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TDF 22 official thread
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I haven’t followed much in the way of racing in the lead up to the start. Who’s shown the form?
From a home perspective, I’m a bit gutted for Cav’, but understand the decision by the team. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
I’ll be back later for the end of the stage.. I don’t think much will happen today as they are shit scared of the crosswinds blowing the peloton to bits at the end of the stage |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I’ll be back later for the end of the stage.. I don’t think much will happen today as they are shit scared of the crosswinds blowing the peloton to bits at the end of the stage "
Yeah, my thoughts too. So many previous editions where favourites have gone down early, only to have to abandon. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I love the Eurosport coverage… Carlton Kirby and Sean Kelly are legends… they can ramble on for hours and it’s all brilliant!  "
I’ll have to ‘borrow’ someone’s streaming credentials to check it out.  |
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"GC fight has taken a hefty twist today. Who can recover the strongest before tomorrow?
Will these two days determine the destiny of the Yellow Jersey?"
Not sure there's still a long way to go yet. |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
Honestly can't remember a stage like that since the 80s or 90s, so good to see them race from si far out rather than nullify every move until the last few km. It was incredible to watch.
Podcar's response was class, I'm paraphrasing but it was along the lines of 'today I lost 3 minutes, tomorrow they might' there's still a long way to go and he hasn't given up. I think his lack of team mates is going to cost him dearly though. On the ITV4 coverage even last week Pete Kennaugh questioned his wisdom regarding covod protocols as it seemed lax and his team have had countless positives this year so I have limited sympathy for that |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
Also, and I'm not convinced any of them are clean, least of all Jumbo Visma or Podgcar but it was great to see riders at the front who had a proper race face on rather than destroying the field and looking like they were on a club ride |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"They really did give Pog a going over but he will be back."
Some team was always going to have to do that… Pog is good but he doesn’t have the team around him at UAE to protect him! Ineos and jumbo were going to hang up on him at some point because it was in both teams benefit!
Now the question is do ineos have enough bodies to pressure jumbo… I don’t think they do |
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"They really did give Pog a going over but he will be back.
Some team was always going to have to do that… Pog is good but he doesn’t have the team around him at UAE to protect him! Ineos and jumbo were going to hang up on him at some point because it was in both teams benefit!
Now the question is do ineos have enough bodies to pressure jumbo… I don’t think they do "
Been pretty disappointed with inos thus far.
A team of that size and stature should be better organized and have at least one a stage.
They seem to be pretty disjointed. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"They really did give Pog a going over but he will be back.
Some team was always going to have to do that… Pog is good but he doesn’t have the team around him at UAE to protect him! Ineos and jumbo were going to hang up on him at some point because it was in both teams benefit!
Now the question is do ineos have enough bodies to pressure jumbo… I don’t think they do
Been pretty disappointed with inos thus far.
A team of that size and stature should be better organized and have at least one a stage.
They seem to be pretty disjointed."
The problem at Ineos is they went into the with 3 teams leaders, Thomas, Yates, and Rodrigues and they haven’t backed any one fully… maybe now dani will play super domestique to the other two which makes things a bit clearer |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"They really did give Pog a going over but he will be back.
Some team was always going to have to do that… Pog is good but he doesn’t have the team around him at UAE to protect him! Ineos and jumbo were going to hang up on him at some point because it was in both teams benefit!
Now the question is do ineos have enough bodies to pressure jumbo… I don’t think they do
Been pretty disappointed with inos thus far.
A team of that size and stature should be better organized and have at least one a stage.
They seem to be pretty disjointed.
The problem at Ineos is they went into the with 3 teams leaders, Thomas, Yates, and Rodrigues and they haven’t backed any one fully… maybe now dani will play super domestique to the other two which makes things a bit clearer "
And arguably non of them more than an outside bet. And three leaders always worked out so well for Movistar...
