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Tour de France 11 Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens > Plateau de Beille 168.5km
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 18:56
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siwi wrote:
Gustavovskiy wrote:
Guido Mukk wrote:
Pyrenees over..quite disappointment
I hope Alps jubilee year..will give us some nice riding and real fight
Are you serious? I kinda consider these last few stages have made the Tour more interesting than any edition in the last decade (unless maybe the Sastre year)
I mean, I look at the top10 and I think I couldn't have imagined a more open GC than what we have now!
Its open because the favorits are damn boring. Yes, its very open, thats nice, but also very boring and disappointing imo. Thats not nice.
Clearly the giro was amazing, Contador wins it on the first mounatin stage and... That's all 
At least here it's interresting!
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| kumazan |
Posted on 16-07-2011 18:58
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BouBBox wrote:
siwi wrote:
Gustavovskiy wrote:
Guido Mukk wrote:
Pyrenees over..quite disappointment
I hope Alps jubilee year..will give us some nice riding and real fight
Are you serious? I kinda consider these last few stages have made the Tour more interesting than any edition in the last decade (unless maybe the Sastre year)
I mean, I look at the top10 and I think I couldn't have imagined a more open GC than what we have now!
Its open because the favorits are damn boring. Yes, its very open, thats nice, but also very boring and disappointing imo. Thats not nice.
Clearly the giro was amazing, Contador wins it on the first mounatin stage and... That's all
At least here it's interresting!
But at least there we had awesome racing. If I had to choose between a close GC with boring racing, and a soon decided winner (but a open fight for 2nd, which could be the winner after CAS) with awesome racing, I know what I'd choose.
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:04
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kumazan wrote:
But at least there we had awesome racing. If I had to choose between a close GC with boring racing, and a soon decided winner (but a open fight for 2nd, which could be the winner after CAS) with awesome racing, I know what I'd choose.
Awesome racing? There was no better racing in the Giro than in this TdF, Hushovd, Roy, Casar, Voeckler, Gilbert, Vanendert etc., all these raced really well. The only "boring" thing is that the leaders don't really try, but neither did they in the Giro... I mean, action happend in todays huge breakaway every 10-20 kms...
Edited by BouBBox on 16-07-2011 19:05
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:09
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kumazan wrote:
The GC is pretty close, but the price we had to pay (2 weeks of nothing happening) is too high.
We could as well make the Tour one week long so with one week to the finish you'd have 198 riders in 0 seconds.
Yeah you're right. But then you'd give away the points classification to one of the GC contenders as it happens in the Giro. Sure flat stages are boring but they are also needed imo.
siwi wrote:
Its open because the favorits are damn boring. Yes, its very open, thats nice, but also very boring and disappointing imo. Thats not nice.
The favorites are boring? How many of the riders in the final group did not attack? I may agree if you say that some of them were holding their strengths but boring? I don't think so.
Anyway can you even blame them if they ride consevatively, when they have to ride 21 stages of some of the France's toughest mountains? If you want to see some kamikaze riding you can watch a tape of an EPO's golden era TdF...
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| doddy13 |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:09
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The giro was dull this year.
This Tour I'm really enjoying.
There's no point slapping a schleck - Sean Kelly on "Who needs a slap"
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 23:24
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:10
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doddy13 wrote:
The giro was dull this year.
This Tour I'm really enjoying.
Finally someone who has my opinion 
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| kumazan |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:19
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BouBBox wrote:
kumazan wrote:
But at least there we had awesome racing. If I had to choose between a close GC with boring racing, and a soon decided winner (but a open fight for 2nd, which could be the winner after CAS) with awesome racing, I know what I'd choose.
Awesome racing? There was no better racing in the Giro than in this TdF, Hushovd, Roy, Casar, Voeckler, Gilbert, Vanendert etc., all these raced really well. The only "boring" thing is that the leaders don't really try, but neither did they in the Giro... I mean, action happend in todays huge breakaway every 10-20 kms...
Stage 1: TTT vs uphill sprint. Tour marginally better
Stage 2: sprint vs sprint
Stage 3 & 4: we all know what happened there.
