GrumpyOldGuy

No I anticipate a very strong 'berto five weeks from now, not three, last week of the tour is when he needs to peak.

Maybe, Rogers was good last year but in Saxo I reckon Roman Kreuziger will be no 2 to 'Berto, I dont think Rogers is as good when the air gets a bit thin.

Yeah, sure, thats what I understood as well.

Yeah, fair enough, I understand, but in your opinion why would he take cortcoids now, surely they are more sort of "reactive drugs" as opposed to "pro active drugs"?

Cassie, I assume you mean insurance policies like disability / Life etc.? Not sure. If so many insurances still cover hazardous sports, you usually just have to disclose it and possibly pay a slightly higher premium. I am surprised your insurer didnt want to cover paragliding, was this a common refusal or just from your one insurer.? I scuba dive a lot and its definitely classed as a hazardous sport but as long as I have proof I am "licensed" to dive, stick to the standard schedules etc I remain covered, but yeah, I dont know, but I doubt M/ Biking is classed as a hazardous sport so you are right, maybe it will cause insurers to be a little more cautious on their policies in future.

I hear you and I understand your point, but I also think people do change, so maybe a second chance is a good thing, there have been really good riders caught for doping, paid their dues and come back with a positive attitude and a (hopefully) changed outlook, of course the opposite is also true, but I think everyone deserves a second chance. Another issue really is the very tiny pool in the PRO teams, its actually a terribly incestuous business because riders just sort of move around between teams and to get results teams are happy to take them. Which team would not have signed Lance in his winning years irrespective of any issues or doping suggestions, he won big races and teams want (and Need) that.

Surely the only question is "Why are his cortisol levels low" .? Getting THAT answer will point to a way forward regarding all the other issues of should he ride, what the doctor said etc, to me anyway the chase is "WHY".

Sheesh man, just terrible,........as I said "Gives me cold shivers".

Sorry, not been aware of the story I dont quite understand, did he go over the bars and land on his head.? sort of similar to diving into a pool with no water.? Terrible accident for such a young man, gives me cold shivers.

Nope, with you there.

I have some VHS tapes of the old Giro's as well, early 2000 I think, good grief, those were crazy days.

Yeah, but I cant see that happening, sport has also become a game of electronic enhancement. I watched an interview recently with the great Bruce Fordyce and he never even had a heart rate monitor, he ran on splits and timed his splits on a normal old Timex. Quite incredible. On the point of SKY just grinding away, I dont think it will be that easy at the tour, they couldn't get it right at the Giro either and it wasn't for lack of trying. Once there is a real objective the lightweight climbers will just work together and attack until one gets away, SKY cant chase them all down and eventually one will get away, much like the Giro, but where it does make a difference though is limiting the losses of the leader. However, with you completely on the boring aspect, it definitely spoils the TV viewing.

Yeah, he was very impressive here at the Dauphine', no doubt about it. ......but, I still say 'Berto is sitting on some good form , he just has no need to show it. .......but there are other issues which play into 'Berto's hands I think, a one week race as opposed to a three week grand tour, the stress of been a team leader in a big event, knowing whats needed to win ........all old hat to 'Berto, but I think still relatively new to Chris? Realistically I reckon 'Berto only has to peak in 5 weeks time, (final week of the tour) so in that context he looks like he is on course, BUT, if Chris can hold this kind of form for another 5 weeks (or improve) then Yup, he will be formidable no doubt.

.......and Talansky continues to impress, another great ride by the lad.

Oh yeah, 'Berto knows what he needs to do to win, I dont for one minute doubt he is not on plan. I would certainly have liked him to be a little more competitive here, but, yah, you play the cards as they fall and salvage what you can, riding up with Rogers when he could possibly have tried for a stage win was a nice gesture, sure to pay dividends later, just like his gifted win to Paulinho at the Giro and Paulinho dragged him up a climb later at the tour (even though they were then on different teams), I am sure Rogers will be grateful. However, I'll say it again, I am concerned about the strength of Team Saxo, apart from Kreuziger I think this is pretty much their best team.

Only a cat 1 to finish today, cant see anyone toppling Chris, but I am hoping 'Berto makes a little dash for the line to take the stage - We'll see. Rodriguez didn't look great yesterday, so maybe Valverde and 'Berto will spice it up a bit. The talk coming out of Saxo is all pretty much consistent, 'berto has allergy issues, he is just here to train, not really fond of the race, never targeted the race for a win, his form is 75% which is right at about this time, .........so maybe we are reading too much into it, Yesterday he looked pretty composed and dare I say it......."Pretty strong." http://grassyknolltv.com/2013/criterium-du-dauphine-libere/profile-08.jpg

Yup, me too. The Criterium hasn't been great though in my books, it had lots of potential but I think too many riders playing the "its all just training" card has left it a little bland.

Hope so I rate him as a dark horse.

- in the mail.

Yeah, don know whats up with Euskaltel, they actually have some some very good riders as you mention, but they never appear to have a plan, its always a sort of "every man for himself" type scenario. Or at least thats the way I see it. I hope Europcar gets away today, I hope Tommy gets into a break, I hope he animates the break and stays away and I hope he wins the stage - Tommy is a real character, always entertaining, always the opportunist, just makes dull days exciting.

Indeed, cant remember the year, but that tussle between himself and Rasmussen was a good example, he just accelerated away, rode tempo, accelerated away, rode tempo............. That was great viewing, even if in hindsight its suspect.

Yeah, I also watched the finish again last night, although it wasn't really that exciting Froome seems to be in better condition than 'Berto at this point, 'berto made a great attack and immediately opened up a nice gap, frankly I thought he had the race in the bag, but he appeared to fade quickly and once Chris got the turbo roaring, it was all over bar the shouting. 'Berto still only lost 4 sec's on the stage so he was right there, but just didn't appear to be able to capitalize on his great attack, had he gone a little later I think he could have held on, but Yah, water under the bridge, Froome was in great form.

Dont know, but an interesting question. I was under the impression a "criterium" is a race of laps on a circuit or road, this is neither. Maybe it used to be a lap race, but changed and the name just stayed, - but, Yah, I am also just guessing, so maybe someone else will know for sure.

Oh, okay, I must have missed that bit, I thought he got shelled when Katusha stopped chasing. My apologies.

Yeah, indeed, was thinking the same while watching today, super young talent coming through and a lot from countries outside Europe, the traditional stomping ground for young riders.