Tour De France 2013

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Just had a little moan at Contador on twitter too:

'Almost went over your head @albertocontador.. Little more care next time?'

For what its worth people attacking him like Contador today make the race brilliant and exciting. Hope theres more people going at it like that in the latter stages.

I think Froome was entitled to have a go at ****.
He tried a daft and dangerous move that even if it had come off would have gained him a handful of seconds, if that.
He risked ending the race for the yellow jersey in the process, and then did fuck all work on the rest of the stage.
It was a pointless and risky gesture that could have put both of them in hospital.
Froome has every right to be angry.
**** and his fragile ego can go fuck themselves.

Its all about Yellow you can see why Contador done what he did. He was willing to put himself right out of the race. It didnt work. I have no problems with that. Froome on his part had a moan. No need for him to moan in my opinion. Froome wasnt saying anything when he was following Contador down that mountain?? In Contadors slip stream. Yes 1 mistake can take anyone out if they misjudge it and Contador is 1 of the best at coming down from any moutain top.

I appreciate it's all about yellow Leighton, but even if Cuntador had cornered successfully there is no guarantee that he would have pulled back any more that a handful of seconds at best, given how strong Porte was riding.
Was it really worth it?
We know the Schleck brothers lose a minute on a descent, but Froome is light years better than them coming down - in fact I could come off a mountain faster on a mobility scooter than the Schlecks do.
The boat has sailed now, and Alberto isn't on it.

 

[Shands]

I think Froome was entitled to have a go at ****.
He tried a daft and dangerous move that even if it had come off would have gained him a handful of seconds, if that.
He risked ending the race for the yellow jersey in the process, and then did fuck all work on the rest of the stage.
It was a pointless and risky gesture that could have put both of them in hospital.
Froome has every right to be angry.
**** and his fragile ego can go fuck themselves.

Its all about Yellow you can see why Contador done what he did. He was willing to put himself right out of the race. It didnt work. I have no problems with that. Froome on his part had a moan. No need for him to moan in my opinion. Froome wasnt saying anything when he was following Contador down that mountain?? In Contadors slip stream. Yes 1 mistake can take anyone out if they misjudge it and Contador is 1 of the best at coming down from any moutain top.

I appreciate it's all about yellow Leighton, but even if **** had cornered successfully there is no guarantee that he would have pulled back any more that a handful of seconds at best, given how strong Porte was riding.
Was it really worth it?
We know the Schleck brothers lose a minute on a descent, but Froome is light years better than them coming down - in fact I could come off a mountain faster on a mobility scooter than the Schlecks do.
The boat has sailed now, and Alberto isn't on it.

Who's to say it was just about taking time today though. There's a lot of big back to back mountains ahead this week and perhaps Contador motivation was more about trying to test out just how competent a descender Froome is in preparation for putting him under pressure later in the week, especially as rain is forecast. If Froome is a bit rattled by his scrape with disaster then maybe Alberto views that as a job well done for what lies ahead, after all if he can't beat him going up the mountain the next logical thought is 'well can I beat him going down' (More so given that's how Nibali broke Froome in Tirreno-Adriatico). That's racing and Chris moaning about it does him no favours in my opinion - if anything it's only likely to make Contador more determined to push harder downhill.

 

[andyhinch]

I think Froome was entitled to have a go at ****.
He tried a daft and dangerous move that even if it had come off would have gained him a handful of seconds, if that.
He risked ending the race for the yellow jersey in the process, and then did fuck all work on the rest of the stage.
It was a pointless and risky gesture that could have put both of them in hospital.
Froome has every right to be angry.
**** and his fragile ego can go fuck themselves.

Its all about Yellow you can see why Contador done what he did. He was willing to put himself right out of the race. It didnt work. I have no problems with that. Froome on his part had a moan. No need for him to moan in my opinion. Froome wasnt saying anything when he was following Contador down that mountain?? In Contadors slip stream. Yes 1 mistake can take anyone out if they misjudge it and Contador is 1 of the best at coming down from any moutain top.

I appreciate it's all about yellow Leighton, but even if Cuntador had cornered successfully there is no guarantee that he would have pulled back any more that a handful of seconds at best, given how strong Porte was riding.
Was it really worth it?
We know the Schleck brothers lose a minute on a descent, but Froome is light years better than them coming down - in fact I could come off a mountain faster on a mobility scooter than the Schlecks do.
The boat has sailed now, and Alberto isn't on it.

