Tour De France 2011

[danroyle]

anyone else watching this. Been cheering on Cavendish and wiggins.

wiggins was doing well until ten minutes ago may have a collar bone injury and appears out of this years event

[The_Wheelhouse]

It has been good going so far and I have generally been supporting team sky, although I am always insanely jealous when ever I see any of their bikes.

[danroyle]

It has been good going so far and I have generally been supporting team sky, although I am always insanely jealous when ever I see any of their bikes.

Yeah would love one of those specialized bikes to get into work with i bet they are a lot less hard work than my bike

[nibbler]

I'm watching it. Hushovd is amazing, he can climb, sprint and TT. Hope that Contador is in as poor form as it looks, I don't really like him at all to be honest. I'd prefer Andy Schleck to win the GC.

[nibbler]

Anyone else keeping up with the race? This stage looks like it could blow the race wide open, what with the col du tourmalet coming up.

[redddraggon]

Nothing will happen today until the climb to Luz Ardiden.

I can't stand the Schlecks and Leopard Trek, I'd rather Dirty Bertie or Cuddles to win.

[nibbler]

Nothing will happen today until the climb to Luz Ardiden.

I can't stand the Schlecks and Leopard Trek, I'd rather Dirty Bertie or Cuddles to win.

I really dislike Contador. I'm quite liking leopard trek, what's not to like about the schlecks?

[redddraggon]

what's not to like about the schlecks?

Lots of things.

They are pretty shady. Who pays a Gynecologist/Known-doping-doctor for "training plans"?

At least Bertie rides for the win in every race he rides, the Schlecks are no where near as exciting to watch.

[nibbler]

Lots of things.

They are pretty shady. Who pays a Gynecologist/Known-doping-doctor for "training plans"?

At least Bertie rides for the win in every race he rides, the Schlecks are no where near as exciting to watch.

Well that was only Frank, it was a while ago and he was cleared of the allegations (although that may mean very little). Anyway, there seems to be dirt on pretty much anyone if you dig deep enough.

Andy seems to be clean anyway, and I like his work ethic. You can call him boring all you like, but he's clearly a great cyclist.

Either way, if you're watching this stage you can't say that Schleck(s) is just being boring and hanging on, look at this team and the work they're doing.

[redddraggon]

I bet you're a Lance Armstrong/Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen fan too

[nibbler]

I bet you're a Lance Armstrong/Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen fan too

Haha, we've had this discussion before I believe
I like Armstrong as a character, and I'm not convinced he cheated; it's not like Landis is a reliable source. Although if it were to transpire from a reliable source that he cheated, I think I'd turn on him pretty soon. Tbh, reading Armstrong's autobiographies was always going to make me think he was innocent. Oh well, it's not really of consequence now

[santa claus]

Now don't jump down my throat, this is an innocent question: is it actually possible to cycle the Tour the way they cycle the Tour and not be taking something? Not that I care; they can take what they like because they still have to pedal all the way around France.

One thing that bugs me with the commentary (which I've always enjoyed) is how little people like Geraint Thomas and Nic Roche get mentioned. I mean, there's more talk about Brad (who is out!) and Cav (which is fair enough) but good British riders are so few I think more could be made of their presence.

I fell off my bike recently. Good to see that the pros fall off too although they've done enough of that now . Sheesh!

[nibbler]

Now don't jump down my throat, this is an innocent question: is it actually possible to cycle the Tour the way they cycle the Tour and not be taking something? Not that I care; they can take what they like because they still have to pedal all the way around France.

Yes, but they all do take something, albeit legal. They will take tones of protein and vitamins and supplements and some of them will have a little EPO snack too but it's by no means necessary to complete the tour.

One thing that bugs me with the commentary (which I've always enjoyed) is how little people like Geraint Thomas and Nic Roche get mentioned. I mean, there's more talk about Brad (who is out!) and Cav (which is fair enough) but good British riders are so few I think more could be made of their presence.

Can't say I care much about wiggins, I think they get plenty coverage but wiggins is out now so yeah. Thomas was given a lot of praise yesterday. Cavendish is a bit dull and a lot of his success is due to the organised team he's with (not to say he'd lose to hushovd or pettachi in a straight line).
Roche isn't British btw

[santa claus]

Thomas was given a lot of praise yesterday.

Yes but it was kinda hard for them to avoid it with him leading the stage for ages. Cav gets a mention if he so much as farts .

[nibbler]

Yes but it was kinda hard for them to avoid it with him leading the stage for ages. Cav gets a mention if he so much as farts .

Cav is a more significant rider in the tour, he has the green jersey after all.

Today's stage was amazing, hushovd is such an incredible rider.

[santa claus]

Cav is a more significant rider in the tour, he has the green jersey after all.

Today's stage was amazing, hushovd is such an incredible rider.

I suppose, although anyone who does the Tour is a significant rider in my book (but I know what you mean).

I think Geraint Thomas was wearing the white 'most promising young rider' jersey and got 'the most aggressive rider' award before/around the time Cav got green. They have to count for something of significance.

Apparently Hushovd hit 69mph on the descent (computer confirmed). I mean, omg!