Can you believe it's already Stage SIX tomorrow?? Five stages are in the books already....we are a quarter of the way thru! I think it's been a pretty fun race so far...and yes, there's been some carnage, but not as much as I seem to remember in recent years (though wait for Stage 9...I think that could be UGLY!)
I had picked Sagan to win today (along w/ Paul)....but boy, it was CLOSE! I figured he'd be able to stay up near the front unless they were going all out, which I didn't really see happening this early in the race (but you never know). Looking at my team for the day (fantasy) I didn't have Valverde active...he was on the bench! WTH?? I'd swear that sometimes I set up my team and then go back later and it's different...I totally expected him to be in the mix today (especially if it was faster and Sagan was dropped), and I missed out on like 75 points! Man, I really have to be careful and look over my picks better.
So, what else...I haven't heard yet but I assume Lawson will live to ride another day...he was back in the Grupetto, and he certainly won't be slower than Cav today (I think)...Cav is typically the driver of the AutoBus and rules w/ an iron fist back there (like Robbie McEwen used to do). I'd think Lawson would sit back there and enjoy the spin (if he IS able to enjoy being on the bike at this time)...hopefully he's way more healed when they hit the cobbles...can you imagine having a cracked scapula and riding COBBLES?? I'm afraid for him on that day...getting better a bit day by day but he won't be THAT much better in 4 more days. THAT will be his test of fire....if he can finish in the time cut there he's a real iron man for sure!
One thing new this year (and I think Susie didn't you meniton this in years past?)...the Picture in Picture...not during the race but at least during the commercials. No audio tho...but still I've noticed sometimes I'll let my video roll (if I"m doing something and not totally paying attention) thru the commercials and can still see if something important happens. Nice. NOW if they'd just get the PIP going during the race...keeping a feed up on what's important while they go to whatever they are talking about.
Hmm...what else...no real surprise that Van Avarmaet is holding the yellow...I thought he'd be able to do it (doesn't need to win, just stay near the front and finish w/ the group mostly). He picked up 2 seconds in that time bonus sprint near the finish, that was sweet!
As to the Soccer (footbal) match, I'm rooting for Croatia...(my neighbors are from there, and they are really great people)...however I've spent some time in the UK and would be quite fine if they win too...so I can't lose that match! (if this were Rugby world teams I'd be rooting for Wales, but England always has an AMAZING team!)
OK...tomorrow is Thursday. Coming up FAST on the weekend. This week is zooming by (as "Tour Time" always does). Between work, trying to slip in rides, and home life, something has to give...and it's usually SLEEP! So far so good tho....I'm getting to bed almost early tonight...sweet! But just like riding in le Tour, WATCHING it is also a game of attrition...and by the last week I'll be hurting for sure. That's when either I start FF'ing thru stages, OR start skipping stuff like bike rides. It seems I always have a "comeback" after the Tour is over....when I've lost quite a bit of hard-earned winter/spring fitness and fight hard to get it back. Seems like I"m already there...but this year it's mostly travel related....I've been away four times already this year for work! Almost 2 months of total travel in just 6 months...that hurts. But hey...it's life.
Gotta scoot...tomorrow is another big day!
Cheers!
Hey Matt! So, today I was able to sneak peeks at the last 20K or so on my PC via cyclingnews. I clicked on a couple French links 1st & none of them worked & decided to try the Dutch one & lo & behold, I got connected! I didn't attempt to listen to the commentary until the last 3K & even though I don't speak the language, when they mention the riders' names, you can ALMOST tell what's happening. I don't want to give too much away, but I was happy for the guy who won the stage! And wow, some GC guys lost time due to various factors!
ReplyDeleteAnd Matt, Lawson finished again! Don't know how he does it. And just THINKING of him racing over all those cobbles Sunday, heck, it makes MY shoulder hurt just thinking about it! Seriously, HOW will he be able to hang on?
Have you noticed the big white windmill turbine things in the French fields? I swear they are the BIGGEST ones I've ever seen! How tall do you think they are? I'm guessing France doesn't have to worry about tornadoes or hurricanes but it got me thinking, what would happen if a wind like that went through that area? Would it rip those blades off & makes them lethal weapons?
Also, still black & no red clay tile roofs. :) I'm hoping I can sneak peeks here again tomorrow as it will be the only TDF coverage I'll be able to see since NBCSN won't show any at night! I'm so pissed over that!
