Tour Of the Basque Country

Caroline_ie · 05-04-2010 3:09pm #1

Live on Eurosport at the moment

Go Jens!!!!!!!!!!!

petethedrummer · 05-04-2010 3:30pm

Watching myself, there was some good chat with Magnus earlier about bikes and pedalling style.

I didn't know he won Paris Roubaix on a Titanium bike.

jwshooter · 05-04-2010 7:23pm

tight enough finish .some big names way off the pace .kinda a odd start for some this year .

IM0 · 05-04-2010 9:08pm

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Go Jens!!!!!!!!!!!

Go backwards Jens!!!!

FYP

, I think he heard you.

Great stage today, wasnt expecting the fireworks so early on in this, 1st stage! :eek:, Sanchez got handed his hat shame one of the favourites out of it already and he was the home (nation

) hope. Was really unsporting by Friere, Valv would have had him no problem

Caroline_ie · 06-04-2010 2:48pm

I won't jinx it for jens today - I wish i was out there. looks nice and sunny.

IM0 · 06-04-2010 4:27pm

Caroline_ie wrote: »

looks nice and sunny.

Yep, though thats a rare thing it seems for the race, usually rain and cold and some sun/dry, though there is still lots of time left for that!

Valv got his revenge today - yay!

ColSheehan · 06-04-2010 5:18pm

me@ucd wrote: »

Valv got his revenge today - yay!

Why are you so negative towards Freire? Don't forget Valv is a doper :P Freire isn't. Yesterdays sprint finish can be debated. Valverde could have went to the right of Freire at the point when he was going left and he probably would have kicked his ass there. I'm not sure Freire knew Valverde was right behind him (does anyone look behind them in mid sprint to see did they block someone?). Freire isn't a 'dirty sprinter' and I'm sure he didn't mean to block Valverde. Frankly I believe it was unlucky on Freire that he had the stage taken from him.

Ah well, the stage can't be changed now

Yeah, Valverde got his revenge today and got the win. It didn't really look like Freire would catch him.

IM0 · 06-04-2010 5:47pm

ColSheehan wrote: »

Why are you so negative towards Freire? Don't forget Valv is a doper :P Freire isn't. Yesterdays sprint finish can be debated. Valverde could have went to the right of Freire at the point when he was going left and he probably would have kicked his ass there. I'm not sure Freire knew Valverde was right behind him (does anyone look behind them in mid sprint to see did they block someone?). Freire isn't a 'dirty sprinter' and I'm sure he didn't mean to block Valverde. Frankly I believe it was unlucky on Freire that he had the stage taken from him.

Ah well, the stage can't be changed now Yeah, Valverde got his revenge today and got the win. It didn't really look like Freire would catch him.

Negative towards Freire? not sure Id use those words

strange how you got that impression. Personally I dont care which of the two wins really, but freire seriously impeded Valv in the sprint so its about fairness of the result and not bias towards either rider. Anyway the organisers agree with me so thats enough, when Freire went left..and KEPT going left the only reason was to box Valv in or why else would he do it. Personally I dont really care if Valv is clean or not, we dont know who is clean and who isn't in cycling until after they are found out, its a show, I like his style he made it interesting, he did all the work to stay away aswell.

sy · 07-04-2010 12:52am

Dan Martin 6th overall and only 1" behind (with about 50 other riders on the same time!) Would be great if he is able to hold this position to the end but TT on last day may be a problem as its mainly downhill!

Sanchez seemed in better form after his disasterous stage yesterday and
Freire was very gracious in defeat when he shook hands with Valverde after they crossed the line. Difficult to beat him in an uphill finish.
Looks like Valverede will be in form for the Ardenne Classics.

Slideshowbob · 07-04-2010 1:09am

http://www.fade.org.nz/news/cycling-valverdes-drug-shame-a-shaggy-dog-tale.php

Quote:

"the court's three arbitrators unanimously ruled that Valverde "engaged in doping practices" with the help of Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes"

How anyone could support an acknowledged doper is beyond me! Cheats Out !!

ten speed racer · 07-04-2010 3:09pm

Today, I started working from home three days a week. So I've a cup of tea and a jaffa cake while watching the Tour of the Basque Country live on Eurosport...

(I suppose I could actually be out on my bike--but I'm meant to be working)

jwshooter · 08-04-2010 8:35pm

its stunning countryside ,some brilliant roads, great climbs. looks like a lovely place for a holiday .

IM0 · 09-04-2010 6:03pm

Pretty mazing climbs today, must have been an absolute bitch to cycle up, never before have I seen a whole peloton go so slowly and hardly turn the gerars around :eek: and most (a large amount) having to weave to get up, with 1 or two having to get off and walk :eek::eek: (without any mud or cobbles involved

) the boys earned their crust today

jesus..

cracking stage, cracking tour at that, cracking weather, country side, terrain (literally

) the basque country really is nice.

just the Final TT tomorrow to decide it.

Home:Ballyhoura · 09-04-2010 6:45pm

+1 ... savage climbs! They would nearly be better off with compact gearing for that if some weren't doing so already! Gear grinding stuff...jesus :eek:

jwshooter · 09-04-2010 7:33pm

my legs hurt looking at that climb .

had a very fast crash near the end .

Home:Ballyhoura · 09-04-2010 7:53pm

jwshooter wrote: »

my legs hurt looking at that climb .
had a very fast crash near the end .

Yeah, talk about commentators curse...they had literally praised him for his improved descending skills about two seconds before it happened!

jwshooter · 09-04-2010 8:30pm

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Yeah, talk about commentators curse...they had literally praised him for his improved descending skills about two seconds before it happened!

murry walker ,would not have done it better. lucky man to get up so quick .he must have been doing 70kph.

"you dont suffer , kill yourself and take the risks I take just for the money .i love bike racing."

Greg LeMond

Home:Ballyhoura · 10-04-2010 1:37pm

Final stage underway now, individual TT.

Eurosport coverage starts at 2:45 but here are some links to live feeds and text updates for anyone interested!