The longest stage of the 2014 Tour comes right up the second rest day. With 237.5 km on the menu and the Port de Balès as a dessert, the riders will spend about six hours on the saddle.
The last few years have shown that riders who make it to the top with a margin of 30 to 40 seconds can rest assured of keeping it until the finish and taking the win in Bagnères-de-Luchon. The odds are on the attackers’ side, thus. Sure, this does not look like the toughest stage in the Tour, but remember that this is where Andy Schleck lost the yellow jersey due to a mechanical in 2010.

Kristoff is having a great tour, what a great sprint – especially as the sprinters must have been holding their breath for the final 10km.. Very tough for Bauer, just like Martin in the Vuelta last year.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUovSG9AJlA[/video]

Still sprints better than Talansky..

Photos from stage 15.

Stage 16 already! Seems just like yesterday we were all amazed at the fans in Yorkshire and in shock at Cav crashing out on day 1.. Not long to go now. Today? I feel like the clever people would put their money on Nibali going over the top and opening up a gap on the descent – he’s got the skills, and he seems to be getting more and more time whenever he can, so why not? Possibly look for Bardet to try and drop Pinot on the descent again. I imagine all the Trek bikes will have chain catchers this year…

Also we could be in for a great battle Majka vs Rodriguez for the polka dot jersey!

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/yates-heads-home-early-after-a-successful-tour-debut – Yates finished, a rider to keep your eye on in the future

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/28395620 – not sure how he finds time to write these…

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/two-more-years-for-martin-at-omega-pharma-quick-step – great news I say

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rui-costa-out-of-the-tour-de-france-with-pneumonia – possibly underperformed at this tour, but a shame to see him go

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-tech-tyre-pressure – an article made for STW?

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFiXxta0m6M[/video]

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RYBln_Jnas[/video]

They’ll be shouting about motors in the bikes again soon…

Enjoying these threads thanks!

world champ out… another one of my fantasy team bites the dust… I’ve had 4 bail now !

Brilliant race craft from Nibali; keeping an eye out for moves and saw BMC trying to push on, ‘attacked’ enough to drop into their line and p1ss on their bonfire. A rider to watch for the future, I think.

The Orica-Green Edge bus has been back in action;

The Orica-Green Edge bus has been back in action;

😆

Oh dear.

😆

This is he first time I’ve been able to open your thread this year Realman, as it’s the first day I’ve been up to date watching the highlights!. I can see majka having a real go today, and Nibali maybe going with him.

What was Tommy V shouting about? Didn’t see the Dutch fans doing anything wrong (one might have offered him a beer?)

It’s all kicking off already..

So then, it’s one of twenty one for the stage today. Who’re we thinking? I’m going Rogers edging out Voekler on the run in.

Anyone but Voeckler.

Rogers because Voekler stops with 3m to go to heckle a fan

Anyone but Voeckler.

Can I ask why you hate poor little Tommy so much? I know a lot of the Pro riders don’t like him for constantly attacking and being sometimes coming across as a bit rude, but he’s great to watch imo.

Comments on that Voekler vid are ace

but he’s great to watch imo.

He’s bordering on not being able to ride a bike – he’s the worst rider to watch. Pretty sure a dog could ride a bike with more style and grace than he can. Add to that the fact that he’s known for being a horrible person and the stupid face and there’s not a lot left going for him..

Anyone but Voeckler.

Second this. The Eurosport commentary amuses me. Sean, who I don’t think likes him much, says nothing while Carlton goes on at length about his love for Voeckler.

Ha, I love the stupid faces. Reminds me of a pug or something. And I love pugs.

Sean, who I don’t think likes him much, says nothing

He’s just nodding

He’s [Sean Kelly] just never been a fan of the big cycling interview. In his professional days he would often answer questions with a nod. And that was on the radio.

Just tuned it. Surprised they’ve let Kwiatkowski get in the break. Up to a virtual 7th now.

Carlton Kirby needs to be applauded for trying every possible pronunciation of Port de Bales except for the right one. Sheer bloodymindedness now as I even tweeted him the correct one espoused by inrng.

And still vastly preferable to Statler and Waldorf and their Book of Hoary Cliches on ITV.

I’ve given up on ‘Whispering Sean Kelly’ – I tend to have half an ear/eye on the tablet playing the race and half the time I can’t hear what he’s saying.

The ITV4 Player picture is good.
Add one of the cyclingfans.com streams for the Eurosport commentary and mute the ITV one!
Although Carlton Kirby really needs to stop trying to tie every sentence together and create cliches out of every situation.

Kiriyenka bringing some real “Sky Train” pain to proceedings, good work!

Urghhh can he just crack and fall back already..

new levels of gurning from voeckler today

Quite exciting this climb 🙂

movistar really trying

serpa looking more and more like dick dastardly

serpa looking more and more like dick dastardly

😀

Tejay just went bang.

The Schlecks must really hate this climb

Oh dear, long way to go to the top for Tejay.

That ‘man in blue, man in white’ bit of commentary was priceless!

No Schlecks left are there?

Voeckler nearly falling off there. Just ugly.

my prediction from here:

Mickey Rogers to hang in with Thommy to the run in then go long to take the win 😛

valverde dropped

Press car struggles to stay ahead on the descent 🙂

eightyeight – Member
That ‘man in blue, man in white’ bit of commentary was priceless!

He dug deep into this suitcase of cliches there, but he has the advantage of being a former mountain biker so he knows how to descend. It might not be fair that’s professional commentating for you.

Love these steep descent finishes

45mph in the corners? I’m clearly a lot slower than I thought..

Good that!