Tour de France Stage 7 - SPOILER

[just jim]

Absolutely gutted for Brad and the rest of the Sky Team. I suppose thats part of the drama and aura of road racing.

I think the Sky detractors are unfair - its such an odd British thing to do isn't it - knocking success? They are an amazingly talented team and a real credit to cycling and this country if you ask me. Yes in an ideal world G and EBH should have pushed straight on, but they were there for their leader at the end of the day. Shows how together they are. They've ridden brilliantly all week, they were fantastic at the Dauphine too. Just one of those things. Best day ever for the team yesterday, worst day today. The cruelty of sport. Lets hope they bounce back and bag another stage win.

Well I'm behind Evans now. Remember his sad day in yellow last year? What a turnaround it would be if he could win this year. And it would be a positive message for Wiggins too I think.

Everyone thought 09 was a flash in the pan for Brad. This year he's had a podium at Paris-Nice, British TT champion again, won the Dauphine, British Road champion and was bang on the money for at least top 10 this year. He's a phenomenal athlete and I'm sure he'll be back just as fit and strong next year.

+1!

 

[lukesdad]

I think that's rather unfair. The team can't stop him breaking his collarbone - and just about every team has had riders come down so far, not least one Alberto Contador. And Radioshack, one of the most experienced teams, has lost one leader, and has two of its stongest remaining riders way out of contention.

If you are going to ride that far back with wind conditions like todays. Don t put the whole team there, and dont stand around watching, Fiona is bang on the money IMO.

 

[Baggy]

Everyone thought 09 was a flash in the pan for Brad. This year he's had a podium at Paris-Nice, British TT champion again, won the Dauphine, British Road champion and was bang on the money for at least top 10 this year. He's a phenomenal athlete and I'm sure he'll be back just as fit and strong next year.

Sadly for Tour fans, next year he'll probably be concentrating on the Olympics, so we'll have to wait until 2013...

Here's hoping Geraint Thomas nabs a stage win pretty soon though.

 

[brockers]

Watch for it this evening on hilights -

... He stays upright but his specs fall onto the road. As he moves towards them, LL Sanchez, still riding and following, rounds the bend, sees the glasses on the road, leans down and sweeps them up in his hand and carries on! Excellent skills!

Couldn't find a YouTube for that, but there's a job at the circus waiting for him when he retires from racing!

linkoid

 

[Intelligenthamster]

What a shame for Bradley Wiggins He was in great form... brought back memories of seeing Boardman crash out.

Cav summed it up perfectly... "Oh ****."

Heal well Bradley.

 

[fossyant]

Last clip from the highlights programme in the Sky Team car with Yatesy..... "Game over in'nit"........ says it all.

Bugger

 

[Aperitif]

Super images from The Guardian's site. (Click on the photo to advance...)

 

[Bayerd]

To me you can only admire the HTC team today, some of the shots close the finish where all nine were creating the train at the front of the peloton was great to watch.

I'm also gutted about Wiggins, he looked in great shape. I'm half puzzled by the team reaction though, on the one hand I understand them wanting to get him back and going again, on the other, shouldn't they have realised sooner what was going on? It's game over for all of them now. They still look a naive team to me which is a shame as they're obviously a talented group.

 

[Keith Oates]

What a mixed day, a great win for Cav and the HTC team who were all firing well but what a bad day for Wiggins and Sky. These things do happen in racing but it makes it no less disappointing when it's somebody you are hoping will do well. Let's hope Sky can get another stage win from this tour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Genman]

If you are going to ride that far back with wind conditions like todays. Don t put the whole team there, and dont stand around watching, Fiona is bang on the money IMO.

Shame on you. Monkey man is never ever wrong. You have now been added to the list of people he will get back at. Don't hold your breath though, he can bear a grudge forever.

 

[Keith Oates]

Please, let's keep the 'slanging matches' out of racing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Willo]

I really hope Cavendish ends up with the green jersey, a mile ahead of anyone else in his generation, and a fantastic feam. Big shame about wiggins, with olympics next yr, don't think we'll see him in that shape again

 

[Genman]

Please, let's keep the 'slanging matches' out of racing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oooooooohhh get yooooo !!!!!!!!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The HTC team effort was awesome, even Mrs 3BM was impressed! Really bad news about Wiggo though, terrible shame.

Super images from The Guardian's site. (Click on the photo to advance...)

Great set of photos teef, really captures the spirit of the whole thing!

 

[lukesdad]

Sky should really should of got on the bikes and listened for the call on the team radio leave one by all means.