Macca
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Everything posted by Macca
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The last day ... Versailles / Paris Champs-Élysées. The stage begins at about 1.45am and finishes at about 5.30am (our time) Stage 21 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Froome waits for his crown on a night for the sprinters Preview video and map of the course -
Quintana wins stage 20! He claims 2nd overall along with the 'King of the Mountain' and the 'Best young rider'. Top performance. Rodriguez came 2nd in the stage to claim 3rd overall whilst Froome marked both riders to finish 3rd in the stage. Here's an audio podcast (10 mins) of last nights stage ... Froome all but secures the title For a comprehensive summary ... Quintana's coup... the arrival of a climbing king!
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Well the Tour is as good as over you'd reckon. Podium places are up for grabs and Quintana is almost sure to attack to gain outright 2nd spot. That would then make for an interesting stage tonight. All Froome has to do is track them in a reasonable fashion and he'll be the 'Tour de France' winner. They might still make him work for it. Stage 20 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... One last throw of the dice Preview video and map of the course
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You could mount an argument that Clarke will be the only batsmen in this current squad who will return to England in 2015 (yes, we're back in England in 2 years time, not 4) ... Cricket - future tours At some stage the selectors will have to bite the bullet and pick young batsmen with good techniques and temperament (big runs would be handy as well but the first 3 bits of criteria are very important) In the last 5 years we've been picking old blokes with good technique and temperament (North, Cowan, Rogers) or young blokes without good technique or temperament. (Hughes, Warner and Smith have technique issues whilst Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have temperament issues) The selectors need to identify the young batsmen with good technique and temperament and give them a good go at it. Doolan, Maddinson, Burns, Silk and Mitch Marsh could easily be given some opportunities. Obviously not all at once but over a period of 18 months to 2 years. There are no doubt others in the mix. The current batting line-up is taking us nowhere. Rogers is a good player but he's too old. Watson is not a test opener and might survive if his bowling holds up. Hughes, Warner, Khawaja and Smith (see above) and Cowan is too old. The only older player who stands out is Bailey (he adds badly needed leadership) One of our biggest issues is our batsmen's ability to play spin. Swann didn't bowl all that well last night but he picked up 5 wickets. He'll probably do much the same in the 2nd innings. As an aside, here are our batsmen from the '85 campaign. Wood Hilditch Wessels Border Welham Boon Ritchie Matthews and Phillips were used in the top 6 or 7 as well. We've been here before and it took Border, Simpson and a totally revamped batting line-up before we returned to power again.
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Even though there was some heavy rain in the Alps, it was a fairly uneventful stage in a lot of ways (in terms of the GC classification) A little disappointing but the school of thought was that yesterday's stage (stage 18) took a lot out of the cyclists. Here's an audio podcast (6 minutes) of the stage with references to the stage being "Too much for everybody and so they don't play" ... Froome maintains advantage For a comprehensive summary ... Costa: up, down... and onward to victory (again)!
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Two from Eric Burdon. The first with 'War' and the second with the 'Animals' ... Macca 13.5
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Incredible isn't it. On it's own, this stage is like a stand alone event. Never mind that they've just completed 18 stages and have another tough day tomorrow. If anything really dramatic is going to happen, it may happen tonight. Porte in a lot of ways remains the key. If Froome is left on his own, he might crack. I understand that it's unlikely and if it was a few other past cyclists having such an unassailable lead, I'd probably be calling it now. Just got a feeling that there is a twist in the tail (that may happen tomorrow night by the way)
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Well, Froome wasn't at his absolute best and at one stage he looked liked he might lose a bit of time. In the end he gained nearly a minute on Contador! Great viewing last night and Quintana could provide more than nuisance value over the next 2 nights. Will be fascinating to see how Porte goes tonight. He was great last night but if we remember back to the 2nd day in the Pyrenees as an example, he may have spent all his petrol tickets again ..... maybe Stage 19 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Is this the stage when a white jersey gets some red dots? Map of the course and video preview Not only is this a really tough stage but it's a long one time wise (according to the time schedules) The stage kicks off at 7pm and will finish at around about 1.00am. By the time the cyclists get to the start of the climb to the 'Col de la Croix Fry', there will be some very tired legs. I'm expecting a few surprises. That includes Froome either tracking every other contender, perhaps faltering or making a break of his own. Quintana and Contador would be expected to make their attacks again. Literally anything could happen.
