The Official Tour De France discussion thread.

[gntlmn]

Originally posted by jaydubya
Yes, it's true. Mayo was involved in a big crash at the wrong time, just before the section of cobblestones, when the pace was already fast, his whole team dropped back, but it was to late, now the whole team he's back over 4 minutes on GC, and with the TTT coming up tomorrow, it's not looking any better for Euskaltel - Euskadi

That was the risk of having a team stacked with climbing specialists. Mayo represented a risk to Lance and the other top contenders--Ullrich, Hamilton, Basso, Heras--but he didn't have a good flat stage team with time trialing ability. Lance's, on the other hand, did. And their goal was to get to the cobblestones first to stay out of the crash zone. Mayo's team didn't have much choice. Sure it's easier to suck wheels behind the leaders, but then you pay a big price.

I think Mayo lost the Tour today. He will lose more time in the TTT, maybe 2 minutes. This will give him 6 minutes to make up in the mountains, where he will be forced to attack. He cannot afford just to win. He must win with a huge margin.

Actually, these Spanish riders attacking repeatedly in the mountains will play right into the hands of Lance Armstrong because he will be able to draft them while say, Ullrich, doesn't have quite as much climbing ability as Lance. Mayo will be climbing his heart out with probably Lance right at his wheel, happy to give the stage to Mayo while he builds a lead against Ullrich.

We'll see if USPS doesn't crash in the TTT as they did in an earlier year.

 

[jstraw]

Remember that Euskadel-Euskadi is Basque, not Spanish and they're the only team that requires all of the riders be from the sponsor's homeland (the Basque region). Basque riders are climbers. That's how it is. It's not so much a matter of risk as a state of affairs that's doomed to fail.

Also, I still have stage two...I'll scan for the two couples.

 

[jaydubya]

Originally posted by bigdogbelle
I believe that my sister was interviewed on the roadside tour on July 5 (Stage 2) and they told her that she would be on TV, but we didn't catch it in time. Did anyone remember seeing 2 american couples from Michigan and Wisconsin that were interviewed. They really wanted us to tape it, but we missed it. If you could help us out it would be great!! Thanks so much

They were indeed on there, while Kirsten (the host) was hunting down Americans on the sides of the streets...don't know of any other way that I can help you though...sorry

 

[gntlmn]

Originally posted by jstraw
Remember that Euskadel-Euskadi is Basque, not Spanish and they're the only team that requires all of the riders be from the sponsor's homeland (the Basque region). Basque riders are climbers. That's how it is. It's not so much a matter of risk as a state of affairs that's doomed to fail.

Also, I still have stage two...I'll scan for the two couples.

Big Mig is Basque too, and he was mainly a Time Trialist, although he was good in the mountains too. But his main game was TT. I bet Euskadel would have liked to have had him today. They might not have faded out and crashed.

 

[tinajoy]

Originally posted by keydates
What exactly do they do? All I know is that they are apparently wash-ups from the movie "Breaking Away." I don't have cable/OLN, so could someone explain further?

I'm totally enjoying watching the Tour!! It is great to see so much cycling on TV!!! I love hearing about what they eat and all that stuff! I just don't get the scoring.....yet????

 

[lancefan]

Originally posted by keydates
What exactly do they do? All I know is that they are apparently wash-ups from the movie "Breaking Away." I don't have cable/OLN, so could someone explain further?

Not sure..but I think they're entertaining...good to get different perspectives and you never know what to expect from these guys!

 

[mmpc001]

Originally posted by lancefan
Not sure..but I think they're entertaining...good to get different perspectives and you never know what to expect from these guys!

Sure you do - inane material, sophomoric humor, embarrassing behavior and an all-around annoying waste of time. You can expect that from these dolts - each and every time. Please tell me you're kidding, lancefan...

 

[davidbod]

Originally posted by mmpc001
Sure you do - inane material, sophomoric humor, embarrassing behavior and an all-around annoying waste of time. You can expect that from these dolts - each and every time. Please tell me you're kidding, lancefan...

