Always nice to have a rest day for the fans.
Anyway, given the huge shake up we have seen; which teams are
? and which are ?
To kick it off (in SteepHill order) http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/#spoiler,
A few thoughts on a few teams and just to annoy people - a score out of 10
(based on Team expectations v's reality):-
------------------------------------------------------------
Sky 6.5/10
Froome a major hit but Porte has certainly surprised me and if he even gets a podium they will show they do have strength in depth and will be exonerated from any Wiggins BS (from the likes of me) in terms of picking the team.
Movistar 8.5/10
I think they are happy aren't they ?
Valverde on the podium and a decent showing from Visconti today albeit briefly. Arguably Valverde can win any stage he wants if he is in sprint distance of the finish line. Before the crashes Valverde had to beat Nibali for a podium. Its on a plate now.
Katusha 7/10
Was berating Purito earlier, but clearly he is out of form. Maybe disappointed so far with Kristoff with no fault of his own but will be happy - the Polka Dot is in the bag isn't it ?
Tinkoff 3/10
Tinkoff Disaster ! There were calls of Rogers and Majka winnig stages now. Can't see it. Think Tinkoff have lost everything today and will be massively demoralised.
Cannondale 5/10
Yawn Green Jersey. But Sagan is frustrated by no stage win. I can't help but feel Sagan is being wasted somehow? I must be mad? Is he still only 24 ? Could he do GC ? Dunno? Anyway a boring TDF for Cannondale, more fireworks in their merger with Garmin.
Belkin 7.5/10
It's good isn't it. With such a victory from Boom? GC is a bit of a dark patch but there is time isn't there ? Surely ?
Omega Pharma 8/10
Well the first disaster struck them didn't it losing their #1. But wow what a comeback. With no real GC ambition they are the Buccanneer's of the cycling world. Trentin outsprinting Sagan, Panzerwagen 2-day Blitzkrieg. think they are happy tonight.
AG2R 8.5/10
A great effort off Kadri when I was foolishly expecting Yates to go the distance. Have AG2R met their targets for this years Tour ? Probably. And a Podium from Dumoulin. Happy campers. Bardet in Fourth overall !
EDIT: And as rightly pointed out by Eclipse ; AG2R are leading the Team Classification by 3'19" - Chapeau !
Garmin 2/10
Confused here. Talansky ? Crashes and then crashes and looks fine. Doesn't crash and loses; what was it 10 minutes ? I know one thing probably the worst expectations 'v' reality in the peloton without a Team Leader DNF.
Giant 7/10
Job done. All about Paris. Enjoy the trip boys.
Lampre 5/10
So Horner was working for Rui? But I suppose he is 9th ? Gotta be disappointed at 'Pappy' but perhaps his team isn't ? Think they are where they expected to be.
FDJ 7.5/10
Its going well - In the GC - but where is Jeannesson? Hopefully Pinot won't get scared to death on the descents. But one of the happier teams IMO and one stage podium in the bag.
Lotto 6.5/10
What a strange animal you are ! 2 riders out, one stage win and a yellow Jersey whilst your GC hope loses over a minute today and stands 11th. A bitter sweet rest day for Lotto and JVDB needs to come out with something stunning or enjoy the Gesink train to nowhere IMO.
Jeez how many ****ing teams are there !!!
BMC 6/10
Still Motivated ! I think they are. Bit crazy GVA attacking yesterday whilst TJVG cleaned himself off but clearly the latter is in form! Did lose 22" to Nibbles today and almost 4' is a big gap now. He can go on a solo banzai as he has done it in the past. lets hope he repeats it - the Tour needs it.
Europcar 3.5/10
Thank God for Coquard. Otherwise the team looks full of has-beens. Rolland only dances when his favourite tune is on and TV roundly beaten for KOM today by Purito.
TREK 4.5/10
Well what can I say. Can't give them much credit really as the team seems to be in the departure lounge. The KOM jersey by Jens was a publicity stunt and once again the Schleks succeed in under-delivering. However that does not mean to say they are disappointed in their own achievements
Orica 4/10
Mmmmm Not a lot to say is there ?
ASTANA 10/10
Yes how did I miss it !! Ermm well its a pretty boring summary isn't it? 10/10 ? Fuglsang has been a Trojan, Nibali amazing, Scarponi today is Schwazenegger in disguise. Yes 10/10 is fair I think. Might be a different score next week however
COFIDIS 3/10
Sorry for missing these too. Clearly my finger is far too quick on the mouse wheel. (My missus says the same ) Well a small blast from Edet but where is Taaramae?
Jeez after that stage win earlier in the year I held out hopes but(after spending 10 mins looking on the overall list) he is 1 hour 27 minutes down?
Crikey gotta be a low score hasn't it ?
Ok Missed the other teams (IAM/Netapp/Bretagne) because my wine is getting cold and my typing finger hurts.
