Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Jon Crofts on June 07, 2014, 02:18:40 PM
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Starts July 5 in Yorkshire with 2 stages, then Cambridge to London before heading across to France for the remaining stages.
No Sir Wiggo, big, big mistake in the PR game by Dave Brailsford & Sky, a lack of respect for Wiggins?
Sadly can't see past Froome, yes I know how unpatriotic of me not to support the Kenyan stem starring miserable snake.
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Can't Wait...we are off to stay in Masham for the week, and the tour goes through on Saturday!
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If he hadn't been following team orders, Froome would have probably won it the year Wiggins did.
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Harrogate seems to be getting quite excited about it, loads of yellow bikes appearing round the town and a lot of knitted tour jerseys as bunting. Of course there's been loads of grumbling about how many visitors it will attract to the town and that for two days the roads are closed. They were even moaning about the fact they've been moaning about the state of the roads for years and they've now been repaired for a bike race.
To be honest I've got no interest in it especially as the only rider I could pick out of a line up isn't going to be in it but it is quite exciting that a major sporting event takes place 2 minutes from our doorstep. The mayor of Knaresborough even claimed it was 'likely to attract even more visitors to the town than the world famous bed race'. That's the world famous Knaresborough bed race.
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They came through Tunbridge Wells a few years back, so I ambled down to see them go swoosh past me, then scuttled a couple of hundred yards across town to see them go swoosh again.
I do follow cycling, and it's something to have seen the Tour go swoosh (twice!), but it wasn't the greatest sporting event I've ever witnessed.
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I do follow cycling, and it's something to have seen the Tour go swoosh (twice!), but it wasn't the greatest sporting event I've ever witnessed.
I've never been able to get into any sport where you can't see all the action as it's happening, I've tried to get my two kids to build up some enthusiasm but they really aren't interested! One really great thing about it though is Sporting Memories have been welcomed on board and invited to have a series of hubs to gather memories, spread the word about their work and make it a dementia friendly Grand Depart.
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If he hadn't been following team orders, Froome would have probably won it the year Wiggins did.
Yep, on that one climb Froome clearly had Wiggins beat but was told to slow down by the team. If Froome had been allowed to go for it that day there would be no Sir Wiggo
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I still wanted the Brit to win then and I still wish the Brit was starting the race especially as it starts over here. For most of my life I have watched the tour with no Brit as a contender for the GC and this year will be no different. I will still get excited by the Alps, the Pyrenees and all the big bunch sprints.
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If he hadn't been following team orders, Froome would have probably won it the year Wiggins did.
Yep, on that one climb Froome clearly had Wiggins beat but was told to slow down by the team. If Froome had been allowed to go for it that day there would be no Sir Wiggo
He might have took 30-40-50 seconds that day but Wiggo smashed the time trial by over a minute and won by over 3.
Shame he isn't there this year because he proved in California that he has plenty of gas to have been good for support of Froome
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Harrogate seems to be getting quite excited about it, loads of yellow bikes appearing round the town and a lot of knitted tour jerseys as bunting. Of course there's been loads of grumbling about how many visitors it will attract to the town and that for two days the roads are closed. They were even moaning about the fact they've been moaning about the state of the roads for years and they've now been repaired for a bike race.
To be honest I've got no interest in it especially as the only rider I could pick out of a line up isn't going to be in it but it is quite exciting that a major sporting event takes place 2 minutes from our doorstep. The mayor of Knaresborough even claimed it was 'likely to attract even more visitors to the town than the world famous bed race'. That's the world famous Knaresborough bed race.
I was in Harrogate last month, and driving round North Yorkshire wondered why there were bikes above a number of pub doors. It was only when I noticed the French flags that the penny dropped. A taxi driver told us there were a lot of complaints about road closures.
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I was in Harrogate last month, and driving round North Yorkshire wondered why there were bikes above a number of pub doors. It was only when I noticed the French flags that the penny dropped. A taxi driver told us there were a lot of complaints about road closures.
It's typical of the town, it's for two days in the year and they've had plenty of warning! It seems to be the letter writers to the local paper who are very much in the minority and fail to see how good it will be for the local economy, all the hotels have been fully booked for over a year and the restaurants are all booked up. We've got an event on at the Theatre on the first day headlined by John Cooper Clarke and at one stage it looked like we might be putting him up, I was gutted they managed to find a B&B as my daughter has been studying one of his poems at school!
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I was in Harrogate last month, and driving round North Yorkshire wondered why there were bikes above a number of pub doors. It was only when I noticed the French flags that the penny dropped. A taxi driver told us there were a lot of complaints about road closures.
It's typical of the town, it's for two days in the year and they've had plenty of warning! It seems to be the letter writers to the local paper who are very much in the minority and fail to see how good it will be for the local economy, all the hotels have been fully booked for over a year and the restaurants are all booked up. We've got an event on at the Theatre on the first day headlined by John Cooper Clarke and at one stage it looked like we might be putting him up, I was gutted they managed to find a B&B as my daughter has been studying one of his poems at school!
I haven't picked up the same negativity around here as you seem to have done, Chris.
It'll be great for the town and the road closures are a minor distraction; most people seem to understand that.
It's been a much bigger hassle having the extended devleopment of the new M&S on the Leeds Road TBH.
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If he hadn't been following team orders, Froome would have probably won it the year Wiggins did.
Like he beat him in the Olympics...oh wait, he didn't.
Wiggins, in 2012, was the best rider. Pushing ahead in one stage doesn't mean Froome would've won.
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I haven't picked up the same negativity around here as you seem to have done, Chris.
It'll be great for the town and the road closures are a minor distraction; most people seem to understand that.
It's been a much bigger hassle having the extended devleopment of the new M&S on the Leeds Road TBH.
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Don't get me wrong I've not heard any first hand but the letter writers to the local paper seem to think they speak for the majority of the town and they quite clearly don't!
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If he hadn't been following team orders, Froome would have probably won it the year Wiggins did.
Like he beat him in the Olympics...oh wait, he didn't.
Wiggins, in 2012, was the best rider. Pushing ahead in one stage doesn't mean Froome would've won.
Wiggins would ride for the team, you won't catch that snake Froome riding for the team. I really hope he gets his arse handed to him this year. As you can tell, I'm not a fan.
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Will Devil Man make it over to Yorkshire?
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As only a kilometre of Le Tour crosses the border I think 'ecky thump' should be replaced with a Yorkshire saying. 'I'll go to the foot of our stairs' would be preferable.
