Macca
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THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Au revoir 'Demonlanders'
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Well Adam did 'Do it' . Just not in the way we were hoping ! Edit : In all seriousness , Adam has handled things exceptionally well and with a touch of class . He gets a chance to bounce back at the US PGA Championship in a couple of weeks .
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Ok then ...
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Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins . A worthy winner . Stage 20 ... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Always magnificent "A little road stage, the shortest of the Tour (120 km). But it will no doubt be an apotheosis, with the traditional finish on the Champs-Élysées. Always the same, always magnificent since 1975. We already know more or less what will happen: a festive start in Rambouillet, two short hours before things really get going, and then a sudden, spectacular acceleration to mark the peloton’s arrival in the Parisian circuit. All of this before 1.5 billion TV viewers, nothing to sneeze at! For the rest, I do not think any brave riders will be able to slip under the radar of the sprinters' teams. On paper, Mark Cavendish can dream of a fourth straight win."
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Less than a week away now and here's a chance for us Demon fans to get a bit of joy into our lives ! What are people looking forward to ? I'm hoping for lots of medals (any colour) and the main sports I'm interested in are Track and Field , Swimming , Track Cycling and the Rowing . The Aussies have traditionally done well in the latter 3 sports and hopefully we can snag a few medals in Track and Field . A lot of the 'Medal' events will commence around 4am so set your alarms ! Bring it on !
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Can Adam do it ? 25km - 30km+ winds predicted for tonight's final round . Could play havoc for a few and will bring that 'Cabbage' rough into play even more than it has already . Will make for some great viewing . Be nice if we could have a Webber/Scott double .
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Time trial tonight . Stage 19... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Who will graduate from the final test? "The last big challenge of the 99th Tour de France is an individual time trial that comes after 3,314.5 kilometres of competition. Baring disaster, we effectively know who the winner of the 2012 ‘maillot jaune' is going to be but there's many other tests taking place on the roads between Bonneval and Chartres and much of it relates to the future. Can the two Frenchmen in the top 10, Pierre Rolland and Thibaut Pinot – limit their losses in a discipline that they haven't excelled in before? Can Jurgen van den Broeck hold on to his fourth overall and eclipse what his fifth place from 2010? Will Cadel Evans actually be the best placed of the BMC team or will Tejay van Garderen win the white jersey by being better than last year's yellow jersey winner? Another critical question will be answered in the 19th stage: is Bradley Wiggins really better than his super-domestique Christopher Froome? The rider in the yellow jersey won the first long time trial but can he win the second . We'll have all the answers on Saturday evening. And then comes the parade to Paris."
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Seether with 'No Resolution'... Macca 9.4 [media=]
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The 'endgame'. Stage 18... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Many elements may be decided but glory is still on offer.. "For days now, the focus has been on how the Pyrenees would influence the race for overall honours but stage 18 is different. Even the race leader Bradley Wiggins allowed his mind to wander in the closing kilometres of stage 17 because, finally, he dared let the thought that he was actually going to win the Tour de France enter his mind. Sky has effectively been on the front of the peloton most of the way for the 1,520km from La Planche des Belles Filles to the final summit finish of the 99th edition. The team of the GC leader has to take that responsibility and Wiggins and his colleagues won't be idle in the race from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde but they can allow themselves the luxury of a little bit of rest as their thoughts turn to the final time trial... and the journey to Paris as it seems that the title winner has indeed been decided. The final Friday of the 2012 Tour might have a few hills but the mountains are behind the peloton. The prize jerseys have all effectively been decided but there's still the glory of a stage win on offer. The profile begs for a sprint finish and tired legs will limit the number of candidates for an escape but 14 teams are still without a victory. This is a day for them to seize one of the few remaining chances that are on offer in this year's race..."
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You've just got to wonder whether a 2 year ban is enough of a deterrent . There seems to be a flagrant disregard of the rules of fair play . I reckon a lot of people are getting tired of hearing about these cheats . For the sports sake , Lance hopefully will be found not guilty or absolved of all charges . If he's guilty , what happens then ? ... A tipping point could be reached where masses of people just stop watching . I know I'm watching with less interest and it's not because of Cadel's position . I'd like Nibali to make a break tonight but there's a possibility of some cynicism on my part if that happens (unfortunately) . As for the Sherpa's .
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Quite a fascinating list . More than a couple of 'Notables' with high points too .
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Seems academic now but there may be a twist . A bit of drama on the last of the climbing stages would be good . Nibali's last chance you'd reckon . The climb to 'Port de Bales' will commence sometime after 11pm . Stage 17... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Loads of points up for grabs "Short (143.5 km) but tough! We designed a Pyrenean counterpart to the Alpine stage between Albertville and La Toussuire. But now that we are a mere three days from the finish, if the general classification has not been decided yet this will be the last chance for climbers to build a buffer. There will also be loads of points up for grabs for the mountains classification... The course offers no respite. The first climb is the Col de Menté, famous since 1971, which will be followed by the Col des Ares and the Port de Balès. This will be the first time that the finish is decided on the Plateau de Peyragudes, a ski resort in the Hautes-Pyrénées."
