Le Tour de France 2015

[Mike at C&M]

Chapeau to Cav. A brilliant victory!

[iak]

Mmmmmm

WIBBLE!

 

Dum de Dum de Dum......

[Mallard60022]

Well I'm glad someone 'cleared' Tony M because it did look as though he had shoulder barged the rider on his right. I'm disappointed and feel for him now being out.

That post about the 'communication' has some merit IMO. I find it hard enough to stay upright and pedal with full concentration and that's only on the gym bike.

I know this might ruffle a few feathers but I'm glad to see Froome in yellow .

P

[brightspark]

Looking at the video again....did he touch wheels or was he trying to jump onto the back of the bike to the right and forgot about the rider on his right?

I will stick with an unfortunate touch of wheels
 
Well done to the Manx Missile, I take it all back. It looks like a bad tactic of going too early on the uphill finishes.
 
Tomorrow, Stage 8, Rennes to the Mur de Bretagne.
Now I have ridden up this hill a few times and have even played the KOM game with other silly fools (and I am NOT a climber), and can say that this is steep. It isn't a short steep nasty little climb but one that sucks out the effort and can cause a split.
It will be interesting to see how Daniel Teklehaimanot does on this climb against the big GC guys.
One thing I have noticed is that there is a finish line painted in the road about 20 yards from the very top (where the cross roads is) with some well constructed platforms off to one side. It looks to me like this climb is used for local fish'n'chippers. The road is not that wide so is not good for spectating, it will be about three deep and there is a deep ditch behind you. But the atmosphere is like the Catford Hill climb, so very electric even if you can't see anything. I am hoping to get a good spot just before the town when they will be winding it up.
 
My tip, well I think Tommy Volkler will have a go. He won't get it but I bet he will have a go. I think Froomey will do the honours and get the win.
There that should curse him.
 
Food and drink wise.
Rennes,galette saucisse, parlementin de Rennes (almond, apple and cider pastry).
Mur, pancakes, butter biscuits, venison terrine, farmhouse cheeses.

 

I am already stocked up well with local fare. However if you want to imagine that you are there, the bar at the bottom of the climb has Leffe on tap.

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[ParkeNd]

Good to see Cavendish smiling again even if his interview was his standard speech. Tomorrow's finish looks like a tricky one - so I am going to back a breakaway win by someone I have never heard of.

[jonny777]

Congratulations to Cav.

 

That'll teach me to say he was getting too old for the really high speed stuff.

 

I agree with much of what brightspark says about Teklehaimanot having a serious go at the finish, but I don't think Rodriguez is in this race to play a sentimental second fiddle to the first African polka dot jersey wearer.

 

Therefore my choice for the stage is Joachim Rodriguez.

[Bernard Lamb]

That should settle the nerves for Cavendish.

Greipel went too early this time but Cav admitted afterwards that he did leave it a bit late.

He got away with it which is what counts.

Heading for Vannes. I stayed there one time in a super tiny apartment carved out of the town walls.

No restaurant but breakfast delivered from a café down the road on a tray.

As for refreshments. It has to be shellfish. A 50cm plate with a mound of ice in the centre and every type of creepy crawly you can imagine. A set of tools to open said beasties that would require a car mechanics course to utilise efficiently. Probably worth pinching as they would make a good tool kit for modelling. To wash it down a bottle of Muscadet. If you are feeling flush then half a lobster as a centre piece and a single estate wine such as Chateau de la Pierre.

Not able to watch it live today as I am off to ride our local 10 mile time trial. A warm up outing on the road bike in preparation for a serious event next Wednesday.

The finish today might be a chance for Froome to let the others know that he means business. However Sky need an easy day with the team time trial to follow, an area where they need to improve on recent efforts to keep Froome in contention.

Bernard

[Joseph_Pestell]

Is there any way to get live coverage via t'internet? Sat here waiting for customers and could spend some time following the Tour.

[jonny777]

Yes, but you will almost certainly have to pay a subscription.

 

Eurosport player is your best bet.  http://www.eurosportplayer.co.uk/

 

You may be able to get 'free' European tv coverage, but some sites are very dodgy (full of viruses to download) and/or contain adverts that only seem to go away for about 5 seconds before popping up again, or have Romanian commentary, or even all three of those.

