Tour De France

Just watched the highlights, and then checked those twitters Big jens is ok but what was all that about with Bruneel, God I cant help thinking about something that was said on the BBc commentary

317: From Chris, still at work, via text on 81111: "Hope I'm not speaking to soon, but it's good to go into the last week with no drama of illegal substances. All of the talk is of the contenders, not the cheaters, in the Tour."

1315: News has just reached me that a vehicle belonging to Astana's team has been stopped and searched by customs officials at the Swiss-France border during today's stage. Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens says that a search was conducted for about three hours inside an Astana truck - not the team bus itself - but that nothing of concern was found.

I know nothing was found but theres definetly something kicked off in that team

Pleased Jens is ok,

I was watching it live,

Hell he went down at some speed,

Bet he lost a lot of skin,

Well Wiggo lost time to day but only has to make up 2 and a bit minutes on Schleck to take back 2nd in the time trial which is possible cant see him getting much closer to contador maybe a few seconds but not 5 mins!

Yes,Wiggins will make time up tomorrow may get back to 3rd,

This is his 1st real go at the tour so a very good effort wherever he finishes,

I hope he makes the podium but if not a great tour by Bradley.

To be honest I have never bothererd with such things as the TDF. I don't know anyone who really does.  That's why it is so refreshing to see all these posts on it.  With all the different possibilities each day/leg whatever you call it.  There certainly seems to be a lot more to it than Grand Prix.  Without too much detail could somebody give me a general idea on how it works and how the eventual winner is decided.  

Please bare in mind I am a complete novice on how these sort of competitions work.

Quoted from Civvy at last

To be honest I have never bothererd with such things as the TDF. I don't know anyone who really does.  That's why it is so refreshing to see all these posts on it.  With all the different possibilities each day/leg whatever you call it.  There certainly seems to be a lot more to it than Grand Prix.  Without too much detail could somebody give me a general idea on how it works and how the eventual winner is decided.  

Please bare in mind I am a complete novice on how these sort of competitions work.

Plus there is some great scenery to watch as they ride through France.

Quoted from Civvy at last

To be honest I have never bothererd with such things as the TDF. I don't know anyone who really does.  That's why it is so refreshing to see all these posts on it.  With all the different possibilities each day/leg whatever you call it.  There certainly seems to be a lot more to it than Grand Prix.  Without too much detail could somebody give me a general idea on how it works and how the eventual winner is decided.  

Please bare in mind I am a complete novice on how these sort of competitions work.

the tour is basically a three week race quick total time wins the the yellow Jersey (maillot jaurne) this part of the competion is also called GC (general classification).  the person who wins this has to be good at all parts of the tour going up hill down dale and time trialing.

Green Jersey (points competition) ignore the time most stages have a couple of intermediate sprints along the way with points for the first three over the line first gets 6 (I think) and on the flat stages the winner of the final sprint gets 30 points (again I think) and points available for the first 20 riders, and no points available on time trials.

Polka Dot Jersey (again a points competition) first one to the top of the hill gets points and depending on the difficulty level of the hill the points available vary.

Cycling although seems quite individual at first the teams start 9 people in usually a leader (likely to do well in GC) a sprinter (green jersey) and then the Domestiques usually there to either help the leader or the sprinter although sounds shity they will do anything for the good of the team see stage 13 I think where Cancellara got in an early break away up a hill couldnt keep up with it and when his teammates (the schlecks) caught up turned himself inside out in order to help them up the hill for a km and then was promptly dropped by them after theyed had the rest.   See also Jens Voight (any stage).

There are also two individual time trials where cyclist are completly on there own and this year back by popular demand the Team time trial (all aerodynamic) GC's is unlikly to be won by someone who cant time trial.


Think I have covered most of it there is actually a guide on the bbc and you would probably be better off reading that, though if you want an easy way of being an expert read up on EPO .

bottom also use the bbc guide to find out about the White Jersey (best young rider) and the Lanterne Rouge who sadly crashed out today and the harlequin jersey which i have never seen.

Contador wins time trail and keeps yellow,

Armstong moves to 3rd and Wiggins 4th overall.

Well done to them all,

A exciting race,

David Miller came in 5th one place above Wiggy in the stage.

Also still leaves us with can Wiggins get is it 11 seconds on armstrong on tomorrow. I dont think so but god it would be good!