Tour de France

[MikeMusic]

In case you hadn't noticed

We (GB in Team Sky) had a stage win from Chris Froome plus Bradley Wiggins is in the yellow jersey and favourite to take the race which finishes Sunday after next.

This is a big thing in cycling

[keiths]

Yep. Looking forward to watching the highlights of today's time trail to see if Wiggo can put some time between him and the other GC contenders.

[Dominic Harper]

I'm with you Mike, Dom and I love the TDF. I think Brad will win, Cadel is just not showing he is any real threat to Brad at that moment but that could all change, saying that Brad should wipe the floor over all his competitors today and hopefully seal the deal. I guess he does have the advantage of going last. The main men should have been Wiggins, Evans, A.Shleck and of course cheating b*****d Cotrador who robbed Andy of the TDF.

The green jersey and Cavendish, well he needs to concentrate on the Olympics, which is why I think he hasn't been to bothered about the Green, but he doesn't really have the support as last year. I only wish he would get that 22nd win.

Shame about Sammy Sanchez:(, he has had some rotten luck and it looks like he may be out of the Olympics, very sad indeed.

Natalie;)

[MikeMusic]

Yep. Looking forward to watching the highlights of today's time trail to see if Wiggo can put some time between him and the other GC contenders.

And I hope Chris Froome can jump up the standings too !
Could we have 2 on the podium ? !

[keiths]

And I hope Chris Froome can jump up the standings too !
Could we have 2 on the podium ? !

Hope so - just like last year's Vuelta - which Vroom Vroom Froome whould have won if he'd been made leader instead of Wiggo once Froome's form became evident.

[MikeMusic]

I'm with you Mike, Dom and I love the TDF. I think Brad will win, Cadel is just not showing he is any real threat to Brad at that moment but that could all change, saying that Brad should wipe the floor over all his competitors today and hopefully seal the deal. I guess he does have the advantage of going last. The main men should have been Wiggins, Evans, A.Shleck and of course cheating b*****d Cotrador who robbed Andy of the TDF.

The green jersey and Cavendish, well he needs to concentrate on the Olympics, which is why I think he hasn't been to bothered about the Green, but he doesn't really have the support as last year. I only wish he would get that 22nd win.

Shame about Sammy Sanchez:(, he has had some rotten luck and it looks like he may be out of the Olympics, very sad indeed.

Natalie;)

I've been watching since LeMond first won, when the closest we ever got was an English speaker !
It is special and such incredibly hard work. The speeds they average are incredible
Cav has not had luck on his side this year. Maybe soon.
Luck seems to play such a big part in it - but you can make some of most of your own luck.
Always wondered about Contador

[MikeMusic]

Hope so - just like last year's Vuelta - which Vroom Vroom Froome whould have won if he'd been made leader instead of Wiggo once Froome's form became evident.

Quite
Sky strategy baffles me sometimes. Although they do seem to learn from their mistakes
Did you see Froome go off the mountain a few years back ?
Could be one good reason Sky took him on

[keiths]

The green jersey and Cavendish, well he needs to concentrate on the Olympics, which is why I think he hasn't been to bothered about the Green, but he doesn't really have the support as last year. I only wish he would get that 22nd win.

Indeed. I don't think a World Champion and sprint jersey defender has ever been treated with such disdain by a team before, but you can't blame Sky - they don't have the resources to properly support both Wiggo in the GC and Cav in the sprints. Cav's winter training/weight-loss shows he's aiming for the Olympic road race gold medal over the Maillot Vert in Le Tour this time.

[Daniel Quinn]

much as the riders deserve the plaudits, the single most important person in Brads and british cyclings success is Dave Brailsford who is the head of British cycling and team sky. Once in an interview he summed up British cycling's success in a philosophy which people on Aos and indeed in life will do well to remember.

he said . the world in full of cut and paste thinkers , they have learnt the stuff and can spout it ad infinitum . The world is not full of 1st principle thinkers , people who understand the ifs , buts and whys of whatever right down to the fundamentals so they can think beyond the norm and talk with authority . At British cycling we do not employ cut and paste thinkers , we only entertain 1st principle thinkers.

[MikeMusic]

Indeed. I don't think a World Champion and sprint jersey defender has ever been treated with such disdain by a team before, but you can't blame Sky - they don't have the resources to properly support both Wiggo in the GC and Cav in the sprints. Cav's winter training/weight-loss shows he's aiming for the Olympic road race gold medal over the Maillot Vert in Le Tour this time.
From an interview Cav gave on Radio 5 I have the impression that everyone works for Wiggins in the tour, Cav free to pick up a stage of two, then everyone works for Cav in the Olympics

[MikeMusic]

much as the riders deserve the plaudits, the single most important person in Brads and british cyclings success is Dave Brailsford who is the head of British cycling and team sky. Once in an interview he summed up British cycling's success in a philosophy which people on Aos and indeed in life will do well to remember.

he said . the world in full of cut and paste thinkers , they have learnt the stuff and can spout it ad infinitum . The world is not full of 1st principle thinkers , people who understand the ifs , buts and whys of whatever right down to the fundamentals so they can think beyond the norm and talk with authority . At British cycling we do not employ cut and paste thinkers , we only entertain 1st principle thinkers.
I have the Chris Hoy book to read yet(still), but I believe you are right. Brailsford is the man that put it all together. He made it work on the track and then carefully moved to the road. He also seems 100% straight and honest

[sq225917]

From an interview Cav gave on Radio 5 I have the impression that everyone works for Wiggins in the tour, Cav free to pick up a stage of two, then everyone works for Cav in the Olympics

Yup he's traded a few stage wins, that he'll pick up in future seasons anyway, for the best shot at Olympics glory. Team GB is effectively Team SKY after all.

