That time of the year again...
I'm a little surprised how quickly things opened up this year. We're only on day 4 and already Chris Froome has picked up a significant time advantage over some of his rivals. This usually doesn't happen so early. And too bad about Fabian Cancellera having to bow out of the race so early.
So, anyone else watching? If you're watch it every year, share your thoughts on why, please.
It is on early in the morning here (West Coast) so we watch as we are having breakfast and getting ready for the day.
Why? I am interested in cycling because there are two competitors in our family ( myself and my son), although our sport is mountain biking, not road cycling. Also, as a cancer survivor I was a big Lance Armstrong fan, although that admiration has disintegrated into dust. Finally, I really enjoy the commentary, especially Phil Leggett, and the scenery.
They are approaching the cobblestones now---gotta pay attention!
I thought you'd never ask! Well, I was waiting for the excitement over the U.S. women's soccer win to settle down too...;-)
It sure did move quickly in those first few stages, with so much happening. I am quite bummed out that Fabulous Fabian Cancellara has been injured-again. The first half of the race was tailor made for him, it seemed, and he could've hung with it in the second half too, not many guys like him. One of the commentators likened that huge 40 mph or so crash to jumping out of your car on the freeway in pajamas, really kinda hard to watch.
I wait all year for the tour, and only about half of my anticipation is due to being a fan of the actual racing; a big part of why I watch is to see and learn more about Europe. The photography is largely from a helicopter, giving huge views of picturesque villages and countryside. Invariably there are short segments discussing the local history or showing a key sight in the area the tour is passing through. It's a great way to pick up on and enjoy some European culture.
I'd love to see Nairo Quintana make a good showing! As for Mr. Cavendish, it really is a love him or hate him thing. While I surely don't hate him, and he's a great racer with more than 25 TDF stage wins, when he sat up the other day after seeing he wasn't going to win that stage, allowing Cancellara to claim the maillot jaune instead of Cav's teammate Tony Martin-who just spent the day helping Cav, it really annoyed me. This is the Tour de France! Race! Okay, rant over.
Big fan of cycling. Have been years when we did over 2000 miles of riding. Unfortunately not the past three years. Need to get back into shape and back at it. Use to have a habit of riding my birthday in miles each year.
....as in previous years, NBC is offering a premium HD commercial-free web stream. $19.99 for the whole tour. Details here:
Love the Tour de France! I started watching three years ago when we were heading to France for a trip. Now I look forward to it every year. I love the scenery and the quaint villages the tour passes through. And, the people watching is hilarious - especially when they get into the mountains. Cracks me up.
Now that I've watched it a few years I know much more of the racers and know who I like to root for. Spoiler Alert: SO happy that Tony Martin finally gets to wear the yellow!!!
ACK! That's a spoiler there, Dawn. I had only watched 2 out of 5 hours before I went in to work. But, I am really glad to hear that Mr Cav is somewhat redeemed, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy than Tony Martin.
Sorry Dave! I guess not everyone is like me and glued to the t.v. to watch it live. I apologize. I will add a spoiler alert warning to my original message.
Enjoy the race today - it's a good one!!
Oh no biggie Dawn, in fact my outlook for the day has improved since finding out! Good to hear, happy for Tony M.
Edit: That was beautiful!
I got interested in the TDF back in the Greg LeMond days. It always amazes me what these competitors put themselves thru. I especially like the mountain stages.
I watch as much as I can. I can't watch most mornings because I'm on my way to work, then fall asleep before the later recap show ends (because I have to get up early). I love the mountain stages and, of course, the views of medieval towns they pass through.
. The photography is largely from a helicopter, giving huge views of picturesque villages and countryside. Invariably there are short segments discussing the local history or showing a key sight in the area the tour is passing through. It's a great way to pick up on and enjoy some European culture.
French tv (responsible for the pool video all broadcasters get) really shines in their race coverage. They do so much better than the camera crews covering the Giro Vuelta, or the smaller pro races, IMO.
I've got nothing against Froome personally but just can't support anyone on Sky after the way they treated Wiggins after his Tour win, You don't put the defending champ out with the rubbish because you found something new and shinier that you like. Nor can I get behind Contador (known doper) or Nibbles (Astana nearly got kicked out of the UCI recently because of too many doping positives) so I'm hoping for Qunitana to make up the early deficit or one of the Americans to surprise. And that wild card entry MTN-Qhubeka can get some positive results because I'd love to see them help grow African cycling huge.
