Rate the Tour de France 2014.

[Miburo]

I'll add standard questions you can answer if you want to.

Biggest Disappointment?
Biggest Surprise?
Best Stage win?
Positives?
Negatives?
Funniest moment?
Looking forward to the next tour?
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?

For me personally the battle of the yellow jersery is what makes the tour the most exciting, it defines so much in a tour. You can have crushing victories that still have some suspense until like the last week but the tour was over on july 14th, and we all knew it. That's why it can be max a 5 for me.

Tony Martin, Nibali and Majka were the stars of this tour.

And i'm very happy piti didn't make the podium.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Biggest Disappointment?
- the yellow and green jerseys were no competition at all. Purito didn't win the GPM. Mick Rogers won a stage and isn't on the scrapheap of history where he belongs. Bauer and Elmiger caught on the line. Giant-Shimano getting rewards for their negative HTC-lite racing.

Biggest Surprise?
- Froome and Contador both DNFing. Richie Porte dropping big time from a good position. Cyril Lemoine in the cobbled stage. Peraud being podium strength. I had him pegged for about 7th or 8th place.

Best Stage win?
- Tony Martin's first one, or Navardauskas holding the bunch off

Positives?
- Peter Sagan didn't win a stage. Chris Froome didn't win the race. Fans in Yorkshire. Existence of women's race even if it was a token circuit race at the end of the event. Mikel Nieve best Sky rider on GC.

Negatives?
- Mick Rogers did win a stage. Peter Sagan won a jersey. Race petered out once it became clear nobody could even come close to Nibali. Michael Albasini racially abusing Kevin Reza. Another sprint stage on the penultimate weekend.

Funniest moment?
- I'll pass on this one.

Looking forward to the next tour?
- Not yet. There's plenty of racing before I can start thinking about that.

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?
- well, I watched more of the Tour this year than 2012 and 13 combined, but I did find myself less interested toward the end. However, Donostia-Donostia, Burgos and Portugal, three of my favourite races of the year, are between us and the Vuelta.

 

[Afrank]

The Nibali fan in me compels me to give it a 10. But I'll try to be a little more logical and give it an 9. Can't go lower then that though.

Biggest Disappointment?
Contador crashing out, without a doubt. I would have won the Tour CQ game if that hadn't happened.

Biggest Surprise?
Not sure, maybe Contador's DNF.

Best Stage win?
Boom on stage 5 and Nibali on Hautacam.

Positives?
-Nibali winning and dominating.
-2 Frenches on the podium.
-Valverde missing the podium.
-The cobbles.
-Saxo coming back after disaster.

Negatives?
-Crashes (Froome, Contador, Cav, etc.)
-No one able to give Nibs a challenge.
-No competition for green.

Funniest moment?
Navardauskas knocking the phones out of peoples hands as he rides along the crowd.

Looking forward to the next tour?
Of course, Nibs for Giro-Tour double.

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?
No, I enjoyed Nibs dominance.

 

[sir fly]

The best route in years didn't get the opportunity to test the best riders.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I'll add standard questions you can answer if you want to.

Biggest Disappointment? Horner not caught (yet)
Biggest Surprise? Peraud.
Best Stage win? Kittel today, because I needed it badly.
Positives? much...
Negatives? not much...
Funniest moment? I always find Paolini with his beard funny
Looking forward to the next tour? Not yet...
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? No...

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Biggest Disappointment? Another alien performance
Biggest Surprise? Nibali's cobbles ride
Best Stage win? There are many this time.
Positives? Variation in route with limited backload. The 2-6 GC placement battle. Limited trains on the last climb.
Negatives? Nibali's dominant performance
Funniest moment? Following Porte
Looking forward to the next tour? nah, but I might start to get Spring Classics fever soon.
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? No

 

[SeriousSam]

Biggest Disappointment?
No competition for yellow. Valverde losing out on the podium.

Biggest Surprise?
Froome and Contador DNF. Nibali dropping cobbled classics specialists. Porte and Peraud.

Best Stage win?
Big Mick's glorious victory.

Positives?
Sky totally ****ing up. Froome not winning.

Negatives?
That we need to put an asterisk next to Nibali's Tour win.

Funniest moment?
Sky totally ****ing up. Sagan coming oh so close but not winning a stage.

Looking forward to the next tour?
No, my time horizon is tomorrow.

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?
No.

 

[Arredondo]

Biggest Disappointment?
The fact Nibali is such a boring personality off the bike that he didn't celebrate much when he crossed the line, the abandon of Froome, Contador and Talansky. Purito who didn't rode a good Tour at all. Boring sprint stages (when you don't think it can be more boring). The fact Rafal Majka won two stages, was the best after Nibali in the mountains, while he rode a Giro and was too tired to even start. The fact someone wins the Tour with 7 minutes on a 37-year old French guy.