Today will be very telling, I think Wiggo might have dropped too much weight and power, to make it work for him in the hills, to be all conquering today. I'll be happy to be wrong.

[MikeMusic]

Yup he's traded a few stage wins, that he'll pick up in future seasons anyway, for the best shot at Olympics glory. Team GB is effectively Team SKY after all.

Today will be very telling, I think Wiggo might have dropped too much weight and power, to make it work for him in the hills, to be all conquering today. I'll be happy to be wrong.

The Sky / GB thing is odd for me. Why cycling ? I always wonder
I'm told by one who knows, that Sky are doing very well out of it, free advertising I guess. Wonder what Brailsford is capable of......

Agreed. I was surprised how scrawny Bradley looked in one Sky photo of him changing. Man/machine Fabian to win or Tony M if he can cope with his wrist.
Guess you have to work out what your body should be like when they reveal the tour for the first time

[keiths]

, I think Wiggo might have dropped too much weight and power, to make it work for him in the hills, to be all conquering today. I'll be happy to be wrong.

You'll be happy then :)

Chapeau M. Wiggins, chapeau M. Froome - THAT'S how you ride a time trial

[MikeMusic]

You'll be happy then :)

Chapeau M. Wiggins, chapeau M. Froome - THAT'S how you ride a time trial
Very powerful, very impressive
totally controlled and confident
Utterly un British :)
What might this do for the national psyche ?

[keiths]

Laughed out loud today when Froome took off near the top of the final climb and had to be told sharpish by team radio to wait for Wiggo :lol:

Evan's race is now run I feel, with Nibali now Bradley's greatest threat to winning the GC.

[Daniel Quinn]

I have to say im a bit disapointed , first time in history a brit will win le tour and

A} Froom is set to become the this years lemond to wiggins's Hinault , ie the true winner foiled by team orders and promise of tomorrow .

B} there no real competition , sleck is sadly missed .

[keiths]

If Froome hadn't lost so much time in stage 1 with that puncture, he would be very close to Wiggins now and it may well have been the smart move to make Froome leader, but as it stands, he's too far behind (and likely to lose a bit more time to Wiggins in the next time trial) to be able to win it from here even if allowed free reign.

I agree that the competition is very much weakened this year.

[MikeMusic]

Laughed out loud today when Froome took off near the top of the final climb and had to be told sharpish by team radio to wait for Wiggo :lol:

Evan's race is now run I feel, with Nibali now Bradley's greatest threat to winning the GC.
Froome seems to have another gear, possibly two going up a mountain

[MikeMusic]

I have to say im a bit disapointed , first time in history a brit will win le tour and

A} Froom is set to become the this years lemond to wiggins's Hinault , ie the true winner foiled by team orders and promise of tomorrow .

B} there no real competition , sleck is sadly missed .

You could say A, but Bradley has a much better TT.
Put them on different teams and that would be a fight

Schleck may have made a difference, maybe not.
Team Sky have dominated in many areas - inexorable, grinding, Germanic even
:)

Bear in mind neither of them were born in the UK, but I'll take what I can get !

[MikeMusic]

If Froome hadn't lost so much time in stage 1 with that puncture

I agree that the competition is very much weakened this year.

Oh yes. We could we have a very interesting situation.
We only lost Andy Schleck and Contador.....

[Z-A]

Andy & Frank have not been at their best form all year, so they would not have been likely to be gc contenders this year, maybe next year though, as they will hopefully be in a more settled team. Contador will also be back then, so the 100th tour could be special..
Brads form has been consistent since early spring, so let's hope he can get to Paris in one piece, with Chris as back up. Then Cav can take the Olympic Gold, fantastic..!

[MikeMusic]

Andy & Frank have not been at their best form all year, so they would not have been likely to be gc contenders this year, maybe next year though, as they will hopefully be in a more settled team. Contador will also be back then, so the 100th tour could be special..
Brads form has been consistent since early spring, so let's hope he can get to Paris in one piece, with Chris as back up. Then Cav can take the Olympic Gold, fantastic..!
Who knows what's happening to Nissan+++ team or what will with the brown stuff that's flying around
If Contador is guilty its a shame he's coming back. But then they keep letting Vinoukarov back !?
Bradley for yellow, Chris for 2nd and Cav for gold - I can out up with that !
:D

[sq225917]

The thing about Contador is that you know he's a cheat, so has he ever had real form when he's not been doping?

[MikeMusic]

The thing about Contador is that you know he's a cheat, so has he ever had real form when he's not been doping?
Only he can know that, maybe one or two doctors
Still claims he ate meat with the drug in
Not a problem if he was veggie !
:)

[Z-A]

Well David Millar has just made it four British stage winners at this years tour, really pleased for him, and Garmin, they needed that desperately..

Regardless of Contador's past, he is still a major presence in any race, and will be for many years to come, and not to detract from all of team Sky's hard work, it would have been good to see the likes of the Schleck's and AC, Evans, Hesjedal and Gesink, this year, i think that Brad would still be the favourite, just harder work to defend.

[wiicrackpot]

Well David Millar has just made it four British stage winners at this years tour, really pleased for him, and Garmin, they needed that desperately.
Always been a class act and should have achieved more if it wasn't for the wrong turn he took, :( really happy for him on todays win.

wii.

