DARK KNIGHT

exciting racing today!! thanks for the updates guys!

FDJ.fr's efforts are helping to peg back the escapees slowly and the gap has now dropped to 2:35. Meanwhile, the temperature contunues to rise. It's not 32 degrees out on the road.

The roads are twisting up and down the hills of the Ardeche region, offering some moments of shade but rarely a section of flat road.

Two FDJ.fr riders continue to set the pace at the head of the peloton, with Team Sky lined out behind them, followed by Tinkoff-Saxo, protecting Alberto Contador.

The three breakaway riders are working well together but peloton is refusing to let them open a big gap. The time difference is 2:50 now.

14:17:13 CEST This stage is considered one for the sprinters but every rider will have to handle the constant climbing and heat today. The break covered the third hour of the stage at an average of 28.8km/h. That's a clear indication on how it is out there today.

I def know, not referring to me, have enough degrees. when one cannot debate about the laws of physics and how it relates to the human body and its capabilities, name calling is the easier route. Their are numerous intellectuals on the hub.. you agree and also disagree, fact and opinion. labelling & banter is rather cheap

13:31:03 CEST The three breakaway riders are toiling under the sun, with temperatures above 30C, and the hilly roads making it had going. The riders covered 35.7km/h in the second hour of racing.

13:41:29 CEST The riders have finally reached the top of a long gradual climb to Recharginges and are at an altitude of over 1000m. They stay high for the next 40km before the descent and rolling roads to the Col de la Mure after 150km. Following the steep descent to the Rhone valley, the flat final 40km begin. That is when the sprinters' teams will begin their chase in earnest.

Im def not doubting the fact that EIA is common or not among athletes / couch potatoes.. please don't get me wrong. comment on this thread merley relates to something that was highlighted (Froome's pump which I totally missed on the tele). If you have a cold you can make a personal decision to take part in an event or not.. same goes for flu or whatever temporary or permanent condition you have. If you have a prosthetic leg or arm it is your decision to take part in an able bodied category / event etc etc.. If you however gain an advantage over your competitor, this in the form of medication / stimulants / lighter or modified prosthetics then the competition is no longer fair . Intense endurance events is a measure of man / athletes ability versus that of his competitor.. not man + his chemist in his trailer

should you be riding if you've got some sort of condition? if you do should be at own risk, as any sort of aid would be performance enhancing. where's the evidence to say that you're at a disadvantage to the next rider? it might even take you past normal levels as speculated in the last few threads. IMO there should be no aids, medical or not, all taboo

Yikes! only saw that now

does anyone still remember Froome hitting the wall in the mountains at last years Le Tour? He was lucky to finish the stage with that time penalty.. With Wiggins out, Porte looking the way he is, and Contador lurking.. makes for a gripping TDF 2014.. hold on boys, we're in for a bumper!

I suspect a few riders are playing chess at the moment.. Froome may peak a little too early in my opinion.. his physique looking top drawer at the moment.. Im not sure whether those reserves will be enough to take him through the 3 weeks in July at peak condition at this rate. Contador looking very cool, calm and relaxed. Not picking sides just yet.. but don't think Le Tour will be a hand me down in 2014

I hope he does it!!

That's how it works in business.. they will take you out. The potential risks having wiggins in the team (in a supporting role) could prove detrimental for sky at Le Tour.. internal politics, friction, differences etc.so we just not have him there at all. Irrespective whether there are differences, if you have the talent and ability you should be at Le Tour.. he does not only have the ability to do well, he has the ability to win! Due to internal differences, this athlete (nevermind supporting or leading the team) does not take part in the tour at all. Very sad for competition as a whole. will be glad if he gets signed by another team! only my opinion folks

Ive done quite a bit since this pic was taken, cut the steerer tube flush, slammed stem, tacx cages etc. Anyhoo here's my contribution to the Spez thread

3 weeks ago my radar lock path lenses started bubbling and peeling off, this after purchasing them a year ago. I returned them.. Guys Oakley simply told me it's the way I changed the lenses over time that led to the peeling lens! Oakley simply wipes their behind off at you, the optician told me that their aftermarket service is so pathetic! You're merely a number with them! Last time I'll ever buy oakleys! I really expected more from them as I expected good returns after I invested do much into a pair of sunglasses! So there you have it folks..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECs8ZrmH8D8 bloody skum!!

After reading this thread this morning I gave Marius a call at Namgear & picked up a bottle of bike wash, chain cleaner & polish...Ladies & Gents it is my pleasure to tell y'all this evening that Namgear is the sheeeznit!! There is no better product!! It is the same product used by bike stores! Price paid, same as price for 1 wash & lube.. Plus I have loads of bike wash, chain cleaner as well as Polish left. The stuff I'd awesome people. Chain is bling bling! No sales talk, just hope all you guys get to try it and save a few bucks! Please give it a go folks, you just spray it on, and hose it down.. Spotless!! (Oh yeah and the service, Marius, is just fantastic too) so happy to support a great local product such as nam gear! Ciao4now

specials special specials...

Oakley's aftermarket service = 0.. just doesn't exist,, dog shait (pretty disappointing considering you're investing some well earned dollar in a good pair of shades)

My Zipp tubbies deflated after a couple of days. when I pumped the front one up, it just popped at the valve stem. Think it has something to do with the stans and flat tubbie. After this incident, I prefer keeping them at around 6bar when they're resting.

Beaut!

Its scary how much time Quintana can snatch in the mountain stages... a game changer if you ask me, guys would be foolish not to put their money on this mountain goat. I was pretty impressed with Ryders performance yesterday!