Biggest Surprise?
JC Peraud ofcourse, also a little bit the fact Pinot was able to bounce back after not a really good attentive first week. Laurens ten Dam surprised me too in a positive way. Leopold König who was perhaps expecting a place around 10th place, but the way he rode was really strong.

Best Stage win?
The win of Lars Boom in Arenberg, the fantastic victory of the great underrated Navardauskas and the dominance of Nibali on Hautacam. As a stage overall, i choose Arenberg.

Positives?
Zubeldia (top-10 as always), the fact Valverde dropped off the podium, he didn't deserved a top-3 place at all whit his climbing he showed during this 3 weeks. Van Garderen who showed character after his bad day. The interviews of Laurens Ten Dam. Horner who shows the followers he will be ready in four weeks. The progression of Tony Martin as a pure racer.

Negatives?
Kwiatkowski (if you're expecting some sort of GC rider from him), the flawless Peter Sagan (if you're a Peter Sagan fan), Rui Costa, the two wins of Rafal Majka, the winks of Majka, everything that has to do with Majka really.

Funniest moment?
The yearly returing hype of Porte as a GC-contender

Looking forward to the next tour?
No, there are so many nice races along the way. The Tour is just the most important race.

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?
None. Poland is coming! SBS is coming! Utah is coming! Portugal is coming! Vuelta a Colombia is coming! Burgos is coming! Wallonie is underway!

 

[hfer07]

Biggest Disappointment? obviously the battle between Nibali, Contador & Froome
Biggest Surprise? Bardet truly lived up to the expectations
Best Stage win?
Positives? If we separate Nibali from the overall picture of the Tour- It seemed very exciting, fresh and most of all "credible"
Negatives? The bvllsh!t about Nibbs not worthy of his tittle
Funniest moment? - don't recall one
Looking forward to the next tour? yes
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? maybe

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

10, it was just great. Nibali total domination, Kristoff (the only sprinter I like) getting 2 stages, Peraud champing like a champ, Navardauskas, Tony Martins rides.

 

[IndianCyclist]

I rate this tour a 3. Hell, the Dauphine was much, much better than the Tour. This was not the fault of the organizers or the riders. It was just not meant to be.
Biggest Disappointment? No competition for the yellow
Biggest Surprise? Cavendish, Froome & Contador crash
Best Stage win? Boom
Positives? French Renaissance, Valverde not on podium
Negatives? Too many contenders crashed and sick.
Funniest moment? Horner attacking
Looking forward to the next tour? With only one contender, a big fat NO
Others:
Nibali achieving what he deserves. Valverde not working with Pinot and paying for his selfishness in the end.

 

[Carols]

I give it an 8.


Biggest Disappointment?

Alberto out with a broken leg.
Bala not making the podium a very distant second here.

Biggest Surprise?

Pinot. Conquered his downhill demons and better time trialing. Plus he is a very handsome man.


Best Stage win?

Majka's winking win ties with Honey Badger making it to the line and Mick's awesome win!


Positives?

Geez I hope there are none!
Many exciting stages, parcours better that the norm lately.


Negatives?

Nibali not getting the accolades he deserves as a winner of All Three GTs.


Looking forward to the next tour?

Heck I'm looking forward to Utah...8 days with no racing. After a daily diet it will be difficult.


During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts

Heck no, I was enjoying some great racing! This race had the highs and lows that only a world class sporting event can deliver. Sure some stages were pretty boring but many had terrific action and I experienced a range of emotions and excitement. Can't ask for much more!

 

[Jancouver]

9 for me. It would be 10 without the crashes that took Froome, Contador and Cav out.

 

[Netserk]

Better than 2009, 2012 & 2013.

Worse than 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 & (partly) 2011.

So 4(½).

Edit: Okay this year is probably better than 2011. So it gets 5 from me.

 

[pigoonse]

Loved the challenging Parcours in this Tour.
Disappointed, for competitions' sake, that AC and Froome crashed out early. But for me, them not making it does not take away from Nibali's win in the end. Nibali was better than all who entered this Tour. Everyone who entered the tour was tested and many, including the top 2 GC favorites did not pass the test. Nibali passed the test with flying colors.

Loved the Cobbled stage and Nibali's fearless riding.

 

[Lord Stanley]

Biggest Disappointment?
The injuries.

Biggest Surprise?
Stage 5 by Nibali and the ITT performance by König.

Best Stage win?
Kadri

Positives?
That Polka Dot Jersey was won by a rider who could actually stay with the GC contenders.

Negatives?
Some teams were a joke really, was Cofidis there or not?

Funniest moment?
The crash of Lars Bak on the cobbles, sorry.

Looking forward to the next tour?
Froome x Quintana x Contador x Nibali x A.Schleck

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts?
Nope.

 

[ToreBear]

Best I've seen so far. Which means best of the last four.

