Posted on 07/02/2010 11:30:15 AM PDT by Ready4Freddy
Darn it, Thor would have won, too, if it hadn't stopped raining & that stupid sun hadn't come out! Hopefully there will be more inclement weather for the next sprinters' stage.
And I guess it just wouldn't be the TdF without at least one smart@$$ dog with a jones for chasing tires who couldn't resist the temptation presented by hundreds of 'em rolling by at once. (What does make dogs want to bite bicycle tires? I've been chased by more than a few myself.) But we can't blame that pile-up at the end on le chien fou, can we.
Goodness, that one wasn't so much of a crash as it was a bikequake - practically the whole peleton collapsed! I don't recall ever seeing anything quite like that.
Happy 4th, R4F. Thanks for making this great looking thread for us. I am off to see the fireworks but hope to see the whole stage on replay later.
NASCAR...just another way to say “Nice Car”.
Thank you, Cecily, I’m running kind of late and slow this AM. Getting the posts ready now!
Five Bikes Scanned Yesterday
The UCI conducted scans of five bikes after the stage to Brussels yesterday. The machines that were inspected were owned by Tyler Farrar (GRM), Kanstantsin Sivtsov (THR), Danilo Hondo (LAM), Mirco Lorenzetto (LAM) and Alessandro Petacchi (LAM). And lo, they were all cleared for any performance-enhancing products.
Running commentary from the TDF web site is anyone is interested:
http://www.letour.fr/2010/TDF/LIVE/us/200/journal_etape.html
Stage 1 - Bruxelles > > > Spa - 201 km
Monday, July 5, 2010
Bruxelles Spa - 201 km
•Km 98.00 - Côte de France - 2.2 km climb to 6.2 % - Category 4
•Km 128.5 - Côte de Filot - 3.9 km climb to 4.5 % - Category 4
•Km 136.0 - Côte de Werbomont - 4.5 km climb to 3.5 % - Category 4
•Km 161.5 - Côte d'Aisomont - 4.5 km climb to 5.2 % - Category 3
•Km 167.5 - Col de Stockeu - 3.0 km climb to 5.9 % - Category 3
•Km 189.0 - Col du Rosier - 6.4 km climb to 4 % - Category 3
Stage 1 - Bruxelles > > > Spa - 201 km
Monday, July 5, 2010
Hilly - A sporting perspective
A nod to the “Ardennes classics”
The race gets down to the nitty-gritty a bit more with this stage of rolling valleys and a nod to the “Ardennes Classics” as it follows a part of the routes for the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège… There are no very hard slopes, but it may be sufficient to eliminate the major sprinters, like Cavendish, whereas Freire could have more joy. In my opinion, at the finishing line there will be a pack of around fifty riders. But it’s a rugged route on which all sorts of things could happen. In 1995, it was on a stage similar to this one that Miguel Indurain attacked on the ‘bumps’ of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and broke away with Johan Bruyneel.
(letour.com)
June 27 post:
On this the third day of the Tour, we'll have the first KOMs of the race.
Starting at yesterday's finish in Brussels, the Tour continues southeast where the route will get progressively hillier as it heads over the same roads used by the Ardennes classics, Fleche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
In total, there are 6 category 4/3 climbs over the second half of this stage. These climbs are not too difficult, but the roads are narrow so it will be interesting to see how many sprinters remain when the stage finishes in Spa. Jens Voigt believes this will be a dangerous stage with so many fresh guys attempting to ride at the front of the race on narrow roads. The last 2 km are flat/slightly uphill. Apparently, "a Mecca in the world of thermal spas", the host finish was appropriately named Spa during Roman Times. — Steve
Lots of hills normally used by Ardenees classics in the second half of the stage but none are very difficult .
A monument to Eddy Merckx at the top of the second last climb of stage 2, Cote de Stockeu. Merckx doesn't like this monument, he says monuments should only be unveiled after a person dies.
(steephill.tv)
Stage 1 - Bruxelles > > > Spa - 201 km
Monday, July 5, 2010
BRUXELLES
• 11 times a stage town
• Population: 154,000
• Région Bruxelles-Capitale: 1,000,000
• Capital of Belgium
• Capital of the European Union
In 1958 André Darrigade added another stage win to his collection, 22 in total, and seized the Yellow Jersey. The stage start from Brussels in 1947 was also the first stage run entirely outside French borders, as the finish line was in Luxembourg. It was won by Italian rider Aldo Ronconi, who finished 4th in that year’s race. Among riders from Brussels, Philippe Thys marked the history of the Tour. The race will moreover celebrate the 90th anniversary of his triple win of 1920, the first in cycling history.
