Tour de France 2013

[Kiffster]

one more thing the support from south Africa is good this year - seen loads of flags

True, but no surprise. The TDF and cycling in general is becoming more and more popular here in SA. As far as I know, South Africa is the country with the most TDF coverage on tv (except for France of course)

 

I also see more Japanese flags than ever before lol

 

Anyway, I really hope Contador can fight back in the final week, even tho it's gonna be very difficult. But if Froome continues to ride like he did today, he'll definitely be a worthy winner in Paris. But there's still a dang time trial ahead, and Froome is better in that than Contador But the fight is not over, and anything can still happen.

[GTAV92]

 

But the fight is not over, and anything can still happen.

 

Like Thomas Voeckler breaking away and winning a stage

[Kiffster]

But the fight is not over, and anything can still happen.

 

Like Thomas Voeckler breaking away and winning a stage

[Kiffster]

Stage 16 -- GTAV92, Voeckler is in the breakaway today looking amused It's a big breakaway tho. Will he break away from the breakaway and win the stage?

[GTAV92]

 

Stage 16 -- GTAV92, Voeckler is in the breakaway today looking amused It's a big breakaway tho. Will he break away from the breakaway and win the stage?

Werebot85 NO he didn't - But what about Contador falling off and Froome having to go around him on the final decent . That could have costed Froome but luckily Richie was there to help him back. What did you think about today's event?

[Kiffster]

Stage 16 -- GTAV92, Voeckler is in the breakaway today looking amused It's a big breakaway tho. Will he break away from the breakaway and win the stage?

Werebot85 NO he didn't - But what about Contador falling off and Froome having to go around him on the final decent . That could have costed Froome but luckily Richie was there to help him back. What did you think about today's event?

Well, Contador took risks on the descent. Luckily he wasn't really hurt and he and Froome caught up with the others. Contador will continue to take risks in this final week...

 

And good ride by Valverde (if only he didn't have that wheel change )

 

Tomorrow's the TT, and I think Froome will extend his lead slightly over Mollema and Contador..

 

And btw, I don't think Voeckler will get a stage win this year lol. For a moment there, he tried to get away, but failed again...

 

 

[GTAV92]

 

Stage 16 -- GTAV92, Voeckler is in the breakaway today looking amused It's a big breakaway tho. Will he break away from the breakaway and win the stage?

Werebot85 NO he didn't - But what about Contador falling off and Froome having to go around him on the final decent . That could have costed Froome but luckily Richie was there to help him back. What did you think about today's event?

Well, Contador took risks on the descent. Luckily he wasn't really hurt and he and Froome caught up with the others. Contador will continue to take risks in this final week...

 

And good ride by Valverde (if only he didn't have that wheel change )

 

Tomorrow's the TT, and I think Froome will extend his lead slightly over Mollema and Contador..

 

And btw, I don't think Voeckler will get a stage win this year lol. For a moment there, he tried to get away, but failed again...

Yep. Team sky will be one of the Favorites to win the TT tomorrow and as you said Froome has the chance to extend his lead again. Yep all credit to Voeckler i was getting excited at one point when he tried to catch the break offs breakaway on the final ascent. but my excitement only lasted for a couple seconds

But still no French man has won a stage yet in this years tour and i would expect one to win bye the end off the week

(go on Voeckler you can do it )

 

[Kiffster]

ST17 TT - Man that was close! Froome beats Contador by just 9 seconds But at least Contador is now second overall

 

Exellent TT by Valverde too

[GTAV92]

 

ST17 TT - Man that was close! Froome beats Contador by just 9 seconds   But at least Contador is now second overall

 

Exellent TT by Valverde too

What about Voeckler

Ye was really close i only just finished watching the highlights from today, feel sorry for the rider who went down twice on his collarbone But its stage 18 tomorrow and they climb the same mountain twice LOL

Who is your money on for tomorrows stage Werebot85?

[Kiffster]

Yep, Jean Christophe Peraud from AG2R crashed during training and then again in the TT. He abandoned the tour...

