title....

At least it's good news this time!

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Or do what I do and don't click on a thread titled "Tour de France 2011" before I've seen the highlights.

E

In reply to balmybaldwin:

With respect I've already been caught on this thread in the same way seems like this thread is one to avoid before you've caught up.

In reply to La Shamster: Yeah, likewise.

Would it be possible for a mod to just stick <spoilers> in the title to avoid confusion?

In reply to Ramblin dave:

I did suggest that we had a separate post thread for each stage maybe with the date.

In reply to La Shamster:

Yeah, but that would require people to make an effort, hence probably won't happen...

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Lol I'll do one now for tomorrow and see if it works.

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Just watched the highlights great win for Cav and a great lead out for him.
Just seen he has the green.
Two sprints left I think in Montpellier and Paris.

In reply to Enty:

correct. said it before . if you dont want to know the results dont look at anything to do with cycling.i dont.

In reply to Christheclimber:

That was a great ride by HTC today, bringing it back in the last 10k in hard conditions....Cav delivers to top it off, a quality ride for sure...

In reply to abr1966:

It may have been accidental but Geraint Thomas seemed unexplicably to set up the lead out for Cav.

In reply to abr1966:

And in terrible conditions.
Now for the mountains let's see what the big guns can do. Can't wait.
Hope to watch highlights as I am out climbing tomorrow.

In reply to Mooncat:

Accidental? You've been around longer than that Moony?

E

In reply to Mooncat: Aye I noticed that!....wonder when his sky contract is up!!

In reply to Christheclimber: Agreed. I think Cadel looks strong, hard to tell yet with Schleck and Contador could make a lot of time up over the next few days...

In reply to abr1966:

Or perhaps soon Sky poach Cav for their leaderless team.

In reply to johnj: Quite possible but I always saw them as trying for a GC leader rather than stages. I'd like to see Cav there but he looks happy with HTC, G could be unhappy if he's always going to have to work for Wiggins and never be supported with his own ambition. It'll be interesting to see how he does now the mountains are here..

In reply to abr1966:

Yeah G's got a chance now to see what he's got in the big hills, I hope he has a good ride.

In reply to Enty:
Meant tongue in cheek, probably practicing the lead out for when Cav's at Sky next year.

In reply to Christheclimber: Does Sean Yates share a voicebox with Ozzy Osbourne?

In reply to tim000:

Exactly, the thread is clearly about the race, if you don't want to know the results don't look at the thread. I don't understand why folk are getting their knickers in a twist about it. Better that than clogging up the forums with a new thread every day about each stage.

In reply to Christheclimber:
Here's a question to the experts

Would Griepl be as successful as Cav if he had the backing of the HTC team ?

I know the TDF organisers are trying to make it harder for Cav, but do any of his sprint rivals have a whole team dedicated to them ?

In reply to Toby S:
Quite agree - safe in mornings, spoilers in the afternoon.

Of course you have to avoid various news sites in the afternoons as well. And then when you notice that this thread has had a dozen posts around 4 o clock you get the feeling that something big has happened. Has Cav won or has he crashed and gone out....

In reply to Christheclimber: Live on Eurosport now - and online here http://sports-livez.com/channel/ch-7.php

In reply to Lord of Starkness:

Missed all the action yesterday including the highlights yesrerday.
Fill me on the highlights please.
And any predictions for today?

In reply to Christheclimber:

It all went to hell, Contador beat Frank and Andy with a sh*ty stick and Evans cried when the Spanish steak eater turned on the power, Basso was nowhere to be seen.

Or was that last year :P

Contador lost more time and Frank looks the strongest out or Team Lepard, Evans is still in good form and Basso showed his head.

In reply to Christheclimber:

In summary:

Group of 7 or so (inc Geraint Thomas & Hoogerland) went out from peloton fairly early on, taking top 6 sprint points, when the peleton came through Cav got the 7th, HTC team mates seem to have changed tactics a bit, and made sure they got some of the other places between Cav and rivals for Green to improve points gain. Yellow Jersey in the peloton

First Mountain of the day (name escapes me) group goes over the top about 5 mins ahead of peleton, GT in 5th place, Hoogerland dropped from group, about 3 mins back. Some slipperyness on the first corner of descent meant GT went down, (and nearly off an edge) as did the lead riders of the peloton including the Yellow Jersey.

