Le Grand Boucle

[ChillDoubt]

As most of you know, unless you've been residing on Mars these past few months the Tour de France begins today in Yorkshire.
To all the good folk up there I say congratulations for gaining the prestige of starting the greatest show on earth, you did a magnificent job just getting the honour.
Secondly, thanks to each and every cycling fan from GB and elsewhere who will be there to see off the 22 teams in this years tour, you have done and will do us proud with your support and enthusiasm.
Sadly there's not as many Brits taking part as we would like but those who are will feel the weight of expectation upon their shoulders, though they'll be sent swiftly on their way with no little encouragement.
Hopefully, Cav will fulfil his dream and take le maillot jaune in the town where his mother hails from. He has a fantastically well-drilled lead out train in Team Omega Pharma Quick Step who will pedal for their lives to make it so and the fans at the roadside will be screaming him on.
To the riders(especially Foome, Team Sky and the legend that is Jens Voigt), bonne chance pour tout(to Geraint Thomas pob lwc!), chapeau and may your god be with you as you all make it safely to Paris.
Allez,allez mes amis!

[ChillDoubt]

Great ride from the Czech Republic rider Barta who has led from start to finish in a 2 man breakaway.
He probably won't be able to hold off the peloton but you never know! Superb effort all the same.

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He has been caught but conditions and the odd bend are playing their part in sorting out the final order and lead-out trains.

[ChillDoubt]

Another mention for the crowds who have matched Yorkshire, it's very Olympic-esque in London again.

[ChillDoubt]

Crash in the bunch! It's a bit further back though and the main sprinters are still in there.....

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Under the flamme rouge, here we go ion the Mall......

[ChillDoubt]

Kittel does it again, 2 of the 3 stages thus far to the big German from Team Giant Shimano. Expected a bit more from Sagan who was on his wheel all the way in the Mall, but he retains his green jersey.

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Kittel takes another stage, the finish at Lille.
Froome had a minor crash early on, the obligatory road rash and a slight injury to his wrist, the last thing he needs with a large cobbled stage tomorrow.
Conditions are forecast as wet, which will make it a tough day for all and there will doubtless be a lot of riders on the floor throughout the day, it's a stage the GC contenders will not be looking forward to.

[ChillDoubt]

Froome sent for an X-ray, hopefully just precautionary:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/28219348

[granny grump]

An absolutely fantastic weekend up here in Yorkshire the atmosphere and the crowds were amazing

[ChillDoubt]

Indeed they were gg, they were magnificent and surpassed expectation beyond everyone's wildest dreams.
Fans, pundits and riders alike were all genuinely taken aback at the interest and size of the crowds.

[ChillDoubt]

Now that Froome is out, Geraint Thomas is doing a sterling job in dragging his team mate Richie Porte into some sort of GC contention by pulling away from the Contador group.
That said, Nibali and his Astana team have done a brilliant job this afternoon.