Tour De France 2018

Gianni Moscon disqualified from Tour de France:

The Italian rider was excluded from the Tour after the race jury reviewed footage of the incident following the stage. The images show Moscon turning and aiming a blow at Gesbert, who stayed upright on his bike.

This is the first year in which the Tour has had a video commissaire, who observes proceedings on television monitors in a truck at the finish rather than in a car or motorbike within the race.

News of Moscon’s expulsion was formally confirmed when the official stage results began to be distributed shortly after 7.30 Sunday evening.

The commissaires excluded Moscon, citing article 12.1040.30.1 of the UCI regulations, which covers “acts of violence among riders” and allows for disqualification in the event of “particular serious aggression.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sp...d-brailsford-inquiry

Oh, and according to Brailsford, spitting on riders is a "French cultural thing". That'll help the Sky riders get some more roadside support, no doubt.

Brailsford appears to have given up being nice (did he ever try?). He seems to have adopted the position of some football managers; "nobody likes us and we don't care". I suspect it is partly deliberate. I don't want this thread to become a debate about Sky and doping (because, lets be honest none of us actually know) but although I don't think all is rosy in the Sky garden and I'm no lover of their style and methods I can look around the peleton and see teams and individuals with very many questions to answer (and proven doping violations)  that are getting an easy ride. Sky are getting the anger for a bunch or reasons, but envy is surely one of them.

The direct quote from Brailsford is below, he does have a point that their reception in France seems especially unpleasant, compared to Giro/Vuelta.

https://www.independent.co.uk/...-watch-a8459791.html

The French press are pretty malign and I get the impression that they may at least in part be responsible for some of the increasing hostility on the roads. Newspapers describing Sky as a 'a snake now with two heads' and also stating that when another Sky rider does well then 'suspicion is as contagious as herpes' is hardly admirable reporting.

Nibali's fall seems to have been crowd related. Looks a tough balance to me between the fantastic atmosphere and access generated by the road side, and rider safety. It would be very sad if everyone was constrained for miles behind barriers and rows of stewards but something nasty is going to happen soon unless things calm down a bit. The potential for a spectator to get run over by a motorbike is also scary. Surely having a flare as a spectator should be outlawed and prosecuted? It is a bit sad when cycling falls behind football (that paragon of discipline) in terms of crowd safety and behaviour.

Not sure how any of this resolves. Maybe another scandal comes along that diverts attention from Sky or perhaps they should just lose? Maybe sign a French rider!

If the Tour was decided because a Team Sky rider was taken down by deliberate crowd action that would be another new low for the race. Nibali might argue the course of the Tour has already been affected, albeit accidentally.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the Pyrenees pan out. I wish there were more riders really pushing the GC to shake it up, but I still think it could be fascinating.

Bruce

Beautifully summed up Bruce,

I think alot of the French hostility stems from the Armstrong years in the their tour and not having a French winner since Laurent Fignon.By Armstrong's 5 th Tour win there was already doping doubt about him,myself included I wanted to believe but I thought some of his performances just looked too superhuman.Also an American team stamping their dominance over the tour consistently year after year sowed the seeds for their dislike.

I remember that BBC 2 documentary about Team Sky - Shane Sutton and Wiggins and the TOE episode and David Miller saying he felt angry that Sky could put themselves in that position as when he was doping he tried the same substances Wiggins and he thought it was stronger than EPO.Also with Sky's whiter than white drugs stance he felt sick in his heart as he really wanted to believe in the team.

I know Froome has been cleared but theirs stills part of me that doubts not so much the validity of the Asthma inhaler but the way Sky handled it and I think some of  the French public see another US Postal smoke and mirrors with Sky.

Looking forward to today's stage should be a cracker and Wow what a tour so far one of the best for years.

24th July 

Stage 16

A duo of 1st category climbs awaits at the far end of today's 218 km stage,

so we may see more action, and possibly another shake-up to the GC : )

Debs

The start proper today has been given to 148 riders at 11.43.

2 non-starters:

Damian Howson (Mitchelton-Scott) 

Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data). 

Disqualified:

Gianni Moscon (Team Sky)

Presumably the Team Sky riders (and only the Team Sky riders) will now be censured for testing positive for an excess of pepper spray...

rodwsmith posted:

Presumably the Team Sky riders (and only the Team Sky riders) will now be censured for testing positive for an excess of pepper spray...

