2013 TdF talk - spoilers allowed!!!

[ny biker]

Just finished watching the first stage.


What the hell with the bus???? Was the Orica GreenEdge bus higher than all the others?? Was the banner just too low??? So bizarre.

Congrats to Kittel. I hope all the crashers are okay.

I fear I may have jinxed Hoogerland by wearing my HoogerlandTFU t-shirt today.

====

Update now that I'm watching the rerun of the prime time show: Seriously, NBC Sports?? A two-minute opening sequence??? TWO minutes????? Get over yourselves and just show the race.

[BikeDutchess]

It was one of the most bizarre finishes I've seen! I kept yelling at the TV "let the air out of its tires to create clearance" but I don't think that would have been enough. Why did they wait so long to decide to back it up?

BTW - check out the cool TDF wallpapers on this site: http://www.justeleanor.com/WALLPAPER. I downloaded the sunflower one but it was hard to choose.

[ny biker]

Apparently the problem with the bus happened because it arrived late. The banner had been higher earlier in the day.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/06/news/late-bus-bad-calls-add-to-chaos-of-tours-first-day_292623

I think this is the strangest thing I've ever seen at a sporting event. Also it's a great argument in favor of allowing riders to use race radios. Imagine if they had not been able to move the bus and also were not able to notify the riders what was going on. Telling them the finish line was being moved up (and then saying "never mind") certainly caused problems, but it would have been a disaster if they had come barreling down the finishing straight only to find a bus in the way.

[Koronin]

That was one of the stranger things I've seen and the bus seemed to have set off a very strange series of events. Then today near the finish a dog got loose and ran onto the road. If you are going to have a dog near the road it really needs to be on a leash and possibly a harness instead of just a collar, that could have been disasterous.

[ny biker]

There have been cyclist-dog crashes in races before. Potentially very dangerous for the dog as well as the racers.

Apparently Tony Martin lost consciousness twice after crashing yesterday, but he's still in the race. This seems wrong to me. It sucks to crash out so early in such a big race, but I just don't think it's worth the health risk to continue after a serious crash.

Nice win by Bakelants today. He dug deep at the end.

[Crankin]

I just read he had a concussion, a bruised lung, severe hip, back, and knee injuries; the team doctor OK'd him to ride today??? I'm not a doctor, etc. etc., but that kind of effort after a concussion, let alone the other stuff, is definitely a serious health risk.

[mariacycle]

What a strange couple of days at this TdF... I was definitely disappointed not to see the big sprinters near the finish line yesterday but I'm very happy for both Kittel and Bakelants. Bakelants reaction to crossing the finish line was absolutely incredible to me.

I feel terrible for the Orica-GreenEDGE bus driver :( I heard today that he was in tears over what happened yesterday.

Interesting note on the race radios, ny. On the NBC Sports coverage today they were discussing how towards the end of the race they'll turn the radios off to avoid being distracted by the team car. Couple that with the general noise/commotion/chaos and many of the riders never even knew about the 3km finish line. I think it was Kittel who heard on the race radio "the finish line is at the finish line" (after the bus moved) and responded back "of course it is, where else would it be" or something to that effect because he never heard the 3km finish line move to begin with.

[Aggie_Ama]

I was screaming at the TV with the dog today!! Was he not on a leash? His owner endangered the racers and his dog. I wanted to slap the pups owner through the TV.

[BikeDutchess]

So did anyone watch both the live morning coverage and then the evening coverage of Stage 2? Was it my imagination, or did Phil & Paul call the wrong name of the winner in the morning, and then re-recorded the call with with the right name for the evening coverage?

[e3rdpower]

So did anyone watch both the live morning coverage and then the evening coverage of Stage 2? Was it my imagination, or did Phil & Paul call the wrong name of the winner in the morning, and then re-recorded the call with with the right name for the evening coverage?
Nope, you are correct.


I'm also really surprised Tony Martin is riding. I was under the impression that there was a protocol to be followed for return to racing after a concussion, but perhaps it varies team to team at this point.

[marni]

re the bus incident- While both my husband and I started saying get out, lower the tires and back up as soon as the coolant started escaping it was pretty typical of the "suits" (ie officials and organizers) to line up in front of the bus on their cell phones. Who did they think they were calling other than each other , other committee members, God? And why did not one of the appatent fire brigade members just step up and open the valves, of for that matter ,since the driver persumabaly knows his bus, why didn't he hustle out of the bus and do it right away indtead of sitting there crying. alternate definition for the organizing committee and all the suits- redundancy and lack of progress in an emergency situation.

Really really stupid, but thankfully it wasn't worse.

