Tour de France 2014

[Gonzo 419]

The Tour de France is finally underway. Young Marcel Kittel will take over from Cavendish altogether soon as the best sprinter. He won the first stage in England.

 

http://www.letour.com/le-tour/2014/us/stage-1.html

[Gonzo 419]

I feel sorry for Mark Cavendish for coming off his bike and badly injuring his shoulder. The great sprinter is now out of this years Tour de France. I cringed when I saw the replay on TV today. It is great that the first five stages were given to England, probably in recognition that Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome have won the Tour in 2012 an in 2013.. I watched the last 50 kilometres of the second stage from York to Sheffield this evening, which was won by the Italian Nibali. Chris Froome put in a strong performance and will again be a strong contender, when the Tour de France will move to the Alps and then the Pyrenaes in a few weeks from now.. I will watch most of it in Australia, where it will be broadcast later in the evening at a more convenient time than the World Cup, not interfering with day to day activities.

 

Sheffield looks like a nice place with many historical buildings. I have never been to England and it is great to be able see some of the places during the first five stages of the Tour de France. The Tour de France is shown here in Thailand every day live on Eurosport with English commentary, also at a more convenient time.

[cluster 14]

Crazy stage last night over the cobblestones of Northern France. Froome out throws the race wide open. Nibali with a 2.37 lead over Contador before any serious climbing even begins. At least us Aussies can cheer for Porte now who will be the leader for Sky.

[ronrat 59]

Porte is waiting but the alps might get him.

[Fireman Sam 336]

Yes, been a really good tour until now, would maybe have been an epic tour if Froome and Contador had still been in it. First big mountain finish today, can't see anybody beating Nibali for the overall, as long as he has around three minutes in hand before the time trial.

 

Great viewing though.

 

 

Regards

[ttk 236]

Anyone starting a poll to see how many fail the piss test this year? I vote for 4.

[atlas2 4,329]

Picture coming Sorry couldn't load.

Edited July 18, 2014 by atlas2

[nus01 305]

Anyone starting a poll to see how many fail the piss test this year? I vote for 4.

are you talking this year or if you talking in 10 years time when technology has caught up and they retest the frozen samples from this years race, then i vote for 99.9% of them

[cluster 14]

It is hard to say, I really hope this is a clean race - Nibali has been awesome - It would terrible once again for the sport if we have another "tainted" winner!

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I've been critical of LA in the past and was proved right. It's unfair to put all the blame on his shoulders however. I think doping is endemic in cycling as it's such a tough sport. I enjoy it at that level.