Le Tour de Pharmaceutical 2014

Another dominant performance from Nibali, could even Froome or Contador have lived with this display? Only cause for concern is the presence of renowned doper Vino as team boss who criticised his cyclists' form earlier in the season...   That and some descriptions of his showing as Armstrong-esque...

A close battle for second still to be fought out in the time trial, with at least one Frenchman on the podium for the first time in a decade or so.

noone can turn it on like nibali has and not have the performance questioned
doesnt matter how good the tests are therell always be some smartarsed doc with a way to beat them

No Inglessi seems the best answer to all doping questions.

He'd not have been as dominant with either Froome or Contador there, but they'd definitely have struggled to win from stage 5. And it's a rider who was shot of form this season. Last time a rider would've worn yellow jersey for longer than Nibali would be Jacques Anquetil in 1961 (and he'd have had the same number of days if not for the token handing over to Gallopin that day).

Then again, it's also the weakest Tour since 2008 (and maybe 2012 due to the piss weak course) due to circumstances.

He could have had polka dot as well had he just made the effort as front-runner in one more stage... was it Merckx who won all three jerseys, hard to imagine a GC contender being in the running for green but maybe it was a bit different back then.

beamer wrote:He could have had polka dot as well had he just made the effort as front-runner in one more stage... was it Merckx who won all three jerseys, hard to imagine a GC contender being in the running for green but maybe it was a bit different back then.

Didn't they have the half stages in those days?

Anyway, Wiggo pretty much announces his retirement from road racing and certainly Grand Tours at least - concentrating on the track for what will probably be the final act of his career in Rio.

Little more than a sprint today & just the time trial tomorrow. Nibali would have to break a leg to lose it now.

Good to see the chicks race before the main race today. Mrs K got to see a bit of the Champs Elysee where were just under a year ago. She happily pointed out the various shops alongs the route.

Cheng ji finished dead last over six hours off Nibali. Should be getting a packet on post tour criteriums. Tinkoff were taking the mickey by the end of the second week... hopefully the Vuelta luckier with crashes.