Wiggins looked very handy yesterday in the first true mountain stage, riding almost everyone off his wheel, only a minute down going into a tailor-made time trial today. Could see him at least top 3 or possibly first, props to Froome also who is a sturdy lieutenant for Wiggins.

Yep Eurosports is def the way to go if you want to follow cycling.

Wiggo was excellent yesterday. As was Froome. He obviously went all out with today in mind. It should at the very least garauntee him top 10 for the whole ace and even possibly get him the red jersey after today. I think the way the attacking has been going on the moutains if it carries on like that he'll loose ground. That flatter section played into his hands yesterday. If the gradiant had been more I think he would have ended up just being peeled of the back eventually.

Now if only I'd had a full team from the off in the fantsy league I'd have been storming up the top of the league. I went on holiday, picked the team before going and came back to find all of my team had pulled out. So I had to bring them in 2 at a time every day

I hope you put money on your prediction there Fungus - reckon you'd have had decent odds on Froome into the red jersey.

I'm really missing David Harmon and Sean Kelly. Hope to get normal service resumed by the time of the World Championships week.

tour of britain starts soon - great news if you live in the west of the country

I watched the highlights of the Angliru stage last night. That was a brutal climb. It's a big ask to see where Sky can make the time back now. If they are to do so I guess it'll be on tomorrow's stage, the rest look relatively flat.



There used to be a Darlington-Newcastle/Gateshead stage but that's disappeared in the last couple of years. Unfortunately I think it comes down to which councils are willing to pay to host stages.

Certainly a good cast this year, Thomas, Cav, Millar, Swift, Hushovd...

Saw the highlights and you had to feel for Wiggins.
His shoulders were rocking all over the last bit of that climb, zig-zagging all over the road.

I thought for a moment that he wasn't gonna reach the summit.

Quote ="StuMain"There used to be a Darlington-Newcastle/Gateshead stage but that's disappeared in the last couple of years. Unfortunately I think it comes down to which councils are willing to pay to host stages.'" Was thinking about this and particularly given Sheffield's hopes of hosting the 2016 Grand Depart it seems strange that they're not hosting ToB stages as a dry run and demonstration of what they can do. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ma ... and-depart www.guardian.co.uk/environment/b ... ce-pothole

Quote ="StuMain"There used to be a Darlington-Newcastle/Gateshead stage but that's disappeared in the last couple of years. Unfortunately I think it comes down to which councils are willing to pay to host stages.'" Was thinking about this and particularly given Sheffield's hopes of hosting the 2016 Grand Depart it seems strange that they're not hosting ToB stages as a dry run and demonstration of what they can do. www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ma ... and-depart www.guardian.co.uk/environment/b ... ce-pothole

Stage 17.

WoW!

holyfecking!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was one of the best mountain stages I've ever watched. I was screaming, clapping, jumping up and down, waving my arms about watching it. I do believe that Froome actually heard me and it spurned him on for that last spurt to undertake Cobo in a stunning counter attack move.

Sky are goig to have to attack like mad and ride a canny race to try and score some bonus seconds from somewhere to get the red jersey at the death.


Also anyone going Blackpool on Monday to watch the sprint finish?

Wow indeed!

Gutted to have missed the stage.

I knew Froome had something about him (I think I might have even tipped him to win the British Nationals earlier on this thread) but I had no idea he was this good.

Gutted to have not been engrossed in the Vuelta this year. Sounds like it was a a great race.

My question following the Vuelta is.......what does this mean for Team Sky and British cycling?

Bradley Wiggins - Is this a tremendous result or a great opportunity missed. Would it have been in fact easier for him to win the Tdf had he not fallen off?

Chris Froome - OK, born in Kenya but representing Britain. Is he the real deal? Are we talking about someone who can challenge for GC at the Tdf next year?

Team Sky - A 2011 they can be rightly proud of. A team which just went out and tried to win things this year without the shackles of expectation and self made pressure. Assuming Cav is there in 2012 then next year could be even better.

Thomas could target the spring classics, Froome/Wiggins the Giro/Tdf. Cav green jersey and mabe wearing rainbow next year too.

