Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:04 pm  

Wiggo had nibs well in his pocket. Even jumping past Froome to ensure he got back his wheel.

Chapeau Hollywood on a great win

[John_D]

Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:13 pm  

Evans drops to seventh after all that.

That should have put to bed any suggestion that Froome is stronger than Wiggo. Port des Bales to go tomorrow and a summit finish. Is there anything Nibbles can possibly do to put time into the two Sky boys? Seems like they have answers to everything.

Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:16 pm  

John_D wrote:

Evans drops to seventh after all that.

That should have put to bed any suggestion that Froome is stronger than Wiggo. Port des Bales to go tomorrow and a summit finish. Is there anything Nibbles can possibly do to put time into the two Sky boys? Seems like they have answers to everything.

much shorter ride tomorrow - can't see any major problems for the Yellow Jersey there

[John_D]

Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:00 pm  

sanjunien wrote:

much shorter ride tomorrow - can't see any major problems for the Yellow Jersey there

That is short - I'd not realised.

Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 5:57 pm  

John_D wrote:

That is short - I'd not realised.

by about 50 kms !!!

a mere sunday afternoon sortie...

Re: Cycling : Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:21 pm  

and so it all comes down to tomorrow. if wiggo stays with nibs he must win the tour barring disaster.

i fancy froome for the stage win tomorrow unless there is a break (the leading riders wont be interested in chasing on such an important stage)

Re: Cycling : Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:22 am  

the artist wrote:

and so it all comes down to tomorrow. if wiggo stays with nibs he must win the tour barring disaster.

i fancy froome for the stage win tomorrow unless there is a break (the leading riders wont be interested in chasing on such an important stage)

basically Bradley with the teams help must keep close to his nearest contenders in the mountains, keep out of trouble and the title is his barring an injury or major catastrophe - he knows a break will come today just like yesterday so it's a case of not getting caught out

Froomes job isn't to win stages but to protect Bradley just as any good Domestique will do

Re: Cycling : Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:59 am  

Had a really busy week at work so not had a chance to say much about the Tour this last week.

I can see exactly why people would be tipping Froome for tomorrow. It solves a few problems for Sky and says thank you to him for the work he has done for Bradley. Froome has been the victim I think of a few chinese whispers as a result of an interview he gave in Italian being translated into French and then translated into English. So I've got a small bet on him on betfair today.

I don't read too much into Wiggins closing the final gap on Nibali yesterday. Don't forget the amount of work Froome had already done that day closing down the 2 previous attacks.

The perfect stage winner for me today would be Wiggins. He would then have almost the perfect tour win with a road stage win to his name.

However - I'm looking at a few of the guys who we know can climb but havn't really done much. Vanendert is a guy who I expected a lot more of in this tour on the climbs but I suppose his man role is trying to get Vdb onto the podium. He did say he was hoping for a stage win so I've got a small bet on him too - maybe when Vdb realises that that 3rd spot is beyond him.

So if we get today out of the way with no issues for Brad we're looking at the first ever Brit to win the Tdf. Huge for cycling in this country. And whilst there is no doubt that cycling has grown enormously on the back of track Olympic success, Cav winning multiple stages of the Tdf and the Worlds and the recent success of Team Sky I wonder what the future will bring.

Are we looking at a future where Britain becomes as big as France/Italy/Spain in the cycling world or are we looking at an isolated high point?

Re: Cycling : Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:14 am  

No not isolated at all IMO

Cav has still got a few years in him. And he will expect support to gain the green back next year. Froome as long as he stay fit has shown he has gc potential. Though if he's a contador beater is another thing. G will be back focusing on the road and I see him as a future spring classic winner and potential gc contender. Swifty and kennaugh are also looking good.

I think we'll see some good British presence over the next few years

Re: Cycling : Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:28 am  

Tomorrow's stage starts around my neck of the woods (Blagnac). Does anyone know what time it usually starts?
Would you recommend going along to have a look?