2014 Tour De France

['Dale]

['Dale]

['Dale]

['Dale]

After those vids,

 

 

Excited yet?

 

 

http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2014/06/16/2/20144550_233201_220.jpg

[nickc]

After those vids,

 

 

Excited yet?

 

 

http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2014/06/16/2/20144550_233201_220.jpg

For Sure !!!!! The countdown begins - 4 days to go.

[gummibear]

Any hubbers going to be in Epernay,Reims,Nancy or Tomblaine?

[BeegMig]

 

Oh and I've tried to do telephone pole sprints on my own with my chin on my Garmin. Frikkin impossible. I have no idea how Cav can push out max power like that.

 

In a few days Cav might start using your findings as an excuse for getting his botty kicked.

[urbanroyal]

Read the poor guy's story here.

 

He's been treated very poorly IMHO, especially when you consider CAFD sat on the independent experts findings for 7 months and did nothing, then sprung a 10 day deadline on him to get further independent evidence in his defense or they'd suspend him. So he goes out and gets more independent expert evidence, showing once again that there's nothing at all wrong with his blood numbers, yet they still drop the axe. I was interested to read this feedback from the 3rd independent expert: "the conclusions of CAFD’s Experts Panel have limited scientific supporting evidence." Just a very diplomatic way of saying that CAFD are clueless (edit: and/or they've got other reasons why they're doing this that have got little to do with following actual evidence).

After those vids,

 

 

Excited yet?

 

 

http://cdn3.media.cyclingnews.futurecdn.net/2014/06/16/2/20144550_233201_220.jpg

 

Trying to be ...but the above...sh*tty move...

[ScottCM]

Build up to the TDF off their official website, looking at 5 key stages:

 

In the run-up to 4th July, letour.fr will be analysing 5 key stages on the route of the 2014 edition. Of symbolic importance in the development of the race or perhaps decisive with regard to the final general individual classification, they possess the required characteristics for an exceptional sporting show.

 

On the very first day, Mark Cavendish will have the opportunity to experience a consecrating moment in his career.

THE TERRAIN

 

The first stage of the Tour de France is never simply anecdotal. It designates the wearer of the first Yellow Jersey, an honour which very often befalls an all-rounder, sometimes a puncher and very occasionally a sprinter. In Harrogate, everything is pointing to a straight-line specialist, most probably the strongest and most skilful of them, experiencing the privilege of slipping on the jersey that will transform them forever. Over the 190.5 kilometres to be covered, the last 60 take place on flat terrain. The day's breakaways will have very slim chances of withstanding the determination of the sprinters' teams, who promise a merciless pursuit before an explosive confrontation.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON… MARK CAVENDISH

 

The phenomenon was already turning heads in 2007. At that time, Mark Cavendish was only a young sprinter aged 22 years, but his embryonic roll of honour which boasted a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the scratch race and which would soon count a world championship medal in the Madison, also included several potential revealing victories for his first year in the professional ranks (Escaut Grand Prix, stages on the Four Days of Dunkirk and the Tour of Catalonia). However, his apprenticeship on Le Tour, as the race set off from London, turned sour with two falls on the first two flat stages. However, it is an entirely different rider who will be taking starter's orders in Leeds.

 

In the meantime, his speed has demoralised the entire legion of cycling's sprinters. The era of his domination is however coming to a close at a time when he is faced with one of the major challenges of his career: winning at home, in a town where he has family links, to put on the only prestigious jersey that he has never worn. Since the announcement of the route of Le Tour, the Manx missile has only one goal: “It's great to have a chance to ride a stage at home and be in with a chance of winning! It's my mum's home town and it's designed for a sprint. I haven't yet worn the Yellow Jersey and I want to do it. It's going to be what my whole season is built around. If I had to choose one stage of the 21 in the Tour, that's got to be it”.

