I have to say, i have become a fan of this overnight!! I never watched it before this year, but it is sooo intriguing.
Good to see a British guy and team going well and having some good sportmanship. I do admire these guys who compete day after day over 6/7 hours usually in various type of weather and climates. Hopefully the drug problems which soured the tour in the past have gone with the strong regulations with regard to testing.
It's what me sane Dan, during the footy off season. The Spring Classics start as the season draws to a close, followed by the Giro & the Dauphine etc, all leading to 'Le Tour'. And if the tour isn't enough, the Tour of Poland is on now as well. ok maybe thats pushing it a bit.... To be honest, Euro 2012 got in the way!
I am going to be in Paris this weekend and intend to be at the Champs Elysees for the end of the race, great way to help finish celebrating my BIG birthday
I first became interested in the Tour when the Brit Tommy Simpson died while climbing Mont Ventoux in 1967. There are still questions asked about why he died that day, but the most likely explanation is dehydration due to drinking alcohol and taking amphetamines at the bottom of the climb. It was poignant that another British reformed drug taker should win the stage this year on the anniversary of Simpson's death. The French press this year started looking for drug stories a week before the Tour started, with rumours about the Europcar team, but for every sports reporter there seems to be two just looking for something more sensational. So far there has been the one rider thrown out by his own team, simply on the basis of suspicion. It does seem that this year we have a "clean" race, and long may that continue.
I've been glued to the tour this year. It does seem a shame though that all the teams have conseded the Green jersey to Sagan. Is it because he's just too good or are the whinging Ozzies in Orica GreenEdge still sulking over Goss's 30 point penalty. Hard to see how True Gent Wiggins could lose yellow now but this tour has already been full of surprises.
Sitting there, with the yellow jersey safe, Wiggins could have cruised through to the finish. Instead he put in the big push over the last km to give Cav the win. Don't know how many tensions there might have been with people having to curb their own chances for the good of the team, but there seems to be a great spirit amongst the riders.
The only issue of dis-unity seemed to be between the wives on Twitter! Excellent performance all around and hopefully they can do the same in the Olympics. Cavendish win road race and Wiggins TT.
Well I can tell you the atmosphere was electric on the Champs Elysees. Brits trying to start a Mexican wave, with a little bit of success I was there for the build and watched all the advertisers parade pass, but alas I had to leave prior to the riders apperaing otherwise I would have missed my flight Talk about #gutted We stationed ourselves right at the top of the Champs at the very slow corner which would have been a brilliant position if timing had been better for me, never the less I know have my TDF sweat band and little yellow bag which has been designated my new lunch bag The Mrs knew I could not go to the seller stands and not come back with anything Maybe next year, will be better prepared though as it was scorchio and I have a very nice shade of red on the back of my neck worth it though!
Delighted for Wiggins and Cavendish. Annoyed at the media's portrayal of Froome though. A lesser man than him would have decided to attack Wiggins on Wednesday/Thursday, and at that stage possibly opened the door for Nibali. It takes real selflessness to know that you are capable of winning the Tour, but sticking to your word and putting the team before personal glory. I rank the job he did higher than a footballer putting in a match-winning performance in the semi final, knowing that he will miss the final.
Al, I am gutted for you. Kept looking out for you, but told Mme. that I hadn't spotted you. It was a fab race once they got onto the circuit. A breakaway that got 35 secs away with some strong riders made you wonder if the peloton could get it back. Some of the speeds were quite electric. Brad leading the Sky team in a chase on the last circuit, then really getting stuck in to give Cav a lead out. Great to see him make it for the fourth successive time. Union flags everywhere and the French commentators seemed to enjoy telling the nation that it was a good result for the sport as there has been so little drug problems. Thomas V. is one of the nicest guys you will ever hear give an interview and with him getting the polka dot jersey gave me a lot of pleasure as well as so many of the natives.
I agree with you sentiments NNW, but not sure that he could have won it. Bradley is still a better time trialist and if you take the difference between the two of them in the time trials, then Bradley would have still had the edge even if Chris had not waited for him on the climb.
Yes..he seemed like a pretty jolly chap and not afraid to go for wins as his 2 successes proved and that was after suffering in the first week. The hosts seemed to take Wiggins (because he spoke theirlanguage?) to heart but I bet the French wish they had a home winner though...bit like us and Wimbledon tennis/open golf I guess.
It would have been jolly close though. If Froome had attacked, Wiggins would have needed another team mate's help to close him down. On top of that, there were two stages in particular where Froome well and truly dragged Wiggins along with the leaders. I'm not sure if Sky had another rider who could have kept that pace on the mountains.
