Le Tour de france 2009.

[norbs]

It is still a month away, but there seems to be a bit of chit chat about already. My mate Cadel Evans says Michael Rogers can't win the tour.

Lance Armstrong just became a dad for the 4th time, I wonder if that will effect him? He rode a lot better at the Giro that I expected.

I can hardly wait.

[Duke]

Gees Norbs, bit keen aren't you

Still a while to go yet and before then there is a very important lead up race starting today the "Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré".
Thread started here ( viewtopic.php?f=26&t=12432 ) even though I am sure it will be just Norbs & I interested.

As for Cadel's comments on Rogers TDF result, I say meh!!! Dodger is a huge threat in the GC and is a real chance this year imho as I am sure Cadel realises.

[bengatta]

Wonder who will win the prize of the first aussie to fall off and break a collarbone this year????

Is Lance allowed to race yet??? has all that stuff been sorted yet with the french drug dudes???

[Duke]

Well Robbie McEwen is already out for this year after a crash late last month, broken leg needed plating, lets hope that is it as we have had a fair share already this yr. Remember Stuart O'Grady also missed Paris-Roubaix but is on track to be at the TdF.

Lance is going to the TdF, ASO the organiser have accepted his team so they can field which ever riders they choose.
As for all the other drug related stuff I don't think that has changed, those froggy's are still trying to find him guilty to strip him of all their home tour wins, they just can't seem to accept it.

[J.D.]

The prize for the first to get busted goes to:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/boo ... 69905.html

[bengatta]

What will Phil Liggett do now????

[r8response]

Armstrong has scored a ride with Astana

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/arm ... 72889.html

[Duke]

Armstrong has scored a ride with Astana

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/arm ... 72889.html

I don't think that was ever in doubt, the team has always said they wanted him there.

[r8response]

Armstrong has scored a ride with Astana

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/arm ... 72889.html

I don't think that was ever in doubt.

I don't follow it as closely as yourself and Norbs. The last i heard of Armstrong was he came a clapper and managed to injure himself.

[Duke]

Armstrong has scored a ride with Astana

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/arm ... 72889.html

I don't think that was ever in doubt.

I don't follow it as closely as yourself and Norbs. The last i heard of Armstrong was he came a clapper and managed to injure himself.

Sorry r8 that may have come across a bit harsh, wasn't the intent. The article is a pretty bad beat up as it is actually more about Astana getting the money from the Khazakh Govt to keep their UCI license to be able to race the Tdf.

It is good to see them there as this will be a classic TdF as the field will have many contenders for the overall win...

Can't wait!!!

[Duke]

Just wanted to point out how SBS will cover this years race.
Due to the Ashes Test Matches only SBS TWO will show all TdF stages live, while SBS ONE will only show live stages when it doesn't conflict with the Cricket. SBS ONE will still show the nightly 30min highlight package for every stage as per previous years.
They are however, for the 1st time, offering live streaming of all stages via the SBS website.
I know it probably won't be of very high quality but at least it is something of an alternative for ppl who haven't gone DTV yet.

Check out their website for full details:
http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2008/tvguide

[fp]

SBS Two will show all TdF stages live, while SBS One will only show live stages when it doesn't conflict with the Cricket.

So, SBS2 will show all stages live, and SBS1 will simulcast when the cricket's not on...
Or will we have to change between the two channels regularly to watch the same thing like we have to do with Ten and One ?
(actually now that I think about it, that point's a bit moot, as I'll probably flick over to SBS1 to chek on the circket score every ½ hour or so)

In regards to Astana... I thought that the Astana group was owned and operated by a comglomerate of millionaire Kazakh buinsessmen, but now they need a government hand-out too?


And I wholeheartedly agree.... can't wait!.

[r8response]

Sorry r8 that may have come across a bit harsh, wasn't the intent.

I didn't take it as such

[Gizmo]

I can't wait for this! Going to be alot of late nights/early mornings!

[Duke]

I can't wait for this! Going to be alot of late nights/early mornings!

Bloody oath and I am going to be in a heavy block of training to try come back from my injury and make the start of the '09 Melbourne to Warrnambool.
Will have to catch nap time between dinner & the start of each stage to keep the stamina up for both.

I see Lance won a race yesterday....

[norbs]

Remember I was saying Cadel is a whiney bitch? This from his twitter this morning...

CadelOfficial Being reminded that a lot of luck is involved just to start the Tour - bloody pothole 200m from home - nearly dropped it big time :o(

Jesus, harden up Cadel!

[norbs]

Flinty, whats your thoughts on Gerro missing a spot with Cervélo TestTeam? This from his Twitter...

simongerrans Well I just got a call from my DS. I'm still digesting the news I didn't make the tour team. I'm pretty disappointed. What do u all think?

And Renshaw's response.

markrenshaw1 What is wrong with the world these days! My best mate @simongerrans just found out he is staying at home this july=no tour ! WTF...]

LOL

[Duke]

fark, this is news to me, only just seen it.
Oh man I am gutted, he won a stage last yr and a stage in the Giro last month, WTF are they thinking!!!
Can only assume they don't think he can help Sastre enough, might need to check who they did pick, did Haussler get a ride?
Maybe he shouldn't have let it be known he was training with Lance so much lately.

What a crock (from cyclingnews.com)
Three riders confirmed: Heinrich Haussler, Thor Hushovd and Carlos Sastre.
Six riders to be selected from: Inigo Cuesta, Xavier Florencio, Simon Gerrans, Volodymir Gustov, Andreas Klier, Brett Lancaster, José Angel Gomez Marchante, Gabriel Rasch and Hayden Roulston.

[norbs]

I was telling the bride last night that I was following Gerro on Twitter and was looking forward to his views on the TdF. He and Renshaw seem a lot more genuine than Evans.

Have you got the official guide yet Flinty? I picked it up at the newsagents yesterday arvo.

It is getting close now.

[Duke]

Yeah mate got the guide last week via my subscription
Haven't had a good look at it yet, will do this weekend but looks sweet as usual.

[norbs]

Brett Lancaster is in the Cervélo TestTeam team Flinty.

[Duke]

Brett Lancaster is in the Cervélo TestTeam team Flinty.

Yeah I saw, so exactly how will Lancaster help Sastre compared to Gerrans, he is a sprinter so can only help Hushovd.
Spanish Inquisition I say, have a look how many made it to help Sastre.
I think Gerrans has fallen out of favour for some reason. Maybe for spending too much time with Lance.
I am still pissed about it......

[AstrO]

I don't understand what's going on... can someone explain it in F1 terms?

[pab]

I don't understand what's going on... can someone explain it in F1 terms?

I assume you mean the Gerrans issue?

Well, Mark Webber has been doing OK for Red Bull Racing, he's not lilely to win the World championship, but his results are good enough to help the team in the constructors, every now and then he gets a great result which helps promote the sponsors and keep the team in the media's and public's eye, and he can probably help Vettel every now and then when he needs it in his (Vettels) bid for the DWC.

In the leadup to the biggest race of the year (Monaco) the team decide to drop Webber back to the test driver role and bring back Coulthard even though Webber has been pretty successful there before and has showed good form so far this season, cause they say a driver of Coulthards characteristics is more likely to be able to help Vettel in getting the setup right for the race than Webber is at this track.

So, despite running pretty well all year so far, Webber spends the biggest weekend of the season sitting watching the racing instead of taking part in it.

Make more sense now?

[norbs]

Good job Pete.