Tour de France: Cadel Evans wins first ever Tour, Cavendish takes final sprint
by Jen See on Jul 24, 2011 11:35 AM EDT
in Tour de France
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Mark Cavendish of HTC-Highroad won the final sprint of this year's Tour de France on the the Champs Elysées for his third straight victory on the famous boulevard. Mark Renshaw, who perfectly led out Cavendish, had time to celebrate from behind as Cavendish crossed the line. Edvald Boasson Hagen of Team Sky finished second, while André Greipel of Omega Pharma Lotto crossed the line third.
Results
Stage Results
- Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad)
- Edvald Boasson Hagen (Team Sky)
- André Greipel (Omega Pharma Lotto)
- Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervélo)
- Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek)
Final General Classification
- Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team)
- Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) 1:34
- Fränk Schleck (Leopard Trek) 2:30
- Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) 3:20
- Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) 3:57
- Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) 4:55
- Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) 6:05
- Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale) 7:23
- Tom Danielson (Garmin-Cervélo) 8:15
- Jean-Christophe Péraud (AG2R) 10:11
On the final circuits, a break went up the road and Jérémy Roy of Français des Jeux celebrated his Super-Combatif prize with one last escape. But the sprinters' teams never gave them much space to ride and they never offered much threat to the traditional sprint on the Champs Elysées.
In the final kilometers, Lars Bak of HTC-Highroad attacked in an effort to force the other sprinters' teams to work. Behind, the chase took some time to organize, but soon Omega Pharma Lotto went to the front for their sprinter André Greipel, while Garmin-Cervélo slotted in behind them for Tyler Farrar.
With 1.5 kilometers to go, Belgian National Champion Philippe Gilbert led the field, then HTC-Highroad came out of hiding and set up Mark Cavendish perfectly for the finish. Sunday marked the twentieth career Tour de France stage victory for Cavendish, who also won the first Green Jersey of his career.
Cadel Evans of BMC Racing Team celebrated his first ever Tour de France victory. He pulled on the Yellow Jersey after the final time trial in Grenoble, but he won the Tour by chasing every possible advantage in the opening stages and with a doggedly determined defense in the high mountains. Evans won by 1:36 ahead of Andy Schleck of Leopard Trek. For the first time in the history of the Tour de France, two brothers will stand on the final podium. Fränk Schleck finished third.
This Tour pitted two very different riders against one another. For the first two weeks, Andy Schleck waited, while Evans played the opportunist. Evans picked up valuable time on the Mûr de Bretagne, where he won the stage and during the early uphill finishes of the race. Schleck sat back. Through the Pyrénées, the favorites stalemated and pulled taut the plot line. No one yet held the upper hand, it remained anyone's race to win.
Schleck staked his entire Tour de France on the Alps, and specifically on a massive attack on the road to the col du Galibier. It very nearly worked. When Schleck attacked on the col de l'Izoard, none could answer, and he soon held the Yellow Jersey on the road. As he approached the final climb, Schleck had nearly four minutes over the other favorites. It looked like his Tour to lose.
Like a well-crafted novel, every Tour de France has its pivot, that point at which the narrative turns. In this Tour de France, the climb up the col du Galibier providing the turning point. With Schleck running out the clock, Evans went to the front and began a long chase. Several riders sat on his wheel, but they could offer little help. If he wanted to win the Tour, Evans had to do this one himself.
Andy Schleck rarely shows the effects of his efforts. He rides so smooth, so controlled even in the highest mountains. But in the final kilometers of the Galibier, his face showed his fatigue and his legs turned to rubber. From the commissaires car, Eddy Merckx shouted encouragement, while behind, lower on the mountain, Evans continued his inexorable chase. And the clock ticked down.
In the group with Evans sat the improbable Thomas Voeckler on the ride of his life. Voeckler could not do much to help Evans, but he hoped to defend his Yellow Jersey for just one more day. In the end he did, as Evans successfully kept Schleck from running out the clock and winning the Tour de France right then and there.
The following stage in the Alps, the race to the storied Alpe d'Huez, followed a similar pattern. Schleck joined an early attack by Alberto Contador on the col du Télégraphe, while behind, Evans ground out kilometer after kilometer in pursuit. This time, Evans had help from his team, notably the U.S. rider Brent Bookwalter riding his first Tour de France. The favorites reached the final climb together, and remained locked together through the twenty-one switchbacks to the summit of the Alpe d'Huez.
With the mountains at an end, the advantage switched to Evans, who has a history of big rides against the watch, including a Tour de France stage victory. But it was never a sure thing after the hard racing of the previous stages. Had Evans cooked himself in the long pursuit efforts through the mountains? Did Schleck have the better form?