As much as Ineos have evolved as a team, particularly in the classics and by signing a rider like Pidcock (who is not a natural fit for their regimented structure) they still only know how to ride a GT if they are defending the lead (only exception, the 2020 giro). And now they dont have a natural leader nor a strong team, Thomas has the form to win but I'm not sure tactically they can pull it off |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
Well Lemond and Hinault in 86 is no longer my most iconic Alpe d'Huez cycling moment.
That was special, loved seeing Froome back competing rather than riding but Pidcock, I love him, I loved watching him as a junior and I've loved seeing him progress. But winning on Alpe d'Huez in his first Tour, that's special, so fucking special! |
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Amazing win by pidcock.
I don't think it's sunk in yet the magnitude of what he has done today.
I would have liked to have seen Thomas attack inside the last 1k to get some distance between himself and bardet.
However easier said than done.
But chapeau to young Pidcock fantastic ride. |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Amazing win by pidcock.
I don't think it's sunk in yet the magnitude of what he has done today."
Did yiu see his interview on ITV4 he was lost for words!
Given he's a former junior world TT and won the toughest amateur stage race (baby giro) by destroying the field on a mountain stage and what he did today, he has to be a future tour winner |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"Amazing win by pidcock.
I don't think it's sunk in yet the magnitude of what he has done today.
Did yiu see his interview on ITV4 he was lost for words!
Given he's a former junior world TT and won the toughest amateur stage race (baby giro) by destroying the field on a mountain stage and what he did today, he has to be a future tour winner "
I always thought he was built perfectly for the classics rather than a grand tour rider… glad to be proved wrong… gutted to lose my bet on him winning a one day race first ( I thought as a mountain biker Paris roubaix was almost built for him!) |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Amazing win by pidcock.
I don't think it's sunk in yet the magnitude of what he has done today.
Did yiu see his interview on ITV4 he was lost for words!
Given he's a former junior world TT and won the toughest amateur stage race (baby giro) by destroying the field on a mountain stage and what he did today, he has to be a future tour winner
I always thought he was built perfectly for the classics rather than a grand tour rider… glad to be proved wrong… gutted to lose my bet on him winning a one day race first ( I thought as a mountain biker Paris roubaix was almost built for him!) "
That's the crazy thing he's perfectly suited to pretty much all the spring classics. He could win San Remo based on his descending, Roubaix on his bike handling, Liege, Amstel, Flanders, he has the skill set to be competitive in all of them. |
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Fabulous by Pidcock, mature beyond his years, also a great ride by Froome. Although he'll never be back to what he was it was a great reward for all his effort in fighting back after that horrific injury. Also good to see Pog back up in the mix, I think Wednesday was a one off for him and there's plenty more excitement to come before Paris. |
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Went over in 2019 to the Pyrenees and watched the stage that finished in Baneres de Bigorre. Climbed the Tourmalet the day before the tour did. What an awesome experience with everyone camped out partying on the climb.
Can't wait to go back and do another week of iconic climbs. |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"This TDF has been so hilly I actually the good old fashioned sprint finish… words I thought I’d never say!! "
Cadel Evans managed to derail the possibility of a sprint today!
I think the next sprint might be in Paris, not enough sprinters teams to bring back attacks in the 3rd week when traditionally the breakaway tend to stick more |
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"This TDF has been so hilly I actually the good old fashioned sprint finish… words I thought I’d never say!!
Cadel Evans managed to derail the possibility of a sprint today!
I think the next sprint might be in Paris, not enough sprinters teams to bring back attacks in the 3rd week when traditionally the breakaway tend to stick more"
Do you mean Caleb Ewen? |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"This TDF has been so hilly I actually the good old fashioned sprint finish… words I thought I’d never say!!
Cadel Evans managed to derail the possibility of a sprint today!
I think the next sprint might be in Paris, not enough sprinters teams to bring back attacks in the 3rd week when traditionally the breakaway tend to stick more
Do you mean Caleb Ewen?"