And Matt, my sleep is already messed up! I got up at 5AM to watch Saturday's & since I didn't go to bed till after 1, that started the deprivation cycle! Last night, I fell asleep on the couch when there was only 10K to go & I woke up about 2 minutes AFTER Sagan crossed the line. I was so ticked at myself!
And oh yes, my annual pleading for PIP. :) I still do NOT understand why they wouldn't do that the past 10 years or so!
BTW, does it seem like there are a little bit less motorcycles? Maybe I'm just not seeing them on camera, but it seems as if there are less & that's good. Safer for the riders.
As for the crashes, I think there are as many as ever but we haven't had a major GC crash out yet so it doesn't seem as bad to me. At least till Sunday. Ooof. I know you like a cobble stage in the TDF, but this time it will be INSANE - they put tons of sections in there! I don't know how most of the GC guys won't lose a ton of time if not get injured & out.
Talk to you tomorrow! :)
Hey Susie, thanks for not giving away the stage winner (I know you'd put "Spoiler Alert" if you were)...sounds like a good stage (again)! England had some of those enormous wind turbines too...not sure if they were as big as the ones we've been seeing, but they were pretty massive (they were a landmark for me coming back to the base...I could see them about 10 miles off even in the rolling terrain). I can't even guess how tall they are, but when you get the heli-view from above and see how tiny the road and cars are in comparison, yes they are QUITE BIG! I think they are built to withstand winds up to insane levels...and I know they can rotate the blades to either catch the wind or let it slide by...so even in crazy winds they can rotate the blades so they don't get ripped off. I'd think the anchor at the base would be the problem...how do they keep from ripping out of the ground and falling over when they are in the wind doing their thing? Must be enormous forces at play down at the base when the blades are rotated to catch the wind.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo...yes, now that you mention it, there does seem less moto's. Or maybe they're just doing a better job staying out of the camera views and out of the way.
You REALLY need to get a DVR...you can watch the recorded stage at your leisure, pausing it whenever you want. Can't imagine NOT having a DVR...I'd rather give up my car (well, maybe not).
And Stage 6 is history...Dan Martin...DAMN! WHY DIDN'T I PICK HIM? I totally meant to back after Stage 3 (last day you could make changes). I was going to swap Taylor Phinney (picked him cuz I just like him, not that I expect him to get me any points)...but Taylor doesn't give me enough points for Dan, and I only had 1 dollar left...and I was tired...so instead of working my lineup and getting Dan I let it slide. DAMN! I KNEW IT TOO! I think I tell myself to make notes every year of how to compose my team (such as: also should have picked G Thomas on Sky, as he is ALWAYS very close in the standings to Froome). Maybe this year I'll actually make some notes so I can choose more wisely next year. Pretty much you need 3 teams: a flat sprint stage group, an intermediate puncher stage group, and the big mtns group. I mostly have the first and last w/ a smattering for the punchy stages like yesterday and today. Anyway, good on Dan Martin who finished TENTH w/ a broken back last year after getting wiped out by Porte on the horrible accident! Dan the MAN did it today, way to go Dan (even tho I DIDN'T pick you blast it!) Fun stage...lots happening. Whew...I'm tired (actually caught myself napping during the playback...again). I really need to get some naps in at work if I can (GRIN!)
ReplyDeleteJust saw that Dumolin got penalized 20 seconds for drafting after his mechanical (at about 5k out) yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHey Matt, yes, poor Tom! 1st the broken wheel which resulted in that 50 second loss & then the penalty! I saw him do that online yesterday & actually wondered if he would get in trouble as it did seem a long time. HOWEVER, I've seen riders in previous Tours do the exact same thing when involved in a crash &/or mechanical & get no penalty at all. Now that there's a VIDEO JUDGE, the riders need to know they will be scrutinized more severely.
ReplyDeleteI was able to once again sneak some peaks at the last 20-30K today & don't want to give anything away, but it's NOT your fave type of stage, Matt. Although it did have an exciting finish! :) If we can't see any stages in primetime, I guess this one isn't a tragedy to miss, but I'd STILL like to see it! I love it all! I swear, the Dept of Tourism ought to put up all the stage & overall winners' money as I can't imagine anyone watching all that gorgeous countryside with the picturesque villages & towns day after day who would not want to visit France!
And I also love what I call the "Field Performance Art". Cracks me up every year. I LOVE to see what they come up with. My fave the other day had 20-30 tractors going around this huge thumbs-up image on the ground.
