Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France 2013

millar-lemond
Robert Millar leads Greg LeMan on the road to l’Alpe d’Huez in 1984

The early eighties saw the tide change in the European Peloton. Components were taking on a new, curvy shape as they left their boxy forms behind. The glint of toe clips in the sun would become a rarer sight as the move towards clipless pedals would take hold in 1985. English speakers were winning the big races classically won by continental Pros.

The 1984 Tour could be my favorite edition of the race. In 1983, the rookie Laurent Fignon had won in the absence of Le Patron, Bernard Hinault. The 1984 race saw the two go head-to-head, with Fignon becoming the one and only person in history to have laughed at Hinault and lived. He did more than live, he won. The new guard was here, and they were making their presence known.

This photo is from the stage to l’Alpe d’Huez. LeMond was riding in support of Fignon, and Robert Millar, in his second Tour, was leading the King of the Mountains competition, which he would eventually win. Millar wrote an account of this stage in Issue 13 of Rouleur, which everyone should make an effort to find a copy of. He describes the attacks that come fast and furious on the penultimate climb in such vivid detail, it makes my guns ache. But worse than that is his and LeMonds effort to hold on to Fignon and Hinault’s wheels in the ride through the valley to Le Bourg d’Oisans and the base of the final climb. It is the perfect description of the suffering of the Cyclist. LeMond, in service to his leader, is on the front one moment as he reels Hinault in after an attack, before being cast into the gutter and the back wheel a moment later when the next attack comes. 

Just as 1984 was a watershed moment in the Pro peloton, 2013 is a watershed year for the VSP. This year we are offering five amazing prizes from five amazing partners.

Prizes

First prize is a Veloforma Strada iR road frame, painted in an exclusive Velominati color scheme with the newly-designed Velominati Super Prestige logo. Please note that this is a brand-spankin’ new frame for Veloforma. The geometry can be reviewed here.

Second prize is a pair of Café Roubaix carbon tubular wheels. The winner of this prize will be given the choice between the sub-1000g Haleakala wheels or a road version of my beloved Arenberg wheelset. As an additional incentive, anyone who enters their picks in the Tour VSP will get a $200 discount on any wheelset at Café Roubaix.

Third prize is a pair of Bont cycling shoes. The winner of this prize will be assisted in selecting the size, color, and model of shoe.

Fourth prize is a Flandrian Best kit from DeFeet consisting of a wool U-D-Shirt, Arm Skins, Kneekers, Slipstreams, and a pair of V-Socks.

Fifth prize is a wool jersey from our Keepers Tour tour partners, Pavé Cycling Classics.

Many thanks to each of our sponsors for providing such exciting prizes.

Rules

Enter your picks for the top five riders on G.C. by the time the countdown clock goes to zero; Grand Tour scoring rules apply. Check the mapping of your picks by the end of Stage 1 and use the dispute system should it be mapped incorrectly.

We will be enforcing Piti Principle rules much more closely. We will be accepting pick disputes through the start of Stage 2. After that, it will be at The Keepers’ discretion as to whether or not we allow the dispute. If your pick is ambiguous and we map them to the wrong rider, make sure you check your disputes before the deadline; we may reject the dispute after that time. For example, should both Tony and Dan Martin take the start and you enter “Martin” as your pick, we will pick one for you and you will have to live with it if you forget to dispute it before the deadline.

Good luck, and Merckxspeed.

Update: This is the same paint scheme that the winner will have, except the VSP Winner’s Badge will be replacing the V-Lion.

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[vsp_results id=”24179″/]

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1,667 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France 2013”

  1. @Mirko

    @Gianni it’s not complicated: Schleck has fantastic genes, but a fragile psyche. He might well be the love child of Indurain and Lindsey Lohan.

    Yeah, thanks for that mental image. Big Mig and the jailbird from LA.

  2. @Gianni

    @frank

    Schleckchute deployed. Jay-sus. How can a rider with GT aspirations stay that bad at TTing for so many years, after getting your head kicked in on so many occasions? He’s a tall enough guy that he should be able to crack the top half. He just barely made the top 3/4s.

    Schleckchute deployed…beautiful. If one should be working on their weaknesses, this fuck should be on his TT bike all the time. I’ll never understand him.

      yeah,that was just a sad effort,he didn’t even look like he was trying,looked like he was just out for spin. embarrassing considering he finaly seemed to be riding well / better then he had.

