Tour De France 2012

[Japan Shaking All Over]

get more into this each year......3 Brits in top 10

wont be for long I imagine

Cavendish = sprint
Miller = time trial
Wiggins = ?

[IBK]

Been awesome so far...

David Millar being in top 4 :bow:
Cavendish winning his stage uphill, on his own :bow:
Team Sky getting their first stage yesterday :bow:
Thor Hushvod keeping yellow on the Mur de Bretagne :bow:
ITV 4 coverage :bow: :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

It's live when I get home in the evening but I usually have it on mute as the Japanese commentary is bearable at best - do like to hear the French commentators lose it near the finish

seems like there is a bloody castle like church in every day - ancient oppression of the masses in its rawest form

[IBK]

It's live when I get home in the evening but I usually have it on mute as the Japanese commentary is bearable at best - do like to hear the French commentators lose it near the finish

seems like there is a bloody castle like church in every day - ancient oppression of the masses in its rawest form

http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/search/default.html?Filter=tour

If you can get it - watch the highlights programme on here. It rocks!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Cavendish is the man - second stage this year

but sad about Wiggins......went out in a massive pile up......holding his arm, didnt look good

cheers for the link IBK, will check it out:tiphat:

[IBK]

Cavendish is the man - second stage this year

but sad about Wiggins......went out in a massive pile up......holding his arm, didnt look good

cheers for the link IBK, will check it out:tiphat:

I wish I hadn't read that - I try to save it for the show at 7!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

sorry mate......no more reporting, I promise......worth watching tho.......Marks interview is great too, has a pop at some guy who was giving a hard time

[IBK]

No worries - my fault - and at least Cav won! Love Cavendish - he tells it like it is. rtefreshing change to footballers and mangers, eh?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

yeah......definitely has the passion/emotion to go with the talent......tomorrows stage has a big climb in the middle 1451m - and looks like uphill to the finish

not sure who is going to win this year though - Contador is a way back, right?


Bradley Wiggins crashes out of 2011 Tour de France
Wiggins has won three Olympic gold medals for Britain Britain's Bradley Wiggins broke his collarbone after crashing out of the Tour de France before compatriot Mark Cavendish won stage seven on Friday

[Japan Shaking All Over]

mountain climb stage and all the big guys were out in force.......was rooting for the guy out in front

[Japan Shaking All Over]

wont ruin it this time ;-)

[IBK]

Pleased that Rui Costa won. Thor still in yellow :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

its interesting watching Contador and Schek keeping an eye on each other
yesterday was the first time I saw them in the front ranks, reminded me of last yeat, lets see if the bike chains remain on

Thor getting the most out of this years tour,

[Japan Shaking All Over]

todays stage looks brutal, peleton just over the top of the highest climb, tete 3:30 ahead, still 100kms to go

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Serious crash and what can be called a stupidly narrow rurn for more than 40 riders to be going round

two guys lying, not moving, reports of broken bones
one guy over the railing and down a slope, lucky there were trees to stop him, most of his team stopped roght waaway
Aldo talk about the drugs, this year i would say a dicussion needs to be had about road choice, a crash a day seems like

[IBK]

mountain climb stage and all the big guys were out in force.......was rooting for the guy out in front

Yes - me too. Still gutted about Bradley...think I'm going to have to back one of the Schleks now!

How ridiculous was that Flecha/Hoogerland crash?? I agreed with everything Hoogerland said afterwards. 33 fecking stitches??? Hard men these guys!

Does the ITV4 Player work for you?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

tried it at work but no luck......haven't tried at home but will do

the crash was ridiculous.....from the way Hoogerland went flying, its a wonder nothing worse happened to him, land on a fence of barbed wire

the car was crazy from the front, it almost looked like he dived into the riders, the tour is crazy with the number of cars and the lines of people.......does add to the excitement tho!

well at least yesterday was crash free........the rest day gives the governing body a chance to weed out the druggies! - still waiting for the first big story about that

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Tour de France - Sky may sue after TV car crash



Team Sky could take legal action if necessary after their Spanish rider Juan-Antonio Flecha was hit by a television car in Sunday's ninth stage of the Tour de France.

too right! just seen some more footage - crazy

the sport is dangerous enough as it is......without dicks like them making it worse

the guy that died in Giro de Italia was he knocked off too?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

ahhh! Markie C

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Cavendish wins..........pissing down


(this is a great way to boost your posts # - create a thread and talk to yourself!)