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As only a kilometre of Le Tour crosses the border I think 'ecky thump' should be replaced with a Yorkshire saying. 'I'll go to the foot of our stairs' would be preferable.
Yea, but that's the important kilometre - It's being marketed as "Le Tour comes to Rochdale". I kid you not you'd think it was coming right past the town hall, when in effect it will be in Rochdale MBC for about 3 minutes on the very periphery of Littleborough, There's signs all over town !! Suppose it's better news than most of the crap written or reported about the town over the last couple of years !
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It passes a couple of hundred yards from us - we live on a side road off the route as it enters Huddersfield. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. Mrs Pete is just annoyed about the road being closed, she can't see the point of the whole thing.
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Is the Tour ever going to come to Birmingham? I think it would be a fantastic sight watching them cycle down the Aston Expressway onto Spaghetti Junction.
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It goes close to my house and the family are coming up to watch as well. They don't actually start racing until after they pass so don't know if that will make it better or worse as a spectacle. I suppose we might get a better view.
I am very disappointed Wiggins isn't riding. All this nonsense about Froome winning the tour in 2012, it could have been close I grant you but Wiggins was far superior in the time trials.
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As only a kilometre of Le Tour crosses the border I think 'ecky thump' should be replaced with a Yorkshire saying. 'I'll go to the foot of our stairs' would be preferable.
If ey up is one surely the other phrase should be now then? Or is it not acceptable post-Savile?
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As only a kilometre of Le Tour crosses the border I think 'ecky thump' should be replaced with a Yorkshire saying. 'I'll go to the foot of our stairs' would be preferable.
If ey up is one surely the other phrase should be now then? Or is it not acceptable post-Savile?
'Appen is safer. One now then is fine but two is unacceptable.
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I am very disappointed Wiggins isn't riding. All this nonsense about Froome winning the tour in 2012, it could have been close I grant you but Wiggins was far superior in the time trials.
But Froome only showed his hand on one climb before being told to get back to help Wiggins, he could have been stronger on quite a few other climbs as well which would have easily wiped out the time trial deficit, but we don't know because he was not allowed to escape because of team orders.
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All this talk of Harrogate on H&V - good to hear from a number of fellow Yorkshire Villans.
The town is beside itself with excitement yes, for something that will be over very quickly, but we've all been there.
Should be a good couple of days, but I'd advise people to get out into the country to see it, as Harrogate will have be swamped and it ain't that big a place. Masham was a good shout earlier in the thread - a village with two breweries.....
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I'll be watching it go through London. The Tour went through Lewisham a couple of years ago. Never seen a bunch of cyclists pedal so fast in all my life, probably worried about getting their wheels nicked...
The Boris/Barclays bikes are being resprayed yellow to mark the event.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/boris-bikes-get-a-yellow-jersey-ahead-of-tour-de-france-london-leg-9218346.html
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Gutted I'm not going to be around to see the first couple of stages but it's tempered by being in Paris on the last day. Have even got Mrs Ecky slightly interested in it although both her and my son only really know about Wiggo and Cav so it's a slightly tougher sell if Wiggo doesn't get picked.
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I shall be trying to get a look when it hits London.
Sky have not "officiallly" said Wiggins will not be part of the team. IMO it would be a mistake to leave him out. Should Froome not go well then he is a natural replacemment as a GC contender provided he is not too far behind at the time. Also should Froome be going well think of the carnage it would cause the other GC contenders if Sky let Wiggins get in a break. They would have to expend energy and chase.
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Will go to Leeds for Le Grand Depart.
But I am one of the moaners! Some of the roads are going to be closed for 15 hours in total meaning I will have to travel by public transport! I mean the humiliation!
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Will go to Leeds for Le Grand Depart.
But I am one of the moaners! Some of the roads are going to be closed for 15 hours in total meaning I will have to travel by public transport! I mean the humiliation!
Must admit I'm a bit concerned about how I'm going to get my paper on the weekend. If it means I have to go without my paper then it's a bloody outrage and they should take their bike ride elsewhere.
There was a massive tailback on one of the main roads into Harrogate yesterday evening caused by a huge group of cyclists riding the route.
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Sounds like there's some egg on a few faces a Sky. Brailsford now claiming the team isn't finalised yet and it's him that picks the team not Froome. Watch this space then.
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Cambridge is going to be closed on Monday 7th July.
The tour comes right past where I live so will going down early to write UTV in white paint on the road.....
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Cambridge is going to be closed on Monday 7th July.
The tour comes right past where I live so will going down early to write UTV in white paint on the road.....
I believe that is against EU laws, although the French do it all the time of course!
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Sounds like there's some egg on a few faces a Sky. Brailsford now claiming the team isn't finalised yet and it's him that picks the team not Froome. Watch this space then.
I tell yer if Wiggo isn't on the start line it will all kick off in Leeds city centre!
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It comes through Epping Forest too - I've taken the day off, will be having a late lunch with the missus at our favourite restaurant as they pile past. Shame the kids will be at school...
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Wiggo might still make it as Froomes main helper (Porte) looks total sh1t this week at the Dauphiné. Froomes book (the climb) has massively exposed the internal workings of the team and I get the feeling that Brailsford isn't happy. I'd be amazed if Froome is still there next season. Wiggo is also on the naughty step for talking to the BBC (should have been Sky). All in all its not a happy camp.
And I cannot wait for the Tour here. Going to be immense!
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Wiggo might still make it as Froomes main helper (Porte) looks total sh1t this week at the Dauphiné. Froomes book (the climb) has massively exposed the internal workings of the team and I get the feeling that Brailsford isn't happy. I'd be amazed if Froome is still there next season. Wiggo is also on the naughty step for talking to the BBC (should have been Sky). All in all its not a happy camp.
And I cannot wait for the Tour here. Going to be immense!
Add to that G openly stating he's been looking for another team I think you're right, all is not well.
It's a shame Quintana isn't riding this year as he'd be a serious threat to Froome.
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It's going to be in Sheffield but I'm really not sure i can be arsed with trying to get near it. I'd get to see them all whizz past for a couple of minutes then it's done.
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I am working in Holmfirth and La Tour is coming through.Hotel rooms up 300%,there is a campsite charging £100 a night and the traffic from the M62 and surrounding area is mental.
All I can say is plan and get here very early.
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same here in Cambridge, the roads will be mental, also got the day off from the University :)
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My son's school is closing early on the Friday, he's obviously devastated.