Oh, before I forget : tomorrow's stage (SATURDAY) is NOT broadcast on NBCSN but on NBC so make sure your DVR thing records it right. And I can't afford DVR from Comcast - it's another $15-18/month! Heck, I can only afford HD for one of my TVs! Comcast charges you PER TV for every HD box.
Hey Rae - how's it been being able to watch every stage LIVE every day? It must be GREAT! If you go to the Tour one day, what days do you think you'd want to go? ALL? Or just the last week or somewhere in between? My problem is I want to BE there AND watch NBC's coverage every day too! Unless you're part of the media with those fab all-access pass thingies, you can't see much but the peloton FLYING by in a BLINK! And if you're not near one of the jumbo screens, you'd have no idea what's happening in the race & I'd hate that. Still, I have envisioned being there for so long, I can't quite give up the dream. Maybe one day.
I'm worried about Sunday & gosh, I hope it's SUNNY as rain would just make it too, too awful for all the GC guys (except Nibbles). It's actually quite amazing that Nibali is good on cobbles as with his small size, you'd think he'd be terrible. I doubt Quintana will fare as well.
Before I go, wasn't Dan great yesterday?! I was SO happy for him since he'd lost there a few years ago. Plus, he's so far back, it's not looking too good for him in the overall right now. Of course, Sunday could RUIN it for a bunch of GC guys & Dan could finish up near the top. And who knows how the climbing legs for all the guys will be. One bad day in the mts & you lose 5-10-15 MINUTES or more!
Alrighty, gotta run. Have fun this weekend, everyone!
So much to talk about between yesterday (mostly YAWN) and then today, stage 8. Very happy for Dan 2 days ago, he was awesome! Yesterday the stage was SO SLOW that my DVR cut off at FOUR K TO GO! Missed seeing Groneblahblah (can't possibly spell his name) win it...kind of surprising to me. Today, minor tragedy w/ the crash cutting off Dan M n some others some near the end (but at least he isn't hurt...as far as we know). Surprising sprint tho...don't see Sagan make that mistake too often...maybe he really thought he could hold it...he certainly had the jump but when you top out that far from the finish, likely not going to win it.
ReplyDeleteAnd THEN! The interesting bit between Gavria and Griepel! IMO (for what it's worth) I thought it was Griepel who should be relegated (haven't heard yet who if either of the 2 will be penalized)...HE changed his line interfering w/ Gavria's sprint. That said, Gavria did a Cav...trying to pass along the barricades. To me the big diff between the Cav/Sagangate and this one was NOBODY was pushing Griepel over...he changed his line all on his own...where-as last year Demare was leading the spring and changed his line to the right pushing the entire line of sprinters over and Sagan/Cav were the last 2 to be squished over.
Gavria today did just what Cav does..tries to hold his line and then using upper body tries to push Griepel over to clear his line...is that a penalty or not? That Gavria didn't go down even tho his pedals were likely clipping the barricade (unlike Cav who did crash at that point last year) is a testament to HIS bike handling skills. Also of note is that even tho it looked like it until you see the other views, Sagan didn't actually contact Cav...he went down all by his own fault. There was no doubt today that Griepel pushed Gavria into the wall...and last year they ejected Sagan for that.
SO. What will the judges say? One thing about what Cav said years ago (which is why I still hold him accountable for that) is that when you try to pass on the wall you take your chances...totally agree w/ that. It's just a bad idea and no good can come of it. That the judges might relegate/penalize Gavria for today, that would be like saying it was Cav's fault last year instead of Sagan! So...we will find out what the decision is...the good news is that neither of them crashed and will both live to fight another day.
OK. I'm off early (EARLY, like 3am) driving over to Las Vegas to see Dad (his 86th bday tomorrow). Picking up Greg down south and then a speed run on the 15 to Lost Wages. Little bro Dave is flying in from Houston early in the morning...we will spend the day w/ Dad, then head over to Pahrump to spend the night, and pretty early Monday morning will go do some kind of canyon hike I think...then Greg and I need to head back home on Monday as we both need to be back to work on Tues. So I will totally miss (live anyway) the crazy cobbles of tomorrow. And I think Monday is a rest day, isn't it? Hope so...that will let me watch Stage 9 when I get home, though I don't think I can bear NOT hearing how it goes so will cheat and peek sometime Sunday...then I can watch without clenched teeth and hands knowing the carnage about to unfold.
Happy Bastille day everybody!
Hi friends, it's Barbara! Very busy this summer (after not working all last year) and just managing to keep up with LeTour - thank heaven for DVR!
