Macca
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Everything posted by Macca
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'Young Guns' are a British alternative rock band from Buckinghamshire who have been around since 2009 . This song 'Bones' was released from their 2012 album (also called 'Bones') It peaked at no.2 on the UK Rock charts . Macca 9.0 [media=] -
Fairly flat H_T ! Stays much like this until Saturday's 7th stage . Picture-postcard stuff tonight (like every other night !) THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Down the Alabaster Coast "The fourth stage, the fifth day of racing, but I am sure there will already be some gaps, proving that the prologue, the finish in Seraing and, most importantly, the finish in Boulogne-sur-Mer have made an impact. Today, we continue with one of the longest stages in the Tour, with 214.5 km between Abbeville and Rouen. We will obviously seize the opportunity to pay tribute to Jacques Anquetil. We will also emphasise the touristic aspect of the Tour by riding down the Alabaster coast for a long time and enjoying its breathtaking landscapes and light effects.
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Yeah , Cadel looked very comfortable and assured . His team are quite visible at the front as well . Lookin' ok . Just on Wiggins , how's his history in the Pyrenees and the Alps ? We know what Evans is capable of . And did Wiggins lose one of his teammates last night ? Siutsou ? Is Siutsou renowned as a good climber ?
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There are a couple of category 3 climbs at the end of tonight's stage . It will be interesting to see whether Cadel wants to do anything about the 10 second deficit to Wiggins . He may bide his time for now . Stage 3... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Opening of hostilities "We are now in France and ready to start from Orchies, a familiar place for classics specialists. One could be forgiven for thinking we have come for the cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, but we are actually going to ride straight away from them towards the hills of the Boulonnais. Six big climbs in 100 kilometres, four of which in the last 16 kilometres. This could mark the opening of hostilities in the Tour. There is no way the sprinters will be there at the finish, which will be decided at the same place as the French Championships won by Chavanel. I think the bunch will be smashed to smithereens."
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Cavendish wins it by half a bike wheel ! His 21st overall stage win . What a sprinter . Anybody know how many stages Robbie McEwan has won ? No change to the overall classification .
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Yep , big fan of French cinema . 'Swimming pool' and 'Lemming' were terrific . Charlotte Rampling starred in both movies Mainly French crime films though - nearly always well made . Must watch 'La Haine' and 'A Prophet' http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235166/
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Watching 'Le Tour' visit Belgium has reminded me of a great little film called 'In Bruges' . A definite 4 stars out of 5 for this gem . Starring Brendan Gleeson , Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes , 'In Bruges' is a Crime caper laced with plenty of humour . Farrell is especially good in this movie . Here's the link to a trailer and reviews on IMBd . The film was released in 2008 . http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
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The 3rd day in Belgium - reminds me to watch that movie again , 'In Bruges' - A classic crime/comedy caper ! This is my kinda bike ride - perhaps with about 200 less klm's ! Stage 2 ... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Sticking to tradition "This pancake flat stage is tailored to pure sprinters. If Cavendish has missed out on a win the day before, this is the perfect place to make amends. This will be the third day straight that the Tour de France stays in Belgium. The stage will start from Visé, which is hosting the Tour for the first time. The bunch will visit the citadel of Namur halfway through the stage (km 82). We are sticking to tradition.
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Yeah , it's gonna be fascinating how it all unfolds . It may come down to how much help either Wiggins or Cadel receive from their teammates in the 'Alps' and the 'Pyrenees' . Stage 3 has a few climbs but we'll probably have to wait until stage 7 (next Saturday) to see how both teams support their man . Can't help but feel that there's a 'Smoky' out there who might surprise the 2 favoured riders . I'll post the profile of tonight's stage and 'Jean-Francois' preview a little later . Last nights finish was a beauty . Pity I fell asleep and missed it 'Live' !
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Bradley Wiggins has a 10 second advantage over Cadel after yesterday's prologue . Today's stage may not change things but there are some climbs involved . THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Setting the tone "This stage is no leg breaker, but it still is bumpy enough to dampen the hopes of pure sprinters. In other words, I do not think Cavendish will be among those fighting for the win. I hope I am wrong, but I think he will be dropped before reaching Seraing. The course is less demanding than in 1995, when Bruyneel and Indurain blew the race apart on the road to Liège, but it comes very close to the Ardennes and, at 198 km, the stage distance is nothing to sneeze at. In short, we wanted to preserve the peloton's energy while setting the tone for the rest of the race. We will see..."
