![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,367
![]() |
![]()
if the 1st stage is any indication. I have never seen such a ragged disorganized finish, with a no-name winning the sprint, especially when the yellow was on the line.
Frankly, the last two years have been boring, with very boring predictable tactics. Thank God for guys like Vino who spiced it up. This year, who knows what we will see, especially if there isn't a dominant team. This will be exciting. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Assistant to the Regional Manager
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Orgasmatron
Posts: 24,338
![]() |
![]()
so who are you picking?
Valverde looks prepared, but the loss of Basso has to hurt that team. Landis and Leipheimer are ready to pounce. Tactics will be very ragged and tend to be during these sprinter stages. OLN will get a lot of use in our house.
__________________
Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Board Pinhead
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the basement of my house, Murray, Utah.
Posts: 15,941
![]() |
![]()
Did you see the footage of the leader getting his arm getting sliced (inadvertantly) by some kind of card held by a fan on the sideline? Quite a bit of blood.
I'm not too familiar with what to look for. Any tips on how to watch it? What strategies are there that I could recognize? I have to admit that I miss knowing who is going to win this year. It's always good to see an American dominate this tour if for no other fact than it ticks off the hosts. I'm rooting for Zabriskie.
__________________
"The beauty of baseball is not having to explain it." - Chuck Shriver "This is now the joke that stupid people laugh at." - Christopher Hitchens on IQ jokes about GWB. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Assistant to the Regional Manager
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Orgasmatron
Posts: 24,338
![]() |
![]()
Zabriskie is not known to be a climber, so your cheering might last one week.
Watch via letour.fr check english and follow in the morning. Also watch OLN as they will show highlights as you prepare for work. Watch to see which rider the team is protecter. There are quite a few teams and watch tactics. We have three weeks, with the first usually dedicated to sprinting over flats followed by two weeks of intermittent climbing where big breaks can be made. Lance was methodical. Hincapie has Lance's team, but Hincapie is the sole Ami. CSC is a good team that lost your Italian doper buddy, Basso. That's Zabriskie's team. CSC will probably go with Valverde from Spain. How did he not dope? Hmm. The big names this week probably won't be in it during the last two.
__________________
Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Norcal
Posts: 5,821
![]() |
![]()
The first week is all about the sprinters. You'll see a select group of 3 or 4 guys who are trying to win the green jersey signifying the Tour's best sprinter. There are sprint points throughout each race with mini sprints for time bonuses. Then at the end of every stage in the first week there is a really chaotic sprint to the line for more points which the same 3 or 4 guys tend to win. They were all there today, but it was won by an unknown.
The guys who have a chance to win it all are all about self preservation in week 1. They have to stay with the main group and try not to crash. Those mad finishes often produce spectacular crashes that can ruin ones tour. So, in week 1 it's fun to watch how the sprinters position themselves at the end. How their teammates get them to the front. It's also fun to watch the breakaway groups that are initially allowed to escape the peleton in each of the flat stages. Generally the peleton will catch them again prior to the finish line and no time is gained. But on a rare occasion a few guys are able to get away and not get caught. It's fun to watch because it screws up the sprint points for the guys who are vying for the green jersey. Last edited by SteelBlue; 07-03-2006 at 12:48 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,367
![]() |
![]()
Frankly, for the most part, the sprinter stages are boring. I'm amazed at the commentators, that they can talk for that long when nothing is going on. "Breakaway still away. Will they catch them or not?"
These stages are usually only interesting at the very end, when you get to see whether the breakaway makes it, or who wins the bunch sprint. Mostly, these stages are a bit like fishing or sailing. You sit there and enjoy the process. You enjoy the announcers. You chill. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Norcal
Posts: 5,821
![]() |
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Memphis freakin' Tennessee!!!!!
Posts: 4,530
![]() |
![]() Quote:
OK, kind of dumb story, but I'm still enjoying this. Since coming here, I'm totally sold on this sport and le Tour in particular. Can any of you get Eurosport?
__________________
Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!! Religion rises inevitably from our apprehension of our own death. To give meaning to meaninglessness is the endless quest of all religion. When death becomes the center of our consciousness, then religion authentically begins. Of all religions that I know, the one that most vehemently and persuasively defies and denies the reality of death is the original Mormonism of the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Memphis freakin' Tennessee!!!!!
Posts: 4,530
![]() |
![]() Quote:
Could be opening up for the Discovery riders.
__________________
Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!! Religion rises inevitably from our apprehension of our own death. To give meaning to meaninglessness is the endless quest of all religion. When death becomes the center of our consciousness, then religion authentically begins. Of all religions that I know, the one that most vehemently and persuasively defies and denies the reality of death is the original Mormonism of the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Assistant to the Regional Manager
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Orgasmatron
Posts: 24,338
![]() |
![]()
Kloeden is also a possibility for T Mobile.
Interesting day. Too bad for Alejandro Valverde.
__________________
Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|