In June 2009, the René Magritte museum opened in the heart of Brussels’ cultural district, the Mont des Arts. “Surrealism is a state of mind. You’ve either got it or you’ll never have it”, said Georgette, the wife of the great surrealist painter. This attitude of contrast and paradox is reflected in Brussels’ popular imagery. Which other city in the world would have the “Manneken-Pis”, a little naked man urinating in the corner of a street, as its symbol? You need a touch of eccentricity to appreciate Brussels and its unexpected and quirky nature. As well as its flamboyant Grand-Place, the historic centre of the Belgian capital is filled with picturesque alleyways, atmospheric galleries, fashionable boutiques and welcoming pavement cafes. With a stop for some “frites” (chips/fries) here, followed by chocolates, speculoos or hot waffles, or an impulse purchase of fashion, antiques or cartoons, this cosmopolitan and gourmet city lives life at its own pace and in its own individual style: from rebellious and mischievous to calm and collected, but always very appealing.
SPA
• Once a stage town
• Population: 10,600
• Town in the Province of Liège (Belgium)
A Mecca in the world of thermal spas – the word “spa” is named after the town itself - Spa is on excellent terms with the Tour. In 1962, Rudi Altig triumphed in his first stage victory here and became the first post-War German rider to wear the Yellow Jersey. In 1980, it was on the circuit of Francorchamps that Bernard Hinault won in an individual time-trial after triumphing in the prologue. The Badger, as Hinault was called, seemed poised for a great race, after winning again the following day in Lille, but a knee injury forced him to abandon in the Pyrenees.
Spa’s appeal as a tourist destination is based on its wide range of cultural, sporting and leisure attractions, as well as its privileged setting, with woods, windswept fenland, pure air and many mineral and iron springs. Known since Roman times, these springs were responsible for Spa’s growth in the 16th century, and its rich thermal past is reflected in the town’s impressive architecture: from the casino, built in 1763 and the oldest in the world, to its gardens, the Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand, the Leopold II gallery, the Parc de Sept Heures and many museums located in traditional districts. Spa is also the ideal destination for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. It offers a wide selection of walks, mountain bike trails and pony trekking, as well as a magnificent golf course in a natural setting, an airfield and many more attractions including the new thermal centre and a funicular link to the town centre. What is Spa? A promise of optimism for the future!
The Stage started at 12:00 pm local time (Rotterdam is 6 hrs ahead of US EDT); ~71 km raced this far, ~130 km to go.
FReepmail me to get on or off the 2010 TdF Ping List.
Stage 2 - Bruxelles > > > Spa - 201 km,
of course
Thanks, deport, good to see you!
Andy Schleck 4’ off the back? Contador has fallen?
Frank Schleck down as well. WTF?
Sylvain Chavanel has pulled off an amazing coup. He attacked at the 10km mark, worked with seven others until the 40km to go mark and then decided to take matters into his own hands. He has taken a victory for the Quickstep team and is elated by his achievement.
17:16 - Peloton’s Solidarity In Final Kilometer
Cancellara is insisting that no rider attack his group as it arrives in Spa. It appears that the riders are expressing their concerns about what was a most intriguing day of racing.
Overall:
1. CHAVANEL Sylvain 131 QUICK STEP 10h 01’ 25”
2. CANCELLARA Fabian 13 TEAM SAXO BANK 10h 04’ 22” + 02’ 57”
3. MARTIN Tony 115 TEAM HTC - COLUMBIA 10h 04’ 32” + 03’ 07”
4. MILLAR David 57 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 10h 04’ 42” + 03’ 17”
5. ARMSTRONG Lance 21 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10h 04’ 44” + 03’ 19”
6. THOMAS Geraint 39 SKY PRO CYCLING 10h 04’ 45” + 03’ 20”
7. CONTADOR Alberto 1 ASTANA 10h 04’ 49” + 03’ 24”
8. FARRAR Tyler 53 GARMIN - TRANSITIONS 10h 04’ 50” + 03’ 25”
9. LEIPHEIMER Levi 25 TEAM RADIOSHACK 10h 04’ 50” + 03’ 25”
10. BOASSON HAGEN Edvald 36 SKY PRO CYCLING 10h 04’ 54” + 03’ 29”
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