The clock answers all questions. Just as in the Tour de France there is a turning point, in every time trial, there is a moment when the time gap teeters in the balance, like it could tilt in the direction of either rider. That moment came early in Grenoble and didn't last long. After racing from the back through the mountains, Evans now had the upper hand. Evans stripped the Yellow Jersey off Andy Schleck and put an end to his hopes of winning this year's Tour. Schleck has now placed second at the Tour on three occasions.
There's always more to the Tour de France than the Yellow Jersey battle, and this year, the long run of Thomas Voeckler in the Yellow Jersey became the race's beating heart. Voeckler took the jersey after a long breakaway in the Massif Centrale and against all expectations held it until the final mountain finish on the Alpe d'Huez. It was a gutsy performance from a rider known for making the most of his talents and snatching victories where he can.
Voeckler's run in Yellow lasted long enough to raise his hopes, but the road is cruel. On the Tour's second ascent of the col du Galibier, Voeckler sat suspended in no-man's land between a breakaway powered by Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador and the chase driven by Evans and his BMC team. Voeckler believed the bike race was going up the road without him, only to find that he'd in fact ridden himself into the ground for nothing.
On the Alpe d'Huez he rode out of his mind yet again, but it wasn't enough. Voeckler never in his career expected to stand on the podium in Paris, but this Tour raised his hopes. His was an Icarus story, flying high into the clouds, before being dashed precipitously back down to earth.
This Tour has raised talk of a French revival as the first French rider, Pierre Rolland, since Bernard Hinault won on the Alpe d'Huez. Rolland also won the White Jersey of best young rider, while Jean-Christophe Péraud finished tenth overall. Two riders in the top ten overall, a stage victory in the high mountains, and the White Jersey: It was a very good Tour for the French teams and riders.
"Today the racers took back the Tour de France," wrote Edward Pickering of CycleSport after the dramatic finish on the Alpe d'Huez. This Tour was cycling with a human face, as the riders showed their fatigue in a way we haven't seen in years. On Friday, the riders rode through the tunnel at the summit of the col du Galibier, passing from the bright afternoon light into the darkness and back again. Perhaps now cycling has finally exited its own dark tunnel and raced into the light. Long may it remain there.
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Best Tour I've ever seen
Made more personally satisfying by having the man I wanted to win WIN.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I think so too
I think this is the best Tour I’ve watched in real time, really. I liked the one where Sastre won it on the Alpe d’Huez. That was cool. But this had more drama, more drawn out tension.
That is probably a short list of "real time" TdF views ...
… but I get your point. hahaha
Seriously, this edition of leTour reminded me of those of the 80s. Time has changed things, but this was fun and sorta retro in feeling.
Ice <~~~~~retro
"This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all."
Way to go, Cadel!
"If Peyton Manning crashed onto a barbed-wire fence and returned to a game, you’d never hear the end of it for the rest of your life." Jason Gay
what the heck
was Cancellara doing taking 5th? Leading out for Frank?
He's thinking ahead, working on his sprint.
Can’t have Nuyens taking what’s rightfully his away from him again.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I'd advise him to sprint on the drops next time, though
My fruit bowl is full of sex wax--gavia
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 24, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
He didn't want to embarass the sprinters by winning today.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Congrats Cadel!
One of the most exciting Tours I’ve watched in years. Congratulations to all the jersey winners and also to Gilbert, Thor, Rojas, Voeckler (of course Voeckler!), Johnny Hoogerland (for sheer guts), EBH and all the other riders who made it a great sporting spectacle!
"These are my principles and if you don't like them....well I have others." Groucho Marx
Tour of the Century
so far
Jens Voigt doesn’t know where you live, but he knows exactly where you will die.
Bravo Cadel!
Great win, great drama (but I’m glad the ITT wasn’t TOO close, I would have expired)… I love that he won, but I especially love the way the way he did it, showcasing the whole array of skills that a GC rider should have. Brilliant!
My second place behind Contador is worth a lot--Michele Scarponi
to me this was the one to win
of all his efforts so far. what a Tour! and i agree, the way he won it, playing to all his GC strengths, made it all the more thrilling.
Congrats Evans.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
Good: Cadel
Pretty good race, though strange that no one was able to make a move on a final climb. Both Andy and Contador had to go early to gain any time.
Endavant, a triomfar, a guanyar Villarreal!
by siempre_riquelme on Jul 24, 2011 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
Bad: Sanchez, Schleck TT
Very angry at Sammy Sanchez for hitching his wagons to Contador. As if he needs any help. Just join his team already.
At least Rolland just used Sanchez to get up to Contador, then blew by him.
And the Schlecks have to do a lot of work on TTs. But we say that every year and nothing changes. What gives?
Endavant, a triomfar, a guanyar Villarreal!
by siempre_riquelme on Jul 24, 2011 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
More cowbell is always the answer
My fruit bowl is full of sex wax--gavia
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 24, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
So what does the retro-futuroscope say?