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Hopefully he'll take the green jersey this year. He has come close before but that from positions of being way back.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Hopefully he'll take the green jersey this year. He has come close before but that from positions of being way back.

it's his to lose!

got a lot of respect for this guy........apart from looking forward to him powering to the line in a dog fight like sprint, I also look forward to his interviews......one of the most down to earth sportsmen I have heard speak for a long time, not only does he praise his team first and list the names of the people that rode hard for him to take the glory but holds his hands up to mistakes made and his gracious in defeat........wonder if anyone we know could learn from this......shit it wouldn't do any harm to get them into a room together - Cavendish speaks French you know!

[IBK]

I'm back. Loved the finish yesterday - I thought Cavendish had gone to soon! Very exciting!

The intermediate sprints are bringing a lot more excitement too - a good innovation to make these count - IMO.So much pressure on these sprinters/team leaders when you have other riders workind so damned hard for you.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

In the mountains today. :popcorn:

Very happy they'll eventually be going to the Alpe d'Huez this year, although I doubt the riders will be as pleased as I am.

[IBK]

In the mountains today. :popcorn:

Very happy they'll eventually be going to the Alpe d'Huez this year, although I doubt the riders will be as pleased as I am.

Yep - now to see how Contador's doping programme has worked. I'm backing the Schleks.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Likewise. Contador is going to have to break clear at least twice I would say. Not sure that will happen today given it is Bastille Day, at least one French rider will try to take it.

[Gubby Allen]

Thomas in the virtual yellow jersey at the moment for what that's worth.

[IBK]

Likewise. Contador is going to have to break clear at least twice I would say. Not sure that will happen today given it is Bastille Day, at least one French rider will try to take it.

The interesting thing will be to see whether riders from other teams are prepared to work with him in any breakaways - because I agree with you, he's going to have to make a decisive move. I love the mountains, because finally the overall potential leaders have to break cover.

Voeckler will be desperate to retain yellow today...

I'd also like to see Geraint Thomas back in white.

[IBK]

Thomas in the virtual yellow jersey at the moment for what that's worth.

Wat dat?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Contador is obviously it for another day

Voeckler just went off the road, nithing too serious but these bikes anit made for French roads

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Enjopy guys........good race

Contador looks finished........but you never know........Wenger could buy a CB and Alberto could pull it out the bag

GT looks one to watch

[Japan Shaking All Over]

thought Hushovd was a sprinter. . . .didnt do too bad today
feel sorry for Roy tho

[Japan Shaking All Over]

tgood race today........glad is was watching it from the comfort of my sofa rather than a bike saddle

Schlek brothers very impressive.......keep waiting for Contadors attck - Voeckler still yellow, guy has got guts

wont come tomorrow tho......flat stage

[IBK]

tgood race today........glad is was watching it from the comfort of my sofa rather than a bike saddle

Schlek brothers very impressive.......keep waiting for Contadors attck - Voeckler still yellow, guy has got guts

wont come tomorrow tho......flat stage

Yes - seems a bit of a let down after the mountains...wonder if Cav can do anyything?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Cav's team is immense, strongest in the race

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Andy Schleck:bow:

great performance.....blew the others away

and as confident as hell in the interview.......Voeckler:clap:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Contador not giving up his title easily...........has put a minute between himself and Andy......with 6 to go

question is how much does he have left?