Anyway, given the huge shake up we have seen; which teams are
? and which are ?To kick it off (in SteepHill order) http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/#spoiler,
A few thoughts on a few teams and just to annoy people - a score out of 10
(based on Team expectations v's reality):-
------------------------------------------------------------
Sky 6.5/10
Froome a major hit but Porte has certainly surprised me and if he even gets a podium they will show they do have strength in depth and will be exonerated from any Wiggins BS (from the likes of me) in terms of picking the team.
Movistar 8.5/10
I think they are happy aren't they ?
Valverde on the podium and a decent showing from Visconti today albeit briefly. Arguably Valverde can win any stage he wants if he is in sprint distance of the finish line. Before the crashes Valverde had to beat Nibali for a podium. Its on a plate now.
Katusha 7/10
Was berating Purito earlier, but clearly he is out of form. Maybe disappointed so far with Kristoff with no fault of his own but will be happy - the Polka Dot is in the bag isn't it ?
Tinkoff 3/10
Tinkoff Disaster ! There were calls of Rogers and Majka winnig stages now. Can't see it. Think Tinkoff have lost everything today and will be massively demoralised.
Cannondale 5/10
Yawn Green Jersey. But Sagan is frustrated by no stage win. I can't help but feel Sagan is being wasted somehow? I must be mad? Is he still only 24 ? Could he do GC ? Dunno? Anyway a boring TDF for Cannondale, more fireworks in their merger with Garmin.
Belkin 7.5/10
It's good isn't it. With such a victory from Boom? GC is a bit of a dark patch but there is time isn't there ? Surely ?
Omega Pharma 8/10
Well the first disaster struck them didn't it losing their #1. But wow what a comeback. With no real GC ambition they are the Buccanneer's of the cycling world. Trentin outsprinting Sagan, Panzerwagen 2-day Blitzkrieg. think they are happy tonight.
AG2R 8.5/10
A great effort off Kadri when I was foolishly expecting Yates to go the distance. Have AG2R met their targets for this years Tour ? Probably. And a Podium from Dumoulin. Happy campers. Bardet in Fourth overall !
EDIT: And as rightly pointed out by Eclipse ; AG2R are leading the Team Classification by 3'19" - Chapeau !
Garmin 2/10
Confused here. Talansky ? Crashes and then crashes and looks fine. Doesn't crash and loses; what was it 10 minutes ? I know one thing probably the worst expectations 'v' reality in the peloton without a Team Leader DNF.
Giant 7/10
Job done. All about Paris. Enjoy the trip boys.
Lampre 5/10
So Horner was working for Rui? But I suppose he is 9th ? Gotta be disappointed at 'Pappy' but perhaps his team isn't ? Think they are where they expected to be.
FDJ 7.5/10
Its going well - In the GC - but where is Jeannesson? Hopefully Pinot won't get scared to death on the descents. But one of the happier teams IMO and one stage podium in the bag.
Lotto 6.5/10
What a strange animal you are ! 2 riders out, one stage win and a yellow Jersey whilst your GC hope loses over a minute today and stands 11th. A bitter sweet rest day for Lotto and JVDB needs to come out with something stunning or enjoy the Gesink train to nowhere IMO.
Jeez how many ****ing teams are there !!!
BMC 6/10
Still Motivated ! I think they are. Bit crazy GVA attacking yesterday whilst TJVG cleaned himself off but clearly the latter is in form! Did lose 22" to Nibbles today and almost 4' is a big gap now. He can go on a solo banzai as he has done it in the past. lets hope he repeats it - the Tour needs it.
Europcar 3.5/10
Thank God for Coquard. Otherwise the team looks full of has-beens. Rolland only dances when his favourite tune is on and TV roundly beaten for KOM today by Purito.
TREK 4.5/10
Well what can I say. Can't give them much credit really as the team seems to be in the departure lounge. The KOM jersey by Jens was a publicity stunt and once again the Schleks succeed in under-delivering. However that does not mean to say they are disappointed in their own achievements
Orica 4/10
Mmmmm Not a lot to say is there ?
ASTANA 10/10
Yes how did I miss it !! Ermm well its a pretty boring summary isn't it? 10/10 ? Fuglsang has been a Trojan, Nibali amazing, Scarponi today is Schwazenegger in disguise. Yes 10/10 is fair I think. Might be a different score next week however
COFIDIS 3/10
Sorry for missing these too. Clearly my finger is far too quick on the mouse wheel. (My missus says the same ) Well a small blast from Edet but where is Taaramae?
Jeez after that stage win earlier in the year I held out hopes but(after spending 10 mins looking on the overall list) he is 1 hour 27 minutes down?
Crikey gotta be a low score hasn't it ?
Ok Missed the other teams (IAM/Netapp/Bretagne) because my wine is getting cold and my typing finger hurts.
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