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Tdf thread

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

So who's everyone's picks this year.

Hard to see anyone other than the top 4/5 riders.

Be great to see froome win it again.

But would love to see quintana, but don't think he has enough.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Take your pick from the usual suspects.

Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador.

The mountains will sort out which order they'll end up in provided they all stay upright

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Quintanna for the win, Cav fir green. Tinkoff and/or Astsna will be thrown off the race in a doping scandal

Thomas to take yellow on one if tge cobbled stages

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Quintanna for the win, Cav fir green. Tinkoff and/or Astsna will be thrown off the race in a doping scandal

Thomas to take yellow on one if tge cobbled stages"

You think he is strong enough and his team has enough strength in depth to support him for overall win?

Penultimate day

Alp duez finish.

Interesting

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I've got a bet with a friend on Nibali, so I'll stick with my initial favourite. I hope Cav has a better race this year and I'd love Geraint Thomas to win a stage.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

After yesterday's frankly astounding stage i cant see anyone having a chance that wasn't in that lead group. (save injury of course)

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm going for an outside bet on kiwatkowski (spelling ) probably not got the legs for such a hilly tour though

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That was one nasty crash today. There will be some very sore bodies in the morning.

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By *andybeachWoman over a year ago

In the middle

"That was one nasty crash today. There will be some very sore bodies in the morning. "

It made me wince to watch it, I just kept thinking watch out for the post as they went sliding towards it

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I love the wolf man ten dam, hard as nails that guy,

As for the win? Its looking like a shootout between froome and contador niabli missed the boat yesterday and quintana isn't just quite good enough,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Quintanna for the win, Cav fir green. Tinkoff and/or Astsna will be thrown off the race in a doping scandal

Thomas to take yellow on one if tge cobbled stages

You think he is strong enough and his team has enough strength in depth to support him for overall win?

Penultimate day

Alp duez finish.

Interesting

I think his team are strong enough, he's a phenomenal climber and any weakness on the part of his team will be offset by the nature of the route

I think SKY's team is very strong for the first 10 days but Froome could easily be isolated in the mountains. Porte is not up to the job, Konig raced the Giro full on and won't have recovered, Kennaugh and Roche are both solid but neither will be consistently with the front group on the final climb of a stage.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I am liking that Uran is going well though, he is a class act. He won't win but it will be interesting to see how he doess and has no pressure on him

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By *alandNitaCouple over a year ago

Scunthorpe

"Take your pick from the usual suspects.

Froome, Quintana, Nibali, Contador.

The mountains will sort out which order they'll end up in provided they all stay upright "

Do you think that Froome can manage to not fall off and break something?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm rooting for the African team in the Newcastle Utd strip. Just being there is a win-win.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I also think that looking at today's carnage, and potentially more of the same, the team time trial could be interesting as it is so late in the race. Any team that loses riders or has injured riders will be at a massive disadvantage

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Cancellara is out, 2 fractured vertabrae. Hard as nails to finish the stage

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

i love this type of racing... loving the fact the first couple are more "classics style" stages rather than the ones for the pure sprinters.....cobbles tomorrow!!!!!

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"Cancellara is out, 2 fractured vertabrae. Hard as nails to finish the stage"

Yeah just heard, the tour will be poorer without him.

Wish him a speedy recovery, definitely one of my all time favourite rider's.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"i love this type of racing... loving the fact the first couple are more "classics style" stages rather than the ones for the pure sprinters.....cobbles tomorrow!!!!!

Cobbles will be epic.

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

It's sooo much better having some genuine racing in the first week rather then a pure sprinter fest

Loved the way beef boy struggled as well when Froome pushed on at the end and dropped him, a handy cushion now for him now and he may need it in the mountains

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I've got my money on Alberto

Once a druggie always a druggie

Mind you I've got £50 on him at 14-1

...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 06/07/15 22:45:10]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Another fantastic days racing,great to see tony martin ride them off his back wheel,great result for froome

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By *andybeachWoman over a year ago

In the middle

Well done to Tony Martin, he timed it to perfection, a few tears and tantrums from other riders along he way though, the cobbles sure divide the men from the boys

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By *iamondjoeMan over a year ago

Glastonbury

I can safely say I have no idea what this thread is about... so I'm guessing... sport?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Tony Martin is just a machine, that will make up for losing the time trial on the first day, there were a few tears in the quick step team straight after the race, even cav was shedding a few tears

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Can't even begin to imagine how difficult and draining it must be to ride on that stuff.

