Cycling: Le Tour

[Guest MattP]

One way to get a yellow jersey.

[Amin]

Froome now 3m25s clear.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

It wouldn't surprise me

 

Basic Australian mentality towards Sport

 

1) Do everything in power to win

 

2) If winning is impossible, do everything in power to make sure Pohm's don't win. 

 

 

Haha it sounds about right, i take it you have no idea who the Kenyan is tho?

[Manwell Pablo]

Haha it sounds about right, i take it you have no idea who the Kenyan is tho?

 

I know jack shit about cycling to be honest it's boring. I'm just on Aussie wind up. 

[Guest MattP]

Haha it sounds about right, i take it you have no idea who the Kenyan is tho?

One of the reasons that I can no where near as exicted about the Froome dog than I could about Wiggo.

When someone had ridden for Kenya its a bit weird

[Amin]

One of the reasons that I can no where near as exicted about the Froome dog than I could about Wiggo.

When someone had ridden for Kenya its a bit weird

 

I know what you mean, I definitely supported Wiggins last year more than I am Froome this year. I think Froome is a decent bloke though and he is still my favorite GC rider in this years Tour so I hope he repeats Wiggins success. 

[Amin]

Impressive from Kittel. Caught and passed Cavendish on the line.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

He pissed it in

[shen]

Stop talking rubbish.

 

They're the most tested athletes on the planet and they've all got biological passports so any doping is far easier to detect. He will have been tested more than anyone this year due to his successes in the Dauphine, Romandie, Critrtium International and Oman. He also has no TUE's and rides for a team with strict attitudes to any doping whether past or present - see Julich and de Jongh.

 

Also, do you really think the UCI aren't thoroughly testing riders after the embarrassment and fall out from the Armstrong affair?

 

It's a shame you can't applaud the dedication, effort and performance of a clearly world class rider, instead of detracting from it.

 

How is it rubbish? I don't understand how you can be so naïve as to believe the sport has become clean on the basis of 'extensive testing' and 'reputation'. The sport has duped it's audience since it's inception more or less, and UCI have had a big hand in that during the past decades. Are you telling me that Sky and Froome/Wiggins have been way ahead of their competitors because the 'train harder and have better equipment'? Brailsford refusing to release Froome's performance data because it could be 'misinterpreted by pseudo-scientists certainly doesn't quash suspicions; and Froome's ascent up Ax, the first mountain stage too, blowing everyone away in Armstrong/Rasmussen-esque fashion HAS to raise suspicion. His power output, though by no means proof of doping, was between 6.3W/kg and 6.5W/kg. Armstrong's threshold during his Tour winning performances was 6.7W/kg.

 

That should and does raise eyebrows. I hope you're right, marko, but history tells me that these sort of performances will get found out.

[Lobsterboyuk]

His power output, though by no means proof of doping, was between 6.3W/kg and 6.5W/kg. Armstrong's threshold during his Tour winning performances was 6.7W/kg.

 

 

 

Team Sky don't release power data so where have you got this figure from?

 

Until I see an adverse analytical result/missed doping test/other fraudulent activity for a sky rider I'm still believing them as riding clean. I do see a team who have discarded the "traditional" ways of professional cycling and started from scratch to build a highly professional outfit who deserve their successes.

[Super_horns]

Doesn't seem like Sky are getting all their own way on this Tour.

 

Froome has had his lead cut by Contandor

 

Valverde had a mare though - lost more than 6 minutes.

 

Well done Cav...good win.

[Amin]

Wow, crazy stage today. Delighted for Cav after the last few days of disappointment for him. Great ride from Team Saxo-Tinkoff aswell, brought Contador a minute closer to Froome. 

[shen]

 

Team Sky don't release power data so where have you got this figure from?

 

Until I see an adverse analytical result/missed doping test/other fraudulent activity for a sky rider I'm still believing them as riding clean. I do see a team who have discarded the "traditional" ways of professional cycling and started from scratch to build a highly professional outfit who deserve their successes.

 

You can work that out for yourself if you want, it was based on the speed of his ascent up Ax in stage 8. If you can't be bothered, google it and you will find plenty of sources confirming those power levels for his performance on that stage.