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The sport is dangerous enough without being distracted by these lunatics ! All good though . I've heard the tarts are nice as well ! Of course , I mean that in a purely culinary sense
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Yeah , I'm certainly not an aficionado on the sport but I definately remember that duel in last years tour . The large argument before last years tour win was that Cadel had to do things on his own too much . I've seen previous winners receive so much support that they've really only had to pull out 2 or 3 really big efforts . If Cadel can receive as much support as Contador and Armstrong quite often got , then his age (35) may not be such a barrier . Wiggins is 32 . Armstrong was 33 when he won his last tour .
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Yeah , ta for that . Had a read back through the thread and HT and cards said as much in quoting publicised articles . So it's Australia vs England hey ? Being a cricket fan my allegiance and tip can only go in one direction ! Go Cadel !
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Interesting that Wiggins is a short odds favourite (narrowly from Cadel) and then it's daylight to 3rd favourite (Nibali) . 2 real chances only ? It seems Cadel has never had great support from his teammates on the mountain stages in past tours . Is this likely to change this year and what about Wiggins' team ?
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Yeah , USADA are certainly going after Lance and they've previously said that at least 10 of his former teammates and associates will testify against him . The sport has done remarkably well to survive and in a lot of ways prosper , despite so many drug cheats . I think even if Armstrong is found guilty (and I hope he's innocent) , the sport will just carry on regardless . I suppose that may mean that the 'Tours' themselves are much bigger than the athletes that compete in them .
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Well , here we are , day 1 . And 'Le Tour' starts with a 6.4 kilometer prologue . Kicks off at 10pm . The profile below is a bit 'unexciting' but they will get more interesting as the event progresses (stage 3 on Tuesday , for instance) THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX A rare opportunity "6.4 km in the heart of Liège on the very same course where Fabian Cancellara burst onto the scene in 2004. I guess he wants to perform particularly well, even if just to get even for the bad luck which kept him out of the spring classics... Moreover, I have not forgotten he is the defending champion, having won the most recent prologue in Rotterdam (2010). In 2013, the 100th Tour will start directly with a road stage, just like last year’s, so it goes without saying that prologue specialists should do their best to seize this opportunity."
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Federer through after being 2 sets down . However , Roger won the 5th set comfortably 6-1 against a cramping opponent (Julien Benneteau) The Mens competition gets more interesting from here on in , with tonights match-ups including Ferrer (7) vs Roddick (30) , Baghdatis vs Murray (4) and Nishikori (19) vs Del Potro (9) Probably the best Ladies match-up tonight is Serena Williams (6) vs Jie Zheng (25) . This game is 1st up on Centre court .
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Rafa out ! Well that's a shock , loses to World no.100 Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic . Opens the door for Andy Murray now , who defeated Ivo Karlovic in 4 sets to advance to the 3rd round .
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Both out in the 1st round - I can sure pick 'em Yep , Sam won well . Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt both play tonight . Big ask for Lleyton against Tsonga and don't know much about Tomic's opponent , David Goffin of Belgium .
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Latest from Papa Roach ..... Macca 8.9
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Sam is 1st up tonight on court 3 (8.30pm EST) against Carla Suarez Navarro . For those with cable , Fox3 are live from 8.30pm .
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Wimbledon starts tomorrow night . Only 2 weeks between Grand Slams this year . Though I reckon Djokovic should win , I'm hoping for a Nadal/Federer final (Roger and Novak are in the same half of the draw) . Andy Murray will probably make the semi's . Tomas Berdych may surprise again and the American , John Isner can be dangerous on grass . In the ladies , Sam Stosur will hopefully keep up her good form . Wouldn't it be great to have another Aussie winner ? Otherwise , the ladies winner will probably come from Maria Sharapovo , Venus , Serena , Victoria Azarenka or last years winner Petra Kvitova .
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