[ny biker]

So did anyone watch both the live morning coverage and then the evening coverage of Stage 2? Was it my imagination, or did Phil & Paul call the wrong name of the winner in the morning, and then re-recorded the call with with the right name for the evening coverage?

I wasn't really listening during the prime time coverage. But when it was live, they first said Bakelants was in the break, then said that race radio was reporting that it was Irazar (sp?), then said race radio was back to saying it was Bakelants. So I can see why they would just re-do it for later broadcasts.

Another gripe for me about NBCSN -- they're interrupting the coverage to give updates on other sports. This by itself is annoying to me. But yesterday they announced the outcome of the F1 race, which they had covered live on CNBC but were showing on delay on NBCSN immediately after the TdF coverage. Apparently many people either didn't know to watch CNBC or chose to hold off on watching F1 until they after they watched the TdF, so they learned who won the grand prix before they had a chance to watch it. I chose to watch the F1 first, otherwise I would have been one of those very angry people.

[Eden]

......since the driver persumabaly knows his bus, why didn't he hustle out of the bus and do it right away indtead of sitting there crying. The driver didn't necessarily know anything.... I've heard tell of the people who sometimes staff that type of position.. he may well have just been a friend of someone or a relative, not a professional bus driver.... (in fact I just looked it up... the bus driver was.... Garikoitz Atxa, a Spanish former cyclist who was on his first day working as the Orica team’s bus driver). I guess France is much like here... as long as it's called a motorhome any shmo can drive it... doesn't have to be a professional driver.

[nuliajuk]

Yesterday's stage had an exiting finish but... polka dot shorts for the king of the mountains???
Jersey - yes. Bike - yes. Shorts...NOOOOO! He looked like he had measles. Really, really, big measles.

[Norse]

Bakelants reaction at the finish line the other day was priceless, and it demonstrated one of the reasons why Le Tour remains so enduring and fun to watch. Have to say I was rather glad to see Sagan get nipped at the line yesterday. Agree that the all-polka dot kit is just, ... hideous!

[Eden]

lol... my first thought when I saw the back of those polka dot shorts was - gee dear does this make my butt look big? Oh boy, yes it does.....

[ny biker]

I haven't seen the end of the TTT stage today but I read that Ted King did not make the time cut. He's been riding with a separated shoulder since crashing in stage 1. So sad. He was so excited to finally be riding in the tour.

[SheFly]

I haven't seen the end of the TTT stage today but I read that Ted King did not make the time cut. He's been riding with a separated shoulder since crashing in stage 1. So sad. He was so excited to finally be riding in the tour.

Ted's a local here, and I'm really sad to hear that he didn't make the cut today. That said, I can't imagine trying to put in a full on TT effort with a separated shoulder, especially after getting dropped so early. The good news is that now he can heal.

IMHO, Geraint Thomas and Tony Martin should both go home too. Thomas has to be helped onto his bike :eek: So HOW ON EARTH did he hang on to the final km today? And Martin riding at such high intensity with a concussion is not so good either.

SheFly

[ny biker]

Totally agree about Thomas and Martin. I understand why they would want to continue, but they really should not. Especially Martin.

Anyway now my favorite cyclist is out of the race. I'm still hoping that Sagan beats the pants off Cavendish in the green jersey competition, but it's less interesting for me to watch the stages now. Hopefully once they hit the mountains it will get interesting again. I go back and forth on how much I like Garmin, but maybe Talansky will be worth watching.

[Eden]

Yeah - they push those guys a bit too hard sometimes.... isn't even football instituting mandatory rest rules after concussion... (or is that only for kids). You would think at at time when it's becoming more and more apparent that there can be lasting effects from not healing even a relatively minor head injury properly (much less exposing yourself to the risk or further falls) that they might be a little more careful rather than less with these guys, but it really seems like they are putting them back on the bike more and more these days. I'm not sure I'll ever forget Tommy Danielson not knowing how he got across the finish line that one time.

[ny biker]

The general consensus seems to be that Ted should be allowed to stay in race. I tend to agree, since exceptions have been made before for riders who missed the time cut, and especially since the crash was caused by the stupidity with the bus.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/tour-de-france/editorial-kings-7-second-elimination-from-tour-sends-wrong-message_293232


update: It looks like the official time chip wasn't on Ted's bike because at the last minute he had to switch from his TT bike to his road bike, so there's confusion about how his official time was determined.

http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderreport/2013/07/02/the-cruelest-cut/

[ny biker]

So, CVV has crashed out of yet another grand tour, after hitting the pavement twice in this one. The first crash loosened a screw in his collarbone, a remnant from an earlier crash, and also caused a blood clot in his neck which they somehow decided was not dangerous. Anyway, I think he has the worst luck of anyone who has ever raced in grand tours. It's too bad.

