Damnit... Mark Cavendish has just pulled out of the Tour because of the Olympics... Such a shame as would have loved to have seen him dominate on the Champs Elysees this year
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Cav has done his bit for the team and his sponsors. He had an agreement with the team that if it was going to affect his Olympic preparations he could pull out.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
sponsors will probably be surprised he stayed in this long and have got more exposure than expected, they will have no complaints
referring to Cav as 'some arse' is just plain wrong
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
No one has more respect for the Tour than Cav!!
He's not showing that respect right now though is he. All along he said he was in it until Paris. It's not as if the Olympics were suddenly sprung on him is it. He either lied or chose to disrespect the race.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
sponsors will probably be surprised he stayed in this long and have got more exposure than expected, they will have no complaints
referring to Cav as 'some arse' is just plain wrong
Well if you behave like an arse it's not a long stretch to be refeŕred as one.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
No one has more respect for the Tour than Cav!!
He's not showing that respect right now though is he. All along he said he was in it until Paris. It's not as if the Olympics were suddenly sprung on him is it. He either lied or chose to disrespect the race.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
No one has more respect for the Tour than Cav!!
and nobody deserves an Olympic medal more than Cav.
Sorry fixed that and before someone tells me to take my blinkers off
- Beijing 2008 ... British Cycling ordered him to leave the Tour early for training (Despite winning four stages), we do great in the Velodrome yet the Madison event was ignored by the coaches (Because they cared more about the Team Pursuit) until the last minute and along with Wiggins who was more interested in the Team Pursuit, Cavendish was hung out to dry.
- London 2012 ... Cavendish now was the best Sprinter on the planet, yes his failure to win Gold wasnt the fault of British Cycling on this occasion yet the fact there was a large breakaway and on Britain chased meant that every other nation (i.e. Germany) cut their noses off simply to ensure Cavendish didnt win because they knew that they couldnt compete with him.
- Rio 2016 ... If the Road Race was flat then Cavendish wouldnt be leaving the Tour early (similar situation to London), instead its yet another repeat of Beijing, I believe he's only left the Tour early because British Cycling want him to report to them for preparation for the track and I bet that is the only reason he's been included (i.e. had he refused to leave the Tour early he wouldnt have been selected)... As it is the Madison has now been scraped and I dont think Cav is good enough to win Gold at the ominum.
I was very surprised Cav made it this far and got the last stage win.
Isn't it fairly often he'd get shelled out the back in the mountains? Proper shift he has put in to keep in the race. Disappointing not to see him contest in the Tour again this season but not surprising at all not just because it's him but just in general for the sprinters.
If they withdraw just because they can't be arsed to finish they should have any winnings or stage wins stripped from them. It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Yet Cav isn't withdrawing because he cant be arsed to finish, he said the other day that he planned to go to Paris
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
No one has more respect for the Tour than Cav!!
and nobody deserves an Olympic medal more than Cav.
Sorry fixed that and before someone tells me to take my blinkers off
- Beijing 2008 ... British Cycling ordered him to leave the Tour early for training (Despite winning four stages), we do great in the Velodrome yet the Madison event was ignored by the coaches (Because they cared more about the Team Pursuit) until the last minute and along with Wiggins who was more interested in the Team Pursuit, Cavendish was hung out to dry.
- London 2012 ... Cavendish now was the best Sprinter on the planet, yes his failure to win Gold wasnt the fault of British Cycling on this occasion yet the fact there was a large breakaway and on Britain chased meant that every other nation (i.e. Germany) cut their noses off simply to ensure Cavendish didnt win because they knew that they couldnt compete with him.
- Rio 2016 ... If the Road Race was flat then Cavendish wouldnt be leaving the Tour early (similar situation to London), instead its yet another repeat of Beijing, I believe he's only left the Tour early because British Cycling want him to report to them for preparation for the track and I bet that is the only reason he's been included (i.e. had he refused to leave the Tour early he wouldnt have been selected)... As it is the Madison has now been scraped and I dont think Cav is good enough to win Gold at the ominum.
