Chapeaus

I think Gavia’s site organization deserves a huge chapeau …. previously it was easy to get lost due to the many “live chat” threads on the front page.

As to the riders? Vive La France – they didn’t suck as much as we feared. Chava, Le Nez, Pineau, etc. superbe

Now Chris – tabulate the Eds League VDS. I have Menchov!

Ryder Hesjedal and Jurgen Van Den Broeck for taking all-rounder pedigrees and training them into GT contender form.

But my three hats go to workers:
1. Dani Navarro: this dude was an uphill pacemaking machine. I think he gets the award for “most kilometers of hurt put on the peloton” and also for “most riders dropped while forcing the pace”. Well done Dani, chapeau

2. Christophe Moreau: I can’t stand this guy. Really do not like him, but he’s an equal-opportunity arse and he kept coming back to take climbing points away from the real contenders, liven up the team competition, and put his work in every day. I’m not a fan, but the oldest man in the race put on a hell of a show. Chapeau, Christophe.

3. Mario Aerts: not to make this the tour de old dudes, but this ancient rolleur did a TON of work for Lotto and Van den broeck. He was there when Lotto needed to chase. He was there when Lotto needed someone in the break. He was there when Lotto needed someone to help drive the pace on a climb. He’s another one who brought his lunchbox to the tour and punched the clock every day. Chapeau, Mario.

yes there is a song in there for those of us old enough to remember it…

1) Menchov, for the reasons above and for a strong, steady, quiet, solid performance, the kind of thing i always like this guy for, and because he rides a Giant too :-)
2) Chavanel, for animating significant portions of the race, as ever, coming up with results, and doing it all in style with a smile, and for not creating an international incident out of the disrespect he was shown by the peloton while in yellow
3) Evans, because I have to say that of course, but really because he bore his injury and the rainbow jersey stoically, with grace and even humour after a brilliant start in the race came to a crashing halt – no whining, blaming, or lamenting, just grinta and loads of appreciation for his team. he earned the respect of the badger, not to mention countless fans and even those journos he has often tangled with in the past.

plenty of other honourable mentions, including Navarro, Hesjedal, Roche, and the five other French stage winners.

and thanks to the folks at PdC for keeping it all together!

they actually took the Schleck attack yesterday seriously and asked a question or not whether he should have sat up. It was a joke attack you large dumbasses made of giant piles of shit! Stop speaking about sports you have no clue of and then bashing them. Of course Kornheiser was one of the commentators. Michael Wilbon quote “what does 37 seconds even mean?”. The biggest anti-chapeau to you ever fool.

3 weeks ago? I am pretty sure I was touting Cadel magic (but I am still proud of his Tour)

Cancellara: It goes with out saying but the man is a complete beast. The TT was breathtaking (even if we don’t get to see it, sort it out TDF), his ride over the cobbles also. And even burning himself to cinders up the bottom of the Tourmalet. Monster

Cavendish: I didn’t like the Renshaw expulsion. But it could be significant twofold. First it gave Cav the chance to blow away the naysayers who said he relied on his train. And because of that, maybe it gives HTC something to think about? The guy doesn’t need a full leadout machine, just a couple of guys to drive the pace early in the sprint. Maybe they let him go it alone and give Tony Martin more support next year for the GC? Living in hope… Either way, Cavendish is a phenom.

Valls Ferri: So he didn’t find the right break. But the boy clearly has talent. Aggressive, tried his luck. Gave a bit of interest to what, lets be honest, was a very uninspiring team going in.

Nicholas Roche: Didn’t like his hissy fit at Gadret, but whatever. Lots of aggression, lots of airtime. I might have selective memory, but he got his name mentioned a LOT during this tour, and that can only be good. Combine that with a solid GT record anyway, and maybe we see more of him going forward.

Very close to Contador on the climbs and even in the final TT. Also pretty gracious in defeat, it should be said. And his team wasn’t so strong in the mountains once Franck broke his collarbone either.

J-Rod… His first Tour (I think)—had kind of a rocky start but came back and did what he does best—nifty stage win on the steeps at Mendes; climbed just a little behind the top guys; third on the Tourmalet; solid top ten finish. If only he could TT.

to Robbie Hunter and DZ:

http://www.youtube.com/user/NashuaM0bile#p/u/25/DWHAtlXNLe0

my inner 12 year old boy chuckles every time.

I would like to believe that also Wiggins would have finished far higher up in the TT without the wind. None would have challenged Cancellara and Martin though.

with farrar down they did an excellent job of mixing it up in the sprints and nearly coming away with a result

tarmac took its best shot while jens! was isolated from his team car; smashing his bike and taking some skin. mighty jens! laughed as he gave a “non” to the broom wagon and rode back up to a team car on a kid-sized bike with toe clips.

Did anyone expected such a strong Tour from him?