Off Topic Tour de France

They're not supposed to start talking until August, but the rumour mill says Landa might be going to Movistar next year. Quintana may be leaving and Valverde retiring (aged 37).

 

Yesterday, in conversation with David Millar, Ned Boulting said that there is a strong indication that Landa is off next year (I think to Movistar) with Quintana going the other way.... Movistar have vehemently denied this though.

Sorry - just seen TBDs post... jinx!

 

Valverde is a class rider but best days are behind him. Landa looks a great prospect. Sky really do have amazing depth of talent.

On another point, I'm very pleased to see Michael Matthews doing so well as especially in Green albeit through kittel withdrawing. The Aussie riders are a breath of fresh air

 

Landa and Bargueil cut loose. Great stage

 

Froome attacks

 

Froome played it just right and now looks to be heading to victory as he is a stronger time-trialler than the rest of the leaders. Another excellent stage win from Barguil...

 

Tour experts, why don't they race properly on the final stage? If it was really close especially.

 

The final stage is effectively a circuit race and as such the leader's team would easily be able to counter any attacks from any rivals. For that reason, they don't even try. It's a day for the sprinters to have some limelight by winning a stage in the capital.

 

Why was Froome booed ?
Was it purely an anti-British thing ?

 

Froome said is was because Bardet who was second at the start of the stage is French and it was simply support for the home rider. But I suspect many still believe Froome is a cheat.

 

Oh ok, any truth in that you reckon ?
I don't really follow the cycling but was interested in why he was booed

 

I believe that team Sky push everything to the limit staying just the right side of legal, but I also think that Froome is just one of those super athletes that come along from time to time like Usain Bolt and Mo Farrah.
As for the booing, Froome has been booed on every stage throughout the race.

 

This was the best final stage I've seen in all the years of watching the TDF. In 1989 the Tour finished with a time trial.
The late Laurent Fignon went into the stage 50 secs ahead of American Greg LeMond, what followed was absolutely gripping television.

 

Cheers for the info mate

 

I remember that day well, there were time checks throughout and the gap closed nearer the finish with the long run lapping the Champs Elysee finish, you had to feel so sorry for Fignon but at least he had won a couple of Tours back in the early 80s including beating his former team leader Bernard Hinault...

 

An interesting read.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/40692045