Giro d'Italia / Tour de France

[Paddingtonwolf]

I remember how annoyed and upset I was when the Armstrong thing came out. I fucking love this sport. When Pantani went the way he did it was dreadful. To then get the Armstrong shit happening was a devastating thing for me.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

And a lot of people share that viewpoint. Hopefully they are wrong and Chris is clean. My problem now is that the Armstrong affair has so polluted the sport that every excellent performance is immediately doping. Before that, it wasn't quite so bad although plenty of drugtaking was going on. For instance, Indurain was always considered to have physical attributes to assist him (incredibly low heartbeat being one that he has apparently in common with Froome). Therefore there was little questioning of his achievements. Obviously in hindsight, you might query him now.

And that is the legacy of Lance Armstrong. Saddening really.

Indeed Paddy, you can go back through all the winners of the last 30 years and question what they did (apart from in my view Lamond, just from listening to him in interviews) thanks to Lance and the UCI turning a blind eye. Stephen Roche has done himself no favours in the last few years with his attitude, what he has said and more pertinately what he hasn't said, to sow more then a few seeds of doubt.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

http://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Of...ghlights/97548/Dr_Ross_Tucker_on_Chris_Froome

Hopefully this link works, interesting interview I heard last night with sports scientist about Froome's performance.

To be honest on both sides of the argument you could take points from it to support your view.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

I think as a cycling fan I just am aware of it always being a possibility as it would be naive to be anything else but equally not to get bogged down in the "oh great performance, probably doping though" mindset as it will just destroy any love you have left for the sport. I am a little suspicious of Froome but equally there hasn't been enough to happen there for me to not be able to enjoy his achievements (such as someone like an unrepentant cheat like Valverde), yet anyway.

Not an amazing stage in itself yesterday but from a personal point of view this has been my first experiment of the Tour in the mountains and it's been a fantastic experience, I'd recommend it to any of you guys who haven't done it. Today's stage is a beast and I'm sure we'll get some action from the GC antagonists on the Plateau du Beille.

 

[Wombat del combate]

Apparently Cavendish topped 100kmh on the descent down the Tourmalet. Fuck that for a game of soldiers.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

I descended the Tourmalet on Sunday and it's a seriously fast descent, not a great deal of switchbacks and just a lot of long straight sections to pick up momentum. It's fair to say I didn't get close to 100kph!

 

[thehistorymakers]

What a race today. What a sport.

 

[thehistorymakers]

Surely Rodriguez can't hold on!

 

[thehistorymakers]

What an epic ride and what a win!

 

[nimrod]

great from rodriguez but the stage was a bit of an anti-climax. it's looking like a procession at the moment which from the race perspective is disappointing.

obviously v glad for Geraint Thomas who has been absolutely immense. but when he dropped away a couple times none of the 'contenders' had a go at froome which is pretty telling. i don't think they believe they are strong enough.

 

[thehistorymakers]

I agree with you Nimrod, Geraint Thomas has had a great tour. He is a luxury for Froome. He does lots of the dirty work. Contador has said this evening,
"It isn't only Froome, there is no way with his team mates. They are very strong. We have tried, but it hasn't been possible".
Sky are in another league!

 

[visage]

What do people think about Geoff Thomas riding with Armstrong?

Means to an end to get publicity, or collaboration with the enemy?

 

[Johnny75]

I don't see it as a bad thing. Anything to raise profile and as Paddy said above whatever people think Armstrong has survived cancer. If it raises more money then great, eventually as a human race we'll beat this godforsaken disease.

 

[thehistorymakers]

I agree with Johnny, it is for a very good cause. The more money he raises the better.

 

[nimrod]

I struggle with anything involving armstrong i'm afraid. but as I love Geoff Thomas it's ok with me.

 

[Knockout Ned]

I descended the Tourmalet on Sunday and it's a seriously fast descent, not a great deal of switchbacks and just a lot of long straight sections to pick up momentum. It's fair to say I didn't get close to 100kph!

Topped 90kph once, an 18% downhill out the back of Bridgnorth.

I never got anywhere near that in the Alps!

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Fairplay mate, I'm not the bravest on descents I have to be honest! Didn't help having a pretty bad crash last year on one mind. Think 75kph is about as fast as I've ever got!

As for today's stage, looks like Giant are working to keep the break on a leash and set-up Degenkolb but with the last 500m apparently at 9.5% I wonder if it might be a little too steep for him.

 

[Wombat del combate]

I hate descending (although I don't mind going down, ho ho) unless I've got someone I ahead can use to spot with.

 

[thehistorymakers]

Is it a joke that paddy has been banned? His input to this forum is fantastic. His posts will be missed on this thread. Can he be let off, as when I sleep a siesta and miss what has happened on the tour, I just open this thread and read Paddy's posts.
Can't he have a yellow card this time? Please.

 

[Knockout Ned]

Good finish today, thought Sagan had got it.

Break were unlucky, must be gutting to get so close and be passed when you're breathing out your arse on the final ramp...