[keiths]

Always been a class act and should have achieved more if it wasn't for the wrong turn he took, :( really happy for him on todays win.

wii.

+1

Always been a fan and was very disappointed over him doping. Glad he's clean now and happy about his win today.

[MikeMusic]

Well David Millar has just made it four British stage winners at this years tour, really pleased for him, and Garmin, they needed that desperately..

Regardless of Contador's past, he is still a major presence in any race, and will be for many years to come, and not to detract from all of team Sky's hard work, it would have been good to see the likes of the Schleck's and AC, Evans, Hesjedal and Gesink, this year, i think that Brad would still be the favourite, just harder work to defend.

Didn't think he had it in him. Great win. Wonder if the other GB wins inspired him.

There has always been something about Contador I don't like. Can't put my finger on it - perhaps sly with an air of superiority. His attack on Andy S when his chain went was not sporting at all

[MikeMusic]

Always been a class act and should have achieved more if it wasn't for the wrong turn he took, :( really happy for him on todays win.

wii.

He seems to be like a reformed smoker now, very anti drugs.
I don't see him like most of the drug takers
Wonder if being at Confidis steered him that way.

[wiicrackpot]

Yes Keith, it also shows he is genuinely regretful from the interviews through the years and to say ''nice to have won today's stage clean'' after his stage win.

I sometimes wonder if David Brailsford was around at the helm of GB Cycling at the time of his ascendancy, things would've been different,
he had the talent and racecraft to be on the podium at least in the Champ Elysees.

wii.

[wiicrackpot]

He seems to be like a reformed smoker now, very anti drugs.
I don't see him like most of the drug takers
Wonder if being at Confidis steered him that way.
Mike, maybe thats the one good thing to come from his wrecked career, an example to all aspiring cyclist.

Think that had a bearing to his decision, the ethics of some director spotifs can affect judgement on some who wants to reach the top via whatever means.

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Mike, maybe thats the one good thing to come from his wrecked career, an example to all aspiring cyclist.

Think that had a bearing to his decision, the ethics of some director spotifs can affect judgement on some who wants to reach the top via whatever means.

wii.

I remember at least 2 examples of bike failure for him at Confidis.
Crap management with crap mechanics breeds desperation for riders ?

[wiicrackpot]

Thinking back on my if and but's comment regarding things might've different if he had come under the umbrella of David Brailsford,
his route was totally different from the bunch of cyclist thats doing well in the TDF,
they all came from track background where DM's route was more the traditional way,
moving through the ranks continental style on the road scene and catching the attention of main players.

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Thinking back on my if and but's comment regarding things might've different if he had come under the umbrella of David Brailsford,
his route was totally different from the bunch of cyclist thats doing well in the TDF,
they all came from track background where DM's route was more the traditional way,
moving through the ranks continental style on the road scene and catching the attention of main players.

wii.

Brailsford is a different world. DM would have done way better under him

[wiicrackpot]

Brailsford is a different world. DM would have done way better under him
Agreed, every country in the world is looking at Team GB with envy at what they have achieved in the last 5-10 yrs,
to see where we were and where we're at now, nothing short of miraculous and will look at the Brailsford method as a model for success,
especially the track strong countries.

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Agreed, every country in the world is looking at Team GB with envy at what they have achieved in the last 5-10 yrs,
to see where we were and where we're at now, nothing short of miraculous and will look at the Brailsford method as a model for success,
especially the track strong countries.

wii.

Maybe oblique..
Reminds me when I worked at (Rank) Xerox
Could not believe how bad some of the people and practices were.
Set up my own printing company and was staggered to find most companies I dealt with were *worse*. Childlike, amateur in comparison
Put a Brailsford into that area and see how successful he would be

[sq225917]

Only he can know that, maybe one or two doctors
Still claims he ate meat with the drug in
Not a problem if he was veggie !
:)

Yeh but clenbuterol use is prohibited in both European and US food producing animals. It's a horse treatment, and sometimes used in birthing cows, but as such isn't still bio-available in the meat of those cows after they have calved. They generally don't send them to the abattoir one day after they have given birth, they give them time to wean... and that would give weeks for it to be totally metabolised-.


He's a big fat, F-in, cheat.. ;-)

[wiicrackpot]

Rest day reflection,

I don't think the British Media and general public has grasp the enormity of what Wiggins is going to achieve if he gets through the next two days unscathed,
god knows how Froome is feeling now had he been allowed to go and gain from the mountains,
i don't think Wiggins is able to recoup the time he would've lost in the Alps and Pyrenees in the final time trial,
therefore the history books would've been different, i'm a wee bit vexxed for him but good luck Wiggo.

wii.

[bobbasrah]

They have done incredibly well, but on a lighter note perhaps....
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/bradley-wiggins-targeted-by-wile-e-coyote-2012071634368

[MikeMusic]

Rest day reflection,

I don't think the British Media and general public has grasp the enormity of what Wiggins is going to achieve if he gets through the next two days unscathed,
god knows how Froome is feeling now had he been allowed to go and gain from the mountains,
i don't think Wiggins is able to recoup the time he would've lost in the Alps and Pyrenees in the final time trial,
therefore the history books would've been different, i'm a wee bit vexxed for him but good luck Wiggo.

wii.
Difficult for anyone to comprehend what they go through even if you cycle
In my early days watching I used to look down on the lower finishers, but now I realise the enormity of just getting round the whole thing.
Reading about the tacks incident in various places there are subtly different stories. Yet if they had listened to a couple of TV interviews they would have got it right.
Ulrich had to wait in the wings for Reis, Indurain for Delgado. Roche did *not* for whoever it was, but he was nowhere at the end

[MikeMusic]

They have done incredibly well, but on a lighter note perhaps....
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/bradley-wiggins-targeted-by-wile-e-coyote-2012071634368

:lol:

Just wonderful
Thanks

[MikeMusic]

And there is this from one of the nicest guys in cycling

http://bicycling.com/blogs/hardlyserious/2011/12/28/a-gift-from-jens/

[wiicrackpot]

Good stories, thanks Bob and Mike.:)

Till this year's race,never have i witness a domestique was so superior to the guy he's defending than Lemond defending Hinault,
of those cyclists you named, the most unlucky is Jan Ullrich, another time another era, he would've won a few,off to see the highlights now.:cool:

wii.