Okay so if I fire up the retro-furturescope I see…
RETRO- Cadel
That Cadel richly deserves this victory…Goes without saying- Lovely to see this man with WC bands on, put on the final MJ, followed by the current WC winning the Team Classification (on top of two immense stages). A lot has been said for his intelligent riding, and while I have always called on him to attack more, he rode a tour perfectly suited to his abilities- Chapeau
FUTURO- Cadel
Hmmm…Not much more to add here. At 34 is likely to have 2-3 more years at the absolute pinnacle- A Lombardia would be lovely, suits him and close to a home race for him, and maybe a Vuelta would be nice- But the man deserves to rest on his plaudits- a bit
RETRO- AC
Alberto not only wore himself out in the Giro, he also ground his team down to a pulp. His mind does tend to wander a bit on early stages and did not have a team aware and fresh enough to keep him where he needed to be. Still for a man who emptied the tank in Italy, the man oozed class in this attacks on the Alpe, and his fantastic TT performance and gave an object lesson in a Champion’s resolve…
FUTURO-AC
Maybe go for the Tour-Vuelta double in 2012? (depending on whether he is CAS’d of course) This TdF disappointment is quite bitter for him and I think that the TdF is a non-negotiable for him next year. I also think that he will be motivated by the challenge of being only the second man to win all the GTs 2x (Hinault!), and will want his 4th MJ. Would love to see him time his Monster Giro Peak for Ardennes week next Spring and take on PhilGil in his natural terrain
RETRO- Andy
Andy bent his team and tried to bend the TdF to his own narrow family ambitions, and very narrowly missed his target. It is a testament to his potential and extraordinary climbing that such a blatantly one-dimensional rider with atrocious, appalling weaknesses in his TT, descending and bike handling skills was one day from the final MJ. His team was exceptional, their tactics questionable, and he showed how unprepared he is for the TdF MJ with a painful display in the final TT.
FUTURO-Andy
Must win a stage race. Must recognise that there is value to riding to win in more than just the TdF. Must learn that pro-level races do go downhill- sometimes in the rain. Must spend more time with the Maestro to improve TT- at least to max his potential. Must sort out how Franck fits in to an overall race strategy. Must just get better in so many areas to be a more complete rider. Must continue that Galibier mentality and be aggressive at EVERY Opportunity when the road goes up- with or without Franck- So many things to work on. Is a superb climber, but must decide if he would like to be a race winner, or not…3 2nd places is making him close to the next Poulidor
What do you guys see in the Retro-Futuro scope for your riders?
Was a pleasure as always participating in this community- Cheers!
DoctorNurse
A top 20 in the TT
Does not scream appalling TTer when discussing Andy. I agree with the Cadel and Bertie viewpoints, but it just seems you’ve done a hatchet job on Andy, which seems mildly unfair given his stunning attack in the Alps.
Yes. I think it DOES indicate appalling time-trialist
1. There were perhaps 10 riders really going for it in that last time trial; the others were going hard, but nowhere near all-out.
2. Andy Schleck knew that everything was riding on that performance.
3. He managed to finish less than 30 seconds ahead of Franck Schleck.
Thus, I conclude that, with everything riding on that one performance, Andy Schleck wasn’t even best of the riders who were essentially mailing their rides in.
I call bullshit on the first point
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
There are very few riders who can end top 20 without giving everything
And there’s some outside top 20 who gave everything, but still couldn’t finish higher. So, 20 at least. Perhaps 25.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's my thinking:
of the top ten, maybe 1 (Cunego) not riding all-in. 9
11-20: only riding all-in if stage win or jersey on line: Taaramae, few others: 5 to be generous?
Then, riders like Cancellara, Martin, and Velits going for tt stage win: 4-5.
Laslty, riders like Vandevelde riding to cement teams’ gc: 2-3??
So . . . yeah . . . 20-25.
And that's more than 10
Btw, Cunego was 5th on GC before the TT. If he wasn’t riding all-in I wonder why he rode the Tour to begin with.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
ok . .. 10 might be too selective, but the general point holds
which is to support the claim that Andy Schleck is a sub-par time triallist for a rider who hopes to win a Grand Tour.
Huge leap from "appalling" to "sub-par for a rider who hopes to win a GT""
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
True, but DN's point is that Andy needs to work on his TT, urgently...
…and his bike handling skills, especially on descents. He may have made the point hyperbolically, but the point isn’t wrong.
Yes?
A few seconds from 14th, and a few from 20th. Which means he was around his best Tour TT ever, 17th in Monaco 2009 or 19th in Cholet 2008.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Time is what matters.
He could have been in the top 5 but if his time is the same then what do you have.
