The OFFICIAL Tour de France, thread.

[Stat Brother]

Team with most to prove: Liquigas. Went there with one of the stronger teams in the tour yet despite Krueziger finshing top 10 they really never looked like winning anything. A Nibali and Pellizotti return next year could turn them into a TDF force.

Yeah fair enough but I'd put that down to the Giro, which was extremely tough, and LG did win, with Basso. I was reading this thread back, last night, and one of my few right comments! , was that no one was coming out of that race and going to be competitive at Le Tour.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Yeah fair enough but I'd put that down to the Giro, which was extremely tough, and LG did win, with Basso. I was reading this thread back, last night, and one of my few right comments! , was that no one was coming out of that race and going to be competitive at Le Tour.

That's why I believe they have the most to prove. They showed they have great riders by taking out the Giro. They now need to back it up with a strong effort at a Tour De France.

There's no point having Krueziger if they won't support him fully.

Having said that it was because of Pellizotti pulling out of the Giro that stuffed up their tour plans as Nibali wasn't going to ride the Giro but was forced to because of the Pellizotti incident.

I really hope they change tact next year and hit the tour with all their guns set for that race.

Wishful thinking though from an Italian team.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Hear, hear - I've enjoyed the Tour thoroughly. I have a keen interest but am no expert and have appreciated hearing the views of Stat B, Pantani and, especially, TB.

I take SB's point about there not being 4 riders but many recent tours have had one dominant riders, so it's been good to have two.

Agreed. I love the TdF - from a complete standing start of maybe ten years ago. I am also only a casual cyclist (shop/beach/pub) so do not have the insight that a club cyclist might have.

But as a sporting event - I don't think it is rivalled. I have enjoyed this far more than the World Cup (England winning the thing might have tipped the balance.......). I think the ITV presentation has been excellent. The French TV pictures are superb - that shot going over the top of the Tourmalet (was it that one ?) was stunning. And with British interest over the last three years I have felt more involved. And respect to the riders. What a feeling that must be to reach the finish.

And this thread has been great. It is interesting to "listen in" on people who know their stuff and pick up more knowledge.

So thank you all. And I will see you all again next year.

 

[Stat Brother]

I wonder if anyone could come up with a few book recommendations to keep us all going until next year ?

As well as books, BBC 4 is the place to be, over the next couple of days.

Tonight at 8:30 - On Hannibal's Trail - 3 brothers cycling from Spain to Rome.
More travel than cycling but they will be over the Pyrenees tonight.

That is just an appetister for tomorrow

Ride of my Life 9pm - The Story of The Bicycle - described as 'this show is one for bike nuts only'!.

Death of the Mountain The Story of Tom Simpson 10pm - Definitely a must for all cycling fans.

And if that's not enough on Wednesday

Belleville Rendez-Vous 10:30 - Some might say it's the best cycling film ever. But that could be a bit of a 'bum steer' as it's an eccentric hand drawn cartoon, that's right out there!, but I enjoy it.

 

[1066familyman]

As well as books, BBC 4 is the place to be, over the next couple of days.

Tonight at 8:30 - On Hannibal's Trail - 3 brothers cycling from Spain to Rome.
More travel than cycling but they will be over the Pyrenees tonight.

That is just an appetister for tomorrow

Ride of my Life 9pm - The Story of The Bicycle - described as 'this show is one for bike nuts only'!.

Death of the Mountain The Story of Tom Simpson 10pm - Definitely a must for all cycling fans.

And if that's not enough on Wednesday

Belleville Rendez-Vous 10:30 - Some might say it's the best cycling film ever. But that could be a bit of a 'bum steer' as it's an eccentric hand drawn cartoon, that's right out there!, but I enjoy it.

Thanks for this SB

I'll certainly tune in for the two programmes you mention for tomorrow. I had no idea they were on.

Already have Belleville Rendez-Vous on dvd. It's a bit of a classic IMHO.

 

[Gwylan]

Ride of my Life 9pm - The Story of The Bicycle - described as 'this show is one for bike nuts only'!.

Death of the Mountain The Story of Tom Simpson 10pm - Definitely a must for all cycling fans.

And if that's not enough on Wednesday

Belleville Rendez-Vous 10:30 - Some might say it's the best cycling film ever. But that could be a bit of a 'bum steer' as it's an eccentric hand drawn cartoon, that's right out there!, but I enjoy it.

I can watch the first two on iPlayer (there's no way that Mrs G would countenance watching them). But BR is on far too late and BBC doesn't usually put films on iPlayer, so I think I'll have to pass that.

Isn't that on a bit late for you too - or don't posties have to get up early these days?

 

[Stat Brother]

I can watch the first two on iPlayer (there's no way that Mrs G would countenance watching them). But BR is on far too late and BBC doesn't usually put films on iPlayer, so I think I'll have to pass that.

Isn't that on a bit late for you too - or don't posties have to get up early these days?

Don't worry, my friend I'll video it, and I thought I was behind the times .

 

[Gwylan]

Don't worry, my friend I'll video it, and I thought I was behind the times .

We ditched the video recorder when we got the DVD player. Didn't think it was worth getting a DVD recorder as there's little on that we'd watch that's not on On Demand/iPlayer ... but there are times when when you miss old technology.

