2011 Tour de France Stage 11: Blaye-les-Mines Lavaur 167.5 km

[Maxiton]

thanks. i knew there was a reason you brought it up

(i'm watching on France 2 and haven't bothered to pull up english commentary yet... i do miss Phil, though.)

How is the French commentary?

 

[El Pistolero]

Why are the other teams helping HTC? Idiots. I think I'm going to become team leader after this stage.

 

[spalco]

Do Sky/Garmin/OPL believe that Cavendish will have trouble on this little climb?

Doubt it, but if you don't try you'll never find out.

 

[Captain_Cavman]

Do Sky/Garmin/OPL believe that Cavendish will have trouble on this little climb?

Cavendish would rather the climb was soft pedalled, so do the opposite of what he wants.

 

[sublimit]

I think having Goss tail-gunning for Cav makes more sense.

Yes probably better. They have to make sure Greiple doesnt sit on Cav so yeah you're right.

 

[Rocksteady]

Do Sky/Garmin/OPL believe that Cavendish will have trouble on this little climb?

Maybe trying to string it out and hope for the peleton to break in the winds? I think Cav shouldn't have any trouble with these climbs.

 

[sublimit]

Why are the other teams helping HTC? Idiots. I think I'm going to become team leader after this stage.

Its a token statement of intent. Putting a small effort in to help motivate the sprinter and lead out riders I suppose.

 

[Jamsque]

Sky have thrown one man in to the chase now, looks like Gerrans.

 

[thirteen]

How is the French commentary?

i like it a lot -- but that may be because i don't understand everything they say

 

[Maxiton]

i like it a lot -- but that may be because i don't understand everything they say

It's always better that way.

 

[Jamsque]

P&P keep saying that Sky are working for Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift despite that fact that nine times out of ten their designated sprinter is EBH.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

P&P keep saying that Sky are working for Geraint Thomas and Ben Swift despite that fact that nine times out of ten their designated sprinter is EBH.

Who sprinted for them yesterday? They were nowhere to be seen, but Thomas was first one in, I think.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

Its a token statement of intent. Putting a small effort in to help motivate the sprinter and lead out riders I suppose.

Also there's an element of etiquette. Letting the strongest team do all the work and then winning the sprint isn't that different from wheelsucking the strongest rider in the break and nipping out for the win at the end

 

[mr. tibbs]

Love that Skoda advert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNunotJ14o8

I thought the same thing. Thanks for posting the link!

 

[Bromers]

Love that Skoda advert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNunotJ14o8

First time I watched it I got a bit worried when the DS threw the rider onto the bonnet of the car

 

[superconfex]

winds whipping up for the finish

 

[Maxiton]

It's cool the way the weather front is moving in with the finish. High speed. High drama.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Horrible rain at the finish.

Oh dear!!

 

[therhodeo]

Oh wow the finish looks crazy.

 

[Jamsque]

Absolutely soaking at the finish.

I wonder if Boom will go solo before the break gets caught.

 

[thirteen]

Horrible rain at the finish.

Oh dear!!

oof!

10 char

 

[luckyboy]

Wow that rain is terrible. Please no crashes

 

[Jamsque]

Just saw an HTC off the back so no nine-man train for Cav today.

 

[max_powers]

Is this normal French Summer weather? Seems not so warm this Tour.
But we have seen some weather extremes lately with Global Climate Change

 

[Maxiton]

Uh oh. Transmission stoppage.