2012 Tour de France

[Chuck]

Interesting... imagine the early chatter in the peleton around the first part of this statement from Froome;

"If the race is out of our control, and I need to follow Evans or Nibali, then I will to keep us represented at the front. But as I've said before, I'm here to help Bradley win the Tour, and that remains the plan."

I hope it does get out of control tonight, liven things up.

Everyone is talking about Wiggins/Froome but how long will Tejay hang around if Cadel has a bad day? Currently 7th and in the white jersey, I think the top 5 is within reach with his TTing ability.

[Parrott]

Nibali coming towards the front. Hope he's got some sting in those legs

[Parrott]

Or not too far out, they are losing time on the 2 leaders so not pushing hard yet? Need to do something ffs

[vander]

The GC guys need some balls. they have to do something!

[sogood]

The GC guys need some balls. they have to do something!

Leggett and Sherwin keeps on saying that the other GC teams will need to come up and lift the pace. But apart from Sky, none of the others have many (if any) super-domestics left to push the pace. Hardly possible for Nibali or Cadel to come up and drag the peloton.

[vander]

The GC guys need some balls. they have to do something!

Leggett and Sherwin keeps on saying that the other GC teams will need to come up and lift the pace. But apart from Sky, none of the others have many (if any) super-domestics left to push the pace. Hardly possible for Nibali or Cadel to come up and drag the peloton.

Dont drag it then. Attack! Noone remembers second place! They may aswell give everything to try and win even if it doesnt pay off.

[DavidS]

The GC guys need some balls. they have to do something!

Leggett and Sherwin keeps on saying that the other GC teams will need to come up and lift the pace. But apart from Sky, none of the others have many (if any) super-domestics left to push the pace. Hardly possible for Nibali or Cadel to come up and drag the peloton.

Dont drag it then. Attack! Noone remembers second place! They may aswell give everything to try and win even if it doesnt pay off.

They have to do something if they want to win. Then again, with the pace Sky set maybe they can't. I don't think there is enough time to be made on one mountain, they need to go out earlier. Following Sky to the last mountain is a recipe for not making any time back.

DS

[familyguy]

Dang, cant keep my eyes open...but...COME ON JENS!

Jim

[vander]

Cadel GONE!

[Chuck]

Bugger!!

[jacks1071]

Cadel GONE!

He'll get back on, have faith

[vander]

Cadel GONE!

He'll get back on, have faith

Not so sure if he does I think he will go again when it goes up hill.

[Chuck]

Cadel GONE!

He'll get back on, have faith

Maybe, but difficult to see how he could hang on to the yellow jersey group let alone try to take back time. He'll keep battling we know that.

It's starting to amp up a bit.

[Parrott]

He's been outgunned this year on the steeper climbs. Just hasn't had that extra gear.

[Parrott]

Nibali is having a crack

[Mulger bill]

Voeckler looks set for another stage win but I wish he's do his jersey up, front on shots are blinding

Sky way too strong and clever up the final climb.

[Parrott]

Yep no one is able to threaten them.
Got to feel for those poor gendarmes trying in vain to control that mad rabble at the top of the climb

[singlespeedscott]

Cadel has got nothing. I think he's pretty much given up.

[singlespeedscott]

Great ride by Voeckler. He's a machine. 4 massive hills and still averages 35.3 km/hr!!!

[PawPaw]

Cadel 35 year old. contracted to BMC next year. private life getting more demanding. as is business life.

I think Cadel's future does not include a TdF yellow jersey.

[Oxford]

Cadel 35 year old. contracted to BMC next year. private life getting more demanding. as is business life.

I think Cadel's future does not include a TdF yellow jersey.

I think you're on the money there. First Aussie to win it, that's enough for the history books.

[maryusdemetry]

Cadel GONE!

Cadel has cracked. He may get back to the Wiggins group on the descent but will almost certainly get dropped again on the final climb.
Hopefully Nibali can make a big move on Wiggins. Lets at least make the race for yellow somewhat interesting.

[find_bruce]

Cadel 35 year old. contracted to BMC next year. private life getting more demanding. as is business life.

I think Cadel's future does not include a TdF yellow jersey.

I think you're on the money there. First Aussie to win it, that's enough for the history books.

you both may be right, but like many others thought he had blown his best chance in 2008, doing nothing in 2009 & 2010 before coming good in 2011.

I think you are a bit early to write him off for 2013.

[Parrott]

I can't see him being the leader next year. He will be36 and working for tejay

[Sydguy]

How about a salary cap in cycling? It appears that Sky are loaded $ wise and purchase the top riders - this tour was over before it started.

Nissan Trek are struggling to pay riders if you believe the news and the cases filed by 3 riders against the team.

JM