2014 Tour De France stage Stage 2: York – Sheffield: 201km

[spalco]

It's lovely to see those crowds, but I don't really get it. Why are those people so supportive of the race? Is it just local patriotism, making their region look good on international tv or do they actually care about cycling?

 

[Walkman]

GTFO!

Good to see the garmin rider punch the iPhone out of his hand!

 

[dduff442]

Honey badger don't give a sh*t.

 

[Eclipse]

So many phones getting wrecked.

 

[Rollthedice]

Oleg's boys and Valverde's are already upfront.

 

[Publicus]

so when does Sky assert themselves? they've been pretty inconspicuous today.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

It's lovely to see those crowds, but I don't really get it. Why are those people so supportive of the race? Is it just local patriotism, making their region look good on international tv or do they actually care about cycling?

That it is a one-time thing makes it much more attractive. People who wouldn't go to an annual event because they don't have actual interest in the race do go to the one-time appearance because of the once-in-a-life spectacle right outside their door.

 

[brilleaben]

Who's worse, American or British fans?

 

[auscyclefan94]

BMC attacking!!!

 

[dduff442]

It takes a long time to move through the peloton so the next 20kms in the run up to Holme Moss will reveal how hotly contested the stage will be.

IMO the huge crowds should help attacks on the climbs because it'll be harder to organise a pursuit.

 

[Rollthedice]

BMC starting the race

 

[manafana]

crowds are nuts again, some people spend too much time looking at a camera or phone than looking at the actual cyclists in front of them

 

[The Hitch]

Skoda using pretty much the same advert as every year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbDprjPR8yE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inxqIa8jgA4

 

[climber_corbin]

Most of the fans just don't have the experience of watching pro cycling races as they in continental Europe.

 

[Walkman]

so when does Sky assert themselves? they've been pretty inconspicuous today.

Maybe they finally learned something?

Why waste energy if you don't have to?

Just look at how OPQS really dropped the ball yesterday.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

BMC starting the race

With the gap coming down the way it was, and the crowds, there would be no place for the cars to pull over an get out of the middle...

 

[The Hitch]

Rodiguez looking to emulate 2009 Djokovic and abandon 3 consecutive Grandes?

 

[Eclipse]

Break might not live over holme moss at this rate. Quite as few riders struggling too

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Modolo, Demare, Petacchi, Veelers all dropped

 

[Publicus]

There are going to be some real time losses today. Riders already look shellacked and we still have 80km to race

 

[Miburo]

Looks like valverde wants to win this, hopefully he won't rely on his sprint and actually attack

 

[More Strides than Rides]

While the crowds are dense and a little eager, they at least look sober and composed. Haven't seen any streakers yet

 

[SeriousSam]

It's lovely to see those crowds, but I don't really get it. Why are those people so supportive of the race? Is it just local patriotism, making their region look good on international tv or do they actually care about cycling?

Not this. To be fair, that's the case for any big crowd of any sport. It's all about doing the cool things your friends are doing, having some fun outside, posting good selfies on twitter, etc.

 

[Walkman]

Looks like valverde wants to win this, hopefully he won't rely on his sprint and actually attack

Come on, it's piti we are talking about. He sucks more wheel than anyone. That's what he does.

 

[Don't be late Pedro]

Never ceases to amaze me how Sky never seem interested in trying to keep their GC contender near the front. Whatever you say about Mick Rogers he at least seemed to control things.

Movistar and Tinkoff-Saxo do a great job. BMC at the Giro with Cadel was a perfect example of how to do it imo.