The trouble is and I'm a right competitive ****, common sense fucks off right out of the window at times

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

Its all about Yellow you can see why Contador done what he did. He was willing to put himself right out of the race. It didnt work. I have no problems with that. Froome on his part had a moan. No need for him to moan in my opinion. Froome wasnt saying anything when he was following Contador down that mountain?? In Contadors slip stream. Yes 1 mistake can take anyone out if they misjudge it and Contador is 1 of the best at coming down from any moutain top.

I appreciate it's all about yellow Leighton, but even if **** had cornered successfully there is no guarantee that he would have pulled back any more that a handful of seconds at best, given how strong Porte was riding.
Was it really worth it?
We know the Schleck brothers lose a minute on a descent, but Froome is light years better than them coming down - in fact I could come off a mountain faster on a mobility scooter than the Schlecks do.
The boat has sailed now, and Alberto isn't on it.

Who's to say it was just about taking time today though. There's a lot of big back to back mountains ahead this week and perhaps Contador motivation was more about trying to test out just how competent a descender Froome is in preparation for putting him under pressure later in the week, especially as rain is forecast. If Froome is a bit rattled by his scrape with disaster then maybe Alberto views that as a job well done for what lies ahead, after all if he can't beat him going up the mountain the next logical thought is 'well can I beat him going down' (More so given that's how Nibali broke Froome in Tirreno-Adriatico). That's racing and Chris moaning about it does him no favours in my opinion - if anything it's only likely to make Contador more determined to push harder downhill.

I take your point mate, but Froome is no mean descender, and it just smacked of the desperate and dangerous last throw of the dice by a beaten rider to me.
I don't see taking pointless risks as a noble act - if Alberto had done this with 100 miles of hard road to go, then he may have had a point, but he didn't.
Contador won't gain over four minutes if he comes down the mountains on jet skis, and I don't see tomorrow's time trial going massively in his favour either.
I admire any rider who refuses to throw in the towel until the Champs Elysees, but there are limits.

 

[leighton]

Thats racing Nij you take the risk and when it pays off its great when it doesnt you get shit for trying it. It would of been a boring stage if Contador didnt try and attack Froome 1 way or the other today.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

I appreciate it's all about yellow Leighton, but even if **** had cornered successfully there is no guarantee that he would have pulled back any more that a handful of seconds at best, given how strong Porte was riding.
Was it really worth it?
We know the Schleck brothers lose a minute on a descent, but Froome is light years better than them coming down - in fact I could come off a mountain faster on a mobility scooter than the Schlecks do.
The boat has sailed now, and Alberto isn't on it.

Who's to say it was just about taking time today though. There's a lot of big back to back mountains ahead this week and perhaps Contador motivation was more about trying to test out just how competent a descender Froome is in preparation for putting him under pressure later in the week, especially as rain is forecast. If Froome is a bit rattled by his scrape with disaster then maybe Alberto views that as a job well done for what lies ahead, after all if he can't beat him going up the mountain the next logical thought is 'well can I beat him going down' (More so given that's how Nibali broke Froome in Tirreno-Adriatico). That's racing and Chris moaning about it does him no favours in my opinion - if anything it's only likely to make Contador more determined to push harder downhill.

I take your point mate, but Froome is no mean descender, and it just smacked of the desperate and dangerous last throw of the dice by a beaten rider to me.
I don't see taking pointless risks as a noble act - if Alberto had done this with 100 miles of hard road to go, then he may have had a point, but he didn't.
Contador won't gain over four minutes if he comes down the mountains on jet skis, and I don't see tomorrow's time trial going massively in his favour either.
I admire any rider who refuses to throw in the towel until the Champs Elysees, but there are limits.

I sort of agree with you, Contador took the corner too quick and was lying in the middle of the road when Froome went around, Froome had to off road for a bit and unclipped, no damage done, but what if he went arse over tit, punctured or worse injured himself? So Contador's recklessness could have cost Froome dear. Yes, Contador can decend at whatever pace he likes as long as he doesnt effect anyone else, he did effect Froome, no wonder he had a little moan, Wiggo would have probably called him all sorts, other riders might have detached their rear wheel and try and hit him with it. Added to this he caused the issue and did fuck all to try and get them back on with the others, he sat in Froome's wheel, then had the nerve to give a sarcy thumbs up to them when he got back in there. I do think they should have waited for the yellow jersey (as it wasnt his fault) its the form thing to do, not that it bothered Contador in 'chaingate'. A man of very questionable morals trying to take the moral high ground, i'd have told him to fuck off royally if he'd given me the thumbs up.

