Tour de France (2021)

[DocJohnson]

Mark Cavendish won his 31st stage of the Tour yesterday (13yrs after his first). He’s had the come-back of come-backs in elite sport.

Serious respect.

There’s some other incredible athletes from our fair isles also competing. I can’t be the only casual fan on here so thought I’d kick off a thread in case anyone’s interested.

While we’re on the subject, I read that the bint who knocked over half the riders - seriously injuring a few - while waving a cardboard sign around has been arrested. GOOD!!

[mr.bluesky]

Mark Cavendish won his 31st stage of the Tour yesterday (13yrs after his first). He’s had the come-back of come-backs in elite sport.

Serious respect.

There’s some other incredible athletes from our fair isles also competing. I can’t be the only casual fan on here so thought I’d kick off a thread in case anyone’s interested.

While we’re on the subject, I read that the bint who knocked over half the riders - seriously injuring a few - while waving a cardboard sign around has been arrested. GOOD!!

I love watching the tour de France. I'm glad they have caught that silly woman who caused that massive pile up. There seems to be a lot of bad crashes early on in this tour. Good to see The Manx missile back on the winners podium. He is closing in on the all time record for stage wins. Hopefully he will equall  or surpass it this tour. ( and his wife is fit. Former model Peta Todd)

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[DocJohnson]

I love watching the tour de France. I'm glad they have caught that silly woman who caused that massive pile up. There seems to be a lot of bad crashes early on in this tour. Good to see The Manx missile back on the winners podium. He is closing in on the all time record for stage wins. Hopefully he will equall  or surpass it this tour.

It would be a hell of a career-topping moment if he can get the all time record on the Champs-Elysees!  Just watching the last 5 laps or so, when the sprinters gradually turn up the gas, gets my heart rate going more than when I watch most other sports. Something about the slow build and ultimate finale I think…
p.s. His wife is definitely top totty. Good work chap.

[mr.bluesky]

It would be a hell of a career-topping moment if he can get the all time record on the Champs-Elysees!  Just watching the last 5 laps or so, when the sprinters gradually turn up the gas, gets my heart rate going more than when I watch most other sports. Something about the slow build and ultimate finale I think…
p.s. His wife is definitely top totty. Good work chap.

It's amazing they have any energy left to do a sprint finish after cycling 90+ km's

[chrishornx]

Mark Cavendish won his 31st stage of the Tour yesterday (13yrs after his first). He’s had the come-back of come-backs in elite sport.

Serious respect.

There’s some other incredible athletes from our fair isles also competing. I can’t be the only casual fan on here so thought I’d kick off a thread in case anyone’s interested.

While we’re on the subject, I read that the bint who knocked over half the riders - seriously injuring a few - while waving a cardboard sign around has been arrested. GOOD!!

happy to chat TDF DocJ

What Cav did yesterday was remarkable and he is one of the best sportsmen we have have ever produced just a shame he doesn't get the press he deserves

it is a great sport and I watch it every day just shame the GC has been turned upside down on days for the sprinters We really don't need a one trick pony for the next 2 weeks and the time trials today made it even more of a one horse trace

I doubt Cav will match the record this year but who knows

[lamboman]

He's got half a chance of matching it,not that many great pure splinters left and a few potential sprint finishes.
I never expected that win and he's not really trained for the tour so he may get a bit stronger as it goes on.

[The Film Director]

it is a great sport and I watch it every day just shame the GC has been turned upside down on days for the sprinters We really don't need a one trick pony for the next 2 weeks and the time trials today made it even more of a one horse trace

Ditto, massive fan of the tour.

On the other the hand the shaking up of the GC might encourage other teams to attack, knowing they have substantial time to make up, and be less defensive.

[radioman33]

Enjoy watching this but no expert,cavendish did great considering his health/depression problems,like Andy Murray yesterday with the hip issue.The woman who held out the banner I was wondering if it was a protester about something?

[chrishornx]

Ditto, massive fan of the tour.

On the other the hand the shaking up of the GC might encourage other teams to attack, knowing they have substantial time to make up, and be less defensive.

yes the Yellow jersey will be attacked in away he normally isn't - by Porte, Roglic, Thomas etc all of whom need a big breakaway to make up the time - they can all make up their mind when to attack and just sit back on some stages whilst Pogacar will be forced to cover every single breakaway with GC contenders in it and it could tire him out particularly if Thomas makes a big break which he covers and then Roglic counters, or Carapaz who I still think could do well with the strength of the Sky team at his disposal 

they are so far behind they will need to do some completely different things to the norm as it has happened so early in the race

[mr.bluesky]

Enjoy watching this but no expert,cavendish did great considering his health/depression problems,like Andy Murray yesterday with the hip issue.The woman who held out the banner I was wondering if it was a protester about something?

No apparently she was just holding out a banner saying Hi to her Grandparents in Germany 

[The Film Director]

Cav wins again - Merckx will be looking over his shoulder now. 

