Macca
Life Member
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Joined
Everything posted by Macca
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Stage 11 ... live coverage from the official site (time trial tonight) Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Tony Martin's date with Mont-Saint-Michel... Map of the course, video and preview ... -
Kittel wins his 2nd stage (audio podcast) Comprehensive summary ... Kittel ahead of Greipel in sprint finish.
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Was thinking today about the Sky team and the fact that they didn't have one rider who could go with Froome on Sunday. There were 5 difficult climbs and Froome was on his own sometime on the 1st climb. Maybe this is further evidence that the sport has been largely cleaned up. You couldn't blame anyone for losing a bit of interest in the cycling tours after the whole Armstrong affair but even he admitted (if you can believe him) that since the blood passports have become part of the sport, it's very difficult to cheat anymore. If we see a repeat of more riders 'blowing up' on the mountain stages, then maybe that's a further indication that the cyclists aren't getting any 'help' (so to speak) We got so used to that U.S Postal team just marching up one mountain after another in a decent sized group. Day after day. Didn't most of them get done in the end?
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Well done to Marion Bartoli for winning the Ladies title over Sabine Lisicki (who defeated Sam Stosur and Serena Williams on the way to the final) But the big story is Andy Murray's win over Novak! He breaks a 77 year old drought. Great performance and this Murray/Djokovic match-up could be the new big rivalry ... although Federer and Nadal might have something to say about that!
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Stage 10 ... Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Gentlemen: re-start your engines... Map of the course, video and preview
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Yeah, there were a few interesting and somewhat surprising developments. Just goes to show that it's all too easy to assume anything in this race. Biggest surprise was the lack of support that Froome got (this early) Given that there are still some tortuous stages to come, it ain't over yet. As you said, it's still his to lose but he's going to need help. I can't help thinking about those last 3 stages (before the final stage) The 2nd or 3rd of those stages could be chaotic and it's my guess they will be. Cadel did ok last night and he's always been one to bide his time. Whether he's got a 'big stage' in him or not remains to be seen. You never write off a champion. The next mountain stage isn't until next Sunday before we get to the 'triple header' in the Alps (Thurs/Fri/Sat - weekend after next) The other surprise was Richie Porte. What springs to mind is that he was designated to help break up the field on the previous days stage. Left him without any petrol tickets but maybe the jobs done. There's little doubt that Porte will again be used prominently in the 'Alps' to help Froome. Rest day today. Time to catch up on some sleep!
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Audio podcast from last night's stage (10 mins) Comprehensive summary ... Dan Martin victorious on a day Froome is isolated...
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Well, we ended up with 1 vs 2 in the mens final. Djokovic vs Murray. Can Andy be the first male winner from Great Britain in 77 years? (Fred Perry was the last GBR winner - 1936) I hope he wins it but would still be pleased if Novak prevails. Could be a classic.
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Interesting article about Lehmann keeping England in the dark re our selected side ... ... Australia coach Darren Lehmann keeps England guessing over likely batting order for first Ashes Test This was the 'likely' team listed ... it does back up your team somewhat (with Cowan at no.3) I tend to agree with you now re Cowan. We need stability at the top of the order and if Clarke does bat at no.4, we don't want him exposed too early. Shane Watson Chris Rogers Ed Cowan Michael Clarke © Phil Hughes Dave Warner Brad Haddin James Pattinson Peter Siddle Mitchell Starc Nathan Lyon.
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Stage 9 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Still in the mountains but a different race entirely... Map of the course and preview Profile ...
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Here's a 10 minute audio podcast covering last night's stage ... Froome stakes his claim And for a comprehensive summary of stage 8 ... Boom: Froome blows the race to pieces!
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Yep, it was an ominous performance. Porte was great as well. We may well have an Aussie in the top 3 after all. Cadel has fallen about 4 and a half minutes behind and it didn't look like his team were much help. But full marks to Chris Froome - he just blew the field away. Long way to go but Froome and his team are in the box seat now.
