Tour de France 2009

[smallblueplanet]

Oooh we're nearly starting...just watching Eurosport presenting the teams to the media and a largeish audience in Monaco...

[srodders]

Best weekend away I've had recently was to go and watch the TdF when it started in London. Watching it on TV is good - being there is fantastic.

[bobleponge]

Le Tour, La Grande Boucle... I love it, but hate it too.
I can and have sat and watched the entire tour, every televised pedal stroke, and marvel at the strength and endurance of these guys. I'm addicted to it, to see men that are built like sticks driving themselves up mountains faster than I could run down them.
And yet, I know, with sickening certainty that there will be scandals involved, and for that I hate it.
I will watch as much of it as I can, I can see Millar doing pretty well this year on G.C. as well as Cavendish getting a good few stage wins, but I dont think Armstrong will do too much.
Who have you got your hard earned on to win Manda?

[Nicos]

Thank goodness I've got access to English TV!!!!!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Stuart O'Grady is my top fav rider, he's a real sportsman. He's gone from being his teams sprinter to one of the workhorses, but luckily for me that means he's up at the front of the pack all day (getting lots of camera time) instead of in the middle of the scrum at the finish line.

Stuey also lead Le Tour through Ashford in 2007, but I broke my foot the day before and my OH wouldn't take me to the course in a wheelbarrow to see them roll through. That may be grounds for divorce - I'll bear it in mind (only joking).

[smallblueplanet]

...Who have you got your hard earned on to win Manda?

Dunno really, I'm an 'armchair' fan. I think Cavendish is an excellent chap and good for the sport, so hope he wins some Stages. But as for who will win...

I really watch for the 'spectacle' and for the scenery! I enjoy the cycling too and I'd like to see some live, but I'll have to make do with Eurosport for another year. (No doubt there'll be more cr@p coverage from them, including showing bike racing instead of the Tour! I wish Sky would make a bid at least they'd cover it properly. ITV4 show less than Eurosport, so I don't know why they bother either!)

[zazen999]

Er, is this the Bike Thingy?

Yellow vest and all that?

I'm not really into sports.

[JimmerG]

I can't wait either - I get vritualy no work done through being rivetted in front of the TDF website.. Then straight back home to watch and hour's highlights on ITV4.

I reckon Contedor is in with a good shout, or one of the Schleck brothers. I simply can't see Lance winning again. Hope that sulky moody wining Cadel Evans doesn't win either. Cavendish will win at least 4 stages - the guy is a human rocket. Really looking forward to those mountain stages - the stuff these guys acheive is simply incomprehensible. They'll be going through Andorra this year - I did the very climb they'll be doing, a few years ago, and had to camp over night half way up!!

I'll also be rolling the old road bike out for a couple of months to join the hoards of lurid lycra clad wannabe Armstrongs on the roads. I had a HIDEOUS mountain bike crash 4 weeks ago, bashed up my knee and broke my elbow - so some light bimbling on the roads will be nice.

Now what did I do with that cow bell?.......Allez allez allez!!

[Pumpkin Becki]

Er, is this the Bike Thingy?

Yellow vest and all that?

I'm not really into sports.

Ooh yeah Zaz - men in spandex! Its fantastic!!

[zazen999]

Ooh yeah Zaz - men in spandex! Its fantastic!!

I've got plenty of KISS videos for that.

[Pumpkin Becki]

I've got plenty of KISS videos for that.

Its not the same I assure you

[zazen999]

Er.......I'll have to have a think about that.

[bobleponge]

Its just the most awesome spectacle, if you like that sort of thing.
I reckon Contador, but I just have a sneak that Millar may do something. Cavendish is nailed on for at least 3 stages having seen the itinerary this year, long flat sprints.
Dont think Armstrong will do anything, despite his "I'll kick their asses" pronouncement, but I hope he is man enough to realise that, and work for the team, even as a domestique if needed.
The Tour went right near my house a couple of years ago, only about a 15 minute drive, which was brilliant.
Only I was abroad. Rubbish.

[bobleponge]

Hmmm I may now revise slightly my above prediction re Cavendish, as Boonen has been allowed to race after all. The pair of them are phenomenal sprinters, but I think Boonen's lead out men are stronger than Cavendish's so not so sure now.

And Nicos, no need to worry and watch it on UK TV with all that foreign language stuff, TF2 do pretty much full day coverage of each stage, so you can breathe easier now.

[Nicos]

UUrrmmm...I meant- thank goodness I've got something more interesting to watch!!!!...sorry!!!!