^^^This, with bells on
British Cycling (as far as the Olympics are concerned anyway) has always been about the track. That's because track success can be 'guaranteed' provided your riders are the best. That's not the case with the road - far too many variables for there to be anything other than 'a good chance' of winning. Because of the culture of success at BC, only the track 'matters', and even then, only the team pursuit and sprints. The Omnium (and, latterly, the Madison) are treated as 'second tier' track events for the same reason (too many outside factors that can influence the result)
No-one can argue with the success of British Cycling over the past twelve years, but it's definitely results-driven, and I think they regard the road events (other than the TT) as a minor inconvenience. They'll point to the 2012 road race as being a good example of being unable to control the race, but even then you could argue that the breakaway that eventually went to the line could (and should) have been squashed far, far earlier - showing a lack of tactical nous that wouldn't have been acceptable from a pro team DS
Just hope that Cav can get the medal he so richly deserves - it won't be gold cos Gaviria has that sewn up, IMO, but silver is achievable
Love the way the riders will zip up their Jersey as they're about to win a hot stage...
Ilnur Zakarin from Katusha almost fell off his bike trying to do his jersey up just before crossing the line
Can also understand why Cav withdrew as medics are running out each time one of the breakaway get across the line to check they're okay, reckon Cav would have been okay seeing he wouldnt have been giving his all but reckon this stage would have finished him
Yates is having a hell of a race. Just a youngster, no team-mates around to help him out, yet he still manages to keep up with Froome and co and is sitting third overall. Could be a great future ahead for this guy.
Yates is having a hell of a race. Just a youngster, no team-mates around to help him out, yet he still manages to keep up with Froome and co and is sitting third overall. Could be a great future ahead for this guy.
shame his brother isn't around as well. I didn't realise he was serving a ban
Absolute fucking BEAST mode from Froome on that TT. That descent! Not sure it's particularly wise, considering he has such a lead on GC, but he is showing just how dominant he is over the rest of the field.
Thank you Chris... Nice £120 bet won from your Stage taking my winnings to £270 for this Tour.
God I didn't think he was going to do that though after the slightly slow start... The Tour is without doubt over now though, he's got a lead just shy of four minutes ahead of second place and in a race that has seen Team Sky dominate I can see that lead growing still.
Chris Froome = English Mother / English Father ... Both from Gloucestershire who moved to Kenya before Chris was born so I fail to see what makes him British Bradley Wiggins = English Mother / Australian Father ... Was born in Belgium as his father was a Pro Cyclist himself who specialised in the 6-day events
Means that Froome is more English than Wiggins yet it seems conveniently ignored for the latter
Difference is Wiggins is a product of an Kilburn up bringing, the British Cycling system and its traditions. Froome has barely ridden in the UK, for example he's never rode the Nat Champs and has no natural affinity to the country.
Wiggins may not have been born here but was brought up here and still resides here. Froome wasn't born here wasn't brought up here and doesn't reside here , I may be wrong on this but has he ever lived here ?
You see for me your nationality is based on where your parents / lineage etc. comes from
Is it Chris Froome's fault that he was never brought up in England? - Nor do I see the point of him concentrating on living in England when he's in a Sport which is forever moving around the globe
i.e. each month he's in a different country and it makes sense for him to live in France when resting because he can concentrate on preparing for the next Tour de France
Amazing stat no French, Spanish or Italian has won a stage on the tour this year. If it continues to and including Paris it will be the first time ever!
Expect massive pressure on those guys for the next two stages.
Chris Froome just crashed on a descent... He's back up on his bike and okay yet shows anything can still happen, it makes the Tour so exciting in this respect because its all down to the skill of the rider rather than having a fast car to aid them.
Not putting down Lewis Hamilton or any Formula One Champion there
Comments
It happens every year some arse gets what they want from the first 2 weeks of the tour and then withdraw. I hate it.