 

THEY WILL NOT BE FAR BEHIND…

 

The symbol of the Yellow Jersey in Harrogate is twofold. In addition to the pride of taking on the position of boss in the pack on Le Tour, the small circle of sprinters see this stage as a sort of world championships in the speciality. 5th July is the day when tactics, power and luck must come together for the happy winner. Marcel Kittel made his mark on Le Tour in 2013 with 4 victories, then throughout the year, as the main man in the post-Cavendish era. Last year, he tasted the delights of life in yellow and is counting on having another taste this year. However, the colossus of the Giant-Shimano team will not be the only one to be trying to throw a spanner in the works of Cavendish's plans: André Greipel, with 7 victories to date in 2014, leads his younger countryman by one triumph. Furthermore, newcomers who are regularly showing their talents in the sprints all have legitimate ambitions to be celebrating at the end of the first stage, whether it might be winner of Milan San Remo Alexander Kristoff, Frenchmen Arnaud Démare and/or Nacer Bouhanni for FDJ.fr, or Peter Sagan, who will not be afraid to try his luck, including on flat terrain…

 

 

The day after its return to mainland Europe, the Tour de France pack will be tackling the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, which will be of particular interest to Fabian Cancellara.

THE TERRAIN

 

The route of Le Tour endeavours to promote all the specialities of cycling. The cobbles of northern France and Belgium occupy a significant place in the history of the discipline and can regularly be found on the programme of the Big Loop. The exercise of power and skill that they demand of the riders contributes to the difficulty of the Tour de France and sorts out the winners from the pretenders. This year, nine cobbled sections of Paris-Roubaix will be crossed on the 5th stage, totalling more than 15 kilometres of cobbles, which is enough rumbling to tire the legs of the Big Loop's favourites throughout the last 70 kilometres. For the riders gunning for the title, their mind will be primarily focused on overcoming these obstacles without problems. As for the specialists of the Queen of the Classics, they will be aiming at enjoying another taste of glory.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON… FABIAN CANCELLARA

 

Among the winners of Paris-Roubaix present in the pack, Fabian Cancellara possesses the most impressive roll of honour, with three triumphs on the spring classic, as well as three victories on the Tour of Flanders! The cobble expert does not have an equal on this sort of terrain and will most likely see 9th July as an opportunity to again strike a decisive blow. In 2010, on the last visit of Le Tour to Arenberg, Fabian Cancellara's mission was to protect his team's leaders, a deal which he perfectly fulfilled for Andy Schleck, who finished in 5th place with the same time as Cadel Evans, whilst Frank Schleck exited the race with a fractured shoulder. As a bonus, the Swiss rider notably took hold of the Yellow Jersey, which he kept until the race reached the Vosges Mountains.

 

On reaching Arenberg, it is likely that Fabian Cancellara will have more freedom to go on the attack. The general individual classification may perhaps have already been shaken up by the stage that finishes in Sheffield, but the Yellow Jersey is likely to be within reach over the cobbles. With 21 days spent in yellow since 2004, the Trek team rider already boasts the record for currently active cyclists: at this level of the race hierarchy, he is the only one of them to have never won Le Tour. A 22nd day at the top of the classification would enable him to overtake Romain Maes and Greg LeMond, whilst a 23rd would see him leave Zoop Zoetemelk and Laurent Fignon in his wake! A fine challenge for this cycling history enthusiast…

 

THEY WILL NOT BE FAR BEHIND…

 

It is customary to say that the Tour de France can be lost on the cobbles. Consequently, the multiple interest and stakes could, for example, distract certain teams from the objective of a stage victory. However, Fabian Cancellara will still have to deal with experienced or up and coming cobble experts, starting with German John Degenkolb, who beat him to grab 2nd place at the Roubaix cycling stadium last April and who also should be unhindered by other constraints on 9th July. Geraint Thomas will be assigned to protecting his team leader Chris Froome, but it is not out of the question to see him taking part in the final battle at the finish. The 6th place accomplished by Peter Sagan on Paris-Roubaix singles him out as a possible recipient of the day's bouquet, almost more so than the winner Niki Terpstra and just as much as Sep Vanmarcke (4th), Zdenek Stybar (5th) or even Arnaud Démare (12th).