[keiths]

Rest day reflection,

I don't think the British Media and general public has grasp the enormity of what Wiggins is going to achieve if he gets through the next two days unscathed...

You can say that again. I tried to instigate a converstion about Wiggo winning Le Tour in my local pub last night and got either blank looks or the odd "well, he was favourite anyway, so no surprise" before they got back to discussing what's seemingly the only important sporting story at the moment - who is RvP going to sign for :doh: :steam:

Amazing finish to today's stage - don't miss the highlights at 7pm tonight on ITV4 if you didn't see it.

[MikeMusic]

You can say that again. I tried to instigate a converstion about Wiggo winning Le Tour in my local pub last night and got either blank looks or the odd "well, he was favourite anyway, so no surprise" before they got back to discussing what's seemingly the only important sporting story at the moment - who is RvP going to sign for :doh: :steam:

Amazing finish to today's stage - don't miss the highlights at 7pm tonight on ITV4 if you didn't see it.

I'm so happy to say I don't know who RvP is !
:)
Don't need to and don't want to. I wish him no ill, just have no interest

Yes. Fabulous finish - which I won't mention in case anyone has it recorded !

[wiicrackpot]

You can say that again. I tried to instigate a converstion about Wiggo winning Le Tour in my local pub last night and got either blank looks or the odd "well, he was favourite anyway, so no surprise" .

Amazing finish to today's stage - don't miss the highlights at 7pm tonight on ITV4 if you didn't see it.
Got in just in time to catch the BBC news and to give them their due, they gave a good report from when Wiggo was a nipper,:)
no surprise at the Glaikit looks of the pub athletes, it makes my blood boil when their next comment would be along the lines like ''they're all on drugs anyway'',
i don't dispute the fact it's going on and has been for a long time, what they fail to grasp is Cycling is one of the most tested sports,
they forget the odd time footballers are tested, they scamper through the back door like rats when the drug enforcement personnel turns up at the training ground.

Have i missed something from todays stage?, have to work late on Thursday and Fridays, hence missed the last 2 stages.:(

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Got in just in time to catch the BBC news and to give them their due, they gave a good report from when Wiggo was a nipper,:)
no surprise at the Glaikit looks of the pub athletes, it makes my blood boil when their next comment would be along the lines like ''they're all on drugs anyway'',
i don't dispute the fact it's going on and has been for a long time, what they fail to grasp is Cycling is one of the most tested sports,
they forget the odd time footballers are tested, they scamper through the back door like rats when the drug enforcement personnel turns up at the training ground.

Have i missed something from todays stage?, have to work late on Thursday and Fridays, hence missed the last 2 stages.:(

wii.
You missed somethings
Catch up with the highlights asap

[chelsea]

I admit to being a luddite in terms of cycling.
I find it similar to watching sailing on tv as a sport.

Saying that i really enjoy watching it at the olympics.


For me cycling is one of those sports that it is hard tell how good they are unless you do it yourself at that level.

Hope he does it though.

[MikeMusic]

I admit to being a luddite in terms of cycling.
I find it similar to watching sailing on tv as a sport.

Saying that i really enjoy watching it at the olympics.

For me cycling is one of those sports that it is hard tell how good they are unless you do it yourself at that level.

Hope he does it though.
When I first saw cycling on TV I thought it was like watching paint drying, couldn't quite see the point except the end when there was usually a sprint.
When you realise the speeds they do all day long, not often caught on camera, the strategies, team tactics, relative strengths of different types of rider it gets like chess for supermen
I cycle to work on a quite nice bike and must be around 10 or infinite (?) levels down on these guys

[wiicrackpot]

I admit to being a luddite in terms of cycling.
I find it similar to watching sailing on tv as a sport.

Saying that i really enjoy watching it at the olympics.


For me cycling is one of those sports that it is hard tell how good they are unless you do it yourself at that level.

Hope he does it though.
Please don't class it the same as sailing, that i would put together with Cricket (apologies to any cricket fans on here), :o

What makes modern TDF so boring now is the introduction of telemetry, i've banged on before elsewhere the days of great heroic escapes where a rider or couple of riders can jump off from the peloton with 100's miles to go and win a stage are gone, there's no stories to tell now of tactical use of domestiques to drop off to fetch information back and forth where the team leader and his comrades make tactical decisions etc, not a climber but guys like Sean Kelly who i love very much due to his style of riding wouldn't be so successful in modern day racing due to being stifled at the end of every stage with heart on the sleeve efforts all but count for nothing, the only rider i know that rides the same way is Alexander Vinoukorov, though not popular, i was rooting for him to win that stage the other day as a parting shot.

