Tour de France 2015 - may contain nuts and SPOILERS

[Aravis]

Re: Nibali vs. Froome. a very old and very boring argument. You do what you can within the rules to win. That's it.

It's an interesting argument and always will be. Each case is different; today, you could argue that as Nibali isn't in a position to threaten the race lead he wasn't really attacking the YJ - just escaping for a possible stage win. If he was able to think quickly enough, he might've realised that the real contenders, unlike him, would be constrained by the unwritten rule, making that moment his best chance of making a winning escape. If so I can't fault his tactics, but in the long run he may regret it. The pictures look very bad and they'll appear in books, magazines and web pages as long as such things exist.

 

[coffeejo]

Note to self: coverage starts at noon tomorrow.

 

[coffeejo]

Gary Imlach: "one benefit of looking at your stem all the time is that the spit hits your helmet."

 

[raindog]

Froome: "Nibali knew what he was doing. He looked around and saw I was in trouble and attacked. You don't do that to the race leader. It's unsportsmanlike."

I agree

 

[Bollo]

I just had a trawl of the tabloids to see if they've released the hounds to identify saliva boy. Only moderate righteous anger at Johnny Foreigner in the articles, but the Daily Hate Mail's comments section has some pearlers....

"Another reason to quit the wretched E.U."

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I don't agree with this "made-up unwritten rule", it's a load of bollocks. Attack when you can, take advantage when you can.

So, if Quintana manages to make 2 min 25 on tomorrows stage, should he go for it in to Paris? They used to race on the last stage.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

So, if Quintana manages to make 2 min 25 on tomorrows stage, should he go for it in to Paris? They used to race on the last stage.

He's unlikely to win a sprint stage. But no reason why not.

 

[smutchin]

It's an interesting argument and always will be. Each case is different;

It's only interesting in the context of the race. In itself, it's a tedious subject for discussion.

As you say, it didn't matter today because Nibali wasn't attacking the yellow jersey. I think that's why I found it admirable rather than unsporting.

I love Nibali's attitude to racing. In these days of W/kg and racing by numbers, you don't hear people talking about panache so much, but he has it in spades. (As does Contador, which is why I have grudging respect for him despite his past.)

Bardet too. What a fun young rider he is to watch. I just want to pat him on the head and ruffle his hair and tell him what a clever boy he is. Arthur Vichot may have the cheekbones, but wee Romain has the racing chops.

 

[Bollo]

So, if Quintana manages to make 2 min 25 on tomorrows stage, should he go for it in to Paris? They used to race on the last stage.

The exact same question was bubbling up in my mind. If the times were really only a few seconds apart, then I suppose it would be possible to split the peloton and get the time. It's very hypothetical though, even though tomorrow is going to be brutal in every sense. I just hope Froome is up to date on his Hep jabs.

 

[smutchin]

The question of whether a rider could win by attacking on the final stage is almost as interesting as discussing unwritten rules of attacking on mountains.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I just hope Froome is up to date on his Hep jabs.

Agreed, I'm actually quite worried about this one and what might happen. Booze + numbers + what's gone already. I wouldn't be surprised if Prudhomme didn't make some pretty stern Head Master style pronouncements towards the 'fans' before the stage begins.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

The question of whether a rider could win by attacking on the final stage is almost as interesting as discussing unwritten rules of attacking on mountains.

While I'm reading sarcasm here, are there time bonuses for the stage winners on this one? I can't remember if sprint stages have them. I find it odd that top level competitors are able to switch it off if there is a chance to change the placings, after all Froome has to cross the line, so it's not like he's crowned before the start if he's in the YJ. Chatting to mechanics at a British National MX race they've said their riders get anstie queueing for a coffee because people are ahead of them. Then again, top level MX riders are nutters.

 

[smutchin]

I find it odd that top level competitors are able to switch it off if there is a chance to change the placings,

There isn't a chance to change the placings on the final stage of the Tour de France. End of.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Matt and Luke Rowe on today's stage

 

[HF2300]

There isn't a chance to change the placings on the final stage of the Tour de France. End of.

Tell that to Laurent Fignon