Its because its an Olympic year that he's pulled out because he needs to adjust in time.
No one has more respect for the Tour than Cav!!
referring to Cav as 'some arse' is just plain wrong
- Beijing 2008 ... British Cycling ordered him to leave the Tour early for training (Despite winning four stages), we do great in the Velodrome yet the Madison event was ignored by the coaches (Because they cared more about the Team Pursuit) until the last minute and along with Wiggins who was more interested in the Team Pursuit, Cavendish was hung out to dry.
- London 2012 ... Cavendish now was the best Sprinter on the planet, yes his failure to win Gold wasnt the fault of British Cycling on this occasion yet the fact there was a large breakaway and on Britain chased meant that every other nation (i.e. Germany) cut their noses off simply to ensure Cavendish didnt win because they knew that they couldnt compete with him.
- Rio 2016 ... If the Road Race was flat then Cavendish wouldnt be leaving the Tour early (similar situation to London), instead its yet another repeat of Beijing, I believe he's only left the Tour early because British Cycling want him to report to them for preparation for the track and I bet that is the only reason he's been included (i.e. had he refused to leave the Tour early he wouldnt have been selected)... As it is the Madison has now been scraped and I dont think Cav is good enough to win Gold at the ominum.
Isn't it fairly often he'd get shelled out the back in the mountains? Proper shift he has put in to keep in the race. Disappointing not to see him contest in the Tour again this season but not surprising at all not just because it's him but just in general for the sprinters.
British Cycling (as far as the Olympics are concerned anyway) has always been about the track. That's because track success can be 'guaranteed' provided your riders are the best. That's not the case with the road - far too many variables for there to be anything other than 'a good chance' of winning. Because of the culture of success at BC, only the track 'matters', and even then, only the team pursuit and sprints. The Omnium (and, latterly, the Madison) are treated as 'second tier' track events for the same reason (too many outside factors that can influence the result)
No-one can argue with the success of British Cycling over the past twelve years, but it's definitely results-driven, and I think they regard the road events (other than the TT) as a minor inconvenience. They'll point to the 2012 road race as being a good example of being unable to control the race, but even then you could argue that the breakaway that eventually went to the line could (and should) have been squashed far, far earlier - showing a lack of tactical nous that wouldn't have been acceptable from a pro team DS
Just hope that Cav can get the medal he so richly deserves - it won't be gold cos Gaviria has that sewn up, IMO, but silver is achievable
Ilnur Zakarin from Katusha almost fell off his bike trying to do his jersey up just before crossing the line
Can also understand why Cav withdrew as medics are running out each time one of the breakaway get across the line to check they're okay, reckon Cav would have been okay seeing he wouldnt have been giving his all but reckon this stage would have finished him
He cant be well, this isnt the Quintana I remember from last year, although the way Froome re-caught Porte was scary, he's untouchable
God I didn't think he was going to do that though after the slightly slow start... The Tour is without doubt over now though, he's got a lead just shy of four minutes ahead of second place and in a race that has seen Team Sky dominate I can see that lead growing still.
However as a cyclist I find him fantastic to watch.
Chris Froome = English Mother / English Father ... Both from Gloucestershire who moved to Kenya before Chris was born so I fail to see what makes him British
Bradley Wiggins = English Mother / Australian Father ... Was born in Belgium as his father was a Pro Cyclist himself who specialised in the 6-day events
Means that Froome is more English than Wiggins yet it seems conveniently ignored for the latter
Is it Chris Froome's fault that he was never brought up in England? - Nor do I see the point of him concentrating on living in England when he's in a Sport which is forever moving around the globe
i.e. each month he's in a different country and it makes sense for him to live in France when resting because he can concentrate on preparing for the next Tour de France
Expect massive pressure on those guys for the next two stages.
Not putting down Lewis Hamilton or any Formula One Champion there