Aay up, ecky thump, it's Le Tour 2014

[Chris Jameson]

Our very own Damon has written a brilliant memory of watching the Tour in 1992

[Simon Ward]

Interesting piece from Damon!

Also read this from Geraint Thomas! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/28300995

[cheltenhamlion]

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?

[Dave Cooper please]

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."

[cheltenhamlion]

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"

[UK Redsox]

Great ride by Tony Gallopin today. It looked to be setting up nicely for Sagan but the peloton never really got their act together.

[Louzie0]

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.

[lovejoy]

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.

[Simon Ward]

Agreed lovejoy, someone has to make a move before the next rest day which is Monday I believe?

[SteveN]

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.

[UK Redsox]

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

[N'Rexy]

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.

[Simon Ward]

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!

[N'Rexy]

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.

[N'Rexy]

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.