No, but if someone is a country mile in front of everyone else surely it raises questions?

Is he really that good, or is everyone else not up to much.

 

After nearly 3,000k Froome is just 1.47 minutes ahead of his nearest rival, hardly a country mile I think you would agree.

 

I'd love to think Nairo is playing it ultra cool...

There's more mountain stages

 

You'd have to be a really cool dude (or a stupid one) to allow Froome a near 3 minute start going into the high mountains. Anything can happen though, and there are several others in with a shout and closer than Quintana.

 

Is 2 minutes not a whole lot, especially given the comment here about 3 minutes?

 

Well Nairo 'lost' it on one particular stage , rather than Froome excelling

The other top ones are riding out of the socks !

 

Froome`s lead has come from 4 attacks

His first was a surprise attack downhill to the finish line he took 10 secs out of everyone plus he got 10secs bonus

His second attack saw him and 3 others get a lead in a strong cross wind run to the finish line. He came second and with 7 secs lead plus bonus time.

His third attack was up mont ventoux where he had nearly 30 secs leads when the famous crash and run up the mountain was recorded. The officials decided the winning margin of 30 secs

His fourth gain was in the time trial, which he known to be one of the best in the world at this event. He took 2 mins out of his nearest challengers and came second by nearly a minute

His performance has been slightly better than his nearest rivals, he has taken his chances and been well placed.

Now Mark Cavendish at last year's tdf, had a poor race with only one win. This year he has been on better form(probably from track racing) and taken 4 wins to become second in all time wins.

Peter Sagan has been the greatest green Jersey holder in living memory. Last year he didn't win any stage but came 2nd so many times. This year he has won three legs taking his tally to 7 wins. The difference between winning and losing is so small. Unless you follow cycling avidly it so easy to throw accusations without care.

Have a go at cycle racing and see how easily you can lose 10-15 mins against others over a 25mile course.

 

Whats more intresting / depressing is the number people willing to cheat , very much lower down the food chain - your recreational weekend warriors .

 

I raced bikes for a few years before changing to tri, and can't honestly remember anyone blatantly cheating. Perhaps I was too trusting!

 

Cavendish has left the tour to concentrate on the Olympics.....

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mark...olympic-games/

 

Can't blame him, and he's had a fabulous Tour. He'd struggle getting over the Alps and the Green Jersey has already gone to Sagan. He's missing an Olympic medal, this might be his last chance.

 

Does that make Kittel relieved or frustrated I wonder

 

Seems a bit off to me

Is it usual for the sprinters to pack it in half way through

 

The lion king never finished tdf as far as I know

Couple of stage victories and then off to beach.

 

Yep, when the Tour headed for the hills Super Mario headed for the beach

 

Its been awesome tour for the sprinters though , very nearly all the top boys in evidence to compete



not such a good one for the mountain goats

 

The mountain goats had their day today. Porte and Froome crossed the line together, Yates did well but Quintana cracked and is gone now.

 

That old sky partnership is certainly helping isn't it !

 

No one is going to catch froome now. Only misfortune is going to stop him winning for a 3rd time.

 

The biggest threats to a Froome win are: official vehicles running into him, cars and motor bikes; idiotic crowd behaviour; a crash; a mechanical problem. And any of these are possible.

 

Going to be a great next couple days , may even watch it live

 

Mostly uphill 17km course in 30min 43 secs 😳...the guys a machine

 

looks like 600 m climb ?

 

It started of flat for 4km then started climbing for 11km! Jesus

 

What a finish and what a well deserved outcome! I think only a great climber could have won this Tour, and Froome was that plus a brilliant time trialist and he even mixed it with the sprinters. Superb!

 

Been watching the Tdf a lot this year,very enjoyable but a bit confused over the different colour jerseys.Could someone shed some light on this please.

 

basically Yellow - overall winner
green - best sprinter
polka dot - best climber
white - best newcomer


Movistar doing best after al that - and Quintana holding onto third , looked like he'd drift downward a little while ago

 

Thanks

 

Great Samsung Advert with Sir Wiggy.

 

At least one for Griepel !