The Cycling Thread

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by Athanatophobos

What a stage!

I'm disappointed for Barguil and Bardet.

Me too - I have a lot of time for them both - both 'proper' competitors, unlike the wheel suckers of the tour - Quintana for one. That was a magnificent day's racing, as good a day as I can remember watching for many years - it had everything, drama all the way right to the finish. One to remember.

[mizlaplan]

Terrible new concerning Richie Porte.
He's broken his pelvis and his collarbone.
When I saw the crash I honestly thought he might have, god forbid, broken his neck
All the best for a complete recovery Richie.

[rupertramjet]

Originally Posted by mizlaplan

Terrible new concerning Richie Porte.
He's broken his pelvis and his collarbone.
When I saw the crash I honestly thought he might have, god forbid, broken his neck
All the best for a complete recovery Richie.

I too felt like mizlapan that the injuries were far more serious, and horrific as they are I am relieved that they are not more serious. I was disgusted at the reaction of Martin to the accident, he actually had a go at Porte for hitting him, as if the later had any control.

But oh my what a stage, another stunner and incredible breaks too. Frome was outstanding, as were so many this is one of the best Tours for years!

[pierrelm]

Was Bradley Wiggins the last Cofidis cyclist to attempt an attack in Le Tour?

[countjimmoriarty]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

Was Bradley Wiggins the last Cofidis cyclist to attempt an attack in Le Tour?

Probably. They spend all their time these days in futile attemps to drag Bouhanni to a stage win. Unfortunately for them, he's only about the 10th best sprinter left in the race.

[footstep]

Kittel again.

[mizlaplan]

Originally Posted by footstep

Kittel again.

The teams need to re-think their tactics regarding Kittel.
Chris Boardman and Gary Imlach were discussing this and Boardman said that using the current tactic of the team trains bringing their sprinter to the front of the peloton near the end of the stage just gifts Kittel a win.
Disregarding the mountain stages, I think we're going to see some unconventional, attacking moves by various teams.
Great

[pierrelm]

Originally Posted by mizlaplan

The teams need to re-think their tactics regarding Kittel.
Chris Boardman and Gary Imlach were discussing this and Boardman said that using the current tactic of the team trains bringing their sprinter to the front of the peloton near the end of the stage just gifts Kittel a win...

I think the sprints are so disorganised, Kittel will cruise to any stage he gets himself remotely positioned for. Greipel looks like a man who is convinced he has been cursed, the other sprinters can ride quickly but only Cav had the power and potential 'winner' instinct to seriously compete with Kittel, who looks supremely confident, reminiscent of Chippo (pre mountains, natch') and Petracchi. Unfortunately, given his serial abilility to beat himself, Cav should've gone to Specsavers.

[schniposa]

50 years ago from today, Tom Simpson died at the Mont Ventoux. "A gentleman, a funny and crazy guy, the Peter Sagan of our time", as Raymond Poulidor stated.

[vinceprince]

Originally Posted by pierrelm

I think the sprints are so disorganised, Kittel will cruise to any stage he gets himself remotely positioned for. Greipel looks like a man who is convinced he has been cursed, the other sprinters can ride quickly but only Cav had the power and potential 'winner' instinct to seriously compete with Kittel, who looks supremely confident, reminiscent of Chippo (pre mountains, natch') and Petracchi. Unfortunately, given his serial abilility to beat himself, Cav should've gone to Specsavers.

Sprinter's stages are over now thankfully. Hours of tedium followed by a couple of minutes of excitement. Millar and Ned must be relieved, must be like Test Match Special in the rain. At least they had a few pretty chateaus to break the boredom. Don't see the point of long flat stages, 150km is enough for any stage IMO, especially if we are really in a 'clean' era.