 

 

 

The return to the Planche des Belles Filles, after a memorable first visit in 2012, promises a battle between the best climbers in the pack. Chris Froome has already taken his marks.

 

THE TERRAIN

 

It is a safe bet that at this juncture, the protagonists on Le Tour will already have been slightly scattered by the relief on the stage that finishes in Sheffield or by the cobbled sectors for the one terminating at Arenberg Porte du Hainaut. However, the first confrontation in the mountains remains a moment of truth that reveals the credibility of all the promises made prior to the race by various riders. The Vosges Mountains will play host to this initial uphill battle, which is conducive to attacks throughout the stage, since it boasts a particularly dynamic format with only 161.5 km to be covered. Unlike the first visit to La Planche des Belles Filles in 2012, the route has thrown up an initial sequence of difficulties worthy of the finest Alpine or Pyrenean stages. However, at the end of the day, on the formidable final climb leading La Planche, the race is likely to see a struggle between punchers.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON… CHRIS FROOME

 

The wearer of race number 1 naturally has no trouble remembering that he won his first stage on Le Tour two years ago here on a finish that was new to the race at the time, where he temporarily left his role of ‘super-domestique' to beat Cadel Evans as well as his own team leader Bradley Wiggins. “It was a very special day, one that I'll never forget. Winning a stage on the Tour de France was a great way to make my mark after having managed to keep pace with the best on the Vuelta,” recalls Chris Froome when looking back on this show of force which gave rise to plenty of comments and various interpretations…

 

In a totally different context, striking a revelatory blow on the international stage is no longer of interest to “Froomey”. Instead, in order to confirm his status as the main favourite, he could be looking to distance his rivals on this first date with the mountains. Replying to the questions of letour.fr, the British rider is clearly thinking of making a firm statement on this stage: “This year, it will be the first opportunity for the pretenders to express themselves on the climbs. We'll find out exactly how much strength each rider has in his legs on this stage. There might not be big time gaps at the end of the day, because the final climb is not particularly long. But there will be some big climbs before arriving at La Planche. The conditions are right for it to be a genuine test."

 

THEY WILL NOT BE FAR BEHIND...

 

The stakes will be very high on this 10th day of racing and the gaps, which were more or less negligible in 2012 (the first 10 riders were within 1 minute of the leader), could assume greater proportions in light of the stage profile and the kilometres already covered since the start in Leeds. Among the candidates for the leading places on Le Tour, there will be some of the most pugilistic punchers in world cycling, starting with a Spanish trio whose reputations and ambitions are considerable. Alberto Contador knows the impact on Froome that a success in Sky's own hunting ground could have and will not deprive himself of landing a sledgehammer blow if he is able to do so. Alejandro Valverde, probably at the time in his career where he must go all out to obtain a prestigious result on Le Tour, will want to show the explosive qualities that he again demonstrated in spring on the Flèche Wallonne. Lastly Joaquim Rodriguez, 3rd on Le Tour in 2013, claims to be more focused on the Vuelta but will be keen to honour his reputation as a great uphill finisher if he is still alongside the best in the last 500 metres. Vincenzo Nibali, 4th on this climb in 2012 (7'' behind Froome), must also stay in contact if he wants to remain in with a shout of victory. Since the last visit of Le Tour, the pack has also acquired other punchers to keep an eye on, such as Michal Kwiatkowski, who will also be seeking to finish in the Top 5. Finally, it will be both a sporting an emotional challenge for Thibaut Pinot, who intends to show that he is equal to the best on slopes on which he has ridden for many a year.

 

 

The shortest of the three Pyrenean stages, from Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary-Soulan, can shake up the classification. Alberto Contador is likely to strike there.

