Tour de France

Can you provide examples, Nellie?

erm, i seem to recall Fabian Cancellara seamingly stopping the race every time a Schleck sneezed, or whatever? Or was I imagining it.

 

Slight exaggeration, Runrig.......and also with the massive difference that Schleck was a podium contender (and possibly even in yellow in the one incident with Cancellara that you recalled).

This is a mile away from a team leader taking advantage of being in yellow to enable his domestiques to catch up......very, very different and unacceptable.

Steve......please never try to compare professional bike racers with footballers.....in any way!

Well Ian that's a bit rich coming from someone who took every opportunity to belittle the efforts of "footballists" recently. Once again and, for the third time this year, several thousands of residents local to me are virtually imprisoned in their homes due to a minor bicycle race closing roads here for seven yes seven hours today.

Great effort by Pantano to hold off Majka.

Otherwise, no real excitement in the GC......have they all given up?

A few more mountain stages to come though 

Terrible news today about Chris Boardman's mum.......killed when hit by a car while out cycling at age 70.

Chris is a real family man. Even when he joined his first pro team  (Gan) he insisted that his contract allowed him to live at home with his family.

I had always thought of Chris as a boring 'numbers' man until I read a biography. He was a dedicated cyclist and his determination to take the hour record twice (under both sets of rules) must have stemmed from his up-bringing and his mother's influence (she was an accomplished amateur).

Deepest sympathy, Chris.

Been out all day, and not seen any news.

Just watched stage on catch-up. Devastated by the news at the end, so so sad. Thoughts with Chris and his family.

The programme we recorded only mentioned he had returned home for urgent personal reasons. It is indeed terribly sad news.

A very poignant tribute to CB's mum last night. Terrible news for all the Boardman family and friends. 

A very poignant tribute to CB's mum last night. Terrible news for all the Boardman family and friends. 

What awful news, we're still in France and had no idea until I checked into C.T.

Great effort by Pantano to hold off Majka.

Otherwise, no real excitement in the GC......have they all given up?

A few more mountain stages to come though 

We watched the last 15K of the stage in the campsite bar here at Les Abrets. Amazing finish, after a very tough stage, the 2 riders were so closely matched. Well done, Pantano. As for the leaders, as you say, Ian, all playing safe. Valverde seemed to be encouraging Quintana to give it a go, but without any response. We'll be back in the bar for the end of today's stage, what a tough life.....

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