Tour De France

Anyone else, apart from me, watching the Tour De France this year? It's been the best for years as far as I'm concerned. What with Mark Cavendish, a Brit winning a couple of stages (the first time that's happened in about 30+ years) and a mixed flat and lumpy first few days it's been great. But will Cadel Evans the Aussie win? Bazza - any thoughts?

 

It's on already? Jeez time flies fast. I just hope it's scandal free this year as I'm sick of all the doping and the infighting.

 

I've been watching it here on SBS TV. Trouble is it starts at 10pm to 1.45am-4am here in OZ. Lots of late nights again. Cadel Evans is going well despite his crash and lots of bruises and gravel rash. Apparently the mountain stages over this weekend will sort the field out. We have a Cairns resident in the race so lots of attention here on his performance. Bazza

 

Robbie McQuwen (sp?) seems to be getting old- I used to love him weaving around the pack during the sprints. Haven't seen that from him yet this year.

 

Robbie McEwan was eliminated on stage 8 for being outside the time limit.

 

Missed that. Cadel is still wearing #1 for a day or 2 more. Another EPO cheat, and his team outed. If this keeps going maybe Cadel's team will be the only team left. :-D Bazza

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Actually I'm talking rubbish. Robbie is still there as I spotted him yesterday while watching om the TV. So I checked on the official web site and he is in 123rd place.

Agree that it's good to get rid of the cheats. It was also good to see Mark Cavendish win his third stage - the first time a brit has done that in a single Tour.

 

After all the riders that have been caught in the off season for doping, I can't imagine that anyone would try to cheat again, especially during the race. I think it really speaks to how far doping really has infiltrated this sport. It's sad because clean these guys are amazing athletes, but it's hard to have respect for them with many of them cheating.

 

The trouble is the taking of drugs within cycling goes back a long way. In the 1960's for instance it was almost unknown for any cyclist riding the Tour not t be taking drugs. It wasn't illegal and everyone knew what was happening. Think of Tom Simpson who died because of a mixture of heat exhaustion and Amphetamines.

I think it'll take another year or twi before all the cyclists realise they will be caught eventually if they continue to use illicit substances. Until then the targetted approach being used by the Tour organizers appears to be working in getting rid of the final few.

But at least Cavendish has just won his fourth stage.

 

If you think they will be found out, I am afraid you may be in for a long wait. There will always be someone who wants to take the "easy" route to the top - and a pharmacist who is willing to help for the money. I expect there will be lots of fails in Beijing as well.

 

I thought Robbie was still in it when you posted. I could've missed it though as it is shown very late here in OZ.

Bazza

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Now the mountain climbing is about to begin, in earnest. This will sort those that might win from the pretenders. Bazza

 

Here in Belgium they dedicate a tv chanel to the tour, cycling is a big sport here as you will see from all the team managers and the top riders are all from Belgian teams Columbia:quick step and so on,

just listening to the news 10.00 Sunday morning they said Cavendish (he rides for a Belgian team) has pulled out of the tour to concentrate on his Olympic challenge.

 

Cadel relinquished the Yellow jersey and Cavendish pulled out (as mentioned earlier). The commentators predicted both.

Cadel was far from disgraced in his effort. More than I can say from his missing team members up front.

More mountain climbing to come. As long as Cadel does not fall more than 1 minute behind the time of the yellow jersey wearer on Saturday, he should win the Time Trial and thus the Tour de France. Bazza

 

Yesterday's stage (#16) was sensational. Up and down the highest road in "Le Tour". Over 2000 metres ( approx 8,000 feet) high to the peak, and down the other side at up to 60 kilometres per hour (or around 40 mph).

And not too many safety rails as one rider found out. He won the climb but plunged over the side on the way down. He was extremely lucky as he came to sliding halt a short way down, over the side. His bike keep going down to the valley floor.

Popovic (in Cadels team) stood up for Cadel in the first 4. Cadel made time on some of his likely competitors in the time trial. He didn't lose any time against the yellow jersey though. :major

CSC team will try and break Cadel in Stage #17 tonight. Another mountain climb. Don't miss it if it broadcast on TV in your area. Bazza

 

So do you think Evans will win overall?

 

He didn't do so well yesterday, mainly because CSC team broke the hearts, minds and legs of their competition. Cadel ended up 94 seconds behind the new Yellow jersey rider. Cadel "should" make up that deficit in the final time trial but it all depends on today's stage, then Saturday's time trial and how much the Tour has taken toll of Cadel since the Tour started nearly 3 weeks ago.

All Aussies are hoping Cadel will win, of course. Bazza

 

Another day, and Cadel hasn't made up any time on the leader. :cry One more day before the time trial, so one last chance under full scale racing.

Bazza

 

Time trial today. All Australian road cycling fans will be watching it, and lots of others around the world. Starts at 10pm, here, due to time difference. :cry Late, but should be worth it. I hope Cadel gains his 1'34" but it will be hard going. Bazza

 

Cadel only made up 29 seconds on the holder of the yellow jersey. :cry Too tired and still suffering from that fall, IMO

Still 2 years as second, in " Tour" is not too shabby.

Bazza

 

Got to say though it was the best Tour for a while. And with only a couple of minutes separating the first three it was good and close. More of the same next year!!

 

Cadel says "I'll be back" :-D

Bazza

 

Congrats to Cadel!