Le Tour d' France 2015 (Live thread)

LeTour.com ^ | 7/3/15 | Site staff

[Baynative]

Pinot (Thibaut) - (fra) / Bardet (Romain) - (fra) © Presse Sports

In the lead up to the start of the 102nd Tour de France in Utrecht, letour.com has chosen to highlight five key stages. Of symbolic importance in the development of the race or perhaps decisive with regard to the final general individual classification, they feature the required characteristics for an extraordinary sporting show. The last episode is l'Alpe d'Huez where the final battle is scheduled on the eve of the grand finale in Paris. In a recent past, Frenchmen have performed on the so-called «Dutchmen's climb». Will they do well again this year?

[Baynative]

I flatted back there a ways, but I've got a new wheel and I'm back on.

This first day in the mountains was a delight to watch - even though I had one foot out the door because I was late for an appointment, I hung on to see Froome take a bow and Richie Porte take down Quintana. Sky seems tougher than nails.

Even though Quintana seemed weak, he took a big chunk out of TeJay and he's gonna have to really work for a podium spot in Paris. Sagan fell from the GC highlight reel, but is still right there for the green jersey. This is good stuff.

I'm really bummed for Basso and hope he comes through this and returns to team management in some capacity. He's been a lion heart for what seems like forever.

[PeteB570]

They hit that final climb and - BAM - they started shedding riders off the back.

[PeteB570]

It was a good ride yesterday. The main GC riders let the breakaway out a little too far too long so a good rider snapped up the win.

[PeteB570]

Well, it’s been some great mountain stages. I liked to see some well deserved wins - and a few of the GC contenders under a bit of bother.

[PeteB570]

The Tour has a nasty patch.

Froome blames the press for irresponsible reporting.

“Froome urine attack mars Cummings’s historic Tour victory”

http://news.yahoo.com/cummings-wins-tour-france-14th-stage-152810791—spt.html

[PeteB570]

An interesting article

“Chris Froome: Why doesn’t Britain love the Tour de France leader?”

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/33539511

“There are days at the Tour de France when you would consider swapping non-vital organs for a bit of shade, but Chris Froome does not seem to mind when the tarmac gets sticky. Perhaps it is his African upbringing.

It could also have something to do with the two large shadows he toils under - one cast by a former team-mate, the other belonging to the Tour’s most famous non-person...”

[PeteB570]

And Sagan makes the breakaway again today.

Take the sprint points along the way?

Stay away and take the stage?

We shall see.

[PeteB570]

Down to 169 riders.

[PeteB570]

A great day for Plaza

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/07/race-report/plazas-perfectly-timed-attack-wins-stage-16_378787

[PeteB570]

Got a few clips of Lance yesterday. The ones where he went cross country after running off the road.

Froome and Contador almost overshot the same corner and Thomas (Sky) was knocked off the road and over the edge by another rider.

[PeteB570]

An interesting piece. Mostly on doping and why Team Sky is taking a hit from fans. But also gives France a little hit at the end about developing riders.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/cycling/33587176

[PeteB570]

Tejay van Garderen has abandoned as per race radio.

Anybody still following this thread except me?

[patriotspride]

Tejay van Garderen has abandoned as per race radio.

---

Wow, any reason given, not near a TV.

[patriotspride]

American Tejay van Garderen withdrew from the Tour de France on Wednesday’s 17th stage when lying third overall, due to illness.

The 26-year-old BMC Racing team leader was three minutes and 32 seconds behind the Tour leader, Chris Froome (Team Sky), before the 161km from Digne-les-Bains to Pra Loup. But Van Garderen lost contact early on the first stage in the Alps and it soon became apparent all was not well. His BMC Racing team said he was suffering from headaches and Van Garderen abandoned midway through the stage.

---

From a British press release

[nutmeg]

I saw most of today's Stage... I know who won, etc.

Does anyone know the *details* of why Tejay Van Garderen abandoned the race today? Per NBC SN earlier today, he abandoned at about 70K from the finish line.

Didn't Tejay do the same thing last year? I believe he abandoned the TDF on the day after the second rest day, just like this time...

Please ping me if you learn any details. (Thank you in advance)

I'll check the TDF prime time show tonight if I can...

[PeteB570]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/07/news/van-garderen-i-want-to-disappear-right-now_379239

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

Every article I have found only says he had headaches. he may have had this symptom before, but he did finish 5th the last two years.

The mountains are separating the field and the hard part is still to come. I had an interesting conversation yesterday and we sort of agreed that although the tour directors do a great job of designing routes, the purpose is to determine the best cyclist in the field.

Out question was;"does it really determine the best climbers?" We talked about how designing a course with a lot of wind impaired coastal roads, a lot of rollers and short steep hills like the classics feature, cobbles and technical narrow country roads might do more to determine the best rider. Or, would it actually determine the best team?

[PeteB570]

Well, one thing is for sure.

For the most part the guys close in GC going into the mountains are pretty much the same. Nobody can drop the others.

So there are a lot of riders having some hard rides but good times winning stages.

France got a one - two today.

[nutmeg]

Thank you... I'm caught up now on Tejay.

Great tagline, by the way!

[nutmeg]

Maybe I don't know enough about Tejay and his physical issues, but I get impatient hearing about his chest colds and headaches. If a chest cold really affects his legs that badly in the Alps, well.. OK.

Andrew Talansky may never win the TDF, but he is a bigger cycling hero to me than Tejay. Remember Talansky's amazing, painful ride in Stage 11 last year?

Refusing to Quit, American is Surrounded by Cheers After a Lonely Finish - Andrew Talansky Shows Grit and Avoids Elimination

Go Andrew!