Paris

A great race all round. Thanks for coming for the ride.

Last night's winners:

 

Sagan certainly gave it a crack!

Similarly, you can't blame Nathan for giving up, and with Greipel, he was finally there at the end:

7 Prizes for Stage 21 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 161 André Greipel (Ger) Nathan

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Lanterne Rouge $5.00 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

My lasting images of this year's Tour:

 

Yates did a lot more than he was expected to.

 

Sagan won the super competitive award for giving it a crack as much as he could. A true entertainer.

 

Thank you inrng

Check out the winners list. Only get me money if you are in the red. I'll try not to be too tardy getting the winnings out...

Entrant $Paid $Won $Owed Entrant

Glenn $20.00 $177.00 $177.00 Glenn

Richo $20.00 $112.50 $112.50 Richo

Emma $129.00 $109.00 Emma

TQ $100.50 $80.50 TQ

Jonty $63.00 $43.00 Jonty

Ricky Q $63.00 $43.00 Ricky Q

Hanns $20.00 $34.50 $34.50 Hanns

Simmsy $52.50 $32.50 Simmsy

BC $40.00 $20.00 BC

Pinkers $38.00 $18.00 Pinkers

Hearney $20.00 $18.00 $18.00 Hearney

Jimmy $20.00 $15.00 $15.00 Jimmy

Nathan $20.00 $15.00 $15.00 Nathan

Fi $20.00 $10.50 $10.50 Fi

Pete $30.00 $0.00 $10.00 Pete

Ben $20.00 $7.50 $7.50 Ben

Kim $27.00 $7.00 Kim

Prowster $25.50 $5.50 Prowster

Jacki $20.00 $3.00 $3.00 Jacki

Spiro $20.00 $3.00 $3.00 Spiro

Damo $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Damo

Joe $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Joe

Di $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Di

Buzz $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Buzz

Barb $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Barb

Beanie $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Beanie

Good Sammy's $20.00 $0.00 $0.00 Good Sammy's

Ronaldo $15.00 -$5.00 Ronaldo

Sconz $12.00 -$8.00 Sconz

Shaz $12.00 -$8.00 Shaz

Clarkey $12.00 -$8.00 Clarkey

Reba $3.00 -$17.00 Reba

Robbie $3.00 -$17.00 Robbie

Mark $3.00 -$17.00 Mark

Andylato $2.50 -$17.50 Andylato

Swanny $0.00 -$20.00 Swanny

Toovs $0.00 -$20.00 Toovs

Max $0.00 -$20.00 Max

Tim $0.00 -$20.00 Tim

Ant $0.00 -$20.00 Ant

Gero Bikes $0.00 -$20.00 Gero Bikes

Uncle Matt $0.00 -$20.00 Uncle Matt

Moff $0.00 -$20.00 Moff

Chaddy $0.00 -$20.00 Chaddy

Jez $0.00 -$20.00 Jez

Lorcan $0.00 -$20.00 Lorcan

Troy $0.00 -$20.00 Troy

Simon $0.00 -$20.00 Simon

Newms $0.00 -$20.00 Newms

Grant $0.00 -$20.00 Grant

Link to Winners Spreadsheet

Link to Full Spreadsheet

I know where to find you!

 

Not a threat but letting you know there is no haste. I avoided taking money earlier as it is easier not to give it back if you have winnings.

Check out your winning status, and if you owe money, just get it to me personally when you next see me, or via bank details below, just use a reference for the that makes sense and/or email that you've paid. At the moment the spreadsheets consider that the jersey winners will not change between stages 20 and 21, and don't include stage winner, most aggressive or Lanterne rouge.

BSB: 016650 

Acc No:560438668

Acc Name: Damon Angelatos

If I owe you money, you can find me on the beach along the French Riviera...

 

Link to Winnings/Losses

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stages 19 and 20

A couple of stages with a bit of excitement. I wouldn't want to be having to race in those conditions but it makes for great viewing when things get so split up and little competitions within the race see riders attacking, fighting to not get dropped and struggling back on.

 

F&#%!

 

Slip sliding away...

 

Should I stay or should I go?

Good to see that the struggles of Costa and Pantano were rewarded with most combatitive status and good too for the 2 Pauls; Spiro and Hearney.

 

Riding along Struggle Street

 

...a penny for your thoughts

7 Prizes for Stage 19 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 41 Romain Bardet (Fra) Simmsy

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 151 Rui Costa (Por) Spiro Angelatos

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

7 Prizes for Stage 20 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 17 Ion Izaguirre (Spa) Jimmy

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 79 Jarlinson Pantano (Col) Hearney

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stages 17 and 18

Like TJ, I'm starting to fade. Three weeks is turning into quite an effort. A couple of important stages to go, though, but it seems a sorting of the top 10 minus number 1 is all that is in order.