Voeckler has game but looks like he going to be out of yellow by the end of the day

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Sckleck bros working together now........definitely handy have someone from the same family around

Voeckler shouting at the crowd who are booing(?) him

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Contador :bow: just punched someone who got too close

theyre idiots.......part of the spectacle I suppose

[Japan Shaking All Over]

final 3 days :bow:

congrats Evans.......just needs Cav to win Paris now

[IBK]

I was surprised how everyone basically knew what would happen before today. Still 100% better than what we have seen in the past 5-8 years. Tour de France :bow: I have LOVED it this year. Wish there was a 4th podium for Voeckler.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well done to Cavendish. Awesome stuff. :scarf:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Voeckler really rode his heart out. . . . Couldnt stop thinking how much he looks like Robin Williams when riding with his helmet on lol
Cav the man Miller was saying that in Europe Cav would be like Beckham, minus the tiger wife!


lookinf forward to next year, Cav to move closer to all time stage winner snd Wiggins to give it a go!

right guys same time same place ta ra!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Timr to get back in the saddle for a tour around France

Time trial was yesterday, some pub teamer from Australia in the yellow.

Watching the first road stage, 25 kms left and break away is 2 mins in front


Had our first crash. . .not sure who are the main guys but sure Evans, Joubert, Schlek will be there or thereabouts


Looking for plenty of Cavendish moments, Wiggens too - Team Sky

Can anyone change the name of this thread to 2012?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Le Tour starts on 30th June but I will indeed change the thread title!

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Sorry Maccy I am indeed mistaken. . .thete is some pre tour race going on at the moment Tour de Dauphine of something French sounding

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wiggins is out on the road now for his prologue time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wiggins leads! :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cancellara on the road now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And the last man out, Cadel Evans.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cancellara beats Wiggins by seven seconds!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

ITV have lost the picture just as Evans is coming to the end. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Evans was way back, I think. Anyway, Cancellara wins!

Wiggins second. :bow: Chavanel third.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Here we go!
one day late :-(

But well done Bradley yesterday, first stage 105 kms from finish Cancellara at front of peloton, break away 2:50 ahead. . .Sky jerseys visible

Sprint finish to come, first look of Cavendish

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Here we go!
one day late :-(

But well done Bradley yesterday, first stage 105 kms from finish Cancellara at front of peloton, break away 2:50 ahead. . .Sky jerseys visible

Sprint finish to come, first look of Cavendish

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tony Martin is having a mare. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sagan won! Wasn't really a proper sprint stage. Cancellara came second. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cav wins again! His 21st win. :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Cav watch = 1

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Insane crash, again! Think that has been the third one today.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The roads towards the end of this stage are incredibly tight.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

A crash right at the end! One of the riders just went the wrong way! :haha:

Sagan wins another stage! Bradley Wiggins was involved in that crash I think, will get the same time though.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Sagan wins - is ge to be considered a contender? Early doors yet but papers writing thst the kid has promise
Couple of biggish crashes towards the end. . .last year thete plenty

Didnt catch if Wiggins time will be affected

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:lol: I said in the post above he'd get the same time.

And yes I don't know if Sagan will perservere through it now, he'll need to man up considerably I think.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sprint finish should be imminent. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Horrible crash. :sick:

Sagan involved again. Cav is out of the sprint, somehow Sagan is back in the group.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Greipel takes it. :bow:

His 15th win of the year. Cav's jersey, shorts and helmet were all ripped to shreds.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another massive crash coming in the under 3km mark. WTF is going on?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Greipel wins again! That sprint only just caught up with the breakaway riders, about 100m to go I think.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another massive crash. So many people are checking their injuries. Looks more like spectators are gathered on the grass than riders. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sagan wins another one! :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Crash a day, keeps the Cav away. . .

Mark Cav not happy. . .taken out again

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Chris Froome wins!

Kenya. :bow:

Britain. :bow:

Sky. :bow:

Wiggins comes third but that means he will be in the yellow jersey. :popcorn:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

GB representing. . .Wig first Brit in like ages to wear yellow (Did Millar ever?)

Can see Team Sky protecting him well, want to see Cav claw some points back though

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Millar might have had it for a stage, can't remember though.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Peloton 3' behind the break away 30 odd k to go Team Sky holding the front

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pinot has a job to do holding on to this breakaway.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Pinot wins. :bow:

France. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wiggins has just got going on his time trial. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Froome leads! Beat Cancellara by 22 seconds. :wacko:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And Wiggins annihilates Froome's time by 35 seconds!

