The Official 101st Tour de France, thread.

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Race radio said Tiago Machado had abandoned

Now saying he has climbed back on but Contador has had a bad crash

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

Contador crashed climbing, his knee is being bandaged and is shirt in a mess

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

His frame snapped OUCH

 

[teaboy]

Astana seem to be moving to the front of the bunch. Contador isolated (except for his team car and the longest rear brake 'adjustment' I've ever seen...) 5 minutes down.

 

[Horton's halftime iceberg]

He is struggling at present, needs to improve quickly to have any chance of bridging

 

[teaboy]

P&P annoyingly looking at the time gap out of context. Of course the gap's gone back out to 4 minutes - the peloton's been descending for at least 3 while Bertie drags himself uphill.

Not sure why I'm surprised, but sometimes it feels like it's their first day watching cycling or something...

 

[Bold Seagull]

Contador out. He's in bits. What a shame to lose him and Froome already.

 

[teaboy]

Nooooo!!!!!!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

P&P annoyingly looking at the time gap out of context. Of course the gap's gone back out to 4 minutes - the peloton's been descending for at least 3 while Bertie drags himself uphill.

Not sure why I'm surprised, but sometimes it feels like it's their first day watching cycling or something...

I see your point, but the fact it is a time gap means it doesn't matter who's going up or down hill.

I've given up on ITV4 though as Phil annoys me too much now. He's terrible now.

Contador out. He's in bits. What a shame to lose him and Froome already.

Real shame, I was looking forward to the duel in the mountains. Surely Nibali just has to stay upright now!!!

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

Blimey, the Vuelta is starting to look a bit tasty -

Froome
Contador
Quintana
Wiggins
Rodriguez

 

[desprateseagull]

Contador crashes, out ofTdF.. will race be cancelled?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cycling/26945567

How many big rider sponsors getting edgy I wonder? I guess drug cheats never prosper..

 

[martin tyler]

That is true. Maybe a better contest now than the TDF which i can only assume Nibili will win. Froome Contador and Quintana in the hills of Spain will be a good watch.

 

[Bold Seagull]

There's a TdF thread if you're interested - http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?304295-The-Official-101st-Tour-de-France-thread/page37

It is disappointing to lose 2 GC contenders in Froome and Contador within the first 10 stages, however riders have and always will end up crashing out.


Oh I see, a quick edit while I was replying….

 

[strings]

Well, I took Sagan OUT of my fantasy team last night and replaced him with... Contador.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Porte, Valverde, Rolland, I reckon there must be a few riders and teams that actually might consider this TdF up from grabs.

 

[chimneys]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cycling/26945567

How many big rider sponsors getting edgy I wonder? I guess drug cheats never prosper..

Thanks for the spoiler. The clearly titled Tour De France thread not good enough for you?!

 

[Bold Seagull]

Could a Mod please change this thread title 'Top rider crashes….' to avoid the spoiler to all those that record and watch the stage later, or merge with the TdF thread please.

 

[teaboy]

Porte, Valverde, Rolland, I reckon there must be a few riders and teams that actually might consider this TdF up from grabs.

Indeed, although Astana are going to be hard to beat in the mountains. Can't see Valverde getting near though. All it could take is a Landis-like solo effort for the overall win.

 

[desprateseagull]

ta, didn't see the other thread..

 

[Stat Brother]

This brings a whole raft of riders into contention.

It's going to be very interesting to watch tactically.

We've gone from two and a half definite winners, to half a dozen possible winners on half a dozen teams.
Nibs still has it to lose.