 

[rainman]

Many of the stages became a memorable battle with much more open racing than the last two years at least. A seven from me which would have probably been higher had Contador and Froome been present. Cav also haunting the sprint finishes, what a battle that would have been on the Champs.
Biggest disappointment Contador crashing out, was gutted for him, and the crashes in general, Talansky, Frank, the list went on and on.
Bauer, getting caught on the line, dam, they earned that stage.
Respect to the French guys, fair play to them.
Biggest laugh between Porte's attack on the Champs, should have stayed anonymous, or the sight of Mollema trying to time trial, even if he was costing me a point in the Tour game.
Tony Martin emerges as my favourite rider of this Tour, and well done to Frank Schleck, better without that drip of a brother.

 

[SKSemtex]

Biggest Disappointment? Froome inabiliti to stay in his bike means that we will not see the cobbles on Tour for a while.
Biggest Surprise? Kristoff progress in one year, even today he was faster than Greipel
Best Stage win? Nibali in Sheffield, Navardauskas, Gallopin - guys with balls
Positives? cobble stage, parcour, T-S showing some winning spirit, Tony Martin .....
Negatives? Froome, Contador, Cav beeing out in first week, green jersey challangers, Cannondale as team,
Funniest moment? people blaming cobbles
Looking forward to the next tour? no, planty of much better racing in front of us by that time
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? No. But it is true that last few days were pretty predictable.

 

[Hugo87]

Rate it a 4, mainly because that fantastic cobbles stage, otherwise would be worse, so many disappointments I can't even count them all.

I'm getting used to Le Tour being the low point of the season for me, maybe because those juiced 90's and 00's are just too present in my memory.

But well I still have A Volta, Vuelta, Worlds, San Sebastian and Lombardia to enjoy this season.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

I gave it a 6.. it started out great, but due to circumstances which is not the Tour's fault.. the Tour suddenly became a 2nd rate race..

Biggest Disappointment? Contador, Froome, Talansky all falling out..
Biggest Surprise? Peraud I think.. Konig a close 2nd. I thought maybe 10/11.. but he was much better, could've been 5th without all the bad luck
Best Stage win? Boom Arenberg
Positives? Konig, Peraud, Pinot, Bardet, Ten Dam, 1st week excitement
Negatives? fall of Froome, fall of Contador, fall of Talansky, Nibali's dominance, Sagans dominance in Green Jersey.. Rodriguez, Mollema, Valverde below par
Funniest moment? can't recall much funny moments
Looking forward to the next tour? not really, everytime I hope for a classic 3-way battle, it never happens anymore nowadays. Just always 1 guy too strong

 

[Jspear]

Biggest Disappointment? Seeing Froome, AC, Talansky, and Cav crashing out. They naturally would have added so much to this race.

Biggest Surprise? The French invasion. I knew Pinot and Bardet were good and that they were continuing to develop, but I was surprised with the results that they were able to get. Peraud surprised me a lot as well.

Best Stage win? Tony Martins win.

Positives?Tinkov being able to salvage their Tour. The Sky falling.

Negatives?Way to many big names crashing out.

Funniest moment?Rafal Majka and his 's

Looking forward to the next tour?I always look forward to the Tour. It's one of my fav's, but I will only really dig it if the original line up from this Tour starts again.

During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? Once so many big GC guys crashed out yes. I'm hoping to see many of them competing in the Vuelta + riders from the Giro.

 

[jens_attacks]

5 because of nibali and majka. otherwise i would have rank it as a 2 i guess

 

[Dutchsmurf]

No battle for yellow, no battle for green, no real battle for the mountain points (Majka won it by accident more than really planned, but if Nibali had won it, it would have been a bigger accident). If it wasn't for the French trio, I would have given it a 3. Nibali on the cobbles and the battle of the French, combined with some decent racing from the breaks, brought it up to a 7, but that is me being generous.

 

[Sciocco]

3. Maybe higher if you compare it to recent tours, but if you compare to GTs/Stage races in general it was ****ing terrible.

Biggest Disappointment? Contador and Froome crashing out, lost what would have been a dramatic spectacle in the mountains most likely.
Biggest Surprise? TS winning three stages and the polka dot jersey. I expected them to crumble a bit, maybe only get one stage but instead they raced hard.
Best Stage win? Well I liked Nibali's stage 2, Boom's stage 5, Kadri's stage 8, Martin's stage 9 and Rogers' stage 16. I'll go with Boom's, will probably go down as one of the best stages in an extremely long time for the TdF.
Positives? Cavendish leaving the TdF on the first stage, OPQS was able to unleash itself on the TdF and would not have been as able to if they were stuck carrying Cavendish around, I hope he never returns to any race that I watch.
Negatives? GC riders happily riding for positions other than first as usual.
Funniest moment? Majka winks.
Looking forward to the next tour? I guess, but not as much as just about any stage race (that has some climbing), the Giro or the Vuelta.
During the tour were you counting down the days until the vuelta starts? Halfway through stage 10 I started counting.