Cycling Thread

[Super_horns]

A right old mess today - either way a Brit is still in yellow!

EDIT: Froome keeps and actually extends his lead in yellow.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Froome running scared from attacking on the climbs.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Disappointed to see so many calling for more barriers, sticking barriers up 75% of the likes of Mont Ventoux would just suck life out of the sport. Just make it completely frowned upon and uncool to be in the middle of the road or running alongside the riders and get rid of the dickheads, starting with that guy with the Majka sign.

 

[Baz]

What an utter farce that was. What they need to do is get some security up the mountains and twat those that get too close, no need for extra barriers etc, just twat them they'll soon move haha.

As for the attacks on the mountain, I was quite disappointed Quintana seemed to have just lost it, was expecting more from him. He'll have a big gap to make up if he is to come on strong in the final week again.

Also Froomey running up the mountain is the best thing ever!

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

^^ totally agree TW. Not sure how you change the culture of it though. Folks seem to getting worse if anything, more emboldened in thinking they're the main attraction.

 

[Veggie Legs]

I was out all day yesterday so I watched the highlights this morning - I was confused a bit annoyed that they started the show with Froome receiving his yellow jersey but at least I now understand why. Bizarre day.

Also, Nairo being naughty after the crash:

https://twitter.com/assekevin/status/753720450551836673

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Dumoulin SMASH.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Olympic gold right there.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

These crosswinds with a disc wheel in are scary as owt. One gust at the wrong time and they are just passengers.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Has Yates got lost? Nice of the TV to ignore 2nd place.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Can we scrap rest day and have a full on extreme rules demolition derby up Alpe d'Huez to make the final week vaguely interesting?

 

[Super_horns]

Looking pretty comfortable for Froone and with another TT to come I think?

 

[Baz]

By my reckoning there's 2 flat stages, 1 relatively flat stage that will suit the likes of Sagan, 1 time trial and 4 mountain stages. For me it'll take something special to stop Froome now as he'll be well protected in the 3 flat stages and will do some more damage in the final TT, so the mountain stages, teams will need to break up Team Sky as they've managed on at least one stage in previous years to stop Froome from winning a third tour.

Is it too early to rule Quintana out now he's 3 minutes down?

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Yeah, tis an uphill TT, but gonna take summat off-script to make a race out of this now innit.

 

[Baz]

Yeah, tis an uphill TT, but gonna take summat off-script to make a race out of this now innit.

It's uphill as fast as you can for the second TT, Dumoulin must be favourite for that one too.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Alaphilippe

Blimey

 

[Baz]

Ouchy. Did he do much damage Martino Knockavelli ?

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

No, the rock face remains standing.

:giphy:

Automatic from Cav.

 

[Martino Knockavelli]

Probs shouldn't be unkind, cos Kittel seems like a nice fella, and is experiencing getting beat for the first time in his career pretty much, but...... that's a few flavoursome tears tonight.

 

[Super_horns]

Another German sportsman complaining about a British rival winning?

 

[Baz]

Agree about Kittel, Cav was past him by time he wobbled on the bike. Going to be a nice uphill stage tomorrow, hopeful of seeing Nairo go for it to at least make it interesting for the final few stages.

Sent from my SM-J500FN using Tapatalk

 

[TimeyWimey]

Looks like a Romain Bardet stage tomorrow.

Hopefully see someone attack. Mollema and Yates probably more about defending podium than eyeing yellow. Movistar need to use the Valverde card at some point. BMC similar with Porte/Tejay, but they're just imploding.

 

[Baz]

Certainly a chance for Bardet in a breakaway though I do wonder if Ardu/Nibali will go for gold too. I can't see Movistar changing from Quintana to Valverde now especially as we're always told Quintana is strong in the final week of the tour so this is where he needs to start making time before it's too late.

On a side note Froome has said they'll be playing the defensive game now, is he double bluffing them again in order to see if someone attacks too early? Sky are great at the mind games so lets see what happens.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Well that fell a bit flat, aside from having Pantano in my bombing Velogames team.

Sagan procession tomorrow.

 

[Baz]

Yeah, Alaphillipe gave us another bit of fun though didn't he? Shocked he's still going in fairness. I do wonder if any of the GC guys will try to take some seconds given Tuesday is a rest day now.

 

[Baz]

Had zero viewing of todays stage, reports are a bit conflicting so how did it all go down for your points of view?

 

[TimeyWimey]

Stevo replaces Kennaugh for Olympics.

 

[Super_horns]

Deserved that after his form this season.

Guess they will all be working for Froome anyway?

 

[Baz]

Deserved that after his form this season.

Guess they will all be working for Froome anyway?

Depends how he feels after the tour.

 

[Baz]

Cav quits TDF!

Mark Cavendish has left the Tour de France in order to begin his preparations for the Olympic Games.

The 31-year-old Manxman won four of the race's 16 stages so far but decided to abandon on Tuesday's rest day due to fatigue.

He now has just under four weeks to recuperate before bidding to win a medal in the omnium on the track in Rio on August 14-15.


In a statement released by his Dimension Data team, Cavendish said: "After an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks at the Tour de France with Team Dimension Data, it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race.

"After the heat and intensity of the previous stages, we analysed my fatigue levels and decided I'm at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games."

So Kittel or err Greipel for the win on Sunday then?