Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)

[LosingFocus]

An excellent stage. Really enjoyed that.

Whatever happens, I sincerely hope for Wiggin's sake that this tour doesn't become known as the tour that Froome should have won. That'd be disrespectful. Wiggins is a talented and intelligent rider.

Also, I wonder if Froome was perhaps playing a little to the audience there?

Be forgotten about when Froome wins next year...

 

[yello]

Did anyone see the blood on Chris Anker Sorenson's handle bars? That must have been some tumble he took.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Also, I wonder if Froome was perhaps playing a little to the audience there?

I think he genuinely thought that they could both catch Valverde. They were probably being told he was slowing and looking tired. And they weren't far off.

 

[smutchin]

Be forgotten about when Froome wins next year...

Nah, Geraint Thomas is going to win it next year.

 

[yello]

I actually feel sorry for Cadel Evans, and disappointed. It's been a tour to forget for him.

 

[raindog]

Jalabert is saying that Froome's antics are just taking the piss. He should either accelerate and cream Brad, or pace him properly instead of dropping him on every hairpin and then looking back and waiting. Frankly it got on me bloody nerves today.

 

[smutchin]

I actually feel sorry for Cadel Evans, and disappointed. It's been a tour to forget for him.

I was gutted when I saw him dropping off the back again today. If I hadn't been watching surreptitiously at work, I would have stood up and started yelling encouragement at my screen. Clearly he hasn't been quite at peak form but his team have also let him down a bit.

d.

 

[Dave Davenport]

Froome is a fantastic talent but no one knows how he'd have handled the pressure of being team leader or 11 days in yellow. If, as expected there's much less TT kms and lots of climbing next year we could well find out then.

 

[thom]

Two theories:

1) It was embarassing to let Froome go / Sky wanted to be conservative for the team / Wiggo wanted to be paced
2) Wiggo and Froome were talking over the Peyresourde, Wiggo gave him permission to go and Froome got earpiece orders to stay with Brad

Incompatible theories - I had thought 2) but Boardman seems to think 1).
Hmm, it will be interesting to see what they say in the interviews...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Jalabert is saying that Froome's antics are just taking the piss. He should either accelerate and cream Brad, or pace him properly instead of dropping him on every hairpin and then looking back and waiting. Frankly it got on me bloody nerves today.

Frankly, Jalabert is being as stupid as all the the amateur commentators who don't get team discipline. Plus he doesn't seem to like Wiggins anyway.

 

[Noodley]

Did anyone see the blood on Chris Anker Sorenson's handle bars? That must have been some tumble he took.

ITV4 reported that he got his hand cut when it was dragged into his front spokes when the newspaper he was sticking down his jersey got caught up in the front wheel...ouch

 

[rich p]

It'll be interesting to see what happens next year if Wiggins wants to go for it again.
In the interview Wiggo said he knew it was in the bag on the last climb and concentration wandered. Unusual to see him so excitedly confident that he will win. I hope to God he stays upright.

 

[Noodley]

Interested in the post race interview now!

Brailsford has just said that it's all about team work, that's what this team is all about. And could the internet nobbers stop speculating and making things up.

edit - the first sentence is true.

 

[Noodley]

And Wiggins view: He could see everyone was in bits, as did Froome, and they took it up at 3km to go....Brad "lost it a bit and became emotional" and "forgot about all that performance crap" - Froome was egging him on for more and more. Wiggins realised he didn't have to.

No mention from Brad about Froome asking to be let go, or him telling Froome to go. When asked by Ned Boulting if Froome could have won he replied "yeh", but then said he was otherwise caught up with his emotions.

Brad - "I have been surrounded by 7 incredible guys"

 

[thom]

Two theories:

1) It was embarassing to let Froome go / Sky wanted to be conservative for the team / Wiggo wanted to be paced
2) Wiggo and Froome were talking over the Peyresourde, Wiggo gave him permission to go and Froome got earpiece orders to stay with Brad

Incompatible theories - I had thought 2) but Boardman seems to think 1).
Hmm, it will be interesting to see what they say in the interviews...

Wow, hadn't considered :
3) Emotional breakdown !