 

Anyway, first time ever they climb the Alpe d'Huez twice. I don't know what to think I guess we might see another big breakaway, but I doubt they'll succeed. I think we'll see the usual gang like Froome, Contador and Quintano battling each other on the 2 d'Huez climbs, and if Contador gets it right, he might do something cool on the final descent and get a head start on the final climb, but I'm doubtful. He'll definitely take massive risks tho.....

 

But Froome just seems unbeatable on all these mountains, so I guess he'll do the same thing like he did up the Ventoux... Somehow breaking away again and maybe even winning another stage.

 

And my money is NOT on Voeckler to achieve anything tomorrow LOL!! Maybe he'll be in a breakaway, but.... Yeah..... I don't think the French will get a stage win this year..

[GTAV92]

 

and if Contador gets it right, he might do something cool on the final descent

 

Like falling off again tacking out Froome with him joke

 

I think we may see a French man win today because it is the 100th year official today so it would be good for the country, But your right Froome just seems unbeatable on the mountains at the moment!

 

Yes Werebot85 we have made officially 3 pages today, what a way too celebrate the 100th tour

[Kiffster]

 

Yes Werebot85 we have made officially 3 pages today, what a way too celebrate the 100th tour 

Also, today is Nelson Mandela's 95th birthday!!!

 

Nice touch by the organizers to put a huge photo of him at the starting line!!!

 

 

Celebrations everywhere

Edited July 18, 2013 by Werebot85

[Mark]

Lively start today...

[Kiffster]

ST18 - So Christophe Riblon wins the Alpe d'Huez stage for France... Happy Happy

 

But Contador chokes yet again

 

Great ride by both Quintano and Joaquin Rodriguez tho, getting away from Froome who also struggled a little bit today

Edited July 18, 2013 by Werebot85

[GTAV92]

 

ST18 - So Christophe Riblon wins the Alpe d'Huez stage for France... Happy Happy

 

But Contador chokes yet again

 

Great ride by both Quintano and Joaquin Rodriguez tho, getting away from Froome who also struggled a little bit today

Yes i said we may see a french man win today and so it was great day for french, first stage win in this tour for the 100th official tour!

 

Froome was giving a 20 second penalty which was quite harsh, but it could have been worse i suppose But still hes got a good lead for the final couple of days.

[Kiffster]

Froome was giving a 20 second penalty which was quite harsh, but it could have been worse i suppose But still hes got a good lead for the final couple of days.

I didn't even know he was penalized. But I think it's fair. Taking on food or drinks on the final climb was wrong. That can give him more energy and an unfair advantage over the rest of the riders. It's actually the second time this year that he and Porte cheated like that. They took on feeding bags in an earlier stage too which was against the rules. They have to play by the rules like everyone else

 

Still, I think Froome will keep the yellow jersey until the end. He deserves it I suppose (unfortunately ).

 

I'm now more worried that Contador will lose his second place position to Quintano, who is now not that far behind him in third place....

[GTAV92]

 

Froome was giving a 20 second penalty which was quite harsh, but it could have been worse i suppose    But still hes got a good lead for the final couple of days.

I didn't even know he was penalized. But I think it's fair. Taking on food or drinks on the final climb was wrong. That can give him more energy and an unfair advantage over the rest of the riders. It's actually the second time this year that he and Porte cheated like that. They took on feeding bags in an earlier stage too which was against the rules. They have to play by the rules like everyone else

 

Still, I think Froome will keep the yellow jersey until the end. He deserves it I suppose (unfortunately ).

 

I'm now more worried that Contador will lose his second place position to Quintano, who is now not that far behind him in third place....

I don't see it as cheating, the last time they had chance to take on food was way before Alpe-d'Huez. Team sky had a problem with the team car and they could not get supplies to Froome before the ascent, Also the decent of Alpe-d'Huez made it impossible for the team car too reach them again, also no cars or bikes were allowed in front of the riders for the whole descent, Now bye the time they got half way back up Alpe-d'Huez for the second time it was only then the team car had made it back too them!

 

So to sum it all up Froome and Porte had to travel more than 80km without taking on any glucose,sugar exc.. were as other riders up front had there team car with them before the ascent. I think the race organizers should have had food supplies up the top of Alpe-d'Huez first time the riders went over. If you watch other stages in tour they normally have food stations on top of mountains so riders can eat on the descent.

