Cycling Betting & Discussion.

[Tonji]

Mixed day.

Peraud put up a fight to scupper the match bet, but crashed again on his fractured shoulder. Real ouch moment, particularly as his wife & family were on that corner cheering him on.

De Ghent seems to have decided late to go full gas  after earlier the teams DS indicated he'd be taking it easy. Awkward bugger!

Rain never really hampered Froome, who's still in beast mode.

Hope Tighty was on Evans match bet? I can't remember the last time Evans didn't try.

Not sure if I'll have time to look at tomorrows Alpe D'Huez stage.

Maybe just enjoy the spectacle.

[Tonji]

The iconic Queen stage of this years Tour. Twice up Alpe D'Huez, with what is reckoned to be the most dangerous descent of the race. Thunderstorms possible.

Not to be missed.

Eurosport are showing the stage from the start at 10.45am.

[Dubai]

Who everyone fancy tomoro? Froome weakish in market at moment, drifted to 3/1. Anyone going to put me off??

[cheapwetsuit]

Who everyone fancy tomoro? Froome weakish in market at moment, drifted to 3/1. Anyone going to put me off??

At 3/1, you won't be making a mistake. Thing is, I can't see that price anywhere. Mostly 2/1 now. Hope you got some.

[TightEnd]

11/4 froome bet365. Great price.

[Tonji]

Who everyone fancy tomoro? Froome weakish in market at moment, drifted to 3/1. Anyone going to put me off??

Not putting you off Dubai. After all he is the best uphill at the moment. He'll come under attack from Saxo, Movistar, & Katusha, also think Garmin are going to get involved. He's vulnerable on the descent off Alpe D'Huez, & likely to be on the defensive most of the stage. A stage win will only come if he's safe, say 5km from the top.

Plenty of riders outside the top ten, mainly French & Dutch looking for a stage win. A scenario where a rider from a small break could take the win, while the GC guys duke it out further down the mountain.

My first thought was Quintana, but he mentioned in the media after today to feeling a bit tired.

More later, need a ponder  

[vegaslover]

Who everyone fancy tomoro? Froome weakish in market at moment, drifted to 3/1. Anyone going to put me off??

Not putting you off Dubai. After all he is the best uphill at the moment. He'll come under attack from Saxo, Movistar, & Katusha, also think Garmin are going to get involved. He's vulnerable on the descent off Alpe D'Huez, & likely to be on the defensive most of the stage. A stage win will only come if he's safe, say 5km from the top.

Plenty of riders outside the top ten, mainly French & Dutch looking for a stage win. A scenario where a rider from a small break could take the win, while the GC guys duke it out further down the mountain.

My first thought was Quintana, but he mentioned in the media after today to feeling a bit tired.

More later, need a ponder  

Tonji, as always, sums it up perfectly. Every GC contender and wannabe will be attacking tomorrow. Froome really doesn't need to take any risks on the descents tomorrow.

Can see a breakaway taking the stage win, dependant on course on what games the GC riders play tomorrow

[Tonji]

I like to go against favourites, or at least find some value & reasons...

I'm on Mikel Nieve, the Basque Euskaltel - Euskadi rider was next best on Mont Ventoux & seemed to get stronger as climb progressed. He's won big mountain stages in the Giro & Vuelta. Over 23 mins down on GC, he'll have some freedom. His team are desperate to attract sponsors before the end of season & may fold, he'll be motivated for them, but have in mind a big transfer if the team folds. A win on Alpe D'Huez will get him a big move to a top team. I could only get on at 15/1.

Also gonna go with my season favourite Dan Martin. In the media he's been talking down his overall finish, but hinting at another stage win. Garmin have the ability tactically to engineer stage wins under the noses of bigger GC teams. They'll use Talansky & Martin, both seem to get stronger in the later stages of tours, they may have to go from a long way out, much the same as his stage win in Catalunya. Hills are a touch out of line at 66/1.

[AndrewT]

do you watch on Europsport or ITV? which and why?

Oooh this is a toughy. I prefer itv's commentary mainly because I grew up with liggett and sherwin doing the channel 4 half an hour highlights and basically their commentary = cycling to me.

Having said that itv having breaks in the last hour of the race constantly tilts me greatly, they missed froomes break on the 1st mountain stage aka the most significant point of the day and possibly the tour.

So I am currently a Eurosport guy.

Here in Ireland the TdF coverage is on TG4 - the Gaelic-language channel. That's quite the challenge to follow.

[Tonji]

Click to see full-size image.

The descent of Alpe D'Huez is off the Col de Sarenne.

Click to see full-size image.

Narrow, loose surface, technical, dangerous & if wet this part of the stage could get neutralised or cancelled.

[Tonji]

Who's on what for today?

I've added Rodriguez, after his best TT performance yesterday, think he's now in top shape. 9/1

[Tonji]

Probing attacks right from the start. Stressful day for Froome.

[Tonji]

Looks like Saxo & Movistar are going to try & get rid of Richie Porte before the first climb of Alpe D'Huez.

Really brutal start. Fear for the gruppetto, they'll struggle to make the time cut. Hope the commissaires use discretion.

[Tonji]

Finally settled down with a nine rider break.

[Tonji]

boo Dan Martin out the back, having a bad day.

Rolland & Schleck looking prominent