I've only ever done a couple of 200k+ rides and they were done in pancake flat Norfolk and Lincolnshire

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Epic stage.

Certainly not a day for the faint hearted.

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Nice to see a Tony Martin lone break that did not get caught just yards from the line,no wonder the team had a little tear in the eyes as he mae it to the line and got the yellow jersey to go with the stage win.

Shame quintana has lost so much time but the first week has now thrown uran into the GC picture.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Shame quintana has lost so much time but the first week has now thrown uran into the GC picture."

Quintana is only 18 seconds down on Nibali, 1 minute 20 down on Contador - that's not much in the scheme of things.

But Uran is looking good and doing everything ok.

The only GC contender who can be ruled out this stage is Pinot who has had a shockinmg few days and will lose more time in the TTT at the weekend

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Thank goodness froome made it through today without injury! Been nervous all day! Lol! The roads around here are treacherous enough after Fridays rain washed gravel everywhere, but that's nothing compared to those cobbles!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It was nice to see cav doing a stint on the front and pacing Tony Martin over the cobbles, quick step do seem to be proper team who work for each other, unlike movistar who can never really decide who the team leader is

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

A nice touch was caught on the tv cameras yesterday by Froome going through a narrow section in closing Kms who took a drink and was about to put the Bidon back in the cage but caught site of a young fan just yards away so he held out the Bidon and dropped it close to the lad!,a nice thought.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'd love to see Froome win but thinking Contador.

Goid to see Peter Kenaugh on the front the other day

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Cav seems to have lost his edge?

Or maybe gripel is just faster?

Tough day in saddle for them yesterday.

Pinot is well out of the running now and his hissy fit didn't endear him to the masses.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Cav always takes a while at the Tour to start firing on all cylinders. He also did a shed loadof work for Martin on the previous stage. I wouldn't write him off yet, his performance in the road nationals on a course that didn't suit him and our numbered by SKY was phenomenal.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Cav always takes a while at the Tour to start firing on all cylinders. He also did a shed loadof work for Martin on the previous stage. I wouldn't write him off yet, his performance in the road nationals on a course that didn't suit him and our numbered by SKY was phenomenal.

I was at the nationals, 2nd best climber on the day in a race full of guys that can climb, tells you he isn't unfit but just riding himself in

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

But if you increase your ability to climb you lose your ability to Sprint, endurance to climb takes away from the out and out power to Sprint,

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Cav has been doing a lot of work for the team and when he gets his first stage of this tour number 2 will follow straight away,he has been so close on two occasions so it is not because of a lack of form,always performs well in the warmer weather down the south.

after the first week Griepel & Degenkolb will be a lot quiter as the had first week will take the edge of the bigger build riders.

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By *andybeachWoman over a year ago

In the middle

Ohhhh dear Tony, looks like he took his eye off the ball and has paid the price, it doesn't seem very lucky to wear the yellow jersey at the moment

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"Ohhhh dear Tony, looks like he took his eye off the ball and has paid the price, it doesn't seem very lucky to wear the yellow jersey at the moment

Strange looking crash but it's been confirmed he's broken his collarbone, so probably game over, which is a shame.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Daniel Teklehaimanot getting the polka dot jersey is brilliant for both his team and the sport,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Daniel Teklehaimanot getting the polka dot jersey is brilliant for both his team and the sport,"

Unlucky for Martin and Froome.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"But if you increase your ability to climb you lose your ability to Sprint, endurance to climb takes away from the out and out power to Sprint,

I can see him becoming a different kind of rider over the next couple of years

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I'm sorry, but what the what now?

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"But if you increase your ability to climb you lose your ability to Sprint, endurance to climb takes away from the out and out power to Sprint,

I can see him becoming a different kind of rider over the next couple of years"

In the past green jersey sprinters Rik Van Looy and Sean Kelly both changed from being sprinters to Grand tour contenders with Sean kelly winning the Giro D'Italia in 1988,Rik Van Looy winning the climbers Jersey in the Giro in 1960.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I don't think cav is ever going to be a good enough climber to be a gc contender, can see him becoming a classics rider maybe

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I don't think cav is ever going to be a good enough climber to be a gc contender, can see him becoming a classics rider maybe"

Yeah that's what I mean, kinda like Thor Hushov who was happy to go up the road in a break. Didn't mean a GC guy

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Don't think cav is ever going to be a contender for a grand tours jersey but Regarding classics he has already won a Monument!,There aren't many Monument classics bigger than the Milan san Remo!,That was only in at the start of his 3rd year as a pro.

