[rhfb]

Wow this thread got ugly today...

Did they ever catch the pricks who threw the nails/tacks on the road?

[bjaelke]

Did they ever catch the pricks who threw the nails/tacks on the road?

No. The French police is now involved in tracking down the responsible.

[rhfb]

No. The French police is now involved in tracking down the responsible.

Hope they catch them and they get punished to the full extent of the law. Dangerous and disrespectful.

[Joni]

There used to be a team chrono in the Tour, but Team Once used to win them all in a landslide and since the French hate Spaniards winning "their" competitions the team chrono has faded into obscurity.

There was one last year... Als 2009, 2005, 2004 and 2003 since the last time ONCE won it in 2002. There is also one next year. They just don't do the team time trial each year.

BMC are having the worst season ever. salaries of Thor Hushovd, Cadel Evans and Phillipe Gilbert are around $10mill in total and Thor has had a mysterious illness destroying his entire season (couldn't even follow the peloton in Poland), Cadel is in awful form and seems followed by bad luck and Gilbert who was the no.1 cyclist in the world last year winning 15+ races, including 4 classics, and this year he hasn't won a single race (if his wikipedia article is up do date)

Their problem is they just pay the most succesfull riders of the year before to come to their team, and by changing they lose their entire backbone support. They have to get used to a new team, new material, ... It is not a winning strategy. You'll see most champions actually stayed with the same team for a long time. Also, too many captains on the same ship causes problems.

[subrock]

Tacks on the road. Well I'll be damned.

[vidcons]

Their problem is they just pay the most succesfull riders of the year before to come to their team, and by changing they lose their entire backbone support. They have to get used to a new team, new material, ... It is not a winning strategy. You'll see most champions actually stayed with the same team for a long time. Also, too many captains on the same ship causes problems.

Well, not to mention that they're really just down a member because of Hincapie's coast through the tour for his last year.

Yet Jens is still out there, throwing it all down and he is also retiring.

BMC might also be building a team for the future that can wrap around TeJay's style. That guy is ridiculously good. I almost don't want to take my bike out while I'm in Boulder in fear of somehow causing an accident involving him and every other pro.

[ElyrionX]

Oh wow lol. Do you watch F1? Do you notice how when sometimes the 2nd flute in a team will run ahead of the star in order to provide some slipstream advantadge? It's the same, except unlike engines, athletes get tired. That's why there's a team. Make no mistake, the wiki does not mention the team of the winners, but none of them (well, modern era cycling anyways) would have won without their team. There used to be a team chrono in the Tour, but Team Once used to win them all in a landslide and since the French hate Spaniards winning "their" competitions the team chrono has faded into obscurity. edit: beaten, someone explianed and explained it better before lol.

Yes, I watch F1 all the time and no, that shit you're describing doesn't happen. At least not among the top teams. Look at Webber vs Vettel, Button vs Hamilton. And Alonso vs Hamilton back in the day. There is very rarely any teamwork involved in F1. I have never seen a driver letting a teammate willingly pass him to provide slipstream advantage and then have the teammate willingly give up that position a short while later, like in cycling. I have no idea what you're watching but I'm sure it's not F1.

Like I said, I can understand the concept of the winners of the tour not being able to win without the support of their team. But then, I disagree with the tour placing the emphasis on crowning a single cyclist as winner of the tour if it's so obviously a team effort.

F1 crowns individual champions because it makes sense in that sport. Would Vettel have won WDC last year if Webber was non-existent? Most certainly. Would Cadel Evans have won last year's Tour de France if his teammates were non-existent? Most certainly not. So why is he, and not his entire team, crowned the winner of Tour de France?

[Joni]

Well, not to mention that they're really just down a member because of Hincapie's coast through the tour for his last year.

But considering Sky is down two people due to Cavendish, it shouldn't be a problem.

BMC might also be building a team for the future that can wrap around TeJay's style. That guy is ridiculously good. I almost don't want to take my bike out while I'm in Boulder in fear of somehow causing an accident involving him and every other pro.

They should let him ride this tour already. Evans isn't going to get better.

Yes, I watch F1 all the time and no, that shit you're describing doesn't happen. At least not among the top teams. Look at Webber vs Vettel, Button vs Hamilton. And Alonso vs Hamilton back in the day. There is very rarely any teamwork involved in F1.

We call him Massa.

F1 crowns individual champions because it makes sense in that sport. Would Vettel have won WDC last year if Webber was non-existent? Most certainly. Would Cadel Evans have won last year's Tour de France if his teammates were non-existent? Most certainly not. So why is he, and not his entire team, crowned the winner of Tour de France?

