Tour de France '04
Posted by: ErikL on 03 July 2004
Go Tyler, go!
I hope the Spaniards on Phonak can help him through the mountains, and that he avoids another broken clavicle. Plus he's 34 and I get the feeling it's now or never!
I'm tired of Armstrong and Ullrich, but if Hamilton can't do it I'd be amused to see Ullrich as Armstrong's little wench yet again.
I hope the Spaniards on Phonak can help him through the mountains, and that he avoids another broken clavicle. Plus he's 34 and I get the feeling it's now or never!
I'm tired of Armstrong and Ullrich, but if Hamilton can't do it I'd be amused to see Ullrich as Armstrong's little wench yet again.
Posted on: 11 July 2004 by Tim Jones
Indeed. This is a fantastic result and she is a fantastic rider. But given that 99 per cent of attention to 'sport' is about moving a ball around on a field, how many will ever hear about her?
Tim
Tim
Posted on: 11 July 2004 by Justin
i saw some hilights of the team timetrials today. It rained and rained and rained. But the route is only 40 miles and it's a five man (minimum) effort. My question is this: How is it at all fair if the weather gets better (or deteriorates) during before all the teams are out of the block? As i said, it rained like hell the whole time (I think), but clearly in a downpour over a relatively short course, the limiting factor is the water on the pavement not the man in the saddle.
Judd
Judd
Posted on: 11 July 2004 by Justin
AND (I know I am showing that this is my first time watching this thing) I can't get a sense that this is a "proper" race with all the people in the streets, the cars and all the damned motorcycles. It seems artificially "cramped" and limiting and less likely to get to the bottom of athleticism in comparison, say, to a the middle leg of a triathalon where the atheletes get simply get out there and ride.
Judd
Judd
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Paul R S
Tim(s),
There will be people in all walks of life that you will dislike. Robbie's ability to sprint after 200k without lead out, and has the balls to find a gap and go for it doesn't mean he's a twat. He doesn't have a reputation for being a twat in the sprints, the other guys dont like coming second, 1st is the only placing that counts in a sprint and to try to even hold a wheel when these guys wind it up is beyond even a 1st cat..
There will be people in all walks of life that you will dislike. Robbie's ability to sprint after 200k without lead out, and has the balls to find a gap and go for it doesn't mean he's a twat. He doesn't have a reputation for being a twat in the sprints, the other guys dont like coming second, 1st is the only placing that counts in a sprint and to try to even hold a wheel when these guys wind it up is beyond even a 1st cat..
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Tim Danaher
quote:
Originally posted by Paul R S:
Tim(s),
There will be people in all walks of life that you will dislike. Robbie's ability to sprint after 200k without lead out, and has the balls to find a gap and go for it doesn't mean he's a twat.
Did I say it did?
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Tim Jones
Paul -
He's not the only one to be able to do that and anyone who can is an astonishing athlete. But most do it with a helluva lot more grace that Robbie. The problem isn't his ability, It's his attitude.
I like the fact that he had a go at Hasselbacher (no.1 crash causer). But he promptly spoilt that by also having a go at Scott Sunderland, a veteran climber who decided to have a go at one of the sprints. Seems Robbie doesn't like competition.
These things, alongside his popping behind trees for a poo, getting his bottles nicked by French teenagers, and generally being chippy with everyone, make him a laugh a minute.
But his specific claim to twatdom is that he named his son Ewan.
Tim
He's not the only one to be able to do that and anyone who can is an astonishing athlete. But most do it with a helluva lot more grace that Robbie. The problem isn't his ability, It's his attitude.
I like the fact that he had a go at Hasselbacher (no.1 crash causer). But he promptly spoilt that by also having a go at Scott Sunderland, a veteran climber who decided to have a go at one of the sprints. Seems Robbie doesn't like competition.
These things, alongside his popping behind trees for a poo, getting his bottles nicked by French teenagers, and generally being chippy with everyone, make him a laugh a minute.
But his specific claim to twatdom is that he named his son Ewan.
Tim
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by matthewr
"But given that 99 per cent of attention to 'sport' is about moving a ball around on a field, how many will ever hear about her?"
If she wins Gold (or even bronze) in Athens she will be hugely famous.
Matthew
PS And how many people know that Steve Peat is the world's best downhill Mountain biker and just won the UCI World Cup again?