Has quite a few semi-classics to his palmares too!.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Don't think cav is ever going to be a contender for a grand tours jersey but Regarding classics he has already won a Monument!,There aren't many Monument classics bigger than the Milan san Remo!,That was only in at the start of his 3rd year as a pro.

Has quite a few semi-classics to his palmares too!.

Yeah but Milan San remo is known as the sprinters classic, people that win that aren't really going to be winning Paris roubaix,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Has quite a few semi-classics to his palmares too!.

Yeah but Milan San remo is known as the sprinters classic, people that win that aren't really going to be winning Paris roubaix,"

Degenkiolb won both this year. It is unusual though, cancellara and tchmil have won them both in different years.but not many manage that either

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Britains Tom Simpson won Milan-San Remo,Tour de Flanders,Tour of Lombardy in 1960s but we had a long wait till Cav came along to take Milan san Remo in 2009,Birmingham born Former British Junior champion(cav was 2nd that year!) Dan Martin has 2 classics to his name (one a monument)but took out an Irish Race Licence as his mother was Irish,(Stephen Roche sister!)after being overlooked by BC selectors who were spending too much time with track riders and Martin is a specialist Climber.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"But if you increase your ability to climb you lose your ability to Sprint, endurance to climb takes away from the out and out power to Sprint,

I can see him becoming a different kind of rider over the next couple of years

"
kelly won the vuelta,he was some rider,did it the hard way starting off working for maertens,cycling wasn't so specialised then riders raced classics n tours to win now its mostly one or the other

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Yeah cav's past it as a aprimter...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

[Removed by poster at 10/07/15 17:31:16]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

And 6 stages in and we have a doping scandal. Luca Paolini thrown off the race for testing positive for cocaine

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Yeah cav's past it as a aprimter..."

Just seen the highlights....he looked past everyone!

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Been out all day so missed my Eurosport highlights!,Who won todays Stage?.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Been out all day so missed my Eurosport highlights!,Who won todays Stage?.

"
.

So have I

Where's my man Alberto, I've got 750 smackers riding on him

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"kelly won the vuelta,he was some rider,did it the hard way starting off working for maertens,cycling wasn't so specialised then riders raced classics n tours to win now its mostly one or the other"

In those days the Vuelta was held in May,The Giro in June,And TDF in July,lot of big name road riders rode the six day circuit too!,just the same same as rideRs from 1960-70s none of this Lance Armstrong type of short season centred on The TDF.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Missed alot myself only caught the last 15k.

Great win by Cav.

Sagan up to second in the gc.

Sneaky he has been going about his business in a consistent manner.

Will see how it goes once we hit the mountains but he can climb as well so never know.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Big stage today.

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By *rc83Man over a year ago

warrington

"Big stage today. "

A lot of time can and will be lost for some today

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I love the TTT and great timing in the race makes it very exciting.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Christ the paintwork on those look tt bike's is hideous.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I suspect at laest one of the teams with GC aspirations will lose it totally on the climb, most likely Astana

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Soon find out they just aboot to go off.

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By *rc83Man over a year ago

warrington

Great ride by IAM there, but I think Astana will fall to pieces in the TTT

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Cotador lost a lot more time to froome today, uran is looking good to have a push in the mountain

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

Over a minute now on beefy and more of the other big 2, it's going to take a big effort to take that much time out of froome and sky in this form

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Froome looks incredibly strong. Not sp sure the same can't be said for SKY, he was alone on the last clinmb Saturday, Roche was struggling to hold on today on the climb

I think Nibali is out of contention now

And I think I am still right to be backing Quintana

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Ivan Basso has pullwd out today, diagnosed with testicular camcer following a fall on stage 5

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By *ana StephanieWoman over a year ago

Manchester

Yesterday's TTT, Froome showed how he cares about his teammate, I like to see this kind of humanity in TdF, also strong ride by Sky.

Looking forward to Pyrenees, a lots of action I expect.

