Tour de France 2008

[moby125]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Digger]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Cav wins todays stage fingers crossed we could have had 2 Brits in yellow by weekend.....come on

Shane

[inzaman]

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.