2014 Tour de France

[GAV!N]

Route is now announced tonight - now the anticipation can begin

[antomeno]

Still a route for Froome....let us hope that it will not finish too early

[GAV!N]

Certainly is. And sounds like Quintana may even give it a miss and target the Giro or Vuelta. To be honest I think I'm looking forward to either of those two this year. I've got a feeling the Tour may be similar in 2012, but replace Wiggins with Froome. Very controlled and not very exciting with a pretty clear dominance from the start. Hopefully I'm proved wrong.
Having Evans, Porte & Quintana etc targeting the Giro/Vuelta is very exciting

[Davidrnau]

Hi

99 days to go



David

[Davidrnau]

Froome still has a bit of work to do! Could make for an exciting tour though if it's not a one man race again.

And Nibali also

Interesting to read Scarponi's thoughts on Nibali re: 2014 Tour de France

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/11/ ... nce_309982

David

[toolonglegs]

I got a fright when they said 100 days to go yesterday ... got to get the arse in to gear!. It always seems so far away and then suddenly it isn't.
Looking forward to the cobbles especially!... need to see if 28's will fit on the Dale .

[GAV!N]

I think Valverde is a good chance too. He's racing well. If it wasn't for that badly timed flat on the cross winds stage, last year could have been a whole different story for him.

[Joel Bohorquez]

I think Movistar Team could have been stronger with Quintana this year. Valverde/Quintana would have been a headache for Sky Team and Chris Froome.

[Davidrnau]

Hi

Yes Quintana (I'm a big fan of his) riding the Giro and Vuelta for 2014

No Tour de France for Quinatana
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/no-tour ... na-in-2014

Should make for an interesting Giro Quintana v 'Purito'

David

[Joel Bohorquez]

Even more interesting If Porte is confirmed for the Giro, then this year italian classic is gonna be spot on!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Davidrnau]

Even more interesting If Porte is confirmed for the Giro, then this year italian classic is gonna be spot on!

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Hope Porte makes it for the Giro

David

[GAV!N]

I think Porte will still make the Giro, but his build up is going to be less than ideal. He has a lot of ground to make up if he's a chance.

[PomBike]

Hi

99 days to go
[SPAM LINK REMOVED]



David

I had not seen this map before... thanks for posting it's a great ready reckoner.
Just look at those routes in Yorkshire

[elantra]

Apparently Mark Cavendish's mum is a native of Harrogate, and he is expected to figure prominantly in the anticipated bunch sprint finish there.
Then apparently some nasty steep hills the next day, from York to Sheffield.
There was a background story on SBS yesterday, with Bernard Hinault visiting this parcours.

[warthog1]

Sky ain't going to have it all their way this year I reckon. Contador is looking ominous.


Blame tapatalk

[Davidrnau]

Sky ain't going to have it all their way this year I reckon. Contador is looking ominous.


Blame tapatalk

Yes his form in the 2014 Tour of the Basque Country (final GC below) certainly has him looking the goods for the Tour de France

1. CONTADOR VELASCO Alberto TSB 21:09:11
2. KWIATKOWSKI Michal OPQ 00:00:49
3. PERAUD Jean Christophe ALM 00:01:04
4. SPILAK Simon KAT 00:01:07
5. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOV 00:01:07
6. VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC 00:01:56
7. EVANS Cadel BMC 00:01:56
8. TROFIMOV Yury KAT 00:02:13
9. PINOT Thibaut FDJ 00:02:14
10. POELS Wouter OPQ 00:02:26

David

[AUbicycles]

Received this from 'Woody' for anyone in France and wanting to party on stage 2 of the Tour de France.

Woody is running Langsett Le Hub which is a festival with bands, food and camping.

[kyap]

Not sure if right place to ask...

I was wondering is there "meet the fans" session during the Stage 1? Like signing and photograph thingy??
I'll be there at Stage 1 starting and Stage 2 ending. Am doing research of where to park, where to go blah blah. From website the starting can accommodate up to 25,000 spectators.

[PomBike]

I would have thought Leeds City Centre could accommodate many more than 25,000 if you get anywhere near the action is another matter.
I am going to a more sedate viewing point at Harewood and then hot foot-it into Harrogate for the finish. Big fan park. [SPAM LINK REMOVED]

[PomBike]

http://tourdefrancefanpark.co.uk/harrog ... -2014.html

Here, this is it...

[GAV!N]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins ... rance-team" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No Wiggins in the Tour... I thought if he and Froome COULD get along, he would have been a good help.

Definitely can't see Wiggins staying with Sky past this year.

[AndyRevill]

Starting to get really excited I grew up in Sheffield and the last third of stage 2 is an area I used to cycle a lot as a kid. Also used to do a lot of walking in the Dales.

I don't often stay up to watch whole stages (maybe some of the mountains) but will be glued for the first two - if I was rich I'd be there!

I've even ordered the T-shirt

[find_bruce]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins ... rance-team

No Wiggins in the Tour... I thought if he and Froome COULD get along, he would have been a good help.

Definitely can't see Wiggins staying with Sky past this year.

Interesting response from Brailsford Brailsford speaks about Wiggins Froome spat. Despite Brailsford's protestations, I still can't see Wiggins in the team

[Red Rider]

It's a shame if Brad Wiggins wont make the Tour. He's a big name in the world of cycling, attracts plenty of interest for the sport and would add a lot to the race. For it to seemingly come to this over 'team harmony' is pretty pathetic.

Froome is looking very good, it'll take something very special from Contador or another to trump him. It's great to see Contador is such good form, and have really enjoyed watching his cycling craft lately.

[PomBike]

Can't now see how Sky would work with the Wiggo Froome combo...