1) Pedal power first this week with some brilliant drone footage of the Lacets de Montvernier, courtesy of inrng.com, the hairpins (from the French for “shoelaces”, you’ll see why) were built in 1934, and all 17 of them are an addition to this year’s Tour de France, as part of stage 18. And here’s another cycling test revealed: a wonderful 1977 documentary illustrating the unique challenge of the cobbles of Spring classic, the Paris-Roubaix – taking place on 12 April and this year targeted for a win by Bradley Wiggins. All of which hard-core saddle-sore can only be complimented by these tremendous biking tricks from the People Are Awesome team.
2) Another great doc here from the True Stories strand. Football Dreams is a 1997 film following the Chelsea youth team, particularly focusing on Jody Morris who came through the ranks to the first team.
3) Having called it a day after the World Cup final, it’s a grand time to take a look at some of Daniel Vettori’s standout moments from a long and hugely successful career that included 112 Test and 284 ODI caps for New Zealand. First up, here he is taking a six-for against the old-enemy in 2010; then an absolute stormer of a catch to see off Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq; a youthful Vetorri (at 18 the youngest Test player for NZ) taking his first wicket, that of Nasser Hussain; struggling with a smile on a terrible pitch and finally a moment of madness he would rather forget: run out failing to ground his bat against England.
4) Pretty good with his hands it turns out as Gareth Bale (yes, that Gareth Bale) scores an impressive three baskets from five, shooting from the halfway line in this NBA challenge.
5) Absolutely marvellous stuff here as Henry Blofeld tries his hand with the horses by commentating on 2010 Grand National and Chris Cook tells the story behind it ... Then, while he is in wonderfully exuberant form in the day-job, as Stuart Broad takes a hat-trick against India in 2011, he also has other form in spreading his wings, here he brings the noise to a performance by the Duckworth Lewis Method.
6) Sublime to ridiculous corner. Here’s the first time Great Britain won a 4x400m gold medal since the 1936 Berlin Olympics: Roger Black, Derek Redmond, John Regis and Kriss Akabusi beating the USA at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo - with commentary by the marvellous David Coleman. And here are the same foursome reunited for a lawnmower race that includes, er, planting shrubs. Akabusi and Black, it seems, remain highly competitive – with commentary by, who else but Tiff Needell.
Our favourites from last week’s blog
1) Malaysian drifter Leona Chin v driving instructors.
2) The 1974 US Open, aka The Massacre at Winged Foot.
3) Laird Hamilton goes foil boarding in Raglan.
4) Why you should never celebrate for too long, K-Stars of Zambia edition.
Spotters’ badges: BlackCaesar, GrahamClayton, IKNOWNOTHING, TheCedarRoom.
