Tour de France **spoilers**

[Mire Mare]

**Don't read if you're planning to watch the highlights**

Who's watching Le Tour?

It's had a bit of everything so far and has been exciting as a result.

Cancellara put in an epic performance to win the Prologue and looks on top form. Greipel and Cav are looking strong in the sprints but Goss and Renshaw are always in the hunt. And Sagan is an on form and cocky revelation who's ruffling a few feathers. It's great to see.

Today's stage was epic. Team Sky did exactly what everyone was expected, butcouldn't do anything about it. First Porte then Froome powered up the final climb pulling Wiggo along, and finally blowing apart an already shattered peloton. I was surprised that BMC splintered and left Evans to fend for himself. Evans is nothing if not a grafter though and he went for it with under a kilometre to go. Wiggo managed to get on Evans' wheel whilst Froome left them both behind and took the stage win. After Nibali had said to the media that he has not impressed with Wiggins he couldn't hold his wheel and lost some time to him coming in 4th. So, fantastic team and individual efforts from Sky today. Wiggo now in yellow & Froome has the lead in King of the Mountains for now.

Not everyone likes Sky's approach to racing, but if it means a Brit could win the Tour then I'll take it anyway it comes. 1 week down, 2 more to go.

Vive Le tour!

[HalcyonDaze00]

are they all still cheating?

[Mire Mare]

are they all still cheating?

Why does that matter if that's all you have to say?

[zapiy]

I love it. Especially to see the Brit racers doing well. Wiggins looks in fine shape.

[Liamh1982]

Got to respect Wiggins - anyone who has the temerity to grow huge ginger sideburns must have balls the size of spacehoppers. It's a wonder he can even ride a bike at all.

[Mire Mare]

I love it. Especially to see the Brit racers doing well. Wiggins looks in fine shape.

The Brits do look good, you're right. Fingers crossed they get through the tour successfully and in one piece ready to take on the Olympic road race.

Got to respect Wiggins - anyone who has the temerity to grow huge ginger sideburns must have balls the size of spacehoppers. It's a wonder he can even ride a bike at all.

It's not exactly a streamlined 'do' he sports is it. Ironic considering his silky smooth legs!

[HalcyonDaze00]

are they all still cheating?

Why does that matter if that's all you have to say?

cos i haven't watched it for quite a bit and was just wondering if its still one of the most discredited sporting events around

[Mire Mare]

are they all still cheating?

Why does that matter if that's all you have to say?

cos i haven't watched it for quite a bit and was just wondering if its still one of the most discredited sporting events around

Ahhh.. I see. I wasn't sure of your angle since your statement is so brief. The sport is now much cleaner. Teams, Sky in particular, have adopted a much more transparent way of working and the governing bodies of world cycling and grand tours seem to be working together more cohesively. Other new teams are similar to Sky, Green Edge for example, and even teams like Robobank and Lotto seem to have systems to eliminate doping. Still, it wouldn't surprise me to learn of some cheating with so many athletes competing.

[nokgod]

Yeah, i'm glued to it, as i am every year. Its particularly exciting this year as the routes are a little different and the gradients on the climbs are steeper than normal.

I'm interested in how the team dynamics are going with Sky as obviously, they're looking after Wiggins (who's looking very strong atm), but they're kinda leaving Mark Cavendish to fend for himself. I don't really think that's how a world champion should have to ride....but i guess he should have known what he was letting himself in for when he joined them. He's not quite got his timing down just yet, but i reckon he'll get another stage or two. Greipel and Sagan look like tough competition for him though....not going to be as easy as previous years.

Time Trial tomorrow should be interesting......

[Mire Mare]

Yeah, i'm glued to it, as i am every year. Its particularly exciting this year as the routes are a little different and the gradients on the climbs are steeper than normal.

I'm interested in how the team dynamics are going with Sky as obviously, they're looking after Wiggins (who's looking very strong atm), but they're kinda leaving Mark Cavendish to fend for himself. I don't really think that's how a world champion should have to ride....but i guess he should have known what he was letting himself in for when he joined them. He's not quite got his timing down just yet, but i reckon he'll get another stage or two. Greipel and Sagan look like tough competition for him though....not going to be as easy as previous years.

Time Trial tomorrow should be interesting......

I'm watching the TT right now. Evans and Wiggo on track at the moment. Froome just finished after putting in an amazing performance.

I saw Cav going back to the team car to collect water bottles for the other riders a couple of stages back. Cav a domestique?! Who'd have thought it!? He's been a proper team player whenever he can be in the tour this year. I think Cav must have known the score before joining SKY. With HTC folding I think SKY must have been the best option. Cav knows the team and training inside out as he grew up training with Brailsford and the British system. Cav seems pretty pragmatic in interviews and I'm sure he's going to go for a few more stage wins & points. Then there's the issue of the gold medal in the Olympic RR where he'll get 100% from Team GB teammates.

[nokgod]

I'll be watching the highlights later. I normally find the TT's a little dull, but i'm expecting good things from this stage as its far from flat.

I'm sure Cavendish has one particular stage in mind for a win.... the Champs Elysées. I know he loves that stage and it'll all be over for GC so i think everyone will help him go for that!

[Mire Mare]

I'll be watching the highlights later. I normally find the TT's a little dull, but i'm expecting good things from this stage as its far from flat.

I'm sure Cavendish has one particular stage in mind for a win.... the Champs Elysées. I know he loves that stage and it'll all be over for GC so i think everyone will help him go for that!

I'll be on the Champs Elysées on Sunday for the last day of the Tour Hoping for Wiggins in yellow, Froom second and a stage win for Cav. It could be a marvellous day!

There have been some great days of racing in the last few days and it was great to see David Millar take a stage win.

I was surprised to hear about he tacks on the road, especially at the Tour, but it was great to see the riders waiting and not trying to take advantage of those who punctured. It'd have been a different story if Contador was riding!

[zapiy]

Been a thrilling few days.. really hotting up now..