The Official 99th Tour de France thread, 2012.

[hans kraay fan club]

Tommy again, doesn't matter how Kessiakoff does it he still gets beaten.

Score now: Voeckler 135, Kessiakoff 118

I make that 15 points but cycling news are saying he is only ten ahead.

Surely that would be 17?

 

[Stat Brother]

Surely that would be 17?

Well that just goes to show what little you two know about cycling.

 

[1066familyman]

Movistar all over this stage today. These two could just about stay away, but it's a tough ask still I think.

Forget that Set up for Valverde then. Nice move.

 

[Stat Brother]

Movistar all over this stage today. These two could just about stay away, but it's a tough ask still I think.

I thought that might be the case, when they were mentioned yesterday as having won the least amount of money.
Hence putting Cobo in.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Movistar all over this stage today. These two could just about stay away, but it's a tough ask still I think.

I knew Movistar would try and rescue their Tour today. So glad I chose Cobo!

 

[Stat Brother]

I knew Movistar would try and rescue their Tour today. So glad I chose Cobo!

Quite why you copied me, I just don't know!

 

[1066familyman]

Movistar were in all the action last year I seem to remember. Good sprinter in the shape of Rojas too then.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Quite why you copied me, I just don't know!

If I'd have known you had him I wouldn't have bothered!

 

[Stat Brother]

Sky are doing what they have to do to win, which is fascinating, and great for us to watch.
I can see why your average Spaniard would be less than impressed, until today!.

The first TT has gone some way to put a spanner in the works, as it was there to bring everybody on GC back together.
But with nobody really going for it on the hills prior, all it did was hand Le Tour to Brad.

As much as we have to get used to watching a clean Tour.
Perhaps the teams need to ride with a 'clean' mentality, just going for it on the last 2 mountain stages isn't enough, anymore.

6 o'clock this morning.

 

[1066familyman]

Here we go, another Kessiakoff v Tommy showdown. coming up

My money's on Tommy V again.

 

[1066familyman]

Here we go. Liquigas set it all up for............VdB

 

[Pantani]

Advert, so a quick comment. Valverde looking strong, don't think he will make it though. Sky still seem to have a lot of men together.

Result of Port de Balès

The points for the fourth climb of stage 17 have been won by:

1. Valverde (MOV) 25pts

2. Martinez (EUS) 20pts - at 35"

3. Costa (MOV) 16pts

4. Kadri (ALM) 14pts - at 1'37"

5. Leipheimer (OPQ) 12pts

6. Voeckler (EUC) 10pts - at 2'00"

7. Kessiakoff (AST) 8pts

8. Izaguirre (EUS) 6pts - at 2'12"

9. Van den Broeck (LTB) 4pts - at 2'30"

10. Nerz (LIQ) 2pts

 

[1066familyman]

Well I hope Valverde can stay away, he deserves to as that was a good set up today. I have my doubts though. Could be very very close and come right down to the last km.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Advert, so a quick comment. Valverde looking strong, don't think he will make it though. Sky still seem to have a lot of men together.

I think Valverde will stay away. Looking strong.

 

[1066familyman]

Rui Costa got lucky there, could have been very nasty on a different corner.

 

[Stat Brother]

Rui Costa got lucky there, could have been very nasty on a different corner.

The fella on the side of the road was telling him it was a dodgy corner.
He still stayed 5 foot inside Martinez.

I loved:-
'If he turns left there he could be back in his hotel in 4kms'

 

[1066familyman]

Ooh, Lotto set up is on.

 

[Barry Izbak]

Awesome performances all the way through the field

Imagine that 17 km pretty much all uphill to the finish

 

[Stat Brother]

I forgot to ask

Is American Chris Horner, aged 40, in the race, this year?

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Alez allez allez allez