Cyclists

[gravy]

I was talking about (o)(o)

JOKE!

[disciple]

Agenda? So much popping I had to turn it off? What the chuff are you two on about.

[VNVObit]

Not sure if anyone's following the Tour, ITV have a great little interview with Jens Voigt today :

http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/news/cu ... -boulting/

Very positive attitude

Actually struck by the level of sportsmanship on the tour (based on the last 2 days on the road) good to see as was Wiggins' comment that he'd work for Froome on another Tour.

[VNVObit]

Cavendish's sprint to the finish

Explosive acceleration that left the others for dead.

Can't see anything other than an accident taking the yellow from Wiggins

[Surfr]

A Sky 1,2 is pretty much a given now. Today's TT should be fun. It's all about 3rd place for me. I've put outside bets on Velits and Millar each way to make it more interesting.

Cav's finish yesterday was absolutely brainmelting. A mate pointed out Sanchez's reaction. A real case of WFT? and he just sits up in disbelief.

[disciple]

Can't seem to link to these directly but check out "Finish" for an above view which shows just how fast Cavendish's finish was.

http://www.itv.com/tourdefrance/stages/stage18/

Also the post interview is the icing : "Please give me a chance"

[pogo]

Here's two views of it from the official site. No commentary but none needed. Contains donkeys.

It was one of the more exciting days of the race. The main prizes have been decided, bar a disaster for Wiggins in the time trial today. Thursday was the last day in the mountains so the last day anyone could attack him, and also the day the mountain prize was decided. Peter Sagan wrapped up the points victory days ago with some impressive riding (and is one to watch for the future).

So yesterday there was a breakaway which almost succeeded. It was big and left out for a long time as there was nothing to fight for except the stage win. Then towards the end it was clear Sky wanted that for Cavendish, and really pushed for it, including a memorable lead in by the yellow jersey.

And they just caught the breakaway: the last two riders in it were the ones Cavendish passed at the end. They were not sprinters so it's not that impressive to overtake them, after they've been out so long on their own. His real feat was leaving all the other sprinters behind as he accelerated, including Peter Sagan in the green jersey. They look as if they're pushing just as hard but to no effect.

[VNVObit]

The donkeys looked cool had to pause on them for my other half. Didn't realise they made donkey cycling jerseys

[disciple]

A Sky 1,2 is pretty much a given now. Today's TT should be fun. It's all about 3rd place for me

1 + 2's not necessarily decided though, today's an individual effort.

[disciple]

Cycling to work today.

Really warm sunny day, so there's me kitted out in my best 'trendy' cycling gear, shades on working a real sweat up, just getting the the end of a big long climb...

Suddenly this guy wearing a thick yellow rubber workman type waterproof, thick black trouser and a pair of large heavy boots comes past me around twice as quick, riding a Brompton style bike!!

In disbelief, I'm like what the fucking hell!??

"IS THAT ELECTRIC??" I yell.

Guy turns round, big grin on his face, obviously greatly enjoying the experience, gives me a nod!


With a bit of effort I caught the cunt up at the peak though, then stuck behind him on the downhill.

Then on the following flat he had nothing, it looked to me like his electric bike didn't have the gearing to do any great speed.

[venusian]

14mph limit, innit.

[disciple]

Anyone following the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) vs Team Armstrong case?

To summarise: Lance Armstrong (allegedly) took performance enhancing drugs, won the Tour de France 7 times, (allegedly) pushed doping to other team members and (allegedly) (as a figurehead for the sport) fucked up the sport for any young rider with a talent who wanted to be competitive without having to risk their health by doping.

And now the USADA are pressing charges, with (as I understand it) the allegation that public money (when he rode for Team USPS) was used to fund his drug programme.

Anyway it seems the UCI (the body responsible for running the big cycling events, TdF, Olympic cycling..), after previously being pretty ineffective in tackling drug use in cycling, are now trying to get involved.

Here's a recent letter from the UCI sent to the USADA outlining their intentions:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/101973124/McQ ... gart-USADA

Now reading that one might be forgiven for thinking that the UCI want to take over the case and want details of all witnesses because they've (allegedly) previously been complicit in turning a blind eye to doping in cycling and (allegedly) in some cases dismissing failed drug tests for payments, but of course I'm not suggesting that because it's obviously not true is it...

[Fil]

If Lance Armstrong is found to be in the wrong then he'll take a lot of people down with him.

It's very easy to say that he's being targeted because of his success but considering all the other doping incidents involving high profile riders during Lance Armstrong's career it wouldn't come as a massive shock to find out that he was doping at some point.

[disciple]

If Lance Armstrong is found to be in the wrong then he'll take a lot of people down with him.

That would be great for the sport.

[Surfr]

UCI (the body responsible for running the big cycling events, TdF, Olympic cycling..)

A small point but the UCI are the international governing body of cycling but the Tour de France and many other blue riband events are run by ASO