Not many mentioned Sagan, one of my favorite rider, his bike handling skills are brilliant

Also Bardet, good looking young slim man in TdF :*

I love TdF

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Ivan Basso has pullwd out today, diagnosed with testicular camcer following a fall on stage 5

Well at least he got diagnosed i guess. Poor guy.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Yesterday's TTT, Froome showed how he cares about his teammate, I like to see this kind of humanity in TdF, also strong ride by Sky.

its not that froome cared.... he had to wait for nicholas roche as if they had dropped him... the time of the 5th person is the one that counted for the team

its easier for him to slipstream and ride home than it would be for him to be dropped and go alone

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Sad news about basso,hopefully they have caught it early enough.

Sky looked very good yesterday, love the TTT, love it being a week in.

Even tho sagan does sound like borat, it's only a matter of when he wins the tour rather than if.

Great all rounder.

Quintanna looks much stronger than previously.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

have to say i am not really a fan of TTT's in the tour.... but since this has been a tour of almost everything in it, i'll let it slide...

in fact.... if in week one it is going to be a mixture of "classic's" stages... and flat sprinter stages then I could live with the two time trials be one individual and one team....

call me an old fuddy..... i would love a proper "mountain" time trial....

for example... alpe d'huez...

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"have to say i am not really a fan of TTT's in the tour.... but since this has been a tour of almost everything in it, i'll let it slide...

in fact.... if in week one it is going to be a mixture of "classic's" stages... and flat sprinter stages then I could live with the two time trials be one individual and one team....

call me an old fuddy..... i would love a proper "mountain" time trial....

for example... alpe d'huez... "

A TTT is a thing of beauty if done correctly.

But then I come from more of a time trialist background rather than Hill climbing.

Can't beat a bit of thru and off

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"have to say i am not really a fan of TTT's in the tour.... but since this has been a tour of almost everything in it, i'll let it slide...

in fact.... if in week one it is going to be a mixture of "classic's" stages... and flat sprinter stages then I could live with the two time trials be one individual and one team....

call me an old fuddy..... i would love a proper "mountain" time trial....

for example... alpe d'huez...

A TTT is a thing of beauty if done correctly.

But then I come from more of a time trialist background rather than Hill climbing.

Can't beat a bit of thru and off "

I was always more of a mountain goat....

I just think TTT's punish good riders with not good teams around them......

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I love the TTT - and particu;arly like that it's not included in the tour every year, makes it more special. This years route and so far in to the race was really innovative.

I miss the days of 4up 100km TTT being in the world's - utterly savage.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Have done a few 100mile time trials.

Bloody killer's.

Really looking forward to the mountain stages.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Sad news about Basso

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Pyrenees today!,First day in the Mountains and the GC contenders come to the fore and it's the the chance for Contador,Nibali and the much fancied Quintana to grab some seconds back on Froome,TJ,and Uran.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Pyrenees today!,First day in the Mountains and the GC contenders come to the fore and it's the the chance for Contador,Nibali and the much fancied Quintana to grab some seconds back on Froome,TJ,and Uran."

Couple of big mountain days and I think we will be saying goodbye to tejay as a challenger,I think mollema will start making up some time now certainly for a top five

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Crome should come into his own in the hills. Could be all over bar the shouting once they come down for the last few stages!

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By *ana StephanieWoman over a year ago

Manchester

Absolutely brilliant race today! It was super, any orgasm can match this excitement and satisfaction!

Can't wait tomorrow!

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Some big gaps appearing now!,was reminiscent of Froome on Ventux when he won the Tour a couple of seasons ago

Doesn't it infuriate you to see the runners so close along side riders and then prats dangling just in front as riders ride trough the tunnel of spectators?,the last thing you want is distractions like those when you are on the rivet!.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

Froome just stomped all over that!

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By *ana StephanieWoman over a year ago

Manchester

Totally agree! I was shouting and swearing at my TV when these American flags are blocking Froome and other riders. I don't swear usually!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Odds on a sky 1 2 now?

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Sky and Mr froome kicked ass today.

Chapeau guy's.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?"

Clean, Brailsford wouldn't be anywhere near it otherwise.

Nore Thomas

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?"

I feel it's unfair to single out SKY, most of the peloton are still using PEDs.

Ris has been outed for institutionalized doping at Saxo Bank, Astana have had multiple positives - they are all at it

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?

I feel it's unfair to single out SKY, most of the peloton are still using PEDs.

Ris has been outed for institutionalized doping at Saxo Bank, Astana have had multiple positives - they are all at it "

So nothing's changed in the 'post-Armstrong' era then?!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?

I feel it's unfair to single out SKY, most of the peloton are still using PEDs.