Because 1. Team Garmin-Cervélo was the best team last year, and 2. because if nobody had any helpers; it would still be Evans that had won. Team mates exist to keep the course in check in the more calmer parts of the race. That is why team work is more important in the tour than in single stage races.

[Kurtofan]

That was a tacky move by whoever the prick was threw that stuff in the road. I hope they catch him and nail him to the wall. Cadel's got to be deflated after how that stage went, but at least he's still got a remote shot at making this stick. I don't see where Team Sky would pop under the pressure unless the tension between Froome and Wiggins finally blows up. Rolland's move was cheeky but I guess he deserves some credit for taking a stab at catching the break. And after Canc left the tour early I'm also not surprised that the slow leaks of news regarding his potentially leaving RSNT have begun.

Bad puns overload.

[HolyCheck]

watched 0 of the tour so far, just been checking the time gaps in the morning :( having a proper job !

hoping to get in for the last few stages. but what happened last night... god damn... that's beyond low

[kottila]

Yes, I watch F1 all the time and no, that shit you're describing doesn't happen. At least not among the top teams. Look at Webber vs Vettel, Button vs Hamilton. And Alonso vs Hamilton back in the day. There is very rarely any teamwork involved in F1. I have never seen a driver letting a teammate willingly pass him to provide slipstream advantage and then have the teammate willingly give up that position a short while later, like in cycling. I have no idea what you're watching but I'm sure it's not F1. Like I said, I can understand the concept of the winners of the tour not being able to win without the support of their team. But then, I disagree with the tour placing the emphasis on crowning a single cyclist as winner of the tour if it's so obviously a team effort. F1 crowns individual champions because it makes sense in that sport. Would Vettel have won WDC last year if Webber was non-existent? Most certainly. Would Cadel Evans have won last year's Tour de France if his teammates were non-existent? Most certainly not. So why is he, and not his entire team, crowned the winner of Tour de France?

A team only puts you in the position to win, an extremely talented individual still has do to the winning on his own. Without teammates, a rogue mediocre cyclist in a lucky breakaway on a flat stage could win the whole thing, while not being one of the 100 best riders.

[bjaelke]

A team only puts you in the position to win, an extremely talented individual still has do to the winning on his own. Without teammates, a rogue mediocre cyclist in a lucky breakaway on a flat stage could win the whole thing, while not being one of the 100 best riders.

Oscar Pereiro Sio?

[Kabouter]

Oscar Pereiro Sio?

You will remember his team working their asses off to keep him in the jersey :P.

[Hanmik]

so any chance for something to happen today, regarding the main contenders..?

[Joni]

so any chance for something to happen today, regarding the main contenders..?

No. I expect it will go like yesterday: a group that escapes early and can finish with a 10 minute lead.

[Kabouter]

No. I expect it will go like yesterday: a group that escapes early and can finish with a 10 minute lead.

Why would the sprint teams let that happen? Today's stage seems so easy. If I were Lotto, Liquigas or whatever, I'd just keep the difference at 3 minutes max, then close the gap as you get nearer the finish, catch them 10km from the finish, keep the pace too high for escapes and get the trains going.

[Joni]

Why would the sprint teams let that happen? Today's stage seems so easy. If I were Lotto, Liquigas or whatever, I'd just keep the difference at 3 minutes max, then close the gap as you get nearer the finish, catch them 10km from the finish, keep the pace too high for escapes and get the trains going.

I thought the hill at the end was a category 2 instead of a 3. Greipel and Cavendish should indeed be able to cross it.

[speedpop]

Bit of a boring year :(

Transition years always stink a little.

[Kurtofan]

There was one last year... Als 2009, 2005, 2004 and 2003 since the last time ONCE won it in 2002. There is also one next year. They just don't do the team time trial each year.

don't let the facts get in the way obviously the French are just mad at Spain for winning

[Hanmik]

Sylvain Chavanal had to retire...

[Bitmap Frogs]

don't let the facts get in the way obviously the French are just mad at Spain for winning

Facts shmfacts.

Btw, is it true the Roland Garros is being cancelled until Nadal retires?





Just teasing ya ;D

[GimMick]

Now I just heard that someone spilled oil over the road. I wonder if it's the same guy...

[davidnic]

Now I just heard that someone spilled oil over the road. I wonder if it's the same guy...

probably... he is a terrorist for cycling. He must be stopped!

[davidnic]

http://i.minus.com/kRne8xgsbjmIQ.jpg

God I love Sagan. What can't he do?!?!

[kottila]

Wonder why an cancer charity is spending time lobbying about the funding of an anti doping agency http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...googlenews_wsj

sorry bout the paywall

[FStop7]

Reuters reporting Frank Schleck failed a doping control.

