dangie
On Moderation
I agree with you with one slight difference. Not only is the TdF the greatest cycle race in the world, I think it's the greatest sporting event in the world.
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It isn't. But it is the best advert for the pharmaceutical industry...
Shaw S Hunter
Established Member
That may have been true once but these days pro-cycling is subject to some of the strictest doping controls going. As such the TdF can certainly be argued to be the greatest sporting event in the world; it's certainly the biggest free-to-view competition. And this year it will traverse the 2nd highest Alpine road, the Cime de la Bonette (2802m/9193ft elevation)
John Hunt
Member
Yes - the Lance Armstrong / Festina days were some of the darkest in the history of the tour.
I think it is too early for me to nominate any favourites yet - these first stages, long ones with plenty of climbing and the heat (35 degrees yesterday) will sort out the men from the boys!
It will be strange to see the final stage somewhere other than Paris. (first time in the history of the tour!) This year it will be a time trial (does anyone remember the last time the race finished with a time trial - edge of your seat stuff. Laurent Fignon and Greg LeMond in 1989.......)
Does this mean there will be the possibility of competition for the yellow jersey on the final stage, rather than the usual coronation ?
John Hunt
Member
Of course! In 1989, Fignon had 50 seconds advantage over LeMond at the start of the final stage. LeMond went like a train (pun intended) and won the tour by 9 seconds.
The tour (if the final stage is not a time trial) can still be lost if the leader has a disaster of some sort during the final stage. It is purely a tradition on the tour that no-one will attack the leader during the stage, but it is up to the leader to make sure that he does not squander his lead.
Edit - there is an interesting discussion about the unofficial rules or the etiquette of the tour here - https://theconversation.com/unofficial-rules-of-the-tour-de-france-matter-most-28841
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No shocks or surprises on stage 2 today.
Cooler day ( only 30 degrees today with decent breezes )
Pogacar goes into yellow and Vingegaard stayed with him.
Tomorrow, stage 3 is a sprinters stage - fingers crossed for Mark Cavendish to have a stage win and pass Eddy Merckx' record of 34 TdF stage wins. (record has stood since 1975)
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dangie
On Moderation
Absolutely magnificent.
THC
Member
Clare have just beaten Cork in the All-Ireland hurling final by a single point after extra time - 3-29 to 1-34 (so 38 points to 37 in total - a goal being worth three points). It was on BBC2 today so hopefully picked up a few new fans for the sport on this side of the water.
THC
THC
Tadej Pogacar has won the Tour de France Bicycle Race from Jonas Vingegaard in second & Remco Evanepoel in third. Mark Cavendish finished what is likely his final tour & broke the stage win record he was jointly holding with Eddie Mercx.
Xander Schauffele has won The Open Golf at Royal Troon by two shots from Justin Rose & overnight leader Billy Horschel.
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Charlotte Dujardin has been forced to withdraw from the Olympics in the Dressage competition after a video surfaced of her mistreating a horse.
Sir Andy Murray has announced he will retire after the Olympics.
Xander Schauffele has won The Open Golf at Royal Troon by two shots from Justin Rose & overnight leader Billy Horschel.
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Charlotte Dujardin has been forced to withdraw from the Olympics in the Dressage competition after a video surfaced of her mistreating a horse.
Sir Andy Murray has announced he will retire after the Olympics.
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dangie
On Moderation
Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar has withdrawn from the Slovenian team for the Olympic Road race because of 'extreme fatigue'.
This years TdF consisted of 21 stages covering 3,498 km with 52,320 metres of elevation ridden at an average speed of 39.5 km/hr.
Maybe he should count himself lucky he's not a professional footballer who sometimes have to play TWO games a week
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THC
Member
And today, a week later, it was the turn of Armagh and Galway in the All-Ireland Gaelic football final, the northerners prevailing by a single point, 1-11 to 0-13 (so 14 points to 13). Nowhere near the drama of last week, but Armagh withstood a late siege from the Galway forwards to win the Sam Maguire Cup for only the second time.
THC
In World Endurance the Isotta Fraschini team has pulled out of the championship with immediate effect due to a dispute with the team running the car.
