The Official 101st Tour de France, thread.

[Tyrone Biggums]

Steady Tyrone. He's apologised to Gerrans already and admitted fault, as confirmed live on tv by the wheelsucker himself

Cav didn't take the start line today because of the injury. But then you knew that already no doubt

Well it looked exactly like the same thing that got Mark Renshaw disqualified a few years back. And no, just got back from watching UFC fighting so havent caught any cycling news today until now

 

[1066familyman]

Well it looked exactly like the same thing that got Mark Renshaw disqualified a few years back. And no, just got back from watching UFC fighting so havent caught any cycling news today until now

Yeah but Renshaw was doing his headbutting FOR Cav, so the theory doesn't stack up

Anyway, back to the important stuff of today's stage. I do believe that's a certain Cyril Gautier I sight in the the small chase group along with the likes of Tommy V and Tony Martin

 

[Stat Brother]

Had to pop out, what happened to Porte?

 

[1066familyman]

Had to pop out, what happened to Porte?

Bit of a tumble in the peloton. He went down with Nico Roche but Porte had to wait a while for a bike replacement so was over two minutes down to chase back on. Sky sent Eisel and Pate I think it was to get him back on as it was just as they approached Holme Moss and the break of the day was being caught.

My little bit of fun is over now. Cyril chase group caught already

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

ITV4 really do Le Tour proud IMHO. Low-key, knowledgeable comprehensive coverage, they could teach their football coverage colleagues a thing or two. A genuine pleasure to have it burbling away in the background all afternoon.

 

[Weststander]

Like the 2012 Olympics, I pleased the weather has been decent to show England in good light, literally, and not put off the vast crowds watching.

 

[Weststander]

ITV4 really do Le Tour proud IMHO. Low-key, knowledgeable comprehensive coverage, they could teach their football coverage colleagues a thing or two. A genuine pleasure to have it burbling away in the background all afternoon.

Always been that way, with the same main characters transplanted the C4 predecessor. I assume the same production co.
They have a true love of their sport. It's not about them or how much money they can wring from their next contract.

 

[Hamilton]

I leave for 15 mins and suddenly it appears as if Nibili is in the mix. Where's Talinsky?

 

[1066familyman]

ITV4 really do Le Tour proud IMHO. Low-key, knowledgeable comprehensive coverage, they could teach their football coverage colleagues a thing or two. A genuine pleasure to have it burbling away in the background all afternoon.

Agreed.

I know Phil & Paul have their detractors, and to be fair a lot of the criticism is deserved, but I still like them. The overall coverage is good too from ITV. Much better than Eurosport IMHO.

 

[Hamilton]

Less ads on Eurosport, but ITV have put on a good show.

 

[1066familyman]

Less ads on Eurosport, but ITV have put on a good show.

Well I suffer dodgy Eurosport streams all year round and they seem to have constant ad breaks. These past two days ITV haven't seemed as bad for that as they usually are.

Meanwhile, as you asked, Talansky looking very lively along with team mate Slagter. Came over 1 & 2 on that last little cat 3.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yes, as Hamilton has said, less adverts. So I tend to spend more time on Eurosport, where I prefer the commentary of Carlton Kirby (and he also has his detractors) and Sean Kelly to Phil and Paul.

But the Matt Rendell, Gary Imlach, Ned Boulting triumvirate makes the actual analysis and coverage better on ITV. If I was only watching highlights, it's a no brainier.

Isn't it great to have a choice?

 

[1066familyman]

Just look at Cyril go! Putting in a big shift now for Rolland's KoM points. Oh.

 

[Weststander]

I realise its commercial TV, but ITV have really gone to town on relentless ads over these last 2 days. Reminds me of the last day coverage each in year in Paris, when ITV do exactly the same. I never watch their time wasting ads, and flick over to Eurosport or look in on the British GP.

 

[Stat Brother]

Just to say the same as everyone else, the ITV team is fantastic.
When Phil and Paul are finally put out to pasture the coverage will be world beating.

Gonna play a snobby geek card here, sorry.
Knowing pro racing, knowing the field, knowing how P & P earn their money, its easy to say they aren't very good.

But I can see how a newbie would enjoy their company.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Wow, it's going off here!

 

[banjo]

Go on Froome.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Just to say the same as everyone else, the ITV team is fantastic.
When Phil and Paul are finally put out to pasture the coverage will be world beating.

Gonna play a snobby geek card here, sorry.
Knowing pro racing, knowing the field, knowing how P & P earn their money, its easy to say they aren't very good.

But I can see how a newbie would enjoy their company.

When I was a newbie, I loved them. Back in the 80s. They are still exactly the same.

 

[1066familyman]

When I was a newbie, I loved them. Back in the 80s. They are still exactly the same.

Same as, but I like that in a way. Takes me back and they know their audience.

 

[Weststander]

What a great unorthodox finish (for a non-Alps/Pyrenees stage). All the GC contenders far ahead of the peloton in a battle.