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I can remember the tour finishing off with 2 very tough stages in the past but never 3. I seem to remember the last 4 days generally consisting of 2 tough stages in the Alps followed by a tricky 'flat' stage and then the final stage into Paris. If I'm right then this is a bit of unknown territory for the cyclists. The Colombian Quintana and of course Contador come into proceedings. Kreuziger and Mollema are within striking distance. If Froome does win the tour he will have really earned it. By the end of the next 3 days we'll either be singing his praises or perhaps questioning him or his team. For what it's worth I reckon he'll hang on but wouldn't be surprised if he gets caught (how's that for your quintessential 2 bob each way!)
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Stage 18 (part 1 of the 'Trilogy of Terror') ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... The answer? 42! Map of the course and video preview Thought I'd put the profiles of the next 3 stages up to give an idea of what's in store for the riders (and the fans) There are a total of 8 difficult climbs (6 long and 2 of a shorter distance) over the 3 days and each climb could be viewed as a 'mini stage'. There can be no faltering by the cyclists in contention and indeed any number of the GC riders can have a big day and gain lots of time on their rivals. Chris Froome will need to be at his best over the course of the next 3 days and he will need the support of his team (mainly Porte it can be supposed) Look for lots of random attacks ... bring it on ... 'The Trilogy of Terror'
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Stage 17 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... 32km can be a lot different to 33... Map of the course, video and preview
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Interesting take on 'Hotspot' by Warren Brennan in this BBC 5live podcast. Brennan helped developed hotspot fot TV. The interview begins at about 4.30 in and continues until about 16.30 into the podcast ... Ashes 1st Test review According to Brennan, the Jonathan Trott 2nd innings dismissal came down to human error rather than hotspot failing. He also talked about hotspot not being foolproof (according to certain conditions and/or circumstances) The lead into the interview is rather interesting with Michael Vaughan giving his opinion on the Haddin and Clarke dismissals. Even 'The Don' gets a mention.
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Couple of interesting articles there Cards and JJ. It's doubtful that any 'teams' would get involved again in a drugs program after all the furore of the Armstrong saga (but you never know for sure) Individual cyclists - different story. Stage 16 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Battle of the GC men set to continue Map of the course, video and preview
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Good point re the time trial there, Cards. That time trial (Wednesday) also involves 2 x cat2 climbs (albeit not very long - distance wise) I don't wish any ill will on Froome, but he's probably going to have to 'collapse' on one of the remaining difficult climbs to lose it. Anything can happen and I suppose I'm just hoping something 'dramatic' happens. As Froome said himself, he's in great form and last night proved it. He just put the foot down and left them in his wake. He may do it again. I reckon he's that sort of sportsperson - no hesitation, just go for it.
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Ha! Perhaps the wording should have been ex stars. I know as soon as I declare Froome over the line something will happen to prove otherwise. There are still the 3 mountain stages to go and I can't help but think that the tour could be ultimately decided in the climb to the top of 'Annecy-Semnoz' (stage 20) That stage is preceded by 2 other tortuous stages of course. Froome will need to be at his best in all those 3 stages ... here's the stage 20 profile ...