Ha yes! |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"This stage has been crazy for jumbo… this could make a huge difference nearer the end of the week when you know Ineos will have to try something! "
It will be interesting, Ineos are looking very strong and have lost no one UAE and Jumbo are massively weakened. Ineos have to try and monopolise on this |
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Great ride by Thomas as well, he's hanging in there, third place looks secure and I'm interested to see what he can do in the time trial. If Pog doesn't put any time into him over the next mountain stages then he must fancy his chances for a possible second place. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"This is the best tour since 86, I'm loving it. Each stage is unpredictable and its impossible to predict the ocerall winner. "
I have a theory it’s because it’s been a hilly tour.. you have not had the flat as pancakes stages where it would suit a pure sprinter.. which is why I don’t begrudge cav not being in this year because other than the final stage he would have 2 chances at stage wins max!
Make your flat stages more classics like.. and make the hilly stages hard… |
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Superb stage today, I loved the way they both have mutual respect for each other. I've never really warmed to Pog over the past couple of years, probably because he's been too good. However this year failure to win has made him seem more human and better than ever, I just love the way he's attackede everywhere and anywhere. One of the best TDFs I can remember. |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Superb stage today, I loved the way they both have mutual respect for each other. I've never really warmed to Pog over the past couple of years, probably because he's been too good. However this year failure to win has made him seem more human and better than ever, I just love the way he's attackede everywhere and anywhere. One of the best TDFs I can remember."
Yes I've warmed to him as a rider massively in this tour, still a shame he rides for a team with such dodgy backroom staff but at least he's entertaining and clearly loves racing!
It's a weird tour, the racing feels really close but the gaps have ended up huge |
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Massive chapeau to Tadej for giving it his all yesterday.
The bitter cynical side of me, like many others who have been deeply offended by the previous history of cycling and cheating,a little bit suspicious of the amazing form of pretty much all of Jumbo visma.
But hopefully it's down to awesome preparation and training and having the best rider's. |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Massive chapeau to Tadej for giving it his all yesterday.
The bitter cynical side of me, like many others who have been deeply offended by the previous history of cycling and cheating,a little bit suspicious of the amazing form of pretty much all of Jumbo visma.
But hopefully it's down to awesome preparation and training and having the best rider's."
I think Jumbo have as many question marks about clean cycling as Podgcar does.
Personally the rides of several riders and not just in the tour remind me of the days EPO hit the peloton and when CERO was briefly used. Thomas alluded to it with his 'breakfast comment', there are 2 very clear speeds in the peloton at the moment |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
The french finally got their stage win… but man…. I am such a huge fan of Fred wright… he will get his stage win eventually!!!!! Just the balls of him to go on that last climb!! |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"The french finally got their stage win… but man…. I am such a huge fan of Fred wright… he will get his stage win eventually!!!!! Just the balls of him to go on that last climb!! "
He's a massive talent, but I've been really impressed by him throughout the tour |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Love the TT.
Personally I think the race should always start stage 1 or 2 team time trial.
Then individual start of week 3.
Good TT yesterday tho."
I think there should be more, traditionally there was the prologue and then 2 TTs, but now we've reached a point where a 25 mile TT is seen as a lot of TT miles.
I do wonder whether there is a pressure from the teams and bike sponsors to reduce TT miles or whether the UCI dint want long TTs so that the bike manufacturers don't push for a relaxing of the rules given most manufacturers are only interested in tri bikes thst aren't uci legal |
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"Love the TT.
Personally I think the race should always start stage 1 or 2 team time trial.
Then individual start of week 3.
Good TT yesterday tho.
I think there should be more, traditionally there was the prologue and then 2 TTs, but now we've reached a point where a 25 mile TT is seen as a lot of TT miles.
I do wonder whether there is a pressure from the teams and bike sponsors to reduce TT miles or whether the UCI dint want long TTs so that the bike manufacturers don't push for a relaxing of the rules given most manufacturers are only interested in tri bikes thst aren't uci legal "
Possibly.
I think the team TT is an awesome spectacle and as the race itself is as much about team performance as much as individual brilliance the TTT can showcase the best team's.