[Kiffster]

Well, this is the second time they did this, and it's still against the rules, no matter what happened to their car. But I do agree that there should've been someone at the top of d'Huez to hand over supplies the first time they went over

 

But all this doesn't really matter, because Froome still extended his lead over Contador, even with the 20 second penalty.

 

So tomorrow is another difficult stage in the Alpes, with 5 difficult climbs. I don't think anyone will now beat Froome with just 2 stages to go (they won't challenge him on stage 21 of course), but you never know. It's not over till it's over I guess

 

Let's just hope Contador can keep his second place. (And by "let's" I mean me ) Tomorrow he'll have to work very hard to do that, and I think stage 20 will be even more difficult with yet another mountain top finish, which suits Quintano perfectly... Quintano is just 21 seconds behind Contador

 

What do you think about tomorrow?

[GTAV92]

 

What do you think about tomorrow?

 

Voeckler For The Win

[Kiffster]

What do you think about tomorrow?

 

Voeckler For The Win

Hahaha! .......... No!

 

[GTAV92]

Okay stage 19 today Bourg-d'Oisans / Le Grand-Bornand They say this will be the hardest day of the tour so far, i expect a breakaway to go pretty soon and i expect team sky on the front of the peloton doing most of the pace making, much like yesterday. I think if Contador or anyone else want to win the tour this year they will have to act today

 

Werebot85 your thoughts?

[Kiffster]

I think the only way anyone can beat Froome now, is if Froome cracks, which I don't think will happen. Contador is not as strong on the mountain slopes as he should be unfortunately. His biggest threat now is Quintano, because I think before they reach Paris, he might be in second place overall

 

Yesterday, we've seen Froome struggle for the first time this year, and I wonder if it will happen again today or tomorrow, but as I said, I don't think so

 

I don't think these last 2 stages will be that much different from what we've seen in the last few days. Sky controlling the race with Froome and Porte, Quintano attacking and Contador.... taking risks

 

Contador for the win!!!!!!! yeah right.... I wish!

Edited July 19, 2013 by Werebot85

[Kiffster]

Stage 19 - Only thing that really happened today was the second stage win for Rui Alberto Costa. Luckily (for Contador at least) nothing's changed.

 

So tomorrow is Stage 20, and it's really the last stage for anyone to try to take the yellow jersey from Froome, which I highly doubt will happen. It's also the last stage for Contador to try to defend his second place position lol. And judging by tomorrows stage profile, he'll have to be careful. The final climb is perfectly suited for Quintano, and I think THAT is where he'll launch a final assault to try to overtake Contador in the overall standings. I just hope that Contador will be ready for that, and that he'll defend his position.

 

On the other hand, there is a 28km (almost) final descent before they reach the final climb, so Contador could (if he wanted to), try to get away from the pack and maybe get a head start on the climb. But I don't think he should risk it..

 

Stage 21 is only there for the sprinters or those who want to win the stage, and no one will attack Froome, so tomorrow is really the final stage for anything to happen. Tomorrow's gonna be an interesting and nervous stage me thinks

 

I think it's safe to say that Froome will wear the yellow jersey into Paris on Sunday (unfortunately). But he deserves it. I have to say I'm looking forward to Sunday. It's gonna be the first nighttime finish ever I think..

 

(Double posted again! Mods, look the other way )

Edited July 19, 2013 by Werebot85

[GTAV92]

YEP well done Werebot85 you have summed up stage 20 for me (nothing to say )

 

Werebot85 i hope you enjoy these pictures what i put together, these have been some of my best highlights from this years Tour De France ENJOY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kiffster]

Haha!! Cool photos dude! LOL at that bus driver and Voeckler

 

(Btw, I can't see the last photo... Too big for my phone apparently)

 

Maybe I'll also upload some pics later...............................

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Stage 20 --- THIS. S U C K S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

 

I freakin knew this would happen!!

 

 

Not only does Contador lose 2nd place, but also 3rd!!!!!!!!!! All because of stupid Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez!!! Btw, excellent ride by Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez. Well done to them

 

Well done to Quintana for winning the stage, king of the mountains AND the white jersey!!