Ris has been outed for institutionalized doping at Saxo Bank, Astana have had multiple positives - they are all at it

So nothing's changed in the 'post-Armstrong' era then?!"

Nothing at all. Although it was the same pre-Armstrong too

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

brilliant by sky today..... i think they got an easy ride because movistar did all the work on the 1st half of the final climb and burnt out all the riders before sky took over...

it was a not bad plan... when valverde attacked and the sky riders pulled him back that when quintano should have gone....

but fair play to froome, porte who had a blinder, and thomas... leader and 2 super domestiques...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I never thought quintana really had what it takes to live with the big boys, I am however shocked that contador was shelled so easy

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"I never thought quintana really had what it takes to live with the big boys, I am however shocked that contador was shelled so easy"

i think it shows up how important basso was to saxo-tinkoff.... he would have been the last one to marshall him up the mountain...

lots of fantastic proformances... the sky boys...adam yates had a blinder....

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm going for an outside bet on kiwatkowski (spelling ) probably not got the legs for such a hilly tour though "

He will retain worlds but had no condition for this ..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Quintana to win now

Movistar will get valverde away on a stage and sky will have to chase or lose Jersey ...team will ride for froome and

Froome will get isolated on a mtn top finish and Quintana will put time into him easily ..

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"Quintana to win now

Movistar will get valverde away on a stage and sky will have to chase or lose Jersey ...team will ride for froome and

Froome will get isolated on a mtn top finish and Quintana will put time into him easily ..

I'll put cash on that...I'll even give you odds!

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"So, are Sky racing dirty or clean?

I feel it's unfair to single out SKY, most of the peloton are still using PEDs.

Ris has been outed for institutionalized doping at Saxo Bank, Astana have had multiple positives - they are all at it

So nothing's changed in the 'post-Armstrong' era then?!

Nothing at all. Although it was the same pre-Armstrong too"

Oh, I know it was the same pre-Armstrong!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm going for an outside bet on kiwatkowski (spelling ) probably not got the legs for such a hilly tour though

He will retain worlds but had no condition for this .. "

It's not about condition he's simply not a GC rider

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm going for an outside bet on kiwatkowski (spelling ) probably not got the legs for such a hilly tour though

He will retain worlds but had no condition for this ..

It's not about condition he's simply not a GC rider"

He would normally go better than this so apparently his condition is due to start picking up at end of week 3

Told he is using it as his 1st big block in run up to worlds .. May also depending how he comes out of tour to target San Sebastián . .. Straight from etixx employee..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I'm going for an outside bet on kiwatkowski (spelling ) probably not got the legs for such a hilly tour though

He will retain worlds but had no condition for this ..

It's not about condition he's simply not a GC rider

He would normally go better than this so apparently his condition is due to start picking up at end of week 3

Told he is using it as his 1st big block in run up to worlds .. May also depending how he comes out of tour to target San Sebastián . .. Straight from etixx employee.. "

He's not a grand tour winner, no point coming into form at the end of the 3rd week as its win before then.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

No but lots of world tour points on offer straight after TdF hence used race as a way of coming into form, showing on a cpl of stages and using the 3 weeks as a serious block

Many riders are not GC riders but use it for a springboard to late season

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

should be a good stage today.... this one has breakaway winner written over it... with the tourmalet being the 2nd last climb i could see someone trying a break decsending off the mountain and seeing if they can get enough of a gap for the last 2 little climbs

funny enough i could see this being a nibali or rodridgeuz type stage....

sky will be in defending mode today... unless they try and break everyone again to help thomas' chances of a top 3 finish

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"No but lots of world tour points on offer straight after TdF hence used race as a way of coming into form, showing on a cpl of stages and using the 3 weeks as a serious block

Many riders are not GC riders but use it for a springboard to late season"

Still some late season classics to come with points on offer to use for contract negotiations.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

Well that was a brilliant stage today, almost forgot to breathe at times when the attacks were happening on the last climb!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

A storming finish to that little stomp up that molehill

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

"A storming finish to that little stomp up that molehill

There's bigger hills round Staffordshire than that definitely!

Good day for Froome, keeps the main rivals a safe distance back

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Great stage.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"Great stage. "

Watched it back again later and still got chills watching the breakaway attempts z

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It seems to me that with his domestique, Froomey has answers for any attempts on nicking time from him

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident. "

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I really like froome he comes across as a really nice guy.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!"