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It's difficult to know what the tactics will be. Often most or many of the best of the GC have the energy to stay with each other when the tour first hits the mountains. It is a big climb first up though and they will climb for the best part of an hour. And then there's the last climb to top things off. Looking at the profile, it's quite confrontational isn't it? Just really hoping that Cadel does well tonight. We may get an indication on how strong his team is. Froome on the other hand seems to like to lay down the gauntlet. You'd almost expect him to go for it tonight. Contador may show his hand as well. Going to be fascinating viewing regardless. Bring it on!
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Stage 8 ... Live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's preview ... Froome: the favourite for victory up high Map of the course and preview Profile ... the climb to the 'Col de Pailhères' should begin around about 11pm whilst the 2nd climb to 'Ax 3 Domaines' should commence around about 12.20am. (times are approximate)
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I see Chris Carter has tipped the Bengals to do well this season. He went on to say that Dalton is judged too harshly and that the Cinci receiving team are underrated. Mark Schlereth reckons the Cowboys will be a bust. Too many chiefs was mentioned. However, Dallas can be a dangerous opponent. On their day, they can beat anyone. There's a number of teams that can rise up in the standings. I'm almost certain that the Eagles and KC will get a lot more wins. A few of the more fancied teams have tough schedules. As usual, the NFC East will be a division to watch. Outside of the NFC North, it's my favourite division to watch in terms of fierce divisional match-ups (although the NFC West is now a strong division)
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Here's a 10 minute podcast summary of last night's stage ... stage 7 analysis For a comprehensive summary of last night's stage ... Sagan 1st after a 150m lead out by Cannondale
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Here's a short video of Joe Montana ... the bloke was a pure winner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdlOJW_7-qU
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Ha! It's weird how one ends up choosing their sporting teams. Each story is different in it's own way. With the Packers, I just liked the name. Knew nothing of their history, colours, Lombardi or the fact that the team is owned by their fans - I got very lucky. Those 49ers should be thereabouts for a number of years. They've got all the pieces including a really good coach and QB. They'll be the team to beat this year you'd reckon. Before I started following the Packers, I really only knew about one player - Joe Montana. 'Joe cool' was an absolute star.
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Stage 7 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Tarn it: a stage when anything can happen ... Map of the course and preview Profile ...
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Nah, the Argonauts got up (with the help of Jason, apparently) My 'Roughriders' beat the Eskimos. Your 'Tiger-cats' take on the Eskimos this week. Should be a rip snorter by all accounts Hey, it's only just over 4 weeks to the pre-season games! With our Demons highly likely to finish off the season well, suddenly the sporting landscape isn't so grim, Strafford!
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Yep, there's 2 spots in the top 6 up for grabs. Clarke, Hughes, Watson and Rogers are in you'd reckon. If I was to hazard a guess, I think Khawaja will bat at 3 and Smith at 6. But who knows? Swann picked up another 5 wicket haul in England's warm up game so the selectors might go more right handers in the line-up. That strengthens Smith's cause. If Bird gets wickets again tonight he might be in. However, it would be a brave move to not pick Siddle. A fresh Siddle to come in for the 2nd or 3rd Test may not be such a bad idea though. The warm up games have been beneficial on an overall basis. Clarke rapid fire ton last night is terrific news as well.
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'Orphan Black' looks to be a good new Sci-fi action/drama. A Canadian production, the show is fast moving with lots of twists. From some of the reviews ...
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Stage 6 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Shorter, flatter ... faster? Map of the course and preview ... Profile ...
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You've sort of got to pace yourself with the late finishes, Cards. That's the theory anyway With the flat stages I might sometimes record and then watch the last 45 minutes in the morning but the mountain stages are must viewing ... thankfully those mountain stages are primarily on the weekends on this tour. Tonight's stage is due to finish sometime after 1.00am (as are most of the stage's) Next Sunday's finish is just after midnight, Monday is a rest day, whilst next Wednesday's time trial might be an earlier finish. Anyway, Stage 5 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Why not a third for Orica-GreenEdge? ... Map of the course and preview Profile ...