Stage 5: exciting sterrato stage vs sprint. Giro clearly better
Stage 6: sprint after some uphill kms vs easy uphill sprint. Giro better
Stage 7: easy muntain stage vs sprint. Giro marginally better
Stage 8: a flat stage with a GC favourtie attacking in a bump in the last kms vs uphill sprint. Tour better
Stage 9: mountain stage with decent attacks vs hilly stage with a consented breakaway. Giro better
Stage 10: sprint vs sprint
Stage 11: hilly stage with uphill sprint vs sprint. Giro better
Stage 12: sprint vs mountain stage with only one decent attack. Tour better
Stage 13: not too exciting mountain stage vs mountain stage with consented breakaway. Giro marginally better
Stage 14: Zoncolan vs today's shame of a race. Grio MUCH better
So, after two weeks, and WW's accident aside, the Giro was already better, and we still had to see Val di Fassa's epic stage.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:19
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The GC favourites battle is quite dull compared to the Giro. But the rest of the racing, and the suspense to know the final winner and who'll be next to him on the podium, is more interesting than the Giro for example.
Still, when you watch a G.T., the interesting part is usually the G.C. riders battle during money time. And it's been quite disappointing this year (if it's because it's more healthy it's fine with me). |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:22
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Gustavovskiy wrote:
kumazan wrote:
The GC is pretty close, but the price we had to pay (2 weeks of nothing happening) is too high.
We could as well make the Tour one week long so with one week to the finish you'd have 198 riders in 0 seconds.
Yeah you're right. But then you'd give away the points classification to one of the GC contenders as it happens in the Giro. Sure flat stages are boring but they are also needed imo.
They are needed, but the Tour has way too many. And the points competition is for the most consistent rider, not necessarily the best sprinter, although ASO thinks different. I'm fine with that, but if it was the other way around, I'm sure lots of people would protest.
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| mgcastro |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:27
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Alberto is not looking good, (though I had the feeling we was better today than at Luz Ardiden), how come Andy and company not capitalize on his bad form? They should cut the snake by the throat when they have the chance. That could be costly if Contador gains form towards the Alps.
Manuel
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:40
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kumazan wrote:
BouBBox wrote:
kumazan wrote:
But at least there we had awesome racing. If I had to choose between a close GC with boring racing, and a soon decided winner (but a open fight for 2nd, which could be the winner after CAS) with awesome racing, I know what I'd choose.
Awesome racing? There was no better racing in the Giro than in this TdF, Hushovd, Roy, Casar, Voeckler, Gilbert, Vanendert etc., all these raced really well. The only "boring" thing is that the leaders don't really try, but neither did they in the Giro... I mean, action happend in todays huge breakaway every 10-20 kms...
Stage 1: TTT vs uphill sprint. Tour marginally better
Stage 2: sprint vs sprint
Stage 3 & 4: we all know what happened there.
Stage 5: exciting sterrato stage vs sprint. Giro clearly better
Stage 6: sprint after some uphill kms vs easy uphill sprint. Giro better
Stage 7: easy muntain stage vs sprint. Giro marginally better
Stage 8: a flat stage with a GC favourtie attacking in a bump in the last kms vs uphill sprint. Tour better
Stage 9: mountain stage with decent attacks vs hilly stage with a consented breakaway. Giro better
Stage 10: sprint vs sprint
Stage 11: hilly stage with uphill sprint vs sprint. Giro better
Stage 12: sprint vs mountain stage with only one decent attack. Tour better
Stage 13: not too exciting mountain stage vs mountain stage with consented breakaway. Giro marginally better
Stage 14: Zoncolan vs today's shame of a race. Grio MUCH better
So, after two weeks, and WW's accident aside, the Giro was already better, and we still had to see Val di Fassa's epic stage.
It's your point of view, but "not too exciting" isn't really an explanation, and it's not because Zoncolan is a great mountain that it was a good cycling stage...
And I don't think because mountain is mountain it's better than hills 
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:41
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mgcastro wrote:
Alberto is not looking good, (though I had the feeling we was better today than at Luz Ardiden), how come Andy and company not capitalize on his bad form?
No one told them to in the ear-speaker. Frändy has a lot of discipline you know, he'd never disobey the ear-speaker. |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 16-07-2011 19:47
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kumazan wrote:
Gustavovskiy wrote:
kumazan wrote:
The GC is pretty close, but the price we had to pay (2 weeks of nothing happening) is too high.
We could as well make the Tour one week long so with one week to the finish you'd have 198 riders in 0 seconds.
Yeah you're right. But then you'd give away the points classification to one of the GC contenders as it happens in the Giro. Sure flat stages are boring but they are also needed imo.
They are needed, but the Tour has way too many. And the points competition is for the most consistent rider, not necessarily the best sprinter, although ASO thinks different. I'm fine with that, but if it was the other way around, I'm sure lots of people would protest.
The nr. of flat stages is a mather of taste, but obviously if you compare it with the Giro, well, let's just say there's no comparison to make.
Don't get me wrong I generally prefer the Giro over the Tour. I think the italian race has been much better organised than the french one in the last years. Nevertheless I find this years' Tour much more interesting given the GC suspense which has been built in these last 3 stages.