[-MB-]

The UCI on Tuesday announced that it had informed Fränk Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) of an Adverse Analytical Finding for the diuretic Xipamide in a sample taken on July 14. Schleck can request to have his B Sample tested. “The UCI Anti-Doping Rules do not provide for a provisional suspension given the nature of the substance, which is a specified substance,” read the UCI’s release. “However, the UCI is confident that his team will take the necessary steps to enable the Tour de France to continue in serenity and to ensure that their rider has the opportunity to properly prepare his defense in particular within the legal timeline, which allows four days for him to have his B sample analyzed. “Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the UCI is unable to provide any additional information at this time.”

.

[vidcons]

I thought only winners doped.

[Kurtofan]

It's a rest day alright.

[Kabouter]

Well shit :(
Was shaping up to be such a peaceful, if stupidly boring, tour.

Apparently the diuretic they found is something that can be used to mask doping use.

[Kurtofan]

So what does it mean for Andy?

[kottila]

Racing for bruynell and has bern going to Fuentes, so not very surprising

[Joni]

I hope it is a mistake for Fränk Schleck. Also rather ironic now that he is driving for Bruyneel.

[Kabouter]

Racing for bruynell and has bern going to Fuentes, so not very surprising

Apparently the how is quite surprising. Last night on TV they said that it is an incredibly easily detectable agent that would also reduce performance (because it gets rid of water). Would a team that supposedly dopes so much really make such a rookie mistake?

[speedpop]

Apparently the how is quite surprising. Last night on TV they said that it is an incredibly easily detectable agent that would also reduce performance (because it gets rid of water). Would a team that supposedly dopes so much really make such a rookie mistake?

People make mistakes all the time man. Its human nature to screw something up in a serious moment once in their lifetime.

Kinda miffed that ol' Frank might get caught. Between the Schleck brothers and the usual French, British, Belgian, Dutch, German, and Australian riders, I would have thought that they'd be all safe as houses.

I might cry in my pillow if Cancellara ever gets caught.

[kottila]

I remember seeing somewhere that Andy had insane watts/kg levels at 22. Considering the extreme close relationship between the brothers, I would be more surprised if he wasn't doped as well

[Joni]

I remember seeing somewhere that Andy had insane watts/kg levels at 22. Considering the extreme close relationship between the brothers, I would be more surprised if he wasn't doped as well

Andy is extremely talented, that is why it was already insane at 22. He is like Sagan. Unlike his brother he does have a clean image. For Frank there was already the Fuentes affaire.

He is asking for the B-sample to be tested and will claim he has been poisoned if it still holds up.
https://docs.google.com/a/gamed.nl/v...df&chrome=true

[Kurtofan]

Aaaah Barbed wire!

[Kabouter]

Aaaah Barbed wire!

Yeah, nasty shit. Gusev apparently has a suspected broken collar bone, Zingle seems okay.

Edit: Yep, Gusev abandons.
Edit2: Wouldn't surprise me to see Hinault and Simon abandon today as well, given how early they were dropped from the peloton on the Aubisque. Can't imagine they'll finish on time.

[Kraftwerk]

I might cry in my pillow if Cancellara ever gets caught.

Don't even say that ;___;

Fab <3

[Hanmik]

Aaaah Barbed wire!

what happened..?

Only just started watching a stream here from work.. Voeckler is fucking crazy,..

[kottila]

Most boring tdf in world history? At least when armstrong was racing people were attacking. Now eddy the boss gets to ride calmly in front up and down every mountain

[GimMick]

Evans is dun goofed.

[Hanmik]

It´s such a bad performace by the top riders this year..

they aren´t even trying.. go for the yellow jersey people..

[Kung Fu Jedi]

Most boring tdf in world history? At least when armstrong was racing people were attacking. Now eddy the boss gets to ride calmly in front up and down every mountain

It is definitely the least interesting Tour I can remember for quite some time. Other than Wiggins and Team Sky showing up, it seems very few other riders were prepared to truly compete this year. Cadel seems a shadow of his form from last year.

[Hanmik]

Cadel will catch Wiggins on the descent..

I just hope Chris Anker Sørensen can catch Voeckler..

[kottila]

Having two long itt ruins the point of attacking too hard. They know they need too many minutes to have a chance of beatibg them and if they attack they might go empty and ruin their current position

[Hanmik]

Having two long itt ruins the point of attacking too hard. They know they need too many minutes to have a chance of beatibg them and if they attack they might go empty and ruin their current position

does the route tomorrow end on a climb..?

[Kung Fu Jedi]

does the route tomorrow end on a climb..?

Yes. Final mountain top finish of the 2012 Tour.

[ElyrionX]

No attacks at all..............