 

Stage 17 winner, Zakarin, riding the Giro a couple of months back.

 

Adam Yate's, pouncing above his weight. Surely the most understated competitor in this race.

Talking about understated, how's big Richo's form, quietly pulling in the $$ using Yates' standing in the white jersey comp?

7 Prizes for Stage 17 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 149 Ilnur Zakarin (Rus) Sconz

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 79 Jarlinson Pantano (Col) Hearney

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

6 Prizes for Stage 18 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stages 14, 15 & 16 and Rest Day 2

I've been distracted.

 

A Good Read

Also good to read that Ricky gets a win, he's owed some luck after his tangle with a car on Saturday.

Other than that, it's interesting to see the $$ BC is racking up with Sam Bennett cherishing his Lanterne Rouge...

7 Prizes for Stage 14 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 128 Jeremy Roy (Fra) Mark

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

7 Prizes for Stage 15 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 79 Jarlinson Pantano (Col) Hearney

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

8 Prizes for Stage 16 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy 

Most Combative Rider 2 $3.00 184 Tony Martin (Ger) Robbin

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link To Full Spreadsheet

Stage 13 - No hiding

You know how some days you can bluff your form? You follow everyone around, do little soft turns on the front, but mainly glue yourself to the others' wheels. Then some days you are on your own, it's blowing it's box off around the back and then you hit the cutting. Except the cutting seems as if it has grown and the swirling wind holds you back.

That's what it was like for a few riders in the TT, or chrono, which I think sounds cool.

 

 

Scarily, a few of the jerseys look pretty sewn up. More money to come the way of those below:

6 Prizes for Stage 13 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 114 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Kim

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 12 - There's nothing more to say...

 

The organisers of the tour need to be forthcoming with apologies, so too me. It seems the race jury did not agree with me in electing Sagan as most competitive for stage 11, rather they chose some bloke called Vichot, owned by Jackie. Normally I await confirmation of such things but I thought it obvious. Not so. Sorry, especially to Jacki and Glenn.

There is so much to talk about in regards to stage 12; here's some links to get you started:

Recap

Why?

Spectators

Finish line quotes

Let's not forget this ride, though. Jonty won't:

 

7 Prizes for Stage 12 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 11 - How good is Sagan?

 

A group of television reporters waylaid Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) as he filled the pockets of his green jersey with energy gels ahead of stage 11 of the Tour de France and asked him if he had any particular tactical strategy for the day ahead, given the windy conditions expected on the road to Montpellier.

Sagan is often playful to the point of flippant in such situations, and he was in typical form on the start line in Carcassonne. "I never plan," he deadpanned, and then pedaled off, to the bemusement of the television crews.

By day's end, that throwaway comment seemed rather more profound as Sagan improvised his way to his second stage win of this Tour by forging off the front in a four-man group in the finale with Chris Froome (Sky) and then out-sprinting the yellow jersey to take the spoils.

cyclingnews

Not much else to say, really. Check out this video which shows a bit of the work of the domestics. Note how fast he's riding along whilst collecting his load:

Waterboy

Glenn will soon need someone to carry his winnings:

7 Prizes for Stage 11 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 121 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Pinkers

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 10 - What of Sagan?

A great (team) win by Matthews, a rider I love to watch and he really showed the emotion at the end.

But Sagan, hey? I can't fault him. He is so good and never fails to take the opportunity to lighten up a stage, sometimes merely for the benefit of us, the viewers. Last night was a case in point. He attached from the go, UP the climb that lead to the highest point of the tour. That didn't work so he attacked down the slope. Then sat for some chasers, did most of the work, wore out two chasing teams teams that missed the break (Katusha and IAM), picked up the intermediate sprints, then attacked where there were cross winds to get rid of those hanging on, then covered Orica's 3:1 attacks solo, then 'only' came second in the sprint. Visibly grumpy with himself for not getting the win, he didn't blame anyone. In the past he has tried to share the covering of attacks only to see everyone let the attackers go and fight for third (behind Sagan's second). He has the green sewn up, I say, especially considering Cavendish looks set to bail any day now, and in any case Cav is unlikely to make it through the Alps with any more points. So he could well hide himself in the pack, but this is not Sagan's way. There was potential for last night to be a very boring stage, in the end the was always something going on, the chase didn't give up until about the same time Sagan attacked and broke up his group, and testament to how hard he was riding was the fact they averaged 45kmh for the stage. And the peloton was really chasing down the descent when Sagan got away.

