The Official 98th Tour de France, thread, 2011.

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

The breakaway is going to stay away I think. I reckon this one is for Boasson Hagen or if it stays wet whoever has the most bottle on the descent.

Hopefully some sprint points will be up for grabs for the peleton, if so think the teams may send up riders to mop them up, Thor could get max points today.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Some good riders in the breakaway - should make for a great desent and finish

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Bertie having a big dig...

 

[Pantani]

Oh dear, Schlecks! You big losers. Looking more and more like Evans is the man to beat. Sanchez and Contador will have to attack him over the next few days as they will not beat him in the TT.

 

[teaboy]

Schlecks are going to have to attack too, and Bertie. With the TT on the last day it's doubtful anyone will take more than 30 seconds, so Galibier and Alpe d'Huez should be great viewing!

 

[Stat Brother]

I'm a bit disappointed in you, chaps.
There's no mention of NSC's very own Ryder Hesjedal

 

[Stat Brother]

Envy, you just wanna be in a Schleck sandwich up the Beacon...Evans is getting all the fun.

It wouldn't be a sandwich they'd be sitting on my wheel

 

[Stat Brother]

Great ride from Bert, I think we've all had a go at predicting him hammering it in the last week.
It's a shame the Schlecks aren't Albion fans, they might have seen it coming.

 

[Stat Brother]

Another strong ride from Cadel.

I love the fact he and perhaps Thor have both become different riders from the moment they've won the Worlds.

 

[Woodchip]

Schlecks dropped in a Cat 2. Evans pulling time out on Contador. Cav not being in the autobus. Still no French win. WHAT A STAGE!!!!

Tomorrow's stage...


Another long descent near the end should favour the ex-mountainbikers again. Will Evans fancy an attack to consolidate his position? Will Contador go again? Will the Schlecks find their legs overnight?

I'm going to go with EBH. He's had a taste of victory and I reckon he's got another stage win in him.

 

[teaboy]

I'll go with an ironic French win on the day the Tour crosses into Italy...

 

[Stat Brother]

Todays stage was more suited to rouleur.
Tomorrows is more about the polka dots.

It's probably the last chance any of the 'team climbers' have a chance to earn their livings.
So I'll go for Roche.

 

[1066familyman]

Schlecks dropped in a Cat 2. Evans pulling time out on Contador. Cav not being in the autobus. Still no French win. WHAT A STAGE!!!!

Yep, who'd have Adam and Eve'd it !

Tomorrow I'll go for Vanendert for the stage win as he tries to take maximum polka dot points from Sanchez so he has some hope of clinging onto it come Thursday and Friday.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Great stage Viva NORWAY!!!!

 

[adrian29uk]

Must remember to watch the Paris - Roubaix race next year. Missed it this year and was a bit annoyed.

 

[Stoichkov]

Crikey, what a stage!

Not sure what to make of that really 'cept Cadel's looking better and tomorrow doesn't bode well for the Schlecks with that tricky descent.

What a great Tour...

 

[Stoichkov]

5. He thinks the wavey forks and seat stays on a Pinarello look rubbish and wants to ride for a team with bikes of a more classical look.

oi! I've just got my Dogma. I just need to get everything else now to build it up

 

[DT Withdean]

Schlecks dropped in a Cat 2. Evans pulling time out on Contador. Cav not being in the autobus. Still no French win. WHAT A STAGE!!!!

Tomorrow's stage...
View attachment 26605

Another long descent near the end should favour the ex-mountainbikers again. Will Evans fancy an attack to consolidate his position? Will Contador go again? Will the Schlecks find their legs overnight?

I'm going to go with EBH. He's had a taste of victory and I reckon he's got another stage win in him.

Know much of that route from driving to/from ski holidays in France from Turin.

The hairpins and steepness between Briancon & Montgenevre are immense. We have the luxury of being in a car.

Interesting to see if a bitter Andy Schleck cheers up. Great, open Tour this year. Brilliant viewing.

 

[Pantani]

oi! I've just got my Dogma. I just need to get everything else now to build it up

Don't confuse my Geraint projected opinions with what I actually think. Personally I love the wavy forks and stays. If I could afford a custom paint job in pink or red I would be buying one of these asap.

 

[Stat Brother]

aaagggrrrhhhh, I'd rather have the sartorial elegance of a celeste saddle (you haven't seen the pedals yet!) than wavy forks.

I really have an adverse reaction to Pinerello's, I'd rather ride an off the peg Trek whilst kitted out in 'Mellow Johnny' stuff.