[Closed] TdF Stage 4 - TTT - High-Speed Stage [Spoilers]

Well I've now got two of each of the following in my road.cc fantasy team for today:

Garmin (including Millar, obvs! 😀 )
OPQS
Sky

and one Movistar rider

I think it's what you call hedging your bets...

Pffffttt, road.cc... Velogames is the only league worth thinking about 😉

Not sure about OPQS now that Tony is beat up.

Garmin to win today for me.
No Martin will harm OPQS, and I think Sky might suffer from Thomas and his cracked pelvis.
So, Garmin, by just enough to put Millar in yellow.

I'm doing VG too!

My team 'SHUT UP LEGS' is one position above team 'Shut up legs' 😐

Re. OPQS: Yes I remembered about Martin after I confirmed all of my free transfers and then posted on here, d'oh!

Im so looking forward to this one.

14:15 kick off UK time isnt it?

Better get on with the hoovering/toilet scrubbing/dusting so the Mrs wont know I've spent half the day in front of the TdF when she comes home 😀

Today's stage, both in terms of length and profile would be my ideal 'Etape'

Clocking in.

(I spent a summer in Nice once, that's a very fast road along the Promenade des Bifs).

RM have you got a job or just some sort of auto timer to post?

Not used to seeing these before Dinner time

As for the win ...no idea but gutted I did not include Millar in my team...should have sacrificed a sprinter like that number two fella 😉

Are garmin deffo the best team at the time trial?

Today's stage, both in terms of length and profile would be my ideal 'Etape'

They run a tour de france replica sort of thing, exactly a week before the tour. I think they have about 300 or so riders pay an entry fee and ride the tour route, every meter, exactly as it will be done the next week by the pros. Sort of a dress rehearsal for the organisers. Anyway, I'm vaguely connected to one of the guys who is doing it, and it sounded like they quite enjoyed the TTT day - I don't think the pros will enjoy it anywhere near as much, especially as they're unlikely to have nearly as many ice cream stops.

I hope G can hang in there and stay in the race. Apparently he has 10% margin before he is eliminated. They are going to be protecting Froome though and going for it not waiting for an injured rider.

Not sure if he is the embodyment of rule 5 or just daft.

RM have you got a job or just some sort of auto timer to post?

Not used to seeing these before Dinner time

I've been waiting for someone to bring that up... 😆

Yes, I do actually have a job, but that's not the secret, it's where the job is...

I'm currently working in Bulgaria, and most days it's too hot to sleep past lunchtime ( 🙁 (although I have struggled through it a few times)), and also I'm 2 hours ahead, which helps a little.

Eurosport coverage comes with Bulgarian commentary though, which is a little bit annoying.

Not used to seeing these before Dinner time

But the stage would be long over by then, old chap!

Better get on with the hoovering/toilet scrubbing/dusting so the Mrs wont know I've spent half the day in front of the TdF when she comes home

Nice to see who wears the trousers in Chez Stoner. 😯

After performance in Giro TTT, I think Sky will be up there, and they can afford to spit Geraint out the back.

But the stage would be long over by then, old chap!

Better get on with the hoovering/toilet scrubbing/dusting so the Mrs wont know I've spent half the day in front of the TdF when she comes home

She'll know

After performance in Giro TTT, I think Sky will be up there, and they can afford to spit Geraint out the back.

Thomas and Stannard aren't doing well. Two of their best TT riders potentially off the back before they really get going

That's what I was thinking, atlaz - they'll miss the power of those two. I can see Sky having a far worse day than predicted.

Thomas and Stannard aren't doing well. Two of their best TT riders potentially off the back before they really get going

Kennaugh and EBH didn't look too hot on the climbs yesterday either.

I think it will go to Garmin today. It will be nice to see Millar in yellow.

In everyones opinion with there be a team that absolutely dominates..?

I think it will go to Garmin today. It will be nice to see Millar in yellow.

Whats up with Stannard? (yes I will use google power on it too)

EDIT, got it, crash on first day too.

Would it not make sense for Sky to split the team? assuming GT makes the start . Pick 5 strong riders and concentrate on Froome , then the others ride and protect GT so he has a slightly easier day.
love the fact i am off work whilst the tdf is on , getting a new plaster today so will miss most of the live action.
Anyone else thinking of a holiday on Corsica with a RB and a MB?

I think BMC today. 17-1 on betfair at the moment, I can't remember my password though...

The Hounds of Zaroff by Ceri remains in 1st place in the Fantasy league, with welly's weirdos leading the loser league.

