Tour de France 2013

Interesting post, but Doping thread, pls >>>>>>

Why? Been two pages of doping discussion, and it's relevant to the race. Pedantic thread >>>>>>>>>

Ok, let's fuck the doping banter off - there's a race on!!!

Thibaut Pinot is out because he's scared of heights, poor sod. It's Greipel's birthday, but I can't see him doing it today.

Let's have some speculation!

As usual, I'd like to see Millar and Dan Martin lope off on a long one today. The course is going to be chased by fans of polka dots to see if they can get that jersey off the boney back of Froome - will Quintana go again? Is Sagan going to scamper away to mop up green points on one wheel? Here's the course:

I predict there will be quite a large Gap at the end.

Not a bad breakaway... Interesting to see Bennati and Roche there.

Adam Hansen wins with a one-handed wheelie over the line. Throws home-made shoes into crowd.

At least two riders will not be at the start today. Vacansoleil announced yesterday that youngster Danny Von Poppel has had enough, and this morning FDJ said that Thibaut Pinot has a sore throat, which will take him out.

They were talking about Pinot on the Humans Invent podcast the other day - he's developed a Bradley complex about descending and is struggling to cope with the pressure of the French media.

i cant see the race right now, but would like to see nieve or rolland in the mix today..

Millar and Voight to cross the line holding hands.

^ that would be nice, where is hoogerland?

I don't trust him after that corti shit and the polka dot knicks >>>>

They would be riding Hoogerland ever the line. Naked.

Great, useless Pinot is in my useless fantasy team. Useless French pansie

I reckon Wiggo will take this one

Nearly 60km on a false flat... Worse than virtually any mountain they could throw in the mix if you ask me. Hate false flats!

Pinot on descending:

“When I saw that I was not able to stay on the wheel of a rider like Mark Cavendish on the descent off a mountain pass, I asked myself: ‘What am I doing on the Tour?' I received the clear response that I have nothing to do here."

Ouch.

Bet that really fucked off Cav. Pinot was basically saying he couldn't ride as quickly as the fat lad.

Ah Thibaut, you beautiful prat!

I really thought he would be the first frenchman to win a stage this year but it seems he has a pube stuck in his throat.

I seem to remember Contador and Evans attacking on the run down in to Gap in 2011. Same again today?

Roche, Bennati and Hernandez is there too... Suggests to me that Contador is willing to give it a go.

Where can one get proper highlights guys? not just 5 minutes worth?

I do feel sorry for Pinot, that's quite an admission and he probably feels a bit of a wally. As a fellow descent-fearer, I can offer the following advice to him: get drunk before going down a hill, it really takes the edge off.

I fully expect to be snapped up as a team tactician next season.

If you look at the current top ten, only Contador is going to be disappointed with his current placing, the rest are slightly amazed that they are in the top ten, and will be hoping to hang onto their position until Sunday. They are going to stick, not twist.

After today, there are four hard stages back to back that will test their mettle, so taking it easy today and letting others scrap for the win is very much likely to be the order of the day. Especially as every breakaway rider worth his salt will be doing his utmost to be in the break today, so the first hour will be absolutely radio rental.

sure about the second part, not so sure about the first part. maybe Belkin has an ace up their sleeves

Mollema 80k solo win by 11 minutes after attacking while Froome and co. dive into an illegal feed bag restaurant for lunch.

Beloki crash.. le ouch

I notice they don't play Lance's CX bit now..

they just did

You're full of lies, just like Lance.