Blimey!

Adding spice to the Team Sky allegations is nothing to sneeze at.

Results Stage 16

<>

 No change in the top ten GC 

Phil Gilbert - A lucky boy.

https://video.eurosport.co.uk/...d1110024/video.shtml

Yes, Philippe Gilbert was very darn lucky not to come a lot worse off, however he exercised amazing cat fast reactions, seemingly to vault over that low wall with perfect timing. I'm really pleased he was able to get back on his bike and finish the race, and on to a well deserved win of todays 'Combatively Prize'. Should have also got a gold medal for acrobatics too ; )

Adam Yates crash looked more painful, the way he slid on shoulder-tarmac interface - he must be sore after that. He probably feels even more sore at losing the race due to it.

Julian Alaphilippe was on top form, a very fine win, and looks like he's got the Climbers poker dot jersey award sown up too.

Debs

Alaphillipe is great value. Looks like he has ADHD on the bike. Real verve and a big smile. I sure hope he does not have asthma!

Yates seemed pretty shaken yet I thought his off was at fairly slow speed. Appeared to be gutted as much as hurt maybe, although at least he recovered for a podium. Gilbert a pretty lucky bunny, in some places the drop off is a long way down over those low walls.

Tomorrow is a real oddity, just 65k but climbing from the start, 2 cols and the last summit finish of the race. Not quite sure who it will favour but if the challenger teams don't go hard from the off I'd imagine it is going to be hard to create the sort of time gaps Dumoulin etc need. Should be good to watch anyway because they will surely try. Will Froome claw back some time to give him a chance on the final TT?

I've spent several holidays in and around Bagneres de Luchon, summer and winter. Always nice to see it in the tour. A lovely area of France.

Bruce

Bruce Woodhouse posted:

 

Tomorrow is a real oddity, just 65k but climbing from the start, 2 cols and the last summit finish of the race. Not quite sure who it will favour but if the challenger teams don't go hard from the off I'd imagine it is going to be hard to create the sort of time gaps Dumoulin etc need. Should be good to watch anyway because they will surely try. Will Froome claw back some time to give him a chance on the final TT?

Stage 17 is very peculiar, 65 km works out at just over 40 country miles,  a very short [fast] road race for a TdF stage.

Will be interesting to see what actually happens. The unusual format could have all kinds of strange implications for tactics, it's possible the domestiques will be relieved of their bottle fetching duty due to the short blast distance, so perhaps we'll see power team formation tactics on the way (?) On the other hand it's possible the also rans and pure sprinters may keep their powder dry - use the stage as a easy ride day and auto-bus it.  But i think the serious contenders will be under pressure to rocket off quick with the start gun, could be quite a spectacle, just hope it don't rain, and no crashes! : /

It's going to be a full on day.Never seen such a short mountain stage should spice things up.I think they are lining up by G.C order at the start.Looking forward to the highlights on ITV 4 tonight.Going to be a massive day for Geraint Thomas if Froome goes will be chase him down ?

Bruce Woodhouse posted:

 The French press .... stating that when another Sky rider does well then 'suspicion is as contagious as herpes' is hardly admirable reporting.

Astonishing to me a simile of this ilk can be considered acceptable in mainstream press. The editor should be fired.

Nibali's fall seems to have been crowd related. Looks a tough balance to me between the fantastic atmosphere and access generated by the road side, and rider safety.

Hearkens back to 15 years ago when Lance's brake lever was caught by a strap from a spectator waving a discarded feed bag. They weren't even wearing helmets in those days.

Surely having a flare as a spectator should be outlawed and prosecuted?

I have never understood why flares on mountain stages persist. Tradition? Not only a hazardous situation to other bystanders (flares burn intensely hot and the holders are likely drunken), but the smoke produced is noxious to the riders at a time when they're most in need of oxygen. A hindrance to camera coverage as well. A ban on flares seems so readily enforceable given the number of gendarmes about, plus the culprit is immediately identifiable. I remember seeing years ago that the French authorities had 'drunk tanks' along the course where they could hold such culprits. Maybe the issue is extinguishing the flares once they're struck?

Who were we to be doubting Thomas?

Rock solid on the climb and a little kick at the end to add a few seconds over the doughty Dumoulin. Great stage. I'm sure Froome was giving his all until he buckled, but the issue of leadership is over now for sure.Froome may have to battle to hold 3rd perhaps.

