Tour De France 2011

Something poetic about Tommy V getting his dongle out, for a wee, in HD....

I really like this stage--great landscape, very picturesque roads that look a bit like those in the Ardennes (and I suspect may cause some difficulties for standard TdF riding style, being narrow and curvy?), and it seems to be another example of this trend of including in Grand Tours 'mini-versions' of other iconic races, like the Strade Bianchi stage in last year's Giro.

I had a holiday around this area once; it's tough riding, heavy roads and almost no flat at all.

what's with the crashes this year? absolute carnage!

Something about the way boardman says podium is deeply irritating.

Bets ftw today? I still think it will come back together.

Omega pharma still working on the front of the peloton. What do you think Gilbert's ambitions are for the tour? Can he go top 10, or is it just green jersey?

Something about the way boardman says podium is deeply irritating.

Bets ftw today? I still think it will come back together.

Flecha or Voeckler if the breakaway works.
Evans if it does not.

Ouch, Vinokourov apparently has a broken pelvis.

is there a link to the sherwen / liggett commentary please? thanks

is there a link to the sherwen / liggett commentary please? thanks

http://www.itv.com/itv4/

He looked wasted. Horrible crash. Career over for vino.

Good riddance to Vino.

No yellow for you!

I wouldn't wish broken bones on anyone, even unrepentant dopers.

Ouch, Vinokourov apparently has a broken pelvis.

It's been corrected to a broken femur, but a pelvis injury not ruled out.

Ouch, Vinokourov apparently has a broken pelvis.

And elbow.

I wouldn't wish broken bones on anyone, even unrepentant dopers.

Go on, Will, echo him. :)

hyperbole thanks

Have this many podium contenders ever crashed out before? Van Den Broeck, Brajkovic, Horner, Wiggins... Playing hell with my top ten prediction sweepstake.

And elbow.

It seems as if he had none of the luck that riders sometimes have when they go off the road.

apparently its all HatBeard's fault. what a terrible man.

.

David Millar

As someone who only really follows procycling during the tour can i ask what has become of David Millar? Has he simply been eclipsed by Cav, Wiggins, Team Sky and the new and better Brits or is it to do with the drugs ban ruining his reputation? He still seems to be pretty good but doesnt seem to get much press along the way (or is he just not very good anymore).

David Millar

As someone who only really follows procycling during the tour can i ask what has become of David Millar? Has he simply been eclipsed by Cav, Wiggins, Team Sky and the new and better Brits or is it to do with the drugs ban ruining his reputation? He still seems to be pretty good but doesnt seem to get much press along the way (or is he just not very good anymore).

He is an excellent TT rider, but doesn't have the climbing ability to contend for GC. As such, his role these days is super domestique. Still a fantastic rider in my opinion. His form at the end of last season (2nd in world TT championship, 1st in Chrono Des Nations) was special. Read his book btw. It is excellent.

For example, millar is one good reason why Hushovd is still in yellow. Don't know why no-one mentions this.

For example, millar is one good reason why Hushovd is still in yellow. Don't know why no-one mentions this.

Its very true, i would have expected someone like him to receive more props than he does.

http://hub.velocentric.com/karpets-pushes-contador-from-peloton-video

^ Karpets pushing contador off the road!!

Not the best quality but it looks fairly obvious to me...

Its very true, i would have expected someone like him to receive more props than he does.

I doubt he cares too much. He is captain on the road of Garmin, and I am sure he is just relishing their success to date. All achieved on one of the smallest budgets of any team on tour.

^^ you beat me to it :)