The MotoGP season in 2025 will start in Thailand rather than Qatar as in recent seasons. In other news Franco Morbidelli will ride for VR46 on a 2024 Ducati, Fabio Digianntonio will ride a 2025 spec Ducati for VR46.
The MotoGP season in 2025 will start in Thailand rather than Qatar as in recent seasons. In other news Franco Morbidelli will ride for VR46 on a 2024 Ducati, Fabio Digianntonio will ride a 2025 spec Ducati for VR46.
Pakenhamtrain
Established Member
Its September and it means finals time for the Aussie rules.
The Top 8 at the end of the season:
FINALS WEEK ONE:
1st Qualifying Final
Sydney 13.10 (88) def. Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82)
2nd Qualifying Final
Port Adelaide 7.12 (54) def by. Geelong 20.18 (138)
1st Elimination Final
Brisbane 14.15 (99) def. Carlton 11.5 (71)
2nd Elimination Final
Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) def by. Hawthorn 14.15 (99)
FINALS WEEK TWO:
1st Semi Final
Greater Western Sydney 15.10 (100) def by. Brisbane 15.15 (105)
2nd Semi Final
Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. Hawthorn 11.6 (72)
GWS probably the most unlucky side these finals. They've lead both finals for a combined 94 percent. Only to go out in straight sets.
And this week weekend we arrive at Preliminary final week.
1st Preliminary Final
Sydney vs Port Adelaide at the SCG
2nd Preliminary Final
Geelong vs Brisbane at the MCG
The Top 8 at the end of the season:
FINALS WEEK ONE:
1st Qualifying Final
Sydney 13.10 (88) def. Greater Western Sydney 12.10 (82)
2nd Qualifying Final
Port Adelaide 7.12 (54) def by. Geelong 20.18 (138)
1st Elimination Final
Brisbane 14.15 (99) def. Carlton 11.5 (71)
2nd Elimination Final
Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) def by. Hawthorn 14.15 (99)
FINALS WEEK TWO:
1st Semi Final
Greater Western Sydney 15.10 (100) def by. Brisbane 15.15 (105)
2nd Semi Final
Port Adelaide 11.9 (75) def. Hawthorn 11.6 (72)
GWS probably the most unlucky side these finals. They've lead both finals for a combined 94 percent. Only to go out in straight sets.
And this week weekend we arrive at Preliminary final week.
1st Preliminary Final
Sydney vs Port Adelaide at the SCG
2nd Preliminary Final
Geelong vs Brisbane at the MCG
dangie
On Moderation
I suppose all that makes sense to someone?
What’s a Qualifying Final? Is that like a Semi-final?
What’s an Elimination Final?
What’s a Preliminary Final?
Pakenhamtrain
Established Member
The Finals Series are the playoffs for the top 8 teams from the home and away season.I suppose all that makes sense to someone?
What’s a Qualifying Final? Is that like a Semi-final?
What’s an Elimination Final?
What’s a Preliminary Final?
Week one of the Finals have the Qualifying and Elimination Finals.
The Qualifying Finals are played by the top 4 teams and afford the winner a week off and a spot in Preliminary finals. The loser gets another chance and plays in the Semi Finals a week later.
QF1 is 1st vs 4th.
QF2 is 2nd vs 3rd.
Elimination finals are played by the 5th to 8th. The winners play the following week in the Semi finals. The loser is eliminated.
EF1 is 5th vs 8th.
EF2 is 6th vs 7th.
Week two of the finals has Semi Finals. The winners play the following week in the Preliminary Finals. The losers are eliminated.
SF1 is Loser QF1 vs Winner EF1
SF2 is Loser QF2 vs Winner EF2
Week three of the finals have the Preliminary finals. The winners play the following week in the Grand Final. The losers are eliminated.
PF1 is Winner QF1 vs Winner SF2
PF2 is Winner QF2 vs Winner SF1
Week 4 is the Grand Final.
AFL final eight system - Wikipedia
Speaking of the Preliminary finals have been completed.
Sydney made light work of Port Adelaide winning by 36 points. Port Adelaide never really looked in it.
