The Official 102nd Tour de France, thread.

[Stat Brother]

Agreed, but I would take team time trials out personally as they can really penalise good riders unfortunate enough to have a weak TT team.

I'd be happy with more editions like this year. Light on TT and chucking classics style stages in there heavy on the first week to create fireworks and keep the serious GC contenders on their toes rather than just everything won and lost in the mountains.

I think we'll get bored of those quite quickly, as great as they are now and have been this year I'll be disappointed if next years route keeps with punchy 2km climbing finishes.

I think the Telegraph boys were asked about a route with no HC climbs.
They were against the idea but admitted the big name climbs are fairly devoid of real action.

It's only when you think about it, you realise how regimented the route is.
No much how well Prudhomme has mixed it up, and qod forbid we go back to 'first 5 days = bunch sprint, there's only x amount of options available.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Watch a hundred blokes on bikes in cagoules do ten leisurely laps of Paris in the rain? Don't think so somehow

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

I must add, I love a Time Trial, brilliant to set up with food, chair and start time list, near the end of a long one, and watch the race go by one, by one, with lots of catches and battles.

Mountain TT even better, this was a great one, We were 2 of 1.5 million people on the mountain side that day, its was hot but fab, can only find footage with he that shan't be named

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiD89SUkdIk

 

[Bold Seagull]

The man who's face will be all over the front of every European news outlet.

While I'm £170 richer.

Yes I did it, I couldn't help myself

A fool and his money, although at least I've been smart enough to save my only bet until the last stage.
As my prognostications clearly show I'd be properly broke if I were chasing my loses, for the last 3 weeks.

So close!!!!!

 

[JoePrecious]

The man who's face will be all over the front of every European news outlet.

While I'm £170 richer.

Yes I did it, I couldn't help myself

A fool and his money, although at least I've been smart enough to save my only bet until the last stage.
As my prognostications clearly show I'd be properly broke if I were chasing my loses, for the last 3 weeks.

See - everyone was right, he was nowhere near! ;-)

 

[Pogue Mahone]

So, Cocquard nearly got it. Was your bet each way, SB?

 

[Stat Brother]

Nuts.

I hate cycling

 

[Stat Brother]

So, Cocquard nearly got it. Was your bet each way, SB?

Only losers bet eachway


Welcome back, I've been enjoying your Strava.
All that looking up must have put a strain on your neck.

 

[1066familyman]

There you go SB, got you 2nd at least I'm assuming you had him E/W of course.

Edit: Just seen you went all in Are you mad!?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Only losers bet eachway


Welcome back, I've been enjoying your Strava.
All that looking up must have put a strain on your neck.

Cheers. Yes, strains all over. Strava may be quiet for a while now!

 

[Stat Brother]

Edit: Just seen you went all in Are you mad!?

Yeah, I allowed myself just a fiver, as I started to think I should double up win & ew.

Naturally at that point I convinced myself I was throwing twice the amount of money away, so left it.

Hopefully someone had a little flutter @ 40/1, just with more sense.



Lil Miss Stat came in with a puzzled look on her face at about 100m to go and said:-

"Are you watching cycling or football".

 

[Triggaaar]

Unlucky Stat Bro.

Bit disappointed for Cav.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Nicely put, Chris.

 

[Stat Brother]

Review Time

Well that certainly was an enjoyable tour.
I can't think of too many days without a highlight or talking point.
I'm even struggling to pick out a villain, beyond some of the media, in with all the hero's.

Froome - Rode to perfection.
G - Did everything brilliantly, including his interviews.
Wouter Poels - I think he'll get forgotten but for me his Alpine riding kept CF in yellow.
Tony Martin - Dogged determination for yellow, and epitomising Le Tour with his collar bone sticking through his skin.
Peter Sagan - All guts and talent.
Steve Cummings - Blasting past the Frenchies.
Plenty of heroic climbing and descending.
A great looking route, as usual.
Some top notch coverage.
A fair few heart in mouth moments as well. (today's was self-inflicted)
Finally, I hope Cofidis get a wild card entry next year, the race seemed a little lacking without them!

 

[vegster]

The abuse Froome has received has been totally uncalled for, I'm absolutely disgusted.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

The abuse Froome has received has been totally uncalled for, I'm absolutely disgusted.

He needs to be feted in this country. He is a true sporting superstar, and his achievements are absolutely incredible.

I know Sports Personality of the Year is a bit crap, but if he doesn't win something is very wrong.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Review Time

Well that certainly was an enjoyable tour.
I can't think of too many days without a highlight or talking point.
I'm even struggling to pick out a villain, beyond some of the media, in with all the hero's.

Froome - Rode to perfection.
G - Did everything brilliantly, including his interviews.
Wouter Poels - I think he'll get forgotten but for me his Alpine riding kept CF in yellow.
Tony Martin - Dogged determination for yellow, and epitomising Le Tour with his collar bone sticking through his skin.
Peter Sagan - All guts and talent.
Steve Cummings - Blasting past the Frenchies.
Plenty of heroic climbing and descending.
A great looking route, as usual.
Some top notch coverage.
A fair few heart in mouth moments as well. (today's was self-inflicted)
Finally, I hope Cofidis get a wild card entry next year, the race seemed a little lacking without them!

Teklehaimanot also deserves a mention for his polka dot shenanigans.

 

[Stat Brother]

The abuse Froome has received has been totally uncalled for, I'm absolutely disgusted.

It'll certainly make next year interesting.
In what should be another straight shoot out between Nairo and Chris, will the French learn to trust Froome & Sky's panache free style?

Teklehaimanot also deserves a mention for his polka dot shenanigans.

Cummings' win was originally an MTN in general, point, in preparation of sticking it to Cofidis.
But remembering SC winning in the style I assume I'll win my first Tour stage I felt needed singling out, but then I forgot to give the team props.
I wonder if Cummings shouted "quad power" as he shot passed them?

 

[Stat Brother]

Has Chris Froome joined Britain's greatest road cyclists?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33670427

Chris Froome: Where does he rank among British cycling greats?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33663653

 

[Triggaaar]

Review Time

Well that certainly was an enjoyable tour.
I can't think of too many days without a highlight or talking point.
I'm even struggling to pick out a villain, beyond some of the media, in with all the hero's.

Froome - Rode to perfection.
G - Did everything brilliantly, including his interviews.
Wouter Poels - I think he'll get forgotten but for me his Alpine riding kept CF in yellow.
Tony Martin - Dogged determination for yellow, and epitomising Le Tour with his collar bone sticking through his skin.
Peter Sagan - All guts and talent.
Steve Cummings - Blasting past the Frenchies.
Plenty of heroic climbing and descending.
A great looking route, as usual.
Some top notch coverage.
A fair few heart in mouth moments as well. (today's was self-inflicted)
Finally, I hope Cofidis get a wild card entry next year, the race seemed a little lacking without them!

No mention for Greipel?