There are so many aspects to the sport that you have to take into consideration. Cycling is not like math. You can't plan things exactly. - Alberto Contador 24/07/10
which means that he's right up there with Sastre and Simoni in the GC riders
who muddle through time trials ranking.
Had there been another ITT this year Andy Schleck would have been toast.
Had there been another TT Andy might have ridden differently
And both Sastre and Simoni managed to win Grand Tours.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
because both of them rode their asses off when it counted . . .
And . . . Andy Schleck rode his time trial efforts in the two stages before the last tt, as did Evans.
which comes back to the point that when it counted Andy Schleck could not produce.
And the “why” he couldn’t produce was as much a matter of fitness and power so much as it was of his manifest lack of skill on a time trial bike.
So . . . while “appalling” is probably the wrong word (Rasmussen retires that one, I’d guess), I don’t think anyone not-named Nygaard would presume to describe Andy Schleck’s time-trialling capacity as “acceptable.”
This is TWO Tours de France in a row that Andy Schleck has surrendered huge amounts of time in time trials . . .
I thought he lost about 39 seconds last year
Hardly ‘huge’.
Acceptable IMO
He came in only 15 seconds behind Wiggins. I accept that neither of the Schlecks will ever set the TT world alight, but for winning GTs, what they have should be enough (if they fulfil their talent in the mountains)
And Andy didn't ride his ass off?
I’m pretty sure he did, until he realized it was over. Anyway, whether or not his time trialing ability is acceptable depends on the goal. He’s not going to win the Worlds TT anytime soon. For winning a GT like this years Tour I’d say it’s acceptable, he lost the Tour in the mountains not in Grenoble.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
we disagree then, which is ok
I’d respond by arguing that this year’s Giro-like Tour design was Andy Schleck’s bet chance to win a TdF precisely because it looked, on paper, to minimize the impact of his ‘acceptable’ time-trialling.
If the 2012 route includes a prologue and two ITTs perhaps that will be his motivation to take Ardennes week a whole lot more seriously . . .
I also agree with this.
This year’s tour route couldn’t have been designed better to fit his skills (except of course for all the descents, ban them!). 4 summit finishes and only 42 km TT.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Why doesn't Andy have a proper go at the Giro?
It would seem that it should suit him better than the Tour, especially if Contador focusses on the Tour.
Well they are likely going up "the Zoncolan South"
(or something similar) and back up Tre Crime. I have no fears it will once again be steep, except for the easy climb of Alpe d’ Huez…
He has had a proper go at the Giro.
In his first pro year. Guess his finishing spot?
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you seriously faulting him for not winning the Giro at the age of 21?
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
No.
I thought it was a great start of his carreer. Was making a joke.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That was his most exciting race of his pro career in my very biased opinion
and the winner was more than likely doped to his gills
3rd, I think.
My bad.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
He already did
I recall him doing quite welll…
But yes, he should ride the giro/vuelta double next year, forget about the Tour for a year. Likelihood of this being his schedule next year: 0%
As I said
A GT like this years Tour, and I won’t rule out the possibility they have similar in the future and that he is able to make a bigger difference in the mountains.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
To be picky
He failed to win the tour in the mountains, then he lost it in the final TT.
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
I agree with this assertion.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Frank rode exceptionally well the entire race
If he was not riding with/for his brother, he may have won this race with the kind of form he had. Blasphemous concept but…he should consider riding on a different team than Andy, or at least go to a GT to win for himself, because it’s obvious he can.
Frank => Giro, Andy => TDF
With each acting as a super-domestique for the other.
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
Frank => Vuelta
so as to not compromise the Tour.
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe
I was thinking that the climbs in the Giro might suit Frank better.
Either way, drop the notion of getting both on the podium, but still have one available to the other…
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
Ahh and the Vuelta is a drier race..
Well at least to my dodgy recollection, so you may be right.
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
The standard of Andy's measurement must match the scale of his ambition....
You wanna win the TdF (and put your brother on the podium as well, no less)- You gotta be better than that tight nervous TT performance yesterday.
With the finest TT artist possibly in history on his team, and access to some of the best TT minds in the business, Andy must do better to maximise his potential to move from appalling (for a GC contender) to acceptable.
While he may never be the climbing/TT talent that AC is to win the Jersey’s AC has, he MUST do better in the TT than he has done in this Tour.
many thanks to podium cafe
y’all provided a great lens from which to view this great tour. congratulations to cadel evans, a deserving champion, he really paid his dues.
"Race radios in Cat 4?"
by gravel road on Jul 24, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Great: Europcar
Voeckler was the story of this TdF. And Rolland really deserved a stage. Wonder if he gets to be a #1 on some team next year.
