BluesDawg

If you have been waiting to see who the real players are in this years race, this should be the day we find out. 2nd day in the Alps, but the first mountain top finish. The big boys will come out to play today!

It is on now.
https://www.velonews.com/tick/html/stage201.html

stapfam

Watching on Eurospprt Right now on a 52" plasma screen at my Daughters. All I have to do is set the trainer up in front of it and I'll be there. And the leader is?- Put it this way- He can climb hills.

The Weak Link

I'm recording it, haven't watched it, so I'm guessing that Vino is making his move. Tough as nails, that feller.

Little Darwin

I am not watching stage 8 until this evening, but after seeing Vino complete stage 6 after the crash, I was amazed.

Seeing him complete stage 7 with the contenders... well, he has won my admiration, whether he wins the race or not!

It has been a great tour to watch so far, in a lot of ways, and I look forward to seeing what today holds.

jibi

What an amazing stage!!!

I have so much to type but it says no spoilers

Watch and enjoy.

It has everything a stage should have.

But sadly Britain lost the Lanterne Rouge!!!!

george

Tom Bombadil

I didn't know BluesDawg was attending the TdF until I saw him standing right beside the rider in this picture.

BluesDawg

Not me. But that does look kind of like your helmet.

oilman_15106

My best TDF moment was watching with my 22 month old granddaughter(not very interested in the race), guy from one of the teams is chugging away up a climb and Lily points to the TV and says "papaw"! In my dreams but it made me feel good.

The Weak Link

Vino cracked like a hot marble tossed in ice water.

Tom Bombadil

The Brits are in the TdF???

MinnBobber

Test response. Why is my name wrong?


[edit] Fixed by admin.

The Weak Link

You better take that up with your parents. And welcome to the 50+ forum

jibi

Someone has to make the rest look good

We are there doing what we do best, being gallant losers

But Millar ( Scottish, born in Malta) did have the KOM for a day
Wiggins ( English, born in Belgium)
Cavendish, Isle of Man
Geriant Thomas, Welsh
Charlie Wegelius ( English, born in Finland )

and ....

Robbie McEwan, the aussie, living in Belgium, travels on a British passport.

makes you proud

george

cyclezen

so far the best tour in years!
just luvin every stage, even the flat ones.

I hope it keeps entertaining as has until today

...I haven't written Vino off yet...

sad about Rogers though...

one note of anomaly in annoucement...
they spent a 'huge' amount of time yesterday talkin about Roger's retirement, with commencerate video.
However, last year, when Valverde went out early due to a collarbone break, he was barely a footnote to Phil,Paul,Bobke and Al, with about few secs of mention and not much else.
'Anglo thing' goin on with the Anglo announcers?

Moreau gains new respect, and Contador is >ZIZZLE< HOT!

Little Darwin

Still no spoilers in case someone has yet to watch a tape, but stage 8 did not disappoint as far as being a quality race.

Unless the rest of the race is a total yawn fest, this will continue to be the best tour in years... and I find myself not caring who wins because there are so many showing that they deserve a shot at the podium.

There is the Patriotic part of me that hopes for an American to win, or at least a rider on an American team. There is a part of me that wants to see Vino triumph even with his injuries. There is a part of me that wants to see the white jersey go to the second best young rider because the first best wears yellow. There is a part of me that wants to see the oldest rider win at least a stage... Heck, there's even a part of me that wants to see a Frenchman finally win it all again... Or to have the rest of the stages won by people who have never won stages before.

And the way it has gone so far, some of this just might happen...

stapfam

Have to agree about the tour- Still wide open and I have no idea who is going to shine- Let alone win--Except for Rasmussen in the polka dot. Unless he falls off- that is sewn up.

And while we are on about the british presenters- On Europsport we have Sean Kelly. The most boring commentator I have ever heard- If you can understand what he is saying. But if you want to watch the British coverage of the TDF- You are going to get a biased coverage. Its just like watching a soccer match in the USA now- You are going to be proud of our British export.

BluesDawg

Agree with all the comments about it being the best tour in years. And why is that? To me it is because there is no overwhelmingly dominant rider or team who can keep everything under control and predictable. Several riders have every reason to believe they have a shot at a podium, a stage win or a day in yellow. and in certain stages like yesterday's stage 8, all these contenders get to come out and slug it out. Great racing!
Not counting Vino out just yet. He cracked, but the others were too tired to make him really pay a big price for it. But he's going to have to start moving up soon.

LynnH

Little Darwin, you said it just right!

The Weak Link

On our stateside coverage (Vs), the live programming is with British commentators who are very good ( I'm blanking on their names). They have the "Enhanced" version replayed in the evening by American announcers and they would bore the boots off a fireman.

BTW, was Robbie McEwan eliminated yesterday (dang it, can't keep this spoiler free forever)?

Digital Gee

Well, whoever wins, they will be accused of doping. Just sayin.

Tom Bombadil

Are any of the leaders riding white bikes?

Jet Travis

[QUOTE=The Weak Link]On our stateside coverage (Vs), the live programming is with British commentators who are very good ( I'm blanking on their names).QUOTE]

Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett are da bomb. Here are a few Liggetisms:

and Bo Hamburger is, I dare to say it, fried.

He's crazy. He's always been crazy. And what on EARTH is he doing?

Hinault... is he a superman or a fool

He's dancing on his pedals in a most immodest way!

There's no reason to rush into hell.

Once you pull on that golden fleece, you become two men.

And Brian, I think Sean Kelly told Fignon in broad Irish exactly what he thought of that idea
Though he's bald, he's only 23 years old!

Zabel, Zabel, Zabel, Zabel, Zabel

The pirate is about to board the ship

To wear the yellow jersey is to mingle with the gods of cycling

Don't look back. You know what's going on back there because you just left

And a few Sherwenisms:


Well, I would have climbed off by now.

He's really having to dig deeply into the suitcase of courage.

As you know, Phil, it is difficult for one Dutchman to outfox another Dutchman.

That's what you get when you suffer - you get results.

Bridge to engine room-more power. There is no more.

Little Darwin

I just checked the TdC official site, and he was one of three who were outside of the time limit.

The Weak Link

[QUOTE=Jet Travis]David Arroyo went flying over a guardrail and down the mountain yesterday. The cameras showed him climbing back up to get on his bike again. On of the Brits said, "I hardly think Arroyo planned on practicing his mountaineering skills when he woke up today." Way too funny.

cyclezen

The Drone zone, Sean, what a great rider and to the other pole, absolute worst public speaker (used very loosely). He is unintelligible!
I've played some old tapes and a few CDs over and over and have yet to catch more than a word or 2.

We are lucky to have Phil, Paul, Bobke and now Al. Gotta say Al has really worked himself well into the mix. This is the 1st year that he truly has slotted in completely. But then all the guys really look like they are having fun - Sortta like nomral people who are sittin around the Toob and bangin down some chips and bier.

Speakin of bier, I almost spewed my Bottle of Fest bier when Borat jumped out!
Now I find the whole Borat thing a solid yawn, but his 'exposure' yesterday was AB FAB TDF!
Beat the Schloogs (thank you Bobke!) at their own game!
surprised there wasn;t a major pileup in the field...
wish they'd do a 1/2 hour of the pre-stage caravan - I'd luv to see the whole zoo train.