The Hell Of The North

[Frank97]

Paris-Roubaix today, could we hope for a Wiggins win? Personally I don't think he'll do it, but you never know. Anyone else going to be watching?

[brionon]

I will be watching.

[Frank97]

Well done. I've always loved this race ever since, the same as Wiggins, I watched Duclos-Lassalle win it back in 93, hope it's a good race.

[Khandro]

Thanks for the reminder Frank, I'll be watching on German Eurosport.

[Jomlett]

Eurosport website are doing a live ticker of the race and just posted this...

195 KM Wiggins was typical Wiggins in an interview with reporters this week: "If you could just drop out of a helicopter with 40k to go on Cancellara's wheel and then see if you could hold it when he goes, that's an ideal scenario. But there's 220k before that of little French guys coming underneath you, chopping you, calling you a w and all this. That's the reality of it."

[Frank97]

Yes,I would imagine there's a few choice words bandied about in different languages in the middle of the peloton. :)

[Khandro]

^^ Yeah, spot-on, and add to it you absolutely on your own, that's why I like bike racing without having a team supporting their one team leader; world and Olympic championships etc.

[Frank97]

The British are coming, the British are coming! :-)

[Frank97]

7th and 9th, good race though!

[Jomlett]

The host broadcaster failed to show the final spring for the remaining podium positions! Terrible stuff there - they were following the third group to the line!

[Frank97]

That was pretty bad, wasn't it!

[Jomlett]

They didn't want to show John Degenkolb take second place ahead of Fabian Cancellara. I wonder why?

[Frank97]

No idea, or is there an underlying story I'm not aware of?

[Jomlett]

It could have been the TV director's ignorance of 1½ times round the track...

[ChillDoubt]

9th is not bad for Bradley but I do fear his best is now behind him.
Not sure how he'll fare in the TdF as a domestique but the good news for Froome is that Porte has dropped out of the Giro to concentrate on the TdF and with Geraint there too the Sky guys and Froome in particular will no doubt be up there again.

[Frank97]

I was wondering how Sky were going to handle the Wiggins/Froome thing. So Wigging will be a domestique, should be interesting!

[ChillDoubt]

Yes Frank, apparently Sir DB spoke to him a few months back and apparently Sir BW was happy to play his part in the team.
For me though, Porte will be the super-domestique, he's worth his weight in gold IMHO.

[Frank97]

I'd have to agree with that. Can't wait for July. :)

[ChillDoubt]

Nor me, hopefully see the Grand Depart here then catch a stage in the South of France some 10 days later!
You popping up to Yorkshire for the start, Frank?

[Frank97]

No, I'm afraid not, very much an armchair sportsman me.

[Frank97]

Just looking at the TDF stage map, CD. Is that a mountain stage you're going to watch?