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Unbeknownst to us, our Tivo and cable decided to disconnect themselves in the quiet of the night Friday, so we missed Saturday's stage. Luckily, I had them communicating again in time to record yesterday's stage - what an exciting finish! I was so happy for that FDJ squad.
Rest day. They deserve it. I bet they're not doing much more than riding their bikes. Ahhh, rest. :D
The tour has been great, but I really miss Andy, and I miss loving to hate Alberto.
Let's hope the rest day is kind to Brice Feillu, the lanterne rouge... the poor guy has being going through some serious suffering!
I agree. I just don't really care who wins this year, I just want an interesting and close race. It has been fun even though I don't have a clear favorite nor anyone I dislike as much as Alberto.Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
+2 on all counts :)Quote:
Originally Posted by emily_in_nc
I'm super sad about Ryder, I was so rooting for him! :( I hope Tyler can still pull something off in the later sprint stages. Actually, I'm sad for the whole Garmin team for that matter. My husband and I went to the TdF in 2009, and met a lot of the guys on Garmin (Tyler, Dave Z, Danny Pate, Christian VandeVelde). They even passed a poster around for me and all signed it. Christian put his arm around me and took a picture with me too..they just came off as really nice guys. I was giddy for the rest of the day, as my husband just rolled his eyes ;)
Jens is going geocaching and getting a haircut.Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
BTW Wiggins is not my favorite rider, but I think his comments on doping at the press conference were hilarious.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...e-clean_228247
Oddly enough most accounts of it leave off his final word, which started with "c."
I'd be giddy the rest of my life!Quote:
Originally Posted by ShutUpLegs
It is sad for the team, though. Lots of great riders out already. That crash that took out all those guys, so stupid. Jens wrote it was someone taking off their shoe covers at speed.
NY Rider,
I could blame Bradley for the choice of a few of his words, but totally agree with his sentiment. (Not sure I really blame him for the language for that matter.) From what I read from TeamSky, the French press had him in a press conference for about half an hour where they kept showing him videos of previous British cyclists who had lost or crashed after a good start and kept expecting him to comment on that. Then, after that silliness, he gets the drug question, after receiving lots of tweets to similar effect, and comments on articles etc. I think I'd be a bit upset too.
I heard an interview of Jonathan Vaughters where he said they had heard from Lampre (Garmin and Lampre were staying at the same hotel) that apparently Petacchi handed his shoe covers to Daniele Vigano (the Lampre guy seen laying in the ditch, broken collarbone). Vigano had one hand off the handlebar trying to stuff the shoe covers in his jersey pockets. It was a downhill, mostly tailwind, everyone packed like sardines... all needed was a wobble.Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
ETA: here is the video clip of the interview -- at 1:24 he discusses the stage 6 crash.
It cracks me up how much Wiggins looks like a guy you'd expect to find at a pub or in a British Invasion band in in about 1968.
Quote:
Originally Posted by malkin
Very mod! :)
You know what ticks me off about the NBC Sports coverage -- apart from the commercial breaks every five minutes or so? :rolleyes:
It's their fixation on the crashes. Every crash must be replayed umpteen times, from every available angle, in slow-mo, closeup, and of course the aftermath and the injuries MUST be documented in all their gory detail. Many times.
I'm watching the tour recap show, and not only is NBC Sports spending a majority of the broadcast on the crashes, they see fit to remind us, lest we forget, of the crashes from last year.
Yeah, I suppose the network wants to make the coverage more interesting to the average american Joe Six-Pack sports fan, and blood & guts sells. Plus they wanna get the message across to viewers that these skinny guys in lycra ain't girly-men. Yeesh.
Or a British Elvis Presley with the pork chop side burns.Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
Malkin, you nailed it! Looking at head shots, I definitely wouldn't pick Wiggins out as a pro cyclist.Quote:
Originally Posted by malkin
Amazing time trial performances on Monday by quite a few riders--I had a day off from work so I was able to watch live. Looking forward to today in the high mountains, following via my smart phone's small screen!
I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but today's stage was awesome!
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
You betcha! :cool:
Oh, if I was as excited as I was, I can't imagine how you were! I could almost hear your shouting from here!Quote:
Originally Posted by jobob
Hee hee. :)
I do hope you-know-who is chosen Most Combative Rider for this stage.
Ed to add: Aw boo, he wasn't. Eh, more TeeVee time for the winner. ;)
I am in France and haven't seen a televised stage yet. What is wrong with me??