With Voeckler, Rolland, and last year’s KoTM, if this team can stay together next year, who knows…
Endavant, a triomfar, a guanyar Villarreal!
by siempre_riquelme on Jul 24, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions
Happy for Cadel!
it was during Cadel’s first Tour in 2005 that I really got interested in cycling beyond just Lance, in large part because of Cadel and his breakaway run to move into the top 10 overall. Was really hoping that 2007 was going to be his year (when my husband and I went to London and France to see the Tour), then over the last few years it seemed as if he’d never get a break with all the bad luck (crashes, illness, unhealthy team dynamics) – glad it finally happened for him.
The best tour I've watched in the last 30 years.
Cadel is a very popular winner in this house. We’ve been fans since his Volvo-Cannondale days.
"I love the guys that everyone else in the peloton hate to see hit the front." sminer
Really?
I didn’t watch too much in the mid 90s, but better than all of the Tours from ’85 thru ’89? That was a five year stretch I can not see ever being topped in terms of quality races.
+1
There are races in the 80’s that will be tough to beat.
That was a 5 (five) year stretch that can't be beat, I agree.
This was a 1 (one) year stretch that has never been beaten, I think.
"I love the guys that everyone else in the peloton hate to see hit the front." sminer
Cavendish 2nd green?
“Sunday marked the twentieth career Tour de France stage victory for Cavendish, who also won the second Green Jersey of his career.”
I must have missed the first time he won the green jersey…
I was disappointed when they anoounced the route because of the lack of ITT Ks
Seems they had just enough.
The best thing with having seen such a good Tour
seem to be that I’m already looking forward to the next races. Even the Eneco Tour.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
Yeah, let's make the race retarded again!
Really, this year was far too good to keep up
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
That would be great
And just on the limits of doable, in terms of distance, imho
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
Ah right
I was thinking they start with a prologue, but they didn’t this year either. Which would’ve meant 1-2-3 Germany, hit France by stage four.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
They were doping in WWII?
Kewl, you learn something new everyday / at the illustrious Podium Cafe
Most assuredly . . .
one of the reasons why amphetamines wound up being used/abused so heavily in the 50s has to be with their widespread military use during WW2.
For all of the stick that the late 60s gets for the hippy’s playing around with drugs, the 50s and early 60s were a totally-stoned cultural epoch . . .
Aha, they never include that part of ..
… the speed of the Blitzkrieg through the terrain where Germany got bogged down in WWI in any of the historical doco’s.
(trys to wiggle out of missing blatantly obvious WWII reference)
guess being in Germany has influenced me to forget it happened(even though I visited Buchenwald…facepalm).
i was always more conscious of it while there
all the cities that had been bombed flat – also was there for the fiftieth anniversary of the end of wwii – tons and tons of stuff on radio and telly and ceremonies and etc. I was actually really impressed with the honesty towards it – although i guess pretty hard to get around that one.
Well I was at the holocaust memorial yesterday as well
so not being aware of it is a complete lie, I just missed the reference. Being in Leipzig i am more interested in the mix of modernity with the old eastern lifestyle, it’s quite fascinating(like seeing an old eastern bloc building next to a large Mcdonalds sign).
in this weeks Die Zeit
theres also informative stuff about another minor little mass holocaust in a different longitude that gets always comfortable, total invisibility
This thread is over
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
+2
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Could go for Hamburg too.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
posted this below
west berlin hosted three “stages” in 1987: prologue, circuit race, team time trial
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
A Schlieffen Plan edition
Start in north-western Germany, go through the Ardennes in Belgium and into France. For a bonus, add a time trial (beat winter!) in Poland or Russia.
[sorry for the partial post above]
1987, five stages and prologue, 3 in west berlin
berlin: prologue, circuit, TTT
karlsruhe to stuttgart
stuttgart to pforzheim
pforzheim to strasbourg, france
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
25th anniversary of tearing down the wall is 2014
The should welcome the idea.
There are so many aspects to the sport that you have to take into consideration. Cycling is not like math. You can't plan things exactly. - Alberto Contador 24/07/10
what could have ever
po$$ibly mad€ th€m think of a $tart in Qatar?? Where i’d like to see them start is that african country where they are so crazy about cycling – i forget which – a former italian colony – someone posted something on it here once. Now that would be a cool start.
Eritrea
Speaking of which, there’s a Europcar rumour regarding Daniel Teklehaimanot.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Congrats Cadel!
Next year the Return of Spanish Dominance!
SamSan looks genuinely happy to have the dots.
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions
That's because he has no sense of fashion
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
What's the time cut?
Boasson Hagen should be crossing the line in second place any minute now.
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions
Anyone considered what Cav might turn to next?