And I'm second! Won't last, soon be tumbling down the league...

Movistar to win today, Valverde leader.

<troll>Millar's a dirty drug cheat like Contador, don't want him to win</troll>

I love the idea of stopping for an ice-cream in the middle of a TTT 😀

Cheers, Rich

over 25km the times will be tight, which means it's going to be exciting AND any time lost won't be too significant.

I hope G can hang in there and stay in the race. Apparently he has 10% margin before he is eliminated.

I think it's officially 25% of the winning time. He should be able to keep up a while and then if he at least shows he's trying if he gets spat out, I doubt they'll DQ him.

From Millar's twitter feed:

"I lost the yellow jersey in a TTT 13yrs ago. I get a chance to take it back today & there isn't another team I'd rather be on to do it."

I'm going for BMC to win it, would that put Cuddles in yellow??

if he at least shows he's trying if he gets spat out, I doubt they'll DQ him.

I can't see him lasting to be honest - whether he's DQ'd or he retires is immaterial but I reckon he'll be on a plane home by the end of the week. Wish he wasn't the case, he's a classy rider and without that crash he'd be well up there but I can't see a rider surviving the whole 3 weeks with an injury like that.

Today - Millar will be really fired up to go for this, I hope he gets the yellow. Sky will put in a good performance but I'd be surprised if they finish with more than 6 riders.

What channel is best eurosport or itv4?

got it at skybet, 12-1...

What channel is best eurosport or itv4?

I generally prefer ITV4 (although a lot of people don't like the commentary). But there's not really much in it between the two. Try both, see which you prefer.

http://www.filmon.com/#ITV4

http://www.procyclinglive.com/livestream/

You can also get a month of eurosport streaming (including HD stream I think) for about £6 or something if you want.

I think I prefer Eurosport... their commentary and banter is better, and I like the random adverts, and their highlights show is longer.
but ITV do have little technical features and interviews which are good, although they appear to be repeating them.

Tony Martin still riding?

what TV station?

Eurosport for live
ITV for highlights

Headfirst +1

Hedging is what is all about today... who ever's got yellow will keep it from a few days

I've got Millar and A.N Other from garmin.... Bakelants is in... Sagan stays, Cdale might prove good in this TT and a Quickstepper stays as well as a Movistar.

Lets see if I can hold first in the road.cc league after Gerrans did a great job for me yday.... Had him in from the start, just for that stage... feeling rather pleased by that 😀

They run a tour de france replica sort of thing, exactly a week before the tour.

My mate's doing it - Stage 9 was pretty special.

Channel? I love the ITV4 team but maybe just because I'm used to them.

Millar for yellow!

I wondered whether Millar would have tried to launch an attack off either of the final climbs on stages 2 and 3 to try to TT his way to Yellow. Does that fact that he didn't mean he's confident for today?

Kids at school, wife going out and I have the rest of July off, new bike build on to boot. I might return to my empty office (5 mins walk)for the key stages; skyhd and a 50" screen and a recliner and zero interruption.

Why oh why did I not put Millar in my squad, or that fellow from Slovakia, and the bloke who was 3rd in the Belgian National Champs. My team is currently embedded in the bottom half of the STW velogames league.

Garmin for the win today.

Sky won't want yellow this early in the race surely...

My team is currently embedded in the bottom half of the STW velogames league.

Enter it into the loser league and claim that was your plan all along? 😉

Turteen seconds, Turty minutes - I love that accent so much, even better than Franglais. Thank you Eurosport cycling!

Sky won't want yellow this early in the race surely...

if sky does win it will be EBH in yellow

I can't see a rider surviving the whole 3 weeks with an injury like that.

hes just had a whack, and he ridden through the worst of it.
if it were you or i we would never even know there was a tiny hairline fracture because by the time you had persuaded someone to run you through an MRI, it would be long since healed.

He aint going home unless he is sent.

My team is currently embedded in the bottom half of the STW velogames league.

if it were you or i we would never even know there was a tiny hairline fracture because by the time you had persuaded someone to run you through an MRI, it would be long since healed.

and we aren't racing 100+ miles a day at 30mph.

If he has another fall and lands on his pelvis it could be career threatening, shocking that sky have allowed him to continue IMO

Right. Housework done, slow roast lamb in the oven for fodder tonight, beer poured, ITV4 coverage starts and phone on silent.

Anyone want a sweepstake on the fastest average speed?

