2017 Tour de France

[njee20]

Interesting thought, definitely not how I saw it, most sprints of that ilk start similarly - no one wants to be the first one to sprint - look at any sprint from a breakaway (ie not the conventional, full bunch, lead-out train jobs). He was clearly very strong, and could've just gone, but why sprint for 250m only to die 50m from the line if no one else is going to try until 150m out?

[PostModN66]

Cycling the Pyrennees at the moment, we did Col de Peyresourde yesterday which I believe will feature later.  Tomorrow's ride has been disrupted as one of the Cols has been closed for resurfacing.  Flipping TdF spoiling my cycling!

Cheers  Jon 

[Newportnobby]

Good to see Froome in yellow, but I think he may be hard pushed to retain it to the end.
Don't get caught up in the peloton, Jon!

[RichardBattersby]

Not a fan of Sagan either and would have liked to have seen Cav go further but suspect he may not have made it anyway, given his illness. But disqualification seems a bit extreme. Who are we to question though!

[njee20]

It seems a little draconian there's no appeal process. Certainly feels like double standards when you watch it back. Demare was far more 'weavy' than Sagan, but got away with it.

Amazing finish today 6mm between Kittel and Boasson-Hagen. If only Boasson-Hagan had put another few psi in that tyre! That said I like Kittel, and he's in my fantasy TDF team, so all good!

Bit hillier again tomorrow, Aru on the charge again? Martin showing his form?

[RailGooner]

I was gutted to see Cav forced to retire. I thought he was improving nicely - I think he was over the virus and his legs were warming up having cooled while resting through the virus. I saw him getting at least another two stages closer to Merckx. I'm gutted for him.

I don't care about Sagan. Didn't even take any interest in the race for Wed/Thur. :'(

[njee20]

Sagan's an incredible talent, and a very entertaining rider to watch, but I was certainly willing Cav to pick up a couple of stage wins. Not entirely sure he had it in him though frankly.

[Newportnobby]

Well! That was all a bit fast and furious yesterday, with various GC riders having to get stuck in.
Dependent on how some survived the stage, today's mountainous stage could blow some big holes in the  General Classification

[njee20]

Yes, the last climb and descent could prove interesting, I imagine we'll see an attack from one of the strong descenders, trying to put pressure on Froome. Bardet perhaps. Mind you Froome is partial to the odd downhill attack.

[Newportnobby]

Yeah - he's no slouch when it comes to going downhill fast
He made an epic descent in the Dauphiné that caught many by surprise.

[njee20]

And in the tour last year. We shall see!

[Philip.]

Isn't sport unfair sometimes? Richie Porte neutralises todays stage to give Chris Froome chance to catch up after suffering a mechanical and Fabio Aru attacking taking advantage of Froomes mishap, then crashes out horribly descending at 70kmh.

Horrible horrible crash, just hope he's ok.

[daffy]

Truly awful crash for Richie Porte. Thoughts with him.

BMC webpage has details

http://www.bmc-switzerland.com/au-en/experience/the-feedzone/richie_porte_crashes_out_of_tour_de_france_with_fractured_clavicle_and_pelvis/

[njee20]

Yes, horrific, a real shame for him, and Geraint Thomas out with a broken collar bone. Just not what you want to see.

Amazing that two riders had problems with electronic mechs today as well, mechanicals which just wouldn't have happened 10 years ago!

Crashes aside, an amazing stage though, Bardet taking it to everyone on the descent, and a stellar effort by Uran to get the win whilst stuck in his smallest cassette sprocket!

[Newportnobby]

Crashes aside, and I believe there were 11 of them today, this stage was one of the most exciting I have seen in years. Normally I'd berate myself for sitting in front of the gogglebox for 6 hours or so but I just couldn't tear myself away from it.