After a rnge of bike changes for various riders who came off, GT and one other (name?) broke clear of the leading group, and by half way up, GT had lost the other, although he came back ahead of the the top of the Tormoulet (sp?) and took the big points from GT time gap at this stage was about 7mins. No probs on the descent this time. Peloton driven up the Tormoulet by the Schlecks' team, who were looking very strong, and came up at quite a pace. Contador by comparison seemed to be struggling a bit more than the Schlecks with only one or 2 of his team around him. Evans and Yellow Jersey remained in contact all the way through.

At the start of the Luz Ardiden climb Evan Basso's team went out setting a high pace, which continued as his team dropped off, with some interesting game playing amoung Andy, Frank, AC, Evans and the YJ just holding on. Peloton rapidly caught the stragglers from the orignal lead group, and went on to go past GT. Sanchez and Vanendert break clear of the Pelotn. Attacks continued to the end from the Schlecks, with Frank eventually breaking clear and rapidly catching the lead pair who reacted at the last minute, Sammy Sanchez getting the win ahead of Vanendert, with Frank comming in 10s behind, Evans, Basso and Andy S, and Voeckler came in a further 30s back, with contador another 14s behind them.

So no real time gains, but an interesting tester and the pace was high so be interesting to see the effect on the legs by the end of the week.

A good day for the French who lead three of the five categories on Bastille Day. Voeckler is in yellow. Jeannesson has the white jersey and AG2R are the best team.

In reply to balmybaldwin:

Roy was the other rider in the lead with Thomas. And Voeckler was dropped in the final couple of Km of the last climb but did enough to retain the jersey. He finished 9th, 50 seconds behind the leader (and 17 seconds behind Contador). I was very impressed with his ride.

In reply to Christheclimber:
Whereas it looks like today, not much is going to happen in terms of the GC contenders, and it'll mostly be about a breakaway and (ironically for a stage including the aubisque) the green jersey...

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Currently there doesn't seem to be much between the main GC contenders and I don't think any of them are significantly stronger than the others to create and maintain a breakaway on a normal stage.

However there are still three mountain top finishes left which are realistically the only chances that any of them will have. Looking at yesterday's stage I think the Schlecks are in best position as they ride for the same team and being brothers are likely to work for each other better - they were taking it in turns to attack on the final climb yesterday - not easy to defend when you are relatively isolated like Contador and to a lesser extent Evans.

I think the podium will consist of the two Schlecks and Evans, not sure of the order. If Cav keeps picking up intermediate sprint points then he stands a very good chance of keeping on to the green jersey. Haven't checked how far Geraint Thomas is behind in the white jersey comp but if he continues to ride like he did yesterday then he stands a good chance.

Still a way to go yet though.

ALC

In reply to Monk:

So he was... missed Voeckler being dropped, it was a bit of an exciting finsh tho, and he did bloody well to keep the YJ... guuessing he'll have it until Sat now

In reply to balmybaldwin:

I was impressed by the way GT found the gap between the 2 parked cars, and managed to abandon ship before possibly going over a drop. Chasing back to the break and then riding away from them was impressive. Had he not had the crash and had to chase back on, he'd have stood a good chance of taking the stage. Chapeau!

In reply to a lakeland climber:

Yeah, sorry, I meant a breakaway by some random have-a-go-heroes with the GC contenders basically trying to avoid any mishaps.


Yes. Although on the evidence so far Gilbert is also capable of picking up points on stages like today's by climbing hard enough to lose the sprinters and then sprinting fast enough to beat the climbers.

From a partisan point of view it's tempting to moan that as soon as (arguably) the best sprinter in the pack is British, they come up with a course that makes it possible for an all-rounderish classics specialist like Gilbert to compete with the pure sprinters in the green jersey comp. But it does make for a much more interesting race.


Yes. For starters, it wouldn't be surprising if one or more of the big GC riders was planning on riding into fitness through the pyrenees and only really hitting his peak in the alps, but I couldn't say which one...

In reply to Christheclimber:
Nice move by the Schlecks. Seems to me that Andy is considered more of a threat, so the others were less worried about letting Frank get away. Now Frank is in the lead, Andy might be able to slip away.

Conto looks a spent force - presume the Giro took too much out of him, but then he didn't expect to ride here. I guess the days when you could win both are long gone.

In reply to Ramblin dave:

I think it's really odd that the award differant points in the green jersey comp depending upon the nature of the stage. I thought the green was for the most consistent finisher and not the best sprinter - he get's his rewards in terms of stage wins.