Im going for 56.8kph

if it were you or i we would never even know there was a tiny hairline fracture because by the time you had persuaded someone to run you through an MRI, it would be long since healed.

and we aren't racing 100+ miles a day at 30mph.

If he has another fall and lands on his pelvis it could be career threatening, shocking that sky have allowed him to continue IMO

He has to be lifted on to his bike. Your right we probably wouldn't have a clue about the break but we'd be thinking "bloody hell I'm sore - I'm not going for a ride today" not tackling mountains and timetrials at flat out racing speeds.

As Warton says, my concern is another crash turning an uncomfortable injury into a career limiting one. I really like G as a rider, he is strong in the hard classic style races, can climb a bit and is a proven man against the clock. I would love to see him as a GC rider not a coach who's career was cut short by injury.

Im going for 56.8kph

well there's already a 58-59kph so Im oot 🙁

That's sooo fast!

That's sooo fast!

yep.

hmm, my BMC bet may already be blown out the water. that was ridiculous. They do say Cavendish, on his day is the best TTT rider in the world. Him and Martin in a team is looking to good for anyone else to deal with

I am having a bit on an issue with the TTT counting toward the GC positions, something about team & individual standings just does not sit right for me.

Yes I do realise the team makes every effort for their leader on each stage, but still this TTT will be pivotal.

the tour de france, a big S3, and my unlimited data contract was never going to help my productivity....

It's not all that long, tinsy, the time gaps won't be huge - the work the teams do on the other stages will be far more significant.

Chavanel is by far the best value fantasy TDF rider, every evening when i'm watching the highlights i'm convinced he's going to take the stage 😀

If anyone is watching ITV4 and just had the Cloud Atlas advert, I watched it last night - it's fantastic.

the tour de france, a big S3, and my unlimited data contract was never going to help my productivity....

I have a feeling a lot of 'fair use' clauses are going to get invoked this month!

If anyone is watching ITV4 and just had the Cloud Atlas advert, I watched it last night - it's fantastic.

I enjoyed the book, the ad was just baffling, made it look like a laser gun space opera.

it's not going to be millar's day then

If anyone is watching ITV4 and just had the Cloud Atlas advert, I watched it last night - it's fantastic.

I have a strange urge to claim for an injury that wasn't my fault

which is the most annoying WiiU sofa family? my money's on the "3 perfect blondes"

I enjoyed the book, the ad was just baffling, made it look like a laser gun space opera.

There is a decent amount of action, but it adds to it nicely. I haven't read the book yet, but might look out for it.

I have a strange urge to claim for an injury that wasn't my fault

😀

Nice ride by sky.

brilliant rides by both sky and OPQS, considering the injuries they're carrying.

Did Geraint come home with the others only got ticker feeds?

Did Geraint come home with the others only got ticker feeds?

No. Coasted along at the back for the team for the first half, then went hard for 5km or so. Dropped off the back with about 1km to go.

Nah Geraint dropped off in the last k or so.

There is a decent amount of action, but it adds to it nicely. I haven't read the book yet, but might look out for it.

The author's ability to switch voices in each of the component stories is pure artistry. It's on my reread list.

I have a strange urge to claim for an injury that wasn't my fault

I have absolutely no urge at all to buy a WiiU.

OOOH I don't think Saxo were high on the favorite list for this one... 1 second off at split, Contador in yellow?

They do say Cavendish, on his day is the best TTT rider in the world.

Yeah, a lot of people don't give him credit for being anything other than a sprinter but they forget that to sprint from a lead-out train, you've effectively been doing a TTT for 10km.

Remember when he wore the leader's jersey at the Vuelta when that started with a TTT? 🙂

Disappointing lack of sweeping heli shots of the Promenade and port. Tightwads.

Contador still seems to be fidgeting on that saddle

Yeah like every 15 pedal strokes he has ridden onto the nose then he pushes back... odd.

Farmers?

Carlton is doing my head in.
On a brighter note, without Harmon, we seem to be getting more of Kelly

OOOH I don't think Saxo were high on the favorite list for this one... 1 second off at split, Contador in yellow?

Roche.

look at cuddles' shiny red helmet

Contador losing a few seconds to Froome...

Maybe Contadors saddle has slipped slightly? looks very strange.

brilliant ride though, not going to be much in it at the top

No way RSLT are going to have the yellow at the end of the day, they're going to have to keep on stopping and waiting for Andy to catch up..

Roche.

It all came to nothing in the end, but I guess I should have looked at the GC positions!

Orica are traveling rapidly as well, they've had a great opening few days.