Tour de France 2015 route released

[DoctorTwo]

Calling the MN peloton. No Yorkshire this time. Interesting looking route though.

[DramaAlpaca]

Thanks for posting the link, DoctorTwo.

The route seems to have a bit of everything - cobbles, mountains, summit finishes and a team time trial in the middle, which is unusual.

Should be good - but not as good as Yorkshire, of course

Also interesting was the article about Chris Froome on the same page, saying he might do the Giro & the Vuelta instead of le Tour.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

Cheers Dr! It is an interesting course isn't? Cobbles, new mountains, 3 countries, TTT half way through, and a doubtful Froomey, which sort of begs who will be the Sky team leader? Anyone available in the MN peloton to pick this up?

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

__ Hurray!

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

and here's a thing!

If you didn't know they can be gotten from road.cc and also come as window stickers. My classic old French car came with a sticker I'd really not have, so I've ordered one of these and is going to cover over it.

[DoctorTwo]

I thought the TTT was a bit late too. I wonder how many teams will be disadvantaged by losing one or more members...

I hope, as Froomey doesn't seem up to riding the TdF, that Wiggo revisits his decision to concentrate on the track.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

You can see the teams challenging that TTT organisation.

[DraaaamaghAlpacaaaagh]

I can see the TTT leading to a major shake-up in the standings halfway through the Tour.

It would be good to see Wiggo back at the TdF next year, wouldn't it? If both Froomey & Wiggo were absent it's hard to see who'd be Sky's GC contender.

[DoctorTwo]

yy DA and Pan. There are rumblings that holding the TTT outside the first week is against the rules so there may be a protest.

I reckon if neither Froomey nor Wiggo race then Sky will get behind Geraint Thomas. IMO he's more than just a domestique, he has potential to be a GC. Imagine him saving all that energy he expends working for the team and having others do that work. Imagine him having 8 men protecting him instead of him leading thus saving about 30% of his energy. I think he could be a top ten finisher.

[DraaaamaghAlpacaaaagh]

Oh yes, G! How could I have forgotten the lovely G? Agree with all you've said about him, Doctor. With Richie Porte as his wing man he could do very well - assuming Richie has got over his traumatic time at the last Tour.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

And we still have the TdF bunting in places around Glossop town centre..it's as if we just can't let go. Just back from a spin on Spech, and matey on a MTB...

I was thinking of doing a winter time feed station thread a la last year, to cover meanderings like this Dr -inspired news, essential Christmas presents demanded, riding in the dark (thread called 'Dancing on the Pedals in the Dark' as we know Bruce Springsteen is such a keen bikist.) but shall we stick with this one to serve all purposes up to the spring classics?

Do we think Sky would have G. as the GC contender? Isn't he too bulky? Wouldn't he have to lose about half his body weight?

And....the Vuelta course hasn't been presented yet- it could be just as unFroomey as le Tour? It gets curiouser and curiouser.

And....shorely AOS must have a really good reasons to put the TTT where they did, and have consulted teams and rule books about this. Wondering if they are trying to give the smaller teams a fighting chance against Movi/Sky/Giant etc, as it would be better for business, in a commercial consideration? Who knows.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

Nicholas Roche as Sky leader for Le Tour, supported by Porte and G.?

[DraaaamaghAlpacaaaagh]

Nico Roche as leader? Yes, maybe... I'd forgotten he'd joined Sky.

Nico would certainly relish the opportunity, having spent two years as support for Contador, and I'm sure it's one of the reasons he joined Sky. He's another rider with quite a chunky build, but despite that he's a good climber. He's not much of a sprinter, though of course for the GC he doesn't need to be.

My main concern about Nico is that I sometimes feel he lacks a bit of tactical nous. By that I mean he doesn't time his breaks as well as he might do & has a tendency to go a bit too early - in contrast to his cousin Dan Martin who is a great poacher of wins through good timing. I would think that clear team orders might overcome that, and if Nico fits in with the Sky way of doing things he could do very well with them. It'll be interesting to see how it goes.

Oh gosh, it's only October & I'm getting all excited about the TdF already

[DraaaamaghAlpacaaaagh]

I see Jensie didn't keep the hour record for very long...

Hour Record

[DoctorTwo]

A bit of a shame for Jensie, but a big well done to Brandle.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

yes, I caught this, this afternoon. Does Jensie care? Don't think so!

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

before...

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

after...

not v classy but a nice improvement, as I have nooo English in me.

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

nothing to add really just coasting along behind pan's car.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

Spinning along side Endo and handing out hot tea flasks from the car....

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

Another retirement announced the other day:

www.cyclingquotes.com/news/the_devil_announces_retirement/

[DoctorTwo]

Well, at least he gives us slightly younger types hope.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

Looks like there's a vacancy to be filled........

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

fwiw just started this Health and Safety Thread in Chat. 2 weeks in and I've been reminded just how tricky it all can be.

[FelixFelix]

My DP is gutted about Didi Senft! He loves him.

I am really hoping we can get to France for some of the tour next year. Especially since I received my shiny new road bike yesterday! Really looking forward to winter being over and the new season starting.

[PanIsNotAButterfly]

Felix - details of shiny new road bike is demanded by the peloton! You can't just casually refer then give no detail..