I haven't finished watching today's stage yet but I heard that Sagan won. Good for him. Cannondale certainly brought a strong team to this tour. Meanwhile Cavendish really needs to work on anger management. Also it was nice seeing Jens in a the break for a while.

I also like seeing "firsts" in the tour, like Impey being the first African to wear yellow.

[murielalex]

Really enjoyed today's stage, but I'm looking forward to the mountain stages. I'm in awe of the climbers. The Cannondale team was remarkable today.

[Penny4]

I'm watching today's race now...

So, I am still learning about how each rider on a team has a different job, and they are all supposed to protect their leader, or perform a function etc...but still confused as heck :)

Why is Jens riding so far up ahead by himself and not with his team?

[ny biker]

I'm watching today's race now...

So, I am still learning about how each rider on a team has a different job, and they are all supposed to protect their leader, or perform a function etc...but still confused as heck :)

Why is Jens riding so far up ahead by himself and not with his team?

Because he's Jens!!

Although in most cases breakaways are caught by the peloton before the finish line, sometimes they manage to stay away and then one of the riders in the break will win the stage. For guys who are not sprinters and not great climbers, it's their best chance to win a stage. Equally as important, being in a break gets TV time for the companies that sponsor the teams that the breakaway riders race for. So even if they're caught, they accomplish something positive.

Some guys really love being in the break. Jens is one of them, Thomas Voeckler (sp?) is another.

If someone on Jens' team was leading the GC, he would most likely have stayed in the peloton to protect that rider. If his team had a good sprinter, he would probably also have stayed behind to help set the pace so the peloton could bring back the breakway.

Sometimes a rider from the yellow jersey's team will go up in a break, especially on a mountain stage. That would be to give him a chance to win the stage, but it he's caught, he would be at the front ready to help his team leader when most (or all) of their other teammates have been dropped.

Another reason for a rider to be in a breakaway is to win points in the King of the Mountains competition. Or, they might have the current leader in the KOM or green jersey competition on their team, and they want to win the on-course KOM or sprint points to prevent his teammates' competitors from winning them.

[Penny4]

So, if someone is going to break away, does it have to be agreed upon by his team? I get what you are saying above. Sort of. LOL :p

[ny biker]

So, if someone is going to break away, does it have to be agreed upon by his team? I get what you are saying above. Sort of. LOL :p

Each team has a meeting before each stage to discuss their goals and strategy for the day. In the meeting they might decide that certain riders can try to get in a breakaway during the stage.

Here is what Jens had to say about today's stage:

http://bicycling.com/blogs/hardlyserious/2013/07/05/jens-attacks/

[Penny4]

Cool, thanks for the link!

[ny biker]

I'm impressed by Nairo Quintana. And he's only 23.

I guess I want Froome to win because I'm happy that he took the lead today. Funny, because last year I didn't like Sky at all. I think it's because I'm not a big Wiggins fan and I thought Froome deserved to win last year.

It was interesting to see all the top contenders who cracked. Contador, Schleck, Evans, Tejay.

[nuliajuk]

Coverage is not that great on the one channel we can get it on here. We get only one hour this morning, maybe two in the evening... if formula 1 car racing doesn't pre-empt it.

[ny biker]

Coverage is not that great on the one channel we can get it on here. We get only one hour this morning, maybe two in the evening... if formula 1 car racing doesn't pre-empt it.

No more F1 races for three weeks, so you shouldn't have that problem anymore (this year).

I finally just finished watching yesterday's stage, because yesterday I was busy with my own somewhat-epic bike ride. (It was a fun group ride but not without some mishaps as well as a few wrong turns due to nonexistent road signs, not to mention the kind of hot afternoon sun that sucks the energy out of you. But, fun nonetheless.)

[AppleTree]

What do you think? The shoulder Cavendish put out that took the other rider down sure looked intentional to me. The commentators say different though.

[ny biker]

Yeah I don't know. Most of what I've read says Cavendish didn't do anything wrong. (Until his little hissy fit while being interviewed.)

[mariacycle]

Definitely wasn't intentional in my opinion... they crashed on a bit of a turn at speeds of 40+mph and Cavendish should really have moved up his left (like Kittel was it?) rather than his right. I think it looks intentional because you see him sort of throw his shoulder into it but I think that was him sort of protecting himself a bit. I hate these sprint finishes with turns, you can really appreciate their athleticism and raw power when they have a straight sprint finish.

Also a good point made by the NBC Sports commentators was that these guys are racing against each other 30+ times a year and there is absolutely no reason for Cavendish to do something like that, which he hasn't done in the past. Just food for thought.

