Giro d'Italia / Tour de France

[thehistorymakers]

First Spanish victory in this tour.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Congratulations to Froome and Sky. Totally dominant.

Quite looking forward to the Champs Elysses bit - always been a favourite part of the race for me. I will be AMAZED if Sagan doesn't win the stage.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Would be shocked if Sagan won today to be fair Paddy, just doesn't quite have that top end speed. Kittel has to be favourite, if not him then Greipel.

Been some great moments in this tour, not least from Froome who is a totally deserved winner but Sky's utter dominance lead a pretty underwhelming GC battle. For me anyway. Always sad when it ends!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I have a feeling that the Sky train might help Sagan today, no idea why, but I think they will

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Would love to see Sagan put in a solo attack on the Champs.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

He was close! Nice win for Greipel. Shame Cav wasn't there.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It was still brilliant.

I love the tour. It is my favourite sporting event and keeps me going between Wolves seasons.

 

[Johnny75]

It was still brilliant.

I love the tour. It is my favourite sporting event and keeps me going between Wolves seasons.

I'm with you here Paddy. I've enjoyed this tour more than the last, it's been thoroughly entertaining.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Bring on the Vuelta then!!

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Which could be great as we'll probably have Quintana and Contador for starters. Looking forward to the Olympic road race in a couple of weeks as well, really interesting parcours by the looks of things. Agree though guys, Le Tour is my favourite sporting event as well and perfectly timed outside the football season!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Well - time for a bit of cycling fun. What is your favourite climb?

For me

1. Angliru
2. Ventoux
3. Stelvio

 

[Johnny75]

I'm no expert on any of the tours but the ones I've enjoyed watching (not sure I'd have the beans to ride any of them from the start let alone after 100k's).

1. Alpe D'Heuz
2. Mont Ventoux
3. Stelvio pass (I do like a bit of the Giro)

 

[Pompey Wolf]

Tough one!

1. Col du Tourmalet (but only because it's the only proper mountain I've ridden!)
2. Ventoux (was gutted they had to shorten it)
3. Zoncolan

 

[Wombat del combate]

I must admit I've warmed to Froome through this edition, perhaps because he showed some panache in his attacking which at least made it interesting given Quintana's apparent lack of form and no real GC threat from anyone else, albeit because of injury and illness (Contador) or simple rotten luck (Porte).

Yates (his torso seems to have been taken from someone that should be about a foot taller, no?) looks likely to have a big future that's for sure.

Do we think that Cavendish will get the all-time record for stage wins over the next two years? If he rides as he did this time around you'd say certainly.

 

[Pompey Wolf]

I guess it all depends on his longevity and how Kittel comes back next year. 4 weeks ago I'd have said no but you have to fancy it now. Would be an incredible achievement.

 

[thehistorymakers]

A great team performance from Sky. The team worked as a team to help Froome get the yellow jersey. He did a fantastic job and fully deserved his win.
I found the tour very boring this year as there was never any serious competition for Froome for the yellow jersey. Sky are so far ahead, that I can see them dominating this sport for years. I am not sure that this is good for the sport!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I can see where you are coming from. Banesto dominated for years with Indurain. And then obvs Discovery and US Postal with He Who Shall Not Be Named.

Neither of those were particularly exciting eras.

In better news I just took a look at the Vuelta route. An absolute beast. Good to see Lagos De Covadonga on there. Great climb.

 

[Kenny]

Couple of questions (I may have asked these already but I'm old and forgetful)

1) Why is the leader unchallenged on the final day?

2) Has anyone lost the TfD after starting the final day in the lead?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

The last day is ceremonial

 

[Kenny]

Bollocks to that. Let the leader neck an ale (leave notes on TWF obvs)..and beat the alky bastard.