2013 Tour de France

[Marty]

Oh, Tejay. Lost it completely and Riblon's overtaken him 2km from the line. Will be France's third Alpe d'Huez win in 28 attempts, only Rolland and Hinault have done it before.

Gutting for Van Garderen, he's had a dreadful Tour thanks to BMC's appallingly tough schedule in the preceding months, has one chance for redemption but fails at the death. BMC only have themselves to blame for his and Evans' poor performances.

 

[nightgoat]

I'm kind of pleased for the French to finally get a stage win.

 

[al_pacino]

BMC missed out though. Terrible team.

 

[Marty]

BMC missed out though. Terrible team.

Not a terrible team, Evans, TVG and Gilbert are normally terrific riders and they even left Hushovd out of the squad. They are, however, a terribly run team. The Sporting Directors don't seem to have had a clue this season, they pushed the riders far too hard in Tour of California, Tour de Suisse and other big races so close to the Tour and they simply didn't have the energy for a three week race. They need to rethink at every level before next season.

 

[Marty]

I'm kind of pleased for the French to finally get a stage win.

Agree, great for France as it saves a bit of face from what has been an awful Tour for French riders, and it was great for AG2R who got a real boost after Peraud's crash yesterday. Very pleased for them, but at the same time gutted for TVG.

 

[dovahkiin]

adam hansen knows how to get up the alpe d'huez http://pub.cdn.tv2.no/multimedia/TV2/archive/01064/adam_hansen__1064195i.jpg

 

[Marty]

 

[nightgoat]

Agree, great for France as it saves a bit of face from what has been an awful Tour for French riders, and it was great for AG2R who got a real boost after Peraud's crash yesterday. Very pleased for them, but at the same time gutted for TVG.

Just as well the corner Riblon mistimed only took him into a little ditch and not down a sheer drop earlier on the descent.

 

[AussieSpurMan]

Hehehe.... he is an Aussie after all

 

[al_pacino]

Not a terrible team, Evans, TVG and Gilbert are normally terrific riders and they even left Hushovd out of the squad. They are, however, a terribly run team. The Sporting Directors don't seem to have had a clue this season, they pushed the riders far too hard in Tour of California, Tour de Suisse and other big races so close to the Tour and they simply didn't have the energy for a three week race. They need to rethink at every level before next season.

I stand by the terrible comment. Evans looks past it, TJVG is not good enough in the mountains, Gilbert is only in this race because he's in the WC jersey, none of the stages suited him. I think it's telling that Gilbert had his great season the year before he joined BMC. As for pushing in the build up races they have been used for finding form for years, Nibali dominated Trentino before walking away with the Giro, the Dauphine hasn't hurt Froome, Rui Costa was bringing his TdS form into the Tour before being held back(in fact the best BMC performer hasn't been brought to the race so at least I can agree that the team management need a kick up the backside) .

 

[Col_M]

Crowning of Froome today will be we'll deserved. One of the best tours for many years. And I will never forget those two bursts that he did on the climb up Ventoux, superhuman.

 

[Col_M]

What a beautiful city this is. Really nice in the evening sun.

 

[Col_M]

Between Sagan & Cav, or any other contenders?

 

[nightgoat]

It'll be between Cav and Greipel for me. Sagan isn't as fast, and Kittel's lost his lead out man.

 

[Col_M]

I keep losing my damn TV signal!!!!

 

[Marty]

I stand by the terrible comment. Evans looks past it, TJVG is not good enough in the mountains, Gilbert is only in this race because he's in the WC jersey, none of the stages suited him. I think it's telling that Gilbert had his great season the year before he joined BMC. As for pushing in the build up races they have been used for finding form for years, Nibali dominated Trentino before walking away with the Giro, the Dauphine hasn't hurt Froome, Rui Costa was bringing his TdS form into the Tour before being held back(in fact the best BMC performer hasn't been brought to the race so at least I can agree that the team management need a kick up the backside) .

Evans was third in the Giro this year, that for me is proof that he's been run into the ground by BMC this year, rather than that he's properly past it. Although I will concede that he isn't as good as he was two years ago.

BMC didn't give Evans any time off between the Giro and the Tour, he's been competing almost non-stop. That really isn't healthy at all and certainly hindered his chances of a top 5-10-finish in the Tour.

 

[Col_M]

Great race and gearing up to be a great finish. Sky chasing the break down, why??

 

[nightgoat]

Only OPQS and Argos look organised

 

[Col_M]

tactic crazy!!

 

[nightgoat]

OPQS blow a great position again! Just as well they're signing Renshaw next season.