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I am in Cambridge and all the schools are closed on Monday. I think Sundays stage will be the one to watch. Lots of hills. Small roads. Tricky descents. Froome may well come under attack from the spanish teams from the off on Sunday. I am looking forward to it.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27985296
Only in Yorkshire!
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That is a great idea. We have been trying to get sponsors to do this in France but so far with no luck, we hadnt thought of tractornet though. I will send this around.
I manage the company that provides all race radio for the Tour and things are getting exciting!
If anyone wants the roadbook then PM me and I'll put it on dropbox, its 200MB.
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I want Rui Costa to win only because Rui Costa was my favourite footballer until he retired.
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No David Millar for Garmin-Sharp. I met him a few weeks back, a troubled soul is David.
No Alex Dowsett for Movistar.
Let's play spot the Englishman on Le Tour.
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Going up tomorrow,really looking forward to it.
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As I went to collect my son from school there were a load of vehicles belonging to some Russian team doing whatever it is they do. Driving on the road I guess.
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As I went to collect my son from school there were a load of vehicles belonging to some Russian team doing whatever it is they do. Driving on the road I guess.
Taking over the Peoples Republic of Yorkshire.
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Coming over here, wearing lycra, riding bikes...
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So no English born riders in the Tour then?
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So no English born riders in the Tour then?
One or both of the Yates boys might be in the Orica team?
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So no English born riders in the Tour then?
Manchester will claim a couple if they were born this side of the equator.
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Is the Kenyan born, South Africa educated and resident of Monaco Chris Froome not English?
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About as English as Zola Budd.
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That'll be a good game to play then at Le Grand Depart! "Spot the English rider"
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Simon Yates has been confirmed in the Orica Greenedge team, so that's your lot for Englishmen I reckon.
Other Brits - Cavendish (Manx), Froome (sort of British) and Geraint Thomas (Leek Muncher).
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Froome (sort of British)
Lionel Messi (sort of British) in that case.
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I could just about see Froome as British/English if he wasn't such a po faced, stem staring unlikeable ass hat.
I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing Contador laying down the hurt on Froome.
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plenty of pot hole fixing/road resurfacing and they have even cut the overgrown verges around the cycle route here in Cambridge......so thank god for the Tour...
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plenty of pot hole fixing/road resurfacing and they have even cut the overgrown verges around the cycle route here in Cambridge......so thank god for the Tour...
The locals up here are moaning because the road surfaces have been repaired for a bike race. They were complaining about the state of them anyway so I don't understand their problem.
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Think I just saw the guy who posts on here do a climb in Yorkshire. Looked and sounded knackered!
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plenty of pot hole fixing/road resurfacing and they have even cut the overgrown verges around the cycle route here in Cambridge......so thank god for the Tour...
The locals up here are moaning because the road surfaces have been repaired for a bike race. They were complaining about the state of them anyway so I don't understand their problem.
I thought that the complaint was that only the roads used by or near the Tour route had been repaired, rather than all the pot holes.
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People are complaining because they've been complaining about the state of Skipton Road in particular for years and now it's been sorted they are complaining because it's been sorted for a bike ride.
I don't know what's been reported in the national press but I do know what the crappy local paper has been highlighting the last 6 months. They like a moan in Harrogate especially if it involves people coming into the town and enjoying themselves.
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I always had the impression Yorkshire people took moaning to Olympic levels of ability.
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I always had the impression Yorkshire people took moaning to Olympic levels of ability.
This is true and if you are not careful it transfers to all us incomers as well. Bloody road closures!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-27641506
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Yates is in for OGE, we have an Englishman at the Tour ladies and gentlemen.
Sounds like an opening line for a joke, a Kenyan, a Welshman & a Manxman went to Yorkshire and…………...
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Harrogate in meltdown. The Beckhams spotted in Betty's this morning and members of Royal family visiting on Saturday, the purple rinse brigade will be in their element. Or they would if it wasn't for all the people from out of town being here.
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plenty of pot hole fixing/road resurfacing and they have even cut the overgrown verges around the cycle route here in Cambridge......so thank god for the Tour...
The locals up here are moaning because the road surfaces have been repaired for a bike race. They were complaining about the state of them anyway so I don't understand their problem.
the roads have been shocking around here, so to actually see something happening is a joy to behold ;)
looking forward to a nice brekkie at the local pub around 10am and a walk down through the village to the main road to watch them all whiz by......oh and the wife has put the kibosh on me painting UTV on the road :(
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So who to watch for?
Valverde is a potential danger and Kwiatowski as an outsider. I think Froome is toast and a resurgent steak muncher Contador has to be strongly favoured.
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Contador for me.
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Contador in 2014 & Quintana in 2015, disappointed he's not riding this year to be honest. Froome's wingmen have hardly covered themselves in glory in the lead up events to Le Tour and they'll all be after him.
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I've been distracted today by a Facebook page that attracts the idiotic and stupid of Harrogate who spend their day complaining about Le Tour. This is my favourite post today:
"Perhaps useing your brain would work, those who pay thier ways money dose not go on the things essentail for our town, but waist thousends or millions of pounds.. on a shitty little race"
I really hate stupid people.
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I've been distracted today by a Facebook page that attracts the idiotic and stupid of Harrogate who spend their day complaining about Le Tour. This is my favourite post today:
"Perhaps useing your brain would work, those who pay thier ways money dose not go on the things essentail for our town, but waist thousends or millions of pounds.. on a shitty little race"
I really hate stupid people.
They weren't educated at the Ladies College were they Chris?
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I don't think they were educated anywhere Simon.
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I've been distracted today by a Facebook page that attracts the idiotic and stupid of Harrogate who spend their day complaining about Le Tour. This is my favourite post today:
"Perhaps useing your brain would work, those who pay thier ways money dose not go on the things essentail for our town, but waist thousends or millions of pounds.. on a shitty little race"
I really hate stupid people.
Maybe it's olde English? He doth protest too much methinks.
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Can't wait for it, my single favourite sporting event of the year. The fact I used to live in Harrogate adds extra interest (and used to pretend to be Frank Carrodus or Alex Cropley when playing football on the stray, probably the only person doing that in Yorkshire in the mid 70s!), just as it does when the tour goes through areas of France I know well. Froome has a very new team this year, and it's difficult to get very attached to him as a person, so I don't find myself rooting for him quite as much as I feel I sould
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If Froome burns his team off like he did in the Dauphiné he'll spend a lot of time alone so anything could happen. I don't think he'll enjoy Sunday either. Rain is forecast. Its really tricky roads and Movistar will probably try and push hard from the off. There will also be tons of crashes. Steakfiend will win it I think.