ReplyDeleteNot going to go over old stuff that y'all have already discussed - but I do have a question I haven't heard the answer to... why did they relegate Gaviria & Greipel to 92nd? I thought you got relegated to the BACK? How did they pick 92nd, and how much time did they lose (I guess I can look that up)?
A couple of other fun things - if you haven't already found this, check out http://cyclingtips.com for their daily photo gallery. Their photographer is a real artist. I am so tired of Cycling News (on the Tour Tracker App) just posting finish line and podium pics, and maybe a few other shots - none that capture the beauty of the countryside and small towns that are so much a part of the Tour.
Yesterday (so I guess Friday's pictures), there was a picture of Robert Gesink and another Lotto-Jumbo guy, Antwan Tolhoek, who is 24 but doesn't look a day over 13. I thought it was Take your Kid to Work day.
So glad it wasn't raining for the cobbles today. No spoilers.
Ok, I looked up the results from Saturday, and Greipel and Gaviria were relegated to the back of the 93-person sprint, all finishing in 4:23:36. How is this a relegation? Sort of like awarding a plaintiff $1 in damages. (Not that they deserved the relegation anyway.)
ReplyDeleteOk, sorry, me again... I get it. Points.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara!
ReplyDeleteOh my oh my oh my! this stage today!
Let me talk about my fantasy team first. I had Degenkolb, but decided that I wasnt' sure about his form, so swapped him out. Dropped Terpstra and Groenewegen (decided to stick to only 2 sprinters plus Sagan). Took Van Avermaet for the early stages. Thought about taking a low point guy to be a permanent bench sitter, but in the end really loaded up with GC contenders and a couple of consistent high placers. So I have Porte, Uran, Valverde, Froome, Thomas, Martin, Jungela, Tejay (that was a hopeful pick), and Majka...of course today I had one of the only 3 point getters on the bench...my other "contenders" finished just out of the points.
Gee, I had so much to talk about and now forgetting nearly all of it!
Do want to say that I'm really becoming a fan of Toms Skujins even though he looks 15, he seems to have his head together!
Susie, I am finding that I can't sit through 4 hours straight most days -- at least not maintain attention, so I am watching some as I have my tea and breakfast, then catching up with the rest in the evening. I do have DVR now with Vue, so enjoying that luxury for the first time! I had the end of Friday's stage cut off too, but was able to find it on Steephill so didn't miss it entirely.
I am grateful that they are showing so much of each stage daily and yes, really enjoying the broadcast team, especially Steve Porino on the motorbike; he is doing a great job there. Also I think that VdV has improved as a commentator and would like to see him get a little more air time (I would REALLY like to see Robbie McEwen, but he is working for the Australian network)
I have to correct myself about Craddock, his nickname in the team is not "Bulldog" (that was Talansky, who I hadn't realized had retired. He was getting top 10 finishes, but not the wins that would make him the Next Great American cyclist, and had to cede leadership to Uran. I wonder if that led to his decision). Lawson is still fighting on! Susie, if a fracture is stable (that is, not prone to wiggle and slip around) the pain can recede pretty quickly == especially if it can be splinted. But a scapula can't be, so usually it is immobilized somewhat with a sling (assuming the fracture is not in the joint with the arm). Typically fractures take 6 weeks or so to be well on the way to being healed. With Craddock continuing to ride, he will be prolonging the pain and hopefully will not be experiencing any complications like muscle or nerve injury. From my own experience, when I slipped off the porch and fractured a vertebrae and rib (which I didn't realize at first) the pain was so much better the next day with ibuprofen (big doses admittedly) that I went to work and was able to get through the day, even still moving patients. Then the urgent care told me no fractures. But 2 days later, after doing some housework, I couldn't breathe from the pain & that is when I had the CT that showed the breaks. Only light duty after that for 5 weeks; I can't imagine how Craddock is managing even with twice daily physio.
SPOILER ALERT FOR MATT
I can't believe that Porte crashed out again! and so much chaos on the stage for nearly all of the bigs - so amazing that Sagan just seemed to sail through. Even GvA went off the road at least once. I REALLY wanted him to win the stage in yellow, but I am also happy for Degs, really back from that horrible crash - his post stage interview was so emotional.
And so was Tejay's. Wish the interviewer had left him alone instead of continuing to press him about how he felt. I really just can't believe that he lost close to 6 minutes. Even Bardet with all his mechanicals lost only 36 sec or so. But Bardet's team seemed to be more tuned in, while several BMCs finished minutes ahead of Tejay. Did he have another of his mental meltdowns, or was he actually injured?
