Cycling 2010

[Real ale Madrid]

Cycled the ring of Kerry last weekend, 176kms - have a whole lot more respect for these lads watching them this week after doing that!

Anyone think Roche has the potential to actually win the tour at some stage in the future. He seems to be getting better every year.

White jersey is for u-26, Roche was 26 last week I think , so he is not eleigible afaik.

[Dodge]

He's too old (and wouldn't be a contendor anyway as Andy Schleck is still eligible). A bit too much was made of that one stage where every crashed too. The other was basically a classics type day (which they dion't normally have in the Grand Tours).

Roche is saying he's aiming for a high GC (Top 15). Decent start but this weekend will tell a lot

[Macy]

Anyone think Roche has the potential to actually win the tour at some stage in the future. He seems to be getting better every year.
He seems to be up for testing himself anyway. It'll be certainly interesting to see how far he can go with the leaders in the high mountains, and then it may be a question of his preparation in the future.

[Dodge]

The problems are the Contador is of similar age and Schleck is younger and both are significantly ahead of him at the moment.

If he got the position of being in top 10 in a few GTs then he might focus on the Vuelta or Giro to avoid that pair

[the 12 th man]

What did people think of the Belgian stages,maybe the cobbles were a bit too dangerous but it certainly livened it up a bit.Interesting to see how Stephen Roche handles it on Eurosport if his son does well.

[Dodge]

I loved it tbh. The stage Hushovd won was a cracker. I'd like to see more classic type stages like this in the TDF. The Giro hada a smilir one (no cobbles this time) this year when Evans had a great stage win. Probably the stage into Barcelona last year was the closest in recent times with a very tough uphill finish

[Macy]

What did people think of the Belgian stages,maybe the cobbles were a bit too dangerous but it certainly livened it up a bit.
I thought they were great - more please! GC in a grand tour should be about more than climbing and time trialling imo. Pity the oil on the second stage spoiled that one. Only thing would be maybe a couple of more stages in, so the peleton would be thinned out a bit more. I think my favourite stages of the last few years was this years Pavé and last years one in the south of France with the crosswinds, and was it '07 when Astana killed Moreau again with the med crosswinds?

Actually, in normal conditions, stage 1 would've had the crosswinds too - it would've been really mental start then, but I guess that would've thinned things out for the second and third stages...

[the 12 th man]

Great stage yesterday, the last 30 kms were pulsating,Armstrong like a shadow of his former self,pity Roche lost some time though as I thought he was looking good for a finish in that group he fell off the back of.
I'd love to see him get back in the top 10 tommorow:)

[Dodge]

He collapsed at the end of the stage apparently. Still in 16th overall which is decent. Some long hard days ahead though

[Real ale Madrid]

He looked absolutely shattered when the camera's zoomed in on him as he lost touch with the main peloton with about 5kms to go.

Id say top ten is a longshot now for him. Top 20 should be the aim.

Yesterday's stage was compelling viewing imo. Lots of subplots with all the crashes, Armstrongs poor day, probably signaling the end of his career as a top competitive cyclist, and then the contenders up front. It could be genuinely very very close come the end this year between Schleck, Contador and Evans. It may come down to the time trial, but there's a hell of a long way to go yet before that.

[Macy]

He looked absolutely shattered when the camera's zoomed in on him as he lost touch with the main peloton with about 5kms to go.
Looked like he totally went over - probably would've saved time if he'd gone his own pace a bit earlier, but then you have to learn when that's coming too.

As for the contenders, surprised at Contador not looking so good whatever about the spin he put it on yesterday. Evans could probably take a chance on marking Contador given Shlecks past time trial record, although he probably thought he had enough time going into the final time trial against Sastre a couple of years ago.

[Dodge]

Today is going to be interesting. The first HC climb and a long, long day but no mountain top finish. For anyone to get away they're probably going to have to attack early. If they leave it to last climb there's too long a decent for them to survive IMO

[Mr A]

Roche 25th today, 17th overall now.

[Real ale Madrid]

Disapointing day for Roche - but still not in bad shape.

But what about Jens Voight! nearly 40 years of age, and he leading his man out nearly to the top of the Col de Madeline. What a hero!

[the 12 th man]

Roche 25th today, 17th overall now.

Yesterdays yellow jersey one place behind him.Looks like a 2 horse race now.

