Tour De France - Page 2

AstralTraveller (David) · #21 24-07-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

The last ride to Paris is not contested as a gentlemans agreement of the tour. It will be a relaxed ride and the yellow rider rides out front. Nothing to worry about. No one has ever brokent this unwritten rule in the Tours history.

Sort of like bowling underarm is it??

You wouldn't do it unless you'd lost the plot - and if you did you'd soon wish you hadn't.

Mick (Michael) · #22 24-07-2011, 12:55 PM

Warren, the Schleck Brothers have all ready congratulated Cadel on his win.

Going to have a kip later so I can see Cadel and the Schleck brothers on the podium tonight.

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral...h-says-schleck

Paul Haese · #23 24-07-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

Sort of like bowling underarm is it??

You wouldn't do it unless you'd lost the plot - and if you did you'd soon wish you hadn't.

Yep, maybe a smack in the head too might head ones way.

Don't worry there have been years in which Cadel came second and I had wished he contested the last day. However I see the wisdom of doing this. The Alps are hard work and drain most riders, the time trial requires the utmost effort; so the last day is a cruise. It all makes sense. This last ride is a formality and no one will upset the results. Cadel is the winner of the Tour. It has been declared via the official racing circles too.

stephenb (Stephen) · #24 24-07-2011, 01:14 PM

The last day is a sight to watch. The broadcast of the TDF is, as always a highlight of the year. Good on Cadel for this win. Well deserved after all these years.

Quark (Trevor) · #25 24-07-2011, 01:23 PM

:ch eers:Just how good is this, I feel just so thrilled for Cadel, reckon this will rate as one of the all time greatest sporting moments in Australia's history and this bloke certainly deserves all the plaudits that will flow from it.

Must say, when thinking about what has happened to him in previous years, being in a winning position but having to ride the last few days with injuries from falls and the innuendo of some of the riders that previously beat him not necessarily doing it on their merits, I had a tear in my eye last night.

What determination to keep going back and especially at his age. He has done us all proud.

Ric · #26 24-07-2011, 01:48 PM

Congrats to Cadel on a deserved win.

As he said in an interview, 20 years of hard work has just paid off.

To win the tour is the pinnacle of any riders career and some of the greats in cycling have never won it.

Saturnine (Jeff) · #27 24-07-2011, 08:38 PM

Coming from a family with a cycling background, Father as an NSW Road Racing Champion and an uncle selected on the Aust Olympic squad, I've been following the "Tour" ever since SBS started telecasting the race. Several Aussies have put in excellent efforts in past years and this year is just the greatest result, not forgetting that it is a team effort and Cadels' team members have laid the foundations for his win, though his efforts in the last few mountain stages and last nights time trial were magnificent.
Haven't had a decent nights sleep for 3 weeks, watching the race, between naps on the lounge and getting up at 5:00 to go to work, looking forward to some early nights ( if it's cloudy ). Congratulations to Cadel Evans and his team for a great victory, dare I say , I wont miss a minute of tonights telecast.

Jeff

Paul Haese · #28 24-07-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

No one has ever brokent this unwritten rule in the Tours history.

I need to make a correction here. I thought (I have followed the tour for some time now) no one had ever challenged on the last day but this is not true. Several instances have occurred where the leader has been over taken on the ride through Paris. Riders have fallen and the lead changes, but most importantly challenging on the last day is not unheard of in the tour. Cadel must remain upright and finish the race. He could be challenged but this is most unlikely. Last instance that I just heard was in 1986 (I think). So there might well be a challenge.

renormalised (Carl) · #29 25-07-2011, 12:48 AM

Not at 1:34 in front....too much of a lead.

Paul Haese · #30 25-07-2011, 01:31 AM

It's done. Yah finally I can now go to bed. Great tour this year.

bartman (Bart) · #31 25-07-2011, 01:50 AM

ONYA Cadel!!!!!!!!
Great Tour!
Awesome coverage once again by the French TV and commentators.

Bartman
PS, looks like he is about to shed some tears....... during the National Anthem.
Yell for Cadel!!!!!

SkyViking (Rolf) · #32 25-07-2011, 07:23 AM

What a great Tour this year. Kept the suspense right until the end

I must say I'm content that Andy didn't win in the end. He made many tactical mistakes this year, as usual. He should have attacked all out in the Pyrenees when Contador was weak. And then came all his complaints about descents etc. Get over it Andy, it's all part of the race

As for Cadel, he is not one who makes the grand attacks and I've always thought him to be a bit anonymous in the race in these past few years, but once the race really got going this year in the Alps he certainly took charge of the race. Especially when trying to reel in Andy on the Galibier stage while none of the other favourites made any move. And his time trial skills are excellent. He's a worthy champion indeed. Congratulations to him.
Next year will be a blast with Contador most likely back in full force, and Andy more eager to win than ever. And Cadel seems to get stronger with each year.

Paul Haese · #33 25-07-2011, 09:47 AM

Rolf, I would not be surprised if we see Cadel retire now. His father did mention something about that possibility.

Whether he has another tour in him at that pace is a question. No matter what though, he elevated cycling in Australia just that little bit more. In fact year by year with the likes of Stuart O'Grady, Cadel, Robby, McGee and others of the years; the sport is now at an all time high. Every year I see more and more bikes out on the road. Its become quite an industry and a healthy past time.

Great to see an Aussie on the podium at last. I hope to see more again in the future and I am looking forward to seeing the Australian team next year.

SkyViking (Rolf) · #34 25-07-2011, 10:19 AM

Yes that's certainly a possibility that he might retire, he has been in the game for many years already.
Being Danish I can relate to what Australia is probably seeing now in terms of cycling's popularity. We experienced the same in Denmark back when Riis ended Indurain's reign and won the Tour in 1996. It changed Danish cycling completely and elevated the sport to a whole new level, which it still enjoys.

mithrandir (Andrew) · #35 25-07-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Great to see an Aussie on the podium at last. I hope to see more again in the future and I am looking forward to seeing the Australian team next year.

Two Aussies if you count Tina Arena who sang the anthem. From her wikipedia entry:

Quote:

Arena has been awarded a Knighthood of the Order of National Merit, the second highest civil honour in France, by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February 2009 for her contributions to French culture.

Andrew