glasgowfgss

Happy days!

I love this time of year. :D

I think it's going to be a classic. Armstrong back is definitely going to stir it up.
There will be plenty of riders out to prove they've improved while he's been away and that he's now too old.

I still think he'll do it though, and if it keeps the rude little twat Evans off top spot, it'll be all the better.
My guess at the podium is 1. Armstrong 2. Cunengo and 3. Evans with Menchov and Valverde in the top 10 somewhere.

I think Evans might win it this year although I hope neither him, nor Armstrong place to be honest.

Menchov please. Cavendish green jersey of course.

[quote][cite] euan:[/cite]Menchov please. Cavendish green jersey of course.

That would do me. :)

[quote][cite] euan:[/cite]Cavendish green jersey of course.

yes, that goes without saying.

we should pick a stage and have a piss up at someone's house or a pub that'll let us have the sound up.

We should have a sweepstake.

[quote][cite] john.stone:[/cite]rude little twat Evans

explain your jealousy?

[quote][cite] mat:[/cite]

explain your jealousy?

Did you not see him last year?

He gave the most verbally aggressive interviews I've seen, threatened to cut someone and headbutted a camera. His behaviour was disgusting.

Apart from all that, he's a bottler. I was delighted when Sastre put him in his place. :)

Yeah he was a rather unpleasant man.

I would be keen to see that footage. I guess in Aus they would neatly leave that out of the highlights.
Cadel rode the tour pretty much solo last year in terms of team mates in the mountains.
He does gives shit interviews and isn't a team leader but I'll still be supporting him that's for sure!

[quote][cite] mat:[/cite]I would be keen to see that footage.

Haha, he's awesome. not as a person probably but as a character he makes this much more interesting.

[quote][cite] john.stone:[/cite]I think it's going to be a classic. Armstrong back is definitely going to stir it up.
There will be plenty of riders out to prove they've improved while he's been away and that he's now too old.

I still think he'll do it though, and if it keeps the rude little twat Evans off top spot, it'll be all the better.
My guess at the podium is 1. Armstrong 2. Cunengo and 3. Evans with Menchov and Valverde in the top 10 somewhere.

Need to call bullshit there Im afraid.

Armstrong will be lucky to finish in the top 10. Cunego will be lucky to finish at all. Valverde is currently implicated in the Operation Puerto blood bags scandal.
Banned by Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI) and as this years tour passe's through Italy he is unable to compete.

Its more likely Evans or Contador will win with Sastre, Andy Shleck, Denis Menchov fighting for 2nd/3rd.

Did you see Evans at the Dauphine Libere? A totally different animal to recent seasons. If he is ever to win the tour it will be this year.

Anybody but Armstrong...;-)

[quote][cite] mat:[/cite]

explain your jealousy?

Jealousy? What are you babbling on about?
As johnny said, it was his discourteous manner with the media last year that helped me form an opinion. That's why I think he's rude, nothing to do with being jealous.

[quote][cite] Merak:[/cite]

Need to call bullshit there Im afraid.

Armstrong will be lucky to finish in the top 10.......

We'll see. It would be a brave man that writes off a man as determined and focused as Armstrong. He'll not be riding the tour if he doesn't think he can win it. Having been there, coped with the pressure and not really retired from cycling as far as training's concerned, he'll be competitive. The next three weeks will soon tell.

Im playing Devils advocate here as Im not Evans biggest fan. But I respect him and think he deserves that elusive win this time.

To be fair, regarding his conduct, last year Evans had little and then no help from his team in the Alps whilst CSC trousered him 3 up on a daily basis. All the while only seconds were separating him (Evans)from victory, allied that to the shoulder injury he was nursing and the feverish media attention. It seemed some-one deliberately knocked his shoulder with a microphone in that interview. I think he did well not to crack the boy tbh.

Incidentally, I thought the 'cut your head off' thing was comedy gold:)

I've got a 10/1 bet on Cadel Evans winning todays TT. We'll see how it pans out.

As for the Armstrong stuff. He's not the team leader and so won't be getting all the assistance a tour winner requires. He's said that if required he will assist Contador. Anyone who's not got it yet, get yourself a copy of the cycling. This week it's massive with all the Tour chat.

Anyone know of a pub that will be showing le Tour today instead of Wimbledon?

Just joined Rusty in that Cadel bet.

anyone know if coverage will be online/on-demand after? dont think i'll get the chance to watch much of it

[quote][cite] trailstar:[/cite]anyone know if coverage will be online/on-demand after? dont think i'll get the chance to watch much of it

http://www.justin.tv/golden_dragon

this is showing it now as it appears to only be on europsort at the mo.

I was watching the stream and it just got taken down.

http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/LIVE/us/100/allChronos.html

Splits and finish times for riders who are currently out and have been out.

cadel evans



mark hamill

Tubbs



Cadel Evans

I love that Compare the Market advert they're playing. The new server launch is hilarious. "Computermabob"

Ah well. Cadel didn't come through for me today. Cancellara was fast!

What was the odds on Cancellara? He was the favourite wasnt he?

Contador was, at evens.

Fuck. Look at that! Ventoux is going to be MEGA!

"Hi Bradley, how's the climbing going? You're looking very skinny"

LOL!

Today's a nice jaunt through Provence. Predictions anyone. Cav is the obvious favourite for winning the bunch sprint at the finish provided he's in it but with the fierce GC competition he might not be there.

I don't think today will be Cavendish's day. I've been thinking about the teamtime trial. Probably between Astana and Garmin, just can't decide who.

1st stage for Cav today. Not bad. It was a pretty good finnish.

a very nice leadout from cav's team today.

I was a bit dissapointed in the support by Cervélo of Thor. They seemed to die off before getting him set up for a good sprint.

Ha! Smell my cheese!

Check out that breakaway!

Armstrong 3rd???? Who would have thought it.

Awh, I'm going to have to ignore this thread as it's spoiling the surprise of me highlights...

So who do guys fancy for tomorrow? I feel like Garmin are going to take it, though I'm not sure how good Columbia will be.

I'd like Garmin to win and think they have good chances. Astana will probably do it though.

[quote][cite] Smout:[/cite]Awh, I'm going to have to ignore this thread as it's spoiling the surprise of me highlights...

I can't look until 8pm either!

Tomorrow should be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised if Garmin put in a good showing tomorrow - David Millar and Bradley WIggins will hopefully excel. I'd rather them over Astana though.

Actually I'm calling it. Bradley Wiggins wearing the yellow jersey tomorrow.

[quote][cite] euan:[/cite]Actually I'm calling it. Bradley Wiggins wearing the yellow jersey tomorrow.

He's only 1'00'' down at the moment....I'd love it if he got into yellow!

i`m hoping with king bradley

[quote][cite] rusty:[/cite]As for the Armstrong stuff. He's not the team leader and so won't be getting all the assistance a tour winner requires......

Seems no one told Lance. I'd go with Astana first in the team time trial with Garmin second putting Lance in Yellow.

I can see the whole Astana thing getting a bit nasty over the next week or so. Bruyneel will have his work cut out for him trying to maintain any kind of team spirit if he shows any favouritism for his prodigal son. Yet I can see no other option if Armstrong stays strong.