  3. Kwiatkowski also looks fucking slick on the bike too. Some riders just don’t, he looks awesome.

    And yeah, I think Bugno gave the entire Quick Step team a lesson on how to wear a cycling cap. Martin, Kwiatkowski, others, all look boss in the interviews, none of those damn ball hats.

  4. This obviously goes with out saying, but no-one should have piss thrown at them in the workplace.

  5. @frank

    @VirenqueForever

    I am 95% sure this is a picture of two dudes.

    We need an expert submission on this – where’s Scaler when you need him? His response will let us know either way

  6. @Ron

    Kwiatkowski also looks fucking slick on the bike too. Some riders just don’t, he looks awesome.

    And yeah, I think Bugno gave the entire Quick Step team a lesson on how to wear a cycling cap. Martin, Kwiatkowski, others, all look boss in the interviews, none of those damn ball hats.

    Yep, I saw Cav on the podium in real cycling cap! Chapeau.

  7. @motor city

    This obviously goes with out saying, but no-one should have piss thrown at them in the workplace.

    Last year I worked at a music festival. It took til the Sunday night for the obligatory plastic cup of nasty tennants lager heavily laced with piss to strike a direct hit. I feel for Cav, the aroma lingered long in the nostrils even after a hose down. Maybe that was just the pish lager?

  8. @minion

    @frank

    @VirenqueForever

    I am 95% sure this is a picture of two dudes.

    We need an expert submission on this – where’s Scaler when you need him? His response will let us know either way

    Just check out the size of that right hand…

  9. Okay, completely irrelevant but need you alls (TN speak coming out there) IT advice.  Home laptop died and we need to get a new one, or maybe two as kids are getting older.  The VMH wants to go Apple and get MacBook Pros.  Never having used Apple products besides iPod and iPad’s, do you think that this is a good and are they a good idea even without the “never used them before” question?  Thanks!

  10. Im pretty confident Conti is gonna take time on Valverde and take the second step in Paris, which would wn me a new frame or wheels. just saying.

  11. @Nate

    @Buck Rogers The apple stuff is easy, intuitive, works better, and costs more.

    Thisness.

    I changed sides a number of years ago, and as long as I have my own or someone else’s money to spend I’ll never go back.

  12. @wiscot

    @Mirko

    @Gianni it’s not complicated: Schleck has fantastic genes, but a fragile psyche. He might well be the love child of Indurain and Lindsey Lohan.

    Yeah, thanks for that mental image. Big Mig and the jailbird from LA.

    Actually, that’s pretty hot. Especially in context of the other crap that gets posted here.

  13. @Steampunk

    @frank

    Has the polish doper’s time been wiped yet? Is Sparty going after Boardman’s or his record? I’ve lost the thread on that.

    This would all be moot if you’d pushed on the pedals a little harder last month. Little known secret: the faster you pedal, the faster you go. Going around in circles like that, it’s not like the scenery should have distracted you.

    I think that’s the biggest compliment ever paid me. And the biggest overstatement ever. Nice work, doing that all in one post.

  14. @motor city

    This obviously goes with out saying, but no-one should have piss thrown at them in the workplace.

    Agreed. Totally. Or be spat on. Unless you’re occupation is spit/piss wrangling.

  15. @Buck Rogers

    Okay, completely irrelevant but need you alls (TN speak coming out there) IT advice. Home laptop died and we need to get a new one, or maybe two as kids are getting older. The VMH wants to go Apple and get MacBook Pros. Never having used Apple products besides iPod and iPad’s, do you think that this is a good and are they a good idea even without the “never used them before” question? Thanks!

    In the middle of conversion now.  Have gone iPads and iPhones in the house.  Using iTunes instead of DVDs and have apple tv, still waiting for the pc to die.  Will never look back, so fed up with windows..

  16. @Buck Rogers

    Okay, completely irrelevant but need you alls (TN speak coming out there) IT advice. Home laptop died and we need to get a new one, or maybe two as kids are getting older. The VMH wants to go Apple and get MacBook Pros. Never having used Apple products besides iPod and iPad’s, do you think that this is a good and are they a good idea even without the “never used them before” question? Thanks!

    Better, more reliable, more stable, etc. There is a learning curve moving from Windows, but in the long run, much better. My new work laptop is a Windows box. I am using my personal laptop instead, which is a Mac. Once you get used to it, it is so far superiour, you can’t imagine using MSFT.