Is he such a TdF stage-hunter that he ploughs on with winning 3-5 stages per year and doing (comparatively) little else, or does he pursue other goals? I’d like to see him win the Giro points jersey, but that might be tricky depending on the route. Other than that, I’m not sure what else he could turn his hand to particularly?
with Cancellara and Gilbert still on the scene?
Mmm I predict slim pickings….
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
Hard to see his climbing improving enough to make a dent in to many big classics (let alone monuments)
The lack of testnumbers that kept him out of the GB program may not have kept him from winning sprints but I feel like they do limit what races he can win, even with a changed focus. If I were him I’d focus on winning record numbers of GT stages and ride classics to help his teammates. I actually think he would love to do the latter.
Yes, a Super-Robbie I suppose
If we do some collective thinking, what races do we think he can win realistically beyond the ones he has already?
- Gent Wevelgem and Paris-Tours spring to mind. Has he won Vattenfalls?
What else?
This is where I drew a blank
Obviously the Worlds this year must be a target, but next year….?
Well, it's designed with him and him only in mind
so he better damn win it
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
A new romance for the ages
Poor Peta’ll just have to accept it.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
they do climb box hill 9 times
Doesn’t look much but most of the climbing is done in two short ramps in the first 2 km with an average gradient of about 7%. Very narrow, rough broken up roads as well (unless they’ve re-surface). I think people could drop him if they wanted to.
After last time round a 40-50km run into center of london, so time to get back on. I guess its the flats course the Olympic regulations will allow though :)
GW
I doubt it, with the new parcours. Too hilly.
Scheldeprijs, obviously.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
He has Scheldeprijs already though
K-B-K might be within his limit too I think. With strong teamsupport.
Well . . . the problem is gonna be hanging in for over 200k
the old G-W would have been possible, with a good team . . . but if Cavendish’s FTP numbers are in the McEwen range . . . he might best stick to GT bunch sprinting.
300 easily cruising Italian sunshine kilometers
versus 200 shit weather (usually) cobbled racing kilometres. Colour me sceptical.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
I doubt shit weather is a foreign concept
to someone from the Isle of Man.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
I bet it isn't
Just saying it’s not just the length of the race that matters
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
If he's planning on braking Merckx record without winning the GC,
he should try to break Merckx record at Milan SanRemo. If he wins that race 8 times it would mean something.
There are so many aspects to the sport that you have to take into consideration. Cycling is not like math. You can't plan things exactly. - Alberto Contador 24/07/10
More GT stages
He’s at 30 now, only one behind Coppi – he could pass him in the Vuelta and be in the top ten before the end of the season
Of course he isn’t even halfway to Merckx (64) on that chart, and even reaching Petacchi (48) would take two more great years.
I do suspect he would really like to break one of the Merckx records (Tour stages or GT stages) before he retires, even though he won’t admit it in public – possibly not even to himself.
That is such a poor assessment of Cav
Cav loves this sport and especially the “classics”. Even he he’s not competitive, he begs to participate in the big one day classics. He wants to go down in the history books with quality wins. Amassing the most TdF sprint wins is just around the corner. It may always remain a childhood dream, but he wants a P-R or Flanders win. But know that he has ambitions.
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
I think you missed my point
I know he has ambition, I was just querying what exactly. I can’t see him winning P-R or RVV, however much he enjoys the Classics (and we know he does), I’m unsure of where he can turn to next and win.
Cadel the first winner of the TdF from the Southern Hemisphere!
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 1:43 PM EDT reply actions
Wait a second...CBS is showing a Tour highlights show.
WTF? Isn’t Vs./Universal an NBC station?
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Rolland, Coppel, Jeannesson
All French, all in the Top 5 in the Young Riders competition. Do you drink the kool-aid that French cycling is coming back in the near future and that the TdF drought ends?
YEAH BUDDAY!
by With Ferentz Like These... on Jul 24, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions
Rolland is lucky that ...
… Coppel and Jeannesson are there to make a group of “future of French cycling” riders. Being the sole one would seem likely to chew him up and spit him out.
Rolland stands to make some money on his next contract
You’d think that teams would be falling all over themselves to sign him. How much is a potential French future TdF winner worth to sponsors?
MJB
Dunno
seems like every French village has a potential French future TdF winner . . .
how many have we been treated to in the last decade?
Kevin De Weer just told on tv
Rolland was a huge talent in the youth categories. He got a huge salary when he became a pro and as a result he took things too easily, didn’t train as he should have, didn’t live as a pro and as a result he became 5 kg heavier. It looks like it took him three years to regain his focus.
Deep down
Everyone is cool. Just sometimes it’s covered in layers of Vlaanderen.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
Wait,
Limburgers are considered cool in Belgium?
