I assure everyone I am not trying to be a spoiler... What I am (100%) TRYING TO DO is convince others to watch / keep an eye on this event. It truly amazes me how quickly the plot has changed- and will continue to change. One guy makes a push. Another rider KILLS himself so a teammate has a chance at the end. Breakaways that are caught by the peloton. The next days breakaway pulls away from the peloton. Big names showing they are "team" players (for many different reasons). Team strategies unfolding before our eyes. Guys going from 50th Overall to Top ___ in a single day. Yellow jerseys, green jerseys, white jerseys, polka dot jerseys.... Having trouble keeping track of it all. #-o I do realize this drama unfolds the same way every year. With that said, this years race has REALLY caught my attention. (plot twists... many of my favorites are still in contention... Etc.) :clap:
If anyone opens this thread, they shouldn't expect to avoid spoilers. I haven't watched today yet, but I know the results. I agree - Wow! concur with Dino - after a couple of boring years, the Tour is must watch Summer viewing.
Wow, all the comments really make me regret not watching it so far. How can I watch it, on broadcast or *cough*online*cough*
Velonews has a great article on this: http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...ls-alberto-contadors-tour-ending-crash_336328
and yet another account: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2014/07/t...dentified-as-cause-of-snapped-contador-frame/ Vincenzo is riding a Specialized too and he's not doing too shabby.
If i was the owner of a big manufacturer (or team manager), i would not want my frame to be seen cracked in half on national television dropping a top contender from the Tour. I saw him on the side of the road crying (on t.v) Gotta be tough @ that level. I was surprised not one camera caught it- makes me wonder if footage was cut. If im reading this right, mechanic gave him a faulty bike to ride, but if they are denying the frame braking from the crash, why was he holding the bike. Anyhow, you cant deny the frame from being broken, that it self does not look good in such event no matter how it happen.
it was a magic bullet! plenty of conspiracy commentary here: http://forums.roadbikereview.com/pr...ailure-brings-[gc-contender]-down-327441.html
I just figured it broke because it was a Specialized. I don't like him, but riding on a broken tibia is impressive.
Well, one rider tried all he could do to abide by rule #5. Good effort on a cracked tibia. Sorry to see you go. And, I am really distraught that it was a Specialized frame that broke. :clap: :lol: Yes, I know - they make great products, blah blah... And no, Gabe, I don't need to see the girl with the inflated Specialized t-shirt and oddly shaped lips again.
Let me preface my comments by saying "I like Specialized bikes" and have owned many. One thing for sure, if the frame snapped from hitting a huge pothole, Specialized has built an amazingly strong steerer tube on that fork! So many stories and excuses out there, but from what is written, his frame and Roche's frames were McLaren frames -- Roche's was run over, an expensive day! Either way, their decision to move the seat post clamp/binder bolt forward of the seat tube looks to be a weak point -- not as troubling as the clean snap of that huge down tube! I wonder how many Astana, Quick Step, and Tinkoff guys are happy today is a rest day and they don't have to get on one for more than a leisurely 60 mile recovery ride. Be interesting to see how many SL4's are in the peleton tomorrow. He's a tough little dude to want to continue with this:
Another drops out. http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/07/news/fabian-cancellara-will-start-stage-11-tour_336461
Drama... Drama... and MORE Drama!!! Froome = Out of the race! Contador = Out of the race! Cancellara = Out of the race! Cavendish = Out of the race! Schleck = Out of the race! Danny Van Poppel = Out of the race! (I like his name) The Tour is already shaping up to be wide-open... Can you imagine the what would happen if Nibali was forced to withdraw from this years race---> Absolute free-for-all. (Part of me is hoping for this to happen) One thing is certain: A first-time winner will be standing atop the podium! My remaining favorites: -Richie Porte (Team Sky... Enough said) -Tejay Van Gardaren (American. Classy. American. American) -Jurgen Van Den Broeck (He's got a cool name. I like his name.) :beer:
They were claiming on the telecast that he was going 75-95 KMH when he crashed....if that is the case, I wouldn't expect any carbon road bike to not be broken in 2 pieces. Also, keep in mind that these bikes may not be the standard run of the mill bikes off the assembly line. I imagine that most of these are one off's made for each rider.
Folks, read the articles. They are no longer saying that the broken bike was the bike that Contador was riding, unless I've missed something in the past few hours...
I know that is what they're saying. I just think his injuries don't jive exactly with a lay down. He seems to have slid on his back, and his right leg was bleeding like it was deeply cut (like from CF), not like from an asphalt scrape. His leg is cut on the inside.
Yes I know but we are talking about a spec bike here. Considering the original press release trying to calm the media was completely false I'm more inclined to think there is a story in it somewhere. The difference in "the bike broke" from "he crashed trying to grab some food in his jersey pocket" is millions to Specialized. Same goes for any of the large manufactures. Can you imagine what would happen if his bike did break and cause the accident and someone caught it on video? Remember Jens? Regardless of what they say I think his carbon fork tube broke and they hushed it.