And I have to admit that if Cav wasn't british I'd be all in favour of the changes to make it harder for him so often. The efficiency of the HTC machine is pretty impressive, but it is a bit predictable

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Follow it live on your computer if not blocked;
http://www.letour.fr/us/index.html

In reply to Chris the Tall:

didn't realise they were different, I thought they still got 45points for the green for finishing first it's just that the people winning them tend to be nowhere in the points comp. doesn't seem logical for it to be different points given

In reply to sutty:
You can also live coverage on 5 live extra, although it's a tough decision with Radcliffe and Maconie on 6 music

In reply to balmybaldwin:
Yesterday it was a mere 20 points for the winner, same as at the intermediate sprint

In reply to Lord of Starkness:


Having watched all of it live yesterday I suspect yours is an overly partisan view. Thomas did brilliantly to get as far as he did but he truely exploded on that last climb & about 5/6km from the top. His 2 slips on the descent were relatively minor in terms of the time lost compared to how he faired after he blew up on that final climb. Boy has talent no doubt & may be someone to watch in future though he's still a ways a way from true greatness yet.

Thanks for all the very comprehensive catch up news from yesterday.

I'm watching live on ITV 4 but it is spoiled by the very frequent advertising breaks.

In reply to Christheclimber:

End or Stage surprising...............but do not want to spoil it if you haven't seen.

In reply to Christheclimber:

Oh good, can't wait!

In reply to Christheclimber: Ah, not just me then that found them annoying. I have taken to recording it so I can fastforward over them.

Not climbing today as it is wet so it's housework for me followed by TDF.

What is your prediction for today?

In reply to Christheclimber: Leading group of about 24 riders with 6 mins lead but 107 km to go...could be an interesting day today....if Contador is going to try and get time back it could be his day but there are plenty of fast descents also for those with the bottle.

My money would be on Schleck's today to have a go at Contador again..

In reply to abr1966:

Did not realise the race had started thanks for the prompt

In reply to Christheclimber: Millar in the group of 3 leading from the main breakaway....he's looking good this year and rode a strong tour so far.
It'll be interesting to see if Contador has anything in him today. Got to drive my kids around to various places this afternoon sadly and will have to stop watching soon, bugger!

Why is Millar committing suicide?

e

In reply to Christheclimber:
" when the team had to pick me off the floor a minute into the prologue, I knew I was having a bad race"

In reply to Christheclimber:

Someone get Jens some stabilisers...

In reply to LastBoyScout:

His English is very good though.

Jens to cameraman - "F*ck Off"

E

In reply to LastBoyScout:

So after his second tumble he realised he wouldn't get back on the break - so he loaded up with Bidons and food so when the boys came up to him he could feed the rest of his team. LEGEND!!

E

In reply to Enty:

Have you seen this: http://teamjva.com/jens-voigt-soundboard/

In reply to Toby S:

Brilliant! The guy is a living legend, if a slightly scarred one.

In reply to Christheclimber:
Slightly disappointing stage - great stuff by voekler, but too much wheel sucking by the gc candidates. Let's hope Alpe d'huez shakes things up, otherwise it will be down to the TT

In reply to Chris the Tall:

There's still a huge week to go, what did you expect today?
A lot of cagey/smart riding. Sure Evans would be happy to go to the TT with the current standings.
Galibier summit finish the day before Alp d'Huez could prove crucial.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

What do you mean? If you looked really (really) closely Evans put in a semi-attack for about 5 seconds. I'm not sure I've seen that before. I admit it was hard to see though, he did it in the crowds. He's a shy and sensitive type

In reply to niallk:

I saw him attack in Mendrisio in 2009.................

E

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Voekler had a great ride today. Andy Schlek is looking strong.

In reply to niallk:

I think Evans is looking better than he ever has. He seems to be riding like Armstrong used to; just marking people and staying calm the whole time. Have a feeling he's saved his energy for the alps.
Don't think Contador can be written off yet either. He looked much stronger today so maybe a sign that he's finding his legs again, though he does have quite a big gap to make up.
Or could Voeckler go and surprise us all and hold it all the way to Paris?!

In reply to Byronius Maximus:

fingers crossed, come on tommy(or as he was discribed on ITV this week a harry enfield impersonator)

In reply to tim000:

Yeah, there is a definite resemblance!

