Rate the 2013 Tour

[hfer07]

1st week was actually exciting, despite being the first week. Then we got to Ax-3 domaines & it was all over...
then it was this spark of hope when Saxo assaulted Froome & Sky, just to get squashed the next day....

Overall i give it 5 and those points are only for Quintana alone, whose performance confirmed to the world he's the chosen one to undertake the future battles against Froome....

 

[jaylew]

Excuse me also if I can't respect your perspective on anything Contador does. You're like this dark cloud of Contador negativity, peeing on the parade of any adulation that is expressed for the man. Your hatred runs so deep as if, and I've stated this to you before, you were some lover that was scorned, now out for revenge.

This. I stopped reading Airstream's posts a long time ago, partially because of this and partially because his/her posts don't seem to make much sense, though I understand the latter is probably due to a language issue.

 

[airstream]

You do realize that we accept your every Tour related post as simple gloating don't you? You definitely have a problem discerning what someone hopes will happen and what they think will be the eventual outcome. In many cases in sports one's hopes override what they see as the more likely outcome and they vote and/or debate based on their hopes. The fact that you feel the need to trumpet your great skills of prognostication as if it makes you better than all that hoped for a different outcome is, to use a word that Hitch used to describe Contador's Tour performance: "pathetic".

Your "What do you think of Froome now" thread is just another opportunity for you to gloat and ask people to "describe their feelings" when Froome was dancing on the pedals as if we're all on your psychiatric couch.

I'm not an angel but I follow for a long and know a little bit too. And given how people riduculed me for a long while and 'reminded' who and how many GTs won, today I'm entirely entitled to say what I think. When someone writes 'Tour was crap since Froome won' it deserves some censure. What's wrong with that?

And the last one. Seemingly you've got good upbringing aptitudes. Haven't you try to do an educative work with AC fans? Many of them feeel so much compassion towards him that makes Froome even more guilty (LOL). They need therapy, not me. I'm absolutely adequate and the 1st thing I did after Fuente de is came to the thread and congratulated them and Contador because he just suffered out that win. AC fans for the most part are not able for such thing because only niggling egoistic pusillanimous interests rule their minds.

 

[mattghg]

Lack of real competition for any jersey (all the jerseys were decided by one or two stages).

Not the mountains jersey...

 

[Angliru]

I'm not an angel but I follow for a long and know a little bit too. And given how people riduculed me for a long while and 'reminded' who and how many GTs won, today I'm entirely entitled to say what I think. When someone writes 'Tour was crap since Froome won' it deserves some censure. What's wrong with that?

And the last one. Seemingly you've got good upbringing aptitudes. Haven't you try to do an educative work with AC fans? Many of them feeel so much compassion towards him that makes Froome even more guilty (LOL). They need therapy, not me. I'm absolutely adequate and the 1st thing I did after Fuente de is came to the thread and congratulated them and Contador because he just suffered out that win. AC fans for the most part are not able for such thing because only niggling egoistic pusillanimous interests rule their minds.

One of my issues with you is that you slot ALL Contador fans into one single slot, insulting them as if their knowledge of the sport begins and ends with Contador alone. As if every person who supports him began following the sport the moment he came to the forefront. I'll admit there are some Contador fans that may take their support for him a bit far but many of them also have become the first to criticize him when he falters.

You've admitted in the past that you like to take the contrarian stance, I'm guessing because you like a lively debate. Makes me question how strongly and sincerely you actually believe in what side you have chosen to stand. I think it's more about the agrument than there being any substance behind it.

 

[airstream]

One of my issues with you is that you slot ALL Contador fans into one single slot, insulting them as if their knowledge of the sport begins and ends with Contador alone. As if every person who supports him began following the sport the moment he came to the forefront. I'll admit there are some Contador fans that may take their support for him a bit far but many of them also have become the first to criticize him when he falters.

You've admitted in the past that you like to take the contrarian stance, I'm guessing because you like a lively debate. Makes me question how strongly and sincerely you actually believe in what side you have chosen to stand. I think it's more about the agrument than there being any substance behind it.

I don't like it actually. Rather it happens willy-nilly by virtue of liveliness of my character. My life is one huge conflict and thanks God I win it so far.

I didn't criticize Contador for his 4th place whatsoever. A rider is in charge only for his own form and never knows how strong opponents will be. No one can tell 'if I'm at 100%, I'll win' because it's a sport of world level with hellishly tight contention. But cues of '2nd or 100th doesn't matter' were only decrarative and it's true.

 

[Angliru]

I don't like it actually. Rather it happens willy-nilly by virtue of liveliness of my character. My life is one huge conflict and thanks God I win it so far.

