Tour de France 2008

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:37 pm

It's almost upon us again!

It's Cadel's year, I can feel it!

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:44 pm

Bit of a joke these days though, innit?

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:44 pm

bring on the Tour. I need some fresh inspiration for the hills in spin class, and on Exhibition St.

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:47 pm

Looking forward to getting into the tour this year.

Cycling is a new sport for me in 08, very keen to see how the tour works.

I'm thinking I'm going to be having a few late nights though....

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:49 pm

Feigan wrote:Looking forward to getting into the tour this year.

Cycling is a new sport for me in 08, very keen to see how the tour works.

I'm thinking I'm going to be having a few late nights though....

Bring it on. Vino and le Tour! Perfect.

same o · Post by **same o** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:24 pm

lynt wrote:
Feigan wrote:Looking forward to getting into the tour this year.

Cycling is a new sport for me in 08, very keen to see how the tour works.

I'm thinking I'm going to be having a few late nights though....
Bring it on. Vino and le Tour! Perfect.

not if ur in the tour

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:35 pm

lynt wrote:
Feigan wrote:Looking forward to getting into the tour this year.

Cycling is a new sport for me in 08, very keen to see how the tour works.

I'm thinking I'm going to be having a few late nights though....
Bring it on. Vino and le Tour! Perfect.

Bring it...

I cannot wait for this, Sats eve's Friends for dinner and Tour on in teh background..

TV is being moved into the bedroom as of the 5th July!

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:49 pm

Charlie73 wrote:
TV is being moved into the bedroom...

Giggidy

Charlie73 · Post by **Charlie73** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:26 pm

Hardy wrote:
Charlie73 wrote:
TV is being moved into the bedroom...
Giggidy

what can i say i love to fall asleep to the site of men in Lycra......

Post by **breaksRbest** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:42 pm

ruined by drug cheats imo

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:01 am

I still can't belive Tracey's dad is doing a leg.

Massive effort.

Post by **system** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:21 am

breaksRbest wrote:ruined by drug cheats imo

saved by passports tbh.

same o · Post by **same o** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:35 am

jbs wrote:I still can't belive Tracey's dad is doing a leg.

Massive effort.

i know a dog that did a leg

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:49 pm

system wrote:
breaksRbest wrote:ruined by drug cheats imo
saved by passports tbh.

That's a good step. I like the TDF, but it's become so questionable in recent years. This will restore some faith.

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:44 am

yes yes Cadel!

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 10:13 am

I can't remember posting that, but;

YES YES CADEL!

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:52 am

Word. Was a solid time trial from Evans. He's got a good 40 seconds on the real competitors now. However I hear only good things about Kirchen.

Bring on the Pyrenees!

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:47 pm

Man, I'm not sure if I can stay awake to watch this tonight. Epic stage.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:43 am

You get a rest day tomorrow Lynty, when the riders get on

Post by **lynt** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:49 am

YES CADEL! That last 12 km's were heart stopping. Amazing.

Hold on son!!

Flash · Post by **Flash** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:52 am

w00t! cadel in yella
BU's!

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:13 pm

Man I'm so fkn dead at work today. Was indeed epic... glad I put in the effort.

Did you guys feel Cadel was hurting a bit though? He looks solid, but not dominating. Him Menchov and Sastre are the contenders now, maybe Schleck.

When Cadel attacked about 6km from the finish I nearly wet myself... was so gutted when Sastre managed to pull him back.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:56 pm

Wow! What am exciting finish. Those last 20km were nail biting. Didn't Cadel look humbled to get his maillot jaune at last?

I hope it he hang in there for the rest of the race.

Post by **lynt** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:22 pm

saintberry wrote:Man I'm so fkn dead at work today. Was indeed epic... glad I put in the effort.

Did you guys feel Cadel was hurting a bit though? He looks solid, but not dominating. Him Menchov and Sastre are the contenders now, maybe Schleck.

When Cadel attacked about 6km from the finish I nearly wet myself... was so gutted when Sastre managed to pull him back.

Word, like the commentators were saying, he needs to assert himself more if he wants to excel. That was the first attack I've seen Evans make and it was insane. I think a day of rest will do him well, perfectly timed for him to rest his wounds, accept his new jersey and to plan the rest of the race.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:23 pm

I hope his team are up to the task. We will have to wait and see!

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:36 pm

lynt wrote:
saintberry wrote:Man I'm so fkn dead at work today. Was indeed epic... glad I put in the effort.

Did you guys feel Cadel was hurting a bit though? He looks solid, but not dominating. Him Menchov and Sastre are the contenders now, maybe Schleck.

When Cadel attacked about 6km from the finish I nearly wet myself... was so gutted when Sastre managed to pull him back.

Word, like the commentators were saying, he needs to assert himself more if he wants to excel. That was the first attack I've seen Evans make and it was insane. I think a day of rest will do him well, perfectly timed for him to rest his wounds, accept his new jersey and to plan the rest of the race.

At the start of the stage Paul Sherwin mentioned that it may be a bit too early for Cadel to get the jersey as he has a good team but not as strong as CSC (it was amazing to watch CSC split the field last night) and it would be hard for them to defend it for almost another two weeks. I beg to differ though. This is only the 2nd time he has held a GC leaders jersey (the other time being in the Giro d'Italia) and I think he will see it as a taste of things to come on the Champs-Élysées and hopefully inspires him to do all that he can.

He just has to hold them off in the Alps and nail that last time trial and it's his!

And word Polecat, I was a bit welled up (such a sad life I lead!) when he was on the podium. He really is a great ambassador for Australia and Cycling...

PS: how pro is his body guard?! I want one...