You have better things to do, perhaps? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by bmccasland
Quote:
Originally Posted by redrhodie
Yah, I was worried it might be boring with Wiggins almost 2 minutes ahead of Cadel. I was wrong!
just watched my dvr of the tour...I remember the 1st time we saw Vockler...Lance was still riding (and winning) and Vockler was in yellow and how he yo-yo'd in the high mountains trying to hang on to yellow. I guess that is why I always enjoy his "yo-yoing" that he does. So I am happy with today's results. I must admit I was also rooting for Jens...but who does NOT love Jens! I think I want to marry him (and I am in a same sex relationship LOL:eek:)
I just don't "love" Wiggins. I didn't/don't love Cadel. But was ok with his win last time (except he cries a lot). Before Cadel I DID NOT like Contador. What is my problem. Is it because I was such a Lance fan? I started cycling and watching the tour during his era/reign.
But I do love/like many others that just are not performing (yet). I have sooooo enjoyed Sagan. I drool over Fabian's quads but I am thinking Sagan is moving up there in that category!
It is only moving into the 2nd week and anything can happen. I really am hoping for a surprise and more excitement!
I hope I don't sound crazy. I admit this post is after a really long and rough day at work followed by a BIG glass of wine. But it was an awesome race and finish today!
K
Sharks watch Jens Voigt Week.
I was rooting for Jens too - who doesn't? - but loved the expression on Voeckler's face when he crossed the line. ;)
So Fabian has left the Tour. New baby is imminent.
An article was posted on Velonews today which I think does a good job of explaining the broad-based appeal of "Little Tommy" and, of course, Jens. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Norse
Analysis: Voigt and Voeckler lead the populist puncheurs
LOL, good one!Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
"I am not only a bike rider, I am also a husband and father with another baby on the way. It is my personal wish to be present when my wife Stefanie gives birth to our second child. That 'trophy' is more important than another Tour stage win or an Olympic medal. I already need to thank my wife for her patience with me during the last month in her pregnancy that has been difficult at times. The least I can do is to assist her in these difficult days," he said.
Awwww. :o
Very pleased with today's finish. The winner's twitter feed should be fun to watch. :cool:
Here's a picture from stage 7 -- Sagan, the showman (he supposedly earned his "Terminator" nickname by destroying wheels and bikes...):
http://cdn.mos.bikeradar.com/images/...3u3-670-75.jpg
Source: Bike Radar [photo by Roberto Bettini]
Stage 14
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!!?!
That was just unbelievable. Cadel is reported to have said that's why he avoids riding in Spain. Nuts!
Hopefully you can see this, posted by Cadel, even if you're not logged into twitter:
http://lockerz.com/s/225299751
Rolland made no friends today by attacking.
Totally unrelated: Fabian's wife gave birth to daughter #2 on Friday.
Kudos to Wiggo for keeping it sane. He's a class act.
Here's a picture everyone definitely can see, along with more info.
http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...f-flats_229833
There was obviously a TV camera at the summit, so hopefully that will help identify the culprit(s).
And by the way, Sagan is amazing. I hope this is the start of a hugely successful career. He's fun to watch. I think he might be someone who can win the big Spring Classics.
The commentary to that Velonews article is a hoot:
Quote:
Originally Posted by ny biker
True. But Inner Ring pointed this out today, which makes sense to me. Though I can be gullible. :rolleyes:
Rolland took off on the descent and seemed to want to profit from this moment but he was not aware Evans being in trouble. He told French TV he had not heard about the problems behind and was annoyed to find journalists grilling him at the finish. We should give him the benefit of the doubt for now because remember the team cars were a long way back. The climb was so narrow that the cars were stuck behind the dropped riders – the same reason it took so long to get help to Evans – and so team managers did not know what was happening for some time, yet alone broadcast it over the race radio.
Ed.: Ooops, I was just reading Jens' excellent blog post On Tacks and Tacky Attacks he posted today (how does he manage that??) and this was his take:
And then there was Pierre Rolland, who attacked while the peloton waited for Cadel Evans and the others who flatted. What can you say? Perhaps he didn’t know what was happening the first time he attacked. But he was caught and riders must have told him what was going on. But what did he do? He attacked again! If you know that guys are crashing and puncturing and you take advantage of it—well, that’s just a lack of class!
Errr, nevermind. :o
Good catch Bikedutchess!
Aww, say it aint so! :(
http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...hleck-2_230302
Well, he has been training under Bruyneel...