When I grow up I want to be like Tony Martin!
even if he rejoins the peloton (and I think he will), this is really going to take a lot out of Bertie. Lucky he has a rest day tomorrow.
When I grow up I want to be like Tony Martin!
I regularly cycle along with my mouth open and a string of drool hanging from it SO I'M ALREADY HIM!
keep the updates coming - this place is my only link
Try this http://live.cyclingnews.com/
or this http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/live/aso/
As jfletch says, nibbles hand may be forced by Kwia up the road, they haven't obviously attacked but they can't afford to let others rude away from them. Struck a decent balance at the mo.
3 minutes down on the peloton, he's working his way back.
Kwiatkowski now in virtual yellow.
It's an odd one this. We all love the underdog, and the unexpected, yet at the same time we want to see the star men perform at the highest level. So for two of the favourites to crash out* before the race really gets serious, for me that diminishes the event somewhat. Not saying it'll make it easy for Nibali, as if cycling round the whole of France and up those hills would ever be easy, but you know what i mean. I want to see all the big boys, all in peak condition, racing properly and not for it to be decided by weather and bad fortune.
* I know he's not out, but it doesn't look good and even if he can get back into contention how much does he burn to do it and what's the longer term impact. Even if it is a rest day tomorrow.
http://media.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/tourtracker/
This may sneak under work filters
Nibali should attack now he could regret it otherwise as Contador has already made back a couple of minutes
Still a long way to go. As long as Astana don't sit up and wait (they haven't) then Contador will still be using a lot of energy to get back. That will hurt him on the final climb. No need for Niballi to risk it this far out as he'd just burn up his team and waste his own energy as well.
Thing is, Nibali could crash on the next descent, I say Astana should attack. Bertie would in their situation
Astana have made the gesture, they need to think about yellow now.
+1 theotherjonv
Lucky he has a rest day tomorrow.
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Astana have made the gesture, they need to think about yellow now.
Still 4 mountains to go and they are only a min down on virtual yellow. Plenty of time yet. I'd doubt they'd be doing any more even if Contador hadn't crashed, they are still gaining on him for a start.
Looks like the Vuelta is going to be amazing 😉
Nibali could crash on the next descent
Nah...!
Who was the Pantera fan? Wasn't paying attention!
John Degenklob I think.
Ooof contador now 4.30 behind.
Sh*t, I think he's getting off 🙁
abandoning!
looks like he's out 🙁
Is that Contador retiring?
Edit: yes, apparently.
A great shame.
he's off!
Gone.
Nooooooooooooo
Gone
Berties done,could see that coming,didnt look like he wanted it after that crash.
🙁
Bertie in the car!
Crazy tour
awaiting the bit where Porte and Nibali work that out 🙂 Game on
*awaits Woppit spoiler in the chat forum*
As I said before, I don't really like to see people out through crashes but I don't think I'll lose much sleep over Beefy AC. I now just wish that Nibali didn't ride for Vino but I guess that's asking too much.
So, who to challenge Nibali? Is there anyone credible? I'm not sure I can see Porte having the legs for it but who knows...
Snapped frame....looked like he was in bits
Huge opertunity now for Porte and Nibali.
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Time for an early Steak Dinner?
Bugger. Whether you like or dislike Contador or Froome, the race is far worse off for losing them 🙁
Valverde must be licking his lips...
Gutted for Contador, the tour will be a bit poorer for this.
Or polishing his needles for the rest day... I'm sincerely hoping he's too old now for a serious challenge.
Agreed, race is diminished with all these abandons
Agreed, race is diminished with all these abandons
Yup - I was just getting back into it after the disappointment of Froome now that happens.
For me, AC abandoning kind of balances out CF - I don't see Nibali was at their level so we may now have a race.
Lifer - Member
Valverde must be licking his lips...
So am i. I put money on him at 23-1.
I don't think it diminishes it at all, they're still going to race ffs.
Did fall on downhill? Missed that bit on live feed. Heard his frame snapped.
Ah yes, despising Valverde, knew I'd find a reason to keep watching. Just hope Porte et al can make it a race for Nibali and if he wins he earns it.
nemesis - Member
For me, AC abandoning kind of balances out CF - I don't see Nibali was at their level so we may now have a race.
There is now a longer list who can/think they can. If there are 3 or 4 who are going to give it a go and attack then the better the finish will be.
Always a pity to see a contender climb off rather than win or lose on the road. Contador looked in bits when he stopped.
Well looks like we are going to have a first time winner this year!
Valverde is done. Couldn't even keep up on Saturday with 3 small climbs that suit him.
It's a 2 horse race between Porte and Nibali unless someone sneaks away and wins big in a break away.
Source of 'frame snapped' - Phil and Paul. I'll wait for confirmation before I believe that...
It's a shame, because I was looking forward to some mountain battles with the big guns. I think it's Nibali's to loose now, I don't think Porte has it in him to gain time on the mountains, and Astana seem stronger than Sky as a team right now..
