Posted on 07/02/2014 12:26:29 PM PDT by Baynative
While the media tries to make soccer into a real sport we are only three days away from the 2014 Tour de France a genuine test of men against men, men against nature, men against elements and men testing their own hearts and will.
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I wonder if maybe they made the decision to not show flamboyant spectators as a way of discouraging unruly activity.
Right behind them is Tejay at 5th and he was also strong today. I expect some fireworks after the rest.
Sagan has Green locked up but wants a stage and there are a couple of days that suit him coming up. Bardet, Pinot and VanGarderen are going to heve to be watchful of each other because of Cannondale makes a move to get Sagan away and one of them catches on it changes everything. They have made their way by climbing and this will test their teams a bit.
That edge might go to Tejay and BMC.
You give them too much credit. It’s typical NBC taking a good product and ruining it.
and Holy cow! I watched stage 10 this morning and just found out about Contador! Can’t blame him for crying like a girl. Rough.
Right behind them is Tejay at 5th and he was also strong today. I expect some fireworks after the rest.
Go TeJay. Would be very satisfied with him making the podium after all of the other potential duals have been eliminated ( Froome/Contador/Nibali
I really thought this would be a day for Sagan. The tumult in the peloton and the dislodging of so many stars seems to have given a lot of guys the inspiration to come out of the group and show what they’ve got.
I thought this was the day for the breakaway.
Kinda’ heartbreaking for the two guys in the breakaway all day.
What was it? 10 - 15 yards from the finish?
Yeah looked to be about 15 yards — and NINE guys passed him! Unbelievable! Heartbreaking for Jack, but it makes him memorable (well, what happened today, plus his ‘24’ name :) ).
I don’t know how/if it would work, but I’d almost like to see points awarded for leading the group, like they do in NASCAR — maybe give 1 point for every 10 KM led or something like that? Might encourage more people joining the breakaways and less sitting around in the big clump waiting to reel them in at the last minute so the sprinters can pass by.
I hate rest days.
:)
...and there was Sagan missing another sprint finish by a length.
The tumult in the peloton and the dislodging of so many stars seems to have given a lot of guys the inspiration to come out of the group and show what they’ve got.
TeJay & the unveiling of others who may have just been support riders at this time is why I keep watching.
Agree with your comment. We are getting to see things we may have not otherwise been exposed to.
Tejay looked pretty spent and went down a lot. Nibali is clearly in command; he climbs well, he descends well and he still has some healthy support. He won't be knocked off the top without an accident.
In my opinion there's one thing that never changes; Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin are the best commentary team in sport. The information they deliver at such a rapid pace while keeping all those international names straight is pure entertainment to this old roadie.
If there is anything left to be decided before the ITT it will be tomorrow.This a test of the pure climbers and will surely bring out any ambitions of moving up the GC or taking home a prized jersey. I think this will be the day of reckoning and stage 18 which is another climbing day will be one of survival.
Stage 17 - Time to separate the ascenders from the pretenders!
Meh~ as the frogs say, “ c`est une fait accompli “ and it was the rain who determined this years winner early in the 1st week.
No way Valverde ( they shoulda ran Quintana) blows the Nilber away by 5 minutes
Can't quarrel with that. Even those who didn't abandon were weakened not only by breaks and bruises, by physical condition.
Rui Costa abandoned yesterday with bronchial congestion.
Got bronchitis, might as well drop out. Feels like the flu , won`t let you breath at all.
Here`s hoping the Vuelta lives up to the drama that the Giro had.
Winner of today’s stage is Michael Rogers. He won on a breakaway. The leaders let the breakaway go today. Tomorrow they climb the Col de Peresourde.
I’ll be watching from the edge of my seat.
Tejay looked pretty spent and went down a lot. Nibali is clearly in command; he climbs well, he descends well and he still has some healthy support. He won’t be knocked off the top without an accident.
In my opinion there’s one thing that never changes; Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin are the best commentary team in sport. The information they deliver at such a rapid pace while keeping all those international names straight is pure entertainment to this old roadie.
Agree on all counts. Sad to see Tejay as his quest for a podium spot has kept me watching. Now its just to enjoy the end of race, scenery, commentary.
So glad Phil & Paul are the constants in this whole affair. They deliver each and every day.
The amazing thing about Phil and Paul is that they have to ad lib so much during the live broadcast. They don’t even have control over the TV feed! They have to just do what they can with the live feed they are given. You’d never know it listening to them, though. They always have interesting comments to make and stories to tell about specific riders or scenery, often calling up previous Tours in the same region or rides of note by those in the breakaway. Their knowledge is incredible.
In August the past few years we have had the great pleasure of hosting them here in Colorado for the USA Pro Challenge. Other than the really big names in cycling, the largest applause is for Phil and Paul.
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