[Macy]

Disapointing day for Roche - but still not in bad shape.
I was pleastantly surprised at where he came. He came in with a group that contained riders that had solely focused on the GC at the Tour, and most of them ahead were pure climbers or GC riders! His other GC rides have been the result of getting in breaks - if he can stay around where he is now without a break bonus it'll be progress imo.

[Dodge]

Spot on Macy. Anywhere in the top 20 is still a decent result, considering the cream of the crop is in this race.

He's also far enough back now that he might be able to get in a good quality break

[Mr A]

Roche took back 80 seconds with a late attack today. He's up to 13th in the GC.

[Dodge]

Yeah, that was incredibly cheeky (and clever). I mean he might lose a bit of time in the TT but he can easily recover the energy expended today in the ext couple of days as the sprinters take over

[Real ale Madrid]

Fair played to Roche - great to bounce back after losing time yesterday. Maybe top ten back on the agenda after today.

[Real ale Madrid]

Mark Renshaw kicked out of the tour for trying to headbutt New Zealand's Julian Dean when leading out Cavendish on today's sprint. Just saw it and it looked ridiculous - didn't see did Dean do anything to provoke him - probably irrelevant anyway. Good decision - looked very dangerous.

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

[zenokelly]

Mark Renshaw kicked out of the tour for trying to headbutt New Zealand's Julian Dean when leading out Cavendish on today's sprint. Just saw it and it looked ridiculous - didn't see did Dean do anything to provoke him - probably irrelevant anyway. Good decision - looked very dangerous.

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

No, as far as I could see he didn't do anything to provoke him. Renshaw was just doing whatever he could to ensure Cavendish got a clear passage. Whatever about doing it once, he did it 3 or 4 times (cant remeber) and the last was a right dig.

[Dodge]

Any lingering chance Cavendish had of winning the maillot vert has gone now - it will be interesting to see if he can win with an inferior lead off guy.

Eisel's OK

I too thought it was the correct decision. Dean did stick his elbows out a little but nothing that isn't normal in sprinting. Even after the headbutts, Renshaw looked back and decided to swerve into Farrar. i think it was a combination fo the two that got him DQ'd

COuldn't just give him the "normal" sanction of putting him at back of pack as it didn't matter whether he was 7th, 10th or last

[Macy]

Dean was leaning in if you look from the overhead, so the first two headbutt's/ head pushes were ok with me. However, the final one did look like a head butt and he was definately dangerous blocking Farrar. So overall probably just about justified, taking the two together. HTC are probably lucky Cav wasn't penalised?

Between Cav's reaction and Renshaws behavior, two days running a pair of tits in HTC jerseys at the finish line... They probably have a point though in comparing Renshaw with the two guys fighting the other day only getting a small fine. One of them came flying in with a wheel, never mind a head!

[Dodge]

They probably have a point though in comparing Renshaw with the two guys fighting the other day only getting a small fine. One of them came flying in with a wheel, never mind a head!

I don't think its comparable at all tbh. The two lads swinging digs were stopped and no one involved but themselves.

If Renshaw knocks Dean down (which at 40mph is easy enough to do) there'd be carnage. I know he didn't but its still a far more dangerous incident.

[the 12 th man]

I think Contador could and should have waited before attacking back and I think he knows as much himself as he stated that he didn't think Schleck had a problem when he went by ,which is very hard to believe.

[Dodge]

Don't see anything wronf with what Contador did. He basically just followed the others, then pushed on.

Nicolas Roche puntured on the climb asnd had to use a nuetral bike for a while. he was fuming at his team mate gadret who chose this moment to attack the leaders group

He tweeted as much last night but its since been deleted.

[Real ale Madrid]

[QUOTE=Dodge;1378121]Don't see anything wronf with what Contador did. He basically just followed the others, then pushed on.
QUOTE]

Really - from what I saw on the highlights last night - Contador was the first to attack. Schleck was bitterly upset. He was almost in tears talking to the media. Not nice from Contador imo but it will hardly decide the tour.

[passinginterest]

It's fair to say Roche is not a happy bunny http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cycling-i-wanted-to-smash-his-head-in-i-couldnt-stand-to-be-near-him-2264978.html

I hope Gadret crashes out after that, treating the team leader that way when he's in a very strong overall position in the race is not on.

[Dodge]

Schleck was bitterly upset. He was almost in tears talking to the media.

I'm sure he was but these things happen. Contador has said he didn't realise Schleck had a mechanical when he attacked (my mistake there, I only saw it briefly at the time). Up to yourself if you believe him

Roche article is incredible.

