The Official 100th Tour de France thread, 2013.

[Hamilton]

I'm in Paris now waiting to watch Va Va Froome.

V excited.

Any spectating tips from those that have attended before?

 

[Wardy]

So the only question left to answer is will Cav win his fifth final stage?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'm in Paris now waiting to watch Va Va Froome.

V excited.

Any spectating tips from those that have attended before?

Enjoy yourself mate.

By all accounts, going in some of the Champs Elysees bars can be the best watching experience - fantastic atmosphere, beer etc.

But make sure you're near the podium to see Froome getting his trophy and yellow jersey, and to see Cav celebrate his 5th Paris win on the trot.

 

[banjo]

Well done Froome fantastic riding. Thoroughly deserved.

 

[Stat Brother]

Enjoy yourself mate.

By all accounts, going in some of the Champs Elysees bars can be the best watching experience - fantastic atmosphere, beer etc.

But make sure you're near the podium to see Froome getting his trophy and yellow jersey, and to see Cav celebrate his 5th Paris win on the trot.

With your camera.

 

[Motogull]

With your camera.

What he said.

Mate a mine got a top photo of Brad last year.

 

[Stat Brother]

[tweet]358629742594883584[/tweet]

 

[Pogue Mahone]

[tweet]358629742594883584[/tweet]

I don't think that it's any secret that they're not close.

 

[1066familyman]

That depends on the criteria for the comparisons.

Froome has been utterly dominant, and the result has never been in question. Bradley looked vulnerable once or twice, but not overly so, last year. Again, he dominated the race - but the course very much suited him.

Froome's win has been brilliant, and I'm really pleased that he has won. But Bradley's win was one of those moments that will stay with me forever. After years of watching the Tour, and years of supporting Wiggo, it was a moment of pure beauty when he won. So for me, his win beats Froome's.

Probably not my finest post to be honest as comparisons are a bit pointless. Both are great victories in and of themselves. But I'd say strength of competition, parcours, strength of team support and manner in which it's won would be my markers.

Parcours - made for both of them on each Tour.

Competiton - wasn't great for either, but Froome's was probably tougher. It was theirs to lose for both of them.

Team Support - Wiggins had by far the stronger team around him. He never really had to work as hard for his win as Froome did. At no point was Wiggins isolated like Froome was. Froome was superb under pressure.

Riding Style - When did you last see Wiggins attack anyone? Froome is an exciting type of rider and great to watch.

I suppose I make the comparison because it boils down to me preferring Froome to Wiggins. Mainly because of their different riding styles, but also perhaps because Wiggins hasn't exactly covered himself in glory since he won his Tour. Doesn't cost much to at least send a congrats message to Froome, does it?

Anyway, great victories both, and another superb win for British Sport.

 

[1066familyman]

I'm in Paris now waiting to watch Va Va Froome.

V excited.

Any spectating tips from those that have attended before?

You lucky so and so!

No tips - just have a great time over there

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Probably not my finest post to be honest as comparisons are a bit pointless. Both are great victories in and of themselves. But I'd say strength of competition, parcours, strength of team support and manner in which it's won would be my markers.

Parcours - made for both of them on each Tour.

Competiton - wasn't great for either, but Froome's was probably tougher. It was theirs to lose for both of them.

Team Support - Wiggins had by far the stronger team around him. He never really had to work as hard for his win as Froome did. At no point was Wiggins isolated like Froome was. Froome was superb under pressure.

Riding Style - When did you last see Wiggins attack anyone? Froome is an exciting type of rider and great to watch.

I suppose I make the comparison because it boils down to me preferring Froome to Wiggins. Mainly because of their different riding styles, but also perhaps because Wiggins hasn't exactly covered himself in glory since he won his Tour. Doesn't cost much to at least send a congrats message to Froome, does it?

Anyway, great victories both, and another superb win for British Sport.

I agree, Wiggo hasn't covered himself in glory this year...

Last year was the pinnacle, just a ridiculously good year for him, when everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Almost a shame that he didn't retire there and then, after the Olympic Time Trial.

I agree, Wiggo's team was better, and that goes for this year's Giro too. Froome's victory is harder won, and as you say, he has shown unbelievable fortitude when isolated, which has happened several times.

And he is a more exciting rider to watch. His attacks in the mountains have been a thing of beauty.

So I agree with almost all of what you say. By most criteria, Froome's victory has been the more impressive. Wiggins' Tour just meant more to me.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

And you're right, it wouldn't hurt Bradley to send a message of congratulations. Hopefully he'll put that right tomorrow.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

And you're right, it wouldn't hurt Bradley to send a message of congratulations. Hopefully he'll put that right tomorrow.

Wiggo's achievement last year as the first Brit to win the TdF can never be taken away from him, plus if Wiggo is honest Froome was very instrumental in that so should be well placed to understand just what it takes - so IMHO it wouldn't do any harm for Wiggo to recognise Froome's achievement this year.

I was only thinking yesterday how classy it would be for Wiggo to discretely congratulate Froome before tomorrow's stage. Froome (or maybe his other half) appears to have pre-empted that. Maybe Wiggo had that in mind but if he does might now look like he was prompted, which is a shame (not that Wiggo would be prompted by others).