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Third time I'll have seen the Tour "live". My favourite annual sporting event and it's on my doorstep. Bring it on!
Saturday I'll head over towards Skipton and into the Dales and on Sunday cycling over with a group of friends to Cragg Vale. Only about 30 miles from where I live - but considering who I'm going with I'll be dead by the time we get over there!
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I don't think they were educated anywhere Simon.
Went to Granby then...
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I don't think they were educated anywhere Simon.
Went to Granby then...
Well quite, I was a Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College boy. Rugger, not football, was the order of the day...
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"Oo Ar de France" 1974
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-28090246
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I don't think they were educated anywhere Simon.
Went to Granby then...
Well quite, I was a Harrogate Grammar School and Ashville College boy. Rugger, not football, was the order of the day...
my wife was born at Harrogate General Hospital....
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I have no interest whatsoever in cycling but just been into town with the kids to have a look and it's a fantastic atmosphere, the fan park has opened and all the stands and various team whatever things they are have gone up. It hits home how massive this is, probably won't get to see any of it until they pass near the end of our street on Sunday.
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Has anyone been watching the Sky Sports 3 part series Tour Of The Dales or whatever its called, all about Stage 1 of the tour?
What a bunch of moaning minnies, former elite athletes, whining about a bit of hard graft, it's hardly a tough stage in the grand scheme of things and they only did the 1 stage.
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Spent today helping my brother set up Sporting Memories stands at 5 of the spectator hubs and driving about I've got to say the county looks bloody magnificent.
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I spent all day in Harrogate today. Talk about Tour fever. I nearly got asked for autographs as I have an official car when I parked up. Its amazing. The TDF top brass are blown away. France losing has dampened their spirits a bit. There were thousands of people out. All the pubs and cafes were packed. If I was Gary Verity I'd think that it was going great so far. Lets see how the racing pans out. If it's wet tomorrow it'll be horrible for crashes.
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What was all the fannying about leaving Leeds for Harwood House all about?
Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic spectacle but an hour to get the race under way does seem a bit much.
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At one point Imlach referred to Kate and Will as the "Duke and Duchess of York". Even a dedicated anti-Royalist like myself knows that's wrong.
Having said that, Imlach and Boardman make a great presenting duo. However, having David Millar (who seems bloody tall for a cyclist btw) with them was a mistake. He added nothing and appeared, despite his words, did not to want to be there.
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At one point Imlach referred to Kate and Will as the "Duke and Duchess of York". Even a dedicated anti-Royalist like myself knows that's wrong.
Having said that, Imlach and Boardman make a great presenting duo. However, having David Millar (who seems bloody tall for a cyclist btw) with them was a mistake. He added nothing and appeared, despite his words, not to want to be there.
Millar is huge, but only about 6 stone wet, of course he doesn't want to be there commentating, he wants to be riding it.
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Millar said that he was enjoying the atmosphere and seeing events from the other side of the barrier but he looked like he wanted to hit someone.
I wonder if ITV asked Sir Wiggo before settling for Millar ?
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Spent today helping my brother set up Sporting Memories stands at 5 of the spectator hubs and driving about I've got to say the county looks bloody magnificent.
I watched it all on TV and I don't think I focussed on the riders once, apart from the crash at the end.
What an incerdible advert for Yorkshire, they certainly chose the route well.
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I've only seen the crash a couple of times but Cav seemed at fault. He appeared to be drying to burrow his head into the other riders' armpit.
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I've only seen the crash a couple of times but Cav seemed at fault. He appeared to be drying to burrow his head into the other riders' armpit.
He's said it was his fault.
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Spent the day in Leeds and then on the finish line. So many people everywhere. So many people with no idea how to keep out of the way on roads. Spent most of the drive with my hand on the horn. Still, really amazing support. I think tomorrow will be special.
Sadly I won't be there as have to go to a wedding!! Back in the saddle monday morning though!
Hope cav gets back but I can't see it. Even if he can ride he will struggle to make the time limit if he is in real pain.
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I've only seen the crash a couple of times but Cav seemed at fault. He appeared to be drying to burrow his head into the other riders' armpit.
He's admitted he was completely at fault for the crash.
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Cav's out of the Tour. Dislocated shoulder and ligament damage
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Awesome crowds out in Yorkshire again today.
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What a good stage today, you don't often see the GC riders so prominent so early.
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Great to see the riders struggling up Jenkins Road in Sheffield. I was at University there and I can confirm that everywhere is uphill. The Alpe D'Huez has nothing on Conduit Road.
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Love the aero helmets of some of the Lotto Belisol riders today, they have AEROSOL written on them, someone clearly has a good sense of humour there.
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I know I'm a bit of a cynical old bugger and I still know nothing about cycling but these last two days have been bloody brilliant and I'm incredibly proud of my county. I was working in the fan park yesterday so didn't get to see any of the action live but the atmosphere in the town was brilliant.
This morning it all passed within 30 seconds of our front door, again it was a fantastic atmosphere with thousands lining the streets. I'm not a fan of Harrogate at all but the people and the place did themselves proud this weekend.
Le Grand Depart or Go on, bugger off as it's also known were proper good.
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Just back from my day on Cragg Vale. All I can say is, well done Yorkshire. You've embraced the event with enthusiasm. For that alone, you deserved for the sun to shine.
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The first two days have looked outstanding. Well done Yorkshire and well done crowds! Looked as mental as Alpe d'Huez at times.
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One of the things I loved about it was seeing cycling enthusiasts and kids riding along before the riders came through being cheered on by the thousands lining the streets, to somebody into their cycling it must be like having a kick about at a packed Wembley.
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I bet the organisers have been hugging themselves these last two days - it couldn't have gone much better (Cavendish crash aside). Watched some of it on a big screen in Green Park today. Really good atmosphere.
My wife's from Sheffield - I think she struggled to believe the TdF was winding its way though the arse-end of her home town.
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Did one of the podium girls snubbed Nibali's polite kisses?
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Proper cycling's done through muddy woods not on posh tarmac. Bunch of wimps
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Cav's out of the Tour. Dislocated shoulder and ligament damage
I don't wish an injury and pain on anyone but I can't say I'm particularly sorry to see him out. Never been very keen on him, he always comes over to me as a very bad loser and just not a very nice person. The accident was his fault and it's not the first time he has done that
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erence.
