Tour de France 2013

Wonder if any of the GC riders would have smelled blood yesterday and will go for it again today... Most likely they will save themselves for tomorrow, but only by attacking on every stage, particularly stages that doesn't suit Team Sky, can they keep the hope alive of seriously challenging Froome.

Can't see it happening though, but based on what I have seen from Froome and Team Sky, my tactic would be to try and wear down Froome, or at least make it as hard for him as possible, today rather than and tomorrow, rather than wait.

The chances of saving yourself, thus Froome, and expecting to beat him significantly in a direct showdown on Mont Ventoux tomorrow are spare. Tomorrow Froome will be on home turf, so to speak, and to beat him you will need to attack him outside his comfort zone over and over and over again. Coppi, Anquetil, Merckx and Hinault for instance, have done it very successfully, treating every stage, whenever possible, as a race.

#armchairsdtactics

froome really does deserve our support.

He doesn't even have sideburns, how I am supposed to support a man without sideburns!

True dat... when you think about it.

Wiggins...could have been a real weapon.

I think he has already proven that.

He doesn't even have sideburns, how I am supposed to support a man without sideburns!

You just liked having a mod to support, it appealed to your fey indie sensibilities ;)

You're spot on about Sky though, what's attractive about a ruthlessly efficient team sponsored by a wizened, egotistical Montgomery Burns style figure intent on worldwide media dominance, and with a healthy disregard for any laws that get in his way, once you've taken away Wiggo and Cav?

Anyone having a pop about Cav occasionally getting grumpy has to realise you can't have it both ways. With Cav you basically either get a sulk or elation, with Froome you hardly get a reaction at all. I know which I'd rather watch...

Somehow I can't quite see sky miming pop video's on youtube or convincing Eddy Merckx to partake in a AC/DC parody.

Have to say that I have warmed to Froome significantly - I enjoy his honest post-race interviews, if it wasn't for his mouthy bird then I'd like him a lot more.

Belkin and OPQS were staying at the same hotel Thursday night, good work fellas :)

Sharing the "juice"?

Low countries conspiracy

So far today after a blistering start (speed is still 48kmh) there's an 18 man break 1.09 up the road. No big GC contenders. No Vockler. To big a break?

Stannard, Kiri, Kennaugh, Boss, G

All loveable. Particularly stannard. Hope he goes on to win a big 4 classic.

True this, all great riders. Also love Swifty and hope we see something from JTL. And I think Sky really miss Eisel's experience at this Tour, another lovable rider.

Basically it's just Froome, which is quite funny. He hasn't helped his popularity with his 'feud' with Wggins. But he does deserve our support, just not our love. Sad face.

So far today after a blistering start (speed is still 48kmh) there's an 18 man break 1.09 up the road. No big GC contenders. No Vockler. To big a break?

Nah, too many climbs will smash the breakaway up.

Low countries conspiracy

Brian Holm said "we had a chat"

I think he has already proven that.

I meant as support rider with Froome as leader, even if not fully fit. We'll see if Porte can fill the brief but the nagging feeling remains this squad isn't as strong as last years. To qualify that they've had a lot of bad luck: Stannard and Thomas riding through injuries, Bossman out, Kiri missing the cut (I missed that btw, how the hell did it happen? The man is a machine).

And we're live!

Jens Voigt will take it, no worries...*

*Read would looooove for Jens to take it!

And we're live!

Ha! En France we've had it for 40 minutes already

eddie stobart trucking songs, the number 1 album

my new favorite advert on itv4

Hmm. Fig rolls or Jaffa cakes?

Beer and chicken wings?

Jimmy, what is it to be, last year the tour was boring, Sky were dominating, making it look easy.

Now the team is too weak, they've fucked up their line up, injuries are decimating them, but this is the most exciting first couple of weeks of a tour I've seen in years,

Which would you rather have?

I'd rather have Wiggins there. That is all.

Oh and if you go back a page I said I'm enjoying Sky getting fucked over.

that's that then