Recent content by Cycloid

The "Pawn" stage has to be one of those stages late in a GT where the breakaway of usual domestiques (those used as sacrificial pawns by their team leaders) can stay away and get some glory. And just as in chess, the pawn can thereby attain higher status, if it gets to the end of the board first!

And for this reason I said IF cycling goes all the way back to "0". I firmly believe it wont and believe cycling is far more resilient than that. But should it prove me wrong, then other pending outcomes have potentially far bigger negative implications. I don't want to see Contador banned when...

I'm not so sure about this. I've wavered a lot. But I do know if cycling goes all the way back to "0" on a Contador conviction, the sport may never recover in terms of public perception from a possible/probable LA conviction.

Can't see it happening myself. Good idea to get people talking, but thats all. 1. Crowd control over 2 ascents will not work. 2. It wont be a decisive stage because of the crowds - any room to pass someone in the lead bunch on the 2nd climb? It was unlikely this year. 3. It will be an...

Go you good thing! Just love to hear things like this. Doesn't matter if she wins or not, she should be inspirational to all.

Totally agree. As one of my old cycling coaches told me "you can only beat whoever is there". Guess what? Menchov wasn't. But a class field was there at the start, and Cadel did triumph. Deal with it.

Cancellara in at 57:15! Beat Westra by 57secs.

Gotta add Contador on Stage 19 - gutsy all out attack on the Telegraph/Galibier left the entire field strung out and splintetred only 15km into the stage and 90km from the finish, dropping many contenders/pretenders in the process. Then went again with a devastaing attack at the base of L'Alpe...

Got some bad news for you... In this case, you want a higher coefficient of friction. The lower coefficient of friction means there is less grip of your tyres on the road, therefore, less potential drive, increased risk of slipping. Nothing else.

So if times are all equal going into the final stage, we have the following: Finishing positions total as at Stage 19 (thanks LuckyBoy): Cadel 268 Andy 423 Therefore, Andy needs to beat Cadel by 155 places plus whatever he loses in the ITT to win the Tour, IF the times are equal. Aint...

The conditions and the time scenario remind me of "that American" and Jan a few years ago. Jan going full-bore trying to get back time, taking risks and crashing at the roundabout. Lance was able to be more conservative knowing he had time up his sleeve. Like then, I am cheering for the rider...

And its all come back together at the base of the Alpe, and he has kicked again! Awesome to watch. Fantastic animated stage!

I'm tired of hearing excuses and whinges by professional cyclists when things don't work out for them. True champions, and those with true grit and character, take it on the chin and get on with it the best they can. Everyone has the same course to ride in a given stage. Everyone has their...

I agree. Frank looked better on Luz Ardiden and Andy looked a little stressed at the finish. But realistically, they can keep playing their 1-2 card until one gets a decisive time gain. If Frank goes, Cadel, Basso et al have to chase and Andy can sit on and counter later - and the reverse is...

I can see the coming stage as decisive for the final podium contenders. So, in no particular order: Basso looks completely at ease at the moment. He will be there in Paris. Which step only time will tell. Cadel, well he is having a great Tour. I expect him to be there. His...