If she wins Gold (or even bronze) in Athens she will be hugely famous.
Matthew
PS And how many people know that Steve Peat is the world's best downhill Mountain biker and just won the UCI World Cup again?
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Rockingdoc
quote:
Originally posted by Tim Jones:
Paul -
These things, alongside his popping behind trees for a poo, getting his bottles nicked by French teenagers, and generally being chippy with everyone, make him a laugh a minute.
Tim
It's about time they showed this sort of thing on ITV2
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Paul R S
Guy's, What's wrong with Ewan McEwan?? It's a name you wont forget..
Oh and the poo bit, ever remember Greg Lemond having a poo in his shorts cos he didnt have time to stop? There was a clearing in the bunch behind him...
Paul
Oh and the poo bit, ever remember Greg Lemond having a poo in his shorts cos he didnt have time to stop? There was a clearing in the bunch behind him...
Paul
Posted on: 12 July 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
ITV1 are showing a 50 minute prog from 1am tonight (tomorrow if you see what I mean).
The non-appearance of terrestrial TV surpises me. Surely they can make something out of the human story of Armstrong etc. A bit of imaginative broadcasting could presumably get around the innate difficulties and make something worth watching even if were just for 30 minutes a night? Wouldn't suitable advertisers not want to get the likely audience-predominantly male and ABC's or whatever they call them?
Just had a nice evening lash (in the first dry weather for ages) on my shiny new roadbike. Lance watch out!
Bruce
The non-appearance of terrestrial TV surpises me. Surely they can make something out of the human story of Armstrong etc. A bit of imaginative broadcasting could presumably get around the innate difficulties and make something worth watching even if were just for 30 minutes a night? Wouldn't suitable advertisers not want to get the likely audience-predominantly male and ABC's or whatever they call them?
Just had a nice evening lash (in the first dry weather for ages) on my shiny new roadbike. Lance watch out!
Bruce
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Matt Gear
What a fantastic performance from Virenque yesterday. The margin he won by and the distance he was leading for was very impressive, and made more so that he did much of it on his own, after Axel Merkx dropped back.
I'm very pleased that I forked out on the freeview box. Money well spent, I think!
Matt
I'm very pleased that I forked out on the freeview box. Money well spent, I think!
Matt
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Tim Danaher
Even more impressive was Brioches La Boulangère's performance in defending Voeckler's yellow. I thought they rode superbly. I hope Voeckler can hang on over the weekend. Should make things a lot more interesting. Can anybody remember Chiappucci in 1990?
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Tim Jones
quote:
Originally posted by Matt Gear:
What a fantastic performance from Virenque yesterday. The margin he won by and the distance he was leading for was very impressive
Hmmmm.
Tim
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Matt Gear
"Hmmmm"
???
Matt
???
Matt
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Tim Jones
Sorry Matt, I am using cheap innuendo to imply something for which there is no foundation.
Just that given Rico's past it is easy sometimes to assume the worst about him. Being in a very long break is incredibly hard (I stupidly try it on in every race I'm in) and Virenque does not have a big engine.
Tim
Just that given Rico's past it is easy sometimes to assume the worst about him. Being in a very long break is incredibly hard (I stupidly try it on in every race I'm in) and Virenque does not have a big engine.
Tim
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Matt Gear
No worries Tim.
I'm not a cyclist myself (well, i have a bike, but don't think that really counts), and have only been watching le Tour for the last two years so am keen to learn about what's going on and who's who.
I know there's been a lot of talk about doping though, so can understand the reluctance of many people to be impressed by certain achievements within the race.
Cheers
Matt
I'm not a cyclist myself (well, i have a bike, but don't think that really counts), and have only been watching le Tour for the last two years so am keen to learn about what's going on and who's who.
I know there's been a lot of talk about doping though, so can understand the reluctance of many people to be impressed by certain achievements within the race.
Cheers
Matt
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Tim Danaher
And did you see the Voeckler / Virenque interview at the nd yesterday? Very frosty, apparently (Voeckler has been outspoken in his opposition to doping). Apparently, asked what he thought of Virenque's performance, he gave a curt "rien à dire". When prodded a little further he said something like, "Yes, it's very hard to stay out on your own like that".
Eeeeoooow! Handbags at 50 paces, girls!
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Eeeeoooow! Handbags at 50 paces, girls!