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It was certainly an emphatic performance by Froome. It's a shame that thoughts other than 'awesome' or 'what a champ' can jump into your way of thinking. It's only natural that we've become a fair bit cynical and suspicious. He probably would have won the tour last year if the team weren't riding for Wiggins so it's not as if he's come from nowhere. The spectre from the Armstrong era will hang over the sport for a number of years unfortunately. Interesting stance from Chris just a few weeks ago ... Froome’s fury at cheat Lance Anyway, here's a 12 minute audio podcast from last night's stage ... Chris Froome produces a blistering ride For a comprehensive summary of the stage ... Froome: victory in the Sky
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I think Haddin was probably out. Game effort by the Aussies but our top 6 need to churn out a lot more runs. Only 3 half centuries out of 12 at bats from the top 6 (and no centuries) That's not going to win you many Test matches. Hughes, Haddin and Agar made valuable contributions with the bat but we needed a lot more from the others. The bowlers all did reasonably well. We didn't play that well but we nearly pinched the match. We'll need to play a lot better at Lords if we're going to win. Cowan out for Khawaja is a possibility but I think it might be an unchanged side (unless one of the quicks doesn't come up)
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Stage 15 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Mont Ventoux: another legend is about to unfold Map of the course, video and preview
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'The Newsroom' is back (season 2) Screens on 'Showcase' on Monday at 5.30pm and repeated at 8.30pm.
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Stage 14 analysis (10 minute audio podcast) Comprehensive summary ... Trentin: the premier Italian stage winner in the 100th Tour Bastille day in France today and what a stage we have in store ... will post the preview's later but here's a look at the profile ... the climb to 'Mont Ventoux' will begin at around about 12.15am.
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Did I mention that I occasionally have bouts of supremely optimistic thoughts there, TD? We are fighting really hard, but England bowled very well to us yesterday and if they keep that up, it's going to be tough. The wicket is occasionally keeping low and Swann is a real handful (the ball that dismissed Hughes was a case in point) It's really hard to counter attack as well. There just hasn't been the deliveries to hit. Cook's field placements have been spot on and he has used his bowlers intelligently. We need to get through the 1st hour unscathed. The new ball is due in 9 overs and it will be interesting to see if England take it straight away. If they do, that's when we might be able to get a few boundaries. Still holding out hope but losing those 3 wickets at 160 odd was telling. All our tailenders can bat a bit and they're all going to have to contribute in some way.
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If hot spot is unreliable, it should be ditched. You can't have a system that 'might' work. Blokes careers are on the line here and it's the pinnacle of Test cricket - Ashes cricket. Cowan gone - right on the tea break. Ball was right up there. Could have been a bit more circumspect I suppose but that's the pressure of a 4th innings chase. Agree with you TD. Evenly poised. It's about partnerships now. Batting in 5 over blocks. We need each new batsman to contribute in some way - even if it's only 15-25 runs.
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To be fair, it did look very close 'live'. It's just the inconsistency of the decision that's annoying. If the umpire had given it not out then that's how the decision would have stayed (if it was reviewed) It doesn't seem right to me. Rogers not out! If we had run out of reviews he would have had to go. Flawed system. And very confusing to those who don't follow the sport closely.
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DRS needs to be looked at. Think it was Ian Chappell who said that all referrals should be up to the 3rd umpire only. Take it away from the Captains/Teams. I tend to agree with him. All it would take is for the 3rd umpire to step in when appropriate. In those circumstances, it would be difficult for the 'howler' to not be noticed. Fair for both sides. I could live without DRS as well. We didn't have it in India and to be honest, I didn't miss it. In this match, Rogers and Bell (it might have been Trott) were both hit on the pads in identical circumstances (ball was just clipping leg stump) Because Rogers was initially given out he had to go but because Bell was initially given not out - he stayed. That part of DRS is flawed. Either do it properly and thoroughly or don't do it. Or maybe just keep it for no balls, run-outs and stumpings.
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For some reason I've been thinking that we'll win this Test by 2 wickets. No idea why, just a thought that I've had for a few days that won't go away. Now wouldn't that be a grandstand finish TD? England would have to be favourites though and I expect Swann to get amongst them. Our batsmen might try and hit him around a bit. Sitting on him could play into his hands. He's the danger man. Go Aussies!