I'm also trying to figure out how Peter Sagan can be eligible for the white jersey for what seem like the 8th Tour in a row. Did he get his pro card before he had to shave?
I have been watching the Tour de France on TV5 mainly ...very interesting since I follow it more or less every year anyway. This time so far it has been more interesting since the route has been in northern France...Nord Pas de Calais and today's coverage to Albert and Amiens. It's great to see the countryside in northern France in particular esp when it covers places and sites I have visited.
And down and out goes another yellow jersey wearer today. Geez, being the leader is like the kiss of death this year.
Good to see the continent of Africa pick up their first ever Tour de France jersey this year, though.
I love the tour and the coverage (name another sport where the commentators are consistently knowledgeable, witty and able to communicate so well with the viewers). I have been following for years and use the tour website to plot the routes in conjunction with the coverage to define locations to visit.
I love the Tour. Been watching since 2001. Saw the final stage on the Champs in 2001 which was a thrill. The race itself is really fascinating, really fun... multi-layered things happening all the time.
Also love the commentators.... Bob Roll, Phil and Paul!! Feel like I know them... Then there's the scenery! The countryside, the villages, the chateaux, the towns, the coastline and English Channel today... Makes me feel like I'm in France every day. I love every minute of it.
Is it just me or is anyone else bothered by the way Christian Vande Velde talks? He is so in-articulate... he constantly starts to say one thing then in mid-sentence he stops and says something completely different... really jarring for me to listen to him.
I like him, he seems like a nice guy, but he was caught doping as well... seemed to be the culture for many years.
It was a thrill to see the Manx Missile back in peak form today. At the end of a race, there's few cyclists who can cause so much excitement.
The Manx Missiiiiiile, as Phil and Paul say ;-) 'Bout time! He's a freak of nature.
Last year was fairly hideous, with the crashes and all. I had no idea I'd need to have a box of tissues handy for this year's tour :-(
I've had the luxury of a DVR the last 2 or 3 years, but that's not necessarily good - I used to have to be in front of my TV around 3:00 am - 5:00 am (BOO!), but now the tour can last.all.day, with my pausing, rewinding, etc. I've just finished today's race and it's 6:00 PM. The race was over at 8:30 AM...Oof.
At least nobody lost a limb today. Yea.
JENSIE!
I completely forgot about JENSIE!
Please forgive me, Jens ;-)
Ahhh...more bad news. On Mon, 7/13, Ivan Basso (Team Tinkoff-Saxo with teammate Alberto Contador) abandoned the TdF due to the discovery of testicular cancer. On Stage 5, he was involved in a 'minor' crash but continued to feel residual pain. Yesterday the decision was made to further investigate this on today's Rest Day, and a scan revealed the "small" tumor.
We will certainly miss him on the mountain stages...
Susan, as for Christian Vande Velde, I really like him. His delivery leaves something to be desired at times, but I do think it's a really good dynamic with the other guys, and I don't notice his meandering-he brings a fairly current view from the rider's perspective. As for doping, I can't just put him in that box and write him off; on the U.S. Postal team he would've been under the thumb of the Manipulator in Chief, Lance Armstrong, and I for one would cut some slack to him there. The trend is towards more clean riders every year, let's hope it continues.
It's a great Tour this year, as usual.
Dave, I agree with you. I like Christian Vande Velde, as I said. He must have read my post because his speaking style has improved dramatically. Agree too about his doping, I have no judgment on that... as I said, it was part of the culture. I'm loving the Tour!
Anyone catch Geraint Thomas's crash today? After seeing what appeared to be a horrific crash of him slamming into a telephone pole, I was expecting Phil Ligget and Paul Sherwin to say at any second that "We have tragic news to announce..."
But instead, the news was miraculous. Not only was he not injured, but he only lost 40 seconds of time in the race! He appeared to be completely uninjured in his post-race interview... but quite angry.
I don't know a thing about the racing or racers but I do love to watch it for the beautiful scenery.
GT was a very lucky man today and I'm still expecting the announcement of a concussion to come out of the rest day. A few inches more and a little more speed and the result could have been far worse.
Warren Barguil is unlikely to have many friends in the peleton the rest of the race. No matter how he tries to deflect blame, he took a stupid chance he didn't have to and almost killed another cyclist.
Awful to see GThomas crash like that, I too hope he's okay. That aside it was a pretty great day of racing.
