2014 Tour De France stage 1: Leeds › Harrogate (190.5km)

[the sceptic]

2014 Tour De France stage 1: Leeds › Harrogate (190.5km)

I know its early, but what else is there to talk about?

I really have no idea who will win this.. Will Cav and Kittel even be there in the sprint?

 

[l.Harm]

Chaotic sprint, everybody wants to be on the front, no proper trains. Cav vs Kittel #1.

 

[mrhender]

Was about to make a bad joke about the name of this climb but then saw this:

Sure is pretty that Buttertubs...

 

[Pricey_sky]

Really looking forward to this, heading up to Leeds (4am!) early on Saturday morning to see the start then up to Harrogate in time for the finish. It looks a tricky final few k's here, I wonder if there could be an upset?

 

[Jspear]

Really looking forward to this, heading up to Leeds (4am!) early on Saturday morning to see the start then up to Harrogate in time for the finish. It looks a tricky final few k's here, I wonder if there could be an upset?

Of course anything can happen in cycling - that's one of the beauties of the sport. But, I would be very surprised if it ended up in anything other than a bunch sprint. Cav has built his season around this one stage. I'm expecting to see OPQS controlling things in the end and they are pretty good at bringing the breakaway back at the right time. I'm also thinking maybe this final is to hard for Kittel??....anyone else think that or am I just crazy?

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Was about to make a bad joke about the name of this climb but then saw this:

Sure is pretty that Buttertubs...

It is said that the name of the Buttertubs potholes came from the times when farmers would rest there on their way to market. During hot weather they would lower the butter they had produced into the potholes to keep it cool.

(no mention of double-espresso in the borache)

 

[Fzotrlool]

The finale is quite lumpy.

1. Griepel
2. Sagan
3. Modolo

 

[Red Rick]

This is not about who takes the win, this is about the battle for 24th place (or which ever is the first place between the two of them) between Contador and Froome

 

[mrhender]

It is said that the name of the Buttertubs potholes came from the times when farmers would rest there on their way to market. During hot weather they would lower the butter they had produced into the potholes to keep it cool.

(no mention of double-espresso in the borache)

Thanks!

I thought there might be an explanation to this special name...

Can't wait till it starts, here in Denmark we have a commentator on tv2 who always use a lot of time explaining what we see on the screen, not just relating to cycling.. I actually quite like that..

 

[Bernie's eyesore]

Looks perfect for Rojas to finish 4th.

 

[Tank Engine]

Of course anything can happen in cycling - that's one of the beauties of the sport. But, I would be very surprised if it ended up in anything other than a bunch sprint. Cav has built his season around this one stage. I'm expecting to see OPQS controlling things in the end and they are pretty good at bringing the breakaway back at the right time. I'm also thinking maybe this final is to hard for Kittel??....anyone else think that or am I just crazy?

That is basically my logic for choosing Cav. It seems too easy a stage for a breakaway to succeed (especially when the yellow jersey is at stake. Cav is the one who has been really waiting for this day.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Other than the sprint, this stage and the next could be quite interesting for the early KOM hunters. Don't care much for that competition once we hit the mountains, but we could have a real competition early on.

Reichenbach, Kadri, Taaramae etc.

Anyway I hope Gorilla takes the first stage.

 

[Kwibus]

Chaotic stage. Lets hope everyone stays safe.

I'm on An iPad with no access to a pc, nut make a stage 2 thread. That should really be An interesting stage. I really think THE gc Guys will bring action. If it rains that day froome Will be in trouble.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Just down the street from the finishing line.

Glass etching gives the game away for those unfamiliar with the typical pub name.

 

[jens_attacks]

all i know is greipel will be in yellow after this

 

[icefire]

Looks perfect for Rojas to finish 4th.

Rojas can only finish 4th from a breakaway

 

[Boardslide]

Just down the street from the finishing line.

Glass etching gives the game away for those unfamiliar with the typical pub name.

Here is a list of other pubs in the area with name changes for the tour

Those new names in full (blame the Otley Pub Club for any spelling mistakes):

The Bay Horse: Le Cheval Bai

The Black Bull: Le Taureau Noir

The Black Horse: Le Cheval Noir

The Bowling Green: Le Terrain de Boules

The Cross Pipes: Les Pipes Croisées

The Fleece: La Toison

The Horse and Farrier: Le Cheval et Maréchal-ferrant

The Junction: La Jonction

The Manor: Le Manoir

North Bar: Bar Du Nord

The Old ****: Le Vieux Coq

Otley Tavern: La Taverne D’Otley

The Red Lion: Le Lion Rouge

The Roebuck: Le Chevreuil

The Rose & Crown: La Rose et La Couronne

The Royalty: La Royauté

The White Swan: Le Cygne Blanc

The Yew Tree: L’If Arbre

Whitakers Arms: Les Armoiries De Whitaker

 

[Miburo]

Should make a stage 2 thread instead, now that will be a chaotic stage.

 

[ferryman]

Here is a list of other pubs in the area with name changes for the tour

Those new names in full (blame the Otley Pub Club for any spelling mistakes):

The Bay Horse: Le Cheval Bai

The Black Bull: Le Taureau Noir

The Black Horse: Le Cheval Noir

The Bowling Green: Le Terrain de Boules

The Cross Pipes: Les Pipes Croisées

The Fleece: La Toison

The Horse and Farrier: Le Cheval et Maréchal-ferrant

The Junction: La Jonction

The Manor: Le Manoir

North Bar: Bar Du Nord

The Old ****: Le Vieux Coq

Otley Tavern: La Taverne D’Otley

The Red Lion: Le Lion Rouge

The Roebuck: Le Chevreuil

The Rose & Crown: La Rose et La Couronne

The Royalty: La Royauté

The White Swan: Le Cygne Blanc

The Yew Tree: L’If Arbre

Whitakers Arms: Les Armoiries De Whitaker

Ach, I was hoping for 'blame my memory these are the pubs I've managed to visit so far, hic'

 

[the sceptic]

Should make a stage 2 thread instead, now that will be a chaotic stage.

Was thinking about making that too but it might be against CN etiquette.

 

[Fzotrlool]

Was thinking about making that too but it might be against CN etiquette.

What about a "stage win prediction" thread like the one I made about the Giro?

 

[Pricey_sky]

Let's get stage 1 out of the way before worrying about stage 2, it's always massively nervous on the opening day especially one where we should have a bunch sprint. I just hope everyone gets through without injury then we can talk about Sunday!

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

A Cannondale special coming up.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Andre Greipel...

 

[bucko007]

The "Gorilla" will be beating his chest at the end of this stage. He has been in fine form and the finish of this stage gives him an edge over Kittel and Cav.