[jonny777]

Sorry, I am misleading you. It is live and free on ITV4  -  https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/itv4

[EddieB]

Special guest appearance by the Ian Allan bookshop in Lower Marsh in the O2 advert during the commercial break on ITV4.

[Joseph_Pestell]

Sorry, I am misleading you. It is live and free on ITV4  -  https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/itv4

 

Thanks. That made the time pass much better. Interesting finish.

[Mallard60022]

Andy, I told SWMBO (another road cyclist in the family) about your brilliant 'food/drink of the day' routine. Earnt you some browny points mate.

She has also done the on/off road world renowned White Church ride in Vassiliki (Lefkas Island, Greece). Not bad for 67 years young.

Phil 

[jonny777]

Hands up who picked today's stage winner? 

[ParkeNd]

Hands up who picked today's stage winner? 

I did. I said it would be someone I had never heard of - and I was right.

[brightspark]

Today I spectated from Mur de Bretagne.
I couldn't see this working in the UK....I mean closing down a motorway...

Our plan was to stop at Caurel, just outside of Mur and cycle in. (SWMBO doesn't cycle so this took a lot of convincing)
Anyway the motorway was closed and all traffic was diverted to Caurel and spectators had to take a shuttle bus into town. We were told that ALL roads are closed except for the cycle track. So we went on with plan A. There were traffic jams because every car and I mean every car had to argue with the police who had closed the road.
Anyway the cycle track runs along the old railway line and anyone who has seen Gordon and Maggie Gravetts model of Pempaul would immediately recognise where they were.
 
We came out at Mur by the station, indeed the car park Gare. This is on the south side of the town and it seems about 7km from the finish. As there was a good view of the road, a place that sold crepes and a big screen (and SWMBO had to cycle back) we stopped and enjoyed the day.
One tip is that when the publicity caravan comes past don't have a tub of icecream in your hands as you will not get any freebies. Not that this tat is worth much, but... so this year I missed out on Haribo, cakes and susages. But struck gold with a good frozen food bag curtesy of McCains.

Of course the race runs past a such a speed, and any commentary is in French . So who knows what is happening. The big screen was obliterated by strong sun and children on top of parents shoulders, so all I could make out of the run up to the finish were some dark shapes.
I heard various names from the commentary....Segan....Froome attacks...then a gasp from the crowd...then cheering as a French lad made the jump...then the crowd went mad as Vuillermoz got the stage win.
 
I still cant get the stage high-lites on as the net is a bit wonky. So you guys saw more than me.
 
However here are a few snaps that I took of the day to share.


The race approaches.

It passes. Oh I wish the camera was faster.

Errr who was that?

SWMBO took some better pictures, I will post later when she has finished editing and we try and add names.
A tough stage as there were lots of backmarkers amongst the cars

See if you cab identify any riders.

Here are a few shots of Gare de Cuarel(?)on the way back including what looks like the crossing keeper/station master house.

Apologies for the wonky pictures...It was hot and I have had a lot of Cidre
 
Tomorrow is the team time trial. Stage 9, Vannes to Plumelec.
Speciality for Vannes is Seafood, gotchial (brioche), cola, beer and cider. (Cola?????)
Plumelec, andouille de Guémené, cider, potato pancakes.

Just think Cidre and crepes and you can't go wrong.

Who will win?
Well who has a good number of team members left, who has a team that is evenly matched and has spent time on their TT bikes. Bear in mind that it was not that long ago when the rider only sat on the specialist time trail bike on the morning of the race. With all this in mind my instinct is for a good performance from Sky as I think that they have the discipline. But then I am often wrong.

 

For me it will be a long picnic by the side of the road somewhere near Plmelec. This all depends on what roads are closed and if we can find the course.

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[Mallard60022]

Andy you lucky sod................................

I bet one could have bought old railway property like that over there for a few Euros/Francs when they were first available, unless of course the French had cottoned on to the fact that they were 'wanted', especially by Brits like 'us'! 

Remind me, do you get to one or morer sites every year? If so, how far ahead do you have to plan because of accommodation etc?

