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The OFFICIAL Tour de France, thread.



Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
Well I won a bit of money from the each way bet on Rodriguez.$10 e/w and you get 1/4 of win price for finishing in top 3.

So was well chuffed when he came up flying up through the mist for 3rd.
Likewise for me and Ryder, I thought he'd been dropped, then I couldn't help but cheer when he came out of the mist, in front.
 




adrian29uk

New member
Sep 10, 2003
3,389
It's not been a good summer for ITV.
Although their coverage of Le Tour is very very good.

Bloody adverts

I know we have to put up with the ads, but we just want to be thankful we don't have the Eurosport commentators. If you have ever listened to them, they make you fall asleep. The quality of the ITV4 team is a class apart from David Harman and Sean Kelly
 




1066familyman

Radio User
Jan 15, 2008
15,234
Well, all bar the final TT, that's this years tour over, and what a fantastic tour it's been :clap: The organisers really deserve massive credit I think for setting everything up a treat this year.
Brilliant ride from Samuel Sanchez to get back on after that fall and even put a bit of time into Menchov. Shame 21 secs won't be enough over Menchov going into the TT for a podium finish but I don't think anyone would begrudge Dennis his place on the podium.
Those images through the mist of Schleck trying to ride Contador off his wheel today will be played back for years to come. I think even with Frank by his side this year though, Contador will still have proved just too strong for Andy Schleck. One day Schlecks time will come.
Nice to see Pattachi going into Paris as this will really make for a fantasic battle for green right to the bitter end.

Re ITV's coverage. I go right back to those first half hour highlights programmes on Channel 4 in the 80's. This year, getting myself a freesat recorder just in time made for my best viewing experience of Le Tour ever. I've recorded both live and highlights programmes and I can just skip through the adverts as I watch the programmes back in the evening. My one criticism would be to agree with Pantani here - their live coverage starts too late and so any good early action, yesterdays stage 16 being a case in point, is missed. The big positive for me from ITV's coverage ever since they took over from channel 4 was the master stroke of retaining Phil and Paul as their commentary team.
 


1066familyman

Radio User
Jan 15, 2008
15,234
Thought a quick and easy look at the GC standings here might make for interesting reading.

Forgot to give special mention earlier to young Roche, because he's been outstanding again this year and who's to say that one day he won't match his father with a Tour win. :bowdown:

Also, I wonder if Millar can make up for the hard time he's had of it this year and nick the TT off of Cancellara on Saturday ?


GC standings after Stage 17:

