Tour de France - spoilers allowed

[BikeDutchess]

And BTW I am really enjoying Christian VandeVelde's commentary. He's a great addition to NBCSN's cycling team.

I agree - great improvement over the 3rd guy they had last year (who probably was knowledgeable about cycling but whose monotonous voice just about put me to sleep).

[pll]

What a stage. Cycling Tips has the most detailed account of why one of the bikes was snapped... according to that blog, a bike on the roof of the Tinkoff Sax car got tangled with a bike from a Belkin car. The bike snapped while on the roof -- they included a picture where indeed it appears two bikes are tangled:

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/07/ti...ontador-frame/

[ny biker]

I'm bummed that Ted King is out.

An article in Velonews said that Contador's bike may have broken when he hit a pothole at 40 mph, because carbon race bikes are not expected to be able to survive that kind of impact. If this is true, I want a new bike. Jeez.

P.s. Tony Martin is the man. I'm still watching today's stage -- he just cracked. Amazing ride.

[malkin]

My TdF Fantasy:

Everyone crashes out except for one rider and finally in Paris: JENS VOIGT WINS ALL THE PRIZES!

[BikeDutchess]

My TdF Fantasy:

Everyone crashes out except for one rider and finally in Paris: JENS VOIGT WINS ALL THE PRIZES!

[AppleTree]

My TdF Fantasy:

Everyone crashes out except for one rider and finally in Paris: JENS VOIGT WINS ALL THE PRIZES!

Yes!!!!!!! Love that fantasy!

[nuliajuk]

The spectators seem a bit better behaved this year so far, with fewer exhibitionists trying to get on camera. (Yes, I'm talking about YOU, Monokini Man) Perhaps it's the cooler rainier weather that's doing it.
I'd love to see Thomas Voeckler win. He tries so hard and just never gives up.

[pll]

My TdF Fantasy:

Everyone crashes out except for one rider and finally in Paris: JENS VOIGT WINS ALL THE PRIZES!

Eeek. It would be gruesome -- I hate when riders crash. Jensie got some jersey for his six kids yesterday: https://twitter.com/TrekFactory/stat...38183652216833

Anyway, Tony Martin was spectacular in the last two stages.

[Helene2013]

We watch it every night. Very interesting TDF this year. I'm "happy" that all the big names are going down. It will give a chance to those who rarely get on the podium to do so. At least my "fantasy" too. hihi

I don't like crashes though. It must be terrible falling at some speed they are riding. ouch.

[BikeDutchess]

Now Cancellara is pulling out too. http://www.trekfactoryracing.com/new...tour-de-france

[emily_in_nc]

My TdF Fantasy:

Everyone crashes out except for one rider and finally in Paris: JENS VOIGT WINS ALL THE PRIZES!

That totally works for me, malkin!

Shut up legs!

[BikeDutchess]

Andrew Talansky - wow! What grit he has! Chapeau! I wonder if he's going to start tomorrow.

[AppleTree]

Andrew Talansky - wow! What grit he has! Chapeau! I wonder if he's going to start tomorrow.

That was harder to watch than a crash in slow motion, Talansky sitting on the side of the road with his team director and obviously in physical and emotional distress. My heart was just breaking for him. I went riding before the stage finished, and I didn't think he'd still be in it when I got back home. I am gobsmacked that he finished the stage, how amazing is that? He is a hero in my book.

[emily_in_nc]

Even though I'm no big fan of Alberto, I was so sorry to see what happened to him today. Amazing to find out that he rode on a fractured tibia, even for 30 minutes. That had to have hurt!

I always hate when top contenders have to abandon, although it does provide great opportunity for others. This TdF has been nothing if not unpredictable!

[BikeDutchess]

I'm bummed that Ted King is out.

Great blog post he wrote: http://www.iamtedking.com/2014/07/6337/