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins, "

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins, "

And who was racing as a schoolboy in London. And who has always held a British passport. And has never represented another country at international level. And who has always been part of the British cycling scene

When Froome was riding for Barloworld and first took out a British licence he was brought to London by one of the magazines (Cycle Sport I think) and they took him on a site seeing trip around London. It was quite a decent article but Froome had never been to the UK before and clearly had very little knowledge of his adopted homeland.

It is also clear that he is quite rightly massively proud of his African heritage

I like the guy, but I think the fact his British racing licence is purely a matter of convenience is why the public don't take him to heart like they do Wiggins and Cav

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins,

It is also clear that he is quite rightly massively proud of his African heritage

I like the guy, but I think the fact his British racing licence is purely a matter of convenience is why the public don't take him to heart like they do Wiggins and Cav

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins, "

Bradley Wiggins Aussie Father was a six day rider on european circuit,English mother,Father left him & his mother so as a very young kid he was brought back to his mothers home town to live in london,grew up doing what other english kids did,got a bike and went through the ranks cycling on Herne Hill track leagues,Became a British junior junior road race champion & went onto win a World junior track pursuit title,likes the 60s Mod culture & bought a scooter,Whilst living near Manchester Velodrome met a Lady fellow cyclist and got married moving to North West England,gets back home to N/W as often as possible whe racing allows.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins,

It is also clear that he is quite rightly massively proud of his African heritage

I like the guy, but I think the fact his British racing licence is purely a matter of convenience is why the public don't take him to heart like they do Wiggins and Cav

I don't like wiggins because to me he comes across very arrogant and well a bit of a diva, and very sulky,

Froome comes across a bit dull but a nice enough bloke,

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins,

It is also clear that he is quite rightly massively proud of his African heritage

I like the guy, but I think the fact his British racing licence is purely a matter of convenience is why the public don't take him to heart like they do Wiggins and Cav

Convenient for who??? He hardly needs the UK... He's a grand tour winner remember

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Good stage win today by Meseysider Steve Cuummings!,just like Brad Wiggins he was a former British Junior Road Race Champion and team pursuiter in same GB Worlds & Olympic Team pursuit squad.

Remarkable too when you think MTN Quibeka are a wild card entry team in this years Tour and held the polka dot mountains leaders jersey for a few days,

Briton simon yates was in the leading break and finished in 10th place on the stage.

Looks like TJ is dropping down as he is leapfrogged by Quuintana but Froome head & shoulders above all..

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

i think the difference between froome and all the other british riders (brad/cav/thomas/cummings ect) is because they all came thru the british track cycling system... we have almost a more vested interest... they came thru world champs and olympics together....

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"i think the difference between froome and all the other british riders (brad/cav/thomas/cummings ect) is because they all came thru the british track cycling system... we have almost a more vested interest... they came thru world champs and olympics together...."

That was how we lost Dan Martin,as you said the others were track academy riders and when Dan Martin won the British junior championship Cav was second!,Martin was not getting the help the others were getting him being purely a road rider so he took out an irish licence being as his mother was irish (Stephen Roche sister)so he qualified that way,another former BC Junior champion and track academy riding in tour this year is Peter Kennaugh who is riding well in support of Froome.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Great result for Cummings

And team MTN.

Froome still looking very good.

Not sure about the people bungee jumping from cliff above race today, gawd that was high up

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Wonder if the sprinters can get over the early Bonks today to stay with the main group?,will we see another Cav,Griepel,Degenkolb,dash for the line?,Can Sagan get more points to keep his green jersey safe before they climb the Alps?.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Good bit where they gave Jalabert chance to have his say on 'dopers' lol gave give it but not take it,or rather did take it

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Good bit where they gave Jalabert chance to have his say on 'dopers' lol gave give it but not take it,or rather did take it

think he's put his foot in it! Big style

His past isn't exactly clean!

Hope it comes back to haunt him

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Wonder if the sprinters can get over the early Bonks today to stay with the main group?,will we see another Cav,Griepel,Degenkolb,dash for the line?,Can Sagan get more points to keep his green jersey safe before they climb the Alps?."

Early Bonks?

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"Good bit where they gave Jalabert chance to have his say on 'dopers' lol gave give it but not take it,or rather did take it

think he's put his foot in it! Big style

His past isn't exactly clean!

