Tour de France 2012

[petatodd]

Guess he does visit sometime...

Not you. Unless you also bore us with "which are best" type freds

[Slowbee]

i know and you know you okes are kidding around, but some other sadness might ruin it and take your handbags personally....

[Cav']

What really struck me today is that Wiggins (and arguably Sky as well) are riding this whole Tour like a robot.  Riding without emotion, just getting the job done, sticking to the script which they analyse, dissect, and plan in minute detail.  The end result is sadly a rather predictable Tour.  It would have been great if, after Nibali had been brought back by Froome, Wiggins had gone over the top, or after Nibali's second attack when Wiggins bridged on his own, then kept on going even if it was only to put 10 metres into Nibali, just to show that he could.  As it is, pleased as I am to see a Brit on the top step, the whole thing just left me wanting more.  Compared to when someone like Contador races, there's no racing by instinct and it feels like there is no passion. 

[Agteros]

What really struck me today is that Wiggins (and arguably Sky as well) are riding this whole Tour like a robot. Riding without emotion, just getting the job done, sticking to the script which they analyse, dissect, and plan in minute detail. The end result is sadly a rather predictable Tour. It would have been great if, after Nibali had been brought back by Froome, Wiggins had gone over the top, or after Nibali's second attack when Wiggins bridged on his own, then kept on going even if it was only to put 10 metres into Nibali, just to show that he could. As it is, pleased as I am to see a Brit on the top step, the whole thing just left me wanting more. Compared to when someone like Contador races, there's no racing by instinct and it feels like there is no passion.

True! the whole affair smacks of no emotion, just a corporate 'getting the job done' mentality! Thank goodness for little Voeckler!

Hopefully it'll be a different (exciting) race next year when AS and AC race again!

['Dale]

Funny chirp I read elsewhere:

 

 

Q: Why does Froome Dog keeps on looking down at his handlebars?

 

 

 

 

A: Brailsford placed a sticker there that says "Do NOT Attack..."

Edited July 19, 2012 by ' Dale

['Dale]

What really struck me today is that Wiggins (and arguably Sky as well) are riding this whole Tour like a robot.  Riding without emotion, just getting the job done, sticking to the script which they analyse, dissect, and plan in minute detail.  The end result is sadly a rather predictable Tour.   As it is, pleased as I am to see a Brit on the top step, the whole thing just left me wanting more.  Compared to when someone like Contador races, there's no racing by instinct and it feels like there is no passion. 

 

I get your point, Cav, from a viewer's point of view.

Part of me agrees.

Another part sees the absolute control which is what racing is about (too, not just passion and instinct).

 

Just read this segment from the Team Sky website:

 

The first 1.5 hours of racing were fast and aggressive as multiple teams and riders tried to get in a breakaway. However, Team Sky including Eisel had to evaluate each break to determine the threat to Overall Leader Wiggins. If anyone was a threat, Team Sky brought it back. It took many combinations and finally after about an hour and a half of racing, the right mix of riders was allowed to go up the road with the highest placed rider still over an hour down on Wiggins. This 1.5 hour effort cost Eisel 147 TSS. 100 TSS indicates a 100% all-out effort for an hour - a TSS of 147 for 1.5 hrs shows that Eisel held nothing back during the first 90 minutes of the stage as he defended Wiggins' lead.

 

The final 90 minutes of the stage were quite different from the first 90 minutes: 86.4 TSS, 278 Average Watts,316 NP, 56.7 km

 

Since we've been following Eisel (Stage 3-15), he has accumulated over 3720 TSS points in 13 stages or 2 weeks of racing! By comparison, a recreational cyclist might accumulate 250 TSS points per week, riding about 6 hours at an easy to moderate pace. (1 hour of easy riding = 35 TSS).

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Nibs had another good day in my opinion, they rode to clear Evans out as he was the biggest threat to Nibs in the TT and they did a great job, although I doubt they thought they would get over 5 minutes, that would have been a surprise for them as well.!

 

I thought Froome looked a little under pressure today at one stage, but he recovered quickly so I cant see Nibs overtaking him by much if anything, he would need at least 90 odd sec's in any event, maybe more going into the TT, and thats going to be hard. Top step of the podium is almost unattainable now for anyone, unless of course Wiggo doesn't pitch up.

 

........but the man of the day has to be Voekler, he has such charisma you just cant help but like the guy and root for him no matter where he is.

Edited July 18, 2012 by GrumpyOldGuy

[TNT1]

Cute. TSS points and associated garbage.

 

I agree with Cav. Bring back the Cobra, and Contador and the like.

['Dale]

Above and beyond the highly calculated approach by Sky in the GC contest, the spirit of exciting racing is well displayed by puncheurs like Chavanel, LL Sanchez and EBH, the brilliance of Sagan, the climbing of Pinot, Rolland and the crazy Frenchie Voeckler with his almighty effort.

Not to mention the Shark of Messina, Nibali.

 

But, I'm sure 'Berto is raring to derail the Sky train as he watches from Pinto.

['Dale]

Cute. TSS points and associated garbage.

 

I agree with Cav. Bring back the Cobra, and Contador and the like.

 

:-)

I expected Menchov to bring some Russian vodka to the English tea party.

Pity.

He's past the peak of his powers, it seems.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

What really struck me today is that Wiggins (and arguably Sky as well) are riding this whole Tour like a robot. Riding without emotion, just getting the job done, sticking to the script which they analyse, dissect, and plan in minute detail. The end result is sadly a rather predictable Tour. It would have been great if, after Nibali had been brought back by Froome, Wiggins had gone over the top, or after Nibali's second attack when Wiggins bridged on his own, then kept on going even if it was only to put 10 metres into Nibali, just to show that he could. As it is, pleased as I am to see a Brit on the top step, the whole thing just left me wanting more. Compared to when someone like Contador races, there's no racing by instinct and it feels like there is no passion.

 

Yeah, I hear you, just another tick in the box every day.

 

I think if you want passion and crazy attacks (like me as well) you have to look to the Europeans, mostly the Italians and the Spanish but the French as well as we see with Voekler, they ride with their hearts going out on crazy breaks in the mist of the high mountains, hence for me the Giro and the Vuelta are better races visually, the Yanks bought a corporate mentality to the tour with LA and US Postal and later Discovery and now its been copied by Sky and Wiggo, effective it may be, but for me it also lacks the gutsy heart and soul of the other two grand tours.

[Tumbleweed]

Ah, man, I wanted Dan Martin to win that stage! But was satisfied with Tommy's victory. Vino looked miff at that uncleating at the end.

[NotSoBigBen]

I recall someone right at the start if the tour saying 'Sky have no soul' .... Guess that's true?

[Tumbleweed]

I recall someone right at the start if the tour saying 'Sky have no soul' .... Guess that's true?

 

Wiggins is a ginger?

[Agteros]

Wiggins is a ginger?

Oi! Just now TNT1 starts posting pictures of Wiggo! :eek:

[Tumbleweed]

Oi! Just now TNT1 starts posting pictures of Wiggo! :eek:

 

In sultry poses?

 

Mods, please lock this thread now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!