Tour de France 2010

Because most of them were out the back. If you write the day off, you do it for everyone, not just the GCers as well.

But were they at the back because of crashes or because they couldn't keep up?

But were they at the back because of crashes or because they couldn't keep up?

A little from column A, a little from column B.

General Classement (with an English pronunciation of the word)

© Sean Kelly

Fixed.

Farrar is one his way to the hospital.

I bet it was Cav.

Today the forecast was for dry all through (even though Spa is notorious for a microclimate) and all the riders were on max pressure tires. Tomorrow I'll be amazed if anyone is above 100psi. I'm not a racer though, anyone with experience care to suggest a good racing pressure for cobbles?

I read an article where they were talking about racing on cobbles but can't remember where/what... think it was post-armstrong talking about 'carnage', anyway... Riders apparently run as low as possible-85/75 psi or lower? Seems pretty insane but I've not ridden on cobbles with race tyres!

Magnus was saying that theyll probably be running 25s at 110/100psi.
I reckon Cancellera will take it, especially if hes got his motor in.

5 bar is normal for cobbles when riding tubs, so around 72 psi. That's what most of the Belgians ride, and they know their cobbles.

Well there's only about 10k of cobbles in the stage I think, you reckon they'll compromise the other 200 odd for that?

I imagine a lot of riders will change their bike before the cobbled sections start.

I did Flanders on 23's at 100 psi and Paris Roubaix on 25's running about 95 psi

there is rather more of me pressing downwards than thos whippets tho…

Thor's not happy with the protest, either. And I don't blame him.

http://www.cervelo.com/en_us/news-blog/article/rider-protest-foils-chance-for-stage-victory/706/

ZZZzzzz....

Bad road conditions? You don't get this shit in the Giro.

Racing up to the cobbles and switching bikes seems rather lame to me. Not in the spirit of things.

What's the lookalikes thread called again? I've got a great topical one.

is it me or does T Martin look and speak exactly like Dropout John?

great stage today, i quite like the fact that one rider was able to stamp their authority and neutralise the stage.

in other bike related news, cyclesurgery were showcasing their bikes for the bike to work scheme INSIDE my office today, as i become a contractor so cant get cycle to work.

mother fuckers.

oh well 20p per mile will be claimed for this week.

I imagine a lot of riders will change their bike before the cobbled sections start.

No chance. The only riders that will change bikes are those that have mechanicals.

Magnus was saying that theyll probably be running 25s at 110/100psi.
I reckon Cancellera will take it, especially if hes got his motor in.

I think Cancellara's primary role will be looking after the Schlecks rather than going for the stage.

"Looking After The Schlecks" - a comedic indiedoc coming to a film festival near you soon.

anyone else notice this chap working his butt off today?

Tom Selleck?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hushovd-furious-as-points-neutralised-in-spa?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=news_headlines

More Thor complaints.

does anyone know where I can watch some decent length highlights of today's stage? ITV4 player is fucked.

No chance. The only riders that will change bikes are those that have mechanicals.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al22Nn-6yPs"]YouTube-
Cancellara Ronde van Vlaanderen 2010 - 2nd bike change[/ame]

It's piss easy if you're organised. I bet a lot of the teams will start on standard bikes then switch to bikes with box rims and pavé tubulars later in the stage.

bikes with box rims and pavé tubulars later in the stage.

ha ha - somehow I read that as BMX - GREAT mental image

(note to self - read, don't scan..)

No they won't. Do you know why cancellara was changing bike there? I'm guessing mechanical as he and all the other favourites have bikes/wheels dotted along the course at Fanders and Paris-Roubaix. I've been watching those races for 20 years and cannot think of a single instance where the bike has been changed for anything other than a mecahnical. Even in the days of those god awful suspension forks they used the same bikes all the way through. Museeuw even rode the entire race on full suspension the year Tchmil destroyed everyone.

And the reality is that if they race tomorrow (and lets face it after todays farce there is achance they might cry about the cobbles) then the approach to the cobbles will be mental. The approach to Arenburg in Paris Roubaix is like a bunch sprint, they even changed thedirection so that they hit it uphill rather than on the slight descent because of the speeds and danger of the approach. No one is going to risk a change unless it is forced. Plus it is ony 10km, the equipment needs are not the same as the 50km of Roubaix.