Tour de France

Who's going to be the first in the Yellow Jersey. My choise is Marcel Kittel.

Just heared that Nacer Bouhanni is out of the race. He broke a hand in a fight in a hotel last week!! Bet his race manager was pleased.

Here are the bets so far then:

Ian - Nairo Quintana

Goldie - Chris Froome

TtDa - Romain Bardet

Kennine - Alberto Contador

Pliers - Marcel Kittel

Runrig - Fabio Aru

SteveL - Richie Porte

HughR - Tejay Van Garderen

Nellie - Warren Barguil

Any more takers? It starts tomorrow you know!!!

TtDA - I thought that your other half was having a go?

It's all getting so exciting.......

Well, what a 'start'! Fabulous views of Mont Saint-Michel and the high expectations of the race and races within the Tour for the coming weeks is very evident. Just an observation but there are hundreds, if not thousands of motorhomes lining the road, haven't seen a caravan yet!

I have to say that I am bitterly disappointed that ITV4 are not using the commentary from Phil Lyggett and Paul Sherwin.

Ned Boulting is a pleasant enough bloke, but he just isn't anywhere close to being in the same league. He has support from David Millar, but he's hardly the most charismatic of people.

I really miss the in-depth experience and knowledge......and also the explanations of tactics and descriptions of the scenery......and the little asides between Phil and Paul. Great shame.

Well done Cav.......in yellow for the first time.

I'm watching the tour and although I'm beginning to understand a little about the tactics etc. one thing is flummoxing me. The commentators are referring to "GC teams and GC riders "what does that mean. I'm sure youl know Ian. Can you shed some light for me?

Papgeno.....GC stands for General Classification, in other words, a rider's standing in the overall race, all stage times added together, is their standing in the GC.

Some (most) teams don't have anyone capable of winning overall (winning the GC / yellow jersey) and so will go for stage wins on individual days, or for the green jersey (the rider with the most points awarded for sprints) or the polka dot jersey (points on mountains).

There are, realistically, only about 6 riders with a serious chance of winning the GC.....but sometimes a surprise happens.

Ian - Nairo Quintana

Goldie - Chris Froome

TtDa - Romain Bardet

Kennine - Alberto Contador

Pliers - Marcel Kittel

Runrig - Fabio Aru

SteveL - Richie Porte

HughR - Tejay Van Garderen

Nellie - Warren Barguil

David (DSB) - undecided / lost in France?

Any more takers?

Not lost in France quite yet.  Suppose to be going tomorrow, but car isn't fixed yet.  It's all a bit of a nightmare!  As for who I'm going for in the Tour de France..... haven't got a clue!! 

David 

David,

I really hope that you get the car sorted and manage to enjoy your holiday.

For the Tour, may I suggest:

Pierre Rolland - French rider, lots of promise.

Richie Porte - nice Australian lad, previously supported Froome, not my choice for a win but some like to think he could.

Thibault Pinot - another French rider with a lot of promise.

The choice, as they say, is yours.......

Thanks Ian.  Car sorted and we're here in Germany.  Internet not good so I'll be a little quiet at the moment.  Hope Internet will be easier when we get to France.  Take care, speak soon.

David 

Thanks Ian I thought it might be something French