TdF

[ihop]

I am trying to catch up. We were out of town last week with little connection to the rest of the world (no TV and spotty internet).

That's not the typical rest day interview.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ivan-basso-diagnosed-with-testicular-cancer 

We read this in the paper this morning.  DH said it is result of doping.   

[tenacious1]

I am trying to catch up. We were out of town last week with little connection to the rest of the world (no TV and spotty internet).

We read this in the paper this morning.  DH said it is result of doping.   

I have to admit I was thinking the same thing. First Lance and now Basso.

It looks like we're not the only ones this occurred to. http://www.livescience.com/51538-testicular-cancer-cycling.html

In addition, there's no link between the drugs used by cyclists and testicular cancer. Most of the drugs that cyclists take are aimed at increasing the amount of red blood cells in the body, rather than affecting hormone production, Schwaab said.

What about testosterone?

[ctjim]

I am trying to catch up. We were out of town last week with little connection to the rest of the world (no TV and spotty internet).

We read this in the paper this morning.  DH said it is result of doping.   

I'm with your DH on this one.

[tenacious1]

Dan Martin and Talansky dropped. Garmin is not having a good tour.

[wherestheportojohn]

Mr. Porty said the same thing about a possible PEDs/testosterone and cancer connection.

I'm watching (lives) today's final climb. jeebus!

[tenacious1]

jeebus!

Exactly!!!

[Mrtambourineman]

That's not the typical rest day interview.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ivan-basso-diagnosed-with-testicular-cancer 

Oh, that sucks.  I hope Ivan makes a full recovery.   

[tenacious1]

It's the transfer season. It's a good time to talk to everyone. Plus, vodka probably doesn't make a great post-stage recovery drink.

[blue sleep]

I have a question for you experts.  On the team time trial, time is stopped after the fifth man crosses.  But what about the guys that paced them in the beginning and then dropped out of the train?  In order to continue with the tour, do they still have to finish the stage, even though their times won't be counted to the team event?

[jcumming]

Too bad the TV flattens out those hills. My MIL asked why the riders were going so much slower near the end. In a couple of shots it actually appeared they were going downhill when they most certainly were not.

[blue sleep]

That makes sense...but do they literally have to finish the stage?   I never saw any stragglers on the course.  Can they just pull over and call it quits for the day?

[ctjim]

Tommy Voeckler got himself into the breakaway today.
I feel that all is right in the world now.

[tenacious1]

Nope; you have to finish the stage [AND within a certain time cutoff] to move on to the next day

This. The first five over the line get the time of the fifth teammate to cross. The rest get their actual time and have to be sure not to miss the time cut. Note that if the remaining teammates finish in the same group as the fifth rider they will get the same time.

Remember this?  http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/tour-de-france/editorial-kings-7-second-elimination-from-tour-sends-wrong-message_293232

[tenacious1]

Stage 11 -- Col du Tourmalet

[tenacious1]

Dan Martin. 

[Mrtambourineman]

Tommy Voeckler got himself into the breakaway today.
I feel that all is right in the world now.

He found his handbag of courage! 

[tenacious1]

Classic.    http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/jakob-fuglsang-to-lead-astana-at-tour-de-france-after-nibali-cracks

Darth Vino:

We gave the green light to Jakob to go ahead in the classification. Vincenzo needs a good mechanic because something is broken in his head.

Fuglsang:

I have not heard it from him (Vinokourov), but it was their order that I should go if I had something anything left, after we had been sitting for a while with Vincenzo. Now we will see, I'm still well behind in the standings. Whether it's worth the drive for it, it we will see the next few days.

[Mrtambourineman]

Ha, Something broken in his head.  Nice Vino. 

[InflatableLawnTurkey]

Well it looks like Nibali doesn't do well off the juice.

Way to go Majka! I loved his winks at the camera on his stage wins last year.

Too many people act like Froome has already won.

[tenacious1]

Froome's almost 3 minute lead over the number two guy really does put a damper on things.

6 DNFs yesterday. It must have been brutal.





Stage 12:



Garmin sent Dan Martin up the road yesterday. I'm guessing they'll try to send Talansky today.