Just record the morning live section which is done completely by Phil and Paul. You get just the race with their commentary and very little of the other prime time stuff from Bob, Al and Kirsten. What you do miss out on is some of the interviews of the riders though.

 

[Rudy]

Boy! I hate that new TTT maximum time loss set by TDF this year. I don't mind the maximum loss of 3 minutes between the 1st place and last place team but the maximum time loss between 1st place team and 2nd place team and so on ...is ridiculous.

It just takes all of hard comptetition away from 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

 

[jstraw]

Originally posted by Rudy
Boy! I hate that new TTT maximum time loss set by TDF this year. I don't mind the maximum loss of 3 minutes between the 1st place and last place team but the maximum time loss between 1st place team and 2nd place team and so on ...is ridiculous.

It just takes all of hard comptetition away from 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams.

Huh?

 

[TrekDedicated]

Word up for the USPS team for their TT time.... KICK ASS!

Yea, that new rule is BS.... USPS beat the T-Mobile by over a minute, but they only get 40 secs....

 

[Weisse Luft]

Originally posted by jstraw
Huh?

New rules for this year's TdF stipulate the most a team can lose in the TTT based on the winning time.

Since USPS/BF won, the second place team's official time is either their time or 20 seconds more than the winner's, whichever is less. Likewise for 3rd @ 30 seconds with an additional 10 seconds to 15th place. 16th and later are only 5 seconds.

USPS/BF still has a full squad...BARELY! The dropped rider managed to make it over the finish line with only seconds to spare.

 

[Weisse Luft]

What was the idea of besting the field by 1:07"? Come on now, 30 seconds would have been perfect and conserve reserves...unless USPS is that much better than the rest and its all psychological. "screw the rules, we are going to put a hurting on them..."

I doubt this is the case because Lance has been more humble now that he and Sheryl are an item. You know he eats Crow daily

 

[mmpc001]

Yeah, I'm guessing they don't pedal along thinking "gee, we should really only beat everyone by 30-seconds, a minute is so in-your-face!" LOL Remember that anything can happen only meters from the finish line - a crash, a flat, etc. I'd be trying to beat everyone by 2 minutes if I could (and there's no chance in this world of that ever happening).

It was an amazing performance - congrats to USPS! Did their rider who was dropped only make it by seconds??? I thought he was there with about 5 minutes to spare. Either way, an awesome day for the Blue Train...

 

[steve007]

I'm really pleased for Lance, a big confidence boost for him too, things can only get better. And after all the pre-race BS and Armstong V Mayo/Ullrich talk, its an indication that USPS can still turn up the heat when they need to.

The new timing rule is ridiculous, what the hell is the point of a TT with rules like this?

 

[meehs]

Originally posted by TrekDedicated
Word up for the USPS team for their TT time.... KICK ASS!

Yea, that new rule is BS.... USPS beat the T-Mobile by over a minute, but they only get 40 secs....

It's ridiculous! If a team is beat by 1:07 then they should be down by 1:07! And if they're spanked by five minutes they should be down by five mintues too! Period.

 

[cydewaze]

I'm not a big fan of that rule either. I understand that it's to make the Tour "more exciting" by not eliminating teams early on, but I'd rather the riders be rewarded for their exact efforts.

 

[Rudy]

To those who like this rule...I just remember seeing an interview with Eddy Mercx a fe days ago.

When asked what he though about that stage up Mt. Ventoux when Lance gave the stage win to Pnatani....Mercx responded by saying (paraphrasing here) that this is sports and it's about the spirit of compettition and do the best you can. Go all out, there's no such things as gifts..

Case close!!

 

[cydewaze]

btw, someone make Bob Roll stop. If I hear him say "Tour Day France" one more time, I think I'm going to put thumb tacks in my eardrums.

 

[TrekDedicated]

Originally posted by cydewaze
btw, someone make Bob Roll stop. If I hear him say "Tour Day France" one more time, I think I'm going to put thumb tacks in my eardrums.

That wouldn't be pleasant