TdF 2012 (may contain spoilers)

[Phil H]

Blimey.

LLS didn't appreciate that.

[Amy]

I missed most of yesterday's stage but saw the finish in the highlights programme - I hadn't heard about the dog bringing down a load of riders Found a video online - poor Philippe Gilbert, really not a happy bunny...

[Andrew G]

Twiggo flying today. Nice lead out for Cav to win tomorrow and a third of the stages won by Brits (4 different ones) and top 2 on the podium. Not too shabby .

[Phil H]

I think I was one of the many who, upon hearing Brailsford's "A TdF winner within five years" was like "yeah, right". But here we are. And with a good chance of 3 Sky stage winners on the trot. And maybe even the yellow jersey leading out the rainbow jersey ...

[Phil H]

Tweet from Hutch:
[quote]Chartres train bunged. Who'd have thought time trialling was so popular. I take it French TTs are London South District? So a G course code?

[Grahame]

<Michael Caine voice>

Gentlemen, gentlemen. We are about to do a job in France. Now, it's a very difficult job and the only way to get through it is if we all work together as a team. OK so here is the job, we are going to the Alps to take the Maillot Jeune from right under their noses, and they won't like that.

These chinless wonders are our domestiques. They can ride rings round anybody else we'll meet on the way.

This is the plan; keep it tight, don't get distracted by the scenery or unnecessary stage wins, and try not to hurt anybody.

So that is the plan and this is the venue. France. And Belgium. Oh, and a little bit of Switzerland.

What it lacks in brown beer and sideburns it more than makes up for in beauty, trees, smooth roads and mountains.

They have a fit population, but they are full of du pain, du vin and du bourcin at the moment and we have toured bigger and better before and come out suntanned.

This is a good time for the raid as they are missing several key people who have been caught taking the wrong medicines or eating dodgy steaks.

France is a beautiful country, and there are plenty of dusky maidens to see and do, but this ain't no holiday trip this is purely business we go, we see and then we conquer.

Good luck gentlemen and remember Yes, it's a question of prestige.

If you go through with this, you've got to win.

Now where did I park that mini?

</Michael Caine voice>

[Andrew G]

Curse of the rainbow jersey .

[Phil H]

Cav's pre-stage interview was nice:

Interviewer: So, three weeks ago did you imagine you'd be on the Champs Elysées with the sprint being led out by the yellow jersey?
Cav: Yes

Also, [url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40012&t=12867727&sid=1237d7a3ccc3ba8f1583b0474404edb4]aftermath[/url] from BikeRadar Commuting.

Now my next question is: where can we get a life sized cardboard cuttout of Lesley Garret (in union flag skirt) before Saturday so we can place it by the course for when Brad comes through?

[Amy]

I didn't know the national anthem could get any more cringe-worthy - till Garrett started to sing it...

Thank you for reminding me how awful it was