2014 TdF Grand Depart awarded to Yorkshire

[Dazed and Confused]

Don't forget the opening Time Trial for Wiggo/Froome.

Christ, this can't go wrong.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Don't worry BR, there's nowhere in Britain as downtrodden as your country has made half of Southern Europe.

 

[Capablanca and me]

Seriously, why the heck is the Tour starting in one of Europe's most waterdown trashyards?

MONEY?

IMO to much UK start
Tour organizers dont remember who make his race to the top
not normal

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bartalis-son-disappointed-by-yorkshire-tour-de-france-start

 

[Arnout]

Firenze or Leeds. Yeah I would definitely choose the latter.

 

[Hayabusa]

Seriously, why the heck is the Tour starting in one of Europe's most waterdown trashyards?

Spoken by a troll who most likely has never been.

 

[Siriuscat]

Eee by-eck that'll be fun!!

 

[El Pistolero]

I think it's great they're starting in a city that was barely affected by World War I, directly that is.

 

[Arnout]

I think it's great they're starting in a city that was barely affected by World War I, directly that is.

What does WWI have to do with cycling?

 

[El Pistolero]

What does WWI have to do with cycling?

1914 --> 2014

Cycling is a sport where history is important.

 

[theyoungest]

Well, then we should 'celebrate' by not organizing these races at all, since that's what happened during WWI.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

El P might like to reflect on whether or not an entire generation of Yorkshire men was decimated in the war which hardly affected them, trying to fight for Belgium's freedom.

 

[Parker]

1914 --> 2014

Cycling is a sport where history is important.

In 2015 it will be the 200th anniversary of Waterloo and the 600th anniversary of Agincourt. Which do you think the French will choose to commerate?

 

[El Pistolero]

El P might like to reflect on whether or not an entire generation of Yorkshire men was decimated in the war which hardly affected them, trying to fight for Belgium's freedom.

That was hardly their real reason, more like maintaining the status quo on Continental Europe.

It would be much better to run the race along these battlefields. The main burial place here for soldiers of WWI in Belgium is in fact British territory and it's a beautiful area to pass by.

I wouldn't mind the Tour starting in Verdun by the way, Belgium already had a Tour start this year. They can do a quick detour to Ypres though.

You need a symbol and Yorkshire just isn't a symbol for WWI.

 

[Arnout]

1914 --> 2014

Cycling is a sport where history is important.

Yeah, I get that. I just don't see why cycling should get involved in remembrances like this. Cycling and war history are unrelated.

 

[El Pistolero]

Yeah, I get that. I just don't see why cycling should get involved in remembrances like this. Cycling and war history are unrelated.

Many great cyclists died during the first World War. Paris-Roubaix got its nickname "hell of the north" because of the first World War.

It's hardly unrelated. Of course you have your opinion and I have mine.

 

[sublimit]

Seriously, why the heck is the Tour starting in one of Europe's most waterdown trashyards?

The TDF is a pro bike race not a TV holiday review show. The racing can be potentially good depending on the route and thats the main thing.

 

[The_Z_man]

1914 --> 2014

Cycling is a sport where history is important.

2014 is also the 50th anniversary of Poulidor vs. Anquetil on the Puy de Dome. I think that would be history that would be better celebrated during the Tour.

 

[Frosty]

Seriously, why the heck is the Tour starting in one of Europe's most waterdown trashyards?

Started in Liege this year and i'm not going back to that place after a brief visit on holiday once.

 

[El Pistolero]

Started in Liege this year and i'm not going back to that place after my visit in 2010.

What's wrong with Liège? It's a beautiful city. Every city has it ugly spots of course, but are you never going to New York again because of the Bronx?

And it happens to be a city related to cycling.

 

[Tom375]

And it happens to be a city related to cycling.

So's Nottingham - don't see it going there soon unless on the monster Leeds London stage down the M1.

 

[Arnout]

What's wrong with Liège? It's a beautiful city. Every city has it ugly spots of course, but are you never going to New York again because of the Bronx?

And it happens to be a city related to cycling.

Liege? You serious? That's the crappiest city in continental Europe bar Charleroi (and yes I've been in both).

 

[will10]

So's Nottingham - don't see it going there soon unless on the monster Leeds London stage down the M1.

Cycling in Nottingham is actually an oxymoron.

 

[El Pistolero]

Liege? You serious? That's the crappiest city in continental Europe bar Charleroi (and yes I've been in both).

I see you've also been to every other continental European city. I'm sure there's some Russian cities where they'd love to sell you some krokodil tears.

Charleroi is ugly though.

I've been out a few times in Liège at le Carré, can't complain, not at all. Much better experience there than any other Belgian or Dutch city I've been out to. And I live a few feet away from the "uitgaansbuurt", as we say in Dutch, in Gent.

So yeah, I'm serious.

Even Charleroi kinda has its charms. You can just see the effects of the 19th century industrialism on that city. I'm sure England has cities like that as well.

 

[Frosty]

What's wrong with Liège? It's a beautiful city. Every city has it ugly spots of course, but are you never going to New York again because of the Bronx?

No, the Bronx wouldnt put me off but Liege does put me off going to Liege again

 

[El Pistolero]

No, the Bronx wouldnt put me off but Liege does put me off going to Liege again

I guess you'll have to wait for a British rider to do well in LBL then.

But hey, I've never been to Yorkshire, so can't comment about that particular subject.