I like the guy - I think a lot of people do after his performance in 2004 (or was it 2005) - but I just can't bear for France's drought in Tour wins to come to and end...I'm sure they can drag it out for many more years and keep us all laughing

In reply to Enty:

Yes, I know, don't let that get in the way of a cheap jibe though!

Enjoyed the stage but was dissapointed in the lack of effective or protracted aggression.

Why do the commentators keep suggesting Sammy Sanchez can time trial? This is the guy who lost over two minutes to Menchov in the 2010 ITT while trying to hold onto a podium place.

If one of the brother Grimm doesn't put in a huge attack in the Alps they have no chance Andy needs 90 sec on Bertie and a minute on Evans, Frank about one minute and 30 secs on those two to have any chance. They might all regret not putting time into Bertie on Thursday though, a flat stage and a rest day might be all he needs to get himself strong enough to go on the offensive.

Awesome efforts by Tommy V to stay in yellow, imagine the crowds and atmosphere if he's still wearing it on the Alpe.

In reply to Swirly:



That would be unreal. I want Tommy to win now, don't think the schlecks dare go for it properly, and certainly don't want to see contador win it

In reply to Graham T:

I am liking his yellow Colnago

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/tour-de-france-tech-thomas-voecklers-...

In reply to Horse:
It does look nice, but would rather have it in dark blue or black

In reply to Christheclimber:

While not a decisive stage in terms of GC selection, today's performances were very interesting to watch. It's evident AC is not at top form this week. Personally, I don't think it's as a result of having ridden the Giro - I believe it's ailment related (perhaps that knee is more of a problem than Saxo is letting on). Anyway, what was interesting was that eventhough AC was at the back end of the select group the entire climb, the Schlecks still couldn't get enough of a jump to dislodge him. Alberto looked stronger than Thurs, that's for sure.... who knows what he'll feel like in the Alps.

As for Voeckler, phenomenal performance! I'd love to see him take the overall at this point, just because of his gutsy performance the past couple days.

In reply to highcamp: Personally I think his performance in the Giro has had quite a large effect on his tour performance so far. Remember at the time of the Giro he wasn't expecting to ride the tour so had no worries about attacking early to take pink and then, having got a lead that could easily have been defended just by following attacks, he continued to attack on every uphill finish and even went for the win in the final ITT, only sitting up when it was apparent he wasn't going to get the stage win. Moreover, he only went into training for the tour partway through the Dauphiné: not a particularly long time to build up to a grand tour.

To be honest his riding in the Giro completely changed my opinion of Bertie as a cyclist, I'm hoping he gets his form back as the other GC riders seem happy just to follow each other. Based on performance so far I would love for Voeckler to hold on but if he keeps on improving (and he was ill in the first week last year) then it could well still be the Alpine Coltador show later this week.

In reply to highcamp: Would have to agree with Swirly that AC will be suffering from the Giro. Nobody who has ridden both has had a good TdF, look at last years Tour.
However, the Schleks could end up paying for not taking more time this week. I think they are more likely to lose the tour than win it.
Evans could well be the best contender if he can maintain his position through the Alps.
And whats not to like about Tommy! Difficult to see him hold onto yellow beyond thursday though. Finally Basso could be playing a very calculated game, was poor at the Dauphine' but looked very controlled yesterday.
Cav for today then roll on next week!

In reply to Horse:
Didn't he throw that bike in a ditch after a couple of hours yesterday ?

Wonder if Bertie will be back to his usual form after the rest day - once he gets a couple of good steaks inside him......

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Will Cav do his stuff today?

In reply to Christheclimber:
So far so good

In reply to Christheclimber:

Did you see Jens rubbing his road-rash with his towel?

E

In reply to Enty: After his crashes yesterday the mountain was air lifted to hospital.

In reply to Enty:

This is all getting a bit homo-erotic...

In reply to Swirly:

The mountain certainly won the other year.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

HTC are doing all the work again.

In reply to Christheclimber: That is an awesome result for Cav, Gilbert nowhere and Rojas way back in 5th.

In reply to Swirly:

Number 19 Stage win! Paris next.

In reply to Christheclimber: Well done Cav. Awesome. Here's hoping he gets over the Alps and does the business in Paris again.

