Keith Oates
Janner
- Location
- Penarth, Wales
A good win by Cav, it shows that he can still get a powerful finish even with the loss of weight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)
- Thread starter Flying_Monkey
- Start date
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Smokin Joe
Squire
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
I don't know why people express surprise when Cav wins without a lead-out train, he's done it many times before. It obviously helps to have one, but the man is not just a very fast sprinter, he's also a very clever and tactically aware rider.
yep, as Boardman said, he didn't have a lead out train at HTC so he could win, he had it because he did win.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Amused me the ES commentator (Harmon?) didn't see that one coming...
Sure it wasn't a certainty at 500m to go, but there was a yellow helmet bobbing about behind the leaders and I was already saying "you cheeky beggar" as he hopped off the remains of the Greenedge train (been there, done that in Copenhagen) and jumped onto Greipel's wheel.
Seems he used Freire's wheel even before that to haul himself up from 1k to go.
TBH I didnt think he didnt look quite as dominant at the end as he might have done last season, but who cares, half a wheel is still a win, and if the reported weight loss is in pursuit of the Olympic gold then so be it.
Sure it wasn't a certainty at 500m to go, but there was a yellow helmet bobbing about behind the leaders and I was already saying "you cheeky beggar" as he hopped off the remains of the Greenedge train (been there, done that in Copenhagen) and jumped onto Greipel's wheel.
Seems he used Freire's wheel even before that to haul himself up from 1k to go.
TBH I didnt think he didnt look quite as dominant at the end as he might have done last season, but who cares, half a wheel is still a win, and if the reported weight loss is in pursuit of the Olympic gold then so be it.
That comes across a bit sniffy, if you don't mind me saying - he's won more frequently with a train, no? The HTC train was an impressive sight and a feature of past TdFs so, come on, cut the casual viewer some slack eh? Not everyone has a knowledge of all Cavendish's wins. Even commentators post race ask him about it.
And becoming more so. I'm genuinely thrilled by his development. I'm hoping he'll emulate Boonen and win classics (or should I say more classics, just in case).
Steve H
Large Member
- Location
- Brighouse in West Yorkshire
Think I'm going to predict Sagan for another stage win today.
Noodley
Guest
Today's not-very-interesting facts are in relation to national clean sweep podiums; only 2 nations have ever had the 1-2-3 in the Tour.
Unsurprisingly France had the clean sweep in the early years, with 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1911 - not surprising given the extra help and skullduggery involved in early tours and the limited number of non-French riders taking part.
The only other nation to manage a clean sweep of the podium is Belgium in 1920.
Since 1920, France is the only nation to have 1-2-3 on the podium, which happened in 1947. That makes this tour the 65th anniversary since a single nation occupied the top placings.
Unsurprisingly France had the clean sweep in the early years, with 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907 and 1911 - not surprising given the extra help and skullduggery involved in early tours and the limited number of non-French riders taking part.
The only other nation to manage a clean sweep of the podium is Belgium in 1920.
Since 1920, France is the only nation to have 1-2-3 on the podium, which happened in 1947. That makes this tour the 65th anniversary since a single nation occupied the top placings.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I would very much like this to be true, but I think Gilbert or Sagan is more likely. The
d.
Yes I have those on my FL team for today too
Looking forward to today's stage, should be a proper ding dong.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I wonder if Nibali might have a pop today as well...
d.
d.
Superb description from Cav himself on yesterday's win
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-is-special
and I love this....
" Every day when training or racing I look down at these rainbow bands once every few minutes and they give me a great sense of pride. I just want to do the jersey justice."
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cavendish-victory-in-rainbow-jersey-is-special
and I love this....
" Every day when training or racing I look down at these rainbow bands once every few minutes and they give me a great sense of pride. I just want to do the jersey justice."
