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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2013 12:56:27 GMT
WADA & the UCI have a new EPO test in use. They recently caught Alexander Serebryakov with the old test but have gone back and re-analysed an earlier sample with the new test and got him again. This looks to be a warning to "keep it real" to the TdF peloton but it'll be interesting to see if they start re-analysing more samples.
Now I understand why Di Luca said he was surprised, he'd done everything right to dodge the tests he knew of but they got him with something new.
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Post by Phil on Jun 6, 2013 13:22:50 GMT
Great finish today! Bonus points for managing to time it with my scrambled eggs being ready just before it got exciting.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2013 14:41:45 GMT
Last time I actually watched the Tour in person was in 1999 Stage 5, Bonneval to Amiens (a certain LA was making the French news at the time for his doctor's note and saddle sores ! ) Now he's crossed out in the stat's though: www.procyclingstats.com/race/1003481-Tour-de-France-1999-Stage-6-Bonneval-AmiensWe were waiting on the finish straight for about an hour and a half, watching the circus come through, then the entire Peloton wanged it through in about 30 seconds at high pace . Cipollini won, Armstrong was having a hiding away phase in the race (well he was in 4th overall actyually but went on to win), I think it was the few days when he was sweating over the status of his positive test and 'the doctor's letter' was produced for the UCI. I always think of it as a Forest Gump style 'I was there in the background' moment - people in bars were talking about what Lance was up to and I think everyone who followed cycling closely knew he was bending the rules even then. The race end is circa 20 minutes in - I am visible for a brief moment at 19:57 but you'll never spot me , the mrs and I had one of the green wavey hands a couple of hundred metres from the finish. Edit: actually, if you can freeze it at exactly 19:57, I am on the right in a blue shirt with arm out horizontally, wobbling one of the Green PMU hands lol - it's like time travel YouTube, lovely weather as I recall, we drove down from Hesdin in sunshine and had a great leisurely day out, parked just below the viaduct which forms the finish and walked up some steps right onto the finish straight. Sorry for bringing back an old post in the thread, but the photos and memories are exactly how I remember the Tour. In my family it was tradition to get at least one stage in a year down the south of France (we went over every year without fail for 8 weeks until my mid teens). There was one time I recall a portly woman waiting on the opposite side of the road getting tired of standing for so long go to lean against/sit on a bollard, only for it to be made of hollow plastic & hilarity ensued (think I remember that more than Lance & Ullrich whizzing past). I have fond memories of being on the side of the road, really looking forward to it being on my doorstep next year, although wish I was still going this year (my first little 'un on the way has put paid to that idea, although I've found a KoM babygrow that they'll wear at the roadside next year!). My grandparents still catch at least one stage every year and always bring me back the freebies. There's a funny story with one of the freebies where the gendarmmes had a float in the caravan chucking out keyring lights and one hit my gran square in the chest. There was a loud noise when it hit her and with it being shaped like a bullet she almost ended up having a panic attack as she thought she'd been shot! I remember well her chastising me when I complained that the light was broken! Next time I go home, I'll ask my parents for some of the old photos and see if I can add them to somewhere to share.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 6, 2013 22:58:00 GMT
WADA & the UCI have a new EPO test in use. They recently caught Alexander Serebryakov with the old test but have gone back and re-analysed an earlier sample with the new test and got him again. This looks to be a warning to "keep it real" to the TdF peloton but it'll be interesting to see if they start re-analysing more samples. Now I understand why Di Luca said he was surprised, he'd done everything right to dodge the tests he knew of but they got him with something new. Came across an article that mention a rider that was caught out from as early May but was mentioned until the Di Luca scandal came out, was that Serebryakov?
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 6, 2013 22:59:52 GMT
Just saw on my Flipboard Eddie the Boss as I like to call him - Boasson Hagen wins stage three of the Dauphine. Thats old news now isit? Wasn't stage three yesterday? Yep it was yeasterday, he won the sprint. Best I've seen him sprint for a while. Seen the race now and I was very happy how Eddie won the sprint, He's really on form now isn't he.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 6, 2013 23:03:37 GMT
Froome as expected, better than expected from both Contador and Valverde. Very good attempt at defending yellow by Dennis, least he's still in white. Not a bad stage. I'm going to miss the last three stages due to going camping all weekend. That was a hell of a race and to see Froome clean up every one in his path including the indefatigable Contador was just marvellous! I know he can win the TdF!! Will miss your commentary fluffkitten but time with family is always well spent. Well you could think of us as family too - the amount of time we spend together Enjoy yourself we will be here waiting for you!
