2009 Tour de France - DPChallenge Forums

07/07/2009 11:37:39 AM · #26

The thought crossed my mind that Team Colombia had planned that attack for when they went through that corner and hit the cross winds, and maybe George Hincapie gave Lance a heads-up. Those two guys are very good friends, and I don't think Colombia has a GC contender, so no conflict of interest for George. For what appeared to be a pretty boring flat stage, it sure turned exciting in the last half hour!

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

07/07/2009 11:39:49 AM · #27

Today wasn't boring either, though I won't say anything for those who get coverage later in the day. I am pleased they brought back the TTT.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

07/07/2009 12:41:05 PM · #28

Originally posted by Melethia:

Today wasn't boring either, though I won't say anything for those who get coverage later in the day. I am pleased they brought back the TTT.

Anything but boring, I agree. Things are shaping up VERY interesting...

R.

07/07/2009 05:17:21 PM · #29

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by Melethia:
Today wasn't boring either, though I won't say anything for those who get coverage later in the day. I am pleased they brought back the TTT.

Anything but boring, I agree. Things are shaping up VERY interesting...

R.

That was amazing!

Oops! I forgot that there are still those who haven't seen the stage. I edited out anything that would have given it away. Sorry if anyone read it who didn't want to know.

Message edited by author 2009-07-07 17:27:03.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

07/07/2009 09:52:19 PM · #30

I watch it first thing, 7:30AM. Right now it's just about the only bright spot in my day.

JeffryZ

Nikon D80

07/08/2009 02:21:40 PM · #31

Wow. Five Astana riders in the Top Seven places right now. They could sieze the Yellow Jersey any day they want to but do not wish to do so yet. Once you get it, your team has to work harder to keep it and they are content to let Fabian Cancerella's Saxon Bank do all the work like they did on today's flat but windy stage. That will leave them more tired once the hills start in a few days.

07/08/2009 03:26:13 PM · #32

The wind can be a physical presence, you have to lean into it to avoid being blown off the road. If it changes direction, you have to quickly lean on it the other way. I can understand why they made such a big deal out of it. The stage winner did a good job, I think.

07/08/2009 04:37:48 PM · #33

What a delightful outcome today - love to see that happen every now and then! And to a very nice young man, too, I think.

07/08/2009 05:29:47 PM · #34

It's nice to see a breakaway rider succeed once in a while, and I'm glad that he took this stage away from the sprinters today. I like Cavendish, but he can be a tad smug for my liking. After he said that the other teams had raced like a bunch of juniors, maybe they didn't want to work that hard today to catch the breakaway. Anyway, the French finally have a day to celebrate.

In tomorrow's stage, there is a 5% climb near the end, so watch to see if Astana will attack Cancellara on that climb to take yellow. It could be pretty exciting to watch. The flat stages haven't been boring this year! Usually I'm just waiting for the mountains, but this has been a great race so far.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/19/2009 10:34:07 AM · #35

Several breakaways have gone this year, which is nice.

VERY cool story developing today (and not really a spoiler, since I don't think it affects any jerseys)... Yesterday a rider was nearly put out of the race by the time cut, but race officials let him stay because there were so many spectators on the course while he was trying to finish. Today, that same rider, apparently VERY grateful, is showing the race leaders they did the right thing - he's in today's breakaway, and for the moment, has headed out on his own and is temporarily in the lead. How cool is that?

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

07/19/2009 11:56:25 AM · #36

very interesting stage today indeed, though some might be either disappointed or feel vidicated with the results...
either way i'm still rooting for the greatly talented german youngster tony martin who finished only 2 minutes behind the winner and is currently 8th in the rankings (though he lost his white jersey today).

*off to do some cycling myself* :)

07/19/2009 12:00:55 PM · #37

I really should go do some cycling, too, but will probably just sit on my butt and edit photos instead. Will try to get some riding in tomorrow, though. And yeah - an interesting finish!

