Tour de France 2008

moby125 · 30-06-2008, 7:09 PM

Just thought I let you all know the Tour de France 2008, starts this Saturday 5th July from Brest. 21 stages, including 9 mountain stages, 2 individual time-trial stages.

Always watched the coverage from the early days of Channel 4, nowadays mainly Eurosport and ITV 4.

http://www.letour.fr/us/homepage_horscourseTDF.html

shane515 · 30-06-2008, 7:48 PM

Looking forward to this, just seen the programme timings, every day live and then repeated in the evening....just wish I could ride that well

oh well can but do me best

Shane

JohnG · 01-07-2008, 6:36 AM

Looking forward to this as well, hopefully it won't be overshadowed by drugs etc. Nice to see L’Alpe-d’Huez, always worth a full day with the telly on

Digger · 01-07-2008, 10:00 AM

My greatest wish for this year is that Eurosport keep old Duffers (David Duffield) out of the commentary box, and in the the studio for the post-stage analysis. I used to enjoy his commentary, but now!?

Should be a cracker this year, and hopefully come down to the wire. I see they are not starting with the prologue this year. Interesting. Wonder what other changes there are. Shame Astana were not invited.

Best web coverage I have found so far is www.cyclingnews.com

Kazuya Mishima · 03-07-2008, 4:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

My greatest wish for this year is that Eurosport keep old Duffers (David Duffield) out of the commentary box, and in the the studio for the post-stage analysis. I used to enjoy his commentary, but now!?

Should be a cracker this year, and hopefully come down to the wire. I see they are not starting with the prologue this year. Interesting. Wonder what other changes there are. Shame Astana were not invited.

Best web coverage I have found so far is www.cyclingnews.com

Duffers has been off main commentary duties for a couple of years now. he turns up at the end of the race in the studio (in the UK?) with little James Richardson. He (duffers) is always wearing shiny black loafers with white socks and 80's-colour denim jeans. Think he must be getting on a bit now, too old to travel the route. I used to really enjoy his commentary! (babbling on about cheese and wine.....)

They still have Sean Kelly (impenetrable accent!!!) and the other guy's name I can't remember, but he used to be in the studio in Paris all the time, they would cut to him for stats during the race. He has been promoted to Duffers's job.

TBH I really fell out of love with the tour the last two years, obviously because of the drugs. Just when you pick a new favourite because you think that HE surely must be clean, you have the rug pulled from under you (eg Vinokourov last year).

Anyway looking forward to it I confess, and this year my pick is the favourite, Cadel Evans.

P.S. thanks for the weblink, it's a good site, have bookmarked it...

moby125 · 03-07-2008, 8:05 PM

I thought Alberto Contador was pretty impressive to watch last year. Thanks for cycling news website at least it has a start list, how come Alberto isn't racing this year?

At least there's a couple of british lads to support Mark Cavandish and David Millar.

Digger · 03-07-2008, 8:33 PM

He's riding for Astana, who were not invited to participate for well documented reasons, even though they rode in the Giro.

Digger · 03-07-2008, 8:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazuya Mishima

. . .and the other guy's name I can't remember, but he used to be in the studio in Paris all the time, they would cut to him for stats during the race. He has been promoted to Duffers's job.
...

Yeah, that'll be DH, David Harmon. He's bearable, shame he cant recognise a rider even when he's riding straight towards the camera

.

**inzaman** · 03-07-2008, 8:41 PM

I too am looking forward to this, i was in Amsterdam last year whilst the tour was on (only over a few days) and it was great sitting in a bar watching the tour. Not that i normally go to Amsterdam to see men in lycra

Its a real shame that Contador and Vino are not in this years tour though imo.

Digger · 03-07-2008, 8:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

Its a real shame that Contador and Vino are not in this years tour though imo.

A shame for Contador. Up until stage 15 of last years race I was one of Vino' biggest fans. But in hindsight he was a muppet for doing what he felt was necessary to win that stage. Silly boy!

**inzaman** · 03-07-2008, 9:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

A shame for Contador. Up until stage 15 of last years race I was one of Vino' biggest fans. But in hindsight he was a muppet for doing what he felt was necessary to win that stage. Silly boy!

I know its crazy, why

- i used to love his attacks when he'd just 'launch himself into orbit' and off he'd go on his own

I also enjoyed Contador's agressive attacking of Rasmusen on the climbs last year

shane515 · 09-07-2008, 12:12 PM

Shane sticks neck on line.......'David Millar in the yellow jersey by the weekend?'.....sorry David that was probably the kiss of doooooom

Thoughts anyone???

Shane

Digger · 09-07-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane515

Shane sticks neck on line.......'Davis Millar in the yellow jersey by the weekend?'.....sorry David that was probably the kiss of doooooom

Thoughts anyone???

Shane

I'd like to believe it too, but I am the cautious type so I'll keep my views hidden.