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echo7
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Post by echo7 on Jun 9, 2013 10:56:25 GMT
Can I ask some advice from those who have been to previous stages of the TdF...
I'm going to Tours to watch the finish of stage 12 and then to a small town/ village to watch the caravan and the peleton south of Tours for stage 13, but having never been before I'm not sure what time I need to be there. The letour.com site gives estimated times of arrival but I'm assuming that I will need to be there early to get a good spot (or at least a spot where I can see something) Does anyone have any suggestions as to how early I will need to be there?
Many thanks
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2013 12:00:00 GMT
Can I ask some advice from those who have been to previous stages of the TdF... I'm going to Tours to watch the finish of stage 12 and then to a small town/ village to watch the caravan and the peleton south of Tours for stage 13, but having never been before I'm not sure what time I need to be there. The letour.com site gives estimated times of arrival but I'm assuming that I will need to be there early to get a good spot (or at least a spot where I can see something) Does anyone have any suggestions as to how early I will need to be there? Many thanks From when I've went in the past, we went early morning just after a quick breakfast and sat by the roadside all day (also packed a picnic). Some people go and camp overnight by the roadside - especially towards the start/finish and the more renowned mountain climbs (Ventoux, L'alpe d'Huez etc). I'd go as early as you can for the finish line of stage 12 as in my experience the locals also get the day off/skive so it's always really busy and crowded. With the village, it'll be busy but generally you can get there a couple of hours early before the caravan and still find a good spot. it's just my experience over the years, however YMMV.
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echo7
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Post by echo7 on Jun 9, 2013 13:12:12 GMT
That's great, thanks! Hoping to see a good sprint finish so will aim to get to the finish early.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 10, 2013 6:26:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2013 14:42:11 GMT
That's great, thanks! Hoping to see a good sprint finish so will aim to get to the finish early. Finish lines often have the advantage of grandstands and big screens.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2013 14:48:47 GMT
Came across an article that mention a rider that was caught out from as early May but was mentioned until the Di Luca scandal came out, was that Serebryakov? He was even earlier than May. There's been a few caught this year, more than most years which may have something to do with the UCI presidency being up for re-election and Pat McQuaid needing to look like he's strong.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Jun 10, 2013 20:20:26 GMT
That's great, thanks! Hoping to see a good sprint finish so will aim to get to the finish early. Finish lines often have the advantage of grandstands and big screens. I am planning to goto Paris next year just for the finish of the last stage, intent to take the family with me. Wonder if they will say I am just been selfish?
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echo7
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Posts: 165
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Post by echo7 on Jun 11, 2013 19:33:16 GMT
We go camping in the Loire valley most summers and having recently got into cycling it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss... and luckily my other half didn't take too much convincing (I might have to work a bit harder to persuade her to camp at the top of Alpe D'Huez in the future)
The big screen might come in handy but I'm hoping to get as close as possible to experience the speed of the top sprinters. Watching them in a velodrome with a sprinters line was impressive but to see them 3 or 4 on the road I'm hoping will be even better.
Are the grandstands ticket only?
If you hadn't guessed... I'm looking forward to this trip!!!
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Post by Radchenister on Jun 11, 2013 20:06:44 GMT
From my experience, the actual race is pretty much a side show to the day out; think of it as a carnival for the bike afflicted with a very brief show from the riders and a lot of faff and fuss either side of it - you are more on the pulse watching it on tv but you don't get to immerse yourself in the atmosphere; I suggest getting a good lunch and a bottle of rose on board in order to while the hours away. Speak your best French with the local fans or if your French is pigeon style, just mention well known cyclists in an 'Allo 'Allo accent, play quoting press clichΓ©s and miming caricatures of riders, hands up to side of head in the position of side burns and say things like 'pas un Gentleman Weegeens cette annΓ©e' and see if it triggers a conversation !
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