1. Alberto Contador, Astana, in 83h 32′ 39″
2. Andy Schleck, Team Saxo Bank, at 00:08
3. Samuel Sanchez, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 03:32
4. Denis Menchov, Rabobank, at 03:53
5. Broeck Jurgen Van Den, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 05:27
6. Robert Gesink, Rabobank, at 06:41
7. Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver, Katusha Team, at 07:03
8. Ryder Hesjedal, Garmin – Transitions, at 09:18
9. Roman Kreuziger, Liquigas-Doimo, at 10:12
10. Christopher Horner, Team RadioShack, at 10:37
11. Luis-leon Sanchez, Caisse D’Epargne, at 12:46
12. Ruben Plaza Molina, Caisse D’Epargne, at 13:01
13. Levi Leipheimer, Team RadioShack, at 14:24
14. Andréas KlÖden, Team RadioShack, at 14:44
15. Nicolas Roche, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 16:00
16. Alexandre Vinokourov, Astana, at 17:57
17. John Gadret, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 17:59
18. Thomas LÖvkvist, Sky Pro Cycling, at 18:30
19. Kevin De Weert, Quick Step, at 20:03
20. Daniel Moreno Fernandez, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 25:23
21. Carlos Sastre, Cérvelo Test Team, at 25:50
22. Christophe Moreau, Caisse D’Epargne, at 32:30
23. Lance Armstrong, Team RadioShack, at 37:58
24. Bradley Wiggins, Sky Pro Cycling, at 41:03
25. Sandy Casar, FDJ, at 42:56
26. Cadel Evans, BMC Racing Team, at 45:13
27. Julien El Fares, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 48:56
28. Christophe Riblon, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 50:27
29. Damiano Cunego, Lampre – Farnese, at 51:56
30. Ivan Basso, Liquigas-Doimo, at 53:46
31. Johan Van Summeren, Garmin – Transitions, at 55:07
32. Sylvain Chavanel, Quick Step, at 58:22
33. Mario Aerts, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 59:39
34. Gorka Verdugo, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 1:06:39
35. Volodymir Gustov, Cérvelo Test Team, at 1:07:09
36. Rémi Pauriol, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 1:07:11
37. Michael Rogers, Team HTC-Columbia, at 1:07:23
38. Manuel Garate Juan, Rabobank, at 1:08:26
39. Kanstantsin Sivtsov, Team HTC-Columbia, at 1:14:03
40. Egoi Martinez, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 1:15:10
41. Anthony Charteau, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 1:17:46
42. Christophe Le Mevel, FDJ, at 1:18:19
43. Carlos Barredo, Quick Step, at 1:20:06
44. Cyril Gautier, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 1:21:36
45. Janez Brajkovic, Team RadioShack, at 1:22:00
46. Sergio Paulinho, Team RadioShack, at 1:23:37
47. Matthew Lloyd, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 1:28:18
48. Daniel Navarro, Astana, at 1:32:35
49. Ivan Gutierrez José, Caisse D’Epargne, at 1:36:05
50. Jakob Fuglsang, Team Saxo Bank, at 1:39:07
51. Steve Morabito, BMC Racing Team, at 1:40:15
52. Paolo Tiralongo, Astana, at 1:40:19
53. Rafael Valls Ferri, Footon-Servetto, at 1:41:31
54. Koos Moerenhout, Rabobank, at 1:43:25
55. Pierre Rolland, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 1:43:35
56. Ivan Velasco, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 1:44:09
57. Sylvester Szmyd, Liquigas-Doimo, at 1:44:32
58. Pierrick Fedrigo, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 1:45:09
59. Grischa Niermann, Rabobank, at 1:45:26
60. George Hincapie, BMC Racing Team, at 1:45:30
61. Maxime Monfort, Team HTC-Columbia, at 1:45:57
62. Mathieu Perget, Caisse D’Epargne, at 1:49:02
63. Walle Jurgen Van De, Quick Step, at 1:49:45
64. Vasil Kiryienka, Caisse D’Epargne, at 1:50:27
65. Alexandr Kolobnev, Katusha Team, at 1:53:05
66. Jérôme Pineau, Quick Step, at 1:53:16
67. Joaquin Rojas Jose, Caisse D’Epargne, at 2:00:25
68. Geraint Thomas, Sky Pro Cycling, at 2:02:10
69. Amaël Moinard, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 2:05:02
70. Chris Sorensen, Team Saxo Bank, at 2:05:43
71. Damien Monier, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 2:08:29
72. Da Costa Rui Alberto Faria, Caisse D’Epargne, at 2:09:09
73. Francis De Greef, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 2:09:50
74. Thomas Voeckler, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 2:10:58
75. Thomas Rohregger, Team Milram, at 2:11:40
76. Martin Elmiger, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 2:14:12
77. Rémy Di Gregorio, FDJ, at 2:17:03
78. Imanol Erviti, Caisse D’Epargne, at 2:18:29
79. Eduard Vorganov, Katusha Team, at 2:24:32
80. Arkaitz Duran Aroca, Footon-Servetto, at 2:29:19
81. Aitor Perez Arrieta, Footon-Servetto, at 2:29:45
82. Sebastian Lang, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 2:30:14