Is this the true re-birth of road racing in the UK?

dave brailsford is a smart cookie - he's going to do as he said and deliver a british tour winner very soon

Thing is if we do have a british tour winner it'll be inspite of Brailsford rather than because of him. Froome was about to get ditched by Sky hence why they hadn't even discussed contracts with him prior to the Vuelta. His shock podium has forced them to pay him decent money now as other teams came sniffing as it became apparent that he was stronger than Wiggo and many other big names.

Brailsford expected the person to be Wiggo. then after their first year at the tour realised that he'd got it all wrong and then had to change to team mission statement when he realised he was out of his depth. Why else would sky risk everything to secure Cav. A decision which could severly blow up in their faces should they not have the depth in the tour to give Cav the train and race support he needs as well as ensuring there are enough domestiques to kill themselves up the hills to help out Wiggo/ Froome/ G/ Uran ( delete where appropriate)

I think it's more realistic to expect to see someone like G or Eddy Bo podium a Flanders / Paris - Roubaix type race than win a grand tour to be honest. Either way Sky have the makings of a very exciting season ahead of them next year

i'm not sure about wiggins this season, his main target was the tour but the injury meant he perhaps wasn't at his peak going into the spanish event. lets see what happens in olympic year

I'd have to agree that I think Wiggins what at the peak of his powers at the Dauphine/Tdf and whilst he maintained good form for the Vuelta....it wasn't good enough. Just look at his time trial at the Vuelta compared to the Dauphine.

Wiggins could have won the Tdf but we'll never know and he maybe never will have a better chance to do it. Wiggins showed that when it comes to going up serious hills - he's still a big man in a little mans body. The Mountains are not his natural terrain. If Alpuerto Clenbutador is competing next season then he'll target the Tdf and win it comfortably.

I agree with Fungus about Froome. Dave Brailsford really didn't know what he had there. With Froome fighting for a contract (and what a contract he'll have got there!!) he gave everything to the Vuelta - I hope there is more to come from him.

Looking forward to 2012 already. Mind you - small matter of Cav maybe winning the world champs next week....

All I have to say is

All hail DAS PANZERWAGON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That had to be one of the best and most entertaining TT races I've ever watched.

Well done Wiggo for what must be the best year of road racing he's ever had. A silver medal is an outstanding result.

Now roll on Sunday and come on Cav. I'll be waking up early after my night shift to watch the whole race on eurosports

Saw the highlights this morning. Nice result Tony Martin - looked like the man to finally end the reign of Spartacus last year. Is this the end of the Swiss maestro? Poor year for him really. Too much expected of him early season in the spring classics.

Great ride by Brad - if I'm honest.....I didn't expect him to figure (he was still in my fantasy team though). BTW Fungus - I look forward to doing battle again with you next year. Lets see if we can tempt a few more RL fans into the league next year.

Road race

Some nice odds available yesterday on Cav to win the thing - the bookies are understandably making Gilbert the favourite. Stuck £10 on him via Betfair yesterday when his odds were 10.5/1. He's now at 8.4/1 with Gilbert 5.2/1.

Really hoping Cav can do it - it's a strong team that GB are taking and the streets around Copenhagen reminded me a lot of the streets where Team Sky looked imperious at the Tour of California for Ben Swifts win. So.....I have no fear about Cav doing it as long as they can keep the thing together. The rest of the world vs Team GB may be a bit too much for them to take.

Mark Cavendish = legend.

Mark Cavendish, the Manx Missile and now WORLD CHAMPION. Team GB, simply awesome. Enough said

Wiggins flogged himself for the cause.

It wasn't a typical HTC lead out for him but Cav didn't need it at the business end.

He's got the power.

Quite simply..........awesome.

What a great year for cycling in the UK - perhaps next year could be even better. So the question now is.....Mark Cavendish Sports Personality of the Year?

Just depends how many cycling fans can be bothered ringing to vote I guess. He'd certainly be getting my vote.

His only competition this year is Darren Clarke (who in my opinion should have won the year the great british public decided to give it to Zara Phillips). Popular winner of the open but.......

......in terms of achievements this year (and personality) it simply has to be Cav.

It was nice to see his lass cheering him on as he mounted the victory podium. www.listal.com/viewimage/1936329

It was nice to see his lass cheering him on as he mounted the victory podium. www.listal.com/viewimage/1936329