 

[Gwylan]

Actually managed to catch that Story of the Bicycle - really interesting.

Bet that bike was a great ride - as it should be for £4000.

 

[Pantani]

Actually managed to catch that Story of the Bicycle - really interesting.

Bet that bike was a great ride - as it should be for £4000.

Warning, this is a bike geek post!

Carbon bars, on a steel frame! It is just wrong. Other than that the bike looked fantastic. Where was his silver Thomson seat post and stem though? The only real choice for these parts (non carbon at least). What hubs were they? Surely as important as the making of the wheels?

In my opinion if this is the one last bike he is ever going to buy he should have built it himself. I built (put together may be a better choice of phrase here) my last bike and it feels more a part of me than any other bike I have ever owned.

 

[Gwylan]

Warning, this is a bike geek post!

Carbon bars, on a steel frame! It is just wrong.QUOTE]

He was talked into those carbon bars though. That was the part that was missing, I'd liked to have heard more about his rationale there.

Bit less of the topless woman and a bit more about handlebars would have made for a better programme.

But, apart from that, I thought it was really good (although, like you, I was bemused that he didn't put it together himself)

 

[Pantani]

Bit less of the topless woman and a bit more about handlebars would have made for a better programme.

Yes definitely. Did she have the worst boob job ever? I think so.

 

[Notters]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but they've announce that next year's Grand Départ will be in the Vendée.

With a normal stage followed by a team time trial, rather than a prologue.
See: Grand Départ

 

[Stat Brother]

Warning, this is a bike geek post!

Carbon bars, on a steel frame! It is just wrong. Other than that the bike looked fantastic. Where was his silver Thomson seat post and stem though? The only real choice for these parts (non carbon at least). What hubs were they? Surely as important as the making of the wheels?

In my opinion if this is the one last bike he is ever going to buy he should have built it himself. I built (put together may be a better choice of phrase here) my last bike and it feels more a part of me than any other bike I have ever owned.

Yeah I wondered how that point would come across, when I made it on my 'bike forum home'. But it seems pretty unanimous.
To me he loved his old bikes, but also wanted new bling, and tried to have the best of both, but ended up fudging the whole thing.

As for boobie lady, he was desperate to draw on something other than a her thigh, and looked crest fallen when that was all he got.

And finally, only 4k for his dream bike mine costs 3 times that figure.

 

[Pantani]

Yeah I wondered how that point would come across, when I made it on my 'bike forum home'. But it seems pretty unanimous.
To me he loved his old bikes, but also wanted new bling, and tried to have the best of both, but ended up fudging the whole thing.

As for boobie lady, he was desperate to draw on something other than a her thigh, and looked crest fallen when that was all he got.

And finally, only 4k for his dream bike mine costs 3 times that figure.

He did go for the practicality of a steel frame, therefore saving himself loads of money. Should have gone titanium if he wanted serious bling though.

 

[les dynam]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but they've announce that next year's Grand Départ will be in the Vendée.

With a normal stage followed by a team time trial, rather than a prologue.
See: Grand Départ

ooh that sounds good! thought this year's tour was a stone cold classic so fair dos to the organisers for shaking things up a bit. long that may continue. hope the team trial isn't too long though, gives a huge advantage to the gc contenders riding for the big (big budget) teams (i think, waits to flamed by a proper cycle nut!)

2 questions that hopefully somebody can help me with. who will be taking over saxobank and will they be investing much, and who will contador be riding for next year?

 

[Pantani]

ooh that sounds good! thought this year's tour was a stone cold classic so fair dos to the organisers for shaking things up a bit. long that may continue. hope the team trial isn't too long though, gives a huge advantage to the gc contenders riding for the big (big budget) teams (i think, waits to flamed by a proper cycle nut!)

2 questions that hopefully somebody can help me with. who will be taking over saxobank and will they be investing much, and who will contador be riding for next year?

Team time trial is only 23km, so is too short to decide anything. On your last two questions, I have no idea on either and there seems to be little by way of rumour on either subject.

 

[les dynam]

Team time trial is only 23km, so is too short to decide anything. On your last two questions, I have no idea on either and there seems to be little by way of rumour on either subject.

cheers marco. i'll keep an eye out for rumours then.

 

[Gwylan]

And finally, only 4k for his dream bike mine costs 3 times that figure.

I take it that's your dream bike that costs £12k, not the bike you're actually cycling on.

He did go for the practicality of a steel frame, therefore saving himself loads of money. Should have gone titanium if he wanted serious bling though.

He did say at the outset that he wanted something to last him for the rest of his life. Steel will certainly do that

 

[Pantani]

I take it that's your dream bike that costs £12k, not the bike you're actually cycling on.



He did say at the outset that he wanted something to last him for the rest of his life. Steel will certainly do that

Titanium is used in space ships. SPACE SHIPS!!

It is practically indestructable. Doesn't rust either. Steel is good, but Titanium is true bike porn. Which I thought the program was about. I suppose though it is his bike not mine. I doubt you would get two bikes the same if you asked everyone to put together their perfect bike. I for example would have gone for some crazy paint scheme probably involving pink. Most would consider this madness.