Hope it comes back to haunt him

He completely denied what he had said the day before on the broadcast!,is his memory that bad he could not remember what he said?,can't remember his past misdemeanours from 1980s tours eithereither!,is memory loss a by product of EPO?.

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Cavendish & quite a few others got tailed off in the early stages losing contact on the early bonks(Bonks not exactly Cols) leaving Griepel & Dgenkolb to fight for the stage win with Kristoff,Sagan.

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

[Removed by poster at 19/07/15 22:10:35]

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

When did bonks become slang for climbs?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

BBC article today asked why Britain doesn't (generally) love Froome.

I think it answered it's own question ...The Kenyan born, South Africa raised, Monaco resident.

He isn't Bradley Wiggins, basically! Plus, he's a little bit dour, a little bit boring and a little bit good...which us Brits generally don't like; see Andy Murray for proof!

Ah Bradley wiggins that British rider born in Belgium to a Australia father, I prefer froome to wiggins,

It is also clear that he is quite rightly massively proud of his African heritage

I like the guy, but I think the fact his British racing licence is purely a matter of convenience is why the public don't take him to heart like they do Wiggins and Cav

Convenient for who??? He hardly needs the UK... He's a grand tour winner remember"

That's true now but at the time he switched he was a no one with effectively no national federation to help or support him

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

It's a bonk if yam from the cowin' block cuntry!

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

[Removed by poster at 20/07/15 11:03:46]

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I am a southerner and the bonk has been a term used in many forms of racing for year's.

Running, cycling, triathlon...

Well known phrase.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

Great effort from Thomas to retain his position in the GC today...thought he was fucked when he went into that lamppost!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

That was a fair old crash, thought he was on his way out of the tour has his head bounced off the lamppost

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

How he's not got any broken bones is beyond me. I was expecting a collarbone or wrist or similar.

Fair play to G for getting back up and finishing.

Hats off to all of them, taking that descent at the speeds they do............I'm like bambi on ice heading downhill.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"How he's not got any broken bones is beyond me. I was expecting a collarbone or wrist or similar.

Fair play to G for getting back up and finishing.

Hats off to all of them, taking that descent at the speeds they do............I'm like bambi on ice heading downhill."

I'm OK downhill...as long as there are no bends, otherwise I'm hanging onto the brakes like there's no tomorrow (which there probably wouldn't be if I loosed the brakes!

)

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

G is a legend getting back on after that.

Probably a bit sore today tho.

I absolutely love descending max speed I have attained 56mph

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Cavendish & quite a few others got tailed off in the early stages losing contact on the early bonks(Bonks not exactly Cols) leaving Griepel & Dgenkolb to fight for the stage win with Kristoff,Sagan.

The Bonk is a term used when you run out of energy, same as "The Knock"

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that"

That's coz it's called le bonk over there.

Crikey the bonk has been a phrase round these here parts for centuries

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that"

Same here. 3rd generation cyclist, been around the sport all my life and bonk has always been used in the same context as knock, or blowing to talk about running out of energy. I've never heard it used to describe a climb

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Are people confusing honk and bonk?

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that

A cycling bonk is running out of every, a Black Country bonk is slang for bank i.e. a small hill.

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

Energy, not fucking every!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that

That's coz it's called le bonk over there.

Crikey the bonk has been a phrase round these here parts for centuries

A bit like Le Hamburger on Pulp Fiction eh

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By *rivate auditionsMan over a year ago

West Midlands

Finished my long shifts and settling down to catch up on the TDF again,an interesting day about to start in the Alps today,can Froome avoid the Mud slinging & urine throwing?,will Porte dodge the punches?,can G Thomas avoid the Telegraph poles and help Sky keep the yellow jersey?.

Wonder if it will be the same top 3 at end of the day or if Berty can oust TJ to get into podium places?.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

exact copy of the dauphine stage earlier in the year...... it will be won today on the second last climb,and more importantly off the descent off the mountain.... I am convinced nibali and cotador will attack together off the mountain

TVG had a bad day... was 2 minutes off the peleton and now has gotten back

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Sky have a classic defensive tactic for today . They know they have 3 days of shitfest to face ...

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Sky have a classic defensive tactic for today . They know they have 3 days of shitfest to face ...

bertie attacks... blows peleton to pieces... TVG goes out back of peleton again and abandons!!!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Sky have a classic defensive tactic for today . They know they have 3 days of shitfest to face ...

bertie attacks... blows peleton to pieces... TVG goes out back of peleton again and abandons!!! "

Wow! He must be really ill to think it's not worth carrying on or unlikely to make the timecut!

