Giro d'Italia / Tour de France Cycling thread 2013

[lovejoy]

....I didn't realise the housewives favourite lil tommy voekler was unpopular. Any idea why?

[N'Rexy]

He is unpopular for a few reasons. He sticks his tongue out and looks like a tit. His team only ever ride when the TV coverage is on. Lots of rumours of doping (his sidekick Pierre Rolland got busted for a leading doping indicator on sunday. Although it wasn't a positive). And he doesn't toe the line in the peloton (probably his biggest crime in the riders view), attacks at odd times, doesn't always help out, doesn't get his team to ride.

In the heavy group think of the peloton this is bad stuff!

[lovejoy]

All good points. I'd be surprised if there were wide-spread doping at Europcar. The Spanish teams, the Italians yes (vini fantini), but the French have been generally clean since Festina etc.

[N'Rexy]

I agree about the French teams being generally clean but this is Europcars 2nd dodgy health check in the last few months. There is evidence to suggest they are abusing the medical certification system to take cortisone.

And in other news the UCI president (fat Pat McQuaid) is up for re-election. Hopefully the idiot gets booted out as he is responsible for a lot of the crap that we currently see around doping.

[N'Rexy]

Sky announced their team today. Froome, Porte, Thomas, Boasen-Hagen, lopez, Kirienka, Siutsou (spelling) and Kennaugh, Stannard. Surprised that Kennaugh got in although he was really good in the Dauphine.

Froome will win and this is a strong strong team to support him.

[lovejoy]

Why no Uran? Too much effort in the Giro I guess and probably off at the end of the season too.

[Dave Cooper please]

That is a statement of intent from Sky, they aren't going for anything other than the yellow jersey. No sprinters (other than maybe Boassen-Hagen) but a load of superb climbers and domestiques.

[Jon Crofts]

As much as I'd love to see the Froome Dog win, I can't see it happening, I'll happily be proved wrong.

[lovejoy]

Froome is about evens, Contador 4/1 and the rest 16/1 and above.

[Dave Cooper please]

As much as I'd love to see the Froome Dog win, I can't see it happening, I'll happily be proved wrong.

You will be proved wrong. I honestly can't see anyone beating him if he doesn't crash out.
He can climb, has the best support climbers in the peleton, and he can time trial.

[JD]

As much as I'd love to see the Froome Dog win, I can't see it happening, I'll happily be proved wrong.

You will be proved wrong. I honestly can't see anyone beating him if he doesn't crash out.
He can climb, has the best support climbers in the peleton, and he can time trial.

Totally agree. Unless something very bad happens Froome will win it. He and the team look so strong.

[Dante Lavelli]

When does it start?
And what's the best/most descrete way of following it from your desk at work (radio is okay)?

[Eckybloke]

When does it start?
And what's the best/most descrete way of following it from your desk at work (radio is okay)?

Starts on the 29th of June.  I'm happy with the BBC live text updates since I'm not allowed the radio.  I think Radio 5 had the ends of each stage live on the radio last year.

[Yossarian]

As much as I'd love to see the Froome Dog win, I can't see it happening, I'll happily be proved wrong.

You will be proved wrong. I honestly can't see anyone beating him if he doesn't crash out.
He can climb, has the best support climbers in the peleton, and he can time trial.

Totally agree. Unless something very bad happens Froome will win it. He and the team look so strong.

Am I spoilt by all our successes but why does the thought of Froome underwhelm me?

[Sister of Top Cat]

When does it start?
And what's the best/most descrete way of following it from your desk at work (radio is okay)?

It starts next Saturday - 29 June.  I normally follow the updates on the BBC website during the day and then watch the highlights on ITV4 in the evening.