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

[veji11]

The question is whether the teams of the "lighter" sprinters will try to really test the fat ones ? Will Cannondale and FDJ really try to drop Cavendish, Greipel and Kittel ? Too bad Matthews is out because Orica might have gone for it as well. Really hard to know. If some teams tighten the screw on Buttertubs, we might be looking at an 80 men strong peloton for the sprint without some sprinters, but if not much is tried, it might be a full big sprint with the whole complement.

 

[SeriousSam]

Sagan should definitely try to drop the pure sprinters. If that wreaks havoc for he GC guys, all the better.

 

[postmanhat]

West Yorkshire Police getting into the spirit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xci-VihSzjM

 

[Carstenbf]

West Yorkshire Police getting into the spirit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xci-VihSzjM

Very cool.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Sagan should definitely try to drop the pure sprinters. If that wreaks havoc for he GC guys, all the better.

Drop them where exactly? The last hill is about 60k away from the finish and the finish itself, while going uphill, doesn't seem to do that very steep. Did I miss a crucial detail of the road?

I think Sagans team should play piano on this day, the day after is much more suited to him. But since I don't want him to win any stage anyway they are happy to burn themselves.

20m to climb over the last 1k. If he gets into the right position, Kittel and no one else. Otherwise: Cav or the Gorilla.

 

[Pricey_sky]

It's 4.30am and im up and on the bus to Leeds to watch the start, then a quick hop to Harrogate fan park for the finish, hope everyone else who's out on the road today has a great day. It's pouring with rain which should make things very interesting.

oh and finally... Come on Cav!!

 

[Fight.The.Power]

Harrogate bound at 6.30am and the train is packed. Light drizzle but forecast to stop by 11am.

Hope everyone enjoys the race with no crashes!!

 

[Pantani_lives]

I just watched BBC Breakfast. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) are going to open the race.

 

[R_O_Shipman]

Off to Malham soon to walk across the dales and watch stage 1 at Kilnsey fan park. It's damp and overcast just outside skipton, but no rain at the minute. Hoping for a good race & that no crashes force riders to retire today.

Although the route is a bit lumpy, and it will be hard fought I just can't see Cav/Greipel/Demare/Kristoff not being there & they should all be able to beat this years Sagan. Kittel may struggle on some very narrow undulating roads.

 

[argyllflyer]

Really excited about the race this year, feels like cup final day in 1987 for some reason: I remember being up early for Coventry v Spurs and St Mirren v Dundee Utd. On the sofa again!

 

[Eclipse]

Today's the day!

I don't know what the weather is like up North, but it's blowing a gale down here in the South. If we get some high winds over the Dales it could get rather interesting.

 

[Carstenbf]

Today's the day!

I don't know what the weather is like up North, but it's blowing a gale down here in the South. If we get some high winds over the Dales it could get rather interesting.

Indeed.

 

[ILovecycling]

hi folks,is Tour roadbook available anywhere?

 

[Eclipse]

hi folks,is Tour roadbook available anywhere?

Velorooms have it apparently but at 320mb I can't be bothered to download and check. It's here if you wanted to try.

http://velorooms.com/roadbooks/2014/tdf-vredit-en.pdf

 

[manafana]

Velorooms have it apparently but at 320mb I can't be bothered to download and check. It's here if you wanted to try.

http://velorooms.com/roadbooks/2014/tdf-vredit-en.pdf

always worth checking detail incredible on the grand tour road books

 

[ILovecycling]

Velorooms have it apparently but at 320mb I can't be bothered to download and check. It's here if you wanted to try.

http://velorooms.com/roadbooks/2014/tdf-vredit-en.pdf

Thanks,I will try it,details are important,esp when sometimes if its about your money

 

[sulgpallur]

Do they have time bonuses this year?

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Crowds are 25 deep, mental, will be seeing nothing!

 

[Carols]

It's on, they are in the neutral zone. Le Tour

I'll go with Cav today.

 

[ILovecycling]

the crowds

I love that saxo kit and helmet

 

[ILovecycling]

Crowds are 25 deep, mental, will be seeing nothing!

are you standing there right now?

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

are you standing there right now?

Don't be daft, I'm watching the MCC game and flicking over occasionally.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Incidentally, ITV are showing the entire stage, except the finish. Numpties.

 

[Eclipse]

Incidentally, ITV are showing the entire stage, except the finish. Numpties.

ITV4 will run all the way to the end. Unfortunately world cup 1/4s trumps TdF on prime time scheduling.

 

[TANK91]

Go away Jill douglas.