Le Tour d' France 2016 ( [not] Live thread)

Le Tour ^ | July 2, 2016 | staff

[Baynative]

Day one of the 2016 tour finished right at Omaha Beach in Normandy France. With the 70th anniversary of "D" Day coming this week the message of remembrance is a stark contrast to the condition of our world today.

[IYAS9YAS]

Sorry, that was Froome’s riding and win on Stage 8, not Sagan’s.

[deport]

Tuesday, July 12 TDF race schedule according to my tv guide
Stage 10
CBSSN
8:00 AM

A three hour recap of the race through Stage 9 is being
shown on CBSSN at 8pm and again at 12 midnight per my tv guide..

[PeteB570]

So far I’ve enjoyed every state so far,

Love the breakaways.

It doesn’t seem so “tight” or controlled this year.

More free wheeling for the stage winners.

[PeteB570]

Wow, the judges better do something tonight.

That crash was something.

[deport]

They’ve made their rulings..... Most will be happy but some may be otherwise...

Croome still in Yellow.......

[deport]

Sheesh......... check what you type

Croome still in Yellow.......

S/B

Froome still in Yellow......

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

WHOA - I've been tied up with work scheduling this week and boy have I missed some fireworks!

I just turned on the last replay at the last 4k and was only paying partial attention when the crash happened.

This ruling is going to be a curious happening. The accident was just that - an accident. But Froome was wrong in taking off running with no bike. Wrecked or in pieces, I believe he could have carried his bike as riders have done when they encountered ice or snow.

Will this be a "Hillary" decision where the UCI or Tour officials simply rule that Froome is too big to suffer DQ?

[Yogafist]

Not TDF related, but they just opened a Ballast Point Brewery at the end of one of my regular rides, the San Gabriel River Trail. I got a feeling the rides home are going to be much more difficult than before.

[fireman15]

I disagree completely with your assessment. The judges made the right decision. This was not an accident; this was the predictable result of no barriers barely more than 1/2 mile from the finish at the top of Mont Ventoux on Bastille day with huge crowds. This was a travesty especially considering the security measures that should have been in place this year of all years.

[PeteB570]

Giving Porte & Froome the same time as Mollima seems fair to me. And Froome did carry his bike a bit before leaning it against a motorbike.

Don’t see any riders bad talking the decision. Right after pulling on the White Yates was like it would be bad to get the Yellow that way.

[Baynative]

I agree with both of you. The decision was correct.

Was the lack of barriers due to moving the finish because of the weather?

[fireman15]

Was the lack of barriers due to moving the finish because of the weather?

That is what was said. The wind was gusting up to more than 60mph at the summit, so the finish and all the spectators were moved down the hill, but the barriers were not. As you know the Tour typically does not count time losses from crashes in the final kilometer. Froome was clearly panicking by the thought of losing his hard fought for lead running up the hill for 100 yards and leaving his bike behind.

[Baynative]

Bike Ping

Well there was not much in the way of fireworks or strategies today, except for battling the wind. I think most teams were seeking as much "road rest" as they could manage with the tough stage coming tomorrow.

From Le Tour:
"In between the Mont Ventoux and the Alps, there's the Grand Colombier. Only once this grueling climb in the Jura overlooking the Mont Blanc and the Bourget lake has been featured in the Tour de France. In 2012, it didn't impact the race really, probably because the finish was a bit far away from the top of the hill. This time around, the riders have to climb the Grand Colombier one and half time, the first time via Lochieu, which is not the steepest part, the second time via the famous S above Culoz, which makes it necessary to pass the finishing line with 23.5km to go. The summit won't be reached twice but the downhill back to Culoz is a spectacular one.
The terrain is suitable for movement in the race. Many climbs beforehand, even some that aren't categorized in order to not frighten the riders are likely to give way for a big breakaway to take shape. It's a day for France to finally win a stage with Romain Bardet but at the difference of last year, he's maybe too high on GC, seventh with a deficit of only four minutes. It doesn't give him a total freedom."

I think this is going to be a day when Tejay just might try to become a podium contender if Richie Porte is strong and can help.

[Baynative]

OOPS - I meant to add tomorrow's stage profile so you know what's going on out there...

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

I’m just now catching up to this stage. Very enjoyable to me. I loved all the crazy sideline players today - they always make me laugh. There was a good head over heals over bike crash early on with minimal injuries although I suspect Gerrans had quite the headache. The Devil made his 4th? appearance. There was a stupid but laughable dramatic ending with the tv motorcyle screwing everything up.

Stage 12 is why I love the Tour de France. And the beautiful scenery and historic castles of course. Excellent way to get some history exposure.

[Freee-dame]

Mountain stages are my favorite. Thanks for posting this.

[Baynative]

As you know I've been tied up with a work project and haven't seen as much of the tour as I'd like. It just occurred to me that I haven't seen Didi this year and was going to ask if anyone had - and here you are with FOUR sightings. That deserves a prize.

: - }

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

His white van isn’t wrapped this year but you can’t miss him and NBC (worst TdF coverage EVER) even let Phil give him a highlight moment upon his first appearance on day 1 of the Pyrenes. He showed up on days 2 and 3 and then again on day1 of the Alps (stage 12).

[PeteB570]

So who attacks on the Grand Colombier?

Any bets?

[PeteB570]

And they’re off and racing!