Ultimately i favour climbers, guys like Jauques Anquetil,Charly Gaul,Lucien Van Imp,Robert Millar and arguably best of them all Marco Pantani (top of my head,there are others i've missed), i am so glad to have witnessed some i have mentioned at their peak of their craft and epitomises what the TDF and sport of cycling is about.

wii.

[wiicrackpot]

You missed somethings
Catch up with the highlights asap
Will do Mike.:)

wii.

[wiicrackpot]

Awe.....some !!!! text book time trialling.

Just watched the highlights,the most emphatic TDF winner i've seen in years, never under much pressure or even had a bad day of note,
is it the caliber of this years field or is Wiggins really that much better than everybody else?, totally untouchable.

wii.

[keiths]

Yep - superb performance from the 'Brits'

It's mixture of a weakened field and great performances from the Sky riders and team. It would have been interesting to see how Spartacus and Tony Martin would have done in the time trial.

Can't wait for tomorrow and then the Olympics.

[MikeMusic]

Awe.....some !!!! text book time trialling.

Just watched the highlights,the most emphatic TDF winner i've seen in years, never under much pressure or even had a bad day of note,
is it the caliber of this years field or is Wiggins really that much better than everybody else?, totally untouchable.

wii.

Makes you think of Germans, The Borg and similar
:)

[keiths]

...and breathe.

How good was that? :)

[MikeMusic]

...and breathe.

How good was that? :)
Just wonderful, better than wonderful
I honestly thought the closest we would ever get to a winner was "English speaking". Although my opinion did waver in the past year or so.

And all of them are normal blokes as well

I'm hoping to bump into them in the next week or so as I go past where they are staying, Or perhaps they will fly past me on my way to or from work

[sq225917]

I do love cycling, and I am really impressed with the victory but it in pales into insignificance with the satisfaction of watching the Frenchies squirm as Lesley belted out God Save the Queen.

Did anyone else notice that they gave Froome's 'trinket' to Brad and didn't give Sagan his at all?

[keiths]

I do love cycling, and I am really impressed with the victory but it in pales into insignificance with the satisfaction of watching the Frenchies squirm as Lesley belted out God Save the Queen.

Did anyone else notice that they gave Froome's 'trinket' to Brad and didn't give Sagan his at all?

The 'protocol' was a bit shambolic to be honest. It wasn't just the French that were cringing at Lesley's rendition of the National Anthem either.

[wiicrackpot]

Perfect Day..... i never thought i would see a British winner in my lifetime,
Froome coming second over all and Cav's record 4th Champs Elysees win is just breathtaking, out punched them all into submission,
to see Greipel give up well before the line is quality and only Sagan was prepared to fight to the line,
to be honest i haven't kept up with recent tours after Lance's final victory,
this history making victory have re-ignite my interest. :cool:

P.S. it'd be interesting to see if Froome and Wiggins are still team mates next year, notice how at the end of every mountain stage,
Froome has jumped to the front to cross the line ahead of Wiggins as if to prove a point ''i am stronger than you'',
if Sky refuse to back his bid for over all classification, he might seek a new team but will they be as strong or Le Tour focus as Sky is, don't think so.

wii.

[MikeMusic]

I do love cycling, and I am really impressed with the victory but it in pales into insignificance with the satisfaction of watching the Frenchies squirm as Lesley belted out God Save the Queen.

Did anyone else notice that they gave Froome's 'trinket' to Brad and didn't give Sagan his at all?

Loved the huge flag she wore
Paraphrasing Yes Minister
You must remember its the *French* who are the real enemy
:)

[MikeMusic]

Perfect Day..... i never thought i would see a British winner in my lifetime,
Froome coming second over all and Cav's record 4th Champs Elysees win is just breathtaking, out punched them all into submission,
to see Greipel give up well before the line is quality and only Sagan was prepared to fight to the line,
to be honest i haven't kept up with recent tours after Lance's final victory,
this history making victory have re-ignite my interest. :cool:

P.S. it'd be interesting to see if Froome and Wiggins are still team mates next year, notice how at the end of every mountain stage,
Froome has jumped to the front to cross the line ahead of Wiggins as if to prove a point ''i am stronger than you'',
if Sky refuse to back his bid for over all classification, he might seek a new team but will they be as strong or Le Tour focus as Sky is, don't think so.

wii.
Trying to read Chris Froome on his interview
Just can't see what will happen
Will they give him the Vuelta ?
Is is best to be no.2 in the best team or no.1 in another team to scrape into the top ten......?

[wiicrackpot]

Trying to read Chris Froome on his interview
Just can't see what will happen
Will they give him the Vuelta ?
Is is best to be no.2 in the best team or no.1 in another team to scrape into the top ten......?
Yeah, strange he mentioned the Vuelta as soon as he was ask about his position in next years tour,
looks like he is expecting the same backing from the team to bag one of the main tours this year,
have they hammered out a deal already behind the scene?, only time will tell.

Agree about your 2nd point.

[Z-A]

Well has Chris got the legs to take the Veulta with a hard tour in them? If he has then can Alberto really beat him? Be a great battle that I would relish.. One thing is that sky have built a team in the manner of USPS around a GT win, so there would be good support, and I don't imagine for one second that he would be denied gc status.

Regardless, winning the Tour at the teams third attempt is nothing short of astounding..

[keiths]

I suspect Contador (spit) will be up for the Vuelta as it will be his first race back after his ban and will think he has a point to prove.

It'll be interesting to see how Sky play their strategy.

[sq225917]

Yeh the only point he can prove is that he's a f-in cheat and a bad sportsman. Cycling is better off without Contador.