    That said, Office kicks the Apple product’s ass up and down the street. But you can get it for Apple. And you can run all Windows programs on Apple as well.

  17. @Buck Rogers

    Okay, completely irrelevant but need you alls (TN speak coming out there) IT advice. Home laptop died and we need to get a new one, or maybe two as kids are getting older. The VMH wants to go Apple and get MacBook Pros. Never having used Apple products besides iPod and iPad’s, do you think that this is a good and are they a good idea even without the “never used them before” question? Thanks!

    Damn, too much V-usage during the classics, the giro and the tour? I got home last night to random bleeps and lots of thin vertical lines in pretty colours against a black background. No hint of the start up protocols, bios etc. It’s an all in one so all the likely suspects are special (read unobtainable) items soldered on to the motherboard. – I know not a great idea but great for the kitchen where you don’t want an extra box of gubbins cluttering up the place.

    I like the idea (or is it just the aesthetic) of the apple offerings but price is likely to prevent that.

  18. @Chris

    @Buck Rogers

    Okay, completely irrelevant but need you alls (TN speak coming out there) IT advice. Home laptop died and we need to get a new one, or maybe two as kids are getting older. The VMH wants to go Apple and get MacBook Pros. Never having used Apple products besides iPod and iPad’s, do you think that this is a good and are they a good idea even without the “never used them before” question? Thanks!

    Damn, too much V-usage during the classics, the giro and the tour? I got home last night to random bleeps and lots of thin vertical lines in pretty colours against a black background. No hint of the start up protocols, bios etc. It’s an all in one so all the likely suspects are special (read unobtainable) items soldered on to the motherboard. – I know not a great idea but great for the kitchen where you don’t want an extra box of gubbins cluttering up the place.

    I like the idea (or is it just the aesthetic) of the apple offerings but price is likely to prevent that.

    Re-do the calcs on cost when you factor in all the software that is included and the fact that you need to replace upgrade them less often because of the way the operating systems are designed and run.  Then look in the corner of the room at the box that is squeaking and bleeping and picture a shiny white IMAC there…..

    This loosening the purse strings at all?

  19. @Deakus I use Microsoft Office, which I’ve got the 2010 64 bit copy (and can upgrade cheaply through software4kids or the like), Chrome and Picassa which are free. There is no software cost implication of buying a new windows computer.

    The purse strings are fairly loose but it’s also empty.

  20. @Chris

    @Deakus I use Microsoft Office, which I’ve got the 2010 64 bit copy (and can upgrade cheaply through software4kids or the like), Chrome and Picassa which are free. There is no software cost implication of buying a new windows computer.

    The purse strings are fairly loose but it’s also empty.

    As long as you steer clear of Windows 8…that is the devils work!

  21. @frank

    @Gianni

    @Nate

    @Deakus

    Thanks all!  We were leaning that way anyways but if all my “invisible friends” as the VMH calls you guys seem to agree, it just makes the decision that much easier.  And, if it turns out to have been a bad decision, I can blame it all on you.  Nice how that works out that way.

  22. Okay, so filling dead air King Kelly was just discussing his new book. He said that he feels fortune to have raced in the glory days of cycling. I immediately wondered what he meant. A.M.? How could it be good after the Prophet was gone?

    Well, he clarified. When I raced we’d all sit around and talk about the race, talk about the stages, get to know one another and really were a team. Now, when I see the teams at the dinner table…they are all texting or playing with their phones. They don’t get to know one another, they don’t discuss the race.

    I don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon or a Luddite, because “smart” phones and tech can be fucking nice. I acknowledge and admit this.

    But, imagine being a PRO cyclist and sitting around with your teammates and pals and talking about the day you just put in and then the day ahead. Talk about the beauty of the sport! What is more beautiful than sharing a meal and having a chat with friends?

    And now when you go out to a restaurant or bar or pub you’ll see entire tables of folks playing with goddamn phones. Or, showing each other a photo or an application they have on their phone. It’s depressing.

    To put a positive spin on it, I go out each week after Tuesday night futbol with my mates and I do realize how lucky I am that we all sit and talk. About what? Who knows! We just talk and catch up. Work, kids, spouses, partners, life. If someone has to make a call they excuse themselves and check in to make sure the partner and child are aokay. No talking at the table, no texting, no ignoring the moment. I realize I’m so damn lucky to have a group of friends who behave this way and while I love it, it makes me sad to look around the pub and see the others. Tune out, tune in.

