Tour de France *** 2014 *** [LIVE THREAD]

Le Tour ^ | July 2, 2014 | Various

[Baynative]

While the media tries to make soccer into a real sport we are only three days away from the 2014 Tour de France a genuine test of men against men, men against nature, men against elements and men testing their own hearts and will.

[Baynative]

I don't know if there has even been a successful break on the final day. The closest I can remember was (I think) Frankie Andreau who was away by himself fro a couple of laps and got caught in the last couple hundred meters.

The Champs de Elyses is restricted property for sprinters and making a pick out of this year's tour is as hard as any time I can remember. I'm still looking for news of what happened after Sagan knocked everyone down on Friday. It seems like there was going to be a little dust up ...maybe just rumor.

I think the consensus would have given tomorrow to Cavendish. Without him I think it looks like a toss up between Kittel and Greipel. I'm a Sagan fan, but something is missing in his spirit, it seems. Kristoff has been a surprise this year. That guy Navardauskas that took Stage 19 looked fast, but that was with the usual contenders on the tarmac. There are some wily old veterans there in Thomas Voekler and Jens Voigt and that guy John Degenkolb was right there in the early road stages. So was Coquard ...and then there's Renshaw and the Yellow Jersey, too. But I think Nibali will avoid the mix and enjoy his champagne.

Jeez I sound like Obama's press mouth trying to worm out of an answer, don't I?

If I'm standing in the casino with $50 of found money to throw at a long shot, I'd put it on Tejay. I'd like to see him jump away on that hairpin before the tunnel and hammer it home.

[PeteB570]

I was talking about the girl’s they are having before the peloton gets close to Paris. I think about 89k’s. Olds is the American rider who is favored - but so is Vos by the Europeans.

[Baynative]

Oh boy, that went right by me...I thought you were speaking French or something.

I haven't even heard about it. They used to do a Le Tour Feminin. I guess that died.

[patriotspride]

f I’m standing in the casino with $50 of found money to throw at a long shot, I’d put it on Tejay. I’d like to see him jump away on that hairpin before the tunnel and hammer it home.

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That would be a great finish...

[PeteB570]

We shall see.

[Baynative]

A few yeas ago there was a Champs de Elyses break away with three guys. They really had it going and were working well with each other. I think they were growing their lead and then coming across the Place de la Concorde they started playing cat and mouse with each other trying to make the other guy start the lead out.

You could see the bunch screaming up from behind and I think the peloton went by so fast they couldn't even catch on. As boring as the final day's "parade" can be, something fun usually happens at the end.

[luv2ski]

I have seen some ads for a female version of Le Tour during this year’s TdF. Sorry, but I can’t even imagine. Just can’t get excited about women trying to compete in this sport. Watching women’s basketball is brutal and I am a woman. I can watch women’s tennis but it’s generally hard. It’s just not the same thing- like high school vs pros.

[luv2ski]

I was talking about the girl’s they are having before the peloton gets close to Paris. I think about 89k’s. Olds is the American rider who is favored - but so is Vos by the Europeans.

I don't understand this comment at all. What did I miss?

[Baynative]

Tour De France: Nicole Cooke bemoans lack of women's race

Former Olympic champion Nicole Cooke says it is a "scandal" there is no longer a Tour de France for women, blaming sexism in cycling.

The men's race, which starts in Leeds on Saturday, is now an iconic event, but the women's Tour last ran in 2009.

Britain's Cooke, who won the women's Tour in 2006 and 2007, said: "It's the sexist nature of those running the sport that allowed it to happen."

The women return to the Tour this year for an elite La Course race. They will compete on the final stage of the Tour a few hours before the men's peloton arrives in Paris. The women's Tour de France

Began in 1984 as the Tour de France Feminin but stopped after 1989 event Returned in 1992 but, after a legal battle over trademark rights, was forced to rebrand as the 'Grande Boucle' in 1998 Cancelled in 2004 because of logistical problems Returned in 2005; won twice by Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke before England's Emma Pooley won the last event in 2009

Former world champion Cooke, who is now retired, says the inaugural event is a "tiny step" in the right direction, but insists there is still a long way to go to restore the standing of women's cycling. "It's a scandal there isn't a Tour for women at the moment," the 31-year-old said in an interview with BBC Breakfast.

"In the 1980s, there was a women's Tour de France. It was held over the same stages as the men's race. They celebrated with equality. "Since then, women's cycling has kind of been swept under the mat." The women's Tour has been staged on and off, in numerous guises, since 1984 and was won by Cooke in 2006 and 2007.

It began life as the Tour de France Feminin and was rebranded the Grande Boucle in 1998, but has slowly dwindled in size. The final race in 2009, won by British rider Emma Pooley, was only four days long after a planned start and three stages in Britain fell through. Cooke, who became the first cyclist to win Olympic and world road race titles in the same year in 2008, retired from cycling in 2013.

[GeronL]

With an expression like that, that looks like a man,

[PeteB570]

And it was Vos - Olds came in 5th followed by another American rider, Rivera(sp?)

http://www.letour.fr/la-course-by-le-tour-de-france/2014/us/classifications.html

[luv2ski]

Thanks for all this, Bay! I recall seeing buzz about the women's race years ago but have not payed any attention to it. Did they ride 89k today? Did you watch it?

Sure would like to see Sagan get the win today but he's going to have to get past Kittel to do it. Should be a crazy finish.

[patriotspride]

Thanks for the thread. Enjoyed following along day to day, and the always helpful insights commentary.

Until next year....

[PeteB570]

It ain’t over yet - still have a few more laps to go.

[patriotspride]

It ain’t over yet - still have a few more laps to go.

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I knew that. Just tried to jump the pack ..... but like several who tried today,
you caught me... :):)

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

This has been fun ya'all. I've really enjoyed watching a great race and talking something outside of politics for a while. I has been a pleasant diversion, to say the least.

In saying so long, here's something to think about. It's a graphic I pulled from the USA Pro Challenge website. Citing Aussie rider Rory Sutherland:

GOD willing, see you next year.

[prisoner6]

I didn’t have the opportunity to post this year but as in past years I followed the thread. THANK YOU for a wonderful post! It is appreciated!

[Yogafist]

Don’t get too comfortable, the tour of Utah starts this week.

[twyn1]

Thanks, Baynative !!

Not the most exciting race this year, IMO, but still quite enjoyable! I've always felt just finishing is admirable!

[Utah Binger]

The Producer of NBC Sports proudly wearing our colors

Jim was here too.