Tour de France 2012

Are you still having trouble digesting an Irish TdF winner as well?

Will be good for him to get this Olympic tosh out the way and back on the road. He road the Giro of course, mainly as Cav's lead out man, languishing in the grupetto. Don't know how much more we'll see of him this season, hopefully back with a vengeance in the spring

Yeah, even though I love occasionally trolling hippy, I do wish Cuddles had been able to end on more of a high.

Me too but I'm pretty happy for Wiggo regardless of how often I mock.

Two fresh national winners must do something positive for cycling in two countries that prefer driving by default.

Wonder if he still has to put his own bike together now.

Reports are saying Cuddles will have another tilt at the Tour next year as leader of BMC before passing the touch to Teejay, so we can expect at least one last hurrah from bumface

The obvious difference is Tennis is part of British culture, cycle racing has always been a continental thing.

First winner of a cycle race was a Brit in France..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Moore_%28cyclist%29

Dave Moulton's blog posts with the potted history of racing cycling in Britain is always worth a read

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

cough Zabel cough, splutter Kelly in 89 splutter.

Recently Retired Robbie

Reports are saying Cuddles will have another tilt at the Tour next year as leader of BMC before passing the touch to Teejay, so we can expect at least one last hurrah from bumface

He does run hot and cold with this Le Tour biznezz. Good on him.

TJ can get fucked, dodgy shit.

After watching that interview with Ned Boulting after the tacks incident Tejay should definitely not ever try and play poker.

Wonder if he still has to put his own bike together now.

I reckon most track riders do their own assembly, it's part of the ritual.

We won the Tour de France.

A British rider won the Tour de France.

I'm still not able to digest this, so fuck knows what's going on in Wiggo's head.

I keep going on about the Olympic TT and road race, 'cause it's easier to get my head round than trying to tackle the concept of a British tour winner.

Anyone else feel completely over whelmed?

^ yes. I have distracted myself from the headfuck by buying a beaten up reynolds 653 frame to build up into a new sick whip. May make it into a commuter/TT bad boy - its best not to dwell on things and just keep yourself occupied (stares into the distance)

Backlash is starting.. I had a "go on Bradley!" shouted at me from some joker as I rode home.. Also hearing reports of "do you think your fucking Mark Cavendish".. "Allez Wiggo".. etc.

I guess it's a (vast) improvement from being called Lance.

Cheers man, well spotted! Yeah got through ok, though the french weren't too keen on le bin bags, got told to use proper bike bags next time haha

glad you made it!

^^ this is awesome. That a cycling hero has transcended cycling and is now a household name is a good thing. And if someone shouts "Allez Wiggo" at me then that means I am going fast. win.

Who thinks Wiggins / Sky would still have delivered the goods if a certain Spanish vegetarian had been in the race?

Me.

Which spanish vegetarian?

Zabriskie is the only veggie rider in the pro-peleton that I could name. Not Spanish though.

Alberto Cuntador, innit?

You can't eat infected meat if you are a vegetablist.

But yes, Sky would have beaten him. They beat Frank and he was doping.

Oh yeah.

I forgot.

This was his "I didn't dope, it was meat that was tainted... and now I'm a vegetarian I'm clean" defence.

But did he actually go veggie? Or was it just steak he was avoiding?

He is still veggie apparently.

I reckon TDF will be a different kettle of fish next year with a hungry Contador there.

Glad Wiggo delivered the goods this year while he had the opportunity.

its going to be amazing next year if everyone is fit and not banned. serious fireworks

Next year will be exciting.

Cuddles will want to prove he still has what it takes. His team mate will be gnashing at the bit to outperform him if he can so that he gets the team lead position ASAP. Wiggins will want to do it again. Froome will either mature and do the same role again but still destroy other riders, and if not will be leading his own team. And then some of the old guard will be there wanting to prove that they're clean and can still win, be it Contador, the Schlecks, etc.

And that... is just the yellow jersey.

Can't wait.

In fact, am going to go camp at the Alps now.