Blagnac-Brive-la-Gaillarde: a 222.5 km hop to bring us a little closer to Paris and give leaders the chance to spin their legs before the Bonneval-Chartres time trial. This is obviously a golden opportunity for sprinters to shine again. I have already said that this Tour is not especially sprinter-friendly, since we have always chucked in one or two climbs to scatter the bunch. In fact, everything points to intermediate sprints being more important for the green jersey than the stage finishes. All in all, a race within the race, very strategic and exciting. There are 65 points up for grabs today!

Obviously I want Cav to have this one, but it’s a little hilly – maybe Sagan? Just as long as the break doesn’t get it again..

http://www.steephill.tv/2012/tour-de-france/photos/stage-17/

A few useful links

Live Cycling News Text Updates
Steephill
Official Tour Live Feed App
Velogames Fantasy League
Classifications
Withdrawals

EBH in the break..

liking that photo

:checks velogames team members:

EBO Haagen for the win!

A dog has caused a crash in the peloton
There has been an accident in the peloton that’s been caused by a dog rushing on to the road. Gilbert (BMC) is one of the riders involved and he’s just made a point of walking over to the owner of the dog to give them a piece of his mind…

walking over to the owner of the dog to give them a piece of his mind 2×4…

Should be lawful.

83.8 miles in 3 hours.

men of steel.

83.8 miles in 3 hours

Just like a club ride in my club. Perhaps a little slower if I’m honest.

13:32:45 BST

Vinokourov has a small snack.

13:34:54 BST
The race is going by another lovely chateau. But we doubt that the swimming pool is the same age as the house.

13:40:37 BST
Today’s fashion report: We think Europcar might have done better to skip the red polka dot shorts for Thomas Voeckler.

and who said this year’s Tour was boring?

Somethink on eurosport comentary yesterday about voeckler in a past tour borrowing a copy of equipe off a spectator to beat on one of his competitiors who cut him up badly on the road. I think thats appropriate here for the dog owner 🙂

Somethink on eurosport comentary yesterday about voeckler in a past tour borrowing a copy of equipe off a spectator to beat on one of his competitiors who cut him up badly on the road. I think thats appropriate here for the dog owner 🙂

Sagan stops at the side of the road to snog Realman.

John Lelangue: The dog was stronger than him…

The BMC team manager recently offered some news on Philippe Gilbert who was involved in an accident with a dog at the 120km mark of today’s stage. “His hand has been injured a little as well as his elbow and knee,” said John Lelangue. “The dog was stronger than him – and it won that bout – but the important thing is that he could return to his place in the peloton”

Sagan stops at the side of the road to snog Realman….

…..who then borrows a copy of L’Équipe to beat himself off with

break coming back

my cash is on cav

I love the pantomime of the breakaway, chase and almost inevitable catch….

…they’re behiiinnnnd you, woooosh !

**** that! come on millar!!!

Lol at the donkeys 🙂

if i was vino i’d be smacking them two’s heads together. useless shites.

f i was vino i’d be smacking them two’s heads together. useless shites.[b]ed up to the eyeballs[/b]

FTFY

Those donkeys in jerseys were ace. 🙂

Surely has to be a bunch sprint – is Cav there?

Edit: yes

Yes, behind Wiggins

So a leadout by the MJ as a rehearsal for Sunday?

…here we go – how was that for a prediction? 😉

just want Wiggo to stay upright!

How awesome was that!

Where is that thread commenting on Cav not being as fast as he used to be?

NO WAY!

Cav leaves them for dead !

Whoop!!!

check the overhead shot!

Realman – your lover wasn’t even playing the same game.

theres no keeping that lad down 🙂

Go Cav!

Great sprint.

LEGEND!

Ridiculous speed differential. Scuse me lads!

HOLY SHIT, the speed!
Loved the way Sanchez sat up with a WTF?! expression.

Whole office here watching it, everyone went wild. 🙂

Cav.. what a missile !!

Woo-hoo!

I can’t wait to watch this on the highlights tonight.

He has lost a bit of top end hasn’t he
how can h do that to world class sprinters at full speed he just literally leaves them and pulls out bike lengths, a trully AWESOME sight