Oh and either Hushovd or Kirchen for todays stage, Cav 3rd, McEwen 4th.

shane515 · 09-07-2008, 3:20 PM

Cav wins todays stage

fingers crossed we could have had 2 Brits in yellow by weekend.....come on

Shane

**inzaman** · 09-07-2008, 3:54 PM

Thats great news

I hope he completes the tour but maybe he has one eye on the Olympics.

I have also just seen that Mauricio Soler has pulled out which is a great shame as i had high hopes for him after last years tour.

It would be great to see Millar in the Yellow Jersey.

Digger · 09-07-2008, 4:05 PM

If he makes it over the lumpy bits I'd put money on him as winner on the Champs Elysee. Well done lad

.

moby125 · 09-07-2008, 7:18 PM

Excellent win for Mark Cavendish today, had too go for it, a long way out from the finish line.

David Millar is riding well aswell, although he is a little weak in the mountains, so can't see him getting the yellow jersey.

jolly · 09-07-2008, 8:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moby125

Excellent win for Mark Cavendish today, had too go for it, a long way out from the finish line.

David Millar is riding well aswell, although he is a little weak in the mountains, so can't see him getting the yellow jersey.

Said on the radio today he is only the ninth brit to win a tour de france stage

i would like to see millar win one as well

**inzaman** · 10-07-2008, 9:45 AM

That Cavendish sprint was awesome, i cannot believe how the sprinters caught Nicolas Vogondy in the final few metres, i bet he couldnt either

Digger · 10-07-2008, 10:02 AM

Felt sorry for Vogondy. When he made his dash i would have put money on him winning the stage.

As for Millar his only chance will be if he manages to get away in a small break, or if there is another (flat) time trial.

Rubbish Prediction. . .Valverde or Kirchen for todays stage.

shane515 · 10-07-2008, 1:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

i cannot believe how the sprinters caught Nicolas Vogondy in the final few metres, i bet he couldnt either

you had to feel for him, all that work

but well done Cav on the sprint

jamiesdad · 11-07-2008, 10:24 AM

Hope cav makes it to Paris on the final Sunday you wouldn't like to bet against him for the sprint would you. As for miller you never know he may get in a break but as he is so high up in GC i dont think the peloton would allow the break to succeed

There is a final time trial on the last Saturday fingers crossed Miller does well but i think its outside his preferred distance.

My mates girlfriend comes from Saint Amond and they are going over for the stage and me and the wife were supposed to be going as well but now cant

Did you know that you can watch the stage live on itv 4 intractive through sky and virgin

**inzaman** · 11-07-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shane515

you had to feel for him, all that work

but well done Cav on the sprint

It amazed me that any rider would try and make a break on a relatively flat route as the peleton can catch quite easily, al be it very late in this case. I can understand climbers breaking away in the mountain stages as it is far harder for the peleton to get any real benefit on a climb but on the flats the peleton has a massive advantage

Digger · 11-07-2008, 1:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

It amazed me that any rider would try and make a break on a relatively flat route as the peleton can catch quite easily, al be it very late in this case. I can understand climbers breaking away in the mountain stages as it is far harder for the peleton to get any real benefit on a climb but on the flats the peleton has a massive advantage

Only power riders can do it to any effect. In other words time triallists such as Cancellara (world tt champion) and Vogondy (French tt champion) who have both had a go this year. Didnt Cancellara win a stage last year like that?

Millar's currently in a break, but only 20 seconds ahead of the peloton. Could still be a good day for him.

Digger · 12-07-2008, 9:05 AM

Well there is our first doping case

. Probably be another couple before the race finishes!

Ideal stage today for Cav(endish).

jamiesdad · 12-07-2008, 10:39 AM

Yes heard it on the itv4 highlights i managed to watch last night when all were in bed.
Have to say very disappointed a little surprised anyone would take the risk but not shocked, every year its the same story

Lets hope thats the last doping "Scandal"

**inzaman** · 12-07-2008, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

Ideal stage today for Cav(endish).

You were right there, what another great sprint

- i hope he makes it to Paris, a bit of tough climbing tomorrow though with two cat 1's

shane515 · 12-07-2008, 5:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger

Ideal stage today for Cav(endish).

good call Digger, well done Cav

!

Missed all of todays racing

....work gets in the way of fun

will catch up on the highlights later tonight and may even raise a glass or 2

not too many though, supposed to be riding myself tomorrow. Not as far/fast as the TdF though

Shane

Kazuya Mishima · 12-07-2008, 7:58 PM

Just watched the highlights show on ITV4.

Well done Mark Cavendish!

That boy is dynamite.....good to see a talented, young British sportsman, obviously got a lot of confidence and a bit of arrogance too! (in a good way of course!)

Reckon he will be a permanent fixture for a few years at the Tour de France, on this showing. Green jersey, perhaps?

Looking forward to watching the mountain stages. I'm on holiday and I have set aside Monday for the stage finishing at Hautacam.

Digger · 15-07-2008, 12:12 PM

Got Sky HD? Channel 412