83. Eros Capecchi, Footon-Servetto, at 2:31:14
84. Linus Gerdemann, Team Milram, at 2:34:27
85. Aleksandr Kuchynski, Liquigas-Doimo, at 2:36:22
86. Yaroslav Popovych, Team RadioShack, at 2:37:40
87. Alessandro Ballan, BMC Racing Team, at 2:40:34
88. Nicolas Vogondy, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 2:41:54
89. Antonio Flecha Juan, Sky Pro Cycling, at 2:43:35
90. Johannes FrÖhlinger, Team Milram, at 2:47:12
91. Sébastien Minard, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 2:48:40
92. Christian Knees, Team Milram, at 2:51:20
93. Kristjan Koren, Liquigas-Doimo, at 2:52:10
94. Matthieu Ladagnous, FDJ, at 2:53:03
95. Benoît Vaugrenard, FDJ, at 2:54:16
96. Ruben Perez Moreno, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 2:54:24
97. Rinaldo Nocentini, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 2:55:24
98. Christophe Kern, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 2:59:03
99. Michaël Barry, Sky Pro Cycling, at 2:59:58
100. Matthieu Sprick, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 3:00:39
101. Benjamin Noval Gonzalez, Astana, at 3:01:56
102. David Zabriskie, Garmin – Transitions, at 3:02:50
103. Luke Roberts, Team Milram, at 3:02:57
104. Francesco Gavazzi, Lampre – Farnese, at 3:03:15
105. Serge Pauwels, Sky Pro Cycling, at 3:03:47
106. Serguei Ivanov, Katusha Team, at 3:03:58
107. Pavel Brutt, Katusha Team, at 3:04:40
108. Maxime Bouet, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 3:06:26
109. Fuente David De La, Astana, at 3:06:27
110. Alexandr Pliuschin, Katusha Team, at 3:07:54
111. Thor Hushovd, Cérvelo Test Team, at 3:09:37
112. Yukiya Arashiro, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 3:09:56
113. Boasson Hagen Edvald, Sky Pro Cycling, at 3:10:29
114. Lloyd Mondory, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 3:11:01
115. Gregory Rast, Team RadioShack, at 3:11:09
116. Inaki Isasi, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 3:11:23
117. Maarten Wynants, Quick Step, at 3:14:13
118. Sébastien Turgot, BBox Bouygues Telecom, at 3:14:46
119. Fabian Wegmann, Team Milram, at 3:15:34
120. Mauro Da Dalto, Lampre – Farnese, at 3:17:44
121. Francesco Bellotti, Liquigas-Doimo, at 3:18:11
122. Brian Vandborg, Liquigas-Doimo, at 3:18:53
123. Jürgen Roelandts, Omega Pharma – Lotto, at 3:19:37
124. Grega Bole, Lampre – Farnese, at 3:19:45
125. Jens Voigt, Team Saxo Bank, at 3:19:56
126. Daniel Oss, Liquigas-Doimo, at 3:20:03
127. Jesus Hernandez Blazquez, Astana, at 3:20:19
128. Lars Boom, Rabobank, at 3:21:31
129. Alan Perez Lezaun, Euskaltel – Euskadi, at 3:22:08
130. Gerald Ciolek, Team Milram, at 3:22:50
131. Maxim Iglinskiy, Astana, at 3:23:30
132. Fabian Cancellara, Team Saxo Bank, at 3:24:23
133. Kevin Seeldrayers, Quick Step, at 3:25:12
134. Ignatas Konovalovas, Cérvelo Test Team, at 3:26:45
135. Andriy Grivko, Astana, at 3:29:23
136. Danilo Hondo, Lampre – Farnese, at 3:29:25
137. Karsten Kroon, BMC Racing Team, at 3:29:32
138. Maarten Tjallingii, Rabobank, at 3:29:52
139. Oscar Freire, Rabobank, at 3:32:17
140. Martijn Maaskant, Garmin – Transitions, at 3:32:51
141. Matti Breschel, Team Saxo Bank, at 3:33:15
142. José-alberto Benitez, Footon-Servetto, at 3:36:00
143. Tony Martin, Team HTC-Columbia, at 3:36:05
144. Anthony Geslin, FDJ, at 3:36:15
145. Dries Devenyns, Quick Step, at 3:36:55
146. Jérémy Roy, FDJ, at 3:39:40
147. Brent Bookwalter, BMC Racing Team, at 3:41:19
148. Wesley Sulzberger, FDJ, at 3:41:58
149. Dmitriy Muravyev, Team RadioShack, at 3:42:52
150. Alessandro Petacchi, Lampre – Farnese, at 3:43:27
151. Francesco Reda, Quick Step, at 3:43:48
152. Stuart O’grady, Team Saxo Bank, at 3:44:16
153. Stephen Cummings, Sky Pro Cycling, at 3:44:19
154. Stéphane Auge, Cofidis Le Credit En Ligne, at 3:47:05
155. Mark Cavendish, Team HTC-Columbia, at 3:49:32
156. Bernhard Eisel, Team HTC-Columbia, at 3:50:05
157. Julian Dean, Garmin – Transitions, at 3:52:43
158. Marcus Burghardt, BMC Racing Team, at 3:54:51
159. Nicki Sorensen, Team Saxo Bank, at 3:55:40
160. Daniel Lancaster Brett, Cérvelo Test Team, at 3:57:27
161. David Millar, Garmin – Transitions, at 3:58:09
162. Dimitri Champion, Ag2r La Mondiale, at 3:58:09
163. Manuel Quinziato, Liquigas-Doimo, at 3:58:13
164. Daniel Lloyd, Cérvelo Test Team, at 3:58:23
165. Jérémy Hunt, Cérvelo Test Team, at 4:00:18
166. Robbie Mc Ewen, Katusha Team, at 4:04:05
167. Mirco Lorenzetto, Lampre – Farnese, at 4:04:09
168. Andreas Klier, Cérvelo Test Team, at 4:11:55
169. Anthony Roux, FDJ, at 4:14:11
170. Adriano Malori, Lampre – Farnese, at 4:23:14
171. Bert Grabsch, Team HTC-Columbia, at 4:26:56
 




