Le Tour de France

DapperButch · 07-14-2012, 08:03 AM

First off, I was very glad to see David Millar win the stage. Garmin has had a rough road of it and David hasn't wone a stage in years (10?). I am also glad just because he has always been a rider I have favored.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incubus

Aye shame about Cadel but waaaayheeeey for Wiggo! Aren't Team Sky riding well. It's a joy to watch them work so hard to keep Brad in the maillot jeune. Very reminiscent, I must say, of Armstrong and his team

I'm lucky in that if I so choose to stay in for the afternoon I can watch live tour coverage, as I am doing today (it's rainy and I had a smashing big geared ride last night). I won't watch the conclusion though and will catch that later tonight when I settle down in bed and watch the highlights..........ooops! Just made a liar of myself and have seen who has taken today's stage. I won't post any spoilers for y'all though

ETA: Oh aye...forgot...welcome to Jo and mpslgrrl

I know you love your Wiggo, Incubus, but I have just never taken to him for some reason (prior to this Tour).

What do you think about the talk of him having these moments of disrespect toward other riders and also his refusal to speak in French to the French press?

I know what you are saying that it reminds you of the Tours with Lance. I thought the same thing. (of course, the feeling attached to that thought was sadness that Lance is no longer riding).

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Originally Posted by JustJo

Anyone else impressed with Chris Froome (hope I'm spelling that right) yesterday? I thought he had worn himself out, but clearly not. I like the team players who do all they can for their teammates.....but part of me would have liked to see what he could have done if he hadn't gone back for Wiggins near the end!

I know what you are saying about wanting to see what Froome can do. Especially when I first starting watching the Tour I would have the same thoughts when I saw riders who appeared stronger than their leader. Froome will have his day, though. Some team, or Sky will at some point pick him up to take on that role.

No doubt, we will see the same happen to Tejay. He is young so I am hopeful that he might be our new Lance! (ok, one can dream, right?) He does well on both the flats and the mountains, so he really may be a Tour contender some day.

Ok, I will stop rambling...stage 13 is on!

07-14-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

First off, I was very glad to see David Millar win the stage. Garmin has had a rough road of it and David hasn't wone a stage in years (10?). I am also glad just because he has always been a rider I have favored.

I was pleased to see Millar win a stage; it's been quite some time since he did. Infact I think he was still doping when he last did. What I like about him is that he is now an anti-drug activist after coming back from his drug ban. However I have a little problem with the Brit Olympic folks making an exception for him (and Dwayne Chambers I think) in their policy of proven drug cheats never being allowed to compete for Team GB in any Olympics.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I know you love your Wiggo, Incubus, but I have just never taken to him for some reason (prior to this Tour).

What do you think about the talk of him having these moments of disrespect toward other riders and also his refusal to speak in French to the French press?

Bradley comes across as a really nice chap when in conversation and has been a fabulous ambassador for the sport here. As regard to his refusal to speak French - I remember when Lance Armstrong did the same despite being able to speak French - but I think it's no big deal really, except to those who think 'tradition' means never changing anything..anyhoo, not so sure the peleton all speak Italian for the Giro or Castillian for the Vuelta.

As regards 'disrespect'; egos clash, petty squabbles break out, personalities get in the way...such is life when you spend 24/7 with the same people for weeks on end

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I know what you are saying that it reminds you of the Tours with Lance. I thought the same thing. (of course, the feeling attached to that thought was sadness that Lance is no longer riding).

I understand you lot miss Lance, he was talented but didn't ride in or win any of the other major races sadly, so isn't in my personal top 5 riders. I miss Big Mig. Wiggo has the potential one of the great riders but we shall see if he can handle the potential and deliver.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

I know what you are saying about wanting to see what Froome can do. Especially when I first starting watching the Tour I would have the same thoughts when I saw riders who appeared stronger than their leader. Froome will have his day, though. Some team, or Sky will at some point pick him up to take on that role.

No doubt, we will see the same happen to Tejay. He is young so I am hopeful that he might be our new Lance! (ok, one can dream, right?) He does well on both the flats and the mountains, so he really may be a Tour contender some day.

Ok, I will stop rambling...stage 13 is on!

Froome, van Garderen and Sagan are all young guys to watch in the years to come. I can't wait to see their stories unfold.

Time for me to settle down to today's stage which I haven't heard even a glimmer about so it'll all be a surprise. It's a cracking tour this year. I'm glad y'all are enjoying it too. cheesy: