Bishop Briggs

BBC - "Australia-born 21-year-old Chris Duggan is continuing his trial with the Greenock outfit having been released by Partick Thistle." (Bottom of the story confirming that Morton have signed Denny Johnstone on loan from Birmingham City.)

^ Don't remind me of Horner, the most ridiculous GT tour win ever. He struggled to get decent contracts after that victory which tells you what the other WT teams thought of it.

Valverde had a very packed and successful classics season. It is amazing that his last two seasons have been so successful, much better than 2010 when he was banned. He was, however, primarily a domestique for Quintana at the TdF. If Froome's performance is to be compared with anyone, it should be Quintana. Like Quintana, Froome had a relatively light racing programme as he focused on training for the TDF. Froome benefited from having more team mates than to support him at key times in the mountain stages. I am as suspicious of Sky as anyone. When comparing Sky against other teams, it's important to focus on the performance of the domestics. The real surprise was Geraint Thomas who could have made the podium if he had not crashed. Froome has now agreed to physiological tests to address the doping allegations. All the top GC contenders should undergo the same tests so that they can be compared fairly and comprehensive. The UCI should obtain and publish the power data, with expert analysis, too. Regular dope/physiological tests and transparency is the only way to identify and eliminate the cheats.

Motors are an obvious problem as they are easy to hide. Take a look at the Youtube vidos on Hesjedal at last year's Vuelta. The UCI has introduced more tests and penalties this year. The bikes of the WT teams have been scrutinised over the last few weeks. So what are you suggesting

Or Contador's steak?

There hasn't been a consistent pattern for time trials in the TdF in recent years. I had expected Froome to do better in this year's ITT, around 50 seconds behind Tony Martin. 2012 was different as the parcours was not so tough, especially in the mountains, due to the Olympics being about a week later. Wiggins had one chance to win it and took it.

Cavendish crashed on the first stage last year. Kristoff was Kittel's main challenger last year but he's been off form recently. Kittel only performs very flat stages and gets dropped on even moderate climbs. He's had a terrible 2015. Greipel, unlike Cavendish, has had superb support from his team mates. It's possible that Cavendish could concentrate on the Giro, the Vuelta and a few Spring classics.

Anybody watching the final stage? Gorilla Greipel wins again. Cavendish was out of it with no lead-out. Very disappointing.

English clubs generally send their dross up here, Taylor and Denayer being obvious exceptions. The better development players are lent to English clubs so the scouts can keep an eye on them. Some train with their parent club two or three days a week so their progress can be assessed.

Unveiled before tomorrow's game or at Sunday's open day?

Froome has lost most of his domestiques and is vulnerable to an attack from Quintana and Valverde.

Is James McFadden still training with us?

A good Cotes du Rhone from my local Londis store.

Contador lost two minutes in the GC this afternoon. Mollema lost a similar amount of time. Geraint Thomas could be much closer to third if he had not held back on a couple of stages.

Or Nobby Clark? Clark has a year left on his Sevco contract and Henri Anier has two years left on his United contract. Hope that we are not signing Jon Daly.

The club website says that Kevin Nisbet, Matthew McInally and James Penrice started their careers at Thistle Weir. The Weir investment was made in October 2013. McInally and Penrice are 17 and Nisbet 18. Surely they must have benefited from the investment.

The lack of trialists for us suggests that the squad is almost complete. The post-match reaction comments suggest that the only addition before the start will be a new striker. It's great to see the academy and coaching staff producing young players who can step up into the first-team squad. The Weirs will be pleased to see their generous investment yielding results so quickly. Btw, does Seaborne have an injury that will cause him to miss the start of the season? He'll need a few games to get fully match fit.

Sorry couldn't resist.

Aaron Taylor-Sinclair has signed for Doncaster Rovers on a two-year deal.

Not bothered about the away strip as the home strip is very to what I had hoped for. I agree with other commenters that Miller is a decent signing. The manager is right to take his time with the recruitment of a new striker. Another defender who can play across/cover the back four would be useful. McMillan would have been ideal but he's history now. Any suggestions?

Three Sevco games on BT Sport in August!

Embarrassing England. Follow on tonight?

Another Sagan fail this afternoon!

Aussie declaration soon?

It seems that Chick Dung still hates Thistle even now for sacking Gerry Collins. He tipped us for relegation at the start of the last two seasons. Even when we were very close to safety last season, he refused to acknowledge that we could stayup. When we were well ahead in the First Division promotion race, Sportsound's supposed Buddies fan was talking up Morton. The sooner he goes, the better.