Tour de France 2014

[Bus-Conductor]

It's such a team orientated event through, you can understand why Wiggins wasn't taken. You can't have two principles who don't get along. You have to count 100% on those supporting you. Some teams might not have the same options Sky do, which gives Brailsford the luxury of being able to pick a team that he thinks will support the bid for the yellow jersey 100%.

 

[yawa]

I live in Monmouthshire so went to a good spot for the Nationals TT where each rider went past me twice. Wiggins was flying, like he was in California. I would have taken him to the TDF this year and you may well see him there next year with another team.

With BMC's approach to simply signing up winners i expected him to be there already.

There was also talk of him returning to track cycling. We'll see.

 

[nightgoat]

With BMC's approach to simply signing up winners i expected him to be there already.

There was also talk of him returning to track cycling. We'll see.

Apparently he's going to do the individual and team pursuit in the Commonwealth games. There was talk of Orica GreenEdge being interested in signing him for next season. Would be an interesting move if it happened, they've not yet had a serious GC rider, although it was thought they'd go for Richie Porte if he ever got itchy feet just being Froome's wing man. He wouldn't have the same team strength that Sky have, but with the Yates boys there it would certainly be interesting from a British perspective.

Froome's little tumble today could prove costly. The race doctor wasn't sure if there was a fracture they hadn't seen, and tomorrow's stage is just about the worst stage he could want after that. Really looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully we'll get a mini Paris - Roubaix with Cancellara, Terpstra, Vanmarcke, Sagan etc getting in a break towards the end.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Apparently he's going to do the individual and team pursuit in the Commonwealth games. There was talk of Orica GreenEdge being interested in signing him for next season. Would be an interesting move if it happened, they've not yet had a serious GC rider, although it was thought they'd go for Richie Porte if he ever got itchy feet just being Froome's wing man. He wouldn't have the same team strength that Sky have, but with the Yates boys there it would certainly be interesting from a British perspective.

Froome's little tumble today could prove costly. The race doctor wasn't sure if there was a fracture they hadn't seen, and tomorrow's stage is just about the worst stage he could want after that. Really looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully we'll get a mini Paris - Roubaix with Cancellara, Terpstra, Vanmarcke, Sagan etc getting in a break towards the end.

If he is hurt enough to lose big time tomorrow it will be interesting to see how quickly the team get behind Nieve. His TT not the best but he can certainly climb. Hope they don't plump for Porte in those circumstances as he is prone to an off day now and again.

 

[ravo]

Apparently he's going to do the individual and team pursuit in the Commonwealth games. There was talk of Orica GreenEdge being interested in signing him for next season. Would be an interesting move if it happened, they've not yet had a serious GC rider, although it was thought they'd go for Richie Porte if he ever got itchy feet just being Froome's wing man. He wouldn't have the same team strength that Sky have, but with the Yates boys there it would certainly be interesting from a British perspective.

Froome's little tumble today could prove costly. The race doctor wasn't sure if there was a fracture they hadn't seen, and tomorrow's stage is just about the worst stage he could want after that. Really looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully we'll get a mini Paris - Roubaix with Cancellara, Terpstra, Vanmarcke, Sagan etc getting in a break towards the end.

Yep, tomorrow is going to be epic. Today was the worst possible stage for Froomey to come off, esp. the wrist injury. I've ridden the pave of Paris-Roubaix and it hurt.

The stage can really mix things up - for GC riders like Contador, Nibali, Froome being protected by your team can mean fuck all on pave... it's going to be carnage. I can't wait. Pity Boonen's not here for it as well.

First time I've been in here since the start of the race - Cav was 100% at fault. He may have been cut in the jostle for position, but that's a sprint finish, it happens every single stage. The best finishes aren't always the fastest, it's also the guys who get themselves in a good position (like Robbie McEwen used to).

If Gerraint Thomas wasn't protecting Froome, I reckon he'd be in the yellow by the end of tomorrow. It will be either Cancellara or Sagan, with my wild card as Albasini.

 

[Marty]

Froome out. Two more falls today before they even got to the cobbles, absolutely gutted for him. Trouble for Valverde and van Garderen as well, ATM it looks like Contador and Nibali are going to be the winners today in terms of the GC.

 

[vonn]

Such a shame to lose Froome. Was really looking forward to the racing in the mountains with him, Contandor and Nibali fighting it out.