Haha Cavendish throwing a hissy fit seems pretty normal now... in the past I found Cavendish's riding to greatly outweigh his somewhat crappy personality but this tour he has been somewhat disappointing on both fronts.

[ny biker]

I prefer a domestique like Teddy King to a temperamental sprinter any day of the week.....

http://www.iamtedking.com/2013/07/in-search-of-humanity/

[AppleTree]

Haha Cavendish throwing a hissy fit seems pretty normal now... in the past I found Cavendish's riding to greatly outweigh his somewhat crappy personality but this tour he has been somewhat disappointing on both fronts.

Even his team director snorted when one of them suggested Mark was a little upset. I think he said something like "what else is new".

[AppleTree]

I prefer a domestique like Teddy King to a temperamental sprinter any day of the week.....

http://www.iamtedking.com/2013/07/in-search-of-humanity/

This story made my heart hurt for him and his family. He is a very talented writer and cyclist.

[jobob]

How many ways does Phil pronounce Valverde's first name? I've lost count. :rolleyes:

[AppleTree]

How many ways does Phil pronounce Valverde's first name? I've lost count. :rolleyes:

As many ways as he pronounced (or mispronounced) Avila Beach in the TOC. LOL. That's okay, we still love him.

[Bike Writer]

I prefer a domestique like Teddy King to a temperamental sprinter any day of the week.....

http://www.iamtedking.com/2013/07/in-search-of-humanity/

Thank you for posting that great article! I agree, I'm not fond of temperamental athletes no matter what the sport. Wishing all the best to Teddy King.

[jobob]

That's okay, we still love him. "We"? Um, no.

[AppleTree]

Okay, maybe just me. I do love Phil, I admit.

[Norse]

Okay, maybe just me. I do love Phil, I admit.

In our household, we heart Phil too. :)

Froome is starting to make this year's Tour a bit boring.... At least the scenery is gorgeous.

[ny biker]

In our household, we heart Phil too. :)

Froome is starting to make this year's Tour a bit boring.... At least the scenery is gorgeous.

Bike racing, particularly stage racing, is long periods of "at least the scenery is nice" punctuated with a few attacks and sprints to liven things up. Luckily we now have HDTV which gives us some really amazing footage from the helicopter.

One of my nephews wants to become a baseball play-by-play announcer. He practices at home by watching a game on TV with the sound off and recording his own commentary for the game. He was a bit surprised by how hard it is to find things to say for an entire game. And a typical baseball game is ~2 hours long, less than half the length of a stage in a bike race. I suggested that he watch some of the cycling coverage on NBCSN to see how hard it is to cover some other sports that he's not familiar with. One of the things I like about Phil and Paul is that they research the region the race goes through each day so they can talk about the history and the different buildings and landmarks that we see. Other announcers will just say something vague like "that's a nice castle."

[rebeccaC]

I’d like to think Phil has to know France well enough that the literary overtones to a lot of his comments on the scenery must already be in his mind. In any case I'd love to have Phil at a dinner table.....or as an extra grandfather :)

Scenery and mountain stages with summit finishes ftw!


Emma Pooley, a rebirth of the Tour de France Feminin. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/23271761)

[ny biker]

Finally watched the end of today's stage. Wow!! Kittel came from behind Cavendish to beat him!! Looks like there might be a new sheriff in town...

I love Phil and Paul, but they're so blinded by Cav-love that they're analyzing the sprint in terms of what Cavendish did wrong, rather than what Kittel and his team did right.

And not only is he fast, but Kittel rivals Tyler Farrar in the competition for best hairstyle. He's got quite a 'do under that helmet. Though I still prefer Fabian, who somehow never has helmet hair...

[malkin]

Bike racing, particularly stage racing, is long periods of "at least the scenery is nice" punctuated with a few attacks and sprints to liven things up. Luckily we now have HDTV which gives us some really amazing footage from the helicopter.

One of my nephews wants to become a baseball play-by-play announcer. He practices at home by watching a game on TV with the sound off and recording his own commentary for the game. He was a bit surprised by how hard it is to find things to say for an entire game. And a typical baseball game is ~2 hours long, less than half the length of a stage in a bike race. I suggested that he watch some of the cycling coverage on NBCSN to see how hard it is to cover some other sports that he's not familiar with. One of the things I like about Phil and Paul is that they research the region the race goes through each day so they can talk about the history and the different buildings and landmarks that we see. Other announcers will just say something vague like "that's a nice castle."

It is a real skill to keep up that pitter pat of commentary hours on end for nearly a month.
I consider it a luxury to spend a day "watching" an entire long boring stage and dozing off through long stretches. I've had the experience of snoozing off rather deeply, and waking up at about the same point in the race in a later rebroadcast.

