The Cycling Thread

[footstep]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

2014 tour de France:

1 Nibali
2 Froome
3 Contador
I have a sneaky feeling that Sky's team isn't as strong as it needs to be and a resurgent Nibali may be able to take advantage.

Either that or I'm pissed off at Cav crashing out yesterday and it being his own damn fault. Purely my own opinion, but I'm convinced he has this fear of losing which at times like this can be more destructive than good. I think the lure of the maillot was too much for him and he was needlessly reckless after what promised to be a good lead out had been blown apart. Accidents will happen but he made it near inevitable. I have to say I'm gutted. There are two other fine sprinters in the race in Griepel and Kittel plus Sagan which meant he was going to struggle to dominate in any way - I think 2 or 3 stages would be as much as he could hope for, as the legs aren't what they were. I think the first stage was just too important to him and he's paid a horrible price. Good luck for a speedy recovery.

[footstep]

Originally Posted by footstep

2014 tour de France: your predicts gentlemen please!

1 Froome
2 Nibali
3 Quintana
4 Contador

Was alright too but Froome wounded ,we'll never know.
2015 if everyone there,what a show it should be

[mizlaplan]

Originally Posted by footstep

Was alright too but Froome wounded ,we'll never know.
2015 if everyone there,what a show it should be

100% agree
The 2014 Tour was OK but the split second Nibali established a decisive lead, together with the loss of so many great riders early on, meant it turned into a procession and a foregone conclusion very early.
2015?
Froome/Nibali/Contador/Quintana/Wiggins?/New Guy ......
What a prospect

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by mizlaplan

100% agree
The 2014 Tour was OK but the split second Nibali established a decisive lead, together with the loss of so many great riders early on, meant it turned into a procession and a foregone conclusion very early.
2015?
Froome/Nibali/Contador/Quintana/Wiggins?/New Guy ......
What a prospect

I think there was more actual racing to compete for the podium this year than for ages - Nibali was dominant but because there wasn't one decisively strong team it made for the most entertaining tour in years. You didn't know who was going to win any of the stages apart from the predictable Individual TT. I really enjoyed this Tour - next year will be fascinating, to watch the 'young pretenders' especially the French vie to establish themselves and to see if Froome can regain top spot. Could Quintana make a serious challenge, or might Nibali be able to defend his title.

The sprint battle will hot up - Sagan could almost be given the green jersey now, but will Cav recover or has he had his glory days? And there's some very good climbers in the peloton - the route itself will be fascinating and influential.

[footstep]

Back for tour de France 2015.
This year is full of promises,with the fantastic four:nibali,froome,contador and quitana.
Difficult to give a pick...
I try
1 froome
2contador
3quitana

[footstep]

An aussie first maillot jaune!

[footstep]

Today les pavés,mythic north France roads.

[mizlaplan]

Been watching the Tour on ITV4 on a week off
Credit to the FREE station for the coverage.
The scenery might not be as dramatic as the Pyrenees and Alps but this is the part where the flat and sprint specialists get to shine.
Such a shame about Tony Martin. I hope his collar bone isn't broken but things don't look good.
Watching the helicopter shots suggests that he's 100% to blame for his injury

[fordprefect739]

It's official. It's broken and he's out. I was pretty sure it was given how long he stayed down and how he didn't put his left hand on the bars once he got back on the bike.

[footstep]

The pack is very nervous, so sadly a lot falls happen.
Martin,out.