 

And what another great ride by Valverde! Where would he have been if it wasn't for that wheel change??

 

And Contador.................. Just................. Sh*t

 

 

So the final overall results are:

 

1) Froome - congratz

2) Quintana - congratz (This guy will win next year lol)

3) Rodriquez - congratz

4) Contador - ?? But let's face it, he tried hard. It was still a great tour for him and he challenged and attacked a lot throughout the last few days. 4th is still an excellent result, even tho he won't make it onto the podium in Paris..

 

And Valverde jumps to 8th

Edited July 20, 2013 by Werebot85

[GTAV92]

 

Haha!! Cool photos dude! LOL at that bus driver and Voeckler

 

(Btw, I can't see the last photo... Too big for my phone apparently)

 

Maybe I'll also upload some pics later...............................

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Stage 20 --- THIS. S U C K S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

 

I freakin knew this would happen!!

 

 

Not only does Contador lose 2nd place, but also 3rd!!!!!!!!!! All because of stupid Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez!!! Btw, excellent ride by Froome, Quintana and Rodriguez. Well done to them

 

Well done to Quintana for winning the stage, king of the mountains AND the white jersey!!

 

And what another great ride by Valverde! Where would he have been if it wasn't for that wheel change??

 

And Contador.................. Just................. Sh*t

 

 

So the final overall results are:

 

1) Froome - congratz

2) Quintana - congratz (This guy will win next year lol)

3) Rodriquez - congratz

4) Contador - ?? But let's face it, he tried hard. It was still a great tour for him and he challenged and attacked a lot throughout the last few days. 4th is still an excellent result, even tho he won't make it onto the podium in Paris..

 

And Valverde jumps to 8th

Cant wait too watch the final day of the tour tomorrow - hopefully it will be clear weather which will make it look even more spectacular on tv - Well done Froome you done the UK proud

 

 

Mark Cavendish for the win tomorrow

 

[Kiffster]

Cant wait too watch the final day of the tour tomorrow - hopefully it will be clear weather which will make it look even more spectacular on tv - Well done Froome you done the UK proud

 

 

Mark Cavendish for the win tomorrow

Yep, can't wait. And Froome definitely deserves the win. He was the best rider this year

 

And even tho Cavendish is the favorite to win on the Champs-Elysees, and even tho he probably will win again like he did in the last couple of years, I actually hope someone else can beat him. He has been beaten a few times this year...

 

And just because you said Cavendish for the win, Voeckler will break away tomorrow and win the stage (not)

 

 

[GTAV92]

 

And just because you said Cavendish for the win, Voeckler will break away tomorrow and win the stage (not)

 

 

YE that would be the icing on the cake Anything could still happen today you never no -

 

-Froome ends up doing a front flip over his handle bars into a ditch, the almighty team sky train crashes, Nairo Quintana gets 100 puncture's before Champs-Elysees and Rodriguez falls into the LA Seine river. So if this happens Voeckler gets the stage win and Contador wins the Tour

[JOSEPH X]

I was looking to see what time it was on today, and they are going for an evening finish for the first time. The race is expected to end at 8:30 PM.

[Kiffster]

 

-Froome ends up doing a front flip over his handle bars into a ditch, the almighty team sky train crashes, Nairo Quintana gets 100 puncture's before Champs-Elysees and Rodriguez falls into the LA Seine river. So if this happens Voeckler gets the stage win and Contador wins the Tour 

Hell ya!! That could totally happen!

 

@JOSEPH X - yep, first nighttime finish ever. Also the first time they go around the Arc de Triomphe instead of passing in front of it...

 

 

Edit: Btw GTAV92 (or anyone else), who's the commentators you listen to where you live? Here in SA, we always hear Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen (and Matthew Keenan). I can't imagine the TDF without them lol. It's always cool to listen to them. They also commentate on every other major cycling event like the Giro, La Vuelta, Paris-Nice etc. Phil even commentates on the South African Tour....

 

Just curious . And I'm watching the final stage now, waiting for them to get to the Champs-Elysees

Edited July 21, 2013 by Werebot85