 

[Teddysmith]

Gutted for him and I now have the feeling interest will tail of in the UK now him and Cav are out.

As I live in Gods country!! I saw a lot of the tour at the weekend and I even won a pair of tickets to the Team presentation on Thursday. Team Sky got a great reception, Cav got a bigger reception then Froome but the biggest cheer was for a picture of Wiggins that came up on the big screen.

Shame we didn't get to see him take part and its a real shame that Froome is out

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Can't believe sky called Thomas back to Porte. Cost him 2 minutes. Not happy.

 

[Marty]

Dutch win today, great ride from Boom. Kittel and Germany won yesterday, is this an omen for tonight?

Incredibly well raced by Nibali and Astana today, already got a firm grip on the yellow.

 

[nidge]

Can't believe sky called Thomas back to Porte. Cost him 2 minutes. Not happy.

Seriously?

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Seriously?

He was sat in the Niballi group going well and Porte had dropped back. Within 5 minutes Thomas was dropping back to look after Porte. Didn't make sense to me and clearly Thomas could have been able to stay with the leaders.

 

[nidge]

He was sat in the Niballi group going well and Porte had dropped back. Within 5 minutes Thomas was dropping back to look after Porte. Didn't make sense to me and clearly Thomas could have been able to stay with the leaders.

I had heard the Porte was name as a protected rider but surely you give Thomas a chance to do something in this stage as I can't see Porte winning the yellow jersey.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

I had heard the Porte was name as a protected rider but surely you give Thomas a chance to do something in this stage as I can't see Porte winning the yellow jersey.

I thought Thomas had a chance and agree that Porte can't win the yellow.

Sky can sometimes be one dimensional. It would be nice to see Thomas given his chance to win a stage and today was a chance. Also it cost him time but gained Porte very little. TBF Thomas dragged him from Contadors group to Talansky's group in front, so maybe 30 seconds for Porte but I fail to see the point of that.

Still today was a joy to watch and Nibali deserves a lot of credit. For me though the best all round cyclist out there is Sagan, been there or there abouts in all five stages.

 

[nightgoat]

Should have taken Wiggo.

 

[ravo]

He was sat in the Niballi group going well and Porte had dropped back. Within 5 minutes Thomas was dropping back to look after Porte. Didn't make sense to me and clearly Thomas could have been able to stay with the leaders.

I thought Thomas had a chance and agree that Porte can't win the yellow.

Sky can sometimes be one dimensional. It would be nice to see Thomas given his chance to win a stage and today was a chance. Also it cost him time but gained Porte very little. TBF Thomas dragged him from Contadors group to Talansky's group in front, so maybe 30 seconds for Porte but I fail to see the point of that.

Still today was a joy to watch and Nibali deserves a lot of credit. For me though the best all round cyclist out there is Sagan, been there or there abouts in all five stages.

Porte is now the team leader and needs to be looked after. Simple as that. Sky would have had that contingency plan in place before the TDF started.

 

[ravo]

What a stage! I love the pave! The predicted carnage ensued. Nibali was utterly brilliant. Considering he is not a classics rider, that was one of the best stages he has ever ridden.

Disappointing that Froome is out. I was worried about his wrist before the cobbles and he said it was almost impossible to control the bike - even before he got to the pave, so probably a wise move... This stage was always going to be his weakness, wet or dry.

On the flip side, it does give Porte his chance to prove that he can one day lead a team as a GC contender. He won't have done too much work for Froomey in the early stages, so should still be fresh. Thomas did a brilliant job in dropping back to help him, per team instructions no doubt.

Wide open race now - should be interesting over the weekend.

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Porte is now the team leader and needs to be looked after. Simple as that. Sky would have had that contingency plan in place before the TDF started.

I just watched Thomas interview on ITV and he made that clear so I have to accept it. Thomas did hint about stage wins as well which is promising.

Contador has to attack now which will be fun to watch.

 

[cockjol]

Don't like to see anyone get injured and withdraw, but couldn't help think about karma re. Froome and brailsford

 

[Lo Amo Speroni]

Don't like to see anyone get injured and withdraw, but couldn't help think about karma re. Froome and brailsford

I said that I felt Froome was vulnerable after the Dauphine. I fail to see from an ability point of view why Wiggins wasn't in the team.

Still this could be a classic TDF with the GC guys having to attack Nibali, weekend could be epic, especially Monday.