Cancellara. :haha:

Cadel Evans finished a minute and 43 behind.

Wiggins wins the time trial. :bow:

A minute and 53 ahead of Evans now in the general classification.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Voeckler wins. The leaders were all absolutely knackered by the time they got to the line. :lol: Slowest sprint I've ever seen.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Rolland won today, impressive given he fell on his arse on a particularly nasty turn down a mountain.

Evans fell way behind Wiggins. :lol: Funny because he was mouthing off about Wiggins possibly not being able to handle all the climbs for the rest of Le Tour.

Froome. :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Evans tried a break but Team SKY look in total control (from yesterday)


On my way home to see whats going on today

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Is Cavendish going to be able to vet back in the mix?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

He needs to be near the front for all flat stages now to have a chance of the green I think. He's not going to get the stage win today though, leaders are 12 minutes ahead of the peleton with only 22k to go.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

David Millar wins.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Nice one David. . .apparemtly it was on the 45th anniversary of death of British rider called Tom Simpson. . ,Wiggins made a point of mentioning it and said he had tried a breakaway on the same day in the past

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Where is Cav?
saw him carrying water to the boys in the front today

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah he was there earlier, just fell away on the first climbs I guess.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Todays fairly flat. . .chance for Cav to pick up points?

Just switched on with 75k to go, not sure if I will last though

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah he should be able to win. Another crash, Cav not involved this time. Kessiakoff (king of the mountains) was though.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Then again, maybe not. A category 3 climb annihilated the field, Cav is about a minute behind the main group now, not that the main group is leading.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Greipel gets the win, his third of the tour. Sagan second. Cav has no chance of the green jersey now, if he even had one before today.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Fairly miserable tour for Cav. . .Sky looking after Brad all the way

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Evans is fucked, right at the summit his rear tyre has gone, the team car is nowhere near though. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And now the same thing has happened for Wiggins. :lol:

Come on Froome!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

There has to be something on the road, punctured tyres galore.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

28 tacks were thrown on the the road apparently, what utter pricks.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Sanchez wins, Sagan second. Impressive from Sagan given this stage went over climbs.

The pelaton have neutralised the race due to what happened with tacks.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Thw fans at the top of the mountain stages all look as if they have a screw loose

3:1 to Evans against Brad on the puncture count, gentleman code comes into play as the group waiting for Cadel to catch up

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Crazy Basques. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kiserlovski, the king of the mountains has retired after breaking his collarbone. Not yet known if it is related to riding on to the carpet tacks or not.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Absolute craziness from the so callwd fans. . .
Absolute class from Wiggins/Twam Sky. . .
Asolute power from Sagan, didnt win but hekd his own in the mountains

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fedrigo wins. Peleton couldn't be arsed to chase the leading group, over 11 minutes back.

Rest day tomorrow before the Pyrenees.

[IBK]

Kiserlovski, the king of the mountains has retired after breaking his collarbone. Not yet known if it is related to riding on to the carpet tacks or not.

I thought not directly but he was stopping to give his wheel to a teammate who had punctured.

[IBK]

Fedrigo wins. Peleton couldn't be arsed to chase the leading group, over 11 minutes back.

Rest day tomorrow before the Pyrenees.

Pretty much the first 'off day' cycling this year?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Yeah very uneventful today, guess they know they're going to get obliterated by the Tourmalet on Wednesday. They have another HC climb before that on the same day. :lol:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

:popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Frank Schleck has tested positive for a banned substance. :rolleyes:

Not that it has actually helped him much this year.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Evans keeps getting dropped. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three times Nibali has tried to attack Wiggins and Froome, three times he has been pulled back. On the final descent now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Voeckler wins again. :bow:

He will be in the KotM jersey tonight.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Nibali, Wiggins and Froome cross the line together now. Final day in the mountains tomorrow.