    Anyway, I thought it was telling about modernity and social interactions and technology that Sean nicely pointed out how lucky he was to race in a day when you spent time getting to know your peers. Now it seems everyone is too busy to get to know those around them, distracted by the virtual world.

    Cherish the moment, chat with your mates!

  23. Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

  24. @ChrisO

    Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

    +1

  25. @Ron To put a counter-argument… they spend many, many hours in the company of their team and other pro-riders. On the bikes, in room shares and so on. I suspect they would probably think it was quite enough.

    They are also far more in communication with each other throughout the year whereas in Kelly’s day they disappeared after races and turned up again when they were told, possibly not having any idea of what the others had been doing.

    The other advantage is that the riders get to see comments and support from fans and in turn fans get to read blog posts, tweets and so on direct from riders rather than always through the filter of media. For the fans – the ones who ultimately pay for and support the sport – it is a much better way to know the riders and what they are going through.

  26. @Deakus

    @ChrisO

    Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

    +1

    In defense of some of the coverage – they don’t control the images, so if the feed happens to be an aerial shot of a chateau (which there are a lot of because quite a decent size portion of the viewing audience tunes in to see that kind of stuff – check out inrng’s article in the latest issue of 2r for an interesting look at the popularity of the Tour in France and worldwide), then what should they be talking about? something that’s not being shown on the screen?  I know people like to slag on Phil and Paul and I agree that their commentary is pretty cookie cutter from year to year, but I’m more annoyed at the amount of time they aren’t commentating because there is an advert for Michelob Ultra on the screen.

    I actually have a lot of respect for what the cycling commentators have to do (especially after listening to the split coverage that happens when they do go to commercial and one guy talks about one thing while the other talks about something else for the network/feed that isn’t at a commercial break).  Add this to the fact that 4 hours of coverage of a sport in which typically not a whole lot happens until the final kms is a lot of dead time to fill.  I’m okay with hearing about the occasional chateau, although I would appreciate it if Phil could actually identify the riders accurately.

  27. @VeloVita

    @Deakus

    @ChrisO

    Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

    +1

    In defense of some of the coverage – they don’t control the images, so if the feed happens to be an aerial shot of a chateau (which there are a lot of because quite a decent size portion of the viewing audience tunes in to see that kind of stuff – check out inrng’s article in the latest issue of 2r for an interesting look at the popularity of the Tour in France and worldwide), then what should they be talking about? something that’s not being shown on the screen? I know people like to slag on Phil and Paul and I agree that their commentary is pretty cookie cutter from year to year, but I’m more annoyed at the amount of time they aren’t commentating because there is an advert for Michelob Ultra on the screen.

    I actually have a lot of respect for what the cycling commentators have to do (especially after listening to the split coverage that happens when they do go to commercial and one guy talks about one thing while the other talks about something else for the network/feed that isn’t at a commercial break). Add this to the fact that 4 hours of coverage of a sport in which typically not a whole lot happens until the final kms is a lot of dead time to fill. I’m okay with hearing about the occasional chateau, although I would appreciate it if Phil could actually identify the riders accurately.

    I just think phil ligget does not really follow some of the cycling these days there is much more he could talk about when the cameras are on the peloton.  Earlier performances, the spring classics but everything is dumbed down inane drivel.  He does nothing to inspire even novices to ride.  He basically spends his year at his ranch in South Africa all year then rocks up to the tour and gets paid to talk shit!

  28. @Mirko

    Kittel x 3!

    Cav got lazy wtf would you keep looking back when right in the middle of your sprint….he only has himself to blame for that loss.

  29. @Deakus

    @VeloVita

    @Deakus

    @ChrisO

    Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

    +1

    In defense of some of the coverage – they don’t control the images, so if the feed happens to be an aerial shot of a chateau (which there are a lot of because quite a decent size portion of the viewing audience tunes in to see that kind of stuff – check out inrng’s article in the latest issue of 2r for an interesting look at the popularity of the Tour in France and worldwide), then what should they be talking about? something that’s not being shown on the screen? I know people like to slag on Phil and Paul and I agree that their commentary is pretty cookie cutter from year to year, but I’m more annoyed at the amount of time they aren’t commentating because there is an advert for Michelob Ultra on the screen.