[Irulan]

DVRs are our friend. We can fast forward the races on the flats to the last 10 miles or so, and FF all the ads.

[nuliajuk]

Interesting that they mentioned lawyer lips in today's commentary, and how they make a wheel change take so much longer. My husband hates them and has filed them off most of our bikes. Now pro cyclists and their mechanics have to put up with them? If anyone should know how to use a quick release skewer correctly, it should be a pro cycling mechanic!
Speaking of Phil, I haven't heard any really good Liggitisms this year. Nothing like "He needs to pick himself up by the scruff of his racing shorts..." has left his mouth yet. :)

[jobob]

Well. For a flat stage, today's was very eventful! It's not over yet. The Alps will be very interesting.

[ny biker]

Well. For a flat stage, today's was very eventful! It's not over yet. The Alps will be very interesting.

Truth.

[denda]

I'm glad yesterday made it a closer race. Also glad Cavendish won his 25th!

[Skippyak]

I must have missed the actual Cavendish interview but they sure gave a long TV time to his GF, I had never heard of her and imagine my surprise that she is an ex page 3 girl (tits out for the papers in the UK). I assumed she must have some pearls of wisdom based on a sports background. It was odd, I have never watched the TDF long coverage before though. Is it common to have bimbos on telly adding their pennys worth? Or was it quiet day (before the crash). Do wives and GFs often get to wax poetic about race politics?

[ny biker]

I must have missed the actual Cavendish interview but they sure gave a long TV time to his GF, I had never heard of her and imagine my surprise that she is an ex page 3 girl (tits out for the papers in the UK). I assumed she must have some pearls of wisdom based on a sports background. It was odd, I have never watched the TDF long coverage before though. Is it common to have bimbos on telly adding their pennys worth? Or was it quiet day (before the crash). Do wives and GFs often get to wax poetic about race politics?

In a word, no. But they don't usually have such large, famous breasts, either.

[ny biker]

OMFG. I just now watched the end of today's stage. Trentin was barely over the line and Phil points out how nice it was that he won since his teammate Cavendish wasn't able to.

This really has to stop. Trentin won. Just talk about Trentin. He deserves to be known for winning instead of being someone else's teammate.

[malkin]

I must have missed the actual Cavendish interview but they sure gave a long TV time to his GF, I had never heard of her and imagine my surprise that she is an ex page 3 girl (tits out for the papers in the UK). I assumed she must have some pearls of wisdom based on a sports background. It was odd, I have never watched the TDF long coverage before though. Is it common to have bimbos on telly adding their pennys worth? Or was it quiet day (before the crash). Do wives and GFs often get to wax poetic about race politics?

I liked her and thought she sounded fairly intelligent. She seems to know more about cycling than that numpty host who sits with Bob Roll anyway.

[malkin]

I think they should have an award for "Most Charming" rider.
For the day, I'd give it to Sagan for his mid race wheelie, wave, and smile.

[AppleTree]

I think they should have an award for "Most Charming" rider.
For the day, I'd give it to Sagan for his mid race wheelie, wave, and smile.

I am glad I got to see that happen this morning. It made me laugh out loud. And on Mont Ventoux of all things.

It almost made me forget what a stupid little twerp he is (re: podium girl pinch)...ha.

[ny biker]

So it turns out the secret to recovering from cycling injuries is...lobster...

http://www.iamtedking.com/2013/07/the-restorative-power-of/

I wonder if it is also the fountain of youth?

http://bicycling.com/blogs/hardlyserious/2013/07/13/i%E2%80%99m-not-getting-any-younger/


I missed Sagan's wheelie, since I had to work this morning, and I had the tour on in the background since I was working from home, and I wasn't really paying much attention until near the end. Early in the tour they showed a video of Sagan riding up onto the roof of a car. He does have skillz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM9Eh2uQ7Ek

[malkin]

I find the media speculation about the possibility of Froome doping to be oppressive.

Bike changes in the TT were pretty interesting.

I'm hoping for good weather and a safe ride for the riders tomorrow.

[pll]

Malkin: I totally agree. Froome's attacks on mountains are stunning and one can only hope they are clean. I think a good portion of the media is trying to make amends for extolling so many dopers throughout the years. Yet, what we need are honest riders and better and timely tests, not speculation.

My random comments:

I like Froome's personality much better then Wiggo's. I had liked Wiggo until he started opening his mouth in public. The last straw for me was his sexist remark about descending "like a girl" during the Giro. And then he followed with some nasty comments about his team mate, Rigoberto Urán, discussing his weaknesses with the media. How petty and self absorbed can a guy get?
I still like Contador. I love that he won't quit attacking. He makes the race fun to watch.
Teams work so hard on aero position, aero helmet, clothing, etc. You don't say facial hair does not add drag? ;)

[ivorygorgon]

I heard Phil talk about "Ritchie Froome" the other day. Pretty funny, but apt.