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by ErikL
Informants tell me the race finally starts tomorrow (Friday).
This weekend should be exciting.
Go Tyler!
This weekend should be exciting.
Go Tyler!
Posted on: 15 July 2004 by Dan M
Tim -- Axel doesn't seem too pleased with tricky dicky either.
Ludders -- yep, boy is this race back-end loaded. I'm concerned about Tyler. Yesterday, there was that little split which cost him 7 seconds, and today Lance and Jan were around 10th or so and Tyler was in the 30s. Doesn't seem like he's being as attentive as Jan. He could be distracted because of Tugboat (very sad to hear about that). I wish him well tomorrow.
cheers,
Dan
Ludders -- yep, boy is this race back-end loaded. I'm concerned about Tyler. Yesterday, there was that little split which cost him 7 seconds, and today Lance and Jan were around 10th or so and Tyler was in the 30s. Doesn't seem like he's being as attentive as Jan. He could be distracted because of Tugboat (very sad to hear about that). I wish him well tomorrow.
cheers,
Dan
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
Tim (and others)
I'm pretty sure you are a Campagnolo buff
Sl OTT roadbike query. I'm getting used to my new bike and my first experience of Campy (Chorus 10sp double). I bought an 11-23 cassette but just want one slightly lower gear. Do you know if you can get a single 26 ring and swap this for the 23 alone, or do I have to get a whole new cassette (which would mean 13-26).
Bruce
I'm pretty sure you are a Campagnolo buff
Sl OTT roadbike query. I'm getting used to my new bike and my first experience of Campy (Chorus 10sp double). I bought an 11-23 cassette but just want one slightly lower gear. Do you know if you can get a single 26 ring and swap this for the 23 alone, or do I have to get a whole new cassette (which would mean 13-26).
Bruce
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by Tim Danaher
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Tim (and others)
I'm pretty sure you are a Campagnolo buff
Sl OTT roadbike query. I'm getting used to my new bike and my first experience of Campy (Chorus 10sp double). I bought an 11-23 cassette but just want one slightly lower gear. Do you know if you can get a single 26 ring and swap this for the 23 alone, or do I have to get a whole new cassette (which would mean 13-26).
Bruce
Bruce -- First off, DON'T call it Campy!!! Aaarrgh!!!!
OK, back to the question.
Technically, yes, you can fit a 26. However, the jump from the 21-26 would be so large, you might not get proper shifting. Also, Campag spares are pretty expensive, and you're probably better off buying a 13-26 cassette and flogging the old one.
Shame you didn't post earlier. I sold a 13-26 Chorus cassette just yesterday for £30.
Cheers,
Tim
_____________________________
Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by Bruce Woodhouse
a) I apologise
b) I think I'll just get a new cassette
c) Might persuade my LBS to swap it as it is pretty new. Otherwise, bugger!
b) I think I'll just get a new cassette
c) Might persuade my LBS to swap it as it is pretty new. Otherwise, bugger!
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by Nigel Cavendish
Cometh the mountains, cometh the man.
Lance will piss over everybody, and more so the fat man.
cheers
Nigel
Lance will piss over everybody, and more so the fat man.
cheers
Nigel
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by Tim Jones
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:quote:Tim, I thought you didn't acknowledge that drugs in cycling was a problem. Surely you should just admire the human effort and worship such a hero. The spirit of Marco Pantani lives on.
Sorry Matt, I am using cheap innuendo to imply something for which there is no foundation.
Just that given Rico's past it is easy sometimes to assume the worst about him. Being in a very long break is incredibly hard (I stupidly try it on in every race I'm in) and Virenque does not have a big engine.quote:EPO syringes at the ready then.
Informants tell me the race finally starts tomorrow (Friday).
Mr Happy's back.
Ignoring his predictable snivelling, it's all shaping up a bit predictable now. Nice to see Basso sticking to LA's wheel today.
Go Ivan!
Tim
Posted on: 16 July 2004 by ErikL
Articles I've read say Tyler's back is really bothering him. 
His team is looking great overall, though.
As always, I'll feel good if Ullrich is someone's little bitch, even if it's Lance (and even though my Mom is a die-hard Ullrich fan).
His team is looking great overall, though.
As always, I'll feel good if Ullrich is someone's little bitch, even if it's Lance (and even though my Mom is a die-hard Ullrich fan).