Although i did enjoy the little bit of drama on an otherwise quite boring day.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Chapeau Froome... worse conditions than Contador and still beat him. He's clearly the best rider in the race, exceptional performance again.

Mollena is fast becoming a new fav of mine, i like the way his head is tilted to one side, mouth open clearly giving his all.

Double D'huez tomorrow, while the test is on at the same time... overload and exhaustion again at 6.30pm no doubt ;-)

 

[Rascal]

Chapeau Froome... worse conditions than Contador and still beat him. He's clearly the best rider in the race, exceptional performance again.

Mollena is fast becoming a new fav of mine, i like the way his head is tilted to one side, mouth open clearly giving his all.

Double D'huez tomorrow, while the test is on at the same time... overload and exhaustion again at 6.30pm no doubt ;-)

Fabulous stuff. Looks like the bike change made the crucial difference.

Poor Peraud. So brave and then he crashes again :(

Equally cat wait for tomorrows triple delight. The Lords Test, the Open and Double Alpe. Got my cider in, stocked up with smokes and bought the nibbles. Its gonna be a big big day :)

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Chapeau Froome... worse conditions than Contador and still beat him. He's clearly the best rider in the race, exceptional performance again.

Mollena is fast becoming a new fav of mine, i like the way his head is tilted to one side, mouth open clearly giving his all.

Double D'huez tomorrow, while the test is on at the same time... overload and exhaustion again at 6.30pm no doubt ;-)

Fabulous stuff. Looks like the bike change made the crucial difference.

Poor Peraud. So brave and then he crashes again :(

Equally cat wait for tomorrows triple delight. The Lords Test, the Open and Double Alpe. Got my cider in, stocked up with smokes and bought the nibbles. Its gonna be a big big day :)

I forgot to mention Peraud, that had to hurt, ow, ow and double ow.

I cant invest any emotion in the Open tomorrow day (will watch the highlights later) I've had a bet on it though!! Day, Stenson and Westwood to win and top 10.

I have just got hold of a big bag of herbal remedy from the local purveyor of rare herbs and unprescribed chemcials. Off to the beer shop in a bit to buy a slab, dont care about food, so i'll be stocked until Saturday ;-)

 

[Phil Meup]

Chapeau Froome... worse conditions than Contador and still beat him. He's clearly the best rider in the race, exceptional performance again.

Mollena is fast becoming a new fav of mine, i like the way his head is tilted to one side, mouth open clearly giving his all.

Double D'huez tomorrow, while the test is on at the same time... overload and exhaustion again at 6.30pm no doubt ;-)

Fabulous stuff. Looks like the bike change made the crucial difference.

Poor Peraud. So brave and then he crashes again :(

Equally cat wait for tomorrows triple delight. The Lords Test, the Open and Double Alpe. Got my cider in, stocked up with smokes and bought the nibbles. Its gonna be a big big day :)

I forgot to mention Peraud, that had to hurt, ow, ow and double ow.

I cant invest any emotion in the Open tomorrow day (will watch the highlights later) I've had a bet on it though!! Day, Stenson and Westwood to win and top 10.

I have just got hold of a big bag of herbal remedy from the local purveyor of rare herbs and unprescribed chemcials. Off to the beer shop in a bit to buy a slab, dont care about food, so i'll be stocked until Saturday ;-)

You guys are certainly living the dream! Personally, I can't stand cricket , or golf - but don't hate me for it!
I wonder if Froome's moaning is partly to give the French papers something to write about him instead of just doping accusations. Nothing will come out during the tour (if it ever does) as Sky are being scrutinised very closely and I'm certain Dave Brailsford would never sanction it (witness the departure from the backroom staff of Sean Yates, who maybe had a skeleton in the cupboard).
It's a race - Contador can go as fast as he likes but I agree with Froome as he said today - 'it's only a race, not life & death'.
Hope no-one comes to any serious harm on the descents over the next few days. It will be treacherous if it rains.
RIP Fabio Casartelli.
(I know it was dry when Fabio came off but makes you think, doesn't it).