It's all part of racing, the course doesn't get any easier because Froome and Contador aren't on it. Wide open for the time being, should be interesting after the rest day.
Much as I'm in the Anyone But Contador camp, I'm sad to see him go. On the positive side, I think it's not a bad thing for some others to get a crack at the podium. I'm hoping to see Richie Porte go for it, though Nibali has to be the overwhelming favourite.
Yeah, but there's (comparatively) no competition for Nibbles now.
It'll be like a world cup with no Ronaldo, no Suarez, no Rooney, no Neymar..... how crap would that be 😉
guaranteed a first time winner now.
just a question of who...
Schleck dropped a chain whilst launching an attack from behind on contador, completely different scenario.
Or more specifically Schleck, in yellow, attacked on the climb whilst ahead of Contador, Vino went with him, Schleck dropped his chain, Vino went past, Contador came past after that. It was a cheap way to get the jersey.
AC wouldn't have crashed if he'd been an mtber - copyright Ligget
😉
the course doesn't get any easier because Froome and Contador aren't on it
That's twaddle. It's like saying it's no easier to win a game of football if the other team only has 5 players because the goal is still the same size.
Source of frame snap story is French radio, discussion on Twitter on translation and its meaning ie. Cause of crash or a consequence of it.
So pleased for Nibali. He destroyed them on the cobbles, Froome couldn't stay upright on wet roads and Contador can't ride a wet descent. Good to see a guy who can ride a bike rather than just pedal a bike. With the weather set to continue as is I don't think Contador had much chance. He would have ate shit so many times trying to keep up with Nibali on alpine descents.
The best all-round road cyclist in decades. I hope he wins Worlds too.
So pleased for Nibali. He destroyed them on the cobbles, Froome couldn't stay upright on wet roads and Contador can't ride a wet descent. Good to see a guy who can ride a bike rather than just pedal a bike. With the weather set to continue as is I don't think Contador had much chance. He would have ate shit so many times trying to keep up with Nibali on alpine descents.
Solid gold stw shite, good effort.
fantastic, whatever next.
for those who dont want the race decided by weather and crashes, what do you want to see?
thanks for the extra links, but im still here 🙁
JCL WTF 😕
for those who dont want the race decided by weather and crashes, what do you want to see?
Yep but letting the Lions out is a little cruel.
(still following our commentary?)
edit
mrblobby - Member
JCL WTF
Would have won on a 29r
Froome couldn't stay upright on wet roads and Contador can't ride a wet descent.
Or...
Froome got taken out by a freak accident caused by another rider and Contador's bike broke on him.
well if you will make the frame out of biro tubes and then make up the weight with rolled lead........
starting to wish i had recorded the full saga today - highlights just wont do it.
are there any other highlights programs on either free2view or internets?
Er, racing? You know, riders riding against each other, attacking, counter attacking, catching, chasing, that sort of thing. Don't worry YouTube is full crash/fail videos to keep you entertained should actual racing break out.
They crashed because they suck. If it was dry they wouldn't of crashed but throw in the elements and the watt watchers go down,like sacks if shit.
What was AC's crash like? Any barbed-wire fences, large boulders or bears involved?
No footage, so anyone suggesting what happened is being a little optimistic about their own crash diagnosis skills....
They crashed because they suck. If it was dry they wouldn't of crashed but throw in the elements and the watt watchers go down,like sacks if shit.
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Cant believe someone is questioning professional cyclists bike control,wonder how fast they can ride their keyboard,only on the internet 😕
Froome couldn't stay upright on wet roads and Contador can't ride a wet descent.
Or...Froome got taken out by a freak accident caused by another rider and Contador's bike broke on him.
Yeah he went down 4 times since the tour started. All other riders faults of course....
Not a chance in hell Contador's bike broke prior to the crash.
JCL, again, WTF 🙄
JCL obvious troll just getting more obvious. Dont waste it.
Crashes, and the consequences, are a bad thing, getting hurt shouldn't be a part of sport, anybody's job, or (for some people) entertainment.
Clippity cloppity JCL...you need to up your game.
anyway.
I'm saying Porte for the stage today. It's typical Sky and Astana have probably forgotten about him
JCL - MemberNot a chance in hell Contador's bike broke prior to the crash.
and again
No footage, so anyone suggesting what happened is being a little optimistic about their own crash diagnosis skills....
A fair few of these "watt watchers" would leave plenty hear standing off road too.
Cant believe someone is questioning professional cyclists bike control,wonder how fast they can ride their keyboard,only on the internet
You think they all ave the same ability? Did you watch Boom compared to others on stage 5?
Did you see Nibali on the Poggio descent in San Remo?
JCL the pro...
mikey3 - MemberCant believe someone is questioning professional cyclists bike control,wonder how fast they can ride their keyboard,only on the internet
Yup, but not worth arguing with pro's like JCL the internet hard man of riding.
I RIDE PARK!