I didn't criticize Contador for his 4th place whatsoever. A rider is in charge only for his own form and never knows how strong opponents will be. No one can tell 'if I'm at 100%, I'll win' because it's a sport of world level with hellishly tight contention. But cues of '2nd or 100th doesn't matter' were only decrarative and it's true.

Andy had some bold declarations of how he may have something in store for the Tour. I don't see you being critical of his not measuring up. A rider's intentions prior to the Tour can be overridden by management or even a sponsor (Tinkov) who may have a need to micro-manage everything. It's a possibility they decided it best to have 2 riders in the top 10 than risk failure with a long range attack destined not to bear the fruit intended.

 

[Escarabajo]

This. I stopped reading Airstream's posts a long time ago, partially because of this and partially because his/her posts don't seem to make much sense, though I understand the latter is probably due to a language issue.

It is probably more than a language issue. His comments sometimes are very confusing. I usually stop half way or before because I cannot understand his posts.

It sounds like he wants to pick a fight with everyone or something.

 

[airstream]

Andy had some bold declarations of how he may have something in store for the Tour. I don't see you being critical of his not measuring up. A rider's intentions prior to the Tour can be overridden by management or even a sponsor (Tinkov) who may have a need to micro-manage everything. It's a possibility they decided it best to have 2 riders in the top 10 than risk failure with a long range attack destined not to bear the fruit intended.

Discrepancy of expected and real is absolutely normal. No one is able to evaluate his strength compared to the rivals before the etc. No one knows future... Because it's life. Nonetheless, it was lots of chances for suicide solo move but anyway we didn't see it. And as a result it was a huge tactics fail by Saxobank. On one hand they sacrificed Kreuziger's chances at once. On the other hand Riis didn't pluck up courage to give Kreuziger a free role after the Pyrenees.

Heck guys don't bridle up. I'm sure that my posts are quite understandable.

 

[The Hitch]

I'm surprised how highly this is being rated. Ax 3 and ventoux were good but still just 1 guy flying away from everyone else. The pyranees stage was the biggest dud ever. Grand bornand almost just as big a dud. The alpe stage hardly lit up the race either, **** for a queen stage and an absolute joke for the queen stage of queen stages it was billed as. The 2nd tt was good, the first was a normal tt, ttt was a ttt, sprint stages same as always. The echelon stage could not make up for the rest of the race.

For a centinary edition it was only acceptable if mediocrity is what one has learnt to expect from grand tours.

 

[Angliru]

Discrepancy of expected and real is absolutely normal. No one is able to evaluate his strength compared to the rivals before the etc. No one knows future... Because it's life. Nonetheless, it was lots of chances for suicide solo move but anyway we didn't see it. And as a result it was a huge tactics fail by Saxobank. On one hand they sacrificed Kreuziger's chances at once. On the other hand Riis didn't pluck up courage to give Kreuziger a free role after the Pyrenees.

Heck guys don't bridle up. I'm sure that my posts are quite understandable.

No offense and maybe I just have comprehension issues (or maybe not) but often times I really don't understand what you're trying to say. Let it be said that you're doing a massively better job of communicating in a 2nd language than I can or could, so thumbs up to you for that, but don't assume that your every post's intent is crystal clear to everyone.

 

[Escarabajo]

I'm surprised how highly this is being rated. Ax 3 and ventoux were good but still just 1 guy flying away from everyone else. The pyranees stage was the biggest dud ever. Grand bornand almost just as big a dud. The alpe stage hardly lit up the race either, **** for a queen stage and an absolute joke for the queen stage of queen stages it was billed as. The 2nd tt was good, the first was a normal tt, ttt was a ttt, sprint stages same as always. The echelon stage could not make up for the rest of the race.

For a centinary edition it was only acceptable if mediocrity is what one has learnt to expect from grand tours.

Now breathe deep Hitch!

 

[JimmyFingers]

I'm surprised how highly this is being rated. Ax 3 and ventoux were good but still just 1 guy flying away from everyone else. The pyranees stage was the biggest dud ever. Grand bornand almost just as big a dud. The alpe stage hardly lit up the race either, **** for a queen stage and an absolute joke for the queen stage of queen stages it was billed as. The 2nd tt was good, the first was a normal tt, ttt was a ttt, sprint stages same as always. The echelon stage could not make up for the rest of the race.

For a centinary edition it was only acceptable if mediocrity is what one has learnt to expect from grand tours.

Don't mince your words Hitch, tell us how you really feel...

 

[airstream]

No offense and maybe I just have comprehension issues (or maybe not) but often times I really don't understand what you're trying to say. Let it be said that you're doing a massively better job of communicating in a 2nd language than I can or could, so thumbs up to you for that, but don't assume that your every post's intent is crystal clear to everyone.

