Le Tour de France

[dawg80]

La Tour is underway this morning, Stage 1. Not expecting any Americans winning anything, or getting on the podium in the GC. Would be a surprise if we get a guy in contention, even for a little while.

Now...given the state of the world, the biggest concern is terrorism. There is no way to protect the riders out on the open road. About 5 years ago, or so, some azzholes went around throwing tacks on the road causing dozens of flat tires. They were never caught. That was a just an asinine mischievous act. Imagine scumbags actually wanting to harm someone. Although, for the biggest possible effect, the moooslim terrorists will want to wait for the final day in Paris.

It's sad that the topic of possible murder and mayhem has to be seriously considered for a sporting event.

[Russdawg]

Love the tour and how difficult it really is. I may not "get" soccer but I'm sure with you on this one.

[nadB]

I've totally had it with the Tour. Bunch of cheating junkies. And I used to really pull for Lance.

Oh, well. Better the lying dope heads be riding bicycles than driving cars, I guess.

[Dawgpix]

Why does 80 clutter BBB with his new bicycle posts each year.

Couldn't he just resume the Tour thread from the previous year?

[dawg80]

Still early, but things have fallen into place for Teejay. Niboli, Porte, and Contador have all had their problems. Yeah, Porte is Teejay's teammate but cycling is still mostly an individual sport, so, sorry Porte. If Teejay avoids his own issues, and if he enjoys a great tour (for him), then a podium finish is possible.

[Russdawg]

A podium finish by an honorable and clean American an would do so much for the sport here.

Looking forward to the climbing stages coming up next. NOTHING in any athletic endeavor is any more impressive than an awesome climb that just rides away solo on a killer steep climb. Gives me chills to watch.

[dawg80]

Teejay is not a good climber in comparison to the elite climbers: Froome, Quintanno, Valverde, and others. That is why, barring some incredible rash of crashes taking out GC contenders, Teejay cannot win the Tour. But, he is a strong TTer, and a "good enough" climber to be a podium contender. Sometimes GCers get caught out when the peloton splits, and that can happen on a flat stage, especially along coasts when strong winds cause havoc. Teejay could pick up critical seconds over his rivals in any stage if he is always paying attention and on top of his game. BMC is a strong team too, so he has the needed support.

[dawg80]

Contador has abandoned.

[LongtimeDawgfan]

TJ is good but he can't climb with the elites.

[Tech77]

Haven't watched any of it, but did enjoy the clip on Sportcenter of the cyclist giving guy in a bird suit a shot to the face to clear him off the course when the idiot started running among the riders and causing a dangerous situation.

[Russdawg]

Haven't watched any of it, but did enjoy the clip on Sportcenter of the cyclist giving guy in a bird suit a shot to the face to clear him off the course when the idiot started running among the riders and causing a dangerous situation.

That was cool: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-1...france/7584266


The concentration and focus of the riders pedalling through that type crowd is amazing.

[LongtimeDawgfan]

Froome in yesterdays stage at the end, all I can say is....."that was a cheeky move"! He is picking up time in the most unlikely stages. Today, however is when the "nut cuttin" truly begins up Mount Vonteaoux.

[dawg80]

Le Tour de Farce! No way should Froome still be in yellow. What a joke!

[LongtimeDawgfan]

Le Tour de Farce! No way should Froome still be in yellow. What a joke!

Really? I respectfully disagree. Froome would not only still be in yellow but would have made time on his rivals if not for Porte running into a stopped motorcycle.

[dawg80]

So? And Porte would be right there at the top if not for a flat tire, and hell, Contador would still be in it if not for two crashes, and hell, Yates would be in yellow already if that 1K banner had not collapsed on him. etc, etc, etc Why don't all those riders, and many others, get to erase unfortunate circumstances? Huh? Why does only Froome get a "do over?" Huh? And, also, Team Sky had a crash and 3 riders went down and Froome "neutralizes" the race just so he gets to wait for his guys? How come other GCers don't get that priviledge?

So bullchit! Now, if there is any karma, something WILL happen to Froome that can't be "juried" away.