Cav's out of the Tour. Dislocated shoulder and ligament damage
I don't wish an injury and pain on anyone but I can't say I'm particularly sorry to see him out. Never been very keen on him, he always comes over to me as a very bad loser and just not a very nice person. The accident was his fault and it's not the first time he has done that
We all have an opinion but I could not disagree more.
Cav is one of the finest sportsmen that Britain has produced in the last 10 years. He is a winner and a great team player. He wears his heart on his sleeve and occasionally shoots from the hip but to call him a bad loser is nonsense. He just does not like losing, there is a difference.
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Great weekend watching Le Tour! Privileged to be in the grandstand on The Headrow on Saturday morning, glad I wasn't standing as it was a bit of a crush! Gutted for Cavendish but definitely have a renewed respect for all the cyclists as sportsmen.
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erence.Cav's out of the Tour. Dislocated shoulder and ligament damage
I don't wish an injury and pain on anyone but I can't say I'm particularly sorry to see him out. Never been very keen on him, he always comes over to me as a very bad loser and just not a very nice person. The accident was his fault and it's not the first time he has done that
We all have an opinion but I could not disagree more.
Cav is one of the finest sportsmen that Britain has produced in the last 10 years. He is a winner and a great team player. He wears his heart on his sleeve and occasionally shoots from the hip but to call him a bad loser is nonsense. He just does not like losing, there is a difference.
Absolutely agree on us all having different opinions. I've never really met a sportsman who likes losing? Particularly one at the top of his sport? He remains something of a bad loser for me though and I thought he was only magnanimous on Saturday because he knew he was at fault. I also find him incredibly dull to listen to though I appreciate he's not paid to be entertaining. It does help though if they have something interesting to say
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Brilliant day on the cote d'oughtibridge.As a day out and spectator event it was the most fun I've had since Big Ron's Hillsborough debut.Sheffield turned out all the stops as a city.
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Did one of the podium girls snubbed Nibali's polite kisses?
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Did one of the podium girls snubbed Nibali's polite kisses?
That was amusing!
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Frustrating day relying on sporadic BBC sports updates on #TDF2014!
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erence.Cav's out of the Tour. Dislocated shoulder and ligament damage
I don't wish an injury and pain on anyone but I can't say I'm particularly sorry to see him out. Never been very keen on him, he always comes over to me as a very bad loser and just not a very nice person. The accident was his fault and it's not the first time he has done that
We all have an opinion but I could not disagree more.
Cav is one of the finest sportsmen that Britain has produced in the last 10 years. He is a winner and a great team player. He wears his heart on his sleeve and occasionally shoots from the hip but to call him a bad loser is nonsense. He just does not like losing, there is a difference.
Absolutely agree on us all having different opinions. I've never really met a sportsman who likes losing? Particularly one at the top of his sport? He remains something of a bad loser for me though and I thought he was only magnanimous on Saturday because he knew he was at fault. I also find him incredibly dull to listen to though I appreciate he's not paid to be entertaining. It does help though if they have something interesting to say
I totally agree with Steve here. I actually find him hugely entertaining to listen to, one of the most honest sports person there is.
He is quite possibly my favourite current sportsman.
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Kittel (sp) again in a sprint finish. With tomorrow being a potential sprint also he could win 3 out of the 4 opening stages!
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We've just spent the day taking down the Sporting Memories gazebos at various fan parks and the county just looks magnificent, all the knitted jerseys, yellow bikes, flags etc are still up.
As an aside SMN put out an appeal for volunteers to help make it the first dementia friendly event and to raise awareness of the work of SMN. We got some great people who gave up their time but bearing in mind the government have spent millions promoting their 'Dementia Friends' scheme and loudly proclaiming they now have 190,000 of them, not one signed up. It was a great weekend though, my brother was invited to the eve of depart meal and got introduced to some very impressive people and was given memories by past winners of the Tour (shocking I know but I don't their names, one of them has won it 5 times), Chris Hoy etc. My favourite though is one from Jean Jacques Burnel of The Stranglers!
A brilliant weekend, especially in raising the profile of SMN, Test Match Special next!
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They were 8 deep on the Mall today, I had to go on tip toes just to see the tops of their heads. This morning the Mall was closed to cars but open to bike so I was able to do the last 500metres of a tour stage, on a Boris bike!
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With the estimates for the crowds over the three stages being in the region of two and a half and three and a half million people. I smell loads of money and great world wide publicity.
Does anyone in the greater West Midlands area have the nous and vision to pull all our local authorities together to offer to put on a future stage of the tour in our area?
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With cycling being so popular right now and the crowds that the Le Tour attracted I really think that it's time that there was a British event that reflects this. I don't mean something to compete with Le Tour which is an iconic event but something that compliments it in that way that the major tennis grand slams compliment each other.
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I was watching from Birdcage Walk yesterday about 1500m from the finish, tremendous atmosphere and a great day.
You would have put your house on Kittel winning at that point, the Giant-Shimano train was glued to the front and the wide flat finish was made for him. Heaven knows where Greipel was, I suspect that only Cav has the ability to beat Kittel in a flat out drag race. He could be in line for another win today.
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Cameron asked Yorkshire to withdraw their bid for the Tour and backed Scotland's bid to the tune of £10 million, worth remembering should he make any attempt to claim any credit for the success of 'Le Grand Depart'.
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Cameron asked Yorkshire to withdraw their bid for the Tour and backed Scotland's bid to the tune of £10 million, worth remembering should he make any attempt to claim any credit for the success of 'Le Grand Depart'.
Cameron knows as much about cycling as he does about football, despite the Villla connection.
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The politicians down here have already jumped on the bandwagon
http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Bring-Tour-France-Gloucestershire-says-MP/story-21338724-detail/story.html
Can't really see the pretentiousness capital of England going for this type of thing.
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had a great time yesterday as we walked down to the next village Hinxton and waited for a couple of hours in the sun , the atmosphere was excellent, the sponsors were throwing stuff out along the route and the Police on duty were excellent especially with the kids.
The riders came thundering past us and I could of almost touched them they were that close...we then went back to Duxford village and sat in the pub garden refreshing ourselves with hundreds of others......a really good day xx
Sadly, when I watched it back last night and ITV went to a break when they past us, but great to see Cambridge looking superb from the air.
