Tour de France 2013 *spoilers*

[jarlrmai]

If Sky go completely transparent, are they not showing everyone (including their competitors) how they do it? As in what small things they tweak to give those 1% uplifts etc?

I know this sounds possibly simple but come on, would any top level sports team show their competition everything?????

I read a description of some of the stuff that they did for the track cycling minimal gains, there was stuff like cleaning the tyres on the start line to avoid traction loss from dust gathered wheeling the bike to the line, insulated thigh straps to maintain muscle heat between getting off the warmup bikes and getting on to the track bike.

 

[smutchin]

Cofidis are having a bit of a stinker of a Tour. They seem to have been completely anonymous so far. Navarro in 20th is their highest placed rider, 23m 36s behind Froome. Next best is Molard in 74th, 1h 28m off the pace.

In other news, I have an interesting and unusual fact to inform you lot about that may well have escaped your attention.
Cofidis and Lampre are both in this years race. I bet none of you had noticed that - no need to thank me for my tireless, dogged research on your behalf.

This just came up on the news ticker on the official TdF website:

Cannondale second in the prize money haul after 15 stages
The next-best team [after OPQS] in the prize money allotment thus far on Tour is Cannondale which has won a stage (Peter Sagan, in Albi) and had its leader in the green jersey since the end of stage two. It has 41,440 euros, then comes Sky with 40,950, Movistar with 38,000, Orica-GreenEdge with 36,410, Vacansoleil with 35,080...
Cofidis remains the team with the least amount of prize money, just 4,530 euros.

It's going to be a meagre Christmas for the offspring of Cofidis riders this year.

 

[rich p]

You probably get 4,530 euros for turning up with a bike.

 

[VamP]

You probably get 4,530 euros for turning up with a bike.

Wonder how much they'd get if they turned up without bikes? Could be a net gain for them.

 

[smutchin]

"@PhilippeGilbert: Contador have always his best day the day after the second rest day. So remake of 2011? Nice stage for offensive"

Ooooh!

 

[rich p]

"@PhilippeGilbert: Contador have always his best day the day after the second rest day. So remake of 2011? Nice stage for offensive"

Ooooh!

Ouch! Bof! and zut alors!

 

[The Couch]

...Vacansoleil with 35,080...

So, I guess the irratic cycling behaviour of De Gendt (and Hoogerland I assume) at least seems to bring some cash with it
- since they haven't got much of wins or jerseys to show for it-

 

[rich p]

Wonder how much they'd get if they turned up without bikes? Could be a net gain for them.

IAM cycling would have doubled that for their place

 

[The Couch]

By the way... if the peloton continues this pace Navarro (COFIDIS ) could easily end up in the GC top 15

 

[VamP]

IAM cycling would have doubled that for their place

Sure. Or NetApp. I was merely jesting. Still sore about putting Taaramae on my FL.

 

[The Couch]

IAM cycling would have doubled that for their place

Vini Fantini would even have sacrificed two dopers for that place

 

[VamP]

Vini Fantini would even have sacrificed two dopers for that place

Are we talking a ritual human sacrifice by full moon here?

 

[rich p]

Another interesting fact to liven up this stage...
the sadly uncelebrated Lanterne Rouge at present is
Dmitriy Muravyev (Kaz) Astana Pro Team 'leading' by over a minute

 

[rich p]

Vini Fantini would even have sacrificed two dopers for that place

I expecting Vaughters to sign up a repentant di Luca, Santambrogio and Sayer in a few years time.

 

[The Couch]

Are we talking a ritual human sacrifice by full moon here?

Spoiler alert for bad joke

Wait for it....

Well, you're the only Vamp(ire) here