Tour de France 2017

Even if Landa is a bit better at climbing ability at the moment but Froome is better at descending and TT, with a proven record of consistency, there is no doubt Froome should be the GC leader.

In the giro, Geschke and other teammates are better climbers than Dumoulin, but Dumoulin is not far off, and his TT is world class.

Has anyone heard of or been to anywhere decent this year in London to watch the tour through the day ?? A few years ago they had a really good set up in Canary Wharf area with big screen, food, drinks and shops but I've not been able to find anything like it since.

Potatoes tomatoes... I'm not saying Froome is shite and doesn't deserve to be there, it's just that pathos being what it is he's ended up in the same situation Wiggo was in back in 2012 when his team mate is visibly stronger on the climbs. Everything you've just said could have applied to Wiggo (well, apart from the descending bit) and yet he didn't get to defend his title so it's not like Sky are shy about sacking off sentiment for the cold hard promise of a win, and neither will Movistar with everything that's at stake. Favouring an aged Valverde over Landa after that symbolic passing of the guard on Stage 13 with Contador? It's a Spanish team's wet dream.

Froome should just count his lucky stars Mrs Landa isn't gobbing off all over Twatter and leaving the Sky PR team to fish that turd out the team bus's jacuzzi.

Regents Place are showing Wednesday stage on their outdoor screen.

is there still that place on southbank showing it?

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pintxos*

Last year they had the big screen set up outside Assembly Hall by Tower Bridge. Lots of pop up bars too. Was great. Not been this year so can't say if it's the same set up.

Will a 20mph cross wind be enough for echelons?

Yes, especially if there's a chance to distance a rival. I'd think Aru and, to a lesser extent, Bardet could be vulnerable to that kind of move.

Cheers Mike gonna look into it

Sound, gonna take a walk later and check it out

Can quickstep do well by both Dan Martin and kittel today? Or can they only look after one?

I think i read once that Froome likes to ride the Vuelta as prep for the next season.

In case anyone's keen to watch the Tour stage tomorrow at Hex:

https://www.lfgss.com/events/3190/

Planet X have a "Stick it on your arse" sale on chamois cream with code PRDAVEB20

Good. Now the tennis is over we can watch some decent sport. Might drop by at lunch time to watch them on the slopes of the Croix de Fer.

Broadgate screen http://www.broadgate.co.uk/free-films-sport-on-big-screen-london

LMNH are at London Bridge City pier http://londonbridgecity.co.uk/events/2017/july/london-bridge-city-summer-festival-tour-de-france-at-look-mum-no-hands

Canada Square Park http://canarywharf.com/arts-events/events/summer-screens-canary-wharf-2017/?instance_id=

I think they are showing it at Hub Velo in Clapton

Rapha is another one, I watched a fair chunk of the Giro mountain stages in there. Nursing my free coffees courtesy of Herne Hill velodrome 'special friend' card.

I think this is the stage where Aru might drop out of contention. If dropped on the plains, it's going to be hard for him to get back on if Sky/AG2R/QS/Lotto are all hammering into the cross-winds and then setting their sprinters up for the finish.

Heading off shortly to watch it pass by here. Taking my nearly-7 year old, going to soak up the atmosphere in Tournon-sur-Rhone (where they cross the bridge over the Rhone, which divides the Ardeche and Drome départements) (km 109). Scheduled to pass about 4pm French time.

Could today be a good Cummings day?

In case anyone's keen to watch the Tour stage tomorrow at Hex:

https://www.lfgss.com/events/3190/

Also today if you're so inclined

Hoping Howson and Hayman have Yates's back today.