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

[lovejoy]

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.

[taylorsworkrate]

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

[Eckybloke]

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?

😄😄😄

[lovejoy]

Never seen the final stage but knowing the French I'm guessing they won't be  there until after lunch.

[aj2k77]

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.

[aj2k77]

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.

[SteveN]

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?

[N'Rexy]

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...

[lovejoy]

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.

[Percy Flage]

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!

[Eckybloke]

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!

[N'Rexy]

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.

[Eckybloke]

Ended up at the top of Rivoli by La Place de la Concorde. Was pretty ace there. Might have to go back another year!

[UK Redsox]

ESPN / BT are showing the 30for30 doc on Hinault and Lemond a few times over the next few days.

[aj2k77]

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.