Tour de France - Stage 5 "SPOILER"

[Keith Oates]

Today should be another chance for the sprinters to shine but the area in which they are riding is quite often very windy and so this could make an impact on the days racing. I hope that HTC and Cav can get a result but would not be too disappointed if one of the Sky riders does well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[raindog]

Actually, it's surprisingly lumpy Keith - maybe we could see a break go all the way? Would be nice if we do.

 

[rich p]

There's talk of crosswinds and echelons, so it could break up and make fopr another good interesting stage. Much as I like to see Cav winning, the parcours so far, is more interesting than the usual first week 2 km sprint fest

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm looking forward to this stage - Callac is a town I know very well from childhood hols in Brittany. There's a hardware shop on the corner of the market square that used to sell Chinese bangers and flick knives, not that I indulged in such thuggery!

 

[Noodley]

I'm hoping that there might be a breakaway success today, and now that I know they can stop and arm themselves with bangers and flick-knives I reckon they might just hold off the chasing mob!

 

[Shadow]

There's talk of crosswinds and echelons, so it could break up and make fopr another good interesting stage. Much as I like to see Cav winning, the parcours so far, is more interesting than the usual first week 2 km sprint fest

Couldn't agree more. After the initial excitement, I usually get bored after the first week and reminisce how much the better the Giro was! This year has been great with some racing from day one. Whoever came up with the prologue idea - ridiculous waste of time and energy!!!

 

[ohnovino]

Much as I like to see Cav winning, the parcours so far, is more interesting than the usual first week 2 km sprint fest

+1

The GC contenders now have to decide whether to give their all on these stages to try and pull out a few seconds, or save their energy and hope they'll get minutes in the mountains.

Looks like we're having the most unpredictable tour for years.

 

[yello]

I think, as we saw yesterday, Contador has got to look at gaining a few seconds here and there when he can. I don't expect him to today, he'll sit in and finish with the bunch.

Weather's forecast for 30kph winds (55kph on another weather site!) from the south-east. That could mean a fast race generally but also a fast finish because the wind looks to be at their backs for most of the afternoon.

Could be a day for the breakaway to go the distance perhaps?

 

[Noodley]

Just spotted the Skoda advert on ITV4, an excellent advert

Really captures the speed and excitement of racing.

 

[yello]

Woops, Wiggins off in a pile up. He's okay and I'm sure he'll be back in the peleton shortly.

 

[biking_fox]

Another couple of crashes inside 10 mins. Bertie and Gesink also involved. Cycling News has one rider being doctored but nothign too serious. very slippy suddenly?

 

[meenaghman]

So wonder if they'll dq the sprinters in the intermediate.. totally moved right across the roads and cut out Cavendish.. he not a happy boy.. think it was Rojas and Feilliu again .. Contador down, Brahajovic (radioshack) in the blood wagon. just lack of concentration, I think with cross winds riders looking for the right place perhaps ? My Gaelic isn't as good as it was so can't tell exactly. Contador back on now .. everyone together.. with break at 3 mins.

 

[moxey]

Brajkovic is out of the race after his crash. Unsure what injuries he has, walking wounded. Gesink went over the top of Brajkovic.

Berties crash was a seperate incident.

 

[meenaghman]

watch out for the Sorenson incident - Motorbike catchs his bike.. brings it with them.. he does a somersault onto the verge and is left there with no bike..it being carried up the road..

 

[Keith Oates]

Well there is plenty of action so far but of the wrong type, let's hope it settles down and that the actual racing decides the day not the number of crashes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!