Topic: Pro Cycling 2023

[Mal]

I would just like to say I was at that gig - and bloody superb it was too.

You've managed to piss me off make me green with envy on my birthday...

Bet it sounded better than it does on that fella's camcorder. His mic couldn't handle the aural mastery of Kraftwerk.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

You've managed to piss me off make me green with envy on my birthday...

Bet it sounded better than it does on that fella's camcorder. His mic couldn't handle the aural mastery of Kraftwerk.

Happy Birthday Mal.  It sounded rubbish (honest). 

[hope_valley_parker]

Anyone else getting the rest day blues?

[the 92A]

Fuck I forgot, I had Vino in my GC team. Anyway, I hope that my sprinters pull something back on yer lot in the next two days. Mainly Kev to be honest, 'cause the top two already used up their special stage. 
 

No doubt about it Kev's the man to beat, not only did I make a mistake on my special stage, played it on the wrong day, I forgot to line up a GC team before the first day, i'll get eaten up at the end.
 
I don't know how far he's behind the leaders point wise but it would be nice if he was right up there at the end and with the final stage being his joker he's everything to play for. And with your knowledge of the game I expect a good show from you the cutter .

[kaz1983]

Anyone else getting the rest day blues?

I feel your pain.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I would just like to say I was at that gig - and bloody superb it was too.

[smugness]Just like to say me too.[/smugness]

[Crosby Nick]

Anyone else getting the rest day blues?

Yep. Completely forgot as I tend to ignore it during the day then watch the highlights in the evening. Just tuned in and remembered it's a rest day! Still watching anyway but not the same.

[Geezer08]

The first doping case in this years Tour is in. Kolobnev have apparently been tested postive for use of doping.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kolobnev-tour-de-frances-first-doping-case

[shippers]

I would just like to say I was at that gig - and bloody superb it was too.

And so was I, and it was. I was also there when Boardman broke the hour record, so ner :-) (and if anyone fancies joining in you can ride the length of Wales with Geraint Thomas on the 30th. I'm in).

[shippers]

Have to say one of my favourite cultural bike events was seeing Tom Waits in Paris, at the Grand Rex, and then the end of the Tour in the same long weekend a couple of years ago :-)

[gramck24]

Re-cap of Stage 9.....

Stage 9 result:
1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa/Rabobank) 5hrs 27mins 09secs
2. Thomas Voeckler (Fra/Europcar) +5"
3. Sandy Casar (Fra/FDJ) +13"
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Omega Pharma - Lotto) +3:59"
5. Peter Velits (Slo/HTC - Highroad)
6. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC Racing)
7. Andy Schleck (Lux/Leopard)
8. Tony Martin (Ger/HTC - Highroad)
9. Frank Schleck (Lux/Leopard)
10. Damiano Cunego (Italy/Lampre)

Overall standings:
1. Thomas Voeckler (Fra/Europcar) 38hrs 35mins 11secs
2. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa/Rabobank) +1:49"
3. Cadel Evans (Aus/BMC Racing) +2:26"
4. Frank Schleck (Lux/Leopard) +2:29"
5. Andy Schleck (Lux/Leopard) +2:37"
6. Tony Martin (Ger/HTC - Highroad)+2:38"
7. Peter Velits (Slo/HTC - Highroad)
8. Andreas Kloeden (Ger/RadioShack) +2:43"
9. Philippe Gilbert (Bel/Omega Pharma - Lotto) +2:55"
10. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Leopard) +3:08

-------------------------------------------------------------------

STAGE 10 - Aurillac . Carmaux 158 km

[Terry_Tibbs]

For those on twitter Big Jens has now signed up! http://twitter.com/thejensie

[humph77]

Losing Vino out my team has left it fair bit weaker, replaced him next 2 days with sprinter but not enough dosh for Cav tho. Plus my team Omega losing 2 riders especially Vanden Broeck also damaging, now relying on Gilbert and Greipel.

Maintaining a podium position could be tricky especially if others still to play bonus stage and may come down to who's backing Schleck(s) or Contador.

Big points awarded at end for GC position of original selection - I'm starting to forget my original line up, can't find tab to show this, any ideas??

Edit - you can work it out using transfer history shortcut.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

My starting line-up not looking that strong for GC

Contador
A Schleck
Basso
Gilbert
Voeckler
Kloden
Cancellara
Wiggins
Vinokourov

[bryanod]

Breakaway today?

Seems likely looking at the bumps and short enough run to the end.

[Pheeny]

Cancellara had to cook for the team yesterday.He had a bet with a Belgian TV presenter that they wouldn't get over 15000 texts for "make a wish" the presenter also had to wash the team bus as they got over 25000.When the video come up on You tube I'll post it.

[hope_valley_parker]

Breakaway today?

Seems likely looking at the bumps and short enough run to the end.

No huge climbs today, bunch sprint out of the question?

[gramck24]

Tough one to predict today.

If the 4 small climbs doesn't take too much out of the HTC team, you can see Cav taking the win.

But i think it will be one from Thor, Gilbert or EBH personally.

[Mal]

No huge climbs today, bunch sprint out of the question?

It's not out of the question but I wouldn't say it was likely either. It depends, as Graham says, on how many of HTC can get over the final climb together - if Eisel, Goss, Martin, Renshaw & Cav are there they should take it.

Also depends on whether a breakaway succeeds & looking at the stage they could, it could be another stage for the Puncheurs - it'll be interesting to see how Chavanel comes back from the rest day...

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

Tough one to predict today.

If the 4 small climbs doesn't take too much out of the HTC team, you can see Cav taking the win.

