Moreau The Same on Bastille Day....
Saturday is upon us dear reader and, as such, most of us are free from those nasty Monday through Friday shackles, and can kick back and enjoy the weekend.
Spare a thought then for the poor boogers who will be toiling desperately over the next two days in searing heat, chasing each other up Alp and down dale.
But spare that thought in the knowledge that this is one of the great sporting spectacles in the calendar and, for me at least, an event not to be missed.
The festival of pain is further heightened today by the fact that it is Bastille Day in France, one of their most significant holidays.
After Friday's frog fun, it would be no surprise if the amphibian theme was maintained into today, with a 'grenouille' victory at Le Grand-Bornand (for it is there, at the base of the 1613 metre Col de la Columbiere mountain that today's stage will end).
I fancy a French winner today, and already you can have 5/2 about that, which I've availed myself of.
But who specifically? Well, my money is nailed to the tricolore of one man in particular: Christophe Moreau. The French have a proud tradition in the King of the Mountains competition with Richard Virenque a national icon despite his career being tainted with the almost ubiquitous drug smear.
Moreau was the closest challenger to last year's KotM winner, Michael Rasmussen, and will be keen to assert some pressure on the Dane on this first big day for the climbers.
At 10/1, he looks cracking value and is added to my Frenchie to win the stage wager.
To complete the punting today, I'll chuck in Rasmussen himself for a top three finish. With serious points up for grabs today, he'll not be far from the action, and - even if there is a breakaway - that still gives us a chance of collecting on the great Dane. At 13/2, he looks cracking top 3 value.
The race is replete with its usual intrigue after Thursday's crashes and injuries to the ante post favourite and second choices, Vinokourov and Kloden. Both are doubtful and may or may not start today. Vino has stitches in a knee wound and 'Klodie' has aggravated an old coccyx injury, with a hairline fracture.
I've strengthened my overall position on Cadel Evans, by backing him to win, be in the first 3, and the first 6. I can't have Valverde and the top two are doubtful. This renders the race wide open.
I've also had a little tickle on an up and comer, Alberto Contador. To be honest, I don't know too much about him, but the right dogs are barking in his favour, and the race will take marginally less winning than normal, so on that basis he makes the portfolio.
I was delighted to see the 3yo's inject some fresh interest in the sprinting ranks yesterday, with Sakhee's Secret answering all my questions about class, and Dutch Art following him home. It's been a frustrating week at Newmarket for me, having tried to beat both SS and WW (Winker Watson).
Throw in the fact that Boonen won the Tour stage yesterday when I tried to get him beaten, and a few too many jollies have hit the board for my liking!
Nevertheless, I've been peppering the target if not quite hitting the bullseye, so confidence remains high.
And, after the carnage of Thursday, I managed four lays from four yesterday, including Alambic (laid at 8/11, returned evens).
For a great free laying service, see Thursday's post here:
http://www.nag-nag-nag.co.uk/2007/07/review-of-easy-money-laying-system-plus.html
Good luck with your weekend wagers and, just for once, Allez La France!
Matt
Spare a thought then for the poor boogers who will be toiling desperately over the next two days in searing heat, chasing each other up Alp and down dale.
But spare that thought in the knowledge that this is one of the great sporting spectacles in the calendar and, for me at least, an event not to be missed.
The festival of pain is further heightened today by the fact that it is Bastille Day in France, one of their most significant holidays.
After Friday's frog fun, it would be no surprise if the amphibian theme was maintained into today, with a 'grenouille' victory at Le Grand-Bornand (for it is there, at the base of the 1613 metre Col de la Columbiere mountain that today's stage will end).
I fancy a French winner today, and already you can have 5/2 about that, which I've availed myself of.
But who specifically? Well, my money is nailed to the tricolore of one man in particular: Christophe Moreau. The French have a proud tradition in the King of the Mountains competition with Richard Virenque a national icon despite his career being tainted with the almost ubiquitous drug smear.
Moreau was the closest challenger to last year's KotM winner, Michael Rasmussen, and will be keen to assert some pressure on the Dane on this first big day for the climbers.
At 10/1, he looks cracking value and is added to my Frenchie to win the stage wager.
To complete the punting today, I'll chuck in Rasmussen himself for a top three finish. With serious points up for grabs today, he'll not be far from the action, and - even if there is a breakaway - that still gives us a chance of collecting on the great Dane. At 13/2, he looks cracking top 3 value.
The race is replete with its usual intrigue after Thursday's crashes and injuries to the ante post favourite and second choices, Vinokourov and Kloden. Both are doubtful and may or may not start today. Vino has stitches in a knee wound and 'Klodie' has aggravated an old coccyx injury, with a hairline fracture.
I've strengthened my overall position on Cadel Evans, by backing him to win, be in the first 3, and the first 6. I can't have Valverde and the top two are doubtful. This renders the race wide open.
I've also had a little tickle on an up and comer, Alberto Contador. To be honest, I don't know too much about him, but the right dogs are barking in his favour, and the race will take marginally less winning than normal, so on that basis he makes the portfolio.
I was delighted to see the 3yo's inject some fresh interest in the sprinting ranks yesterday, with Sakhee's Secret answering all my questions about class, and Dutch Art following him home. It's been a frustrating week at Newmarket for me, having tried to beat both SS and WW (Winker Watson).
Throw in the fact that Boonen won the Tour stage yesterday when I tried to get him beaten, and a few too many jollies have hit the board for my liking!
Nevertheless, I've been peppering the target if not quite hitting the bullseye, so confidence remains high.
And, after the carnage of Thursday, I managed four lays from four yesterday, including Alambic (laid at 8/11, returned evens).
For a great free laying service, see Thursday's post here:
http://www.nag-nag-nag.co.uk/2007/07/review-of-easy-money-laying-system-plus.html
Good luck with your weekend wagers and, just for once, Allez La France!
Matt
Labels: Tour De France
posted by Matt at
08:46
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