    I actually have a lot of respect for what the cycling commentators have to do (especially after listening to the split coverage that happens when they do go to commercial and one guy talks about one thing while the other talks about something else for the network/feed that isn’t at a commercial break). Add this to the fact that 4 hours of coverage of a sport in which typically not a whole lot happens until the final kms is a lot of dead time to fill. I’m okay with hearing about the occasional chateau, although I would appreciate it if Phil could actually identify the riders accurately.

    I just think phil ligget does not really follow some of the cycling these days there is much more he could talk about when the cameras are on the peloton. Earlier performances, the spring classics but everything is dumbed down inane drivel. He does nothing to inspire even novices to ride. He basically spends his year at his ranch in South Africa all year then rocks up to the tour and gets paid to talk shit!

    I do agree that they are both simply resting on their laurels these days as opposed to doing anything new or exciting

  30. @ChrisO

    @Ron To put a counter-argument… they spend many, many hours in the company of their team and other pro-riders. On the bikes, in room shares and so on. I suspect they would probably think it was quite enough.

    They are also far more in communication with each other throughout the year whereas in Kelly’s day they disappeared after races and turned up again when they were told, possibly not having any idea of what the others had been doing.

    The other advantage is that the riders get to see comments and support from fans and in turn fans get to read blog posts, tweets and so on direct from riders rather than always through the filter of media. For the fans – the ones who ultimately pay for and support the sport – it is a much better way to know the riders and what they are going through.

    Ha, good point! It’s always nice to receive a counter perspective. Thanks, Chris! I wasn’t seeing it that way, which is what happens when you get channel-visioned.

  31. @VeloVita

    @Deakus

    @ChrisO

    Saints preserve me I’m so fucking sick of hearing P1 and P2 reading from the race book about the Duke of Arras and Charles the fucking 8th as we see another chateau and pretending they know shit.

    TV coverage of this sport is appalling when you consider what it could be if they let someone competent do it.

    +1

    In defense of some of the coverage – they don’t control the images, so if the feed happens to be an aerial shot of a chateau (which there are a lot of because quite a decent size portion of the viewing audience tunes in to see that kind of stuff – check out inrng’s article in the latest issue of 2r for an interesting look at the popularity of the Tour in France and worldwide), then what should they be talking about? something that’s not being shown on the screen? I know people like to slag on Phil and Paul and I agree that their commentary is pretty cookie cutter from year to year, but I’m more annoyed at the amount of time they aren’t commentating because there is an advert for Michelob Ultra on the screen.

    I actually have a lot of respect for what the cycling commentators have to do (especially after listening to the split coverage that happens when they do go to commercial and one guy talks about one thing while the other talks about something else for the network/feed that isn’t at a commercial break). Add this to the fact that 4 hours of coverage of a sport in which typically not a whole lot happens until the final kms is a lot of dead time to fill. I’m okay with hearing about the occasional chateau, although I would appreciate it if Phil could actually identify the riders accurately.

    That’s a poor apology for lame coverage.

    I know they are not in charge of the pictures – by saying that someone competent should be in charge I meant as a broadcaster. Give it to someone who actually has a track record in innovative sports coverage, which rules out any French networks. But no, year after year ASO hands the host rights to France Television.

    You’re right if there is a chateau then it is pretty much obligatory to talk about it even if it sounds utterly ridiculous to break into coverage of sweaty men on bikes to discuss the marriage of Charles the 8th and who built a bridge in 1882. What really grates on me is their delivery in a way intended to make us think that they have actually researched this rather than reading it from a book.

    But saying people tune in for that it is self-fulfiling. As Henry Ford (was supposed to have) said, “If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses”. I find it hard to believe that the cycling forums with so many people saying they dislike the coverage are somehow an isolated minority, and with multi-screen technology it is perfectly possible to offer people something they all want.

    Days like today are perfect for background coverage, rider profiles, competitions, fan-chats, interviews, pre-packaged inserts. If not everyone wants to watch that then put it online and synch it to the screen coverage as a number of advertisers are doing to get people more engaged during ad breaks.

    I don’t know where you are but look at coverage of sports like Test Cricket where they manage to fill 5 days coverage at a time. They use graphics, they have analysis and programmes like Test Match Special which does it all on radio have evolved to be highly entertaining. A simple thing is using teams of commentators in relay, not the same pair droning on for hours.