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Andy Schleck out and Chris Froome knocked off his bike. Early drama on day 4!
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Did anyone see the report on last nights BBC six o'clock news? They were showing the crowds along the route and some fat geezer decided to stand in the road to take pics on his phone, after being narrowly missed by a couple of riders one came by and slapped the phone out of his hand. ;D
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Marcel Kittel wins Stage Four of @letour, that's three in four now for the German. http://bbc.in/VE1JNM #TDF2014
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Froome out!
http://t.co/teYxT6bHHc
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Froome out!
http://t.co/teYxT6bHHc
.....therefore he's back to being Kenyan
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He's always been Kenyan!
His bike handling skills have always been questionable, Alex Dowsett was even on about how poor he was as a junior last night on a pre recorded Cycle Show.
I suspect Alberto will have an extra steak tonight.
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I'll bet Sky will be asking themselves why they had no plan B? Or Wiggo as it is known!
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Sorry but Wiggo would have struggled there too. He doesn't like the wet much as we saw in the Giro last year. Froome bottled it in my view. Been on his ass twice and hadn't even hit the cobbles yet. A brutal day of racing and I think it's now Nibalis to lose. Credit to him for going for it and putting as much into Contador as possible. He has never ridden cobbles in a race before so he did a pretty heroic ride.
All in all and epic day.
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Jolly naughty Wiggins hears the Kenyan has fallen off his bike again.
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2048/e3epz.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/e3epz.jpg/)
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Jolly naughty Wiggins hears the Kenyan has fallen off his bike again.
(http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/2048/e3epz.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/e3epz.jpg/)
Snigger
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Did anyone see the documentary 'The Armstrong Lie' on channel 4 the other night? It was pretty interesting watching the conflict of the person producing the documentary.
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yes it was pretty interesting, particularly as the documentary started off as one thing and turned into something else when the drugs stuff came out.
Whilst Armstrong was only doing what most of the rest of them were doing, his arrogant, bullying nature means I have little sympathy for him. he hides behind the cancer like Jimmy Saville did with his charity work.
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That was an epic day yesterday, absolutely brutal in parts. The cadence the pro's ride at was really evident yesterday, some of them must have been hitting 120rpm & sustaining it mile after mile.
Contador reckons he had a mechanical yesterday that wouldn't let him get on the big gears, 2 and a 1/2 minutes is going to be one hell of an ask in the high mountains and the TTs to catch up.
Richie Porte is Plan B? Is that Richie Porte who's been gash all season so far?
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More retirements today! Notably another Team Sky rider!
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Another retirement today
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cycling/26945530
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Now that Cav and Froome are out I have rapidly lost a lot of interest in the tour this year.
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Now that Cav and Froome are out I have rapidly lost a lot of interest in the tour this year.
Still a great sporting spectacle imho.
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Now that Cav and Froome are out I have rapidly lost a lot of interest in the tour this year.
Did you stop watching the world cup when England went out too?
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Contador abandons and how strong is Tony Martin?
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Another brutal stage. Le Tour certainly chews up the favourites and spits them out.
Tony Martin was superb today.
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Contador abandons and how strong is Tony Martin?
Contador has a broken leg.
Great ride by Martin but when they hit that really steep bit he cracked. Still, if he can keep plodding on, there's almost two weeks until the time trial
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Contador has a broken leg.
Great ride by Martin but when they hit that really steep bit he cracked. Still, if he can keep plodding on, there's almost two weeks until the time trial
I thought it was pretty awesome seeing the point when he cracked. It was ace seeing a professional struggling in the exact same way as I imagine I look when I hit a hummock.
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Now that Cav and Froome are out I have rapidly lost a lot of interest in the tour this year.
Did you stop watching the world cup when England went out too?
I am pretty sure that I didn't say that I have stopped watching.
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Our very own Damon has written a brilliant memory of watching the Tour in 1992 (http://cycling.sportingmemories.org/memory/4327-damon-green/)
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Interesting piece from Damon!
Also read this from Geraint Thomas! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/28300995
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I have no interest in cycling at all. Did my eyes deceive me however as I was flicking channels last week and was sure I saw our Damon Green on a bicycle.
Have I finally flipped out or did this actually happen?
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I have no interest in cycling at all. Did my eyes deceive me however as I was flicking channels last week and was sure I saw our Damon Green on a bicycle.
Have I finally flipped out or did this actually happen?
Damon is the ITV News go to man for anything arduous that no one else can be ased doing!
"We need someone to cycle up a fucking big hill in Yorkshire"
"Better call Damon"
We need someone to yomp across the Falkland Islands."
"Oh Damon, got a nice little job for you."
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It is fucking freezing and we need someone to stand outside a salt silo for the day. "Damon, got a job close to home for you here"
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Great ride by Tony Gallopin today. It looked to be setting up nicely for Sagan but the peloton never really got their act together.
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One of our team had to research it and report back to the rest of us today. She did a great job.
Things I didn't know about Le Tour before today:
A Stage lasts a very long time, far longer than is reasonable to be on a saddle, pedalling for glory. No idea what keeps somebody on it. (The saddle, the drugs or the synthetic gusset in the shorts).
There is one contender and then another 8 domestiques per team.
The domestiques have to fetch and carry food and drink and stuff and do everything to help the contender.
This includes leading to create a slipstream which reduces the contender's work rate by 80% if it's good.
One of them could win a Stage and a yellow jersey.
And the bit that made us all go, 'uuurgh,':
The riders let go with abandon between stages, which explains the sudden cut aways from the cameras to landmarks of no particular interest.
This works for No. 1s but ooh-er, No. 2s?
Well, you can imagine this left us still horrified but imagining scenarios.
Result:
Nobody on our team is getting anywhere nearer a cycle race than 100 yards, behind a wall, in future.
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First big mountain finish today, time for Valverde to show his hand I think. people need to start chipping away at Nibali's lead. i suspect a break will go but the main contenders will wait for the final climb. oh to have Quintana in the peleton today.
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Agreed lovejoy, someone has to make a move before the next rest day which is Monday I believe?
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I'm in the anyone but Valverde on the podium camp.
Nibili was superb today I would like the two young French riders to be on the podium with him in Paris.
Bad day for Sky Porte clearly not a plan B.
