Tour de France 2015 - may contain nuts and SPOILERS

[Globalti]

I appreciate that the Tour places a huge strain on the resources of an area or town with the arrival of thousands of competitors, staff and spectators. My comment was more in the context of a holiday or business trip - I've had enough of crap hotels as one bad one can ruin the entire trip.

 

[robertob]

Intrigued to see what happens today... can see a break get home. If Rolland isn't in there I'd be disappointed. A day made for him. Was expecting him many other days too, but today has to be his day!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Although an extra luton van filled with portable air con units could be an option for someone with more cash than they can count.

I was wondering about how effective portable air con would be. Though, if they'd work, I'd think the onus might be on ASO/UCI to provide them within the remit of caring for the competitors living environments for the duration of the race. If it were distributed on a hottest room first basis, you'd sidestep the ''richest teams get the best'' problem. And, besides, no team is going to need them every night and rest day anyway.

Also, if a town such as Gap wishes to keep its place in TdF history and the money this brings to the town, le Maire should be working with hoteliers to improve the provision of comfortable rooms. It's in their collective interest.

 

[Beebo]

Some posters have no clue what the Tour is like. 4,000+ beds required every night. If you don't like your hotel find another? Only if you want to drive 200km, maybe if you are lucky you MIGHT find one you like, all air conned and lovely (in rural France..?). The rules are simple, riders have to stay in the hotel the organiser provides. Some nights it's 5 star, others less so (and sometimes not good at all). But as mentioned it's shared out, a leveller for every team. Even Oleg with all his dosh can't buy his way out of things all the time is at least comforting for everyone who has to live on a budget. Not every team has limitless resources - MTN seem to be doing OK and they are a division 2 team with, no doubt, a budget to match.

Which is why Richie's Portacabin got banned, they didnt want humdreds on mobile homes turning up at the end of ever stage.
Although i can see why Sky thought it was a good idea for their team leader to sleep in the same bed every night.
I'm sure Sky bring their own matresses to all hotels, so at least the beds are comfy.

 

[mjr]

As Smeggers says, that isn't how it works. Sky wanted to bring their motorhome for Froome, but UCI wouldn't allow it.

What was the wording of the rule change? Is there any opportunity for (say) a team bus with reclining or unfolding seats to be used as a last-ditch alternative to a truly awful hotel?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/06/news/no-motorhome-for-sky-as-uci-issues-new-rule_374618 says “In all road stage races on the international calendar, the organisers must cover the subsistence expenses of the teams from the night before the start to the final day; riders must stay in the hotels provided by the organiser throughout the entire duration of the race.”

So I guess there could be some argument over what "stay in the hotels" means... or whether some sort of temperature-controlled sleep pods could be taken in to fix unacceptable rooms. I'm not sure whether oxygen tents have even been permitted, but we've seen EQS take their own mattressess:

View: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NB8-S05EYBw

 

[MisterStan]

Nice BBC interview with G here

 

[HF2300]

35 km and there's a 36 man breakaway (!) including Sagan, Purito, Hesjedal and Pinot. Westra and Haas have dropped off the back of the peloton

 

[HF2300]

“I'm very far away from the podium, but it's not impossible. With a bit of luck, I can make it. Don't expect a solo attack in the middle of a mountain, something that guarantees they take you by the ears when they catch you later on. With fresher temperatures I'll go better and the rain isn't a problem for me. I've never felt super for all of this year. I was more self confident and determined one year ago. I'm not pissed off. I've never been able to live normally after I won the Tour. But I'll play my cards in the Alps, also for winning a stage.”

 

[roadrash]

Greg lemond just said , among other things,

The sport needs and deserves transparency,

i couldnt agree more

 

[MisterStan]

The sport needs and deserves transparency,

Some of those team kits are risque enough already....

 

[smutchin]

Greg lemond just said , among other things,

The sport needs and deserves transparency,

i couldnt agree more

I agree too, but 'transparency' doesn't mean being obliged to release all your data to any blogger with a chip on their shoulder.

 

[mcshroom]

I agree too, but 'transparency' doesn't mean being obliged to release all your data to any blogger with a chip on their shoulder.

This.

Proving a negative is impossible, and the conspiracy theorists are never going to accept the data given. They will either claim it is incomplete or that it is falsified. If we really have to release data on anything and everything, then this should be dealt with purely by a body such as WADA or the UCI, rather than every tin-foil hatted self publicist with a grudge.

 

[psmiffy]

♫ If one green bottle should accidently fall ♫ - Van Garderen 2mins off the back

 

[Dogtrousers]

Tejay van Garderen is ill. 2 mins off the bunch and has called the medical car.

 

[roadrash]

I agree too, but 'transparency' doesn't mean being obliged to release all your data to any blogger with a chip on their shoulder.

i agree with you ,