Tour de France '08

**Cerebro** · 07-02-2008, 06:53 PM

It's that time of year again.
A couple of days till the circus hits the road.
I'll be following the Aussies.

**v3d4** · 07-02-2008, 07:50 PM

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

Peace seeker · 07-03-2008, 04:02 AM

have fun with the family Cerebro

if u see Carla Bruni, send her a kiss

**sput·nik** · 07-03-2008, 05:20 AM

cadel is looking pretty huge, had a massive spring season and seems to be heading towards peak shape.

looks like the last week is gonna be pretty nuts.. otherwise not too much potential for action aside from stage 10 before they they ride into the alps on 15.

the first ITT is too short to sort much of anything out, but the penultimate day is a long enough poke that could leave Evans or Valverde a final opportunity to reign in a pure climber if one sneaks the jersey though the alps.

the stage that everyone should watch:

hoping for a clean, decisive year.. the TdF sure could use it.

**sput·nik** · 07-03-2008, 05:36 AM

oh and fuck christian prudhomme & everyone involved in denying the trip to Astana (definitive leaders of the team ProTour standings!)

this thread reminds me that i've gotta call the cable company to have them set me up for the month

nothin else worth watchin all year long..

**Cerebro** · 07-03-2008, 05:55 AM

l'Alpe d'Huez will own at the end of that stage.
Where would you attack though? Definitely a stage not to be missed.
I'm looking forward to watching popovych drag cadel up those mountains.
I wonder if Thomas Dekker will ride this year.

**sput·nik** · 07-03-2008, 06:48 AM

there'll be bodies all over the road by the time they hit the middle slopes of d'Huez.. if Cadel or Valverde don't have what it takes to split up the remaining leaders, the Schleck bros. & Carlos Sastre (watch out for CSC in the mountains...) or maybe Damiano Cunego, will.
after stages 15 (mountaintop finish) and 16 (2 x HC passes) the differences between the boys & the men will be well defined..

Cadel definitely has a great man in Popo, but I was really surprised that Lotto didn't make more of an effort to keep Chris Horner from going over to Astana after a couple solid, perhaps underappreciated, TdF performances in a row. Not unreasonable that they thought they had the better man in Popo... both amazing domestiques.
Valverde is riding as well this year as he did 2 years ago, when he almost surely would have trounced Landis if not for crashing out.. his only question is longevity as he remains unproven in 3 week tours aside from '06 in Spain when he was only beaten by Vino and Kaschekin, who were both probably riding soaked to the tits in bagged blood.
Cunego is the same, having had a great time in Italy years back, but faltering since. After a good early season, he wants to challenge this year too, but I'm not sure he has the team to do it.

This year looks like it'll take efforts across the board, as there just aren't that many spectacular stages for lone riders to really get away & effectively make any time.
CSC is the only team with real depth in the climbs, and it's hard to imagine the quiet Evans getting antsy before the time is right.. so we'll just have to wait and see who rides the smarter first 2 weeks,whether a few early efforts shake the field up or if it all stays together until the final few days.
despite making for some slow watching early on, i am hoping for the latter as I'd really like to see some good battles in the Alps rather than someone dominating & the rest of them packing it in & saving the guns for Beijing & España

anyways, just secured my coverage beginning on the 8th.

pumped is an understatement.

**Cerebro** · 07-03-2008, 06:59 AM

I'm sure the TT at the end will be a major factor.
Cadel is too good in TT's, they'll have to get a gap before then.
Oi!, Oi!, Oi!.

**sput·nik** · 07-03-2008, 07:46 AM

with regards to that day, don't count Valverde out. it's reasonably hilly instead of nice & flat like Cadel would like (though it is long which suits him.) It'll be over an hour of riding for the winner.. there is definitely going to be some significant time gained by a few, lost by many.

but without question, Piti has increased his TT abilities over the last year. of note, on the way to his overall victory there..
Valverde steals the 2008 Dauphine ITT from Leipheimer & Evans

In any case, it will be awesome to see the 2 of them battle it out.. Not sure if you followed the Spring Classics but they were both big players this year.

The rivalry should be intense

**sput·nik** · 07-05-2008, 06:35 PM

and it's on!

no prologue this year..

i didn't get to see any coverage, sounds like they had an uphill sprint.

bold to take the yellow right from the start.

time trial on tuesday..

**Captain Cannabis** · 07-05-2008, 07:41 PM

whooo tour de france yay!

