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Tour de France 2015

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,554
One of the strongest fields in history with regards to GC contenders. Anything can happen. Froome and Quintana especially could destroy Nibali with their quicker accelerations in the climbs. Will be a thrilling watch if we can avoid the injuries that last year's first week was marred with.

And of course I fancy Kristoff and a rejuvenated Boasson Hagen to tear it up on the flats. No Kittel this year but Cavendish, Sagan, Matthews and Degenkolb will be tough challenges there.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
So it's not even started yet and Lars Boom has failed a test which usually indicates cortisone abuse, which means Astana will have to start with 8 riders instead of 9. Ridiculous, considering they probably shouldn't have even been given a license this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/33393303

Anyway, as far as the actual race goes, I've got a couple of quid on Dumoulin tomorrow.
 

SlickMongoose

Copacetic
Feb 27, 2005
6,258
5,043
To be fair, it is a voluntary rule (which Astana will probably ignore), and most teams wouldn't give a shit.

Also, the whole reason it's a voluntary rule, and cortisone abuse isn't treated more strictly, is because WADA won't do anything about it. Cycling would like to. And the reason WADA won't do anything about it is to avoid upsetting FIFA, because cortisone abuse is far more rampant in football than cycling.

And betting against Tony Martin in a flat time trial? That's brave.
 

SlickMongoose

Copacetic
Feb 27, 2005
6,258
5,043
I'm really hoping Cav can dominate the sprints here. He probably needs at least 4 stages if he's ever going to catch Eddie Merckx.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
The thing with Boom is that he may well be completely innocent of any wrong doing, but when it's a rider on a team with four doping violations in the last year and managed by a former convicted (and unrepentant) doper then it's highly dubious at best. Ignoring the set of rules they voluntarily signed up for when they don't suit them doesn't look great either.
 

Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
The thing with Boom is that he may well be completely innocent of any wrong doing, but when it's a rider on a team with four doping violations in the last year and managed by a former convicted (and unrepentant) doper then it's highly dubious at best. Ignoring the set of rules they voluntarily signed up for when they don't suit them doesn't look great either.

I agree. The sight of anybody in that team doing well just makes me go 'meh'. I'd like to see them gone from the pro peloton for good.
 

Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
Cracking finish by Greipel today, with a fine late surge by Spartacus to take the time bonus & yellow.

Did anyone think Cavendish stepped off the gas right at the death? Looked like it on the video playback.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Cracking finish by Greipel today, with a fine late surge by Spartacus to take the time bonus & yellow.

Did anyone think Cavendish stepped off the gas right at the death? Looked like it on the video playback.

Yeah, think he realised he was beaten. He went too early and led everyone else out.
 

Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
Blimey, what a stage today....exciting finish & a worthy stage winner but a horrendous crash & some sad withdrawals.

Cancellara managing to finish was a highlight, the man is incredible.
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,554
Horrible, horrible crash. Four definitely out, but if people like Cancellara and Michael Matthews are able to start tomorrow, they really are superhuman.

So far my Tour de France Manager-team has gone to shit. Crazy first three stages.
 

Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
Fabian cancellara ‏@f_cancellara
Just left the hospital with a huge disappointment #TDF2015 is over broke some bones on my back again as in spring. #L3/L4right side

:(

At least he got to wear the yellow jersey in his last TdF.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Looking forward to today's stage. Paris-Roubaix is my favourite race of the whole season.
 

Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
That was some attack by Tony Martin today, really pleased for him.

Very good start to the Tour so far, apart from the crash on Stage 3.
 
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Ray_Evans

SC Supporter
Aug 28, 2011
1,367
1,878
Tony Martin confirmed as a non - starter for tomorrow. Bugger.
 
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