In reply to Swirly:

Ok, I was too lazy in my writing. What I meant to convey was that I believe an ailment is contributing to the lion's share of AC's form being off. I certainly recognize that the Giro has affected him as well. The reason I believe it is ailment related is from watching AC's cadence and pedaling motion. His cadence is clearly lower than typical, involves a lot more rocking, and there were two shorter climbs in Brittany were it was clear his rocking was also asymmetrical. Watch him on any uphill, he's rocking at the base of the hill already, at a far lower cadence. If he was rocking and lowering his cadence because of heavy legs, one would expect him to get popped far earlier for lack of conditioning. But he maintains with the top GC guys all the way to the top. I think he's rocking and lowering his cadence to compensate for an ailment. Youtube videos of him at the Giro and here at the Tour and just observe the cadence and pedaling motion differences... pretty clear there is something up.

As for the quips about AC and his rest-day steaks..... please! People seem to selectively forget Frank Schleck's 7000 € order to Dr. Fuentes. That's some pricey paella.

In reply to Swirly:

Gilbert thought he was at the Rond van Flanderen about 3km out - but then again he had to try something.

E

In reply to Christheclimber:

If Cavendish was on a ride with me I'd tell him to get out front and do some of the hard work. Cheeky bugger drafting on my wheel

In reply to PaleMan:

Yeah but after 3 weeks of sucking your wheel he might give you a cheque for 10 grand?

E

In reply to highcamp: Dr Ferrari wasn't it? But Frank didn't take any advice or have any association with him. That's how nice a guy Frank is, I'm hoping to get my €7000 any day now.

In reply to Christheclimber:

The more Cav wins, the harder the team has to work. Why would any other team want a bunch finish - it's a foregone conclusion.

Interesting comments from proudhomme today, basically admitting that they have changed the rules for the green jersey to favour Cav. Not sure if I agree with that. Cav is undoubtedly the best sprinter for a generation, if not the best ever, but the likes of Gilbert or hushovd are better all rounders, more consistent finishers. Cav gets his prizes in stage wins, why change the rules to give him the green jersey ?

In reply to highcamp:

hey, I'm one of the few people who think Bertie should be riding. But just because I don't think he should be found guilty, doesn't mean I think he's innocent. And doesn't he have far closer links to the dodgy doctor and operation puerto.

Or at least his dog has - bad dog

In reply to Chris the Tall:
why change the rules to give him the green jersey ?

Really asking that?????

Because he is consistently the best finisher and wins stages, surely the ultimate prize after the GC. To win 6 stages in one tour but not the points classification is exactly the reason to change the system!

In reply to Christheclimber:

Great that this seems to me to be the most open and unpredictable tour recently. Am I naive in thinking that the progressive improvement in dope testing is leveling the field? If so I guess the attrition in the alps may be much more telling this year.

Every stage I'm wondering how Wiggo would be doing.

In reply to kevin stephens:

No I agree about the doping and it's great that the TDF is so open this year.

In reply to kevin stephens:

Brailsford was saying that the numbers brad was putting out in training would suggest he'd be well up there.

In reply to andy:
Yep, somehow I don't think Wiggo, or possibly any of the Brits will be bothering with the Maddison at the 2012 olympics

In reply to kevin stephens:

Stage 16:
St Paul Trois Chateaux - Gap is well underway.
The peleton do not seem to be chasing the breakaway group.

In reply to Christheclimber:

...and it's a sh!t day for climbing in Ceuse.

In reply to JLS:

How long have you been out there?

In reply to Christheclimber:

I'm not. I'm in the rain elsewhere in the alps watching the telly and noting that it was raining in ceuse as they rode past. Sort of good to know no-one is out climbing.

In reply to JLS:

It looks pretty shitty all over the south of France.

Contador going well!

In reply to Christheclimber: Yes that's more like it. Straight fight between Evans and Bertie for the tour now.

In reply to Swirly:

Evans to win???

In reply to Christheclimber: if he can do what he does best and follow Bertie's wheel all over the Alps then he'll win. If Bertie can drop him then it's the double. The Schlecks will lose what they still have in the TT.

In reply to Swirly:

Evans has the time advantage at the moment with 1 minute 18 seconds.

In reply to Christheclimber: yeah but he can lose that in one climb if he gets spat out the group. Look at Andy Shreck today, lost over a minute on a cat 2 hill.

In reply to Christheclimber:

Nice of Cav to ride hard over the hills to make the Green Jersey presentation.

In reply to Christheclimber: Don't dismiss Voeckler too easily. He's just going about his business and maintaining his lead, against all the pre-Tour expectations. Imagine the reaction in Paris if he holds on to the yellow jersey.

In reply to Chris the Tall:

Let the speculation begin !