Tour de France - 2005

[burnt]

:bounce:
So the Tour de France starts tomorrow....can't wait!!

So will he do it? 7 in a row?

The pressure really is on this year as Lance has stated he will retire after the race, so everybody will be out to win. If he does win this year then my mind boggles to how anyone person can put in so much dedication and training.

Come on Lance!!!!!

[small]After last years thread I would love to try and keep this thread 'lance takes drugs' free. There is no proof, you don't know.....and I seriously doubt it after his history! Thanks![/small]

[AllTorque]

I'm at the moment, because I've tried everything to get Freeview for ITV2 but no success. Not sure if anything will be shown on normal ITV - might have to go down the bloody Murdoch route.....

[burnt]

I think some of it is on regular ITV...see:
www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=1132

[wedge girl]

I would love to be at the finish line this year.

There are some fantastic stages, but I don't think I'm going to get to any of them

[holbayhead]

It was great seeing "le Tour" when they trundled over the Ashdown Forest a few years back...Sean Yates on his home turf..bloomin marvellous it was

[zebedee]

It should be a fantastic race this year, and some are saying the stages chosen may not favour Armstrong quite so much as recent years...

Part of the reason for his success is that he trains (or at least used to) very specifically for the demands of the Tour itself, as opposed to most of his opposition, who excel during other races too. Even with that, 6 is a fabulous achievement and I hope he gets 7, but is pushed hard all the way. His book is an excellent read and an inspiration - I will be out for a bike ride on Saturday to get myself in the mood -looks like eurosport have 1 hour highlight programmes at 9 each night, so thats me sorted for the next 3 weeks!

[DJ111S]

I'd like him to do it but I think he'll be beaten this year.

[rlk500]

I think a lot depends on the team. He needs them to support him to the point were he can be positioned to make the most from every stage. He then has to do his superman bit and blow everyone away in the mountains. If he is fit and the team are up for it then he has every chance of getting number 7. It will be interesting to see where the challenges come from, I don't think the other teams have the strength in depth that Discovery have, so it's going to be tough for whoever challenges him. It should be a fascinating tour.

[Killer2005]

Would be great to see Lance win it again his year, but i'm not entirely sure he will this time. But it will be closer this year than previous years, so we'll wait and see

[Alfa Male]

DJ111S said:

I'd like him to do it but I think he'll be beaten this year.

Care to comment any further DJ111S? Who do you see beat Lance this year?

[AllTorque]

Bit off-topic, but have just rang sky and for £20 you can get a freeview card which allows you to get ITV2 (presuming you have the dish and receiver).

Can get the highlights now every night! Woo hoo!

[Trooper2]

The only thing that Lance says he has lost with age is some sprinting ability. He has a good team around him and his confidence level is high.

He will win it again, if he can stay out of any major accidents that might occur.

[burnt]

ITV Tour de France website just gone live:
www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=3858

Nothing like leaving it to the last minute eh!?

[LRdriver II]

Well considering the UK hates cyclists and bike races are banned (or something) on UK soil means that its fairly unknown as a spectator sport (ergo no revenue for the media).

I wouldnt let those lycra clad FREAKS anywhere near a public road unless they have paid TAX and INSURANCE!!
Until then they can stay on the mainland and cause havoc, chaos and death by flouting their blatant disregard for traffic rules with their untaxed, uninsured remodeled-gardengates. Damn these numpty beardy treehugging purveyors of carbon-free deaths..

[SFV]

Very glad I invested £40 in a freeview box, ITV2 seem to be hosting daily coverage and highlights

What a blow for Team 'Superstar' T-Mobile & Jan Ullrich on day one! Armstrong must be a master of psychological tactics, as well as having the superhuman ability to back it up. Would love to see him win No 7, although I doubted it was possible this year. But after seeing that opening stage....

Guess it will all be decided in the mountains as usual.

Euan

[DJ111S]

Alfa Male said:

DJ111S said: I'd like him to do it but I think he'll be beaten this year. Care to comment any further DJ111S? Who do you see beat Lance this year?

Sorry, never saw this.

Armstrongs weakened team will see him struggle. Some of those guys carried him through some bad times last tour.

I think Ullrich should be strong this year, looks hungry and fit. Basso and Vinokourov (sp?) will also push him hard this year.

At the end of the day all three of these guys will attack and attack and if the Discovery team breakdown and it comes down to those 3 vs Lance then sooner or later one of them will escape and take some big time from him.

[burnt]

Ah any excuse to post this movie again:

Can't watch it without being moved (moved into getting my arse off the couch and on the bike):

http://josiah.webmunkee.com/lancearmstrongnike.mov

[simpo two]

AllTorque said:

I'm at the moment, because I've tried everything to get Freeview for ITV2 but no success.

IIRC you need a digital aerial for that one, also for ITV1 and Ch4.

[white_van_man]

good start for lance. lets see how he can do on the first proper stage

[burnt]

Must admit that this is the first year where I am watching the team tactics. Sprinters really are a different species, I still can't believe how they can ride so close at that speed!

No change in the standings Lance still 2 seconds behind.

Anybody going to any stages this year?