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It is a mystery.
I was banned but had not posted more than a few words, let alone lines with my last contribution.

Hello, Pigale,
Sorry, I meant to say that you are NOT intruding on a conversation with Elle and me!
Just fire away!
I do not know what the problem is with the first stage today. But, Froome is a sensible lad and they should take on board what he is saying. That said, I have not heard of any other riders complaining, so...?
It is a very nice morning here. Not warm but with a nice breeze!

Pigale, update!
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/vuelta-a-espana/heres-why-riders-didnt-want-to-race-the-opening-stage-of-the-vuelta-188004

After seeing this, I am in full agreement with Froome.
The course has been designed by an idiot!

It looks lunatic, rusty. GC candidates will probably let their teams head off and just cruise round (time taken on 4th finisher for team purposes?)

Good morning, Rusty!
It's a glorious day here - very hot already; 23C when we went out with the dog at 8am!
I was going to ask you how your ankle is doing today? but I see that has already been answered!
Are you able to get out and about? Or have you just been given the ideal excuse to sit and watch Athletics/ cycling etc... all the day?!
I was going to suggest that you might mean Carolina Kruft! Yes, she has retired !
but one of your other favourites, Yelena Isinbayeva, the Russian pole vaulter, is still going strong.
Katarina Thompson Johnson will provide some stiff competition for Jess Ennis. The outlook should be interesting!
The Championships are being held in Bejiing - I don't know how the time there compares to that in the UK?
I've already taken out the dog, hung out the washing, and printed off today's Times' crosswords......all in readiness for zero hour at 11.05 am!

Jazzy, thanks for explanation; I agree that it would be a shame if we lost Celadon and his Poser of the Day ; Enjoy your day out.

Chris, of all the roads in Spain to choose from, they came up with this!
I cannot see any of the teams going full gas on this terrain. Live on Eurosport at tea time!

Elle, lucky you with the weather! I have clouds.
Yes, I have a minor hobble but managing away fine!
Katarina (Gabby calls her KTJ) gave me trepidations during her high jump, though! Hope her and Jess go well. The nation awaits! What is your opinion on the girls pony tails leading over the bar in the high jump?
Chancy?
I thought Carolina would be retired by now.
Another one I liked from way back was Heike Drechsler. And Nelli Kim.

Re Cycling - a potentially dangerous start to any race; the cobbles in Roubaix are bad enough, but this is ludicrous - I would imagine most riders are going to play safe lest some go home injured after day one !

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, my heart was in my mouth ( another saying for your book of Idioms?) when I watched KTJ in the high jump- she was making a real botch of it, wasn't she? but all was well in the end......
Now I'm really surprised that you liked Heike Drechsler in view of your strong opinion about drugs-related success? there was quite a brou-ha-ha about her, wasn't there? or have I got the wrong person? Blonde, attractive long-jumper? (apologies , Heike, if so!)
I don't know who Nellie Kim is? what was /is her discipline?
The 'match' between Justin Gatlin and Usain Bolt should be quite something!
( Justin Gatlin came up in the discussion about doping in last night's programme)

Elle, Jess has a nice lead now, and I hope KTJ improves.
Yes, that's Heike. I did not realise at the time that there was state sanctioned cheating going on.
How silly was me!
I read years ago that Marita Koch complained to the powers that be in East Germany, that team mate Barbel Wockel was getting more drugs than her!
I think everyone in the East German teams were on drugs whether they knew it or not. The IAAF has included both Marita and Heike into the Hall of Fame, so it looks like drug cheats are fine by them. Shame.
Nelli Kim was a Soviet gymnast.
Mo looks comfy.