I fully expect Froome to acknowledge Porte's role.

 

[Stat Brother]

I think we are all closing in on the same hymn book (we're not blind)

As sporting victory goes what CF has done these last 3 weeks, for all the reasons above, far outweighs BW's victory last year.

But BW was the first.

You only have to look at the 2 threads to see how much more involved NSC was last year, (about 1000 less posts this time around)

 

[Stat Brother]

I've absolutely loved Le Tour 2013.

I thought Corsica looked fantastic and proved a great backdrop to some excellent racing.
It certainly seemed to set the tone, for a freer race.

I'm struggling to think, other than yesterday, of a stage that just went through the motions.
There's far too many individual highlights to list, so I'll just content myself with Cav's break away win on stage 13.

The only blot that instantly springs to mind is the French teams.
I wouldn't want Riblon's AdH win and Sojasun's desire to be seen, cover the cracks of a pretty poor show by the home team.


Personally I've enjoyed Carlton Kirby on Eurosport, plus the general podcasts from BBC & ITV as well as Richard Moore's, more in depth poddy on humansinvent,

I really really hope Cav brings it home tomorrow, that would ice the cake for me.

 

[1066familyman]

I agree, Wiggo hasn't covered himself in glory this year...

Last year was the pinnacle, just a ridiculously good year for him, when everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Almost a shame that he didn't retire there and then, after the Olympic Time Trial.

I agree, Wiggo's team was better, and that goes for this year's Giro too. Froome's victory is harder won, and as you say, he has shown unbelievable fortitude when isolated, which has happened several times.

And he is a more exciting rider to watch. His attacks in the mountains have been a thing of beauty.

So I agree with almost all of what you say. By most criteria, Froome's victory has been the more impressive. Wiggins' Tour just meant more to me.

That's what I meant really - sporting achievement.

I'd agree with you though, for most people Wiggins' meant more, purely because it was the first and we'd waited so long for it. It also came in what was a really special year for British sport - the likes of which I doubt any of us will ever see again.

Amazing times British sport is going through. Perhaps our kids will take British Tour de France winners and Wimbledon champions as just par for the course as they grow up?

 

[Stat Brother]

Amazing times British sport is going through. Perhaps our kids will take British Tour de France winners and Wimbledon champions as just par for the course as they grow up?

and World Cup wins

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

and World Cup wins

Until last year a British TdF winner felt just as likely as us winning the footie World Cup. We could hope but realistically it was asking a lot and in completely uncharted waters. It helped the TdF planning a route to suit Wiggo's strengths and Sky's clinical approach.

Ironically we now have two TdF wins in a row but the chances of world cup footie win is even further away than ever. It's a funny old game.

What chance 3 TdF wins for us Brits in a row? This years TdF route was less Wiggo friendly but has nicely played to Froome's strengths, so it will be interesting to see what they come up with once it gets to France next year. Meanwhile Cav will be a good bet for the Cambridge to London stage.

 

[Stat Brother]

It'll certainly be interesting to see how Sky handle Quintana, next year.
He's the only man, assuming Henao and t'other fella (name escapes me), aren't up to leadership roles in their new teams.


Sky certainly won't get it all their own way, but it'll be nice to see the old guard slipping away.

 

[1066familyman]

I've absolutely loved Le Tour 2013.

I thought Corsica looked fantastic and proved a great backdrop to some excellent racing.
It certainly seemed to set the tone, for a freer race.

I'm struggling to think, other than yesterday, of a stage that just went through the motions.
There's far too many individual highlights to list, so I'll just content myself with Cav's break away win on stage 13.

The only blot that instantly springs to mind is the French teams.
I wouldn't want Riblon's AdH win and Sojasun's desire to be seen, cover the cracks of a pretty poor show by the home team.


Personally I've enjoyed Carlton Kirby on Eurosport, plus the general podcasts from BBC & ITV as well as Richard Moore's, more in depth poddy on humansinvent,

I really really hope Cav brings it home tomorrow, that would ice the cake for me.

Agreed, bloody brilliant Tour!

The choice of parcours has certainly done the 100th edition proud by supplying us with some great racing throughout. At times it's almost felt like going through a series of one day classics back to back.

Corsica was certainly a massive highlight on all levels and must surely now not wait another 100 years for Le Tour to return.

Agreed on the French teams. Tommy V hasn't the legs anymore to light things up and Rolland has been a let down, even though Cyril Gautier has had a blinder for Europcar. Pinot another big let down too and Arthur Vichot hasn't exactly done the National jersey proud. I was hoping to see your mate Bouhanni light up the sprints but that all went pear shaped as well. Cofidis were really poor, especially for me rooting for young Rudy to be in break after break, but I think he'll be glad to get his first Tour under his belt. Have to say though that the exception for the French has been AG2R who have been absolutely superb! An all French team that have punched well above their weight - chapeau to them!

The less said about the Italians the better. Summed up in one word - Lampre

Tomorrow will feel really special with it being an evening stage and accompanied by all the pomp and ceremony and the crowning of yet another well deserved British winner. Here's also hoping for another Cav special too for the icing on all our cakes.