The Official 99th Tour de France thread, 2012.

[Pantani]

Its stages like this why I think the peloton is cleaner than it was a few years ago.

We expect fireworks and it doesn't happen - everyone is on their limit and cannot attack. The 'big' teams can stretch the race out so everyone is pulled from their comfort zone

Liquigas and Lotto pushed it, thinned the numbers including one of their rivals for the top 5 overall, then stopped. That does not make sense to me, that is the thing that can still be done in the cleaner peleton.

Its not like Rasmussen Vs Contador doing track sprints up mountains!

True, but the peleton is huge for this point in a mountain stage. No one is willing to take any risks in this Tour.

 

[1066familyman]

Its stages like this why I think the peloton is cleaner than it was a few years ago.

We expect fireworks and it doesn't happen - everyone is on their limit and cannot attack. The 'big' teams can stretch the race out so everyone is pulled from their comfort zone

Its not like Rasmussen Vs Contador doing track sprints up mountains!

Exactly ! That's reassuring.

 

[Triggaaar]

Its stages like this why I think the peloton is cleaner than it was a few years ago.

We expect fireworks and it doesn't happen - everyone is on their limit and cannot attack.

Good. Spectators just need to learn that it'll be a bit different now. There will presumably be some cheats.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Here we go...

 

[Pantani]

Looks like a low scoring day for all of out fantasy teams again!

Dunno, some of us have Iziguirre, he will be top 5 I should think.

 

[Pantani]

I wish they would stop talking like Froome would definitely beat Wiggins, he has only beaten him on one climb, and looked like he will on one other.

 

[1066familyman]

Dunno, some of us have Iziguirre, he will be top 5 I should think.

Yep

I could kick myself for being stuck with those two Europcar doms that foiled my gamble today.

Huge fantasy points for Voeckler today.

 

[1066familyman]

I think Coppell is still in that VdB group too. More Pantani points.

Edit: My mistake, wrong white jersey

 

[Pantani]

Yep

I could kick myself for being stuck with those two Europcar doms that foiled my gamble today.

Huge fantasy points for Voeckler today.

87 by my calculations. I thought about Voeckler too, the DS rider to go with him in that permutation...


Feillu, some serious points with those two in your team.

 

[Stat Brother]

Tour de Force from Sky.

Rolland and VdB, are the surprises.
I guess VdB answers the question:-

Why didn't they attack earlier?

A) He couldn't.

 

[Indurain's Lungs]

87 by my calculations. I thought about Voeckler too, the DS rider to go with him in that permutation...


Feillu, some serious points with those two in your team.

I had Feillu for the first week but have to admit that I took him out quite a while ago.

 

[Pantani]

Tour de Force from Sky.

Rolland and VdB, are the surprises.
I guess VdB answers the question:-

Why didn't they attack earlier?

A) He couldn't.

You are right I think, Evans five minutes down on the Wiggins group.

 

[1066familyman]

Top top ride again from Tommy Voeckler

 

[1066familyman]

Sky just rode it to perfection again. Such a strong team, they were able to set the tempo high enough to prevent attacks when it mattered. Even when Nibali jumps, they just reel him in. It's almost embarrassingly easy.

 

[Pantani]

Chapeau Tommy!

 

[1066familyman]

Come on Vino

 

[1066familyman]

Oh ffs !, Vino loses his pedal

Fantasy game over. Chapeau Pantani.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Sky just rode it to perfection again. Such a strong team, they were able to set the tempo high enough to prevent attacks when it mattered. Even when Nibali jumps, they just reel him in. It's almost embarrassingly easy.

The GC ranks are as weak as I can remember. The Tour De France is the Tour De Bore this year.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The GC ranks are as weak as I can remember. .

As WEAK, or as UNIVERSALLY STRONG?

 

[Stat Brother]

It's almost embarrassingly easy.

So the doom mongers would have you believe.