Anyone watching the Tour de France?

librarysteg

Hall of Fame
For reasons unknown to me, I've felt compelled to watch it for the first time this year. I'm enjoying it, but I really know nothing about the sport, just trying to learn a little from the commentators. So far I like the scenery and the crazy fans along the side of the road. Any fans have tips for things to watch for/appreciate?
 

max pl

Rookie
i've watched here and there for the past 3 years hoping to get into cycling, and ive learned a bit, but dont really follow the teams or individual riders during the year so i dont have anyone to cheer for during this tour.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Been watching it for about 12 years.
G/f about the same, she has two 15 lbs road race bikes plus a fixed 13lb'er, and used to race Cat3.
End of first 40 minutes should provide a breakaway.
Final 30 minutes would show a slow catch of the breakaway group.
Final 4 minutes show the teams leading their sprinters to the front.
Final 600 yards, the sprint begins.
 

adventure

Banned
You're doing it right!

Just wait for the time trials: those are are amazing, and the mountain stages get absolutely crazy, with fans running alongside the cyclists, getting in their faces, with no barriers at all.

I love the grace and speed of the sport.

I hope the sport makes a big comeback: the credibility of the sport has taken a huge hit in recent years.
 

Mike Bulgakov

G.O.A.T.
It is a great event for television and I enjoy watching highlights. I have seen the event in person, which was more fun for the picnic and ambience of the crowd than watching everyone race by.
 

*breaksracquet

Semi-Pro
fave team: Omega Pharma Quick Step (pre-Mark Cavendish). Ima specialized rider myself. first time watching TDF. caught team TT (stage 4), Stages 5 & 6, and watched the end of 8 this morning.
 
For reasons unknown to me, I've felt compelled to watch it for the first time this year. I'm enjoying it, but I really know nothing about the sport, just trying to learn a little from the commentators. So far I like the scenery and the crazy fans along the side of the road. Any fans have tips for things to watch for/appreciate?

If I want to see people on steroids.. Then I would take pictures of getting injected..
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
If you are interested in reading a bit more about the stages and riders you can pick up a Tour de France guide. The one by Cycle Sport is usually better than the one by Velo Magazine. I was in an REI today and saw the Cycle Sport one. Velo Magazine is available at Barnes & Noble as well as many bike shops.

I went to see five stages of the tour in 2007 on my honeymoon. Three of the stages were in the Pyrenees which were amazingly beautiful, and then I caught the last day in Paris.

I don't know if Lance has ruined it for many Americans, or it's just that we don't have any contenders these days. In the early 2000s we had Lance, Levi, Tyler Hamilton, Floyd Landis and George Hincape that were all fighting it out for either the GC win or at least stages. Last year the best placed American was Tyler Farrar in 11th. Horner's knee is not good and I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire. Christian Vandevelde just crashed out of his last Tour.

In a few years we are going to have a new crop of riders that are currently racing U23 events and have been doing well. Maybe one or two of them can make it popular again. I'm hoping it's Ian Boswell who is on Sky. He's a good kid that I raced against when he turned about 15. He lived one street away from me until he moved to France this spring.
 

Dags

Hall of Fame
It's no coincidence that the scenery is stunning: the route is carefully planned to show France at its best.

Mountain stages are generally most interesting to me, as it thins the field and sees most attacks. You'll also see just how close the crowd get: it's fairly ridiculous at times. I do like it when there's a good climber in contention to win the GC. 2012 I found a little dull, as Sky did a very professional job in defending time in the mountains, and then winning it in the time trial. As a spectacle, I found it a bit lacking.

I do also enjoy a good bunch sprint as well mind, particularly when you see the lead out train working well. I did get a little tingle down the spine when Wiggins hit the front with 1km to go in Paris: that was just something you don't usually see.

My favourite random thing is probably the transition between climb and descent. On the way up, you'll see shirts open, water being poured over heads, anything to keep cool. As they reach the top, they often take newspaper from the crowd and stuff it under their tops as insulation for the way down. They can get up to about 60mph downhill, so there's a fair wind-chill.
 

boinz

Rookie
Stage 9 was amazing! and even more remarkable is how Froome managed to ride steadily without any teammate to retain his lead
 

librarysteg

Hall of Fame
Thanks for the input. The mountains are definitely a lot of fun! Is it clean now after the Lance Armstrong controversy?
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
It's less dirty.
Announcers seem to think Froome has it won.
These multi mountain stages give climbers a huge chance to make up 2 minutes in one day. They can sometimes make up 2 minutes on just the last climb alone.
Yes, Froome is a great climber, but all climbers can have bad days, and it takes only one bad day to be 3 minutes back.
Contador is mid 2 minutes back, as is other climbers.
 

Govnor

Professional
I've been watching for many years. I have been to it too (Alpe D'uez).

There are some fun stages to come. Froome is certainly in the drivers seat, but it's far from over.
 

vive le beau jeu !

Talk Tennis Guru
the program for tomorrow: alpe d'huez x2, ouch !
velo.gif


tour2013-profil-18.png


TdF13-st18-map.jpg


vamos nairo ! :)
 

Govnor

Professional
I only wish that stage had been today, when I could actually watch it!!! Should be a classic. Unfortunately, Froome is in total command now so any expectations on a GC shake up should be minimal.
 

Lukhas

Legend
As someone looking to improve his French, does that mean "dotted red shirt"?
Generally, it's called "dotted jersey" or "polka dot jersey", or "maillot à pois". He also takes the white shirt for the best young cyclist.
 
Last edited:
Top