GratefulDead · 07-05-2008, 08:56 PM

Exciting, some skinny guys pedaling around on 2000 dollar bikes....woo. I just cant pay attention to the race. Every time I think of it I cant get the picture of the one-balled lance Armstrong out of my head.

**sput·nik** · 07-05-2008, 11:54 PM

theres probably internet sites about for that sort of interest.

in the meantime, look out for the Columbia train to pull Cavendish to victory tomorrow.

Silence-Lotto went so far as to say that McEwen was all but on his own this year for the sprints.

**Captain Cannabis** · 07-05-2008, 11:55 PM

.bump

**Cerebro** · 07-05-2008, 11:58 PM

and watch out for their team cars: did you hear about Johan Van Summeren?
Valverde's team did most of the work chasing down the breakaway.

**sput·nik** · 07-06-2008, 12:03 AM

yeah, right through the back of the windshield eh?

i did that about 4 years ago now.. big old utility van, just glad it was one with windows instead of solid doors. rode home from the spot on the bike instead of from the spinal trauma unit in a wheelchair

also heard that Mauricio Soler, that gangly Colombian who took the KoM last year as a rookie, probably refractured his wrist from earlier this year and is probably done.. rather a shame as Barloworld has had a great year up to this point and obviously have high hopes for stage wins & the other jerseys during the tour with Robbie Hunter and Soler both.

I think Valverde wanted the victory.. he basically said as much when they were talking to him about the uphill sprint yesterday. Pretty awesome that he followed through & no sweat if they only hold the jersey for a few days.. the mental tactics have already begun.

**Cerebro** · 07-06-2008, 12:51 AM

Popovych might be injured too, unfortunately.

**Cerebro** · 07-07-2008, 07:18 AM

Yesterday was pretty boring, obviously a good win to Thor, but little else.
Interesting to see Valvedere a little jumpy at the end, he might regret that later. Day 2 only.
Looking forward to seeing Cavendish at the end today, alot of hype, last chance for the sprinters for a while. Hoping to see McEwen emerge from nowhere.

like last year.

**sput·nik** · 07-07-2008, 09:06 AM

still haven't been able to watch any coverage yet, but sounds like today will be super fast.

haha McEwen was never a guy who needed much of a delivery, was he? always fun to try to pick him out in the last kilometer.

**Cerebro** · 07-07-2008, 08:35 PM

I can never do it.
McEwen was unlucky not to get the stage win last night.
Such an anti-climax when the breakaway succeeds on a straight forward day, still, the wind and rain looks pretty nasty.

07-02-2008, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
v3d4 sky mind daughter Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Terrapin Station Posts: 5,643 Thanks: 32 Thanked 163 Times in 91 Posts	Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Attached Images __________________ remember our Governor Ken Gorman

07-03-2008, 05:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	cadel is looking pretty huge, had a massive spring season and seems to be heading towards peak shape. looks like the last week is gonna be pretty nuts.. otherwise not too much potential for action aside from stage 10 before they they ride into the alps on 15. the first ITT is too short to sort much of anything out, but the penultimate day is a long enough poke that could leave Evans or Valverde a final opportunity to reign in a pure climber if one sneaks the jersey though the alps. the stage that everyone should watch: hoping for a clean, decisive year.. the TdF sure could use it. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs

07-03-2008, 05:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	oh and fuck christian prudhomme & everyone involved in denying the trip to Astana (definitive leaders of the team ProTour standings!) this thread reminds me that i've gotta call the cable company to have them set me up for the month nothin else worth watchin all year long.. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs

07-03-2008, 06:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	there'll be bodies all over the road by the time they hit the middle slopes of d'Huez.. if Cadel or Valverde don't have what it takes to split up the remaining leaders, the Schleck bros. & Carlos Sastre (watch out for CSC in the mountains...) or maybe Damiano Cunego, will. after stages 15 (mountaintop finish) and 16 (2 x HC passes) the differences between the boys & the men will be well defined.. Cadel definitely has a great man in Popo, but I was really surprised that Lotto didn't make more of an effort to keep Chris Horner from going over to Astana after a couple solid, perhaps underappreciated, TdF performances in a row. Not unreasonable that they thought they had the better man in Popo... both amazing domestiques. Valverde is riding as well this year as he did 2 years ago, when he almost surely would have trounced Landis if not for crashing out.. his only question is longevity as he remains unproven in 3 week tours aside from '06 in Spain when he was only beaten by Vino and Kaschekin, who were both probably riding soaked to the tits in bagged blood. Cunego is the same, having had a great time in Italy years back, but faltering since. After a good early season, he wants to challenge this year too, but I'm not sure he has the team to do it. This year looks like it'll take efforts across the board, as there just aren't that many spectacular stages for lone riders to really get away & effectively make any time. CSC is the only team with real depth in the climbs, and it's hard to imagine the quiet Evans getting antsy before the time is right.. so we'll just have to wait and see who rides the smarter first 2 weeks,whether a few early efforts shake the field up or if it all stays together until the final few days. despite making for some slow watching early on, i am hoping for the latter as I'd really like to see some good battles in the Alps rather than someone dominating & the rest of them packing it in & saving the guns for Beijing & España anyways, just secured my coverage beginning on the 8th. pumped is an understatement. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs