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TdF bikes thro the years
http://gizmodo.com/100-years-of-tour-de-france-bikes-map-the-evolution-of-709973821/+tcraggs22
http://velosvintage.over-blog.com/article-100eme-tour-de-france-100-velos-116479381.html
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Big Mick too it today. Good ride from FDJ to support Pinot on the final descent as that's where he lost his nerve before. He broke the mountain record today and road great. Tw@t Valverde still there. Tomorrow will be great. Short stage. Massive climbs. 3 or 4 teams on the attack I would think. Pinot ftw tomorrow.
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Nibili nearly cracked yesterday but regained his composure and helped guide the main group of contenders in albeit 9 minutes behind the stage winner! But it just shows what a true mountain stage can do to the riders and there is time to be made up if someone wants it!
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I don't think Nibali was anywhere near cracking. No-one up the road was a threat. He contained his rivals and was totally outnumbered by Movistar at the end and they still did nothing. Haven't seen today yet. Heard it was a cracker.
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Nibali hammered them today. I don't believe he is clean. He is simply too far ahead and looks too composed. Pinot is probably clean and he finished looking like death. Thats a bit more normal.
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That's a big call. If Contador and Froome were here I doubt Nibali would be that far ahead and I doubt you would have so many doubts about him.
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Nibali hammered them today. I don't believe he is clean. He is simply too far ahead and looks too composed. Pinot is probably clean and he finished looking like death. Thats a bit more normal.
Froome and Contador are so much better than any of Nibali's rivals it's ridiculous. Nibali is just simply much much stronger than the other riders
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Right folks. Need some insightful opinion.
Heading to Paris today, the final stage starts at the back of 3 and hits Paris about half 5.
What time do you reckon we should head down to the Champs Élysées? Is 9 in the morning waaaay too early?
😄😄😄
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Never seen the final stage but knowing the French I'm guessing they won't be there until after lunch.
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Nibali hammered them today. I don't believe he is clean. He is simply too far ahead and looks too composed. Pinot is probably clean and he finished looking like death. Thats a bit more normal.
My opinion aswell.
The fact his name has been mentioned with Dr Ferrari's aswell makes Nibali a huge suspect cyclist for me. A complete Turn off watching him solo Hautcam whilst others looked on the limit.
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That's a big call. If Contador and Froome were here I doubt Nibali would be that far ahead and I doubt you would have so many doubts about him.
Froome and Contador are suspect. Contador has been busted before and Froome is about as believable as Doug Ellis.
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That's a big call. If Contador and Froome were here I doubt Nibali would be that far ahead and I doubt you would have so many doubts about him.
Froome and Contador are suspect. Contador has been busted before and Froome is about as believable as Doug Ellis.
Having won the Giro and come second in the Vuelta last year and then his perfomance in the Tour to date, Nibali has possibly been through more testing than any athlete in any sport.
What evidence do you have to suggest that Froome is not believable?
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His VO2 max and watts per kilo for a start.
I won't get geeky but some of this isn't normal. PM if you want more info but getting tested isn't an indicator of being clean. Just ask Lance.
Nibali is a great bike rider but riding away from everyone else at will without even opening his mouth doesn't look great. I don't know if he doping but in cycling if something looks 'amazing' the it often is...
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I understand that cycling a past has meant we all need a healthy scepticism but I think drawing conclusions based on someone's facial expressions is a little flimsy. Whilst doping isn't over I'd be surprised if it was widespread these days.
What I do find surprising is that Sky/Froome had all manner of doping questions last year but little has been levelled at Nibali/Astana, especially with Astana's past and Vinokorov as DS.
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Right folks. Need some insightful opinion.
Heading to Paris today, the final stage starts at the back of 3 and hits Paris about half 5.
What time do you reckon we should head down to the Champs Élysées? Is 9 in the morning waaaay too early?
😄😄😄
It's been a few years since i've done it but i reckon 9 is about right.
I allways stood just after the turn at the top, before L'Arc (so coming back downhill on the Champs) full of drunken Dutch fans - enjoy!
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Cheers new Percy.
Really looking forward to it. We were up at the Champs Elysee today and it was cool seeing hundreds of cyclists going up and down. Loads of British cyclists, must be sponsored cycle trips ending here. Lots of the Brits have charity tops on.
Staying in a hotel with a Rotary Club of Denmark cycling team. They're bonkers.
Shame there's only Geraint left but I think with two Frenchmen on the podium it's going to be an ace atmosphere!
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The majority of the London to Paris Charity rides end up in Paris today so that accounts for lots of the brits.
I have ben down there at 5am before but now there is so many grandstands I don't think it's worth it. They are riding round the arc de triomphe this year so i'd be tempted to head up there.
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Ended up at the top of Rivoli by La Place de la Concorde. Was pretty ace there. Might have to go back another year!
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ESPN / BT are showing the 30for30 doc on Hinault and Lemond a few times over the next few days.
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That's a big call. If Contador and Froome were here I doubt Nibali would be that far ahead and I doubt you would have so many doubts about him.
Froome and Contador are suspect. Contador has been busted before and Froome is about as believable as Doug Ellis.
What evidence do you have to suggest that Froome is not believable?
Would you consider Froomes time up Ventoux which was the same as a certain Lance Armstrong at the peak of his doping exploits and within 15 seconds of Contador (doped to the gills), Schleck (hasn't been the same since the blood passport kicked in properly, wonder why?) and Armstrong (King of dope) in 2009 as a clean ride?
His ''story'' about his blood disorder changes and twists depending on which interview you read as well. Smokescreen in my opinion but that just an opinion, the only facts are his climbing times being on par with dopers, heavy dopers.
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
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I'd be very surprised if Froome was doping, although I do get the suspicions re his differing stories, Nibali on the other hand does raise my suspicions and being tested negative just means you're not getting caught in many cases (Read George Hincapie's excellent The Loyal Lieutenant)
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Nothing that Nibali has done in this years tour has been remarkable. He would have expected at the start to have been miles ahead of Pinot, Van Garderen, etc. It looks remarkable only because Froome and Contador retired from the race.
Brailsford and Sky have gone out of their way to become the anti-doping team. They've invited journalists to follow the team and document everything they do. As Plumbutt say's, Armstrong wasn't a great climber pre cheating, so it's entirely reasonable to assume that a doped Armstrong and a clean Froome would have similar mountain times.
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Nothing that Nibali has done in this years tour has been remarkable.
Stage 18, Pau - Hautacam should raise suspicions.
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Nothing that Nibali has done in this years tour has been remarkable.
Stage 18, Pau - Hautacam should raise suspicions.