Sydney 14.11 (95) def. Port Adelaide 8.11 (59)
And as is the case so often one Preliminary Final is a blowout the other being close. Geelong vs Brisbane being that game. It took a while to build to a crescendo with it taking 20 minutes into the first quarter before a goal was even scored. After which Geelong took control and had a handy 25 lead at the start of the third quarter. Brisbane mounted a fightback and headed into three quarter time with a 2 point lead. Brisbane got out to a 12 point lead before Geelong mounted a late charge taking a 2 point lead with 2 minutes to go. Brisbane had one last grasp in them and responded with 2 goals to seal it with under a minute to go.
Geelong 12.13 (85) def by Brisbane 14.11 (95)
So we finally arrive at the Grand Final. Sydney vs Brisbane 2.30pm Saturday afternoon at the MCG.
Jorge Martin has won the MotoGP World Championship from Pecco Bagnaia by 10 points. Bagnaia won the final race but had too much to make up to win the title.
It is the first time an independent team has won the riders championship since Valentino Rossi in the final 500cc season in 2001. It was also the last race of Pramac with Ducati as they move to being a Yamaha team in 2025.
For 2025 Martin moves to Aprilia in one of a number of rider moves.
In Moto2 Ai Ogura won the title for MT Helmets team, their first season as a team. He will ride for Trackhouse Aprilia in 2025 in MotoGP.
In Moto3 David Alonso won his 14th race of the season & 7th in a row, breaking a number of records along the way. He will move up to Moto2 in 2025 staying within the CF Moto Aspar team.
In Tv news TNT Sports have extended their deal to show MotoGP & also announced that every sprint race on Saturday’s on Quest which is a free to air channel.
It is the first time an independent team has won the riders championship since Valentino Rossi in the final 500cc season in 2001. It was also the last race of Pramac with Ducati as they move to being a Yamaha team in 2025.
For 2025 Martin moves to Aprilia in one of a number of rider moves.
In Moto2 Ai Ogura won the title for MT Helmets team, their first season as a team. He will ride for Trackhouse Aprilia in 2025 in MotoGP.
In Moto3 David Alonso won his 14th race of the season & 7th in a row, breaking a number of records along the way. He will move up to Moto2 in 2025 staying within the CF Moto Aspar team.
In Tv news TNT Sports have extended their deal to show MotoGP & also announced that every sprint race on Saturday’s on Quest which is a free to air channel.
75A
Established Member
See that the Macau Superbike races were washed out. Davy Todd was on Pole with his team mate Peter Hickman third. Long way to go for so litle track time. It doesn't look like Dave will be back @ next years NW 200 as it's the week after Oulton Parks and the week before Donington' s BSB races.
This year he was second in all 3 Superbike races to Glenn Irwin, won both Supertock races and one Supersport one, mot a bad three days.
This year he was second in all 3 Superbike races to Glenn Irwin, won both Supertock races and one Supersport one, mot a bad three days.
Quite an end to the Workd Rally Championship season in Japan this weekend with an event full of incident.
Thierry Neuville eventually was crowned champion after his car had engine problems on Friday, managed to drag himself into the points by the end of Saturday. The problem was Ott Tanak was leading & putting pressure on him but then crashed out on Sunday morning giving Neuville the title.
Incredibly Tanak’s accident meant Hyundai & Toyota were tied on points in the Manufacturers standings going into the extra points power stage. A win in this for Sebastian Ogier meant Toyota took the Manufacturers title by 3 points.
The rally was eventually won by Elfyn Evans in a Toyota.
The organisers of the rally were fined after a spectators car ended up on a live stage just before Evans was about to set off.
Changes in 2025 see the removal of the Hybrid unit for cost reasons (after the Acropolis rally the manufacturer of the system said they had to return it after a heavy impact, previously it was ok until normal service putting the appearance of the non factory M-Sport Ford’s into question) & a new rally in Saudi Arabia.
Thierry Neuville eventually was crowned champion after his car had engine problems on Friday, managed to drag himself into the points by the end of Saturday. The problem was Ott Tanak was leading & putting pressure on him but then crashed out on Sunday morning giving Neuville the title.
