Tour de France 2014

They did win the Tour last year though.
I think we all need to have a sit down
http://housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/96/000013e9a/d20f_orh550w550/Plaid-armchair-from-Marks--Spencer--Country-Homes-and-Interiors--Housetohome.co.uk.jpg

And wait until the mountains

No, not what I'm saying. I acknowledge Porte is a handy rider, but he is unproven at GT level. What I am saying is Sky have a tendency to do too much on numbers and not enough on racing, and sometimes they have a tendency to select teams that are unbalanced because. The Tour team last year is a case in point: no road captain, which is why including Eisel this year was one of their smartest moves.

I think Porte should be at the Tour, I just think Wiggins should be too. And I just want Sky to box smarter from now on.

"Unproven at GT level" - he's a domestique, of cours he's unproven as a leader yet still manages a 7th in a GT?

"Sky have a tendency to do too much on numbers" - Speaking of numbers, how many stage races have they won since forming? GTs?

The Tour team last year was unbalance? - Who won the Tour last year?

You sound like one of those baseball coaches who picks guys based on how big their shoulders are and then they get hammered by the bloke picking a team with the help of a spreadsheet. What was that film again? Moneyball or something.

Fluked it after gaining 12 minutes in a breakaway

Point taken.

Froome, mostly on his own.

Yes, that's exactly me.

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You seem to be missing the bits where I say I rate Porte and think he deserves his place on the Tour, and that he had been protected while he recovered.

Not to be backed into a corner not of my own making.

Still look on the bright side - Froome has now given Rapha a complete re-design of their mesh panels - Now with even more breathability built in ... but still rather pricey....

I wonder if Rapha will honour their free repair service on this little number?

Poor guy, he'll be stinging tonight.

Lol

I think the best thing about yesterday was Brailsfords interview at the end of the day "well actually its been a good day..."

Yeah.. Right Dave...

Also the whole "they're both on an equal footing in the team" guff; way to insult the fans intelligence..

Anyone else here Geraint's interview with Boulting? He was pretty excited - sounded like he had an excellent day on the bike (actually said he enjoyed it, I think) and was happy with how he and Porte did. Great stuff.

Yes he interviews very well. A good spokesman for the sport, His pre-ride interview yesterday was pretty enthusiastic too

That's a man enjoying his work

Not saying Porte is a bad rider, but if it is results he was being judged on he shouldn't be at the Tour.

I think Porte should be at the Tour

Uh huh.

Fluked it after gaining 12 minutes in a breakaway

Point taken.

Froome, mostly on his own.

Yes, that's exactly me.

Once again missing the point that he's never been in a GT to win. He's a domestique. If he can still do his job for others and maintain a 7th position then he's is clearly proven at a GT level. Or is it only winners who are proven at GT level? In which case no one would ever get a ride in your team.

You seem to be missing the bits where I say I rate Porte and think he deserves his place on the Tour, and that he had been protected while he recovered.

Not saying Porte is a bad rider, but if it is results he was being judged on he shouldn't be at the Tour.

I think Porte should be at the Tour

?

I think the best thing about yesterday was Brailsfords interview at the end of the day "well actually its been a good day..."

Yeah.. Right Dave...

For him. This was his test from the French to prove his new loyalty to them...

Uh huh.

The caveat being for the first the criteria is his results his season, the second being an opinion. Zandio and Pate should have been left out and Wiggins and Kennaugh taken instead.

Anyway moot point, Brailsford has confirmed Richie is leader, let's see what the little fella can do, shall we?

He would've been the leader at the Giro if he wasn't crook. I'd love for Porte to win it but my bet is more important than nationalism so go Nibali!

That's a man enjoying his work

He's riding in Rapha, he's supposed to be suffering!

I think the best thing about yesterday was Brailsfords interview at the end of the day "well actually its been a good day..."

Yeah.. Right Dave...

Also the whole "they're both on an equal footing in the team" guff; way to insult the fans intelligence..

Oh the continental teams have been spouting that non-quote quote nonsensical bollocks for years. It just sounds more disingenuous with an English accent.

Are they just going to do a hard reset in the car?

You're being watched...

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/chris-froome-rebooted-after-crash-2014071088436

Hearing Brailsford and Thomas speaking afterwards - a striking lack of concern that Froome is out. Both described it as a good day!

Brailsford hoping he can fool all the people, all the time?

Brailsford more interested in the result in Paris than the riders/pawns en route there is what I took from it. Thomas enjoyed a good day out on the bike, probably happy not to have been nursing CF all the way round. Wonder where he'd have come if he'd not sat up to wait for Porte. I'd rather see him protected than Porte.

Thomas enjoyed a good day out on the bike, probably happy not to have been nursing CF all the way round.

CF = compound fractures?

Ha! That was last year, no? Crash Froome

I wonder how badly the Dauphine crash was, whether he was carrying something from that. The way Sky reacted yesterday it was clear they knew it was likely that Froome would step off at some point that day. His bike handling is shocking, wet conditions and pave with a injured wrist? Never was going to work.