That's all for now, I need to get to bed!
Rae
MOnday night, just back from Vegas/Pahrump. I'm beat but watching the beginning of Stage 9 (haven't EVEN gone up and looked at your comments as I dont' know who won yet, and HOPE to keep it that way till tomorrow after work when I can finally watch the end of the stage). I just passed the part where Richie Porte crashed out...DAMN DAMN DAMN!!! Man that SUCKS! Was REALLY hoping he would be a podium contender this year, especially after last years spectacular and horrifying crash! And on the same stage too! MAn!!! (and I had him on my Fantasy team...and Tony Martin too...so just went thru the next 5 or 6 stages making sure I have them both benched). DAMN! OK...a bit more Stage 90 and then bed...drove 970 miles in the last 2 days...today went thru Death Valley (we also did a short Slot Canyon...IN Death Valley...IN JULY! And YES it was FREAKING HOT! Melt your skin off hot...well, ok, not really, but almost. Really hot tho. Hopefully I can look at the internet on Weds and your comments, AND talk about Stage 9 (and 10...the first MOUNTAIN STAGE!) Urgh....getting a stage behind is HARD! Viva le Tour!!
ReplyDeleteOK...had to come back to comment, just saw the Peter Sagan commercial where he "describes his Roubaix win" with no words. LMAO!!! THAT is the funniest commercial they've had since some of the old Bobke ones ages ago! HILARIOUS!!! Well done Specialized!
ReplyDeleteHey Rae! Glad you are keeping up with the race, it's a real DOOSIE! I just finished Stage 9 (10 on playing now but it's early in the stage...snooze). WOW!! I had stopped (to get SLEEP) last night just after Sector 13...Richie of course crashed out even before the 1st sector...jeez. That SUCKED! Overall I loved the stage...and you nailed something I was thinking about the entire Stage Rae...how some riders can sail thru the entire race over and over and others (such as Bardet and TJ) must have the Devil sitting on their shoulder...crashes, flats...and it wasn't just Sagan...G.V.Avermart was another one...they are like the Sargents in the war movies (We were Soldiers comes to mind)...standing up walking around while bullets whiz by, everybody else is on the ground yet still getting shot, and the tough as nails Sargents with their utter confidence are unscathed. Was really rooting for Sagan to pull it off, but VERY happy for Degenkolb (and I DO have him on my Fantasy team, along w/ GVA...so had a pretty good day, except for LOSING Richie, and Landa taking a big loss). So sad about TJ too...he no sooner becomes "THE MAN" and BAM..his devil arrives. He was having a banner race until then too. I was hoping he might actually pull this one off and have a podium shot. BAM BAM. BAM. Just amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat else...Oh...I know...just an observation....every stage I watch I'm watching the crowd as much as the racers...all the campers along the route...dreaming of one day being in one of those, following the ENTIRE race around the country! Likely need a lotto win to pull that off, but it is the bucket dream of bucket dreams of mine. How utterly FUN that would be...the people you'd meet (likely there are a LOT of people doing just that, some every single year..likely meet some very awesome people and maybe even lifelong friends out of that). What an adventure that would be!! Ahh...what a dream. OK...on to pay attention to Stage 10 (I skipped todays mt bike ride to catch up)...I need to stay with the front group...once I get dropped in my Stage viewing I'll be like TJ and just lose more and more time, so I really need to put in the effort to stay in the lead viewing group! Gosh, the athletic effort I put into my TDF viewing! If only I could ride as strong!
When I have been at the Tours of CA and MO what I always enjoyed was hopscotching along the route to see the start, 1 or 2 places in the middle (often tried to be at or just after a feed zone) and then the finish. One of the reasons I never have gone to CO is that is just not possible for most of those stages. But yes, you do meet people, I've even chatted with soigneurs waiting in the feed zone and team personnel at the bus as well as a rider here and there. I think all that seems like it would be hard to do at most stages of the Tour de France, (and I would be totally intimidated by the thought of maneuvering a camper van along the route!)
ReplyDeleteThey mentioned yesterday that TJ had several more mechanicals that weren't shown on the video -- so that explains the huge time loss. It is so sad, because he does have the ability, but the team is not behind him even with Porte out and I suspect that messes with his head even more than he does himself (What is up with Ochowitz? He had a new sponsor lined up when he made those comments, so that is no excuse.)
Rae