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:37 am

What a chase. Interesting tactics by Silence-Lotto, however over ruled by the mighty CSC! Mammoth.

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:43 pm

Back again! I caught him last night, too!

stovequeen · Post by **stovequeen** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:15 pm

FAIL http://news.theage.com.au/sport/italys- ... -3ghp.html

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:08 am

Not a surprise after the way he rode in the mountains. Poor form. Hollow victory in that King of the Mountains jersey.
How many more to be busted before the ride up the Champs Elysee?

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:21 am

Yeah shame on Rico... shame.

Anyway lets not have it kill the tour. It's good they are being caught and flamed in the public rather than covered up as it has been in the past.

Back to stage 12. God I love watching the bunch sprints. I had a close look at the replays of Cavendish's win this morn and I really think Robbie McEwin had that stage in the bag but he got blocked by some Francasie Des Jeux rider (Gerard I guess?). If you take a look he was right on Cavendish's wheel and JUST as Cavendish pushed for the line Robbie got blocked. The old man still has the legs, I hope we get a chance to see the old and new guard fight it out at some point on this tour...

That should take nothing away from Cavendish's win though. No doubt he is one of the best sprinters in the world (maybe the best already) and so young.

Post by **breaksRbest** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:27 am

breaksRbest wrote:ruined by drug cheats imo

Post by **lynt** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:41 pm

Ricco was a cowboy, good riddance.

saintberry. Cavendish is going to be my Olympic highlight I reckon, can't wait to watch him on the track.

I feel for McEwan, must be tough in the shadow of Cadel and now being set aside by the new generation. Props to him for keeping a professional attitude towards the sport and his team.

Come on Evans!!!

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:54 pm

Yeah I've got massive props for McEwan. He really is one of the most level headed men in the race. I love how he organises the autobus on the climbs to keep all the sprinters within 35min of the winner of a stage.

And what's the deal with Australia not being represented in the Madison at the Olympics this year??? I still don't know the full story on that.

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:43 pm

Todays stage of the Tour goes over Mt Pic Saint Loup. I climbed that mountain one public holiday in France with my friends

It was a ripper day. Ahh the tour... it brings back so many good memories and the south is sooo pretty!

Did anyone see the interview with Jens Voight tonight before the race started? It was excellent. I love German directness!

Kaiproject · Post by **Kaiproject** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:33 pm

Love watching Le Tour, was never really into it until last year's and now I'm hooked.

Cavendish has been great to watch the last few stages, so fast

The flat stages are over, here come the mountains... lets hope Cadel is up to the challenge. He was impressive last year in the mountains with pretty much no support from his team, hopefully Silence can help him a bit this year but doesn't sound like we can count on that.

At least the other GC contenders will need a couple of minutes advantage over him come the time trial because he's such a good t-trialist

Post by **lynt** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:37 pm

Not suprising Cavendish has left. What a mark he made on the Tour, an exciting racer and so much maturity for such a young rider. Bring on the Olympics.

Smashing espresso to watch tonight's stage. At the moment, Cadel is back in the group, but should (hopefully) gain a lead against Schleck and Vandervelde!

saintberry · Post by **saintberry** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:11 am

Man thoughts go out to the 2006 champ Pereiro... that was a shocking crash.

Looks as though CSC will try and push Evans tonight, even on this little cat 3 climb. Damn they have an impressive team.

Props go out to Gerrans for the break-away hopefully he can hold it for the win!

Andy H · Post by **Andy H** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:12 am

CSC on the charge up the last climb, trying to break Cadel. NEVER!!! hehe

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:55 am

Poor Oscar Pereiro

http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2008/news/arti ... lpine-fall

Unfortunately that descent looked so tricky that someone was bound to cop it. I'm glad it wasn't more serious.

BU Gerrans stage win, and let's see with Cadel's tactics.

At least I get to bed a bit earlier tonight [but i have to watch Skins first!].

Post by **lynt** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:00 pm

I'm knackered. Can barely keep my eyes open. Tour is killing me!

Rest day!

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:06 pm

I know what you mean Lynty. Thank god I can start work at a reasonable hour (lately between 9.30 & 10am). I'm used to staying up now, but getting out of bed is a struggle.

Kaiproject · Post by **Kaiproject** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:23 pm

Damn that was an awesome stage well worth staying up to watch

It had everything!

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 1:49 am

OMG. Heart stopping. All the dons of the race battling downhill at 90kms p/h. Immense pressure! Evans absolutely dominating that descent, taking charge finally. So good.

Heart goes out to John-Lee Augustyn!

same o · Post by **same o** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:38 am

Bananas

Post by **lynt** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:25 am

Hahaha

Polecat · Post by **Polecat** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:07 am

Wow! That second climb last night looked DESTRUCTIVE, but the riders held in there! Fark, what a serious gradient and km after km of mountain. OUCH ouch ouch was all I could think as they rode it.

John Lee showed he still had his L plates on, after his mountain victory. Win some lose some, but so lucky he didnt fall over a different edge! What a fright!

GO CADEL!

same o · Post by **same o** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:47 am

lynt wrote:Hahaha

i lost it man.

i live in equaroe and we are one of the biggest producers of bannas in the world.

if you eat a bannana when it is just over rippened the sugar absorbtion is much faster.

lol

Motive · Post by **Motive** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:28 pm

last night's stage was intense. the most amazing downhill footage. john leee augustyn, phew, he coulda been a goner

Post by **lynt** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:05 am

What was with Valverde dragging for CSC and giving them the all clear? Why won't Evan's attack or chase? Poor bastard getting smashed left right and center!

Drama for ya Mama.