Macca
Life Member
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Joined
Everything posted by Macca
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What a fine effort. Well played Ashton Agar! -
I guess I'm holding out hope that there's a few twists in the tail. Can't remember the last time the tour had 3 finishing days that are as tough as this year's. (before the final stage) It's almost like the first 17 stages are like the 'home and away' season then there's 3 tough finals awaiting! The other factor is that if the tour is really clean, the ability of the riders to back up is that much harder (in theory) Last Sunday's stage was a fair bit different to what we've seen in the past (in terms of Sky protecting Froome and the yellow jersey) Of course, Froome could just waltz away with the whole thing without much threat
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So you're there for the 3rd Test yeah? Technically, the Ashes won't be decided before then I agree with you re the 1st hour (the whole 1st session really) It's hard not to peer into the future a bit. We don't want to be chasing 350 plus in the 4th innings. I can see them making at least 250-300 in their 2nd innings so ideally, we can grab a lead of 60-80 plus in the 1st innings to get ourselves right in the match. Can't find anything on Broad's injury. They might have to use Trott or Pietersen a bit if he doesn't come up. Apparently Watson has a niggle in his lower leg as well.
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Strange sort of day. 14 wickets fell but a number of batsmen contributed to their own downfall. Agar looks ok and has a nice action. He has a good high release and looks to put a decent amount of body into his bowling. It was certainly a bold move and I wish him well. Early doors but he's got a stack of time to develop. Only saw the dismissal's of our batsmen so it's hard to judge their bowlers. Our bowlers looked good when they got it in the right areas. Not sure what the go is with Broad - saw the delivery that struck him and it looked like it hit him right on the AC joint of his bowling arm (only guessing though) Because he didn't bowl, that might give our team an advantage (if he is hindered for the remaining of the match) England probably have the advantage and if they get an early wicket, we'll need our tail to get amongst it. As noted by a few earlier posts, they can all bat a bit. Agar is capable of batting as high as no.8 if all the reports on his batting prowess are true. However, he's probably marked down to come in at no.11! We'll need to bat for 2 sessions (at least) All the batsmen score at a good clip so if we do bat that long, we may well have a bit of a lead. Hope so anyway.
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I tend to agree Cards, although if Froome is isolated on stage 19 or stage 20 (or both) then it could get very interesting. It's his to lose and in previous years the margin he has now would be hard to bridge. If he does crack he could lose a lot of time on any of the 4 remaining mountain stages. I'm not quite prepared to call him over the line just yet. Want to see what his team does to support him in those tough remaining stages. Anyway ... Stage 12 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Cavendish's time for some revenge...? Map of the course, video and preview
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Hoping to see us bat first and continue batting until at least lunch time on the 2nd day! Further news ... Smith set to play in first Test Edit: Looks like Ashton Agar will debut as well ... live scorecard and commentary
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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 ...
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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.