    It really is rubbish. ASO is to blame and France Televisions is to blame and the UCI is to blame because they actually prevent much of the innovation like on-board live telemetry from riders. P1 and P2 aren’t to blame, they’re just crap.

  32. Sorry for the rant but I work in television, I’ve produced live coverage and I know just how bad it is and how good it could be.

  33. @Ron

    @ChrisO

    @Ron To put a counter-argument… they spend many, many hours in the company of their team and other pro-riders. On the bikes, in room shares and so on. I suspect they would probably think it was quite enough.

    They are also far more in communication with each other throughout the year whereas in Kelly’s day they disappeared after races and turned up again when they were told, possibly not having any idea of what the others had been doing.

    The other advantage is that the riders get to see comments and support from fans and in turn fans get to read blog posts, tweets and so on direct from riders rather than always through the filter of media. For the fans – the ones who ultimately pay for and support the sport – it is a much better way to know the riders and what they are going through.

    Ha, good point! It’s always nice to receive a counter perspective. Thanks, Chris! I wasn’t seeing it that way, which is what happens when you get channel-visioned.

    But I still have to go with Ron on this one.  Sure they might be more plugged in on the bike, etc but they could still sit at the fuckin table and actually make eye contact and chat a bit.  And I think Ron was kind of using the pro cycling team in an anology for all of life and how tuned out people are to those right next to them, esp if they are loved ones and all everyone is doing is texting and facebooking and not paying any attention to the real, non-virtual people right beside them.  I’ve seen this at my buddies house where he, his wife and his two daughters were all in the living room “watching” TV but all had iPhones/Ipad touches, iPads out and were all texting and chatting on them at the same time with other people.  No one had a clue that the other person was thinking or talking about with their online friends.  They did this for an hour and then all went to bed.  WTF?

  34. No change in the standings; I’ll be curious to see the injury report later today. I didn’t like how some of those guys were moving, especially Boss Hogg.

    Provisional Race Results
    1. FROOME Christopher
    2. VALVERDE Alejandro
    3. MOLLEMA Bauke
    4. CONTADOR VELASCO Alberto
    5. KREUZIGER Roman
    Provisional VSP Standings
    1. edster99 (39 points)
    2. Viejo (38 points)
    3. Marco (38 points)
    4. margc (36 points)
    5. Mr Dribble (35 points)
    6. Neil Cooper (35 points)
    7. taon24 (33 points)
    8. Trobs (33 points)
    9. V-inden (33 points)
    10. trenchfoot (33 points)
    340. Fred (0 points)
  35. Is it just me or has this year’s tdf seemed fuck’in BORING to follow so far???  We are over halfway through it and nothing seems to have really happened?  Besides one good stage I have been bored to death by it.  Probably just me.  Cannot wait for some decent mountains to come along.

  36. @Buck Rogers

    Is it just me or has this year’s tdf seemed fuck’in BORING to follow so far??? We are over halfway through it and nothing seems to have really happened? Besides one good stage I have been bored to death by it. Probably just me. Cannot wait for some decent mountains to come along.

    I think you hit the nail on the head….the sprint stages are just plain boring.  Corsica was stunning but I think the dreary coverage by p1 and p2 is taking its toll.  I am however looking forward to the mountains!

  37. @unversio

    @Buck Rogers All just you. What were you expecting to happen?

    Also  they have tried to visit some of the original towns from 1903.  These were interesting back then because you regularly had French running out and beating up the Belgians, throwing tacks on the road and general good shit like that….heady days!

  38. @Deakus

    I am however looking forward to the mountains!

    Me, too. Although Sunday morning (Ventoux, bien sûr) I’ll be in the boonies drinking bad coffee before mounting That Fucking Mountain Bike and will have to watch the re-broadcast.

    Did Porte go down today, too? I only caught the final sprint. I thought I read that he got caught up in an earlier crash.

  39. @Buck Rogers

    Is it just me or has this year’s tdf seemed fuck’in BORING to follow so far??? We are over halfway through it and nothing seems to have really happened? Besides one good stage I have been bored to death by it. Probably just me. Cannot wait for some decent mountains to come along.

    I loved both weekend stages, but then, I’d been off the grid for a whole week and seeing a moving picture might have been mesmerizing me. I agree a bit, though, it hasn’t been too thrilling. Neither was the Giro. The Classics were great, though.

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