[Real ale Madrid]

Contador has apologised since for taking advantage. I suppose the damage is done now tho.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8837033.stm

Given Roche's very candid article - expect him to be in the thick of things today. Hopefully with a bit of luck he can make some time back.

[Real ale Madrid]

Well roche did try and get involved in a breakaway early but unfortunately he had been dropped by the peloton after just 20 kms and with 3 climbs left including 2 x Hors category climbs its going to be a major struggle to stay in the top 20 now.

Big group of good riders have got away on the first climb including Wiggins, Armstrong, Vinokourov, Horner, Kreugizer and Charteau. Nearly have a minute on the yellow.

[Dodge]

Roche must've had a mechanical. He was pushing thr group and then lost a minute ina few kms? No pictures though. He's back in the astana led peleton now with Contador and Schleck

[Real ale Madrid]

Is he ? - can't see it - just following the updates. Thats good news if he's in the peloton. It is saying thats he's been part of the Gruppetto for the last 10 - 12 kms on the official website.

Some big names dropped now as well apparently - Kloden, Gesink and Samuel Sanchez

[Dodge]

the "peleton" was about 30 riders and Roche was one of them. Dropped from the leaders group now but still with Gesink, the 2 Sanchez and Rodriguez

[the 12 th man]

Surely Armstrong can't win today?,he's in a breakaway of 5 with 72 k left.

[Dodge]

They'll stay away. Twitter rumours are that he'll be gifted the stage.

I'm hoping they're not true

[the 12 th man]

Twitter rumours are that he'll be gifted the stage.



Hope that's wrong,that's W.W.F. behaviour,it'll be laughable if that happens.

[Dodge]

Well, deals are always being done in the peleton. Nationalities stick together, mates stick together. I'll help with your GC if you let me win stage. Obviously not everyone is in on it, as he's beena ttacked a couple of times. just saying what some rumours are saying

[Dodge]

No gifts. Fedrigo wins the stage as lance finishes 6th.

Hushovd (my favourite rider) leads the leading group home to pick up a few points and reclaim the green jersey. what a man!

[Macy]

Really - from what I saw on the highlights last night - Contador was the first to attack. Schleck was bitterly upset. He was almost in tears talking to the media. Not nice from Contador imo but it will hardly decide the tour.
Contador definitely attacked. I think he was wrong to attack, but I don't think he necessarily should've waited. I'd agree with a lot of commentators that it says more about his confidence than his morals that he did attack. Last year he would've let him get back, and then nailed him.

[the 12 th man]

Looks really dangerous on the descents today,wet slippery roads with heavy mist in places,the peleton disturbed recently by a herd of mountain goats.

[Macy]

Shhhh I don't want to know (until after the ITV4 highlights show!) :) Very hard to resist the cyclingnews live updates as it is!

[TheBoss]

What a great effort from Schleck !

All the years I see the Tour, when someone needs to attack, they end up not, at least he give it his best, he will certainly win a grand tour in the few years.

[sorbothegreek]

Good ride from Nicolas today as well to come home 12th.

Should move his up a couple of places on the GC..

[Dodge]

He won't be Contador though. Great rider though

Incredible effort by Roche and by my reckoning he's up to 14th in GC as Levi, Vino, Sastre and Lovquist all 5 minutes or more to him

[Real ale Madrid]

Roche up to 15th on GC after a superb ride today. He has 1 min 57 secs to spare over Vinokourov in 16th with his good buddy John Gadret in 17th.

He had too much to make up on Leipheimer.

[Dodge]

Yep, 2 minutes should be enough of a cushion for the time trial. Fingers crossed

[the 12 th man]

Great stage today,I thought Schleck was going to get away for a while there,at least Contador reclaimed some face by not challenging for the stage.

(Hope Macy doesn't read these posts before he sees the highlights :))

[Macy]

No, didn't see the posts - no radio going home either :) ! Great ride by Schleck. I'm not convinced Contador had anything left to the sprint, despite the spin the commentators put on it.

Great ride by Roche as well - the couple of problems at crucial times may have cost him top 10. It'll be interesting where he goes from here (hopefully not Team Sky as was being speculated on the ITV podcast, as well as them dismissing him being Irish!). Does he go all in as a Grand Tour GC rider and build his season around that? He looks like he has the potential to be top 10 with the right focus. He must have the potential to win the next level of stage races such as Paris Nice?