Tour de France 2013 *spoilers*

[bridgy]

Why is that none of the commentators realise what Froome and Brailsford did yesterday with the timing of the bike change? It seems obvious to me that they were indulging in a tiny but important piece of psychology - by changing just before the second time check, it would make it look to Contador ahead that Froome was down on him, and allow Froome to disguise his real pace (which was already level with or quicker than Contador).

Rob Hayles said exactly that on the 5-live commentary at the time

 

[smutchin]

Say what you like about ES coverage, at least I'll never wonder again who to go to if I need an iceberg transported halfway round the world.

 

[Herzog]

Why is that none of the commentators realise what Froome and Brailsford did yesterday with the timing of the bike change? It seems obvious to me that they were indulging in a tiny but important piece of psychology - by changing just before the second time check, it would make it look to Contador ahead that Froome was down on him, and allow Froome to disguise his real pace (which was already level with or quicker than Contador).

I think Liggett mentioned this during the live commentary yesterday, not the psychological aspect of it, but that Froome might actually be quicker than Contador when the bike change time was included.

 

[thom]

Why is that none of the commentators realise what Froome and Brailsford did yesterday with the timing of the bike change? It seems obvious to me that they were indulging in a tiny but important piece of psychology - by changing just before the second time check, it would make it look to Contador ahead that Froome was down on him, and allow Froome to disguise his real pace (which was already level with or quicker than Contador).

Yes, it did look like a clear intent to change before the timer and perhaps skew the meaning of the timer for other riders.
Thinking about it though, the way it worked out, it helped that they got a clean timing of how far Froome was on the last section without having the change left to make - Contador was 6 mins on the road ahead of Froome so whatever the final Froome/Contador time difference, Contador likely had little opportunity to respond to Froome at that point but Froome certainly had a more accurate idea of where he was in relation to Contador.

 

[The Couch]

I'm never right though!

But if you're never right and you say you're never right, it must be that at times you are right

 

[VamP]

Speaking of bike changes; as we appear to be, Kreuziger said in his piece for the Czech media that it was his own decision not to change bikes, not a team strategy. He didn't want to disrupt his rhythm and maintains that he made the right decision.

 

[Beebo]

stolen off the BBC web site. This would be a shame!

"A word of warning about the potential thrills and spills to come on the slopes of L'Alpe d'Huez later on today. If we get heavy rain, then the organisers say the race will finish when the riders reach the summit for the first time - they won't go down and then back up again.
Let's just hope the weather doesn't spoil our fun, but there is already concern over the safety of the descent down L'Alpe, down Col de Sarenne, and treacherous conditions would make things even worse."

 

[The Couch]

Why is that none of the commentators realise what Froome and Brailsford did yesterday with the timing of the bike change? It seems obvious to me that they were indulging in a tiny but important piece of psychology - by changing just before the second time check, it would make it look to Contador ahead that Froome was down on him, and allow Froome to disguise his real pace (which was already level with or quicker than Contador).

Which is why I said this:

Yeah, Froome looking like he has best chances to beat Purito

But I would assume that Saxo must have had tv on in the car, so they must have seen the bike change as well... so not sure if that made any difference in Contador giving it all or not... I believe it's more the bike difference itself that caused Froome to win it (by so close)

 

[The Couch]

stolen off the BBC web site. This would be a shame!

"A word of warning about the potential thrills and spills to come on the slopes of L'Alpe d'Huez later on today. If we get heavy rain, then the organisers say the race will finish when the riders reach the summit for the first time - they won't go down and then back up again.
Let's just hope the weather doesn't spoil our fun, but there is already concern over the safety of the descent down L'Alpe, down Col de Sarenne, and treacherous conditions would make things even worse."

BOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH

 

[dellzeqq]

Eurosport have just broadcast an interview with Tour event director Jean Francois Pescheux who says the riders will just have to deal with whatever weather the gods throw at them. Unless the roads are actually washed away, he says, they'll be going up Alpe d'Huez twice.

 

[thom]

Eurosport have just broadcast an interview with Tour event director Jean Francois Pescheux who says the riders will just have to deal with whatever weather the gods throw at them. Unless the roads are actually washed away, he says, they'll be going up Alpe d'Huez twice.

But the camera-motos won't be descending with the riders as there is some dampness on the newly laid roads - rain brings out oil on fresh tarmac doesn't it ?

 

[The Couch]

Sagan has all the luck...

 

[thom]

Chris Froome, psyching himself up this morning:

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

While Voight digs into his musette, there's a nice tour story told by him in French HERE

 

[The Couch]

Chris Froome, psyching himself up this morning:

Uploading... Contador 4m34, Kreuzinger 4m51, ... , Valverde 15m12

Upload finished.... Enter Command: "Follow, not destroy" .... awaiting next command....