RexCathedra

Aurea Mediocritas
Jan 14, 2005
3,509
Vacationland
Going in with Armstrong, Leipheimer and Klöden, I bet Radio Shack didn't expect Chris Horner as their top finisher -- good showing for a super-domestique at #10. 15th in the TdF at age 35, 10th at 38...let's see, that puts him on the podium at 44.
 


Pantani

Il Pirata
Dec 3, 2008
5,445
Newcastle
Those images through the mist of Schleck trying to ride Contador off his wheel today will be played back for years to come. I think even with Frank by his side this year though, Contador will still have proved just too strong for Andy Schleck. One day Schlecks time will come.

I don't know about that. If Frank had still been in the tour it is likely he would have been nearby when Andy had that mechanical problem (whether it was his own fault or not) meaning he would have had a bike to change on to. If Andy was still 30 seconds ahead the TT would be more interesting at least.

Your thoughts on the ITV coverage changed my mind a bit too. The coverage is still better than we had before, maybe we should just be grateful for what we have. Although I will never understand why ITV 4 would rather show repeats of Ultimate Police Chases and The Force than live coverage of the greatest sporting event in the world.
 


Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
Your thoughts on the ITV coverage changed my mind a bit too. The coverage is still better than we had before, maybe we should just be grateful for what we have. Although I will never understand why ITV 4 would rather show repeats of Ultimate Police Chases and The Force than live coverage of the greatest sporting event in the world.
It could just be a license thing, or the money spent buying a proportion of the rights.
It has been a steady increase in coverage, from just the hour evening format, to last year showing the important stages, plus the hour, to what we have now.
 




Pantani

Il Pirata
Dec 3, 2008
5,445
Newcastle
It could just be a license thing, or the money spent buying a proportion of the rights.
It has been a steady increase in coverage, from just the hour evening format, to last year showing the important stages, plus the hour, to what we have now.

In about five years we should have ITV cycling, a 24 hour, 365 days a year cycling channel. :lol:

Oh yes, Pettachi to win today. Cav has bronchitis apparently.
 


skipper734

Registered ruffian
Aug 9, 2008
9,189
Curdridge
Ha Ha . Cav again. :clap:
 


Pantani

Il Pirata
Dec 3, 2008
5,445
Newcastle
He's just too good. The way he sped away from Petacchi was embarrassing. Hushovd hs blown his chance of green. Finishing 14th is a disaster for him.

Back to ITV, Imlach has just got Cav's chances of Green wrong. He is in fact 16 behind Petacchi. So if Cav wins on the Champs Elysee Petacchi would need to finish 7th or below not 5th as stated. Petacchi would need to fall off to not manage to hold the jersey.
 






Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
He's just too good. The way he sped away from Petacchi was embarrassing. Hushovd hs blown his chance of green. Finishing 14th is a disaster for him.

Back to ITV, Imlach has just got Cav's chances of Green wrong. He is in fact 16 behind Petacchi. So if Cav wins on the Champs Elysee Petacchi would need to finish 7th or below not 5th as stated. Petacchi would need to fall off to not manage to hold the jersey.
I've been thinking about that, as lets face it, it's been on the card since the first week.

My only thought would be for HTC not to chase, and go into the final bend loaded at the front, can't see it happening myself.

Sky are going to need it, so that's a place. Chlock (sp) can do a favour, 3.
Dean 4.
Yeah your right Pantani, it just isn't going to happen, is it.
 


Pantani

Il Pirata
Dec 3, 2008
5,445
Newcastle
I've been thinking about that, as lets face it, it's been on the card since the first week.

My only thought would be for HTC not to chase, and go into the final bend loaded at the front, can't see it happening myself.

Sky are going to need it, so that's a place. Chlock (sp) can do a favour, 3.
Dean 4.
Yeah your right Pantani, it just isn't going to happen, is it.

Ciolek. If Renshaw was still in they could have used him to headbutt Petacchi off his bike! As you say though it is not going to happen. If he wins in Paris Cav will have won eleven stages in two Tours and still not picked up the green jersey, that is surely some sort of record.
 




Gritt23

New member
Jul 7, 2003
14,902
Meopham, Kent.
I've been thinking about that, as lets face it, it's been on the card since the first week.

My only thought would be for HTC not to chase, and go into the final bend loaded at the front, can't see it happening myself.

Sky are going to need it, so that's a place. Chlock (sp) can do a favour, 3.
Dean 4.
Yeah your right Pantani, it just isn't going to happen, is it.

You don't think Hushovd will be up there going for the stage win?
 






Stat Brother

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jul 11, 2003
73,888
West west west Sussex
Ok lets go at this another way, 9 other riders who can sprint better than Petacchi:-

Boassen Hagan - Will be there to try and salvage sky's tour.
Dean - Needs to prove sprinting ability.
Ciolek - As BH, did he leave HTC well?, I know Cav named his donkey after him.
Robbie Mc - Last tour?
A French man - Yes, clutching at straws now.

Cav is definitely a victim of his own success, why ride balls out, for second place.
 




Tyrone Biggums

Well-known member
Jun 25, 2006
13,498
Geelong, Australia
Rojas has been riding well and is always up in the top 6-7 riders.

Turgot from BBox is the best French hope, he's been top 10 in almost all the sprints.
 




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