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

"Sky have a classic defensive tactic for today . They know they have 3 days of shitfest to face ...

bertie attacks... blows peleton to pieces... TVG goes out back of peleton again and abandons!!!

Wow! He must be really ill to think it's not worth carrying on or unlikely to make the timecut!"

TVG looked awful when he was blown out the back.. was barely moving... feel awful for him because he was having a really good tour.....

today is going to be an interesting stage... all the main teams have people in all the little break groups... they are going to attack and play leapfrog up the mountain.... they are going to attack the shit out of sky today

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

He had bad stomach .. No energy at all

As they say pedalling squares

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

He was only going to slip down the gc now anyway, he just doesn't have what it takes to climb with the big gc boys for a whole grand tour, he needs to change his style to become a classics rider, especially when Richie Porte gets to bmc next year, he will be the tour hope

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

Jesus, the adverts are coming thicker and faster than usual today!

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By *ust_for_laughsCouple over a year ago

Hinckley

So, does Quintana have anything that Froome can't answer over the last few days in The Alps?

It certainly looks like it's between the two of them now.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Yes .. Stronger team .. Froome got isolated today even tho he had two mates in front group when they came back to him they were as useful as glass cranks .. Roche is no superdomestique .. Suddenly 4 Movistar in a group ....

Going to be close but if I were Quintana I'd believe it's still possible

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Yes .. Stronger team .. Froome got isolated today even tho he had two mates in front group when they came back to him they were as useful as glass cranks .. Roche is no superdomestique .. Suddenly 4 Movistar in a group ....

Going to be close but if I were Quintana I'd believe it's still possible "

I have questioned the strength in depth throughout the tour. Sending domestiques up the road is not uncommon but if they leave their legs in the break it's pointless. And sending a rider who is supposedly one of your strongest climbers (Porte) seems questionable.

Froome has undeniably benefited from Contador's ludicrous belief that the Giro/Tour double was doable

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Going to be close but if I were Quintana I'd believe it's still possible

Froome has undeniably benefited from Contador's ludicrous belief that the Giro/Tour double was doable"

the Porte situation makes me think they were masking his bad day or that they didn't trust Roche

Movistar had them up the road but they were with Quintana at 3km to go and think were told to stand down ..

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"When did bonks become slang for climbs?

Always been bonks in UK racing mate!,you probably never raced outside your own division so never experienced racing on merseyside,yorkshire,north east?.

I'm a ex 1st cat ( note I use the phrase 1st cat and not cat 1 racer ), raced CX on the continent and currently a DS for a team and I've never heard that

Snap. Bonking,in cycling/running and in the Army ("on my chinstrap" being another),meant running out of steam. The Wall.. on climbs (as opposed to the climb itself),it's usually referred to as "cracked",no..?

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

If the others don't make a go of it tomorrow I don't think they will catch froome.

But I don't think they can anyway.

Quintanna had a go today but froome tracked him all the way.

It's froomes race to lose rather than their's to win in my opinion.

Fucking mental downhill today. Pinot lost his bottle, bloody wus.

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By *abioMan over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

Today has played into froome and sky's hands....

Tvg abandoned and Bertie fall... Sky are 1 and 4, Movistar are 2 and 3... So if Bertie or nibali attack, both teams are likely to defend

I think tinkoff and Astana will try and go from the off tomorrow just to see how many of the Movistar and sky boys they can break

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

I've not seen much to show that Contador has the legs to do serious damage to Quintana or Froome

He'd need one of them at least to break big time and both look strong in my view

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By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

Another solid performance today by sky.

Absolutely stunning last climb, that is now on my bucket list.

What an amazing piece of civil engineering.

And the background is stunning.

Glad they kept the crowds off it.

Can't see alpe duez being so civilised.

Allez froome.

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

Quintana keeping his powder dry for Alpe d'Huez in my view

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Just got in to watch some highlights, agreed on that last climb. Staggering view. Don't think my fat ass would climb it though. I'm built for the flats of Linc's and Norfolk

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By *uited staffs guyMan over a year ago

staffordshire

"Just got in to watch some highlights, agreed on that last climb. Staggering view. Don't think my fat ass would climb it though. I'm built for the flats of Linc's and Norfolk

The A50s pretty flat as well

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