TdeF 2015

[Berk on a Bike]

Let's face it, who wouldn't want to wear a maillot jaune with a cock on it...?

Well, technically, two cocks including the manufacturer's logo

 

[The Couch]

...I can see that the ASO might not want to have the polka dot jersey go to someone who is not the best climber* AND the green jersey go to someone who doesn't win a stage.

Without actually Google-ing it...I believe probably the same might apply to the Yellow jersey
Hasn't it (or making it a bit more broad, the leader jersey in one of the 3 GTs) been won without winning any stages either? So someone wins a Grand Tour, but never crossed the line first (I believe one of the biggest struggles for the "newbies" who start watching pro-cycling)

*Quintana aside when was the last time the dots went to the meilleur grimpeur? Chiapucci?

I am totally in favour of them doing everything in their power to stop Pierre Rolland getting the KOM jersey.

Still...most of the time the ones going for the KOM jersey make it an interesting spectacle (e.g. *Winky* Majka ) and probably in many instances they do manage to win one of the climbing stages as well.
But of course I do agree, the KOM jersey wearer mostly ain't the best climber either indeed

 

[smutchin]

Hasn't it (or making it a bit more broad, the leader jersey in one of the 3 GTs) been won without winning any stages either?

Classic pub quiz question. Firmin Lambot is the answer.

Actually, I just looked it up and there have been a few more (can't believe I forgot Lemond). Roger Walkowiak in 1956 is apparently the only TdF winner to have never won a stage...

His name entered the French language in the phrase "à la Walko", which means "won by an undeserving or unknown rider".

I don't recall Ryder Hesjedal winning a stage when he won the Giro but I checked and of course Garmin won the TTT. Does that count? Was Ryder the first Garmin rider across the line?

 

[The Couch]

I don't recall Ryder Hesjedal winning a stage when he won the Giro but I checked and of course Garmin won the TTT. Does that count? Was Ryder the first Garmin rider across the line?

Does that count... not really
(although to be fair at least he was most likely one of the driving forces in the team, unlike TTT where the GT rider doesn't have to do anything)

Was he the first rider to cross the line... no (but it wouldn't have made a difference to me anyway )

 

[rich p]

Didn't Armstrong win once only winning a TT?
Maybe Wiggo too?
I appreciate that TTs are stage wins but...

 

[raindog]

Surely Indurain won his Tours with TT wins only?
Not got time to look it up.....

 

[zimzum42]

Surely Indurain won his Tours with TT wins only?
Not got time to look it up.....

He generally had the grace to allow someone else to win mountain stages that he had essentially won. One of the reasons he remains my favourite rider

 

[The Couch]

Didn't Armstrong win once only winning a TT?
Maybe Wiggo too?
I appreciate that TTs are stage wins but...

A timetrial win is a personal win, so for me that counts definitely as a stage win
A team time trail isn't really a personal win, putting e.g. put Andy Schleck together with Martin, Wiggo, Phinney, Froome, Dennis and Kwiatkowski they'll most likely win the (long) TTT, but I wouldn't count it as a stage win for Schleck

Anyway, sorry for the diversion of the topic

 

[rich p]

Anyway, sorry for the diversion of the topic

It's the silly season, so divert away till TdU or San Luis!

 

[smutchin]

A team time trail isn't really a personal win, putting e.g. put Andy Schleck together with Martin, Wiggo, Phinney, Froome, Dennis and Kwiatkowski they'll most likely win the (long) TTT

Do you think so? Surely they'd shell Andy out the back within a few km.

 

[smutchin]

Surely Indurain won his Tours with TT wins only?
Not got time to look it up.....

Yes, Indurain never won a road race stage of the TdF. Quite a few near misses though...


View: http://youtu.be/_pD1e605x80



View: http://youtu.be/gAx5JVW7iis


Goes uphill rather quickly for such a big unit, doesn't he?

 

[zimzum42]

Goes uphill rather quickly for such a big unit, doesn't he?

Indeed, those massive lungs and that massive heart helped!

I doubt very much Mig wasn't juiced, everyone was back then - but it's interesting comparing Mig to other recent multiple Tour winners. He always kept to himself and never made a big fuss about himself, and virtually no one ever talks about him doping. Now, compare that to LA...

Massive respect for the dude, still my favourite champion, no ego whatsoever...

 

[briantrumpet]

Damn, damn, damn. Going through my playground on Stage 16, and I'm working that day. Darn those pesky kids. But looks like a nice bit of activity down in that bottom right-hand corner. http://unanglaisendiois.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/tour-de-france-2015.html

 

[gavroche]

The Giro's a much classier race than the Tour, it would be great to see Froome winning it. I'm not at all bothered that he's missing the Tour.

That maybe but the TdF has more prestige and is the most yearly sport watched on tv worldwide.

 

[Hont]

I doubt very much Mig wasn't juiced, everyone was back then - but it's interesting comparing Mig to other recent multiple Tour winners. He always kept to himself and never made a big fuss about himself, and virtually no one ever talks about him doping. Now, compare that to LA...

I agree he did appear to be a classy guy, but if you're a doper, you're a doper. What kind of guy he was doesn't alter the fact that he cheated.