THE TERRAIN

 

The best pieces aren't necessarily about quantity. Quality often prevails on the road of the Tour de France too. A short format of racing can shake up the classification more than long and grueling stages sometimes. The ascent to Pla d'Adet has turned the race upside down on several occasions. The most notable one was in 1974 when Raymond Poulidor put Eddy Merckx in difficulty. This time around, only 124 kilometers will be covered from Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary-Soulan. But four hard climbs will string together, starting with the col de Portillon after 50 kilometers of racing. Towards the end of the Tour, freshness and motivation will prevail. In the final ten kilometers of climbing, many changes on GC can happen.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON… ALBERTO CONTADOR

 

The first part of the 2014 season has announced the possibility of a duel between Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. The recent Critérium du Dauphiné has increased the expectations for a long lasting suspense. Contador has evidenced that his condition is back to a high and his fighting spirit is unmodified. If needed, this is the stage for him to attack. The Spaniard was very enthusiastic when he went on to recce the mountain stages. “The Tour will be decided in the Pyrenees where the courses are very hard this year”, he declared after training in every climb scheduled for the 2014 Tour de France.

He pointed out stage 17 in particular. “It'll be a very fast stage and a very difficult one for a leader to control”, he said. “It leaves opportunities for tactical moves. Shall the race leader be in a bad day, it's going to be horrible for him.”

 

THEY WILL NOT BE FAR BEHIND

 

Fight is in the air. Whether or not it'll be for the yellow jersey or the other positions in the top ten overall, something should happen in Saint-Lary-Soulan. In the event of a duel between Contador and Froome, Vincenzo Nibali is often tipped as the third man and the most serious candidate for the last spot on the podium. Critérium du Dauphiné winner Andrew Talansky is another one, so are Tejay van Garderen, Alejandro Valverde, Jurgen Van den Broeck and world champion Rui Costa. Riders who would happen to have lost their ambitions on GC will be keen to go from far out and seek a stage victory. It can be the case of the French trio of climbers formed of Thibaut Pinot, Romain Bardet and Pierre Rolland. Top climbers like Joaquim Rodriguez, Bauke Mollema and the Schleck brothers might find themselves in that situation too.

 

Will post 5th stage preview once its published.

[Bianchisti]

In a few days Cav might start using your findings as an excuse for getting his botty kicked.

 

Mmmmm. Like last year's "anti-biotics"

 

What shall it be this time?

[rudi-h]

WTF? Impey positive for drugs!!!

 

http://www.sport24.c...s-test-20140702

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/daryl-impey-tests-positive-for-probenecid

 

anybody have details?

[Bianchisti]

WTF? Impey positive for drugs!!!

 

http://www.sport24.c...s-test-20140702

 

http://www.cyclingne...-for-probenecid

 

anybody have details?

 

Yes!

[Wez-O]

Froome or Contador??? Its surely too close to call.

 

In the sprints, hoping to see Kittel thumping Cavendish again this year with Sagan taking any hilly sprints.

[DJ84]

Fantasy leagues entered.

Reckon i will be the strongest this year holding everyone up from the bottom.

['Dale]

Trying to be ...but the above...sh*tty move...

 

Tell me about it.

I'm backing 'Berto this year.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Interesting, I am still considering wither I will participate in the league this year or not.

 

Sadly, I haven't had time to really follow the season this year so I have to say I am not up to speed.

 

If I do it will be a team based purely on riders I like to support, 'Berto, Scarponi, Valverde, Bennati, Nibali, Voekler to name a few, Froome, Cavendish, the Schlecks, Horner or a few other good racers wont be there, not because I dont think they are capable, I simply dont support them.

 

I see supporting teams or riders (or any sportsman / woman) as a sort of investment in my time and knowledge, and, I only invest in people I am comfortable with supporting, irrespective of their possible potential or pedigree, I find it difficult to support any athlete I may not like, even if they are the best, and that includes supporting them in a fantasy league.