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
Oh I am chugging that kool-aid
I want to believe in these riders, Rolland clearly has the mountain climbing skills, Coppel’s got decent potential because he can climb and tt well, and I honestly know nothing about Jeannesson’s skill, but he’s young and showed some pinache at times.
pineapple
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Healthy smoothie alert.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha, let a typo go?
The idiot formerly known as pkyankeefan! Now in Technicolour!
by Hasan Paliwala on Jul 24, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
it was a funny one
I’ve made hundreds on this forum, so actually I’m not the right person to criticize others
I'm not at all sure it's Kool Aid.
There’s been a clear shift in approach among the French teams to training, rider development, and racing. It’s been noticeable for a couple of years, and if the general sense that many have that the peloton is cleaning up pans out, then it also seems very likely that the reputedly much cleaner French teams are also benefitting from that in terms of their competitiveness.
well . . . a couple of years ago
the only SRM you saw on a French-team bike was Rein Taaramae’s SRM amateur
Now, many more are showing up on French team-bikes (save TV’s of course).
not at all
most riders train the same way as in the 1970’s:
go very slow on easy days,
go very hard on hard days
that’s it.
No doctors, wattage-experts, tests, … Most pro’s determine their own training schedules. A lot of pro’s don’t even use a HR-monitor.
A pro I know rather well, has bought a Powertap. He rides with the thing all the time but has absolutely no idea what he should do with his data. And what’s even worse: his team (Belgian World-Tour tean) won’t allow the riders to use Powertaps, SRM’s or other powermeters. Not in races and not even in training. So what he does is illegal.
Guys like Gilbert, Leukemans, De Gendt,… are proud of the fact they don’t use training devices.
A lot of guys are very successful without scientific support,
but I’d like to, see the young riders use powermeters a bit more. And I’ve got a feeling that the attitude of riders like Gilbert isn’t really helping.
Gilbert, at least, has an SRM head-unit
On his handlebars.
by R Mc on Jul 24, 2011 5:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
that is not uncommon actually
some riders just don’t want to know their data while racing (HR195? WTF I’m about to explode). Others only use it to know distances or for pacing.
BPM = 195?
Yeah, you kind of already know that you are near your upper limits; it’s that pounding sensation running through your entire body :-)
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
i dont really need to look at any devices to see that i am exploding
in races. except for an itt it is usually for historic/recording/fadigue etc….post race
Cadel!
I understand
Completely useless while racing. If a break goes, you can’t let it go because you’re 0.5% above your threshold.
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
but he has nothing
no speed, no kms, nothing. Actually except when riding alone i never look at any of that stuff either. But he did say he thought he was the only member of the peloton to have no counter at all on his bike.
Only thing I could imagine to be useful sometimes is distance
and speed when in a pace line.
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
Knowing power is super-useful in situations like the one Evans was in
the last two Alps stages (and in time trials . . .)
After a while of using power, I’ve stopped thinking in terms of speed and much more in terms of power: as in “that gap’s gonna take 400w to close etc.”
I rarely look at the thing IN races unless I’m on the front or having to chase, but analyzing the files to see what went right or wrong is very useful.
But that's what I meant: useless in races
That gap just has to be closed, damn the watts.
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
i doubt the change in training approach explains more than 5% of the change we're seeing.
the french, who have been slow to adopt modern training techniques, have had crappy results in the past decade.
the belgians, who have used a similar approach to training, have had WCs, monument wins… in the past decade.
the difference between the two? the french have been under a bio passport since festina. now that everyone is subject to the uci’s passport, things level out. i don’t see any correlation with training methods. as far as i can tell, it’s a bullshit excuse used by dopers to try and justify their dominance. just like the reason the french didn’t all embrace lance was because they were bitter an american was winning their race.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
As has been said, It was a great Tour for viewers. Now for a pointless exercise, what if....
Wiggins, Vino, Kloeden, Horner, JVDB, etc. hadn’t crashed out?
Do you think that would have made the racing any better? Or would it have somehow detracted from what we saw?
Would Andy’s day on Izoard/Galibier have been any different with a fuller GC contingent?
Would Thomas Voeckler have had his time in yellow?
by Chester Copperpot on Jul 24, 2011 2:26 PM EDT reply actions
Bet we'll see the corresponding pic from Millar's camera on Twitter before long.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Replace 610x.jpg with 1000x.jpg for a larger version
(higher number just adds grey border)
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
It's a little trick I found out for Daylife photos
All your links end in “610×.jpg”; change that to 1000×.jpg and you’ll get a larger photo.
"On paper, your team is awesome." -- Pigeons on my WVDS team, and life in general.
And where the height of the pic is greater than the width
… such as with the shot of Cav, then the magic number is 950 ;-)
Should Andy try to win the Tour of Colorado in August?
Its been beat to death, the notion that Andy doesn’t play to win unless he is at LBL or TdF. And we just saw Andy soft-pedal through much of another one-wk sUS stage race at the AToC in May.