[Skippyak]

The interest in cycling via doping is all publicity and there is no such thing as bad publicity. This is one expensive rolling picnic and I am sure that the riders get it. I wonder how soon it will all become boring to the public now there will be a different winner every year.

[ny biker]

Malkin: I totally agree. Froome's attacks on mountains are stunning and one can only hope they are clean. I think a good portion of the media is trying to make amends for extolling so many dopers throughout the years. Yet, what we need are honest riders and better and timely tests, not speculation.

My random comments:

I like Froome's personality much better then Wiggo's. I had liked Wiggo until he started opening his mouth in public. The last straw for me was his sexist remark about descending "like a girl" during the Giro. And then he followed with some nasty comments about his team mate, Rigoberto Urán, discussing his weaknesses with the media. How petty and self absorbed can a guy get?
I still like Contador. I love that he won't quit attacking. He makes the race fun to watch.
Teams work so hard on aero position, aero helmet, clothing, etc. You don't say facial hair does not add drag? ;)


I always wondered about Jan Ulrich's earrings. Don't they add weight???

I've never been a fan of Contador but I do appreciate his unwillingness to give up.

As for the doping, I read an interview with Jonathan Vaughters where he said that we really won't know for 10 years or so if a given rider is doping or not. But fwiw, he thinks Froome is clean. David Millar also thinks he's clean. Obviously they could be wrong, but I think their ability to spot signs that someone is doping is probably pretty good.

[Eden]

The interest in cycling via doping is all publicity and there is no such thing as bad publicity. This is one expensive rolling picnic and I am sure that the riders get it. I wonder how soon it will all become boring to the public now there will be a different winner every year.

Being as it's been happening and wildly popular for around 100 years now (100 races over 110 years), and over that time only a handful of riders have won more than twice, I doubt the public will be abandoning it anytime soon.... Americans may lose interest now that there isn't a dominant American rider or team, but much of the rest of the world still enjoys the TDF quite a bit....

And I'm sure the riders would describe it as anything but a picnic.... it can't be denied that no matter what a person is or is not doing that it's still a very difficult physical challenge.

[ny biker]

I think a major reason for the doping is that it is such a difficult physical challenge.

I personally find it more boring when the same person wins every year.

[AppleTree]

What the???! They penalized Ritchie Porte for bringing back food and water for Froome?? Are you kidding me? Can some explain what that reasoning was, I did not understand at all. Crazy.

Those guys absolutely suffer on that climb, how could you possibly do it without food and water?

[rebeccaC]

What the???! They penalized Ritchie Porte for bringing back food and water for Froome?? Are you kidding me? Can some explain what that reasoning was, I did not understand at all. Crazy.

Those guys absolutely suffer on that climb, how could you possibly do it without food and water?

I haven't watched todays stage yet but I assume it was towards the end of the stage during the time when you aren't allowed to pass food/gels etc. to your team riders.

edit...Just watched it and it was a pretty blatant breaking of the rule that was caught on camera and commented on by Phil.

[AppleTree]

I hadn't heard that rule before. Yes, it was the last few kilometers. Still...

[murielalex]

The crowds of loonies jumping in front of the cyclists were pretty scary. I'd think if I were at the end of one of those long climbs and faced with people jumping out directly in front of me and flags in my face, I'd be pissed if I weren't so exhausted. Of course, I'm exhausted just doing bridge repeats, but I was frightened for the riders just watching on tv. Poor Teejay had to actually push someone away:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2929539/outofmywayimonabike.gif


That's messed up.

[ny biker]

I haven't watched todays stage yet but I assume it was towards the end of the stage during the time when you aren't allowed to pass food/gels etc. to your team riders.

edit...Just watched it and it was a pretty blatant breaking of the rule that was caught on camera and commented on by Phil.

And they've done it before, on other stages.

I do not have time to watch 5.5 hours of bike racing on a weeknight. I had to fast forward through most of it. Still watching it now.

[pll]

The crowds of loonies jumping in front of the cyclists were pretty scary. I'd think if I were at the end of one of those long climbs and faced with people jumping out directly in front of me and flags in my face, I'd be pissed if I weren't so exhausted. Of course, I'm exhausted just doing bridge repeats, but I was frightened for the riders just watching on tv. Poor Teejay had to actually push someone away:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2929539/outofmywayimonabike.gif


That's messed up.

