Froome out. This is getting fucking stupid now. This is the reason nobody with any sense rides Paris-Roubaix for God's sake - why have the cobbles in this? Absolute fucking lottery.
Thats racing, he didn't even make it the cobbles as mentioned above. Pretty similar with Wiggo's crash a few years ago, poor positioning in the bunch, you can't crash 3 times in 2 days and expect to get away with it.
Nothing wrong with the stage, testing all of the abilities the riders have, its been a great watch.
And this could be egg on face for Brailsford, Wiggo should be there and it'll be interesting to see what Team Sky do for the rest of le tour. Time for Porte to step up?
I know nothing about cycling apart from the CL threads. Loving watching it and the breakaways/sprint finishes.
What does a top cyclist earn a year?
It varies greatly, you get riders at the top level who will earn roughly £36,000k a year and the rest will depend on bonuses from the results. For example a team who has a bad tour will be left with very little money to split up between the riders (look at Lampre-Merida from last years tour): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Tour_de_France#Prize_money
Damn - just seen it now. Pretty poor conditions even without the cobbles. God alone knows what they're going to feel like tomorrow morning after that. Looks like the second crash was just one of those things that happens in a bunch when the road's slick. Worst thing now is that genuine c*** Contador will probably win the tour.
Funny how this time last week dave brailsford said britain was the 'top' cycling nation - one week on and there are two british riders left in the whole field...
I know nothing about cycling apart from the CL threads. Loving watching it and the breakaways/sprint finishes.
What does a top cyclist earn a year?
It varies greatly, you get riders at the top level who will earn roughly £36,000k a year and the rest will depend on bonuses from the results. For example a team who has a bad tour will be left with very little money to split up between the riders (look at Lampre-Merida from last years tour): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Tour_de_France#Prize_money
Thanks guys. Interesting reading.
The cobbles and muddy tracks seem a bit mad.
A true test of cycling skill or a lottery?!
Depends on your viewpoint. One of the classics is held over cobbles (Paris - Roubaix) early in the season. It's either a test of resolve, willpower, strength and fortitude; or an absolute lottery. Whatever your view, I don't think they have a place in the modern tour. Leave them to the crazy Belgians who think they have some manliness to prove.
And from Team Sky no less, to have the mental strength to recover from losing your team leader to getting Porte into 8th overall by Thomas is also a great achievement.
Reckon Richie Porte will become the Leader for Team Sky now... Simply because of the hard work he put in for Froome last year
The fact he's now 12's from 50's confirms that :-(
Whey hey! I know bugger all about cycling really other than watching Le Tour most years but for some reason Porte at 66's on Paddy Power stood out for me on Friday so he's now carrying the additional weight of my quid each way. Wishing I'd have been braver now of course...
That was a brilliant stage yesterday. Their bike handling skills on the pave were unbelievable. Its hard enough riding on the cobbles when its dry let alone in them conditions.
Biggin' up the loan company. The only thing I've not liked so far is how blatantly the commentary team tow the sponsorship line. Obviously been told to...
"cofidis, a company you can get loans from. I think the maximum loan is something like 10,000 euros but there is no need to provide any guarantees. Make a call to the numbers on the jerseys and you can borrow money quite quickly".
I find that genuinely shocking for commentators to come out with.
Biggin' up the loan company. The only thing I've not liked so far is how blatantly the commentary team tow the sponsorship line. Obviously been told to...
"cofidis, a company you can get loans from. I think the maximum loan is something like 10,000 euros but there is no need to provide any guarantees. Make a call to the numbers on the jerseys and you can borrow money quite quickly".
I find that genuinely shocking for commentators to come out with.
Comments
Porte will be the main man now I guess?
Nothing wrong with the stage, testing all of the abilities the riders have, its been a great watch.
And this could be egg on face for Brailsford, Wiggo should be there and it'll be interesting to see what Team Sky do for the rest of le tour. Time for Porte to step up?
The cobbles and muddy tracks seem a bit mad.
A true test of cycling skill or a lottery?!
Brilliant ride from Astana and Nibali.
And from Team Sky no less, to have the mental strength to recover from losing your team leader to getting Porte into 8th overall by Thomas is also a great achievement.
Was drinking at Belgian corner trying to hide from the rain....
Went to the start at Le Touquet and spoke to the riders/DS's at Garmin and Orica.
Left the race at 4.45pm and was at home watching highlights at 8.45pm, don't knock the Eurotunnel!
My Porte bet is looking good for a place but not sure he will last the distance. Thomas looks far stroner to me.......
Shame for Froome - clearly not fit after the fall the other day.
"cofidis, a company you can get loans from. I think the maximum loan is something like 10,000 euros but there is no need to provide any guarantees. Make a call to the numbers on the jerseys and you can borrow money quite quickly".
I find that genuinely shocking for commentators to come out with.
He's been dropped by Kadri and Chavanel, but is only 40 and 10 seconds behind them respectively.
And they all have about 4 mins 30 secs on the peloton with 20km to go, so there is the possibility of a stage win.
Looks like the start of the GS battle with Contandor trying to get away from Nibali without success.
Shame about Contador going out (never thought I'd say that) as today Nibali showed he was a cut above the rest.
Was great to see Rodriguez back up there after his horrendous Giro crash as well, I hope he wins the KOM jersey.