Tour de France 2015

On one hand, it's a shame the discussion inevitably comes to this, but on the other I guess that's the legacy the sport of cycling has built for itself; not unlike Nordic skiing. I can find myself rooting against Contador due to him being a known doper in the TDF, yet (as a casual observer of the sport) I don't really want to sit around and google every other cyclist's history and decide who to root for or not based on that fact. Let's assume an even playing field and go from there, and if there are current cheats, hope they will be exposed.

Watching the US coverage, a mention of Lance Armstrong's name has been virtually non-existent. No more "Lance Moments" interjected. Hopefully that's a positive sign of where the sport is headed.

The doping has reduced my real care-factor to close to zero. I really don't know who to trust, so I maufacture my preferences based on arbitrary criteria. I don't like Astana because I was systematically ripped off in Kazahkstan (plus the team's serial doping transgressions), and I don't like Froome because his style is so ugly (and his girlfriend is apparently an airhead who doesn't know when to keep her twitter-mouth shut). I generally don't like the 'strayans (although I am one) as a sort of weird protest agaisnt nationalism generally. I don't like Teejay because he has a stupid name.

So in spite of the history, I like the Contador and Valverde, as well as Quintana (mainly due the fact that there is a very nice Colombian who works down the hall from me). I'm working on a project in Eritrea, so I'm keen on those guys.

I believe Froome was described as appearing like 'an octopus draped over a climbing frame'. A description that has stuck in my mind.

bruce

And so to Mr Thomas then. I suspect that he is the real hero on the Sky team. He is just there helping Froome all the time. Very very impressive.

If you look at what he delivered in this week - it looks more to be a doped octopus....just read the coverage of the calculus watts he would have delivered in the famous Tuedsay climb....

Don't forget Richie Porte who gave absolutely everything today. Leading for the long haul and reeling in all attacks when he was front man. Totally spent when he handed over to GT. They are a formidable threesome. 

G has to be a quality team leader at some point. Hopefully soon, as time marches on.  Porte is BMC team leader next year right?

As to Chris Froome, why all the negativity? Jesus, the guy is bloody good at what he does. Just 'cos he's not a PR wet dream like Sir Wiggo, people seem to want him to be 'found out'.

I've been equally impressed with Thomas as with Froome. What a fantastic team member!

And regarding Froome comments, can a guy really help what he looks like? 

If you're looking for a he-man then put Greipel on the podium

"G" used to be a serial crasher, but has improved lately (Tyler Farrar also doesn't seem to be crashing as much, and has finally admitted he is no sprinter). I am suspicious of G's sudden form just as I am suspicious of Porte who can now ride the best in the world off his wheel. But to be fair, I am suspicious of everyone. For me "G" has no panache. And he wears stupid glasses (like Ryder).

I don't know if he can help it or not, but as I said, my creation of heroes and villains is completely arbitrary. If you want to be paid to entertain people, then this sort of thing (internet idiots like me criticizing irrelevant things) comes with the pay packet. Don't forget, none of this matters.

Winky,

On this thread and multiple other sports-related posts in the past, you seem to have attempted to build for yourself an irrefutable cloud of logic upon which to denigrate or attempt to put into your perspective the relevancy of sport and its value in the real world. I don't happen to live on that cloud, and sports as entertainment persist in the real world despite your precepts. You could also say Hollywood movies don't matter, and you might be correct on your cloud. Still that is a billion dollar industry and matters to many as the world spins. So I wonder why you continue with your same stale attitude here, especially since you appear to be following the results of the TDF despite your contemptuous view of it.

On a more germane note, great ride today by Quintana, though Froome still seems to have all the answers at his ready 

Thank god for safety headgear, after Bardet's realisation he'd thrown it away at the end ... Super race though, two distinct groups slogging it out, with the 'pulpe jaune' enveloping his rivals at the end.

I never said I wasn't entertained by it. I just don't ascribe any real importance to it beyond that entertainment. I continue to comment on sports as an extension of that entertainment, just as many do.

I think it would be good if more participants of elite sports in general remembered that they are essentially involved in the entertainment business

bruce

Or to misquote the late Bill Shankly

"Football isn't a matter of life and death.....it's much more important than that"

"G" went down today on the descent into Gap. Fortunately he was OK, and even more fortunately, he lost his glasses. And even more fortunately again, they don't make them any more!

He must have heard you

Did Nibali get the 'doper' scrutiny last year-if so I don't recall it.

Odd really as he dominated the race, belongs to a team run by a convicted dopers, that has had riders suspended for doping recently and was which was on the brink of being suspended earlier in the season for irregularities.

Seems like a lot of anti-Sky stuff to me. As Thomas said, 'they liked us when we were losing'.

Bruce

Riders that people actually like get less public scrutiny, for sure.

I was disappointed to see Tejay abandon today, though he seemed always to be barely clinging to his third position. Generally able to maintain contact with Froome, I never got the sense that Tejay would launch a significant attack or that Froome or Quintana would be unable to answer it.

Be interesting to see if Richie Porte is the BMC leader next year, especially if Teejay stays. I assume Porte would be unlikely to move to another team otherwise.

Bruce

Looking good for Froome, over 2 1/2 minutes is a good lead but Moviestar's two pronged attack might put him under pressure. Richie Port dropped off the pace early on yesterday but he diidn't look under pressure, lets hope he was keeping himself fresh for today.

Froome seemed to be having a long friendly chat with Romain Bardet at the roll out. Wouldn't be surprised if Sky and AG2R haven't come to a gentlemans agreement. Dardet helps Froome if he's attacked and Froome lets Bardet take the polka dot jersey.

You could be right, it's exciting.....

What a race, great entertainment....

+1.

With 5 km to go it could have swung either way.

Lets hope Cav manages to win tomorrow.