But i think it will be one from Thor, Gilbert or EBH personally.

My judgement is clearly coloured by my risky decision to put Cav back in for two days, but I think the predominantly downhill profile of the 60km to the finish after the Cat 3 Cote de Villefranche-de-Rouergue should allow the sprinters and their teams time to get back into contention and get organised for a bunch sprint.  Cav tweeting earlier that it was a technical finish though, which might favour any breakaway that the pack don't manage to gobble up before the last few kms.

[hope_valley_parker]

Any news on Hoogeland's condition?

[Terry_Tibbs]

Any news on Hoogeland's condition?

Read on twitter he's had 33 stitches, an early morning wake up call from doping control, and he starts today.

[Mal]

Any news on Hoogeland's condition?

I think we'd have heard by now if he wasn't starting today. I imagine he's all stitched up & ready (if not raring) to go.

*EDIT* - I see Terry has replied while I was nosing around the internet trying to find some news...

[gramck24]

My judgement is clearly coloured by my risky decision to put Cav back in for two days, but I think the predominantly downhill profile of the 60km to the finish after the Cat 3 Cote de Villefranche-de-Rouergue should allow the sprinters and their teams time to get back into contention and get organised for a bunch sprint.  Cav tweeting earlier that it was a technical finish though, which might favour any breakaway that the pack don't manage to gobble up before the last few kms.

Could very well be right Kev which would make it an excellent judgement call.

Like i say, tough one to call today.

Any think we might see Geraint Thomas in today's break? Have a gut feel about this one.... but whether he could stay out is another question entirely.

[gramck24]

Popovych is also out the tour due to a fever.

Radioshack will have no-one left at this rate!

[INABITSKI]

Popovych is also out the tour due to a fever.

Radioshack will have no-one left at this rate!

Lotto already down to 6.

Glad to hear Hoogerland will continue, probably too much to ask that he can make it through to Paris but you never know.

[Mal]

Could very well be right Kev which would make it an excellent judgement call.

Like i say, tough one to call today.

Any think we might see Geraint Thomas in today's break? Have a gut feel about this one.... but whether he could stay out is another question entirely.

G Thomas is a good call Graham, he should have plenty of motivation.

[gramck24]

A few riders tweeting heavy rain and hail stones at the start of Stage 10.

More fun and games.

[INABITSKI]

Flecha has been caught in a crash with a few others after just 11km with Cancellara also in it. Nothing major though.

[babraham]

I can't see a bunch sprint happening.

Could be a day for the break to succeed else Gilbert has to be favourite? Slightly downhill for the last km. Does that favour a more powerfully built man? Thor?

[The_Cutter]

RAWK up to 4th, and easily the best double digit league! RAWK union meeting to discuss which GC riders to get tommorow or today, lads? Does RAWK go safe for healthy guys that stayed clear of crashes? (The Schecklets, Evans, ...)  Do we risk riders that are okay but lost time / not looked that solid so far? (Basso, Sanchez, ...). Or do we go even riskier for the injured before rest day (Contador, Gesink, Kloden, ...)? Decision time!

I can't see a bunch sprint happening.

Bunch sprint, easily today. GC teams have no reason to spend energy, only thing stopping a bunch sprint is a breakaway staying away. However, possibly not all sprinters to be in it, I just can see Ventoso and Petacchi letting me down again and losing contact at Mirandol. Can't see HTC letting this slip. There aren't that many of flat as pancake stages, today is the next best thing for them, they have to take this opportunity.

[The_Cutter]

HTC, Lampre and Katusha already helping Eurocar, they want a bunch sprint today. I think they'll get it.

[kaz1983]

Does anybody think that if the peleton gets unorganized in the last 10km's someone who is a very good TTer might try to just of the front of the pack and go for the win? It's apparently a very technical run in to the finish so that would aid a late solo attempt and being downhill would also be a good thing, no?

[kcbworth]

Does anybody think that if the peleton gets unorganized in the last 10km's someone who is a very good TTer might try to just of the front of the pack and go for the win? It's apparently a very technical run in to the finish so that would aid a late solo attempt and being downhill would also be a good thing, no?

I think for Cadel to win the tour he needs to be far enough ahead of the Schlecks, Contador, Sanchez, and Basso from the TT disciplines to allow for up to maybe 3 mins loss through the high stuff, and he won't get that on the ITT alone. I really hope a group of strong ITTs breaks off the front towards the end!

[The_Cutter]

No chance any GC contender does anything today. No chance whatsoever. Spartacus might give it a go, but the sprint teams will work hard to stop any such attempt.

[kaz1983]

Not sure if its been posted but I just heard Phil & Paul say that Contador apparently said he hooked his handlebars over/around Karpets seat/seat post and he wasn't able to free them before crashing into the barrier...

[The_Cutter]

Cav and Farrar dropped apparently, should get back quickly though.

[The_Cutter]

No idea why BMC are in the front instead of being tucked in the peloton. Seems like a waste of energy for me. 

[kaz1983]

What makes me think A. Schleck will win it this year is that Leopard Trek hasn't done any work at all and when you compare that to Saxo Bank last year who got to the front of the peleton and worked very hard on setting the tempo on flat stages in an attempt to split the peleton or TTT thier asses off on the cobbles to gain at time advantage on Contodor or should I say make up time... Leopard Trek are going to dominate the peleton in the flats of the mountain stages and I think they are gonna make it very tough for Contador and Cadel who Leopard Trek are thier main rival in this years Tour.

[DK]

Five Live Sports Extra are covering this live in case anyone can't get in front of the tv.