Posted on 06/24/2012 9:40:23 PM PDT by Ready4Freddy
The Tour starts next Saturday, June 30th!
Now I need to find my ping list & html templates!
I think you make a very good point with your comparison to film stars. The real issue with this vendetta, though, to me is that he has never tested positive in hundreds and hundreds of tests. It is backwards to haul him in front of the review board when they have nothing to review. He is supposed to be defending himself after a positive test at the review board. Just what is he to say to them? To think that they could conceivably ban him for life and strip him of his titles is an abomination. I am just glad he has resources that enable him to fully defend himself (in as much as regulatory agencies allow).
Wiggins has it to lose.
If he does everything right, his team holds fast and he doesn’t crack in the rest of the mountains than he should win.
But it is the TdF and all it takes is one bad day to........
Well, you know how it could go.
I heard this afternoon that a judge threw out the case but told LA and his attorneys that they could refile it. Don’t understand the point of that but whatever.
Unfortunately I don’t have any confidence in our country’s ability to find justice any more. It seems like the rule of law is out the window in favor of headlines and whatever is expedient.
Thanks for the LA updates. I’m ticked that Contador isn’t racing (stupid doping suspension). He’s the guy I love to hate!
Now that the Olympics has gone pro it is hard to respect the facade of those who talk or purity in sport.
So true, and to think they stripped Jim Thorpe of his Olympic medals for playing in some non related sport for a few dollars.
It seems like the rule of law is out the window in favor of headlines and whatever is expedient.
Sound bites, and quips are the rule of the day now.
Forget logic, facts, and keeping to just answering the question.
--- a chance to meet "Big Mig"
<SEE ABOVEp>
Result after the stage 9
Total distance covered: 1616.5 km
1. WIGGINS SKY 39h 09' 20'' 2. EVANS BMC 39h 11' 13'' + 01' 53'' 3. FROOME SKY 39h 11' 27'' + 02' 07'' 4. NIBALI LIQUIGAS 39h 11' 43'' + 02' 23'' 5. MENCHOV KATUSHA 39h 12' 22'' + 03' 02'' 6. ZUBELDIA RADIOSH 39h 12' 39'' + 03' 19'' 7. MONFORT RADIOSH 39h 13' 43'' + 04' 23'' 8. VAN GARDEREN BMC 39h 14' 34'' + 05' 14'' 9. VAN DEN BROECK LOTTO-BEL 39h 14' 40'' + 05' 20'' 10. ROCHE AG2R 39h 14' 49'' + 05' 29''
July 11,
Stage 10, 194.5 km,
TV: NBCSP coverage 7:00am CDT.
Stage 10 - Mâcon > > > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (194.5km)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Km 90.0 - Côte de Corlier 6.4 kilometre-long climb at 5.5% - category 2
Km 151.5 - Col du Grand Colombier (1 501 m) 17.4 km-long climb at 7.1% - category HC
Km 174.0 - Col de Richemond 7.2 kilometre-long climb at 5% - category 3
Stage 10 - Mâcon > > > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (194.5km)
Tuesday, July 11, 2012
"Back to the mountains. On paper, the Grand Colombier is a monster. In my opinion, it is the toughest mountain in France, with sections at 12%. Nevertheless, its location 43 km from the finish changes the story altogether. Rather than a single devastating attack, I see a group of five or six strong riders break away and then come together before the finish. This is a classical but always exciting scenario, especially if one of the big names is missing from the breakaway. Look out just before the riders reach Bellegarde-sur-Valserine: we found a small bump which could very well make things easier for the finish line judge..."
Into the unknown
Tour director Christian Prudhomme and his route team have really mixed up the mountain challenges in the first half of the race, sending the riders into unfamiliar terrain that presents plenty of opportunities for the attack-minded. The main complicating factor on this one is the Col du Grand Colombier, which has never appeared on the Tour before. Logic suggests that its too far out from the finish to be decisive but there are some very steep ramps on its 17km ascent. Will the climbers cook something up? If theyve lost a lot of time in the TT they might have to. If not, a small group will contest the uphill finale.
Janez Brajkovic: "This will be the first time we ride the Grand Colombier and there will only be a small selection of riders at the top. Some will come back on the descent but it will be full gas as its only 20km from the Richemondes summit to the finish."
There are steeper mountains on the Tour, but this has got to be one of the longest climbs.
Hey, wheres leilani this year!?
Yes, I see that is what they’re saying. Odd, though, b/c I could swear I have heard that climb discussed before. My mistake.
Honestly, I didn’t think there were any major climbs in France remaining that they have not ridden at some point. When you look at 100+ years, it’s hard to believe they have never ventured over it.
Thomas Voeckler won today.
Bradley Wiggins remains in the Yellow Jersey.
That drives me nuts too. It's really amazing they don't cause more accidents than they do. Didn't I hear someone say the big pileup that forced 13 riders out may have been caused by a spectator crossing the road?
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