Tour de France 2017

I just don't have them mental fortitude

One wonders whether Froome has a tiny doll of Porte somewhere about about his body, probably tucked up his shorts near his groin. He has been a most obedient boy. No doubt tonight he'll get a gravy bone.

Blockhaus, less than two months ago?

Lagos de Cavadonga at the Vuelta, which he won, last September?

Or are you one of those fairweather fans who only watches the Tour?

Umm because no?

Also <<<<<< several pages

Vuelta

Is that the longish training ride for the Tour?

As I said, I am really just a grand tour watcher. Always see the giro and the tour. The veulta not so much since holidays happen around then. Also, it is so hot looking it makes me feel poorly just watching it.

So, in summary, Quintana is shite.

I think the collective memory of nnnaaaaiiirrro kintana is of a really light racer smashing le fuck out of everyone.

Just like nacer is shit, valverde is a crook, cav is fighty, froome can't descend or race, etc and so on.

re-watched the last 5km.

Feel distinctly irked by the total chopper at 2.6km who decides that the best thing to do when a group of elite athletes are passing at their limit and nearing total oxygen deficit is to ignite a smoke canister about 1 meter away from the side of the road.

A true tifosi if ever there was one.

Chris giving it 100% Make a Wish Foundation vibez #prey4dogz

fall back, son, fall deep, as far as you can. a giro/tour double is not easy work.

He's looking fat.

I love seeing how healthy (for pro cyclists) the riders look at this stage of the tour. Give them another week or so and the eyes will be sunken...

Yvon Ledanois, directeur sportif de la BMC, justifie la stratégie suivie par ses coureurs en ce début d'étape : «On prend nos responsabilités. On ne va pas mentir, ce ne serait pas une bonne opération de perdre du temps maintenant. Il n'y a pas de danger devant pour le général, pour l'instant nous sommes concentrés sur notre objectif de Maillot Jaune à Paris. Il n'y a pas que Sky qui ait une forte équipe. Nous sommes peut-être plus forts qu'eux. Alors nous assumons ce choix».

🤔

As a particularly xenophobic acquaintance of mine used to say: "You qu'est ce que fucking what?"

Yeah hes got an odd mouth.

Its all about that jersey.

“I’m not sure we would’ve ridden as hard or been as concerned [as BMC],” said Sky general manager David Brailsford. “It was perfect. Thanks for that!"

Banter!

http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/tour-de-france/team-sky-wouldnt-worked-hard-bmc-today-339952

The jersey is nice, but feel they could have carried it on into the shorts. Looks just a wee bit like someone has purchased a waffa country jersey and teamed it with the FKW astana shorts.

I am concerned about the received wisdom that Quintana is tired after the Giro. If he is still knackered after that and a month's rest, what hope for @hippy in the TCR?

Another sprint stage today. Reckon it's time for Kittel?

yeah, jersey is ace. And he did it proud yesterday. Like the slightly retro paint job on his rig too

His bike is shit hot. Best in the bunch.

Possibility of crosswinds today. Fingers crossed for some echelon action.