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 16-07-2011 20:24
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BouBBox is just happy that french riders holding a yellow yesrsey..and every day one de Jeux rider out at the front. Sry. as much we all like Voekcler..he will blow out sooner or later.
Gustavovskiy..you saying that other years ..tour was over on that moment. Not correct. Tour is never over before last alps or pyrenees days.
Boring because some riders just holding back..and don't have balls to decide tour one week before the end.
Interesting tour ..open race? Open yes..we but over 200 riders in the road..and will crash out 10 of top 20 favorites inside first 10 days. Then we injure 5 top favorites before first mountain stage.
What is this? Riders do not know how do ride bike anymore?
And then some idiot wont atack because he is waiting he's brother. What tactic is this?
Edited by Guido Mukk on 16-07-2011 20:26
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| Martin_TB |
Posted on 16-07-2011 20:33
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Post race tweets were the usual, but Mark Renshaw just sent out an interesting series:
@Mark_Renshaw Mark Renshaw
That was really not a fun day in the office. Such a short time delay on a really hard stage made the grupetto ride really fast all day. Ouch
Hundreds of Australians along the the roads today. Thanks for the all the support. Sorry that I'm on another planet in these stages.
I wish I could record some of my thoughts during a stage like that. From, why do this to myself? To, how many cokes have I had...Oh too many
From "does this guy think I like that airhorn blown in my ear" to " I wish I was as skinny as @simongerrans" then "oh...arr... shit, save!"
Massage finished. Time for dinner @ 21:08 |
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 20:35
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Guido Mukk wrote:
BouBBox is just happy that french riders holding a yellow yesrsey..and every day one de Jeux rider out at the front. Sry. as much we all like Voekcler..he will blow out sooner or later.
True but I can't stand people saying the Giro was much better, I've watch every single stage cause I was ill, and I must say I was really bored, what a interresting thing to know who will be 2nd! ...
OK this year's TdF isn't awesome but I am still glad to watch every stage (not only because Thomas is in Yellow)
There is a race on everything, dots, points, youth and GC. Not one of them already has a winner. intermediate sprints and mountains make mid race interresting.
And the landscape is amazing 
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| kumazan |
Posted on 16-07-2011 20:43
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BouBBox wrote:
It's your point of view, but "not too exciting" isn't really an explanation, and it's not because Zoncolan is a great mountain that it was a good cycling stage...
And I don't think because mountain is mountain it's better than hills
Of course it is my point of view. And I don't think that a mountain stage is better than a hilly one per se. But a mountain stage with GC fight is better than a hilly stage with a consented breakaway. You can say what you want, but there's no point denying that nothing relevant other than falls happened in the first 11 days, and the 3 mountain stages have not delivered a great spectacle. Good, but not great.
Do you prefer this? Fine. I don't. The only thing at which the Tour has been better than the Giro are the intermediate sprints, which add a bit of excitement to otherwise absolutely dull stages.
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| issoisso |
Posted on 16-07-2011 21:21
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I've seen people here mention that Voeckler was 30 seconds faster than he was in 2004, but I have yet to see anyone mention something else:
If indeed Voeckler was 30 seconds faster, then Basso was over 4 minutes slower.
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 21:24
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kumazan wrote:
BouBBox wrote:
It's your point of view, but "not too exciting" isn't really an explanation, and it's not because Zoncolan is a great mountain that it was a good cycling stage...
And I don't think because mountain is mountain it's better than hills
Of course it is my point of view. And I don't think that a mountain stage is better than a hilly one per se. But a mountain stage with GC fight is better than a hilly stage with a consented breakaway. You can say what you want, but there's no point denying that nothing relevant other than falls happened in the first 11 days, and the 3 mountain stages have not delivered a great spectacle. Good, but not great.
"Mountain stage with GC fight"? Was there any in the Giro (Yeah 2nd place omg! How many attacks between them in the giro, 2? maybe 3)? I only remember a pace setted by Saxo then Liquigas, and Contador vs Rujano in the last kms, what an excitement! Contador leaving the victory to everyone with him at the end, what an exciting stage win fight!
So what happend in the Giro that didn't happen in the TdF in the first 11 days please? (Except from seing the GC over)
I remember all comments on the Giro section saying
"boring stage not sure I'm gonna watch it tomorow"
"Giro is over, let's watch something else" etc...
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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| BouBBox |
Posted on 16-07-2011 21:24
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issoisso wrote:
If indeed Voeckler was 30 seconds faster, then Basso was over 4 minutes slower.
Something is missing Ivan 
Team Europcar !!
RIP Wouter
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