 

So Sagan has my kudos for this stage. He probably has Glenn's too:

7 Prizes for Stage 10 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 207 Michael Matthews (Aus) Ronaldo

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 121 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Pinkers

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Meanwhile, is anyone following any of the riders on Strava. Check out the max speed...

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Rest Day 1

OK, so I had a rest day, too. Not that I could write a better summary than inrng. You should read it:

inrng's Rest Day Wrap

Here is a summary of who has won back money so far:

Winnings

Note all the 'small' names earning $$. A reminder to keep cheering on your team riders to the end.

 

Full Spreadsheet Link

 

Stage 9 - Left waiting

First; headline of the day:

Froome survives hailstorm of attacks to keep Tour de France lead

cyclingnews

 

Second; why didn't Quintana attack?

Answer: check out his face...

 

So we're left waiting until after the first rest day to see if we will have a major show down between Froome and Quintana.

I don't know what your face is like at the moment but mine is not too disimilar. I imagine Emma's is looking pretty sunny, though...

7 Prizes for Stage 9 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 114 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Kim

Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma

Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 121 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Pinkers

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 114 Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Kim

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 8 - Not what we were expecting...

"We were expecting him tomorrow, he attacked today. We expecting him to attack uphill, he went on the descent."
Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme

Probably not what Emma was expecting but I'm sure she is not complaining. She could well spend a while chalking up $$ with Froome for the next few weeks.

7 Prizes for Stage 8 Rider Owner
Winner of Stage $12.00 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma
Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma
Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ
Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky
White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo
Most Combative Rider $3.00 121 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Pinkers
Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 8 - Not what we were expecting...

"We were expecting him tomorrow, he attacked today. We expecting him to attack uphill, he went on the descent”
– Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme

Probably not what Emma was expecting but I'm sure she is not complaining. She could well spend a while chalking up $$ with Froome for the next few weeks.

7 Prizes for Stage 8 Rider Owner
Winner of Stage $12.00 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma
Yellow Jersey $7.50 1 Chris Froome (GBr) Emma
Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ
Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 37 Rafal Majka (Pol) Ricky
White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo
Most Combative Rider $3.00 121 Thibaut Pinot (Fra) Pinkers

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC

Stage 7 - The Tour is special

"Of all my victories, I think it's the best one. The Tour is the Tour, it's special. The Tour de France is the biggest show. It's the biggest race on earth." Stage winner Stephen Cummings

The biggest show can lead to the biggest stuff-ups. Yesterday I reflected on what it takes to keep the Tour fed and watered. I beg yesterday's finish goings on were not high on the things to consider list of the organisers:

BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE, France (CT) – Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) was left bloodied and bruised on today’s stage 7 of the Tour de France when the flamme rouge — the one-kilometre-to-go gantry — fell onto the roadway.

The inflatable structure fell after the first five riders on the road had passed underneath: soon-to-be stage winner Steve Cummings (Dimension Data), Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange), Dani Navarro (Cofidis), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), and race leader Greg Van Avermaet (BMC). All five riders had been part of an earlier breakaway.

Yates was riding on his own ahead of the peloton when he reached the flamme rouge, having attacked on the Col d’Aspin with 7km to go in the stage.

“At the top of the climb I followed Dan Martin who attacked and then I took a bit of a risk on the descent to try and get a gap, to try and get the white jersey,” Yates said after the stage. “Coming into 1km to go I had maybe five or so seconds.”

The gantry then fell directly in front of the 23-year-old Briton.

 

http://cyclingtips.com/2016/07/yates-injured-as-1km-to-go-gantry-falls-at-the-tour-de-france/

Apparently a spectator's belt got caught on the cable supplying the air pump causing it to disconnect.

It's great to see the white jersey contenders fighting it out so early, when the real yellow wannabes are biding their time. It's obvious that Alaphilippe wanted to keep the jersey, he had his own crack earlier on, but Yate's gap from the top of the climb 7km was both adventurous and skilful. He deserved to have his time gap at the 1km banner reinstated. An embarrassing admission on the part of the tour organisers but respectful nevertheless.

It does mean that Simmsy has ended his run with Alaphilippe and Richo gets it with Yate's. I'm keen to see where this comp goes.