[DocJohnson]

Cav wins again - Merckx will be looking over his shoulder now. 

Amazing, need to watch the highlights this eve. It may be too much to expect he beats the record this tour but I’m not writing him off. I expect he would return next yr if he doesn’t smash it this.

Looking forward to some good GC moments soon. The mountain stages can be fun to watch when people get dropped who are thought to be contenders. In recent yrs some never quite lived up to their hype and that felt like an anti-climax when watching. Quintana springs to mind. The brits have been incredibly strong. But are the french due their moment with Alaphalippe or others.. I’m far from a superfan.

Team sky’s shake up and this year’s early crash will hopefully make for a brilliantly unpredictable tour.

[mr.bluesky]

Cav wins again - Merckx will be looking over his shoulder now. 

Only 2 behind now to equalling the record for stage wins and with the final stage in Paris being a sprint stage it would be good to equal or beat it.

[lamboman]

Orla is easy on the eye too even if she dresses awfully.

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[Moby Dick]

The woman who held out the banner I was wondering if it was a protester about something?

No German woman saying hello to Grandma and Grandad.

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Bet she regrets that.
Not a good week if you’re German.

[mikecee]

The Missile does it again. 

[The Film Director]

Cav wins again - just one behind Merckx's stage win record now. 

[mr.bluesky]

Cav wins again - just one behind Merckx's stage win record now. 

With at least 4 more sprint stages left in this tour he could well beat the record and to think he was only called up at the very last minute to ride in this tour to replace an injured team member.

[Chooser]

Nice one Cav! Outstanding return to form. Although I think he has always been cleaner than clean, with cycling’s track record, I wonder how long it will be before questions are asked??
Hopefully all OK and he goes on to take the record. 

[george r]

he is a great sprinter, but dont think eddy merckx will lose much sleep he has won  the tour de france 4 times 

[timsussex]

 

he is a great sprinter, but dont think eddy merckx will lose much sleep he has won  the tour de france 4 times 

No he's the Greatest sprinter but yes otherwise you have a good point

The question (to be vaguely  appropriate) is can Cav get up twice in one day ?


Mont ventoux of course

[DocJohnson]

That was a classy team performance yesterday for Cav. Impeccable finish. Great to see him so happy and relaxed.

Waiting to see if Ineos attack today but tbh Pogacar is a machine in the mountains.  I reckon he has the yellow tied up.

Surely Cav will get up and down a couple of times today, within the cut off.  If his Mrs offered me sexual favours to do the same, I’d probably manage it too. 

[Pedalwall]

he is a great sprinter, but dont think eddy merckx will lose much sleep he has won  the tour de france 4 times 

5 times - 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974

[Londonpunter30]

Missed the chance for a sprint finish today though.

Shows how consistent you need to be, Cav has spent 5 years in the wilderness.  So glad he’s back, but if had maintained that level he would have broken this record long ago

[DocJohnson]

Missed the chance for a sprint finish today though.

Looks like Cav in the hunt for sprint finish today though!

[chrishornx]

Looks like Cav in the hunt for sprint finish today though!

he is right in there 4 km to go looks to have great lead out

[The Film Director]

Cav 

[mikecee]

Congrats to the Missile.  Fuckin unbelievable.

[Corus Boy]

There was an article yesterday that says a lot about cycling, well maybe not in the future.

Apparently Merckx has one more victory than the record books show.

On a stage of the TDF he finished third but in following times the winne and second were found to be drug users.  Their win and secons place were struck from the record books and Merckx awarded the win.  However he refused to accept it as a victory!

But none of that detracts from Cavendish's amazing achievement.

[chrishornx]

Cav 

SPOTY ??

[Chorley]

SPOTY ??

Don't know about that? Comeback of the year defintely! 

[lamboman]

SPOTY ??

Should be nailed on but cycling is not on BBCs pathetic sports roster and you have to be on their list to start with which he probably won't be.He's not diverse enough.

[lamboman]

he is a great sprinter, but dont think eddy merckx will lose much sleep he has won  the tour de france 4 times 

You don't understand top level sportsmen then,Merkx will be livid.

[mr.bluesky]

You don't understand top level sportsmen then,Merkx will be livid.

I doubt it multi times tour de France winner counts more than multi times stage winner. Not knocking Cavendish for his achievement he will be remembered as the sports greatest sprinter and like all records they are there to be broken. Merkx won 8 stages in one of his tour victories that is a remarkable achievement in itself. Both will be remembered as great Tour De France riders

[mr.bluesky]

Should be nailed on but cycling is not on BBCs pathetic sports roster and you have to be on their list to start with which he probably won't be.He's not diverse enough.

I guess that's why Cavendish won it in 2011 

[Londonpunter30]

Well done to Cav, although he’s just as good a sprinter before this tour as he is now.  Records mean nothing they will be broken.