He was against no one though. Had he riden away from Froome and Contador in that manner then that would be suspicious.
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To my mind Nibali and Froome and Wiggins before him won due to the new training regimes, diets etc that have been introduced since the Armstrong era and bloody hard work.
No other sport that I'm aware of gets as much attention to doping that cycling does. There are still a few who dope, and they get found out and banned.
To those doubters do you think Nadal, Federer, the Brownlee brothers, Usain Bolt and others at the top of their sport can only compete at the level they do, with the strength and stamina required, with the help of illegal stimulants/drugs?
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There's no doubting the hard work elite athletes put in and the advances in diets and training methodology, techniques and equipment, but at the end of the day if 10% can be gained through illegal means then there will always be those who supplement hard work with a few 'additives'.
The sad fact is, they rarely get caught due to the way testing is performed and the Athlete Biological Passport remains flawed and still cannot detect steroid based doping.
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Jon, I think you are being very skeptical. Why can't you just enjoy these achievements until they are proved to be achieved via cheating? As SteveN says, there are loads of athletes who are outstanding in their field, they aren't all doping.
Personally I enjoyed Armstrong's first couple of TDF wins, it was a fantastic story, but then the rumours started, and then the smokescreen came up which gave the rumours (in my opinion) credence. Until someone comes up with credible evidence that Froome or Nibali are doping I'm happy to enjoy their success, the same with Bolt or the Brownlee brothers or Messi or anyone else who is so superior to their peers.
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I'm a cynical, skeptical bastard me.
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I'm a cynical, skeptical bastard me.
At my age one of the pleasures of life is watching top class sportsmen at the peak of their abilities as I no longer can dream of doing it myself. I'm not sure I could enjoy watchingwith your approach!
I'm with PC, I will just enjoy watching them and acknowledge their achievements until they are proved to be cheating.
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ESPN / BT are showing the 30for30 doc on Hinault and Lemond a few times over the next few days.
I watched it and thought it was excellent as are most of the 30 for 30 docs I've seen. The Two Escobars, Pony Excess and the one about Jimmy V and NC State are still my favourites though.
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
Have to disagree mate, Pantanis time that is super quick was set in an ITT. So are nearly all the top 20 times. The times I gave you are the fastest road race stage times, of which Froome is right up there with the fastest dopers.
As for Bolt. Jamaica hardly have a good record regarding doping lately. He's also a freak of nature and has been since a teenager. What was Froomes past record? Did he show signs of being a potential freak?
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
On another note, what new training regimes did SKY implement?
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The sad thing is I used to bloody love cycling.
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
On another note, what new training regimes did SKY implement?
The 'push harder on the pedals for longer' regime.
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
Have to disagree mate, Pantanis time that is super quick was set in an ITT. So are nearly all the top 20 times. The times I gave you are the fastest road race stage times, of which Froome is right up there with the fastest dopers.
As for Bolt. Jamaica hardly have a good record regarding doping lately. He's also a freak of nature and has been since a teenager. What was Froomes past record? Did he show signs of being a potential freak?
I don't think all TDF winners are freaks. Froome was second in 2011 Vuelta and 2012 Tour so his win last year wasn't exactly out of the blue.
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Obviously you've made your mind up so I'm not going to get involved in pointless debate, life's too short!
I just don't think I could enjoy watching sport if I had decided in advance that the best in the field were all cheating but each to their own.
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Actually (look it up if you like), Froome's time on Ventoux was about four minutes down on the likes of Pantani, and while it was on a par with Armstrong (who was never a brilliant climber until he started doping) you could, if you weren't so bloody suspicious, say that training techniques etc. have advanced in the ten years since Armstrong's peak. It's well known that Sky have pioneered many new training regimes that the other teams have had to follow to keep up.
It's a bit like saying that Usain Bolt has to be on drugs because his times are so much faster than Astafa Powell in 2005.
Have to disagree mate, Pantanis time that is super quick was set in an ITT. So are nearly all the top 20 times. The times I gave you are the fastest road race stage times, of which Froome is right up there with the fastest dopers.
As for Bolt. Jamaica hardly have a good record regarding doping lately. He's also a freak of nature and has been since a teenager. What was Froomes past record? Did he show signs of being a potential freak?
I don't think all TDF winners are freaks. Froome was second in 2011 Vuelta and 2012 Tour so his win last year wasn't exactly out of the blue.
Add to that his dominant performances in the races leading up to the tour last year. It's ok saying that Froomes times are up there with the fastest dopers, but what people aren't getting is that Froome is a far more natural climber than said dopers. So it stands to reason that a clean Froome would have similar times to a doped Armstrong / Basso etc
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Explain how a clean Froome can climb with the fastest of dopers and TT with the fastest too?
If Froome was as skinny as he is and climbing at the speeds he does i'd be a little suspicious, with him having no CV before placing 2nd at a GT BUT with him being as skinny as he is, climbing and the speeds he does and TTing at the speeds he does it just makes him unbelievable.
You're right though, I've already made my mind up with the sport. It's still infested with bad guys. Riis and Vinokourov being DS's are a joke.
I want to watch the sport like I used to and marvel at the battle going on but everytime I saw something that was unbelievable it turns out it was exactly that.
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I want to watch the sport like I used to and marvel at the battle going on but everytime I saw something that was unbelievable it turns out it was exactly that.
In the Hinault/Lemond ESPN doc there was an interesting segment where Lemond was talking about how when Armstrong starting winning, the media sought him out (as the only US winner of the TdF) for a quote.
Lemond, having insider info early on that Armstrong was cheating, said that he could not come straight out and say that (with Armstrong being very litigious / threatening and also not wishing to create problems with the cancer campaigners) but that he didn't want to say that it was brilliant that the TdF had another US winner. Therefore, Lemond carefully chose the word "unbelievable" for all his answers; a word that the interviewer/readers could interpret as they wished.
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Riis and Vinokourov being DS's are a joke.
It doesn't sit easy with me either.
This year's TDF was very mountain heavy and many performances did not pass the bullsh*t meter test. For example, I've rarely ever seen a breakaway rider enter the last climb with a slim 2 minute advantage hold the lead against all the leaders and their strongest domestiques. The fact that it happened twice with the same rider raises huge suspicions with me.
My opinion is that the peleton was relatively clean in 2012 and 2013 (post Armstong) but this year, some teams were unhappy with Sky's domination (either through jealousy or suspicion) and went back to some of their bad habits.