A short 155 km stage to the British capital, which gave the Tour de France an unforgettable welcome in 2007. A prestigious stage which will take the peloton alongside the Olympic Park and London’s most famous landmarks before finishing opposite Buckingham Palace. Of course, with everything pointing towards a mass sprint, the spotlight will back on Cavendish Kittel. Will he be at the top of his game? I think so. But one thing is for sure: the crowds will turn out in force, as large and fiery as seven years ago.
Another spectacle yesterday – all guns firing. Especially interesting from Tejay and Nibali, as they haven’t been on form much this year. Should be interesting to see how they get on in the mountains. Great to see Contador, Froome, Sagan, all having a proper go.
Back to Cavendish for a moment..
http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/news/mark-cavendishs-future-uncertain-disabling-crash_334682
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxxvTLI6mFg[/video]
Skip to around the 4 minute mark for his actual response
One minute highlights
Jenkin Road
And this
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1-v1qAk7qY[/video]
Nibali shows respect to the British by doing the classic “teapot” celebration.
Photos from stage 2.
It’s got to be Kittel today, I think he’s going to be unstoppable this year. Sagan to be up there as well though. Greipel who?
A few useful links
Live Cycling News Text Updates
Steephill
Official Tour Live Feed App
Classifications
Withdrawals
Fantasy League Standings
Loser League Standings
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thomas-blasts-fans-for-taking-selfies-at-the-tour-de-france – already been some talk of this
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-tech-video-cameras-on-bikes
Bike cam footage from stage 1..
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-pbN-hmQO0[/video]
And one more photo of Jens in polka dots..