Happens all the time and it makes me so nervous. A fan got what he deserved (tripped while running behind van Garderen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3NxXSb1K0

[ny biker]

"My body tells me no. But I won't quit, 'cause I want mo."

I despise these commercials. Hated them the first time I saw them, hate them more now. Would not drink Michelob if you paid me a million dollars.

If only Dos Equis ran ads during bike races. His mother has a tatoo that reads... "Son."

[Bike Writer]

The crowds of loonies jumping in front of the cyclists were pretty scary. I'd think if I were at the end of one of those long climbs and faced with people jumping out directly in front of me and flags in my face, I'd be pissed if I weren't so exhausted. Of course, I'm exhausted just doing bridge repeats, but I was frightened for the riders just watching on tv. Poor Teejay had to actually push someone away:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2929539/outofmywayimonabike.gif


That's messed up.

That would drive me nuts!

[Bike Writer]

Happens all the time and it makes me so nervous. A fan got what he deserved (tripped while running behind van Garderen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls3NxXSb1K0

Good video PLL

[pll]

Good video PLL

And I found a picture of the moment - not so cool (I did not get the reason of the altercation in the video, but after this pic, I see clearly why). Still, why do people run after the riders, yelling at them? I don't get that.
16492

[ny biker]

And I found a picture of the moment - not so cool (I did not get the reason of the altercation in the video, but after this pic, I see clearly why). Still, why do people run after the riders, yelling at them? I don't get that.
16492

I don't understand it either. I think most of the riders appreciate verbal support from the spectators, but the crazy outfits and the running alongside them just seems like a desperate cry for attention to me. Of course many of the spectators are drunk, so that might explain a lot.

[malkin]

I'd love to see a sort of running of the bulls style cycling event where moronic fans can run with cyclists who carry some kind of little weapon (like darts or a tazer) to zap the annoying runners.

Seriously, I am puzzled by the fans who run, but the ones who touch the riders or throw water on them or light smoke flares really bother me. If they stay out of the way, running is harmless, but the rest really could be a serious problem for everyone.

[salsabike]

Me too. I have horrible fantasies about going there and whacking those crazed, interfering fans with something that doesn't hurt them badly but does irritate the hell out of them. I can't understand why they allow this. It drives me nuts to see it.


I'd love to see a sort of running of the bulls style cycling event where moronic fans can run with cyclists who carry some kind of little weapon (like darts or a tazer) to zap the annoying runners.

Seriously, I am puzzled by the fans who run, but the ones who touch the riders or throw water on them or light smoke flares really bother me. If they stay out of the way, running is harmless, but the rest really could be a serious problem for everyone.

[Skippyak]

One assumes that this is just part of the spectacle, overpolice the enthusiasm and maybe there won't be any. It fills me with anxiety just watching, but the fans are what really supports the cost of the event. I really wonder what other country would allow such disruption of infrastructure. I went to watch a little of the Tour of Utah and even for a short well publicized semi rural road closure the driving public was apoplectic. Two cars actually just drove through the closure of an intersection past the police who could not do a thing about it. I was more entertained by the car drivers and police that I was really distracted from the speedy descent I had come to watch.
Is the USA pro challenge really only in Colorado? Is that as national as it gets?

[katluvr]

I've enjoyed this years Tour immensely. Yes, it was obvious that Froome would win and he stayed in yellow. But all the different stage wins and attacks. I think it was most interesting this year. I will miss sitting on my trainer pedaling along! I am glad Quintana (sp?) won today and will be on the podium. Looking forward to Pro Cycling Challenge (Colorado).

[ny biker]

Quintana was definitely my favorite this year, and a great surprise. KOM, Best Young Rider and second place overall. Good for him.

[Crankin]

My favorite is Talansky.
Of course, after reading about him, there's so many similarities between him and my son, it felt natural.

[pll]

It's been a fun race to watch, even knowing that Froome was the winner from the first stages... Two pearls from a great blog, the Inner Ring (http://inrng.com/2013/07/tour-de-france-stage-21-preview/#more-16257):


"And if you want to know the difference between the pros and the amateurs, Ramunas Navardauskas was the last finisher on Mont Semnoz was still faster than the winner of the Etape du Tour, the cyclo event held on the same course two weeks ago. Navardauskas has been racing almost every day for the last three weeks."

And something to look at in today's stage:


Rhinestone Froomedog: to add to the nocturnal celebrations, the yellow jersey tomorrow has sequins. No joke. There will also be a laser and firework show centred around the Arc de Triomphe.

