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.

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.

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.