Official Thread Stage 21 Montereau-Fault-Yonne - Paris Champs-Élysées 164km

[Cobber]

Lance spent quite some time chatting up Sastre, too. I would love to know what some of these conversations are like. "Hey Lance, what's Matthew McConaughey really like? Any chance I can hang with you guys in Malibu some time?"

I hear he just asks everyone around him if he should take his shirt off.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Franck Schleck is only 3" behind Wiggins. I know the Champs is the worst for a breakaway, but all it would take is merely a break in the peloton on the finish line...

I agree this is unlikely (He is not really advantaged in contrast to Wiggins) but heh. I doubt the Garmin could "TT" to the podium but maybe they are careful and prepared for any surprises.

 

[saphblue]

The bike was painted by Damien Hirst, a well known and respected artist, and will be sold at auction after the Tour with the proceeds going to the fight against cancer. I have no idea if the proceeds are intended to go to Livestrong or elsewhere, but it is expected (according to the report I saw on Dutch tv) that the bike will realize in the region of $1m.

I'm not fan of Damien Hirst and his sharks and diamond encrusted skulls, but I actually kinda like the bike. And, what a great way to raise a big chunk of money for charity.

 

[El Imbatido]

Wow, LA is on the front, First time this tour he is doin some work.

Sorry couldn't resist

 

[dgodave]

I would say a break on the Champs-Élysées is probably the most pointless off all breakaway attempts in the Tour.

I dont think so... Blasting down the Champs-Élysées 20m off the front just one time would be worth it.
.

 

[Publicus]

Hmm ... I just turned on the TV. Did AC and Andy withdraw from the race? Versus is treating it like LA won the race!

Apparently third is the new first!

 

[Cobber]

I must say, these little segments about everything but cycling on Versus are thoroughly entertaining....

 

[Bala Verde]

The tour finishes in style, the same way it started

A lot of talk
Boring to watch
Predictable

I am glad the Clásica San Sebastián, the Vuelta and the Worlds are on its way.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Yeah well French TV is all about the President being at the hospital, Laurent Fignon is now crying on air because everyone thanks him for being there despite his illness, and France 2 is very happy of their own coverage.

Fignon is touching but the ambiance is a tad heavy...

 

[dgodave]

Hmm ... I just turned on the TV. Did AC and Andy withdraw from the race? Versus is treating it like LA won the race!

They were relegated to lanterne rouge, and demi-rouge.
.

 

[El Imbatido]

What happedned to Sarkozy?

 

[39*23t]

bit of nice to know charly weglehuis (excuse spelling) was due to get married yesterday.

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

What happedned to Sarkozy?

Passed out during his footing, nothing too bad I guess.
Fignon litterally cracked down completely and took some time off the cabin I think. I hope him well and I am sure everyone was well-meaning but all the cancer talk since 15mn was bound to bring something like this. Kinda embarrassing being there in what should be a moment of intimacy (IMHO etc)

 

[RigelKent]

Let's try "Passed out". Passed away typically means died.

 

[dgodave]

Passed away during his footing, nothing too bad I guess...

Just a mild case of death.
.

 

[Cobber]

Passed away during his footing, nothing too bad I guess.
Fignon litterally cracked down completely and took some time off the cabin I think. I hope him well and I am sure everyone was well-meaning but all the cancer talk since 15mn was bound to bring something like this. Kinda embarrassing being there in what should be a moment of intimacy (IMHO etc)

That ususally means he died. Do you mean "passed out" or "feinted"

 

[ThisFrenchGuy]

Let's try "Passed out". Passed away typically means died.

Correct, edited my post.
Lapsus révélateur I guess

So nobody wants to entertain the idea of F.Schleck taking 3" to Wiggins for a 4th place upset, thus making the stage interesting against all odds?

 

[RigelKent]

I've been to France a number of times in the last 6 months. I think a lot of French people would consider his passing away as "nothing too bad."

 

[Amsterhammer]

The tour finishes in style, the same way it started

A lot of talk
Boring to watch
Predictable

I am glad the Clásica San Sebastián, the Vuelta and the Worlds are on its way.

That's not fair and you know it. This is what every last stage to Paris is like (ok, except the Lemond-Fignon tt) regardless of who has won. It's tradition. Don't tell me that watching the speeds they get up to on the Champs a bit later isn't exciting?

I love San Sebastian, always start looking forward to it right after Paris.

 

[Amsterhammer]

So nobody wants to entertain the idea of F.Schleck taking 3" to Wiggins for a 4th place upset, thus making the stage interesting against all odds?

Nope, that would be simply 'not done' according to the widely accepted gentleman's agreement about the last stage. If it were to happen 'by accident' however, well that would be different.

 

[RigelKent]

Nope, that would be simply 'not done' according to the widely accepted gentleman's agreement about the last stage. If it were to happen 'by accident' however, well that would be different.

Tell that to Vino.

 

[Cobber]

That's not fair and you know it. This is what every last stage to Paris is like (ok, except the Lemond-Fignon tt) regardless of who has won. It's tradition. Don't tell me that watching the speeds they get up to on the Champs a bit later isn't exciting?

I love San Sebastian, always start looking forward to it right after Paris.

I think he is referring to the US coverage, Amsterhammer. It is bad usually, but particularly horrible today.

 

[rhubroma]

God, I love Italian coverage of this Tour....this just in.

Commentators debating over Lance's sincerity in always claiming that he would race for Alberto if the situation mertied, etc. etc. At which point one of the journalist said: "the other day at the hotel where Contador was staying after the alpine stage in which AC had attacked the group with Kloden in it and droped him....Bruyneel and Armstrong arrived together to confront Alberto, who said 'excuse me, I made a mistake'...at which point Armstrong interupted with: 'Hey my name is Lance Armstrong and you will do what I tell you to do!'"

Alberto Contador: "And my name is Alberto Contador and I will win this Tour...alone, if I have to!"

 

[Amsterhammer]

..........and they're off................

 

[hoolaparara]

Did Phil get it wrong again? How did Voeckler get from back to break in 20 seconds?