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

[Pantani]

I normally wait until after I have recce'd the stage via my own bike ride, but for you 1066, why not.

Seriously lumpy tomorrow, nothing big but constantly up and down all day.

I believe the roads are narrow again like today so could be a few crashes too. The finish is slightly uphill again so expect a similar finish to today, I think Gilbert is favourite, but Hushovd will be involved again, as will Cav after today he will feel he can win on anything. Dark horse call for Boassan Hagen.

Also there will be someone new in the Polka dot jersey, so expect one of the dark horses for that jersey to try and get in the breakaway. Someone like Voeckler or Gadret, definitely someone from the minor french teams anyway. Wish I had thought of this idea sooner, I have just taken Gadret out of my fantasy team.

 

[1066familyman]

Thanks Pantani. So no surprises tomorrow then, just another sprint finish. Oh well, will still be exciting nonetheless.

 

[Woodchip]

Early breakaway that goes the distance. Sylvain Chavanel to take it by about 3 seconds from the GC contenders.

 

[1066familyman]

I suppose my 3.4 mile ride to work doesn't quite count as a recce ?

 

[1066familyman]

Early breakaway that goes the distance. Sylvain Chavanel to take it by about 3 seconds from the GC contenders.

That's the spirit

 

[Woodchip]

That's the spirit

They only let me out the home once a year. I have to make the most of it with some crazy predictions. lol

 

[The Lemming Stomper]

Cheers lads for the original Tour music..up there with the Kraftwerk Tour de France stuff as the greatest cycling music ever imo

Back with the ITV coverage, as said in an earlier post, from tomorrow..will be like re-uniting with old friends

 

[Pantani]

Early breakaway that goes the distance. Sylvain Chavanel to take it by about 3 seconds from the GC contenders.

Ooh Chavanel, good call. The break won't stay clear though, but Chavanel for le maillot à pois rouges.

 

[les dynam]

try as i might... i just can't warm to cavendish. he's just so stroppy, chip on his shoulder the whole time even when he wins! awesome sprint today though. the man is a master.

i fancy tyler ferrar tomorrow.

 

[Stoichkov]

The sound of childhood summers for me

Yep, you could SENSE the school summer holiday was just around the corner

 

[salfordseagull]

Blimey, I didn't realise cycling could do that to you, these boys definately pay a price

 

[1066familyman]

Finally got that youtube problem solved. To celebrate and to go back to the old skool theme of those vids, here's my self indulgent pics of the skins I had done for my new secondhand mobile phone. It's my very own old photo of Johan Museeuw in the Maillot Jaune coming up Elm Grove.

 

[1066familyman]

oopps, came out a bit on the large side

 

[Pantani]

Nice, though, all you need to do now is get the old school TdF theme as a ring tone and you are the retro cycling master. Love those old school helmets too, admittedly they weren't much cop when it came to saving your head, but they look cool.

 

[1066familyman]

Nice, though, all you need to do now is get the old school TdF theme as a ring tone and you are the retro cycling master. Love those old school helmets too, admittedly they weren't much cop when it came to saving your head, but they look cool.

Then I could be the original -all the gear, no idea.....armchair glory hunting...........oh, what the heck, where's my youtube downloading app ? ringtone set by the morning I reckon

 

[1066familyman]

By the way, I'm sure they must have allowed just enough air through for super Mario to call off the strike and agree to wear them.

 

[Pantani]

Nah, Cipo just would have accepted the fine for not wearing the right gear. Like when he wore this:

or this:

or this:

or even this:

He was truly proper hatstand Super Mario.

 

[1066familyman]

Quality pics Pantani

Loved to have seen him go head to head with Cav.

 

[Pantani]

Me too, the Saeco train v the HTC train would be pretty spectacular.

 

[1066familyman]

Me too, the Saeco train v the HTC train would be pretty spectacular.

Wouldn't it just ! Fisty cuffs at some point probably couldn't be ruled out