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Original poster

Tour de France 2013

455 replies

Panonabike · 29/06/2013 13:43

Are we having a spin on Le Tour this year? They are half way across Corsica already, and Cav and Froome are settled in. Cav's looking for a stage win.

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prettybird · 14/07/2013 12:38

I'll think of your BIL LostinWales while I am watching and send him positive vibes :)

LostInWales · 14/07/2013 12:57

Thank you prettybird, DH has gone up to visit him but the boys don't want to go so we are going to the cinema so I can avoid it on the telly. DH has instructions to tell him about the tour so far and tell him about Cav's win in the breakaway, that will make him happy. Poor DH left the house repeating 'Kittel, Kittel' under his breath Wink I'm going to text one of his friends who are at the tour and see if they will bring me back a pebble or something to give to him.

Original poster
Panonabike · 14/07/2013 14:33

"and Chavanel is leading from the front."

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Gigondas · 14/07/2013 15:18

Sits on hands til everyone has seen today.

ariadneoliver · 14/07/2013 15:24

I am gripped, thank goodness it's too hot to be in the garden. Smile

DramaAlpaca · 14/07/2013 16:55

LostInWales that would be lovely if someone could bring a souvenir back from Ventoux for your BIL. I hope he is doing better.

Oh wow, what a stage today!! Will come back later when everyone has seen it.

NicholasTeakozy · 14/07/2013 19:15

Watching the highlights on ITV4 now.

gindrinker · 14/07/2013 20:47

That was a bit exciting.

NicholasTeakozy · 15/07/2013 08:13

Bloody mobile internet decided to give up on me. Anyway, how good was that? And can we have a smug git emoticon?

ariadneoliver · 15/07/2013 09:50

It was brilliant Froome really stamped his authority on that race. I did feel a bit sorry for Quintana though

NicholasTeakozy · 15/07/2013 10:01

:o

DramaAlpaca · 15/07/2013 10:30

What an amazing show of strength that was from Froome. Kennaugh and Porte were total stars yesterday.

I had a feeling that was Froome's plan - in his interview before the race he said something to the effect that riders would be looking to make a decisive break on the Ventoux, and that is exactly what he did in devastating fashion. It was stunning to watch.

I thought Froome might let Quintana take the stage, but Quintana had given all he had & couldn't keep his wheel. He's a brilliant young rider with a great future & we will certainly see more of him in the future.

HowGoodIsThat · 15/07/2013 12:24

Well, I am glad I name-changed - it says it all really!

I honestly thought Froome was going to keel over - following Porte, he looked white as a sheet. My DH was convinced he was bluffing - and then the attack happened. Those last kms were agonizing. Didn't Froome say that he didn't actually attack Quintana at the end - the younger rider just faded.

Contador actually looks human and fallible for once.

DramaAlpaca · 15/07/2013 12:55

I read somewhere else that Contador isn't as good since he turned vegetarian! Wink

Froome had to be given oxygen at the end of the stage, and by the look of Quintana so did he. Poor lad had to be helped off his bike. He'd given absolutely everything.

I might have to go back to my YellowJersey nickname soon!

ariadneoliver · 15/07/2013 13:57

This week's rest day fun a walk down memory lane from last year.

ivykaty44 · 15/07/2013 16:59

I thought it was so lovely that when asked what Froome said to Quintana, he said he tried to boost his moral and he worked with him, sportsmanship at its best Smile

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Panonabike · 15/07/2013 18:08

ivykaty do you really think that the words used by The Froominator to Quintana were 'words of encouragement'? My mystical powers tell me otherwise. Shock

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ivykaty44 · 15/07/2013 21:11

I am very cynical in life but sometimes it is pleasant not to be cynical - especially when I don't need to be Smile

complexnumber · 15/07/2013 21:22

I know next to nothing about cycling in any form, but I did find myself watching the highlights of the T de F today (straight after The Professionals)

I was rather taken aback by the spectators, they were chasing after the bikes screaming encouragement (I assume) surely this cannot be safe.

I noticed one waving what seemed to be a large potato. Is there some symbolism that I have missed here? Or the other bloke carrying a stuffed pig under his arm.

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Panonabike · 15/07/2013 21:29

Just back from shopping and picked up Wiggo's 'My Time' and 'The Secret Race' from Hamilton and Coyle, if only for the fact one of them could be a relative of mine by name.
complex - it's wonderfully weird isn't it? Sometimes it's best to just sit back and say 'okaaaay'. But yes tour riding is an extreme sport in most senses, and the dangers from the adoring crowds who can get a bit too close ( as well as their dogs) is a feature of it.

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NicholasTeakozy · 15/07/2013 22:21

Thursday is the real killer test: twice up Alpe D'Huez. Fuck me, once is more than enough. In a lifetime. This is twice in one day! Shock

The next couple of days before Alpe D'Huez are going to be interesting. A couple of decent climbs before a downhill finish is just ripe for a breakaway. Followed by a hilly time trial, which might just play into Froomes hands. Fun times ahead.

prettybird · 15/07/2013 22:59

Mum and Dad cycled Alpe d'Huez about 10 years ago, on the way back from a canal holiday. Smile

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Panonabike · 15/07/2013 23:21
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DramaAlpaca · 15/07/2013 23:25

Panonabike Hamilton's The Secret Race is shocking, a real eye-opener on what went on in the Armstrong era.

I haven't read Wiggo's book yet, but will get round to it soon.

I tried to order Sean Kelly's book Hunger on Amazon - it was sold out! When it's published next month I'm also going to get Sean Yates' book for the inside story of Team Sky during the Tour last year & the Froome/Wiggins rivalry. Should be a very interesting read.

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Panonabike · 16/07/2013 08:02

DA,I'd flicked through it and no, LA doesn't come out of it well at all, not even as a human being.
Work day all day, so using my special powers as a Time Lord, I have posted ""Sylvain Chavanel is leading at the front again" at 2.20pm later today.Hmm

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