Tour de France 2013 *spoilers*

[Peteaud]

Would sky and Dave Brailsford really risk it?

I dont think so.

The worst thing for me is that today and exceptional athlete won a tough race and instead of congratulations and respect, doping and drugs are brought up.

 

[smutchin]

There must be more interesting things to talk about from today's stage. For example:

Pete Kennaugh: future Tour winner or what?

 

[smutchin]

David Lopez: what gives?

 

[smutchin]

Tejay Van Garderen: difficult second album syndrome?

 

[smutchin]

Sylvain Chavanel: only honourable Frenchman in the Tour on Bastille day?

 

[smutchin]

Kreuziger, Mollema and Ten Dam: don't they go uphill well for flatlanders?

 

[Noodley]

There must be more interesting things to talk about from today's stage. For example:

Pete Kennaugh: future Tour winner or what?

He's certainly proved himself this Tour.

Nieve's ride today was also quite exceptional, he managed to maintain a high placing despite being one of the first to attack on the lower slopes, after he was caught and passed.

 

[smutchin]

Nieve's ride today was also quite exceptional, he managed to maintain a high placing despite being one of the first to attack on the lower slopes, after he was caught and passed.

True that. I thought he'd attacked far too early, especially when he seemed to be cracking, but he came back brilliantly towards the end. Chapeau. He's done his market value no harm at all today.

Very useful Spanish ally for Contador too - Berti might have lost a lot more time otherwise.

I was mildly impressed by Valverde's late rally too.

 

[jdtate101]

Pete's proved himself to be a selfless team player, talented climber and in possession of some real guts. Great things in the future from him for sure.....

 

[iLB]

J Rod: Kicking in the final meters, hitting form for the brutal final week?

 

[smutchin]

We knew Kennaugh was a real workhorse even before the Tour started, but he's unproven at this level. Well, he *was* unproven at this level... He's put several more seasoned pros to shame.

 

[yello]

You have your doubts. That's all they are.

Did I ever say anything else? It's you that's decided to take me task over them.

 

[dragon72]

Kreuziger, Mollema and Ten Dam: don't they go uphill well for flatlanders?

Since when has the Czech Republic been flat?

 

[yello]

Unfortunately, there is an obligation on everyone else to wade through this stuff to get to the discussion of cycling.

That's one of the joys of a forum isn't it? My comments are about cycling, and I'm not alone. A forum will have the same diversity of opinion.

Blimey, I'm hardly raising the unthinkable am I?

 

[StuAff]

I don't want to jump to an assumption of doping, and I want to believe the Sky marginal gains mantra, but I'm finding it difficult. I'm looking for something to explain just how it is that Froome can leave other riders going backwards.

That would take evidence, or at least consideration of relevant knowledge in the public domain, would it not?

Did I ever say anything else? It's you that's decided to take me task over them.

And multiple others. We're not having a go, we're merely pointing out you're not being entirely fair or consistent on Mr Froome and team.

Not so. I'm an armchair fan and I can continue to be sceptical until I decide otherwise. There's no obligation on me to demonstrate anything to anyone, even if I could. If you don't see the reason for suspicion then that's fine too.

So, would you like to consider relevant information in making an opinion or not?

Given all that's happened, it should surprise nobody that some people are raising eyebrows. I'm sure you can agree with that.

Yes I can. But a raised eyebrow is neither here nor there.