Stage 1

[Kev365428]

How did he do it?

When I saw McEwen at the back of the pack with only 5km to go, I thought he had no chance of getting to the front. Then with 100 meters to go he comes out of nowhere like a pimple on your face 2 hours before a first date, and blows the competition away.


Absolutely amazing.

[AUbicycles]

I missed it... was on holiday.

Great that the Aussies are being represented but... will it be a case of a number of stages being won and then a slow down (or even pull out)? I am keen to see the aussies become serious contenders right up to the last stage.

[sogood]

I just caught that last segment last night when we got back from our ski trip. It was just amazing wasn't it? The commentators all gave up on him. I couldn't believe there could be that much speed difference b/n top sprinters.

I guess for one, none of his competitions were looking out for him and the pace of the lead group somewhat slowed a bit nearing the finish and permitted him to snake through the peloton.

[LuckyPierre]

... with 100 meters to go he comes out of nowhere like a pimple on your face 2 hours before a first date, and blows the competition away ...

I think that Robbie would be delighted with causing a reaction like that. He was pretty open about what drives him in Thursday's "25 Years " program and to see him work (albeit with help) to get back after the peleton tried to put a gap on him was pretty stirring.
'twas good to Stu only a minute behind the sprinters - he is really tough. I hope that the boys in pink work a bit harder tonight.

[tuco]

Great work by Robbie McEwen and his team and I love Phil's comment, "It looks like Robbie Hunter's got this won." - don't think so!

[tuco]

I also liked the other comment, "Who needs a photo finish when Robbie (McEwen) is involved?"

What's with all the crap they put on before they start showing the racing?
Don't they know we've been waiting many, many hours to see racing, they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it.

[sogood]

What's with all the crap they put on before they start showing the racing?
Don't they know we've been waiting many, many hours to see racing, they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it.

Well, TdF is a major show piece for France on the international stage, so it's not surprising that there's a cultural aspect to it. And if you were on the actual tour, there's a whole caravan thing and marketing by commercial enterprises. Let's just say that we are getting the light end of the stick.

[europa]

Robbie living up to his tag "the invisible man". Man, what a ride. Actually, the whole run was very interesting ... well, the bits that didn't clash with the F1

Going to be a good tour, but I don't know if I have the endurance to last it

Richard

[LuckyPierre]

... they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it ...

Hey, don't pick on my mate Gabriel! It's his one chance each year to sharpen his French accent and talk rubbish (well, it's pretty obvious that he can do that any time he wants to). Richard might remember the heady days in the early 80's when Horst's appeared on the Adelaide restaurant scene - a very different place that introduced many to what a real 'bistro' was. So what ? Well, Gabriel was the chef when it opened. He has long since become an Australian and he knows when (and how) to put his tongue firmly in his cheek.
That said, it's a boring as bat !! BAN ME NOW FOR SWEARING !! when all you want to do is to watch the b*ggers ride!

[tuco]

What's with all the crap they put on before they start showing the racing?
Don't they know we've been waiting many, many hours to see racing, they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it.

Well, TdF is a major show piece for France on the international stage, so it's not surprising that there's a cultural aspect to it. And if you were on the actual tour, there's a whole caravan thing and marketing by commercial enterprises. Let's just say that we are getting the light end of the stick.

True, but still I'm not interested in it. I need my cycling fix.
I'm more inspired by the scenery and picturesque villages (which we see during a race) to get over there on a holiday than by the food. It's so much different to anything we have here.

[MichaelB]

Forgot to set the tape last night. Heard briefly on the news that McEwen won, but had an accident with 3km to go, but still managed a win. Must have been some ride !!!

The news coverage is crap. Not even a mention of who is in the Yellow and no footage at all.... sigh.....

Will try and set the vid tonight

[sogood]

True, but still I'm not interested in it. I need my cycling fix.
I'm more inspired by the scenery and picturesque villages (which we see during a race) to get over there on a holiday than by the food. It's so much different to anything we have here.

Well, we all do. But in order to attract more viewers eg. Spouse of cycling fanatics, SBS has to put some of those padding in there. But it's sure better to hear about French food than a pub crawl clip shown during Fri afternoon footie.

[europa]

I honestly can't see that the cooking bits add anything at all - they'd do better discussing the buildings in the area, but it's a cycling race for heaven's sake. Do a bit on the latest technology. Sheesh, 'er indoors isn't going to sit up all night watching lycra clad idiots just to listen to Gabrielle tell how to cook some impossible dish she'll never attempt and probably never taste.
[/grump]

Any news on Robbie's injury? He got through last night on adrenalin but was really favouring it - a dud wrist could ruin his tour.

Richard

[Kev365428]

Wrist and knee injury I just heard on the radio. He said he hoped it wouldn't rule him out of the tour. Must be worse than it looked, judging by the way he finished.

Kev.

[moosterbounce]

I also liked the other comment, "Who needs a photo finish when Robbie (McEwen) is involved?"

What's with all the crap they put on before they start showing the racing?
Don't they know we've been waiting many, many hours to see racing, they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it.

We started coverage in WA at 10.30 with 30 mins of preamble. Anyway, during the race, there was a "Welcome to viewers in Adelaide and *somewhere else I forget*. let's recap what we've seen so far" and then started repeating what we in WA had just seen!!

Couldn't believe it.

It is on from 10-11.30pm here tonight - don't you wish you lived in WA??

[MichaelB]

Just had a look at the SBS site at how Robbie powered past - Damn !!!!

Lets hope his injury is not too bad - I'd love to know what his speed was at the end as he was flying

[tuco]

Don't forget the highlights show is on SBS at 6pm for those who missed the telecast last night.

[tuco]

What's with all the crap they put on before they start showing the racing?
Don't they know we've been waiting many, many hours to see racing, they must know we don't give a crap about cooking food and which wine goes with it.

Well, TdF is a major show piece for France on the international stage, so it's not surprising that there's a cultural aspect to it. And if you were on the actual tour, there's a whole caravan thing and marketing by commercial enterprises. Let's just say that we are getting the light end of the stick.

True, but still I'm not interested in it. I need my cycling fix.
I'm more inspired by the scenery and picturesque villages (which we see during a race) to get over there on a holiday than by the food. It's so much different to anything we have here.

My point has been proved!!!! I taped stage 15 last night and I was sitting watching it with my wife before work and she commented on how beautiful the area was and that we'll have to go over there next year. Well we settled on 2011 when the kids have finished high school but it was the scenery and not a silly little man with a speech impediment (accent) and a pom with an identity crisis.

[moosterbounce]

But did she say "go over there during the Tour and traipse all over the coultry to watch it"? That is the line you are really after!!

[europa]

How'd we wind up back at stage 1? I was looking forward to getting some sleep next week. Oh, it's Tuco. Ah well, you know what they say about these backward Queenslanders

Richard

[mikesbytes]

Those dudes are so fast that I'd still be on stage one

[europa]

I can't believe how quickly they get up those hills. I'm glad I'm an old bloke and don't have anything to prove.

Richard

[mikesbytes]

I can get up sprinters hill that fast, but thats a dimple compared with TdF

[MountGower]

You

[Mulger bill]

Isn't there only two seasons in Qld?

Too hot to ride and

Too wet to ride.

Shaun