07/19/2009 12:48:05 PM · #38

An interesting & suspenseful couple of days of racing, for sure. Love what the helicopter video photogs are doing. The race is beautifully covered & the riders seem to be very aware of the cameras. I rode a bike as my only form of transportationi for about 12 years, so my legs twitch when I watch the sprinters race, & I did two camping bike tours in Canada with a friend, but I don't ride anything but a stationary bike these days.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

07/19/2009 06:55:36 PM · #39

I think we saw today who will win this year's Tour de France. At this point, I'd have to say that the rest of the podium is in play. It should be a very interesting week.

I just love the shots of the beautiful towns the Tour passes through. They have so much character, and haven't taken on that "corporate" look that the towns have in the U.S. I swear, when I travel here, sometimes it's hard to tell what part of the country I'm in. It's the same Wal Marts, McDonalds, Home Depots, etc. The beauty today in the Swiss Alps was breathtaking, too.

My youngest son (Matt, 27) and I rode early this morning, and got about 25 miles in on our mountain bikes. It's very hot here now, and is 101 degrees F as I type this, so we went very early to try to beat the heat.

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

07/19/2009 11:06:29 PM · #40

Yes, I think you are right. Should not be a problem for Contador, they are now racing for second, and Armstrong was the weakest of the final selection. Needed more racing days in his legs.

JerseyGenie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

07/19/2009 11:33:27 PM · #41

Yesterday my husband and (220 or so) other Anchor House Ride for Runaway riders returned from the one-week, 500-mile bicycle ride. They started in Oswego NY and finished in the middle of a mall in Trenton NJ.
He is a very happy man, resting his bottom end in the chair and watching the Tour again.

Edit to add that it was a good ride for them: the weather was cooperative and only one person had an injury. A new rider hit some gravel and broke his hip during the fall. He is doing OK and will soon return home.

Message edited by author 2009-07-19 23:36:07.

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/20/2009 12:31:42 AM · #42

Hey Jeanne - tell him congrats from me!! :-)

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

07/21/2009 02:41:19 PM · #43

damn. one of my favorite german cyclists is in the hospital. he is one of the funniest and most likable guys in the peleton, and i've been truly admiring his ambition and talent over the last years. shit happens. hope for a speedy recovery, jens voigt!

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

07/21/2009 02:52:04 PM · #44

I saw him go down - it was not pretty. I'm guessing the road rash is pretty bad because it was on a descent. Did they say what happened? Looks almost as though his tire caught the paint on a line on the road and just slid out.

Mephisto

Nikon Coolpix A

07/21/2009 03:01:58 PM · #45

yea that looked really bad. still the first thing i thought when i saw him go down was, he is gonna be alright, he will be up in no time to finish the stage...stupid optimistic me.
to me it looked like he wanted to bunny-hop a little bump, when his left hand slid off the handle bar, then lost control and fell. pretty nasty, but imagine if he didn't wear a helmet like everybody used to do a few years ago. it would have ended a lot worse...

in2truth

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S DX 18-105 f/3.5-5.6 ED VR

07/21/2009 03:20:12 PM · #46

I'm not much in to the Tour de France and neither are my 'expat U.S.' friends in the south of France but when they heard the race was traveling through their neighbouring village, they went and checked it out. They bundled the 5 kids in the car and walked for ages once they got their just so they could see a bunch of men on bikes ride by.
:-)

The second oldest 7yo Rebekah was stoked when Lance Armstrong at the end of the race during warm down and whilst texting on his cel phone, caught Rebekah's cheers and he gratefully smiled to her.

Must have done something for the 2yo Aliyah as well, apparently since then all she says is 'I want a bike' constantly. LOL

Message edited by author 2009-07-21 15:27:03.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

07/21/2009 03:25:41 PM · #47

Jens Voigt crash video, it hurts just to look at it. Sending up a little prayer for Jens Voigt.

IreneM

Nikon D700

07/21/2009 03:38:54 PM · #48

I'm a big fan of Jens Voigt and I'm totally shocked to hear this. Apparently he has serious face injuries and was unconscious for 3 to 4 minutes. Sure hope he gets through this o.k.

karmat

Apple iPhone 7

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/21/2009 03:46:11 PM · #49

Originally posted by pixelpig:

Jens Voigt crash video, it hurts just to look at it. Sending up a little prayer for Jens Voigt.

ouch.

ouch.

ouch.

i hate to see any biker go down like that. hope it turns out okay.