h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is starting in London WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

* to book hotel for self, mother and daughter*

it said on teletext,its only the 3rd time, here in over 100 years, I hope I get to see more than I did last year

The opening week is in Northern France this year, hopefully we can get over there for the day

Who's your tip for this year, mine's Jan Ullrich

not had a look whose in it yet, but I can't see Ullich winning it, I've forgot who the others have got instead of Armstrong

food hunting time, back later

This is what I wrote in my summing up of my piece on last years Tour de France

"So........2006

So who will win next year now that there will be no Armstrong? Will it be his long term rival, five times runner up and perpetual bridesmaid Jan Ullrich, with odds at 7-2? Ullrich's age is against him now as is his dislike of keeping fit during the winter, but on the plus side he's one of the best all-rounder going and his will for one more win before he retires is very strong. Will it be second placed Ivan Basso at odds of 5-2? Basso is probably at his peak now; his team have great faith in him and will pull out all the stops to see him in the yellow Jersey next year. Will it be Cadel Evans with odds of 40-1? Not this year but keep your eye on him for the future, this was his maiden Tour and a finish in the top ten surprised everyone, with a bit of work on his time trialling he's a tip for the future. Will it be Yaroslav Popovitch at odds of 17-1? With many considering him to be the natural successor to Lance at Discovery, his climbing needs a bit more work before he can take on the big boys, maybe in 2007. Will it be Alejandro Valverde at odds of 9-1? The only thing he seems to have against him is his fiery Latin temperament, he seems to have annoyed a few people on his way to the top, once he gets it under control he'll be a sure bet. And finally Alexandre Vinokourov with odds at 7-1. If he gets is attacking aggression under control and works for the team instead of for himself he will be unbeatable."

*looks longingly at his bike clips*

woohoo a peloton in Knightsbridge

Oh yah lets get to France and wait for hours, to cheer for ten seconds as they speed past...


*waves a sarcastic flag*

I remeber 98' when it was in Ireland... what a let down to an eleven year old.

thought it was this years, starting here ????
http://news.google.co.uk/news?q=2006+tour+de+france&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=nn&oi=newsr

nope, got it wrong, goes back to bed

This years is starting in Strasburg and going through Northern France to Caen visiting Liseaux, Bayeaux and Beuvais, all of which I want to visit.

It's the atmosphere I want to experience, admittedly you see the best bit of the riders on TV but that's for Sho's thread

france.I'll stay here

Chicken

can't afford it and don't like french, since they sold exocets to the argies

Right

HMS Sheffield got sunkdidn't like that, exocet sold by so called allies

Since when have the French ever done anything for others, it's part of War, I'm sure we're no angels either

Hi Reefgirl,

How super to know that you have such a good knowledge of the Tour de France. I have loved if since I was a little girl - (seventy years ago!!) and when we used to stay with our grandgarents in Aix en Provence it gave us a great thrill to see the cyclists whizzing pass on the Route des Alpes which was across the little valley that separated their house from their route.

I hope you find a wonderful hotel and have a great time.

I shall look forward to your daily reports!!

Regards
Also Ran1

We'll only be there for the Grand Depart, I'm still deciding whether my finances with stretch to a day trip to Caen for this years race

oooohoohooh nice! hello *pulles on his king of the mountains shirt* hows reef today