Incredibly Tanak’s accident meant Hyundai & Toyota were tied on points in the Manufacturers standings going into the extra points power stage. A win in this for Sebastian Ogier meant Toyota took the Manufacturers title by 3 points.
The rally was eventually won by Elfyn Evans in a Toyota.
The organisers of the rally were fined after a spectators car ended up on a live stage just before Evans was about to set off.
Changes in 2025 see the removal of the Hybrid unit for cost reasons (after the Acropolis rally the manufacturer of the system said they had to return it after a heavy impact, previously it was ok until normal service putting the appearance of the non factory M-Sport Ford’s into question) & a new rally in Saudi Arabia.
75A
Established Member
Snooker
The crowd at the UK Championship in York are being particularly annoying,
Coughing, shouting come on............. mobile phones ringing and having the volume on their commentary ear pieces too loud, have all led to the Referee having to admonish to them.
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The lady Referee in the Ding / Murphy game getting cross with the noisy crowd this afternoom
The crowd at the UK Championship in York are being particularly annoying,
Coughing, shouting come on............. mobile phones ringing and having the volume on their commentary ear pieces too loud, have all led to the Referee having to admonish to them.
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The lady Referee in the Ding / Murphy game getting cross with the noisy crowd this afternoom
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DarloRich
Veteran Member
some sad snooker news coming after the UK championships in York - Terry Griffiths has died
www.bbc.co.uk
Terry Griffiths: Former world snooker champion dies aged 77
Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77, the World Snooker Tour has confirmed.
www.bbc.co.uk
75A
Established Member
Very sad news - a nice bloke.some sad snooker news coming after the UK championships in York - Terry Griffiths has died
Terry Griffiths: Former world snooker champion dies aged 77
Former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths has died aged 77, the World Snooker Tour has confirmed.
Glad to see Judd Trump win the U.K.Championship, I thought he was the most consistent.
dangie
On Moderation
BBC Sports Personality of the Year
The six contenders have been announced. Nothing wrong with those contenders, but now it’s not really a public choice It’s basically a BBC choice. Vote for who you want as Sports Personality of the Year as long as it’s only from those six.
I used to watch it every year. To win it must have been a proud moment. Now I think it’s been devalued.
The six contenders have been announced. Nothing wrong with those contenders, but now it’s not really a public choice It’s basically a BBC choice. Vote for who you want as Sports Personality of the Year as long as it’s only from those six.
I used to watch it every year. To win it must have been a proud moment. Now I think it’s been devalued.
Lewisham2221
Established Member
Luke Littler has become the youngest darts world champion at the age of 17, after beating 3-time former champion Michael van Gerwen 7-3
DarloRich
Veteran Member
"When Alexander of Macedonia was 33, he cried salt tears because there were no more worlds to conquer... Littler's only 17."
THC
Member
Sid Waddell would have been in his element commentating last night, no doubt. Fondly remembered.
THC
The backlash against the FIA swearing rules is continuing with WRC drivers signing a letter against this, this is after Hyundai driver Adrian Formeaux was fined after swearing at the recent Rally Sweden which was won by Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
The MotoGP season begins this weekend in Thailand but the defending champion Jorge Martin, now on a Aprilia will be missing after suffering a hand injury. Once again the coverage will be on TNT Sports with each Saturday sprint race live on Quest. ITV will probably have some live races during the season but these have not been announced yet.
The MotoGP season begins this weekend in Thailand but the defending champion Jorge Martin, now on a Aprilia will be missing after suffering a hand injury. Once again the coverage will be on TNT Sports with each Saturday sprint race live on Quest. ITV will probably have some live races during the season but these have not been announced yet.
British Superbike Team OMG Racing has announced that with around a month before the new season it was no longer be racing. Among its riders were defending champion Kyle Ryde & former champion Bradley Ray. It also had a team for the Isle of Man TT featuring James Hillier. These riders are now looking for new rides.
OMG was also the Yamaha supported team in BSB.
Tai Woffinden, the Speedway rider is in hospital in Poland after a bad accident during a race. He was put in a Coma at the time.
OMG was also the Yamaha supported team in BSB.
Tai Woffinden, the Speedway rider is in hospital in Poland after a bad accident during a race. He was put in a Coma at the time.