[MikeMusic]

Yeah, strange he mentioned the Vuelta as soon as he was ask about his position in next years tour,
looks like he is expecting the same backing from the team to bag one of the main tours this year,
have they hammered out a deal already behind the scene?, only time will tell.

Agree about your 2nd point.

I really hope we get to find out what is going on, went on, is expected to go on.
Brailsford is not perfect and always admits mistakes so maybe they make some of it up as they go along.
I have the Pendleton programme to watch soon. Some revelations I'm told

[MikeMusic]

Well has Chris got the legs to take the Veulta with a hard tour in them? If he has then can Alberto really beat him? Be a great battle that I would relish.. One thing is that sky have built a team in the manner of USPS around a GT win, so there would be good support, and I don't imagine for one second that he would be denied gc status.

Regardless, winning the Tour at the teams third attempt is nothing short of astounding..

I hope Sky go for it seriously.
It's like being in an alternative universe - the one where a Brit wins the TdF

[MikeMusic]

I suspect Contador (spit) will be up for the Vuelta as it will be his first race back after his ban and will think he has a point to prove.

It'll be interesting to see how Sky play their strategy.

Be good to see him struggle

[wiicrackpot]

Be good to see him struggle
Hope so, but i wouldn't pass them dirty Spaniards to help him everyway to win, that includes bribing other teams in the Peloton, those cheating B*stards stole that tour from him (Robert Millar). :(

I don't forgive or forget what happened to our Robert on that fateful day, on the crest of a wave to be the 1st Briton in history to won a major tour, what happened that day will haunt true cycling fans forever, especially Scots.:steam:

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Hope so, but i wouldn't pass them dirty Spaniards to help him everyway to win, that includes bribing other teams in the Peloton, those cheating B*stards stole that tour from him (Robert Millar). :(

I don't forgive or forget what happened to our Robert on that fateful day, on the crest of a wave to be the 1st Briton in history to won a major tour, what happened that day will haunt true cycling fans forever, especially Scots.:steam:

wii.
I heard about that afterwards. Apparently they had done it before and after.
Not sure if they would do it again. Lets hope not

[sq225917]

Thinking about it might the tacks on the road incident not have been set-up to generate a Bradley puncture, much like our Robert was down with a puncture the day they all conspired against him. With that in mind Wiggo showed even more class with his decision to slow it down for Evans.

[MikeMusic]

Thinking about it might the tacks on the road incident not have been set-up to generate a Bradley puncture, much like our Robert was down with a puncture the day they all conspired against him. With that in mind Wiggo showed even more class with his decision to slow it down for Evans.

Who knows
The tacks thing was strange

[wiicrackpot]

Thinking about it might the tacks on the road incident not have been set-up to generate a Bradley puncture, much like our Robert was down with a puncture the day they all conspired against him. With that in mind Wiggo showed even more class with his decision to slow it down for Evans.
Remember it like as if was yesterday, to see conniving bastards from various teams just sat back and shut up shop while Robert with the help of Alan Piper rode themselves to the ground to try to take back the time was sore. :(

Yip, Wiggo shows class and respect to the out going champ, just like Armstrong and Ullrich showed towards each other.

wii.

[MikeMusic]

Remember it like as if was yesterday, to see conniving bastards from various teams just sat back and shut up shop while Robert with the help of Alan Piper rode themselves to the ground to try to take back the time was sore. :(

Yip, Wiggo shows class and respect to the out going champ, just like Armstrong and Ullrich showed towards each other.

wii.
Only heard about Robert being done. Sounded unpleasant

Bradley 'knows' his cycling and the way to behave

[wiicrackpot]

Mike, over 6 mins ahead at the penultimate stage, thats a proverbial mile and should have been a cruise to the finish ala Grand Tour style,
a lot of dirty deeds was done between director spotifs that day, as you have observed it's not the 1st or last but the most blatant.

Thread drift, did anyone see the Cycle Show last night, at the end the presenter asks Gary Fisher and Graeme Obree 2 tips to stay safe on the roads,
think Obree's answer was ''presume all drivers are insane and look wobbly'', qwality !! :lol:

[MikeMusic]

Mike, over 6 mins ahead at the penultimate stage, thats a proverbial mile and should have been a cruise to the finish ala Grand Tour style,
a lot of dirty deeds was done between director spotifs that day, as you have observed it's not the 1st or last but the most blatant.

Thread drift, did anyone see the Cycle Show last night, at the end the presenter asks Gary Fisher and Graeme Obree 2 tips to stay safe on the roads,
think Obree's answer was ''presume all drivers are insane and look wobbly'', qwality !! :lol:
Quite. 6 minutes is a big margin. So it was taken away on the last stage ?

Have The cycle show ready to watch
That's my tip too. Although that was when I had my mirror. Must get another. I feel partially sighted without

[sq225917]

Did anyone else get the feeling that Gary Fisher is used to having people kiss his ass.

[MikeMusic]

Did anyone else get the feeling that Gary Fisher is used to having people kiss his ass.
Didn't even know him until looking him up

'Course *everyone* who was born in 1950 should be treated like the gods they are.
only a coincidence that was the year I was born
:)

[wiicrackpot]

Aha !!!... as i predicted earlier on this thread after Wiggo's win, the question of supporting Froome in this years TDF, not on yer nellie,
he has just confirmed in a press conference from Wigan that the Giro and Le Tour is his goal for this season, interesting summer ahead. :)

[MikeMusic]

Aha !!!... as i predicted earlier on this thread after Wiggo's win, the question of supporting Froome in this years TDF, not on yer nellie,
he has just confirmed in a press conference from Wigan that the Giro and Le Tour is his goal for this season, interesting summer ahead. :)
:hmm:
Wiggo most likely to be talking 100% straight but I wonder if there is some game playing going on
Giro and TdF. Oh so easy to say, not so easy to do
Possible but not probable IMO

[sq225917]

Froome is better in the hills on the limit, no ifs or buts, he has the power to weight ratio. But he can't turn that on day after day, he needs recovery days and Wiggo doesn't seem to need them as badly so can perform better, more consistently across a GT. Add in Wiggo's better max output on the flat where weight doesn't come into it and you have the reason why he's numero uno at SKY.