Phil

[jonny777]

Very difficult with team time trials, as not only do we have to predict the strongest team; but who they will allow first of five over the line and therefore win the stage.

 

Orica-Greenedge would have started favourites had they had all their riders, but have lost three and others are not in good condition.

 

I will plump for Tinkoff-Saxo to win, and for Peter Sagan to be first over the line for them to get a stage win that he has missed out on so far.

[brightspark]

Hi Mallard,

 

The French or at least the Brettons don't seem to really care about old buildings. Check out some of the articles written by the Gravitt's about Pempual. For historical records they had to go to the bus company and ended up writing the history of the line themselves. As for the old cottages like the one I am staying in, the only people who seem interested in restoring them are the Brits. The French would rather live in the town in a modern house with all modern facilities.

 

As for accommodation, you can travel around. But I am based in a cottage south of Rosternon in a village called Bonen. Finding places to stay, especially in the middle of Brittainy is challenging even if you know the name and location of the property. Nearer the coast is easier. So from here I can catch a couple of stages and then explore. You are only forty odd miles from either coast.

 

If you want to catch the tour I start to plan when the route is announced in October/ November. If it comes out this way then I know where to book. It would be nice perhaps to go elsewhere, I fancy the mountains. But I bet the price of digs is expensive. Or could do what the French and Dutch do....camper van.

 

Right, I am off to see Le Tour. C'mon Sky.

 

Andy

[Mallard60022]

Thanks Andy. Rest day tomorrow then?

Phil

[David Todd]

Went to Alpe Duez last century, on a Sporting Tours trip (coach), with my then road bike,lives up to what is shown.

[ParkeNd]

Didn't watch today. Team Time Trials are not very exciting for TV spectators. No real chance of a change until Tuesday.

 

Is it just me or has this been a bit of an odd TdeF so far?

[Mike at C&M]

There is no doubt that the opening week of the TdF has been different to previous years, and that is what has created the excitement.

 

Usually I dismiss the opening week of flat, sprinting stages, but 2015 has seen been different (or odd) compared to years previous, and what has transpired has been like a good book - I can't put it down

 

Even today's Team Time Trial was going to have a profound effect on the GC, so was worth watching.

 

My favourite is the mountain stages. So into the Pyrenees for Bastille Day. Always a chance for a Frenchman to please the holiday crowds, so I go for Tony Gallopin to lead in a close race for the time bonuses.

[brightspark]

Just got back from Plumelec. You won't believe the traffic jam getting out of the town.

Our plan was to get a good point on the last hill. The trouble was that the rest of France had the same idea.

We walked down the hill until we found a good spot just before the red kite.

Look out for a yellow Tee shirt in a blue and yellow hat on the right hand side of the road. SWMBO is in the white hat with a camera and my friend Simon in a polka dot jersey.

Pictures to follow, if any came out.

 

Andy

[brightspark]

Apologies for the very poor pictures. For some reason my camera has decided to make everything blue.
So I have played around with the colour to try and correct, but it just looks overcast when really it was quite bright.

The problem with being on the inside of a corner was that there was no time to get the subject into shot. I have loads of pictures of sky, trees, the barriers or the back of somebodys head.
 
Anyway first thru were Orica Green edge who looked visably slow.
As other teams came through they looked more convincing, but the number of riders shelled off the back, and how far off the back I think was reflected in the teams performance. The team time trial is perhaps a very hard discipline as you do have to overcome egos. Sky looked like they were trying.
 
Anyway here are the best snaps from today In order of who came past. (Note I did miss a few)

Orica Green edge. So slow they are in focus.





Contador of Saxo-Tinkoff. Shame the colour is out.

BMC, smooth and what was still together looking good.

Sky looked like they were trying and certainly seemed to be together.
 
Sky were last on the road, and this is the motorcycle mounted press corps in pursuit.
 
Rest day tomorrow. So time to recharge, get some supplies in from the local Carrefour and predict your stage winners.

Remember it is Bastille day on Tuesday, so the shops will be shut...oh that's just here....expect the French riders to do something. Anyone want to predict as to which Km Tommy Voekler will attack?

 

Andy