[shen]

Wow, crazy stage today. Delighted for Cav after the last few days of disappointment for him. Great ride from Team Saxo-Tinkoff aswell, brought Contador a minute closer to Froome. 

 

Very entertaining stage, so much stuff happened. Great work by OPQS, Belkin and Saxo, some very opportunistic riding by all of them. Unlucky for Valverde, however I'm puzzled why so many teams willingly did Sky's work today...

[Lobsterboyuk]

You can work that out for yourself if you want, it was based on the speed of his ascent up Ax in stage 8. If you can't be bothered, google it and you will find plenty of sources confirming those power levels for his performance on that stage.

 

I still have concerns we can state Froome was a 6.2 to 6.7 as if it's a fact. What were the accurate inputs for the calculations?

 

Sure we have some inputs, but, for example we don't know what Froome's weight was at the foot of the climb. There could be a significant variation of any guestimate used which could alter the W/kg. Who knows what other variables were in play? My point is that we don't have a factual figure to accuse Froome of doping.

 

I welcome proper scrutiny and the sport needs it, just not convinced some of the stuff being said right now can actually be classed as factual. 

[SOCCERROO FOX]

That was a proper old school race stage today, didn't see it coming

[shen]

I still have concerns we can state Froome was a 6.2 to 6.7 as if it's a fact. What were the accurate inputs for the calculations?

 

Sure we have some inputs, but, for example we don't know what Froome's weight was at the foot of the climb. There could be a significant variation of any guestimate used which could alter the W/kg. Who knows what other variables were in play? My point is that we don't have a factual figure to accuse Froome of doping.

 

I welcome proper scrutiny and the sport needs it, just not convinced some of the stuff being said right now can actually be classed as factual. 

 

True, there's nothing factual at this stage. But then again, if there were, he'd have been thrown out already. Nobody had a factual figure to convict Rasmussen other than him lying about his whereabouts. Armstrong was pressured into admitting doping, yet during his winning years there were no official/published 'factual figures' which to judge him by.

I'm wondering if you or marko would have reacted had Mollema, ten Dam or even Valverde/Contador blown the opposition away like Froome and Porte did..

[Lobsterboyuk]

True, there's nothing factual at this stage. But then again, if there were, he'd have been thrown out already. Nobody had a factual figure to convict Rasmussen other than him lying about his whereabouts. Armstrong was pressured into admitting doping, yet during his winning years there were no official/published 'factual figures' which to judge him by.

I'm wondering if you or marko would have reacted had Mollema, ten Dam or even Valverde/Contador blown the opposition away like Froome and Porte did..

 

Those are good points, it's a shame that the sport continues to be mired in suspicion. One thing the past history of the sport teaches us is that only time will tell if Sky/Froome/Wiggins are for real or just another bunch of dopers, I'm hopeful but wouldn't actually bet anything on it, let's say I'm reasonably sure based on what I've seen but totally accept that has proved insufficient in the past.

 

Valverde or Contador are proven dopers and I would highlight the history of Rabobank but I have to accept that similar accusations can be levelled at Sky re: Julich/de Jongh/Yates/ex Rabobank doctor etc. But I also see Sky being a culmination of the growth of a back room team quite separate from the "traditions" of continental cycling, i.e. Brailsford/Sutton/Ellingworth AFAIK

[Lobsterboyuk]

That was a proper old school race stage today, didn't see it coming

 

Gotta love those echelons in the side winds! Chapeau Saxobank

[Jonezy]

Awesome race yesterday, but thought the Belkin team used uncool tactics.

 

First they pulled like crazy when Valverde had a mechanical and then, when Saxo Tinkoff made the gap to Sky and Froome, they just sat back instead of helping taking leads. If the two Belkin guys and Fuglsang had been taking leads too, the time won on Froome could have been even bigger. But I guess, there were a lot of different agendas out there.

 

Still think Froome is going to win this Tour, as he looks by far the strongest, but great that the other teams are not giving up. 

[Super_horns]

Another tight finish.

 

Felt a bit for the French guy caught so close to the end.