Interesting times ahead.

[MikeMusic]

Froome is better in the hills on the limit, no ifs or buts, he has the power to weight ratio. But he can't turn that on day after day, he needs recovery days and Wiggo doesn't seem to need them as badly so can perform better, more consistently across a GT. Add in Wiggo's better max output on the flat where weight doesn't come into it and you have the reason why he's numero uno at SKY.

Interesting times ahead.
Giro and TdF with all the usual suspects competing is very long odds

[wiicrackpot]

:hmm:
Wiggo most likely to be talking 100% straight but I wonder if there is some game playing going on
Giro and TdF. Oh so easy to say, not so easy to do
Possible but not probable IMO


Froome is better in the hills on the limit, no ifs or buts, he has the power to weight ratio. But he can't turn that on day after day, he needs recovery days and Wiggo doesn't seem to need them as badly so can perform better, more consistently across a GT. Add in Wiggo's better max output on the flat where weight doesn't come into it and you have the reason why he's numero uno at SKY.

Interesting times ahead.
Agreed with both.

The course seems to favour climbers, if Froome has the form of last year and stay healthy and crash free, should favour him, :)
but Wiggins is better allrounder, wide open. :cool:

[wiicrackpot]

Surprised no one has posted some congratulatory comments on Froome's win, :scratch: ....so well done Chris Froome. :champagne:

Has anybody noticed the total disappearance of Wiggans throughout the race?,
yes he is injured but some expert input in the studio from him as a team mate as the race unfolds would have been most welcome,
only comment i noticed he said was a pre race quip about Froome's inability to read a race, one wonders if everything is hunky dory in camp Sky ??.

[StanleyB]

Having had to deal with Belgians during my days as a student in a Dutch school, I am not surprised about the attitude from Wiggins. Belgians hate defeat, which is something that goes back when Holland and France fought over that piece of stretch of land centuries ago.

Froome did an outstanding job. He also underlines the fact that African athletes have quite a lot of stamina over long distances and are still capable of producing bursts of speed even after miles of riding. Just look at how Farah can turn on his extra burners after having covered 9500 meters.

Personally I hope that the win from Froome and the 2nd place from the South American rider Quintana will encourage more riders from Africa and South America to take part.

[MikeMusic]

Surprised no one has posted some congratulatory comments on Froome's win, :scratch: ....so well done Chris Froome. :champagne:

Has anybody noticed the total disappearance of Wiggans throughout the race?,
yes he is injured but some expert input in the studio from him as a team mate as the race unfolds would have been most welcome,
only comment i noticed he said was a pre race quip about Froome's inability to read a race, one wonders if everything is hunky dory in camp Sky ??.
I keep in touch with cycling on http://www.cyclingnews.com/
Brad has a buggered knee, possibly knackered after a hard Giro. No TdF for him
He will be in the Tour of Britain. Not heard if he's in the Vuelta
Chris Froome was close to invincible and a quietly spoken hero
:)
No need to read a race with ship to shore radio and I think Froome is clever enough to read a race anyway

[MikeMusic]

Having had to deal with Belgians during my days as a student in a Dutch school, I am not surprised about the attitude from Wiggins. Belgians hate defeat, which is something that goes back when Holland and France fought over that piece of stretch of land centuries ago.

Froome did an outstanding job. He also underlines the fact that African athletes have quite a lot of stamina over long distances and are still capable of producing bursts of speed even after miles of riding. Just look at how Farah can turn on his extra burners after having covered 9500 meters.

Personally I hope that the win from Froome and the 2nd place from the South American rider Quintana will encourage more riders from Africa and South America to take part.
It was telling that both were born at altitude. My be the sign of riders to come.......

[wiicrackpot]

Stan ~ Yip, pound for pound i think Froome's win this year was greater than Wiggo's last year simply he had to do more than the team can offer due to the terrain,agree with the stamina factor due to the location where he and Mo comes from but still the Mount Ventoux stage was an eye opener, hence the usual speculation of wrong doing at him.

Mike ~ hate to say i am not a regular bike spectator nowadays, only the grand tours but thanks for the link,
the coming to the forth of Froome and resurgence of South American climbers is great, Quintana is a breath of fresh air and never one as good as him since 'Lucho' Herrera, serious contender if he can improve on his time trialling.

[MikeMusic]

Mike ~ hate to say i am not a regular bike spectator nowadays, only the grand tours but thanks for the link,

I'm watching a lot less, not by choice.
Lost Eurosport international when analogue satellite ended.
Can't stream at home so no Eurosport that way
and I'm not paying a small fortune to Sky (TV) just for Eurosport
So I watch it on ITV4 and endure Liggett and Sherwin.
David Harman is so good on Eurosport

[TCats]

I'm watching a lot less, not by choice.
Lost Eurosport international when analogue satellite ended.
Can't stream at home so no Eurosport that way
and I'm not paying a small fortune to Sky (TV) just for Eurosport
So I watch it on ITV4 and endure Liggett and Sherwin.
David Harman is so good on Eurosport

+ 1 my sentiments exactly.

