Tour de France 2012 (with SPOILERS)

[smutchin]

How predictable! Suddenly Froome is British........just like Zola Budd was 'British' I suppose?!.

Don't be soft. Froome has always been British, even when he was rubbish and riding for Barloworld.

Edit for corroboration:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-readies-for-seasons-second-half-and-new-team
(I know the piece describes him as Kenyan but it also mentions that he's had a British racing licence since 2008 and came 4th in the British national championship in 2009. That's plenty British enough for me. Since 2008. When he was rubbish.)

d.

 

[Chuffy]

I'm looking forward to FM's part in the new ITV series, Ross Kemp on Academics

Is that the one where he calls Noam Chomsky a waaaaankaaah?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Sean Kelly: Wiggins mentally fragile

I am not sure fragile is the word I would use, seems more like short fused. Not an unreasonable or unfriendly warning though, given the two recent post race encounters with the press and prior history, and anything could happen on the long road to Paris.

 

[brockers]

I'd agree with you there RecordAce. I think Kelly's wrong there. Wiggo can be a bit short fused, but he doesn't come across to me as having a fragile personality. Mark Cavendish (remember him?) on the other hand....

 

[dragon72]

I was born in England, but my mum's from Botswana and my dad's from Scotland. I was raised in the USA, Hong Kong and Norway. Now I call Mexico home. Who should I compete for? and who should be pissed off that I'm not competing for them? Who gives a toss?
I like Cancellara and Froome and Sagan. No matter where they're from.

 

[Noodley]

Today's not-very-interesting fact: One winner of the overall combativity award did not complete the Tour - Cyrille Guimard in 1972, when he was also given the green points jersey by Eddy Merckx after he was forced to retire 2 days before the end of the Tour when leading the greeen jersey competition. Guimard later went on to be DS for Hinault, Fignon and van Impe when they won the Tour.

As a doping-related aside, in the 1972 Tour, Guimard's medical "treatment" was provided by Bernard Sainz, aka Dr Mabuse. It is reported that prior to his withdrawal from the 1972 Guimard was lifted to and from his bike due to the level of pain in his knees.

 

[Noodley]

Because his father was British. In other words he's just as 'British' as Wiggins. He is allowed to decide which country he rides for... just like my son would be. You got a problem with that?

Darth Vader, is that you?

 

[Isla Valassi]

Don't be soft. Froome has always been British, even when he was rubbish and riding for Barloworld.

Edit for corroboration:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/froome-readies-for-seasons-second-half-and-new-team
(I know the piece describes him as Kenyan but it also mentions that he's had a British racing licence since 2008 and came 4th in the British national championship in 2009. That's plenty British enough for me. Since 2008. When he was rubbish.)

d.

Bet he would be all a splutter if you asked him if he considers himself British

 

[Isla Valassi]

Because his father was British. In other words he's just as 'British' as Wiggins. He is allowed to decide which country he rides for... just like my son would be. You got a problem with that?

Just pointing out an 'interesting' observation..........................keep your hair on

 

[just jim]

Maybe it's Froome's turn next time? BBC link. The thought occurred to me after he dished it out on stage 7.

 

[crisscross]

Hyperthetical question ( from drunken rest day bar talk) -

There's a small break away 5km from end with all the leaders in it and the team cars are way back.

Wiggins breaks his chain - does Froome jump off his bike and hand it to the GC leader or ride off into the sunset?

Is it even allowed to swap bikes?

 

[Dave Davenport]

Hyperthetical question ( from drunken rest day bar talk) -

There's a small break away 5km from end with all the leaders in it and the team cars are way back.

Wiggins breaks his chain - does Froome jump off his bike and hand it to the GC leader or ride off into the sunset?

Is it even allowed to swap bikes?

Yes & yes.

 

[smutchin]

Bet he would be all a splutter if you asked him if he considers himself British

Well, he's quoted in that piece as saying he's British...

Tbh, as others have said, I really don't think it's important. This is cycling, not football - we cheer on riders we like regardless of their nationality/tribal allegiance.

My personal favourite is Sylvain Chavanel, Noodley *hearts* Sandy Casar and Flying Monkey has a thing for young Colombians...

d.

 

[PpPete]

Well, he's quoted in that piece as saying he's British...

Tbh, as others have said, I really don't think it's important. This is cycling, not football - we cheer on riders we like regardless of their nationality/tribal allegiance.

My personal favourite is Sylvain Chavanel, Noodley loves Sandy Casar and Flying Monkey has a thing for young Colombians...

d.

OTH ... there are certain teams we love to hate. Cofidis anyone?

 

[smutchin]

OTH ... there are certain teams we love to hate. Cofidis anyone?

Well, Astana are very easy to dislike, being a cabal of comedy East European Bond villains and all that. (And yet I still find myself rooting for Vino in spite of everything...)

And GreenEdge. They're Australian - need I say more?

d.