Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)

[Speicher]

How? No contact with the team car is allowed.

When Evans lost a bottle early in the Dauphiné TT, he wasn't able to replace it, and he clearly suffered as a result.

d.

oops, I meant when he is practicing a longer time trial.

 

[smutchin]

There is a feed zone midway on the longer TT

OK, I didn't know that.

So how come he didn't replace his bottle on the Dauphiné TT - no feed zone, even though it was the same length as the longer TdF TT?

d.

 

[beastie]

I was a touch concerned with Wiggins losing position before the final climb, but he made up a lot of ground to finish well up there. After looking at the course in detail again, it may well be more interesting than many have predicted. There are plenty opportunities to make smallish gains before the first ITT where I think Evans will be very aggresive, and then some monster stages in the hills. He will like the stages where they finish on a descent as well. If Nibali and Evans get together over the top Wiggins will be under big pressure.

 

[smutchin]

Btw, I've just checked the official website and there are indeed feed zones on both the longer TTs.

Slightly surprised by that - I'd have thought they'd lose too much time messing with musettes. But what do I know...

d.

 

[beastie]

OK, I didn't know that.

So how come he didn't replace his bottle on the Dauphiné TT - no feed zone, even though it was the same length as the longer TdF TT?

d.

There was a feed zone IIRC but either the bottle came out after that or he missed picking up a new one.

 

[beastie]

Btw, I've just checked the official website and there are indeed feed zones on both the longer TTs.

Slightly surprised by that - I'd have thought they'd lose too much time messing with musettes. But what do I know...

d.

Mainly for a fresh bidon, but I think most would not bother.

 

[smutchin]

It must be quite an art grabbing a new bottle at TTing speed.

d.

 

[raindog]

Slightly surprised by that - I'd have thought they'd lose too much time messing with musettes. But what do I know...

I think it just means at a certain point the cars are allowed alongside to hand them something.

 

[raindog]

Poor Froome punctured with about 10 ks to go when the speed was really high. Porte dropped back to help, but they lost more than a minute on GC.

 

[yello]

Say what you like about Evans' bidon, personally I prefer his patent leather shoes.

 

[Noodley]

Could I just point out that I gave the answer to the bidon question - there is some evidence to suggest that having a bottle makes it faster over shorter courses (due to aero factors). I have no idea how it all works, but I remember reading a few articles about it. And if anyone ask for "a source", too bad cos I ain't gonna supply one - do your own google search!

 

[Noodley]

Today's not-very-interesting facts are to do with the White Jersey, the newest of the current jerseys, having started in 1975.
Italian riders have won the most - 6
France, Spain and Holland - 5 (although you have to go back to 1992 to find the last Dutch winner!)
Germany - 4
Luxembourg - 3
US, Columbia and Russia - 2
Australia, Mexico and Ukraine - 1
3 riders have won the yellow and white jerseys in the same year:
Fignon 1983
Ullrich 1997
Contador 2007
And 2 riders have won the white jersey 3 times:
Ullrich 1996-1998 (1st, 2nd and 2nd in the Tour)
Andy Schleck 2008-2010 (12th, 2nd and 2nd in the Tour)
The lowest placed overall winner of the White Jersey was 24th in 1989 when it was won by Philippot.

 

[yello]

Careful Noodley, that's dangerously close to interesting....

...or perhaps I'm just becoming a bit of a train spotter??

I didn't realise Ulrich had taken it 3 times though.

 

[zimzum42]

Could I just point out that I gave the answer to the bidon question - there is some evidence to suggest that having a bottle makes it faster over shorter courses (due to aero factors). I have no idea how it all works, but I remember reading a few articles about it. And if anyone ask for "a source", too bad cos I ain't gonna supply one - do your own google search!

Isn't it about adding weight to increase momentum or something?

 

[Noodley]

Careful Noodley, that's dangerously close to interesting....

...or perhaps I'm just becoming a bit of a train spotter??

I didn't realise Ulrich had taken it 3 times though.

It's amazing the crap you can find out from the Official Guide if you take time to look at it...and have the pressure of having to supply you with not-very-interesting facts on a daily basis. But I shall endeavour to have a not-very-interesting fact or facts on everyday of this year's Tour.