Tour de France 2017 ***SPOILERS***

[threebikesmcginty]

When does it start?

 

[rich p]

When does it start?

Next July...

 

[mjr]

Did he get done for illegal modifications or did they turn a blind eye to that? Maybe they thought anyone mad enough to ride on a sandpaper saddle is already punishing themselves enough.

Gary Imlach suggested it may be technically legal with the saddle sponsors offering a half-dozen similar "TM2017TDFTT" saddles for sale for a few grand each.

The BBC are covering it? That's the biggest shock of the Tour. That they may have misinterpreted them racing less so.

I tried to listen to the BBC 5LSX digital radio commentary on one of the early stages like in previous years, rather than plug the office Freeview receiver in again, but it wasn't there. Identical cricket on two channels and no cycling.

I disagree. You try and go up those mountains like he did. Well deserved I say.

I think Barguil got another prize for that. Should have let de Gendt have the combativity, just for sheer distance and number of breakaways.

 

[Bollo]

Next July...

@Marmion says it'll be rubbish.

 

[smutchin]

I disagree. You try and go up those mountains like he did. Well deserved I say.

I think Barguil got another prize for that. Should have let de Gendt have the combativity, just for sheer distance and number of breakaways.

Indeed. Two stage victories and a spotty jumper seem like reward enough for one person. I always thought the Combativity prize was essentially awarded for "heroic failure", although they gave it to Sagan last year.

I'm pretty certain this is not the first time the decision of whom to award the prize has been regarded as controversial.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

@Marmion says it'll be rubbish.

They might get it right next time, perhaps. I'll be sure to let you know

 

[rich p]

Indeed. Two stage victories and a spotty jumper seem like reward enough for one person. I always thought the Combativity prize was essentially awarded for "heroic failure", although they gave it to Sagan last year.

I'm pretty certain this is not the first time the decision of whom to award the prize has been regarded as controversial.

They should ask us (or, more seriously) the general public

 

[Buddfox]

I tried to listen to the BBC 5LSX digital radio commentary on one of the early stages like in previous years, rather than plug the office Freeview receiver in again, but it wasn't there. Identical cricket on two channels and no cycling.

It was only available via a link on the BBC Sport website, not via the usual Radio 5 website

 

[mjr]

It was only available via a link on the BBC Sport website, not via the usual Radio 5 website

...and I assume not even a streaming address that can be put into an internet radio. I'll stick to broadcast media for broadcasts, rather than using up any of the office broadband. Would it kill the BBC to broadcast it instead of one of the two identical cricket streams?

 

[Beebo]

They should ask us (or, more seriously) the general public

But who are the general public?
It is a french race, so they would only have to ask the french public, and guess who they would vote for.

 

[Bollo]

View: https://twitter.com/DeGendtThomas/status/888775253400399873


He's replying to this. I have no idea who privided "voix du public"
View attachment 363893

They certainly weren't thinking of the "yeux du public". That graph is a crime against taste and decency.

(Feck me I made a foreign language pun!)

 

[brommers]

I was listening to Alan Brazil on Talksport this morning and there was a lot of discussion about Chris Froome and why he doesn't receive the plaudits he deserves in Britain.
He doesn't seek publicity
He was born in Kenya and lives in Monaco
Jiffygate and TUEs
He's not a rebel or have a quirky personality (Wiggins and Cav)
People are becoming blasé about him winning the TdF
He wasn't the first 'Brit' to win the Tour
He spends very little time in the UK
He's not a track cyclist

Should he promote himself more for the British public or just continue as he is? Does it secretly upset him that he is not an icon with the British public?

 

[roadrash]

I would think most of the british public think ... oh.... ok , hes won a bike race four times... I doubt the majority of the public actually know very much about bike racing, about as much as I know about football ....feck all

 

[CanucksTraveller]

I would think most of the british public think ... oh.... ok , hes won a bike race four times... I doubt the majority of the public actually know very much about bike racing

I'd agree with this. Wiggins had the benefit of being the first Brit to win, he has the advantage of being instantly recognisable, and he won Olympic gold for GB in the same year... and even with all that, he's still not that much of an icon to the general public in Britain. I just don't think road racing is a sport that the British public really get in big numbers... it's all a bit alien.

 

[Milkfloat]

"Does Froome care what the general public think and should he" is probably more relevant. He just won his 4th TdF who cares what his nationality is?