7 Prizes for Stage 7 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 104 Steve Cummings (GBr) Clarkey

Yellow Jersey $7.50 98 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Hanns

Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 209 Adam Yates (GBr) Richo

Most Combative Rider $3.00 22 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Jimmy

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers

Link to Full Spreadsheet

Stage 6 - Bottles

 

The logistics of running the tour is boggling really. Just think about what is needed to keep a team of 9 riders watered and fed for 200+km. Multiply that by 21 teams. Add team personnel. Add tour staff. No wonder towns bid big for the rights to host a stage.

Cavendish did what he does best again last night. But don't let Terri's mounting winnings get you down. Take Fi, she picked up $3.00 for having some random Japanese guy go on a suicidal break for the day. Keep you faith.

7 Prizes for Stage 6 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Yellow Jersey $7.50 98 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Hanns

Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy 

Most Combative Rider $3.00 152 Yukiya Arashiro (Jpn) Fi

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers

Full Spreadsheet Link Here

Stage 5 - BMC's Day

Greg Van Avermaet: “It feels great. I was never dreaming about the Yellow Jersey but it is a big dream that has come true. I was happy with the stage win last year, but now another stage win and the Yellow Jersey, I think it’s once in a lifetime for me and I’m going to enjoy it as much as possible tomorrow.”

“I felt pretty good. Grivko was not working at the beginning, Majka was not working, so me and Thomas De Gendt did a really good job. We were the strongest guys from the break I think, and we made the race hard and we saw that the peloton wouldn’t come back on this steep climb. I felt pretty good and I just went on my own because I was strong enough to hold it to the line.”

“I think for my type of rider it’s really hard to get the Yellow Jersey and I’m so happy that I have it. The stage win is something but wearing yellow is the most beautiful thing I think for a cyclist.”

 

Spectator: "Hey Greg, you forgot your Wolfpack jersey!"

Richie Porte: “I was comfortable. Tejay and I have shown that we can work together and Damiano Caruso worked well and put us in a really good position. I knew that those descents were going to be crucial. At the end of the day, it’s a great day for the team. It’s not nice to have lost time like that [flat tire on stage 2] but you know, you just keep fighting each day I suppose. The signs are good, I had good legs and it’s quite exciting.”

Tejay van Garderen: “Greg certainly looked like he had good form today. It was a super impressive ride and great for the team, and great for Greg as well with the season he’s had, so he really deserves it. Tomorrow I’m sure we’ll help to control the breakaway but I don’t even expect us to have to do much work to bring them in because the sprinters’ teams will probably want to pull back the breakaway. I think we’ll just enjoy the day in yellow, stay relaxed and get ready for the Pyrenees.”

But the best account of all, I think is from Thomas de Gendt:

Thomas Interview Link

 

TDG certainly didn't look like he had anything left. Jonty will be hoping he can make another appearance later in the tour...

 

7 Prizes for Stage 5 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 98 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Hanns

Yellow Jersey $7.50 98 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) Hanns

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

White Jersey $7.50 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy 

Most Combative Rider $3.00 163 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Jonty

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers

Link to Full Spreadseet

Stage 4 - It couldn't get closer

The Tour's longest stage just gave us the smallest of winning margins.

 

Cocqard did everything to his bike to get it over the line ahead of everyone else but in the end the straightlinevpowet of the big German Marcel Kittel could not be overcome. A perfect throw helped, too.

The overhead replay is well worth watching.

Replay

Kittel's lead out (Iljo Keisse) gives a good account of some of the complexities in the finale:

"First of all, it started with a little uphill before, where Marcel and I kind of lost a few places, we kind of lost train and had to fight for 5-6km to get back into position. In the end everything came back together. It was me and Marcel, then Max and Sabatini came all in the last kilometer, perfect timing, a little bit lucky but I guess that's what you need.

"I saw it was really close but we're really happy to have won today. And now the pressure can go a little bit because we started well with two second places, but we needed victories.

"It was the same yesterday, you have a small descent then a climb. Always the teams from behind are coming. It's very difficult in the front to keep the front, and if you are in the back you have to avoid the guys going backwards. It was difficult but it all worked out very well today."

Griepel seemed to abandon the sprint early despite an excellent setup from his team. It was as if he blew a piston just as he was firing up, like drag cars sometimes do. I'm keen to read the quotes on this when they come through.

Shaz will not be so concerned of The Gorilla's no show. She was the main beneficiary of Kittel's blietzrieg to the line...

7 Prizes for Stage 4 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 180 Marcel Kittel (Ger) Shaz

Yellow Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 67 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Prowster

White Jersey $7.50 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy

Most Combative Rider $3.00 78 Oliver Naesen (Bel) Ronaldo

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers

Link to Spreadsheet

Stage 3 - France is a big country

Alaphilippe: It was a bit boring to ride at this pace all day.