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And who's to say it wouldn't be equally as popular ! You might then have to bring in drug 'limits' so as to ensure a level playing field . Then there would be the 'Limit' cheats - or if there aren't any limits we could have ...... 'Bodybuilders on Bikes' ! I can see it now . Then of course , we could 'Contrive' it like on those mindless reality shows . 'Evil' Alberto could be a star attraction. I like the idea of amateur sport staging a revival though . The 'Idea' of amateur sport in an event like 'Le Tour' is perhaps antiquated and from a bygone era but for the purists (and there are many) it might be a godsend . Ya see , the evils of the almighty dollar ....................ah , forget it , just keep bustin' 'em and give 'em tougher penalties !
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Frank reckons he's been 'Poisoned' . I thought I'd heard every 'Reason' for testing positive over the years but this is a new one . From the 'Steroids in the steak' to the 'Mum's slimming tablet' . What's next ? I sometimes think these drug cheats have got the 'Excuse' thought up before they do the deed . One famous track star tested 100 times over the limit for Nandrolone and continues to deny any drug taking to this day . Anyway , 'Le Tour' goes on regardless . And so it should .
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As you can see , the cyclists will spend most of their time climbing tonight . The first climb will start sometime after 8.10pm and the last climb will be after midnight (12.15 - 12.30am) Stage 16... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Mastery of all aspects of cycling "Pau, a stronghold? Pau, a strategic place? On today's menu, a 197 km classic succession of great Pyrenean cols: the Aubisque, Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin and Peyresourde. As Christian Prudhomme said, a mere four days from the finish, this stage will turn the thumbscrews on the peloton! Moreover, such a course is exactly my idea of a true mountain stage: not with a summit finish, which tends to lock up the race a bit, but an up-and-down course which calls for a mastery of all aspects of cycling. Two years ago, Andy Schleck vacillated somewhat on the descents..."
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Rest day tomorrow before some big climbs on Wednesday and Thursday . Stage 15... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX A strategic place "A tip of the hat to provincial France, the France of the Tour. Our caravan will set off from Samatan, a large town with 2,200 inhabitants which is the main town of the Gers canton. It will probably be a calm start, as the stage is not particularly tough. A sprint finish would be the logical outcome, and I actually hope it happens, because pure sprinters will not get many chances to shine in this Tour. The finish in Pau will be beautiful, like always. This is the 64th time that the Tour visits this city, which is almost a record. Let us pay homage to this city, which we see as a stronghold and a strategic place."
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It's tricky getting the times right though JJ . It's at best a semi-intelligent guess ! I just know there's many like me who just love those big climbs . Wednesday and Thursday's stages present some more big climbs (I think) I haven't given up on Cadel , mainly because he isn't going to give up on us . He's a champion .
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The Pyreness . The 1st big climb to the 'Port de Lers' will commence soon after 10.40pm , whilst the 2nd big climb to the 'Mur de Peguere' will happen sometime after 11.40pm . Stage 14 ... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX An appetiser "We have reached the Pyrenees! But this is more of an appetiser than a mountain stage proper. Things will get going at kilometre 116 with the ascent to the Port de Lers, with 11.4 km at 7%. Then comes the Mur de Péguère, which is making its Tour debut and could deal some serious damage too: some sections are close to an 18% gradient, with 10.8% at the finish! Nevertheless, the distance to Foix will make great climbers hesitate. In my opinion, this is more of a stage for all-rounders such Voeckler and Chavanel. Or maybe a 50 man strong group with the freshest riders in it...
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- 2011 winner cadel evans
- go any aussies!
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Yeah , great news for Patty . I liked Popovich's endorsement as well . And for the latest news re Dwight ... http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/07/lakers-magic-cavs-talk-deal-that-would-send-howard-to-la/1#.UAJJDPXDB-w
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My favourite memory of Brett Lee was the Boxing day Test at the G in 1999 . It was Lee vs Tendulkar (plus various other duels) . Brett took a 5er and Sachin got a ton in India's 1st innings . Lee was seriously quick in that Test .
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Interesting position we're in now hey ? Oh no , please no !
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Another picture-postcard stage where 'Le Tour' hits the Mediterranean later in the night . Stage 13 ... THE VIEW OF JEAN-FRANCOIS PESCHEUX Not a piece of cake "Another long stage. This one stretches 217 km from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Cap d'Agde, where the bunch will embrace the Mediterranean. A treasure trove of beautiful TV pictures... and the prospect of a sprint finish, at least among those fast men who have managed not to lose contact on the climb up the Mont-Saint-Clair, 23 kilometres from the finish. In other words, the stage is not a piece of cake and the race could go crazy. Moreover, the wind is always a menace near the Mediterranean, and we already saw what it can do when the Tour visited La Grande Motte in 2009..."
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Losing Jamar killed us . A double blow was to lose Bennell and with it , our ability to rotate properly . Some terrific , positive signs though . Our backing up and our attack on the ball was very good when the game was on an equal footing . Obviously , we fell away , but this time there were reasons , not excuses .
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You need to go and read my post again . I had the word 'Somewhat' in there . So I never said that any one player had all the same deficiencies as Brent . Some have other deficiencies . Think Jose missed that word 'Somewhat' as well . Post #176 .
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That 'Harsh' criticism is directed at Brent (on these threads) way more than anyone else on our list . That's the issue I'm on about . You would have to agree that we have a rather large number who are way down on form this year . Re Chapman - if I take your story as true he directed his comments at his 'Team-mates' . Not at any one individual .