[vandamman]

Froome was outstanding today, kudos to Porte giving him the springboard.

 

Just hope Sky can keep it together now, I think they're missing Kiryienka, he has been an engine for them this season. Although I've been impressed with Kennaugh.

[shen]

Awesome race yesterday, but thought the Belkin team used uncool tactics.

 

First they pulled like crazy when Valverde had a mechanical and then, when Saxo Tinkoff made the gap to Sky and Froome, they just sat back instead of helping taking leads. If the two Belkin guys and Fuglsang had been taking leads too, the time won on Froome could have been even bigger. But I guess, there were a lot of different agendas out there.

 

Still think Froome is going to win this Tour, as he looks by far the strongest, but great that the other teams are not giving up. 

 

Belkin were pulling already before Valverde had his defect. Besides, not like Movistar haven't done it themselves in the past. What goes around comes around. And why should the Belkin boys and Fuglsang were on their own, so of course Saxo were going to do the work.

 

Another superhuman stage by Froome today. Riding away with ease from the best climber in the race... yeah, right!

[Jonezy]

Belkin were pulling already before Valverde had his defect. Besides, not like Movistar haven't done it themselves in the past. What goes around comes around. And why should the Belkin boys and Fuglsang were on their own, so of course Saxo were going to do the work.

 

Another superhuman stage by Froome today. Riding away with ease from the best climber in the race... yeah, right!

 

As I remember it, Belkin helped Quickstep breaking the peloton in two and then they sat back again. When Valverde had a mechanical they went full team bar the 2 GC riders at the front. That is just uncool even though Moviestar might have a history doing similar things.

 

When the Saxo attack finally broke the chase, I believe, that if the Belkin boys, Fuglsang and AC had joined in taking leads, they might have been able to gain even more time on Froome and more importantly on Quintana. AC even talked to the other riders about it, but they just let Saxo do all the work. Seems like a lost opportunity to me and it could come back to haunt them if Quintana beats them with a narrow margin in the GC come Paris.

 

Team Sky and Team GB surely has found some edge on the rest of the cycling world. The dominance in track cycling and now the display in the last two Tours culminating in Froome's near non-human performance this year speaks for itself. I can't wait to find out what that edge is at some point in the future, but right now it just looks suspicious and Froome's performances brings back memories of Pantani and Armstrong.

[shen]

As I remember it, Belkin helped Quickstep breaking the peloton in two and then they sat back again. When Valverde had a mechanical they went full team bar the 2 GC riders at the front. That is just uncool even though Moviestar might have a history doing similar things.

 

When the Saxo attack finally broke the chase, I believe, that if the Belkin boys, Fuglsang and AC had joined in taking leads, they might have been able to gain even more time on Froome and more importantly on Quintana. AC even talked to the other riders about it, but they just let Saxo do all the work. Seems like a lost opportunity to me and it could come back to haunt them if Quintana beats them with a narrow margin in the GC come Paris.

 

Team Sky and Team GB surely has found some edge on the rest of the cycling world. The dominance in track cycling and now the display in the last two Tours culminating in Froome's near non-human performance this year speaks for itself. I can't wait to find out what that edge is at some point in the future, but right now it just looks suspicious and Froome's performances brings back memories of Pantani and Armstrong.

 

It's not even certain that Valverde would've come back at all anyway, as slacking in the peloton wouldve meant Kittel coming back too, and QSPL would not have allowed that.

As for the other working, the Saxo guys rode out of their skin, not sure the GC riders weren't going at max just to stay in the group tbh. And for the record Contador took quite a few leads, he didn't just sit back.

Re: Sky, it seems quite odd that their wonderful new methods have seemingly only visible effects on their captain with the rest of the team not performing any better than helpers on the other team. I'm just not buying it. He might be a great talent and a late bloomer after getting cured of Bilharzia, but a fella who has absolutely shite technique on a bike outperforms the best riders in the world by unseen margins within two years of being a nobody, has to be one of the most suspicious scenarios in recent times.

I hope for the sake of the sport he's as clean as he claims, but even so I think it's terrible for the sport to have a guy like him who's on a completely different level to the rest. Where's the fun in knowing someone is unbeatable?