Tour de France 2013

**Bammers05** · 28-06-2012, 19:10

Seems to have quietly snuck up on me this year.

Anyway, no Contador and no Andy Schleck this year, so two of we're shorn of probably the two most talented riders on the planet atm. However, what that does do is open things up a bit. Last year's winner, Cadel Evans is back and, probably, the favourite, although he is getting on a bit. Frank Schleck will also be a strong challenger, although I expect his time-trialling will let him down. Bradley Wiggins is also being touted as a possible winner, but I can't see it, personally, especially if Team Sky are serious about going for the Green jersey with Cavendish too. I would expect Thomas Voekler to be there or thereabouts as well, not to mention the likes of Nibali, Menchov, Leipheimer etc.

Tbh I'd be surprised if this year's Tour matched the excitement of the last couple, but I'm looking forward to it anyway. Only one Alpine stage though

Thori · 28-06-2012, 19:26

i always get bored by watching tour de frace...

**IronCity** · 28-06-2012, 19:44

I love having the tour just play even if not watching closely. So relaxing, beautiful scenery, great villages, excellent broadcast.

**IronCity** · 30-06-2012, 18:08

I like seeing Cancellara in yellow we have after the prologue. Only watching as replay now but had to look online to see the result.

**IronCity** · 02-07-2012, 15:12

I had to double check the news feed to be sure Cavendish was actually in this race. I watched the race as 2-hr replay late last night and never once saw him or noticed the commentators talk about him. Very odd since he is a tour star.

screw the Olympics; no one will ever remember an olympic win, but stage wins/green jerseys will always be remembered.

**IronCity** · 03-07-2012, 15:03

one day after wondering where the hell Cavendish was I was happy to seem him get the stage win

**IronCity** · 04-07-2012, 03:57

This Sagan kid making a name for himself. Couldn't help but chuckle at his poor English during our post race interview. Something about Forest gump...ya...don't know...ya....I won green jersey

**Bammers05** · 04-07-2012, 12:54

I can't decide whether I like Sagan or not - on the one hand, I like his pluckiness, but, on the other hand, I find his celebrations a little arrogant. Looks like he'll be a great rider though tbf.

Also, I don't like the way Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen pronounce Morkov's name - it's not 'Mor-koo' and it's not 'Mer-koe', it's 'Mor-kov'

**IronCity** · 04-07-2012, 13:27

I didn't think any more arrogant than some of the other stuff we have seen. but if he wins again he could be a little more regular.

I do enjoy that I can see big george hincappie out in front of his team in most peleton shots. what is he, 48? actually 39 but riding hard.

**IronCity** · 05-07-2012, 04:09

I got spooked that Cavendish was out; seeing him laying on the concrete, broken helmet I thought he was out.

Cheers to Andre Greipel; great seeing him get his second stage win. The interview with teammate Henderson was one of the most informative I have listened to after a race. He described the set up - the team knew exactly what mark they would trade off; 1200, 900, 600, 200. It was perfect execution of a plan. "Even Alessandro Petacchi came up to me afterwards and just went, 'compliment'," he said. "It looks easy, but it's really not easy to get four, five guys in a line to deliver a sprint. You look at it on TV and you think, 'they're just doing a lead-out'," he added.

it was a thing of beauty and to see Henderson with his arms up 5 or 6 riders back while Greipel crossed was worth the night of watching.

glad Cavendish got back up - he was pissed. Hate to be those pedals tomorrow, he is going to pound them.

**IronCity** · 07-07-2012, 03:46

Tour de Crash.

what's going on here Bammers, too many young riders? a crash a day and big peleton crashes.

also

Quote:

Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde and David Zabriskie — all former teammates of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong — reportedly have struck a deal with USADA to admit to using doping and to give evidence against Armstrong in exchange for a 6-month ban on professional cycling.

nath_scfc · 09-07-2012, 09:46

"I say they’re just fucking wankers. I cannot be doing with people like that. It justifies their own bone-idleness because they can’t ever imagine applying themselves to do anything in their lives. It’s easy for them to sit under a pseudonym on Twitter and write that sort of shit, rather than get off their arses in their own lives and apply themselves and work hard at something and achieve something. And that’s ultimately it. Cunts."

Allez Wiggo!

**IronCity** · 09-07-2012, 17:05

Wiggins does great in the time trial, Froome second in the time trial. They "gotta" do it now. I would like to see Froome on the podium at this point.

**IronCity** · 11-07-2012, 20:02

I had to sneak a peak before the I watch the replay tonight and can't wait to see

Spoiler:

win the stage.

**Bammers05** · 15-07-2012, 17:17

What a tacky stage

View Poll Results: Who will don the Maillot Jaune in Paris?
Cadel Evans	3	75.00%
Frank Schleck	0	0%
Bradley Wiggins	1	25.00%
Thomas Voeckler	0	0%
Jurgen Van Den Broeck	0	0%
Vincenzo Nibali	0	0%
Ryder Hesjedal	0	0%
Levi Leipheimer	0	0%
Alberto Contador in some sort of cunning disguise...	0	0%
Other	0	0%
Voters: 4. You may not vote on this poll