Tour de France

Born Survivor · 06-07-2011, 05:42 PM

Anyone watching or taking any interest in the Tour de France or is it just me ?

There's 5 British riders in the Tour (If you didn't already no)

(Team Sky)

Bradley Wiggins
Ben Swift
Geraint Thomas

(Team Garmin)

David Millar

(Team HTC- Highroad)

Mark Cavendish

Seeing as Mark Cavendish won the 5th stage of the Tour today (06/07/2011) i wondered if anyone has any opinions on the Tour de France or there thoughts and comments :)

Jefferson.Meriwether · 06-07-2011, 06:10 PM

Yeah, I'm watching it though I'm a bit behind; just watched Monday's stage. It'll be interesting to see what the Court of Arbitration for Spot say about Contador testing positive last year, especially as the hearing is at the beginning of August, after the Tour de France is finished.

Born Survivor · 06-07-2011, 09:18 PM

I'm not watching all of it just dipping in and out and watching it when i can and things. I can't really work out why its taking so long for Contador to be cleared or charged. It happened last year and we will only no if hes innocent or guilty after THIS years Tour ? Doesn't make much sense and i think overshadows the Tour too much. Spoils the sport too much not good !

Jefferson.Meriwether · 06-07-2011, 10:05 PM

He was cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation earlier this year but the anti-doping agency have appealed against it, hence why it's dragging on. I agree with you in that it is overshadowing the race a bit too much.

Did you see that big pile up in the first stage? Some spectator got in the way and there was a 40 odd bike pile up. Talk about not nice :)

Born Survivor · 06-07-2011, 10:18 PM

Sounds like a lot of hot air to me. Get on with it and stop ruining the sport ! I just hope he doesn't win this year so if he is charged it doesn't affect 2 years results (Rant over)

Yeah i did see that ! It was horrific i was so shocked by how close he was allowed to the riders. I feel sorry for the cyclist caught up in the pile up.. Cycling along and out of no where bam on the floor ouch !

Optimus Pirate · 07-07-2011, 12:42 AM

I've been keeping an eye on the 2 Luxembourgish cyclists Frank and Andy Schleck - Both currently in the top 10 overall :)

makedamnsure · 07-07-2011, 08:45 AM

Yeah, my Dad rates one of the Schleck brothers to win it, if Contador doesn't/is disqualified.

I've not watched much unfortunately but glad to hear Mark Cavendish has won a stage. I used to like watching David Millar in the time trials as well.

Isoverity · 07-07-2011, 10:31 AM

I've watched the race each day. Contador seems snakebit so far. Seems like everyday he's crashing or something. Is the race going over any cobblestones this year? Those are always good for wiping people out.

StillBroken · 07-07-2011, 04:11 PM

Norwegian 1. and 3 today :D

Isoverity · 08-07-2011, 04:24 PM

Wiggens is out - broken collarbone

Born Survivor · 08-07-2011, 05:56 PM

I'm not sure about the cobblestones i guess we will have to just wait and see =P

Poor Wiggins :( !!

But Mark Cavendish won again =D *Dances around the room*

Isoverity · 11-07-2011, 07:12 AM

Man rough day today. The car crashing into the riders was unbelievable. It looks like Contador was knocked down intentionally. The crash over the side and down the hill was wild.

Isoverity · 11-07-2011, 07:53 AM

Cadel Evans throws water at Cavendish

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBtqSRsVkBc&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube - ‪Cadel accidentally sprays Cavendish‬&rlm;[/ame]

bluesky2012 · 11-07-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isoverity

Man rough day today. The car crashing into the riders was unbelievable. It looks like Contador was knocked down intentionally. The crash over the side and down the hill was wild.

that's might not be good experience.

Isoverity · 17-07-2011, 04:03 AM

Watching Jens Voigt crashing 2x reminded me of his bad crash in 2009. Riding a bike a lot - I hate seeing bikes give out on people in good weather. Even though I like road bikes I prefer to ride on fat tired bikes

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-payruR2-k&feature=related"]‪Jens voigt tour de france 09 crash‬&rlm; - YouTube[/ame]

Isoverity · 18-07-2011, 05:12 AM

Cavendish again by a squeaker - good Cav article here:

Query: Why bring sprinters if teams won't chase?“If I was in a team that didn’t want to ride for a sprint, it would be a bit of a knock to my ego."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/437863...ports-cycling/

Optimus Pirate · 18-07-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makedamnsure

Yeah, my Dad rates one of the Schleck brothers to win it, if Contador doesn't/is disqualified.

Schleck brothers are holding out for the later stages, with the climbs, I think, because that's what they're really good at. Amazing cyclists both of them, and very nice guys too!

Isoverity · 18-07-2011, 06:20 AM

I would be happy to see a Schleck bro win the TdF

Jefferson.Meriwether · 18-07-2011, 10:13 AM

I'm slowly starting to catch up watching the race; I'm about 4/5 stages behind :).

I'd quite like to see one of the Schleck bro's win too; if not one of them then Cavendish. In a way I hope Contador doesn't win, just incase the whole doping thing goes against him.

Dream Decending · 18-07-2011, 03:09 PM

I've not been watching it but I do get regular updates when I'm at my mum's from her boyfriend.