[Tom Tallon]

So today the tour was terrific although I know most of you prefer to travel at well above 30 mph!

For those who are interested ITV4 has all the action in the afternoons or video it and we are now in the Alps for a couple of punishing days. Thursday is the climb to Alpes D'Huez - the paragon of stages - not to be missed.

The leader Greg von Avermaet is at 250/1 even though he leads the race at 2 minutes and some seconds - of course he won't win as the bookies know but worth a stray fiver to win £1250 quid surely just in case - certainly better than good old Chris Froome at 8/11 on to win £3.20 or so!

[TouringPleb]

It would be a fiver you won't see again.

[Tengocity]

I can see it both ways. Even he doesn't think he has a chance of holding on!

But I've spent worse fivers, and everyone said that about Leicester the other year.

[MashinBenzin]

He will probably be out of yellow by the end of today, but fair play to him for hanging on through the first day in the mountains and actually putting more time into the GC boys.

I wonder if today will see the first real GC battle or will they keep most of their powder dry for Alpe d'Huez

[Herr Dreier]

I hope you didn't go ahead with it - he's out of it after today.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

So today the tour was terrific although I know most of you prefer to travel at well above 30 mph!

For those who are interested ITV4 has all the action in the afternoons or video it and we are now in the Alps for a couple of punishing days. Thursday is the climb to Alpes D'Huez - the paragon of stages - not to be missed.

The leader Greg von Avermaet is at 250/1 even though he leads the race at 2 minutes and some seconds - of course he won't win as the bookies know but worth a stray fiver to win £1250 quid surely just in case - certainly better than good old Chris Froome at 8/11 on to win £3.20 or so!

That's your fiver gone

[Tom Tallon]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

That's your fiver gone

I've always been a mug punter. I once tried to bet on China to win the Third World War until someone reminded me, I might not be here to collect.

TT

PS Is it now Froome or Thomas, do you think?

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by Tom Tallon

I've always been a mug punter. I once tried to bet on China to win the Third World War until someone reminded me, I might not be here to collect.

TT

PS Is it now Froome or Thomas, do you think?

Depends whether Sky lets them race.

Can Thomas keep this up for the rest of the Tour or will he do what Yates did in the Giro?

How much did the Giro take out of Froome?

Looks like the other big names are starting to fall away. Does seem to be Sky's race to loose now.

[Herr Dreier]

I don't get the Froome thing. He's clearly a great athlete. Why has he not been nominated for end of year honours when other far less deserving athletes have.

It would be good if either Thomas or Froome get it this year, but I hope Sky let them race and get it on merit rather than team orders.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by Herr Dreier

I don't get the Froome thing. He's clearly a great athlete. Why has he not been nominated for end of year honours when other far less deserving athletes have.

It would be good if either Thomas or Froome get it this year, but I hope Sky let them race and get it on merit rather than team orders.

I totally understand what you are saying but team orders are hard to avoid in cycling, especially with dumoulin well within range and looking very strong.

It may well be that one of Froome and G will have to work for the other in the mountains, and I can only see that being the four-time winner if he puts his hand up and says "I'm well out of form guys, no chance of me winning so I will work for G".

Certainly in interviews, Thomas is playing the domestique role to perfection and I suspect he will do that on the road at some point. He has also hit the wall before when well placed in GC, can he really hold it for three weeks?

For the first time ever, I am genuinely torn on who I want to win - Froome to hold all three GTs and become a five time winner, or Thomas because he seems an outstanding bloke (not that froome isn't) and it may well be his only chance of a TdF.

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

I totally understand what you are saying but team orders are hard to avoid in cycling, especially with dumoulin well within range and looking very strong.

It may well be that one of Froome and G will have to work for the other in the mountains, and I can only see that being the four-time winner if he puts his hand up and says "I'm well out of form guys, no chance of me winning so I will work for G".

Certainly in interviews, Thomas is playing the domestique role to perfection and I suspect he will do that on the road at some point. He has also hit the wall before when well placed in GC, can he really hold it for three weeks?

For the first time ever, I am genuinely torn on who I want to win - Froome to hold all three GTs and become a five time winner, or Thomas because he seems an outstanding bloke (not that froome isn't) and it may well be his only chance of a TdF.

Regarding Froome not getting the recognition due to him, I think it's because some people don't see him as British enough. Born and raised in Kenya, educated in South Africa and living in Monaco. He comes across as a shy man who doesn't want to be a star, just happens to be the best road cyclist over 3 weeks in the world. I get the impression he'd be happier doing 150km in the mountains than being on a chat show talking about himself.

I think Sky will make their minds up over the weekend who they want to push for victory. If Froome is in good shape (and normally the third week is his strength) it's hard to see past Sky wanting him to get the 5th and join the all time greats. If that's the case, I think Thomas will get offered team leader at the Vuelta, a very large new contract and possibly team leader for next years Tour.

[XAlp]

Great stuff from G - half way through his book too!

[JustChris]

A welshie winning le tour.... incredible!

[XAlp]

Yay 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by XAlp

Great stuff from G - half way through his book too!

It's a great read isn't it. One of the best sports person autobiographies I've read.