But maybe he should just go for it in Colorado. Why not? Even in post-TdF hangover form he should be able to win it on the mountain stages.
by Chester Copperpot on Jul 24, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions
Dunno if GS posted this yet
But Belgium’s quality press was amazing – once again – this weekend.
De Morgen published this amazing article:
He would have had the shoe too.
So no.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Why do they call him Thierry?
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe there was some sort of bet between Belgian and British newspapers?
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
On one hand I think this is more likely to happen in Brittain
where cycling is only a SSS (Shit Small Sport) whereas in Belgium it is huuuuuge.
On the other hand Cav is Brittish of course. Journalists should know their world-class athletes.
So who'd have won?
The English? Or the Belgians?
Hard to say IMO. Misspellling Cav’s name is unforgivable, but giving a stage winner in the TdF a wrong name is terrible too. I dunno what is worse actually.
Let's just wait
until someone in the Aussie press congratulates Carl Evans. Geen ballen, geen winst.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Heh. We've got to watch them all for a couple of days...
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
I thought that it might be some kind of name play to someone else.
But I can’t see it. Thought that maybe someone who understood Flemish could tell me. But maybe it’s not intentional. Actually, it’ probably not since they continue it in the text.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Nope, just plain stupidity
Biggest race of the year and they cant’ even get the name of the stage winner right. And this is Belgium, home of cycling. What a disgrace!
The new Sandy Casar!
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Samuel Casar, you mean.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
oh, right
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
He's not a porn actor
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
He may have an undercover career.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Safety comes first.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Not in a pre-condom classic.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
by majope on Jul 24, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Touche.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention the brakes on the bar-tops...
…and the extremely upright riding position.
and the suicide brake levers . . .
Think that jersey’s sort of supposed to look like a TI Raleigh jersey . . .
Suicide brake levers...
…that’s the term I was looking for.
Porn and cycling have a long history together.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Is that the Spanish champ jersey?
I’ve seen worse.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Too ugly for that
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
not anymore
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Interview with Bertie on Danish TV.
Getting ready to partyyyyyyyyyyy!
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
Belgian tv showing an interview with Chiara
I think I just fell a little bit in love with her. The Italo-English is just too sexy.
You think Cadel would mind if………..?
Her husband just won the Tour.
I’m guessing she’ll stay home for a bit.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Always ready to help a women in need, are you?
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
;-)
.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm visiting them tomorrow!
Will do.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but think of the threat about his dog
and imagine what he’d do if you, ah, stepped on his wife.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
You're a true gentleman.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Word on twitter
is that Stapleton has a new sponsor, and a bigger budget.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
Me, too!
And if Cav hasn’t actually signed elsewhere yet, this would be the time to wave a nice hefty contract in front of him, while he’s still all misty-eyed from his 3rd Champs win.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Respect, yo
although I read that while enjoying some wine. :)
"You better have a schleckond helping (of crow). You earned it."
--Paisley
by dees ees en drama on Jul 24, 2011 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
probably a good idea given his mouth
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Said in ITV interview that he doesn't during the season
which implies that he does outside the season.
Radsport
In German. Nothing signed, but Stapleton is very optimistic. There are two options.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions
And it sounds like HTC isn't an option
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 24, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions
That's pretty cool.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 24, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
oh dear. a monster has been created.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
The most awesome monster ever, you mean
My fruit bowl is full of sex wax--gavia
by Douglas Ansel on Jul 24, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay, the journalists are definitely fucking with us.
Britain again, The Daily Mail:
Thierry…Philippe…whatever.
You don't quit the Tour because of a thick lip--Laurens ten Dam
Fench guys, their names are all the same...
or some such?
WTF!
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
by gizzardfanny on Jul 25, 2011 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, poor Jacques Rolland
You win the white jersey and still no one knows who you are!
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
I coninued our little experiment today
But 1 only found one misspelled name in De Morgen, and it’s not even funny
I'm already looking forward to next year's prologue.
*sigh *
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi.
"If I couldn't play for the Colts, I would probably stop playing football." - Peyton Manning.
You can start drooling/dreaming here.
There are so many aspects to the sport that you have to take into consideration. Cycling is not like math. You can't plan things exactly. - Alberto Contador 24/07/10
Oh, that's a lot of spots
in which you can see the riders twice! Awesome. Time to start picking my spot.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
i'm gonna go ahead and make some comments without ready the rest of them first
i spend the weekend away from the internets and am just now catching up to the tour results.
5 frogs in the top 15?
3 out of 4 in the U25?
go Cadel!
can we start calling Andy pou-pou yet?
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Re Andy, not yet
We might want to wait a few weeks.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Jul 25, 2011 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
there's a little frog in you
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
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