Sequins! I wonder how that's going to look. What's next? LED piping in the shorts/legs? Streamers and spoke lights... :rolleyes:

Added later: Well, I spoke to soon -- FDJ has a special kit for today's stage: https://twitter.com/EquipeFDJ/status/358981892332199936/photo/1

[Bike Writer]

I don't get it either or why it's allowed. It makes me very nervous watching people wave flags over their heads and faces, the yelling and crowding. I'd be tempted to carry a baton, but as ny biker pointed out most of the real crazies are probably drunk. Oh yeah, and even though I am a touchy-feely-huggy kind of person, those strangers touching the riders while they are undergoing those laborious climbs? That's way out of bounds!

[pll]

I don't get the crazies along the route, but I don't get the comments about it "not being allowed" either. Just imagine the amount of personnel or the cost of putting up fencing along ~120 miles of the route each day. What should the organizers and towns do?

[Irulan]

Anyone catch the full frontal guy a few nights ago? Two guys running after the bikers with their shorts pulled partially down; the one guys were around his ankles. I've been watching for "Borat Thong" guy....haven't seen him yet this year.

It's part of the fun. I can't imagine them fencing it off. We did see how they were sending motorcycles ahead of the leader on the summit climb the other day; presumable to clear the hordes. And ads? DVR is your friend. Watch four hours of coverage in an hour and forty minutes. We are a few days behind bit that's a small price imnsho.

[Crankin]

I saw it, Irulan... :eek:
I can't imagine them fencing it off either, but it seems so disrespectful and dangerous to the riders when they impede their progress. Dressing up is one thing, but getting drunk and running in front of the riders, hitting them, etc. is awful. I do like the way they have been using the motorcycles to help wit this, but, come on, people.
No ads with the NBC app and watching it through Apple TV from the I Pad. I guess one of the advantages of not having cable.

[Koronin]

It was definitely an entertaining Tour to watch, even knowing Froome had it from early on. I'm also glad Quintana was able to win a stage. He was impressive and I think someone to watch in the years to come.

[malkin]

I am never certain of the outcome in advance; I am always anxious about the possibility of something unthinkable happening.

[Irulan]

Why do they entirely skip any mention of Bauke Mollema when reading the standings on NBCSN? The announcers skip right over his name when it's listed right on the screen. This really stuck out when he was in second to fourth place.....

[ny biker]

Watching the end of the coverage now.

I like Phil and Paul, really I do. But Peter Sagan won the green jersey. He earned it. It was never in doubt. They should be talking about him, not the fact that Cavendish wanted to win green.

Same with Marcel Kittel and his victories. He was the fastest sprinter in the race. This cannot be argued. So talk about him and what he and his team did so well. And STFU about Cavendish. There is no reason at all to utter the name "Cavendish" during the podium ceremonies for this race.

</rant>

Overall this was a good race. And a new generation has taken over the peloton.

[BikeDutchess]

Why do they entirely skip any mention of Bauke Mollema when reading the standings on NBCSN? The announcers skip right over his name when it's listed right on the screen. This really stuck out when he was in second to fourth place.....

Totally agree - he rode very well and really did not get any coverage at all - he deserved more. I heard today from my Dutch connection that he got sick the day before Alpe d'Huez and that's why he dropped back so far in the standings. He was really iffy to start for both that stage and the Friday stage because he was so ill, but he gutted it out. I think he'll be another one to watch in the years to come.

[Irulan]

Totally agree - he rode very well and really did not get any coverage at all - he deserved more. I heard today from my Dutch connection that he got sick the day before Alpe d'Huez and that's why he dropped back so far in the standings. He was really iffy to start for both that stage and the Friday stage because he was so ill, but he gutted it out. I think he'll be another one to watch in the years to come.

Any idea WHY NBCSN is deliberately not mentioning him when he obviously in the standings?

[BikeDutchess]

Don't know why they mostly ignored him. I actually did hear them read his name at the end of several broadcasts (and Paul in particular had a habit of mispronouncing it) but that was about it. They were raving about Jakob Fuglsang who finished after him in the GC, and Valverde who made that huge tactical error when his wheel broke, but nothing about Mollema. :mad:

[malkin]

I think they know some riders better than others and perhaps they talk more about the ones they know better. I was happy to hear them do better saying something more resembling Fuglsang (they used to stick an extra g in it and say Fuglsgang).

They certainly have a longer view of the event and its history than I do!

[ny biker]

From Jensie's blog:

http://bicycling.com/blogs/hardlyserious/2013/07/21/a-parting-gift/

I was trying to explain this on Sunday to a friend who knows nothing about cycling other than "Lance Armstrong cancer doper." Some of the cyclists have such great enthusiasm for what they do, and they're able to show it, either through interviews or blogs or twitter or whatever. To me that's one of the big reasons for following the sport.