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Rolling Hansie
Today stage 15 - Limoux - Montpellier 192.5 km looks like an easy one.



Profile of the stage:

© [www.letour.fr]

Sure do appreciate your updates Hansie... Thank you.

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dcba
the mood is much better, much more relaxed than it was

I cannot judge that since I am not in the Tour myself. I watch it on TV. But what I did see in the first week was that every cyclist was very nervous, causing many crashes. Besides that I doubt it very much that what you suggest has anything to do with the presence of Americans.

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Max'sKansasCity
Thank you.

You're welcome
BTW Max, the official Tour de France website is also in English. Lots of information there, also about the history [www.letour.fr]

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1903 - Premier Tour de France

After having completed the event circuit at an average speed of 25 km/h,
Maurice Garin was rewarded with prize money of 6,075 francs,
a handsome purse for the era. But most importantly,
he was the first in a long line of champions.


© [www.letour.fr]

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Rolling Hansie

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Max'sKansasCity
Thank you.

You're welcome
BTW Max, the official Tour de France website is also in English. Lots of information there, also about the history [www.letour.fr]

I like you updates best , they give me what I need to know... just like last year.

I still can not belive the specatators running along riders on the course... esp after the crashes this year.... I guess these folks doing this is all very common... but man on man... it sure seems crowded.... with some people standing around on the course (not paying much attention) combined with the crazy guys running(sprinting) in speedos (touching and patting riders)... and then the riders doing all they can to pay attention and finsih well... and tired .. it seems like a disaster in the making... but .... whew... nothing happened...... but man....

I tell ya... it wore me out, sitting on my sofa, watching those riders doing those climbs yesterday..... following you maps really does help.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011-07-17 11:56 by Max'sKansasCity.

today I suppose M Cavendish is likely to win the stage
and probably T Voeckler will still be the yellow man

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jpasc95
and probably T Voeckler will still be the yellow man

At least until wednesday. Then is the next mountain stage, and not even a tough one. And let's not forget that Voeckler might surprise again. I don't know if the "big" guys really tried very hard yesterday, but Voeckler was able to follow them. So, who knows.

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Terrible crash yesterday from Laurens ten Dam.
There is a picture of his face after the crash.
It is a scary picture.
Therefore I only post the link if you want to see it.
But I warn you, it's not a pretty sight.

Click here if want to see the picture

I just can't believe how he got up on his bike again and finished the race.
After the race he was brought to hospital where they stitched his nose and lips.
And today he is racing again. Amazing.

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Thanks Hansie, but no thanks.......(thx for the warning)

Seems like exceptionally beautiful scenery today.

I dont know if everyone (other countries) see the same TV feed as they show here in the states, but here they show the helicopter pausing and hovering above some of the monastaries, wineries, vineyards etc etc and showing the old bridges and country side... it is like a moving postcard...

Happy to hear the explaination of how they set up "trash disposal" areas for the riders.... so the riders mostly toss trash in certain areas. When I saw them tossing stuff before, I thought is was like Mardi Gras for fans... but ,no, it is the wrappers and empty water bottles.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2011-07-17 16:38 by Max'sKansasCity.

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Max'sKansasCity
Seems like exceptionally beautiful scenery today.
I dont know if everyone (other countries) see the same TV feed as they show here in the states, but here they show the helicopter pausing and hovering above some of the monastaries, wineries, vineyards etc etc and showing the old bridges and country side... it is like a moving postcard...

Yes, the TV feed comes from French television and goes worldwide.
They made a deal with the French Tourist Buro(?). Therefore they show lots of touristic historical places and lovely landscapes. What I posted before, even if you don't like cycling races, these broadcasts are beautiful.

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Max'sKansasCity

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dcba
This is not a jab at our American IORRers but have you noticed that since there are no major U.S. figures on the Tour the mood is much better, much more relaxed than it was when L.A. was running the show. The gung-ho vibe is totally gone (good riddance!!!).

And there are no U.S. people in the audience. Did these go to France for the Tour or in a burst of patriotic chauvinism they went to see a U.S. win?

No I have not noticed that and if there is any "over patriotic chauvinism" I see coming from people from other countries besides Americans.... it seems to be fairly common here on IORR... as are the regular snide comments directed at Americans.

Agreed.

Enjoy the racing and the views of the beautiful countryside.

But, can someone please tell me what's the deal with the freaks that are dressed up in the crazy outfits alongside the road?

BTW, where is El Diablo? I havent seen him in a while.

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1cdog
can someone please tell me what's the deal with the freaks that are dressed up in the crazy outfits alongside the road?

You said it yourself. They are freaks

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ChefGuevara
where is El Diablo?

I saw him a couple of times on TV. He is there, every stage.

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Posted by: Rolling Hansie ()
Date: July 18, 2011 01:47

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ChefGuevara
where is El Diablo?

I saw him a couple of times on TV. He is there, every stage.

Oh..good to hear he still around...
I always had Sympathy for el diablo.

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ChefGuevara

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Posted by: Rolling Hansie ()
Date: July 18, 2011 01:47

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ChefGuevara
where is El Diablo?

I saw him a couple of times on TV. He is there, every stage.

Oh..good to hear he still around...
I always had Sympathy for el diablo.

HAHA... good one Chef

Last Frenchman to win Le Tour was.........Bernard Hinault (1985).

Thomas Voeckler is so, so close.

I think it would be FANTASTIC if he could win.

Go Voeckler!!!!

Yes, I know the Schleck's, Evans, Basso, and Contador are all ready to pounce but I'm hoping he can hang on.

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mccparty
the Schleck's, Evans, Basso, and Contador are all ready to pounce

Yes, but I wonder how strong they are this year. I have my doubts.
But that makes the coming mountain stages only more eciting.

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How do you pronounce 'Voeckler'?

Nederlands: "Veuklèr (met de è als in scène)

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Rolling Hansie
Nederlands: "Veuklèr (met de è als in scène)

really?

met de girl als mè drèams ?

LOL Max, I really wouldn't know

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I translated what you said...
the e as in scene

I thought you were being funny... while thinking of the girl of my dreams... and it collided.

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Max'sKansasCity
I thought you were being funny

Me ... being funny ??? No, never. You know how seriously I take the Tour de France

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Rolling Hansie
Nederlands: "Veuklèr (met de è als in scène)

Bedankt.

Is anyone really strong enough this year to ride off the front in the mountain stages and blow the rest of the field apart. We used to see it with Armstrong or Contador or Pantani in years gone by but I am not sure if this year Contador, Evans, the Schlecks can actually do this.

I would like to see Voeckler win the tour this year he has been great so far. I don't know what it is about Cadel Evans but i just don't warm to him for some reason.

Andy

I think it's great that no one is completely dominating the race. This brings much more excitement and it may only be a few seconds on the last day that determines who will win.

Yes. The TT is going to be crucial this year!

I went for a beautiful ride yesterday with my Steel Wheels jersey.
Does anyone here owns any of the Stones Cycling jerseys or bibs?

I always thought it will be great if the Stones sponsored a cycling
team, but I guess is not on the budget.