Official thread- TDF Stage 7 Barcelone - Andorre Arcalis 224km

[Bala Verde]

Maybe we should all pay a bit more attention to be nice to each other AND
TO KIRCHEN!

Is Martin becoming the GC captain just now? Or maybe Monfort.

But it was to be expected that he'd be in trouble...

Montfort stated that he'll be assisting Diesel Tony and see if he can ride a good GC himself as well.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

@msjett
He was struggeling at the end of the peloton while I was posting.

@sportzchick
I am not saying that we shouldn't discuss things. Not at all.
It's just that I believe everyone should calm down a litte and treat diffrent opinions with respect and of course state one's own opinions in an respectfull manner.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Montfort stated that he'll be assisting Diesel Tony and see if he can ride a good GC himself as well.

Yeah I heard about that as well.
But as we cannot know how Martin will do I put Monfort in my question as well.

 

[Publicus]

I love seeing big Greg Rast lead them up the hill.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Of course, there's such a huge difference between real wheel-sucking and having half a dozen of your team mates tow you to within a couple of kms to the summit.

I think there will be a lot of riders wishing they were good enough to suck wheel, come the end of today's stage.

 

[BroDeal]

Armstrong looks more labored when he climbs that he used to, like he is using more muscle than cardio. His cadence definitely looks slower than it used to also. Maybe it is the slower cadence that is giving me the first thought.

 

[Publicus]

Of course, there's such a huge difference between real wheel-sucking and having half a dozen of your team mates tow you to within a couple of kms to the summit.

I think there will be a lot of riders wishing they were good enough to suck wheel, come the end of today's stage.

No doubt. At the end of the day, I think it's Cadel's personality (real or perceived) that leads to the criticisms. Hell Contador rode his wheel for a week at the Dauphine.

Btw, Lance doesn't look great. Not bad, but a little uncomfortable (same with Levi). Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

 

[BroDeal]

Wow, does Versus blow. Thank the gods for Eurosport audio.

 

[msjett]

@msjett
He was struggeling at the end of the peloton while I was posting.

@sportzchick
I am not saying that we shouldn't discuss things. Not at all.
It's just that I believe everyone should calm down a litte and treat diffrent opinions with respect and of course state one's own opinions in an respectfull manner.

Oops...missed that, had been distracted by other things, bit disappointing really, I like Kirchen and would have liked to see him do well....oh well win some lose some...

I appreciate what you are saying about being respectful, unfortunately if you show the slightest hint of patriotism or would like to say how you would like to see your favourite succeed you are shot down in flames by the knockers...I don't have a problem with their opinions about wheel sucking and other jibes, I do my best to respect other peoples opinions...but like sportzchick there are some things I won't take lying down.

 

[BroDeal]

Btw, Lance doesn't look great. Not bad, but a little uncomfortable (same with Levi). Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

That is just what I was thinking. His climbing looks labored, like it did at the Giro.

 

[Publicus]

Wow, does Versus blow. Thank the gods for Eurosport audio.

Beautiful picture when they are actually showing the race, but yes it does blow. At least I know where Lance is in relation to the yellow jersey.

Why don't they save these vignettes on bikes for the prime time show? If I am up at 4:30 in the morning to watch the race, I want to see the race.

 

[BroDeal]

Oops...missed that, had been distracted by other things, bit disappointing really, I like Kirchen and would have liked to see him do well....oh well win some lose some...

I appreciate what you are saying about being respectful, unfortunately if you show the slightest hint of patriotism or would like to say how you would like to see your favourite succeed you are shot down in flames by the knockers...I don't have a problem with their opinions about wheel sucking and other jibes, I do my best to respect other peoples opinions...but like sportzchick there are some things I won't take lying down.

I think you have to realize that a live thread like this is usually banter. There is always a lot of sh!t talking. It is what makes things interesting--as long as it is witty.

 

[msjett]

Beautiful picture when they are actually showing the race, but yes it does blow. At least I know where Lance is in relation to the yellow jersey.

I am not sure the coverage here is much better, the station that shows it, was a public broadcaster and had no ads, then last year they had so many minutes of ads every hour, now it seems like they have 45 minutes of ads and 15 minutes of the tour...

 

[msjett]

I think you have to realize that a live thread like this is usually banter. There is always a lot of sh!t talking. It is what makes things interesting--as long as it is witty.

Agreed Brodeal...but then there are some who can't help themselves...also sometimes, witty doesn't always come across when written in this form, sarcasm also suffers a bit..

 

[BroDeal]

Why don't they save these vignettes on bikes for the prime time show? If I am up at 4:30 in the morning to watch the race, I want to see the race.

+1 on that. It is like they took all the stuff they used to reserve for the "expanded" coverage and decided to run it during the live broadcast. It sucks.

At least I can listen to Sean Kelly when they are not showing the race.

 

[Publicus]

I am not sure the coverage here is much better, the station that shows it, was a public broadcaster and had no ads, then last year they had so many minutes of ads every hour, now it seems like they have 45 minutes of ads and 15 minutes of the tour...

Sounds like we are watching the same feed.

**Though I'm guessing you aren't enjoying the vignette on Christian Vandevelde. After a 4 minute commercial break, they come back to a freaking vignette.**

 

[whiteboytrash]

That is just what I was thinking. His climbing looks labored, like it did at the Giro.

Yes but if he wins by 8 minutes, "labored climbing" will be the new high cadance folklore story.

 

[Publicus]

Yes but if he wins by 8 minutes, "labored climbing" will be the new high cadance folklore story.

LOL. +1 for originality. I was expecting someone to say he's playing possum again (a la the Look).

 

[msjett]

Sounds like we are watching the same feed.

**Though I'm guessing you aren't enjoying the vignette on Christian Vandevelde. After a 4 minute commercial break, they come back to a freaking vignette.**

Sounds like we are watching the same feed.

I am beginning to think so, also the host has been all gushy about Armstrong...but today, they started being a bit more neutral and a few more riders got a mention....not sure if Vandevelde got a mention...but I wouldn't be surprised. lol

 

[RigelKent]

Vs thinks he's looking really good! (Slurrrrp!)

 

[Azdak6]

Beautiful picture when they are actually showing the race, but yes it does blow. At least I know where Lance is in relation to the yellow jersey.

Why don't they save these vignettes on bikes for the prime time show? If I am up at 4:30 in the morning to watch the race, I want to see the race.

I still blame Roone Arledge---"Up Close and Personal"--for the concept that started back in 1972. The assumption is that the die hards like you and I will take anything they shove down our throats and so they are always programming for the "larger audience".

But what "larger audience" is going to get up that early on a weekday to watch cycling? The argument defeats itself.

 

[Doug Laipple]

I predict Christophe Riblon will win the polka dot jersey.

Well, at least he'll have it at the end of this stage.

Well at least for another hour.

Well, maybe he'll win the polka.

 

[BroDeal]

Yes but if he wins by 8 minutes, "labored climbing" will be the new high cadance folklore story.

It will be great to see all the freds on the local roads grinding away in huge gears. Now you can see them using ridiculously small gears, spinning like a mouse on a wheel, and barely crawling up small climbs they could power over with a little out of the saddle work.

 

[BroDeal]

Uh-oh. Sean Kelly has just weighed in on the black socks debate. He prefers white.

I like black

 

[Publicus]

Vs thinks he's looking really good! (Slurrrrp!)

I'm surprised Bob Roll didn't break in and scream "Lance! I love you!"