Evans is miles back. :lol:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Thanks Maccy. . .missed last night. . .sounded like a good race

Update appreciated

[McNamara That Ghost...]

The last big climb isn't far away. Come on Nibali, Wiggins is boring me a bit - he's not exactly interested in extending his lead.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cav involved in another crash, small one this time though thankfully.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

The last big climb isn't far away. Come on Nibali, Wiggins is boring me a bit - he's not exactly interested in extending his lead.

Not the mosy inspirational yellow jersey wearer I must admit. . .remember LeMond and Indurian (spell?) being much more aggressive, still the others are not good enough to break him so why bother? Team Sky is the force though

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I suppose but imagine Froome leaves Sky, it leaves Wiggins a bit knackered really.

And Indurain. :good: Although I had a dislike for him, can't remember why.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Valverde wins, Froome could've won this stage had he not been so concerned with Wiggins being right next to him right through it.

Froome second, Wiggins third.

Congrats to Wiggins, that will probably be the yellow.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Wiggs will only do somethinh at the TT even then no ome is catching him so no need to bust a gut

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cav wins! Amazing sprint, he was miles back from the leading group with not long to go.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Managed to stay awake for a change Cav=:respect:

Although considering he has been involved in very little. . .there mudt have plenty in the tank

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Wiggins wins! Froome second in the time trial and that is of course how they will finish tomorrow.

Wiggins finished over a minute ahead of Froome's time. :lol:

Britain. :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

:clap:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Last lap. :popcorn:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two riders in the peleton have gone down. Only a couple of KM to go.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Cav wins again in Paris! :bow:

Wiggins. :bow:

Sky. :bow:

[Syn]

Hope Bradley is bringing back the sidies. I feel as if I'm carrying the burden on my own.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Congrats to Wiggins!

Special well done to Froome, star of the tour

Wonder if he will be a team player next year or if he will be leading his own

see you next year Cav

[cricketsi]

Hope Bradley is bringing back the sidies. I feel as if I'm carrying the burden on my own.They were quite big when I was in college, 10 years ago, and I've been sporting some since, but might have to add an extra inch (yes, that's what she said) in homage. Goatee as well next year please, Mr Wiggins.

[GP]

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/622805267.jpg?key=280390&Expires=1343040589&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=P2RdZ8BCw11Q8bwMffb-6AChdJtoZ6kTEcTr7zTR0wF7siJPhXSvRZmqhdx0fi94qEr0A6 Ce9TTp-bk8hMdEoEtcmBUlgtTKzIgWCzqohyURPvtV0Mjo-Wk4JxaftWanG93cLmr3SJ4mW8Eaop~14OLz3TQPtP~vxUJg1-ORtGE_

[Marc Overmars]

Lance Armstrong is to be stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles. :pal:

[Cripps_orig]

:haha:

The new Cavendish?

[GP]

Lance Armstrong is to be stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles. :pal:

Cycling is a farce. They can't even give those titles to the runnersup because they are all baned for doping too :doh:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

CYCLING

The United States anti-doping agency (USADA) strips Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and issues lifetime ban from cycling.

Its done.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I've heard the list of alleged offences. Jesus wept.

[Letters]

I've heard the list of alleged offences. Jesus wept.
Did he ever fail a test? If not then what's the basis for the allegations?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Supposedly he failed one back in 1999 but also, it never came to light - aside from that (if it's even correct), he hasn't failed any other test.

I think the main basis is a) apparent 'scientific evidence' relating to blood doping and b) testimonies by 10 or so former teammates. The intriguing thing is though that those teammates have been granted an immunity from prosecution (and quite possibly anonymity too).

I rather get the feeling all of this was designed to induce a confession. Also, much like the Suarez thing, this isn't a case of law like Terry's so again the burden of proof is of a much lower gradient.

The list I mentioned though is kinda startling - it makes him sound like he's from the Texas branch of the Mafia. Also, the USADA are still being coy about coming forward with the evidence and in fact always have. Plus, it's still not known if it's actually in their jurisdiction to strip him of all titles from 1998 onwards or not but, they've done it anyway.

:wacko: