The Official 99th Tour de France thread, 2012.

[Blues Rock DJ]

Thanks everyone, this is virtually my only outlet for gobbing off on the subject of this sport we're not supposed to win, no-one else I know cares as much.

Spare a thought for the French this summer. The country that broke their hearts by stealing the Olympics at the 11th hour has really rubbed their faces in it by dominating their cherished national event, beaten their leading tennis player in the semi at Wimbledon and finished higher than their supposed superior football team. Any other sports we've crushed them?

Rugby ?

 

[Blues Rock DJ]

Bradley's got to be nailed on to light the flame, surely?

 

[Stat Brother]

He's got to sort out the raffle prizes first.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Two years running the Aussie connection wins the tour!

 

[Stat Brother]

only joking my friend

do you ride? are you sussex based?

Sadly I've had a bit of a traumatic year which has seen me off the bike and in the biscuit tin.

I now consider myself the non talented cycling equivalent of Brian Wilson when he was living in his bed, on Malibu beach, and not surfing.

 

[Stat Brother]

Brian Wilson, who am I kidding:-

 

[Woodchip]

Well done to Thomas Voeckler as well. My favourite frenchman taking the polka dot jersey.

 

[Woodchip]

Thanks everyone, this is virtually my only outlet for gobbing off on the subject of this sport we're not supposed to win, no-one else I know cares as much.

Spare a thought for the French this summer. The country that broke their hearts by stealing the Olympics at the 11th hour has really rubbed their faces in it by dominating their cherished national event, beaten their leading tennis player in the semi at Wimbledon and finished higher than their supposed superior football team. Any other sports we've crushed them?

Err, Tommy V done pretty well to get KoM.

 

[teaboy]

Cheers Stat. Is it back to 'cycling geeks' for the worlds/vuelta or new threads for that?

Nah lets go home.

Nah, let's take over the 'Spain Tour' thread!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Well that three weeks was a joy. Wiggins is a very British champion. The "raffle tickets" comment was bloody funny. To be the first Brit to win the yellow jersey is some achievement. And to lead out for Cavendish was the mark of a true leader. And for Cavendish to win as well was incredible.



But what was Lesley Garrett wearing ? And what a woeful rendition of the dirge. I like a bit of opera - but that was terrible.

 

[Bozza]

what a woeful rendition of the dirge. I like a bit of opera - but that was terrible.

Wiggins looked well impressed at that...

 

[Stat Brother]

Wiggins looked well impressed at that...

View attachment 33375

That's an unfortunate photo, even if we were all thinking it.

 

[Woodchip]

Wiggins looked well impressed at that...

View attachment 33375

Err, Brad appears to have a camel toe going on!!!

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

That's an unfortunate photo, even if we were all thinking it.

That is not unfortunate. Wiggins knew what he was doing. Compare with Froome.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Err, Tommy V done pretty well to get KoM.

haha yeah.

The French are probably looking better than they have in years for young promising riders coming through their ranks.

 

[Stat Brother]

haha yeah.

The French are probably looking better than they have in years for young promising riders coming through their ranks.

The joys of a cleaner sport.

France's law makers strong arm tactics, 5 years ago, seem to be beginning to take effect.

 

[Birdie Boy]

Guys, I was just reading that Brailsford has said that Team Sky will be continuing to go for GC wins in the next few years of the TdF and if Cavendish wants to leave, then that is not an issue but they would like him to stay. My question is, is there a limit to the amount of riders a team can have? Could Sky add another 2 or 3 riders to help Cavendish and still help Wiggins/Froome to win the GC? May be it is just down to cost...

 

[Woodchip]

Guys, I was just reading that Brailsford has said that Team Sky will be continuing to go for GC wins in the next few years of the TdF and if Cavendish wants to leave, then that is not an issue but they would like him to stay. My question is, is there a limit to the amount of riders a team can have? Could Sky add another 2 or 3 riders to help Cavendish and still help Wiggins/Froome to win the GC? May be it is just down to cost...

There is (almost) no limit to the number of riders in a team, but only 9 can race in the TdF, Vuelta and Giro. Some other events have different maximums.

This is like having a squad of x players, but only 11 can play on the day (ignore subs as you can't sub in cycling).

 

[Birdie Boy]

There is (almost) no limit to the number of riders in a team, but only 9 can race in the TdF, Vuelta and Giro. Some other events have different maximums.

This is like having a squad of x players, but only 11 can play on the day (ignore subs as you can't sub in cycling).

Thanks. So, would 9 not be enough to try and win Green and Yellow jerseys?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Cav's great weakness in the pursuit of Green jerseys will always be he can't go over the mountains like Sagan can. Thor showed that and now it's Sagan's to lose each year imo.