Sagan: At some stage, I thought of stopping for a coffee.

Voeckler: It was a relatively boring stage.

Bennett: They went a lot easier, it was perfect for a recovery day - a long, six hour recovery day.

 

Why?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/07/tour-de-france/ride-slow-tour-stage-3_413192

The finale was certainly worth watching, however. Cavendish and Greipel each gave a half-hearted victory sign, probably more for the potential photo than from any real conviction that they'd won. In the end, Cav was determined to have slightly fatter tyres so he gets the win, the green jersey and the flowers.

 

 

 

No so close in the sweep:

Terri continues to take in the $$ with the benefit of having Cav in her team.

7 Prizes for Stage 3 Rider Owner

Winner of Stage $12.00 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Yellow Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn

Green Jersey $7.50 101 Mark Cavendish (GBr) TQ

Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 67 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Prowster

White Jersey $7.50 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy 

Most Combative Rider $3.00 179 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Reba

Lanterne Rouge $2.50 146 Michael Mørkøv (Den) Pinkers

Link to Spreadsheet

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B6DhLnD6O8ujt4oRjXlYKAeA2HBYY1rTkDsUPdNbYYo

 

Stage 2 - Super Sagan

Cote de la Glacerie now; short but horrible – Stuyven still has 1:20 as Lotto go mad for Gallopin.

Stuyven stamps hard on the pedals, he still looks strong with 2.7 K to go and a minute and more in hand.

Tinkoff drive for Sagan, Valgren is SO strong; the seconds are slipping away now as Cav pops – we’ll have a new maillot jaune tonight.

Slagter leads the peloton, Porte has punctured – he could not have picked a worst place. . .

Kreuziger leads brilliantly for Sagan; Stuyven takes the mountains points – he’s King of the Mountains tomorrow, whatever happens.

Red kite and they’re about to consume Stuyven – he’s finished.

They’re all there, Sagan, Matthews, Valverde, Alaphilippe – Sagan looks around, he looks like he has this one covered.
 
Matthews goes, head down, ‘Cav style’ – Alaphilippe now, but it’s the man in the rainbow who takes it from the Frenchman and the inevitable Valverde.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/tourdefrance/tour-de-france-2016-stage-2-race-report-super-sagan/#.V3n9fpDCarV

Apparently Sagan thought there were two riders up the road, hence no victory salute. Not so for Alaphilippe who looked like he REALLY wanted the win. In the end he was beaten by a leisurely Sagan but scored the White jersey as a consolation.

It seems Sagan has been around long enough to remember the good old days and is not happy with the respect the riders are showing each other:

Sagan pulled no punches and said there was a lack of self-policing in the peloton compared to when he first started racing in the professional ranks six years ago.

“It’s like everybody is riding [as if they] lose the brain,” he fumed. “There are stupid crashes in the group, it’s very dangerous. When it’s wet nobody brakes — for sure you’re going to crash. 

“It’s not logical. In the group, before there was respect. When someone did something stupid, everybody throws their [water] bottle on him or beats him with [tire] pumps.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2016/07/tour-de-france/scathing-sagan-blasts-brainless-peloton_412691

Porte's concerns were less of the other riders but more on road debris:

Richie Porte‘s Tour de France turned pear-shaped quickly when a rear wheel puncture in the final kilometres of only the second stage to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin cost him 1-45 on his rivals.

The Australian, who co-leads BMC Racing with Tejay van Garderen after helping Chris Froome for years, relied on the service of Mavic as the flat happened at 4.5 kilometres to race in a technical uphill finish.
The mechanic worked quickly, but given the importance of the incident for Porte’s overall hopes, the change seemed to take hours.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/tour-de-france/richie-porte-disaster-just-pretend-didnt-happen-251847#TGpZtVSWU81Vo1ir.99

Sagan:
"It is the first time in my career to have the yellow jersey, and it is unbelievable. I'm already wearing a nice jersey [world champion], but this one is also very nice."

Very nice for Glenn, too:

7 Prizes for Stage 2 Rider Owner
Winner of Stage $12.00 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn
Yellow Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn
Green Jersey $7.50 32 Peter Sagan (Svk) Glenn
Polka Dot Jersey $7.50 67 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Prowster
White Jersey $7.50 181 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Simmsy
Most Combative Rider $3.00 67 Jasper Stuyven (Bel) Prowster
Lanterne Rouge $2.50 135 Sam Bennett (Irl) BC