This does show the importance of the mental side of sport, last year he was barely finishing races, a bit of confidence and support and sorting his head out and he’s right back up there

[Chooser]

Hi Mr Bluesky - I’m a bit confused - what do you mean re Cav  won it in 2011? What exactly did he win please?

[mr.bluesky]

Well done to Cav, although he’s just as good a sprinter before this tour as he is now.  Records mean nothing they will be broken.

This does show the importance of the mental side of sport, last year he was barely finishing races, a bit of confidence and support and sorting his head out and he’s right back up there

He was suffering from loss of form , injury and illness that's why he didn't get picked by any team to race in last years tour de France but he's certainly proved the doubters wrong this year and must rank as one of the greatest ever sporting comebacks. He was only chosen to ride in this year's tour as a last minute replacement due to injury to another rider.

[mr.bluesky]

Hi Mr Bluesky - I’m a bit confused - what do you mean re Cav  won it in 2011?

BBC sports personalty of the year 2011  Lamboman thinks he can't win it this year. Despite Hoy, Wiggins, Cavendish and Thomas all winning it in the past.

[Corus Boy]

Should be nailed on but cycling is not on BBCs pathetic sports roster and you have to be on their list to start with which he probably won't be.He's not diverse enough.

He was born overseas and is an ethnic minority! 

[DocJohnson]

Cav’s a dude. Awesome effort yesterday. Loved the post race interview too. When asked what it’s like to be joint record holder and equal Eddie M for Tour wins, his answer was “Tiring” 

I hope he gets another win before Paris.  It would take the pressure off the final day and allow me to watch without feeling completely gutted if he didn’t win.

[hermanmunster]

I doubt it multi times tour de France winner counts more than multi times stage winner. Not knocking Cavendish for his achievement he will be remembered as the sports greatest sprinter and like all records they are there to be broken. Merkx won 8 stages in one of his tour victories that is a remarkable achievement in itself. Both will be remembered as great Tour De France riders

We should not forget that Merkx failed drugs tests 3 times during the TdeF but each time the organisers thought it best not to ban him because he had such an important image for cycling.  I don't know how many other times Merkx failed drugs tests, but for me his records are not even to be considered and Cavendish's are far more memorable and a far greater achievement.  I just hope that Cavenidish can get the 35th win to finally remove the serial drug taker's name from that record.

[mr.bluesky]

We should not forget that Merkx failed drugs tests 3 times during the TdeF but each time the organisers thought it best not to ban him because he had such an important image for cycling.  I don't know how many other times Merkx failed drugs tests, but for me his records are not even to be considered and Cavendish's are far more memorable and a far greater achievement. 

A bit like Lance Armsrong. A serial cheat. Lost all respect for him and he rightly had all his tour wins expunged from the record book

[timsussex]

We should not forget that Merkx failed drugs tests 3 times during the TdeF but each time the organisers thought it best not to ban him because he had such an important image for cycling.  .......

The people that ran/run cycling in general and the Tours in particular are the real drugs disgrace

Young guys got pressured directly and indirectly to take drugs and if they decline see others not only get away with it but even if caught its swept under the rug

[mr.bluesky]

Unfortunately the Tour de France has always been dogged with performance enhancing drug allegations most of which have found to be true. When you look through its past history it is littered with riders who have been found to have cheated although the sport is trying to clean up its act.

[chrishornx]

Should be nailed on but cycling is not on BBCs pathetic sports roster and you have to be on their list to start with which he probably won't be.He's not diverse enough.

BBC may not show much cycling but with 4 cyclists winning SPOTY in the last 13 years i suspect he will be on the list

[martini2429]

BBC may not show much cycling but with 4 cyclists winning SPOTY in the last 13 years i suspect he will be on the list

My guess is that it will be an Olympian who wins this year

 

[mr.bluesky]

My guess is that it will be an Olympian who wins this year

 

If England win the European championships it could well be Kane or Sterling perhaps 

[The0neAnd0nly]

If England win the European championships it could well be Kane or Sterling perhaps 

Yeah I love football but SPOTY is going to be unbearable if England do win

Main Award - Sterling
Team Award - England
Coach Award - Southgate
Helen Rollinson (community one?) - Rashford

Its normally in December so I might be more receptive and ready to relive the Euros then!


P.s. Well done to Cav!

[Londonpunter30]

We should not forget that Merkx failed drugs tests 3 times during the TdeF but each time the organisers thought it best not to ban him because he had such an important image for cycling.  I don't know how many other times Merkx failed drugs tests, but for me his records are not even to be considered and Cavendish's are far more memorable and a far greater achievement.  I just hope that Cavenidish can get the 35th win to finally remove the serial drug taker's name from that record.

Yes Merkx failed a few tests.  The difference between then and now is everyone was on pretty much the same stuff and it just helped riders through the stages, but the best riders still stayed at the top.

Once blood doping came in, you can alter body values and also rans could boost themselves to winners.

The UCI set an EPO /  hermatacrit level of 40.  If rider a) had a natural level of 33 and rider b) had a natural level of 25 they had a bigger performance gain