The fourth stage, the fifth day of racing, but I am sure there will already be some gaps, proving that the prologue, the finish in Seraing and, most importantly, the finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer have made an impact. Today, we continue with one of the longest stages in the Tour, with 214.5 km between Abbeville and Rouen. We will obviously seize the opportunity to pay tribute to Jacques Anquetil. We will also emphasise the touristic aspect of the Tour by riding down the Alabaster coast for a long time and enjoying its breathtaking landscapes and light effects.

Let the Cav doubting begin..

If you haven’t been looking at the photos from Steephill, you have to start now..

http://www.steephill.tv/2012/tour-de-france/photos/stage-03/

A late entry from rorschach, team The watchmen now in the lead. Did he have a hundred different teams, and waited to see which one did the best before entering? Let the conspiracies begin.

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/stw-tour-de-france

A few useful links

http://live.cyclingnews.com/
http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/
http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/2012/us/live/aso/
http://www.velogames.com/tdf/leaguescores.php?league=25113755

Mmmmmmmm…..

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/video-pro-bike-peter-sagans-cannondale-supersix-evo-hi-mod

I reckon Cav, Greipel, Goss & Renshaw today in that order.

Would be good for my team if EBH did get involved a bit more in the finish compared to S2 but I can’t see it. I still think he has a better shout at green than cav this year.

Hmmm, I think Sagan will be up there too tbh.

Also I can’t really see anyone but Cav taking green from Sagan.

Tyler Farrar for the win on the 4th July ?

Cav….that is all.

Given the way cav rode on stage 2 I think he’ll get it if he is there (crashes, mechanicals etc.). Interesting little rise just before the end might tempt an attack but I don’t think they’ll make it stick because of all the teams with sprinters this year.

Sagan doesn’t seem like he’s as good when it is flat seems more like a Boassen-Hagen/Hushvold type rider – based on some very limited knowledge of the previous stages and the intermediates.

I’m interested to see what Sky decide to do with Eisel now they are a man down and Cav seems to be able to fend for himself.

I predict lots of nice helicopter shots of the coast line and talk of Anglo/ Franco invasions in days gone by.

I have a hunch that Greipel might nick this one, just needs to get his timings right and not be a windshield for Cav i.e. needs a team mate to disturb him.

But… would be nice for Cav to equal Armstrong’s stage wins (22) on Independence Day.

That “lump” 10km from the finish may be a problem?

In other related news, the GB Olympic squad has been announced:

Wiggo
Cav
Froome
Millar
Stannard

No surprises there.

Oh BTW

Thanks Realman, I’m enjoying your TdF Stage xx opening posts

Good to hear 😀

BRR link – contains a naughty word

Rule 7 violation by Sagan? Hmmmm..

Here’s a treat..

http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/features/watch-all-21-of-mark-cavendishs-stage-wins/

Owt happened yet?

I’ve got a bit of Cav today and Goss to place…

Break of 3 at just under 6 mins, intermediate sprint coming up in 17k or so.

Cuddles to loose 1 min 13 seconds in a crash /mechanical or puncture. Brad to win the sprint with Cav as his lead out man

I think I may be getting over excited – you are too young RM when i was your age [ all this was fields obviously as there was no internet] we had exactly no riders [ Bows down to Robert Millar and thinks fondly of his king of the Mountains bike ] in the race never mind in with a chance of stage wins, jerseys and GQ places. I have waited as long as you have been alive for this so indulge me my childish excitment

In the real world a sprinter for it is a sprinters day

Junkyard, you’re dribbling again

Cav gets the intermediate sprint

Surely back when you were my age (or a bit older) you had Tom Simpson? He was pretty awesome, so I’ve heard. 😉

😀 @ you both

I am only 41 FFS I know that sounds ancient But but but …takes pills and settles down to watch Countdown

no Greipel in the intermediate sprint – saving himself for the finish?

I am only 41 FFS I know that sounds ancient But but but …takes pills and settles down to watch Countdown

😆

Hmmm. A lot of shouting, but don’t think it’s much but that.

‘kin ‘ell!!! 😯

ooooffff.

ouch

money on griepel now?

Cav down?

griepel’s chin gets it

sagen didnt have much to offer there did he.

griepel’s chin gets it

LOL

He’s not a real sprinter to be fair. Cav so unlucky.

Bugger!!! 😈

Someone let TJ know that Cav’s helmet saved him 😉

I have a hunch that Greipel might nick this one, just needs to get his timings right and not be a windshield for Cav i.e. needs a team mate to disturb him.

no Greipel in the intermediate sprint – saving himself for the finish?

who knows his onions eh? 🙂

“I’m so happy today, the guy who always beats me fell off so I won.”

anybody see the cause of that crash?

Will wait to see on the ITV4 replays…

There appeared to be a big split in the speed of riders, and I guess someone got tangled/didn’t get out of the way.