Sorry if so. Actually, I'm rather ironic than serious very often but it's certainly hard to express without having advanced language skills.


I'd characterize the Tour with one word - Redemption.

a). Purito that was criticized numerous times for tactical narrowness and ability only to sprint, turned out to be the smartest rider in the race. Only he could limit his losses perfectly
b) Theory of spanish alliance that was so actively promoted by anti Sky guys, completely cracked. Moreover, Valverde sincerely congratulated Froome on Chorges TT win and Rodriguez quickly admitted that to fight against Froome on the climbs is hopeless
c) Froome predictably took his revenge in a manner the other subforum regulars LOVE so much. I'm personally happy for them.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Revanchism ≠ Redemption, airstream.

Now, can you tell me what kind of state the Raubichi facilities are in? Do we have a chance to see international competition in Belarus again?

 

[Angliru]

Sorry if so. Actually, I'm rather ironic than serious very often but it's certainly hard to express without having advanced language skills.


I'd characterize the Tour with one word - Redemption.

a). Purito that was criticized numerous times for tactical narrowness and ability only to sprint, turned out to be the smartest rider in the race. Only he could limit his losses perfectly
b) Theory of spanish alliance that was so actively promoted by anti Sky guys, completely cracked. Moreover, Valverde sincerely congratulated Froome on Chorges TT win and Rodriguez quickly admitted that to fight against Froome on the climbs is hopeless
c) Froome predictably took his revenge in a manner the other subforum regulars LOVE so much. I'm personally happy for them.

I am able to recognize that you're not being completely serious sometimes.


The Spanish alliance was not only mentioned prior to the Tour by the "anti-Sky" guys but also by scribes in the anglo media as well. Would you consider them to also be "anti-Sky"?

Now I don't think it was ever said that the Spanish riders as whole are typically poor sportsmen so it shouldn't be a surprise that Valverde congratulated Froome. You often criticize Contador for, as you see it, making excuses for his failures instead of acknowledging his rivals but Contador has given Purito his due for his ride at the Vuelta and did the same for Froome, saying he rode a great race.

 

[airstream]

Revanchism ≠ Redemption, airstream.

Now, can you tell me what kind of state the Raubichi facilities are in? Do we have a chance to see international competition in Belarus again?

Hello, anyway you got over yourself and watched IT...

In current state Raubichi like a sport object are [sorry IS; in Russian Raubichi is plural )] not of interest. Juniors had training camps until 2009 as I heard. Financial crisis touched Raubichi in the beginning of 90s yet and nothing changed since then by and large. There can not be a talk about organization of competition of serious level here. We've got another sporting complex Sylichi which send a request for holding the biathlon world cup, but IBU don't like us and I don't see it possible in coming 4-5 years.

Honesly I'm delightful. Such a southener following biathlon for me is like the guy from central Africa flying on the moon. Chapeau!

 

[Jux1893]

I gave it a 7.

Any Portuguese victory is good, and there were 2 of them. Some good stages, some nice tactics. I also liked to see Quintana and Purito making the podium.

On the other hand I would prefer to have another rider win the Polka dot jersey, and a much fairer fight for the top spot. It was a done deal since Mont Saint Michel first intermediate split.

Also, the Orica bus getting stuck in the finish line was a favorite of mine.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Hello, anyway you got over yourself and watched IT...

In current state Raubichi like a sport object are [sorry IS; in Russian Raubichi is plural )] not of interest. Juniors had training camps until 2009 as I heard. Financial crisis touched Raubichi in the beginning of 90s yet and nothing changed since then by and large. There can not be a talk about organization of competition of serious level here. We've got another sporting complex Sylichi which send a request for holding the biathlon world cup, but IBU don't like us and I don't see it possible in coming 4-5 years.

Honesly I'm delightful. Such a southener following biathlon for me is like the guy from central Africa flying on the moon. Chapeau!

I didn't watch it in fact, I watched stage 9 after the early stage ambush and Porte cracking, but didn't watch any other part of it.

It's a shame to hear Raubichi is in a bad way, I knew it would probably have fallen into some level of disrepair early in the 90s but thought that perhaps with the national team being pretty successful at the moment there might have been some actions to help find more homegrown stars rather than relying on luck to find Belarusians whose families moved to Khanty-Mansiysk in the 80s

Then again, if they've put the effort into a different facility then that is understandable, it is strange that neither Belarus nor Ukraine contribute to the calendar. Could they not perhaps host some kind of post-season ceremonial non-IBU type race, a bit like the Vitaliy Fatyanov prize in Kamchatka? What are the trails like? I'm aware Belarus is a pretty flat country, but then Tyumen' is flat and the trails there open up big gaps.