Surely only falls or mechanicals are going to stop a Thomas win.

Bruce

I'm glad Quintana won the stage, he's had his share of rotten luck, and it made a change to see the usual concerned and glum looking Quin' come over all mighty, and even give over a smile as he crossed the line. Must have cheered the little chap up no end : )

I guess there were a lot of tired legs from the day before, the guys who did well had the easy day before, except Alaphilippe; and even he proved himself to be human and ran out of steam half way up the Col de Portet.

Due to the nature of a very short road race with nothin but ascending and descending, [ a bit like a mass start time trial - everyone for themselves ] i think it would have been more interesting to have run it after a rest day.

Results of Stage 17

Thursday 26th July

Stage 18 

A 171 km fairly flat stage with a couple of category 4 climbs thrown in.

Let's hope there are no angry farmers or Peppa spray Pigs on the road today : )

Debs

Peter Sagan’s Tour de France in doubt after heavy crash on descent on stage 17

Read more at https://www.cyclingweekly.com/...#2K8h5hxbb2WvWrvE.99

naim_nymph posted:

I'm glad Quintana won the stage, he's had his share of rotten luck, and it made a change to see the usual concerned and glum looking Quin' come over all mighty, and even give over a smile as he crossed the line. Must have cheered the little chap up no end : )

I guess there were a lot of tired legs from the day before, the guys who did well had the easy day before, except Alaphilippe; and even he proved himself to be human and ran out of steam half way up the Col de Portet.

Due to the nature of a very short road race with nothin but ascending and descending, [ a bit like a mass start time trial - everyone for themselves ] i think it would have been more interesting to have run it after a rest day.

Results of Stage 17

1	NAIRO QUINTANA	71	MOVISTAR TEAM	02H 21' 27''	-	B : 10''	-
2	DANIEL MARTIN	91	UAE TEAM EMIRATES	02H 21' 55''	+ 00H 00' 28''	B : 6''	-
3	GERAINT THOMAS	8	TEAM SKY	02H 22' 14''	+ 00H 00' 47''	B : 4''	-
4	PRIMOˇ ROGLIC	166	TEAM LOTTO NL - JUMBO	02H 22' 19''	+ 00H 00' 52''	-	-
5	TOM DUMOULIN	32	TEAM SUNWEB	02H 22' 19''	+ 00H 00' 52''	-	-
6	STEVEN KRUIJSWIJK	161	TEAM LOTTO NL - JUMBO	02H 22' 32''	+ 00H 01' 05''	-	-
7	EGAN ARLEY BERNAL GOMEZ	2	TEAM SKY	02H 23' 00''	+ 00H 01' 33''	-	-
8	CHRIS FROOME	1	TEAM SKY	02H 23' 02''	+ 00H 01' 35''	-	-
9	MIKEL LANDA MEANA	75	MOVISTAR TEAM	02H 23' 02''	+ 00H 01' 35''	-	-
10	ILNUR ZAKARIN	141	TEAM KATUSHA ALPECIN	02H 23' 28''	+ 00H 02' 01''	-	-

I agree a time trial would have made it even more exciting then it already was....

naim_nymph posted:

Peter Sagan’s Tour de France in doubt after heavy crash on descent on stage 17

Read more at https://www.cyclingweekly.com/...#2K8h5hxbb2WvWrvE.99

Being a massive Sagan fan keeping my paws crossed for him  being on the start line today.And taking that green jersey to Paris.Can' t see Thomas losing it now barring a major crash..On radio 5 they just been talking to Thomas's first cycle coach at his first club in Wales which he joined when he was 9.There incredibly proud of him.Come on Geraint !

I'm happy to see that G is poised to attain what I consider to be his long-earned due, finally in a position to yield no concessions to Sky's team leader. Quintana was in his element on Stage 17; climbing at altitude. No big deal there.

No one uses disc brakes in mountain stages.

Totally agree re Sagan. To see his performances away from pure sprint finishes is amazing. He was an MTB champion too I believe. Surely the finest rider of his generation considering his ability to win away from pure sprint finishes too.

Bruce

Following Deb's Sagan link above to its embedded links I read that Froome had a crash on his way back down the mountain to reach team buses. Maybe just the final brick in the wall for F's 2018 TDF?