07-03-2008, 07:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	i'm not the biggest fan of the guy, but with regards to that day, don't count Valverde out. it's reasonably hilly instead of nice & flat like Cadel would like (though it is long which suits him.) It'll be over an hour of riding for the winner.. there is definitely going to be some significant time gained by a few, lost by many. but without question, Piti has increased his TT abilities over the last year. of note, on the way to his overall victory there.. Valverde steals the 2008 Dauphine ITT from Leipheimer & Evans In any case, it will be awesome to see the 2 of them battle it out.. Not sure if you followed the Spring Classics but they were both big players this year. The rivalry should be intense __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs Last edited by sput·nik; 07-03-2008 at 07:52 AM.

07-03-2008, 04:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peace seeker one day at a time Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 5,932 Thanks: 112 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts	have fun with the family Cerebro if u see Carla Bruni, send her a kiss

07-05-2008, 06:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	and it's on! no prologue this year.. i didn't get to see any coverage, sounds like they had an uphill sprint. bold to take the yellow right from the start. time trial on tuesday.. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs

07-05-2008, 07:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis i hate emus Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: oslo Posts: 10,210 Thanks: 276 Thanked 241 Times in 166 Posts	whooo tour de france yay! __________________ fuck the monkeys

07-05-2008, 08:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
GratefulDead Mota Thief Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 228 Thanks: 23 Thanked 31 Times in 30 Posts	Exciting, some skinny guys pedaling around on 2000 dollar bikes....woo. I just cant pay attention to the race. Every time I think of it I cant get the picture of the one-balled lance Armstrong out of my head.

07-05-2008, 11:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	theres probably internet sites about for that sort of interest. in the meantime, look out for the Columbia train to pull Cavendish to victory tomorrow. Silence-Lotto went so far as to say that McEwen was all but on his own this year for the sprints. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs Last edited by sput·nik; 07-05-2008 at 11:58 PM.

07-05-2008, 11:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
Captain Cannabis i hate emus Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: oslo Posts: 10,210 Thanks: 276 Thanked 241 Times in 166 Posts	.bump __________________ fuck the monkeys

07-06-2008, 12:03 AM	#16 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	yeah, right through the back of the windshield eh? i did that about 4 years ago now.. big old utility van, just glad it was one with windows instead of solid doors. rode home from the spot on the bike instead of from the spinal trauma unit in a wheelchair also heard that Mauricio Soler, that gangly Colombian who took the KoM last year as a rookie, probably refractured his wrist from earlier this year and is probably done.. rather a shame as Barloworld has had a great year up to this point and obviously have high hopes for stage wins & the other jerseys during the tour with Robbie Hunter and Soler both. I think Valverde wanted the victory.. he basically said as much when they were talking to him about the uphill sprint yesterday. Pretty awesome that he followed through & no sweat if they only hold the jersey for a few days.. the mental tactics have already begun. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs Last edited by sput·nik; 07-06-2008 at 12:08 AM.

07-07-2008, 09:06 AM	#19 (permalink)
sput·nik denizen Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: the white lodge Posts: 3,958 Thanks: 86 Thanked 79 Times in 57 Posts	still haven't been able to watch any coverage yet, but sounds like today will be super fast. haha McEwen was never a guy who needed much of a delivery, was he? always fun to try to pick him out in the last kilometer. __________________ Which came first, the intestine or the tapeworm? - William S. Burroughs

07-07-2008, 08:35 PM	#20 (permalink)
Cerebro Non Reactive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: White Plume Mountain Posts: 2,179 Thanks: 2 Thanked 84 Times in 72 Posts	I can never do it. McEwen was unlucky not to get the stage win last night. Such an anti-climax when the breakaway succeeds on a straight forward day, still, the wind and rain looks pretty nasty. __________________ The Prophet - Kahlil Gibran