[wiicrackpot]

ITV4 highlights here :( cept weekend stages where i can sit back and fill my boots, :)
never subscribed to pay to view packages so never really knew what i missed,
going by what they've done to Boxing for example, they've turned that into a minority sport for sure, not good.

[MikeMusic]

ITV4 highlights here :( cept weekend stages where i can sit back and fill my boots, :)
never subscribed to pay to view packages so never really knew what i missed,
going by what they've done to Boxing for example, they've turned that into a minority sport for sure, not good.
Good thing is they have Boardman and Imlac has become better.
I subscribed to Eurosport direct when we could just stream. I reckoned it was worth £4 a month for the cycling and MotoGp months. But then Eurosport took extra payments out of my credit card and I only managed to get a few back :(
I need to pay £30-50 a month just to get British Eurosport on Sky - that is insane. I know of people that pay more than that too, madness.
There's enough on TV as it is and I want to listen to music anyway :)

[wiicrackpot]

I need to pay £30-50 a month just to get British Eurosport on Sky - that is insane. I know of people that pay more than that too, madness.
There's enough on TV as it is and I want to listen to music anyway :)
Jeez !!! thats some price to pay to have Eurosport piped into our homes, :eek:
one wonders how some so called deprived neighbourhoods have such high uptake of these packages,
hence i am all for a major shake up on the benefits system, makes a mockery of us trying to scrape a living and doing without.

[MikeMusic]

Jeez !!! thats some price to pay to have Eurosport piped into our homes, :eek:
one wonders how some so called deprived neighbourhoods have such high uptake of these packages,
hence i am all for a major shake up on the benefits system, makes a mockery of us trying to scrape a living and doing without.
Problem is you can't say just Eurosport please
You have to have 2 or 3 things before you get Eurosport
Might have been Martin's money tips I heard of people paying over £100 a month for TV, could have been £150.
Some lunatics have Sky and Virgin.
I won't pay on principle. (£3-4 a month I could go for I confess)
My lovely step daughter "never has any money" and guess what...... she drives a car about 12 years younger than mine and has Sky, an iPad, iPhone and that's what I know about ....

[wiicrackpot]

Problem is you can't say just Eurosport please
You have to have 2 or 3 things before you get Eurosport
Might have been Martin's money tips I heard of people paying over £100 a month for TV, could have been £150.
Some lunatics have Sky and Virgin.
I won't pay on principle. (£3-4 a month I could go for I confess)
My lovely step daughter "never has any money" and guess what...... she drives a car about 12 years younger than mine and has Sky, an iPad, iPhone and that's what I know about ....
Get's more ridiculous doesn't Mike, £100.00 odds a month, like you i'd go 3-4 quid if i could just get Cycling but no,
they just want to sell you something bundled in that you never watch. :steam:

Brings me back to time when i did home deliveries, benefits relying regular punter takes me in to his new council house,
sprog sits in a corner with Applemac, (i am barely out of my Sinclair Spectrum), he said ''Sky's coming in the morra, canny wait'', picture the scene, fags,curries and Sky........sorted.

[MikeMusic]

Get's more ridiculous doesn't Mike, £100.00 odds a month, like you i'd go 3-4 quid if i could just get Cycling but no,
they just want to sell you something bundled in that you never watch. :steam:

Brings me back to time when i did home deliveries, benefits relying regular punter takes me in to his new council house,
sprog sits in a corner with Applemac, (i am barely out of my Sinclair Spectrum), he said ''Sky's coming in the morra, canny wait'', picture the scene, fags,curries and Sky........sorted.
I'm half Yorkshire so allowed to be a bit tight.
A solid reason a lot of people have money is cos they only pay out for what they really need.
Could never understand why people spend more than they have, hey I can't even understand anyone who buys anything that doesn't have a reasonable benefit.
My £3-4 a month got me cycling and MotoGp both with great commentators.
I couldn't possibly smoke as too much is given to the government !
:)
We have a customer we print for, Lady X, no names of the forum, nice lady, not short of a bob or two who was telling me about how wonderful her 2nd hand Scorpio was and how she couldn't understand why people bought new cars !
:)
:)

[walpurgis]

I need to pay £30-50 a month just to get British Eurosport on Sky

I'd sooner do without. Not fussed about sport anyway.

[wiicrackpot]

I'd sooner do without. Not fussed about sport anyway.
But Geoff, Cycling is not just a sport, apart from the fitness side, it's a passion, it's character building,
it's travel, love of open spaces and the countryside and revitalising, apart from anything else ''it's life''. :)

Each to their own i suppose, you probably get pleasure and exercise moving them big speakers around you house,
what are those on your Avatar?, looks my kinda speakers. :D

[walpurgis]

I regard cycling as a means of transport not a sport. I cycled for years out of choice, as I rather enjoyed it, not because I was skint, but it did save me huge amounts of money.

I'm waiting to see if anybody recognises the speakers in the avatar. They're not mine, but I have heard this model (they're tremendous).

[wiicrackpot]

The Secret Pro's post race report, a light read for anyone thats interested, me...i really want to believe Froome's performance is normal. :)

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/07/the-secret-pro-post-tour-de-france-edition/

[MikeMusic]

The Secret Pro's post race report, a light read for anyone thats interested, me...i really want to believe Froome's performance is normal. :)

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2013/07/the-secret-pro-post-tour-de-france-edition/

Thanks Andy