TdF 2014: Stage 5: Cobbled

Yes, that's a sub-sub-title.  Better than the kardashians.

COBBLES
Today had to get it's own entry due to a couple serious events.
First and foremost, this was a day that people (and by people, I have to imagine that I'm referring to people that aren't the cyclists themselves) were looking forward to, because the Tour organizers decided to throw down some old school, Classics-level cobblestone sections, the likes of which haven't been seen in the TdF in a long, long time.  And just because riding the TdF is already about the worst kind of torture humans willingly put themselves through, mother nature decided to make it rain all night and all day.  The result?

This

And also

Some of this

And also:

Lots of this.  Not the guy in the middle on the road, the guy on the left... no so much on the road

Yeah, it was a brutal day.  And though my man Taylor Phinney tweeted out some regret about not being able to ride it (WHAT??), and Tejay has some colorful words for his post-ride interview (starting with "It was insane"), mostly they made it out.  And the end result was a ballsy solo from 6km out for Lars Boom to take the stage win.

Biggest Moments

Nibali was impressive and in-form today.  Though I was a fan of his last year, I somewhat dismissed him this year, and he has proven that he is here to wear that yellow for a while.  It might be hard to take off his back at this point.

The key moment of day, however, was that (another) crash by race-favorite Chris Froome caused him to abandon.  As open as I said the GC was yesterday, I can't help but thing that this opens it up even more.  This, to go along with the abandon of Mark Cavendish, can be seen as a serious hit to race, or a serious door opening for another rider.  Kittel already staked the claim on the latter, and Nibali and Talansky, and Tejay for that matter, will take similar advantage.

What to watch for

Seriously, everyone hit the pavement today.  The biggest question the next couple days, is who recovers the fastest from it.  Still a few days until the first rest day, and as is the popular sentiment about the first week in general: you can't win the race now, but you can definitely lose it.

Parting Thoughts: What if the one you'd take a bullet for is the one holding the gun?  (Thanks, Fall Out Boy)

TdF 2014 post-pre-view

Hey, it's July, which means it's time for the Tour de France!  And yes, technically it's already 4 stages in, but I totally planned in writing this all up before, so it's still a preview!  Exclamation marks!

As a reminder, if you are unfamiliar with professional cycling, go back and check out my cycling 101 from last year.
As a starter, let's look at the people to pay attention to...

Green Jersey
Early season, it seems like pretty much everyone has been in form.  Cavendish, Sagan, Greipel, and last year's breakout start Marcel Kittel have all gotten victories in.  Prior to the 5th, I was picking Cav to claim his spot as the world's best sprinter again, but.... he crashed in stage 1 and it out for the race.  I feel bad for the guy, he was going to get those first 3 stages in England to race in front of home crowds.  Bummer, man.

Sagan watching Kittel take another one

 In the meantime, Kittel has won 3 of the first 4 stages, and I'm not sure anyone can keep up with him right now.  But Sagan has the green jersey.  He is once again focusing on picking up mid-stage sprint points, while most others aren't really concerned about it.  I guess if you have to pick between stage wins and the green jersey, Kittel and Sagan would pick differently, and both seem perfectly happy with the situation.  Give me Kittel with another couple stage wins, including Paris, and Sagan taking his 3rd Green home.

GC
That is; overall time, the winner.  In stark contrast to last year, I don't feel like this year has a distinct favorite.  Last year, everyone knew it was going to be Chris Froome before the race started, and anybody else would've been a surprise.  Though showing some good early season form once again, Froome was bested in the Criterium du Dauphine by young American star Andrew Talansky, with a bold final day attack.  Also falling short of Talentski (I just gave him that name... I'll work on it) was Alberto Contador, the Spanish temporary TdF winner back in form after his suspension.  Any of them have a legitimate shot at the TdF this year.  And I haven't even gotten to the guy currently leading, and the one guy I wanted to see challenge Froome last year, Italian Vincenzo Nibali.  On the hilly stage 2 he snuck away at the end for a 2 second advantage.

Nibali FTW

Other GC team leaders include Alejandro Valverde, Bauke Mollema, Rui Costa, Frank Schleck and Tejay VanGarderen.  Tejay was given reign of team BMC this year, but suffered through injuries early season, and if any American is on the podium in 2 and half more weeks, my money is on Talansky.  I like the way Mollema is riding, but I'm not sure he can keep up long term.  And I'm picking Contador to fade in the 3rd week (you know, if he's clean now).  Which leaves me to look for Froome, Nibali, and Andy Talandy (still working on it).

Talansky was all smiles after taking the famous Dauphine

Unfortunately, the Time Trials have proven so decisive the last couple years, it's hard to pick against Froome.  But screw it, I'll be a homer and go with AT (nailed it).

Race from here
They were back in France starting today, and Kittel took his 3rd stage.  Tomorrow is another flat, followed by some small hills, and doesn't get in to big hills until Saturday (July 12).  The stuff gets real.

Parting Thought:
Check out this profile for stage 9, this Sunday:

Weee

You know what's awesome about it?  I'm doing Triple Bypass that day, and it's TOTALLY harder than that stage of the TdF.  Booyah.