Having it at the start or even the prologue guarantees that pretty much all teams are represented by a full complement of rider's.
As much as I love the mountains the race in Recent years has been so climbing heavy that does it really represent the best all round rider??
Or a good climber with a team that drags him round the flatter stages.
Love the inclusion of Paris - Roubaix style stages, and some.
But it's been a great tour this year but the nagging doubt that Jumbo visma have a n advantage that may or may not be chemically induced.
Either way they been tactically brilliant and well disciplined as a team and obviously all work extremely well together.
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Love the TT.
Personally I think the race should always start stage 1 or 2 team time trial.
Then individual start of week 3.
Good TT yesterday tho.
I think there should be more, traditionally there was the prologue and then 2 TTs, but now we've reached a point where a 25 mile TT is seen as a lot of TT miles.
I do wonder whether there is a pressure from the teams and bike sponsors to reduce TT miles or whether the UCI dint want long TTs so that the bike manufacturers don't push for a relaxing of the rules given most manufacturers are only interested in tri bikes thst aren't uci legal
Possibly.
I think the team TT is an awesome spectacle and as the race itself is as much about team performance as much as individual brilliance the TTT can showcase the best team's.
Having it at the start or even the prologue guarantees that pretty much all teams are represented by a full complement of rider's.
As much as I love the mountains the race in Recent years has been so climbing heavy that does it really represent the best all round rider??
Or a good climber with a team that drags him round the flatter stages.
Love the inclusion of Paris - Roubaix style stages, and some.
But it's been a great tour this year but the nagging doubt that Jumbo visma have a n advantage that may or may not be chemically induced.
Either way they been tactically brilliant and well disciplined as a team and obviously all work extremely well together.
"
I love a team time trial, it's been a few years since there's been one included so hopefully there'll be one next year. I'm not sure they belong every year but much like the cobbles need to be their occasionally.
I share your concerns about Jumbo Visma, I don't believe they are clean though it is WVA and Roglic thar raise my eyebrows more than Vingegard. There were rumours a few years ago that they were using questionable recovery products.
And dont get me started on Pogcar, his team have got sone incredibly dodgy staff not least Giannetti who doped as a rider and managed the Saunier Duval team. And what were seeing now is so reminiscent of when EPO emerged and there were 2 very clear speeds in the peloponnese and when the riders briefly thought there was no test for CERA. And the most high profile CERA positives were riders managed amd coached by the managers and coaches at UAE.
Still atvleast it's made for entertaining racing.
And I agree that the route is purely about climbing now it's hoe all 3 GTs have evolved, which is the opposite to when Indurain and Armstrong used their TT strength to dominate. Indurain is one of the greatest tour riders of all time but would never have won 5 on these courses |
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Chapeau Jonas a deserving winner, professional and intelligent performance.
Hard to see past himself and Tadej for the coming few years.
A mutual respect.
I can't help thinking also had UAE managed to keep a full compliment of rider's would the results be different??
Not sure but a great race as always sad it's over, already looking forward to next year.
Wondering if Egan Bernal will be back after his horrible crash.
He's possibly the only one who has the ability to compete in the mountains.
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Chapeau Jonas!!
What an absolutely great race it’s been this year, Piddcock on the Alpe d’Huez was the highlight for me, Fred Wright lighting it up on a few stages was also great to see, but blimey WVA was just a machine!!
Chapeau to the jersey winners but most of all chapeau to us as spectators, magnifique!! |
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"Chapeau Jonas!!
What an absolutely great race it’s been this year, Piddcock on the Alpe d’Huez was the highlight for me, Fred Wright lighting it up on a few stages was also great to see, but blimey WVA was just a machine!!
Chapeau to the jersey winners but most of all chapeau to us as spectators, magnifique!! "
Have you been out watching it? |
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"Chapeau Jonas!!
What an absolutely great race it’s been this year, Piddcock on the Alpe d’Huez was the highlight for me, Fred Wright lighting it up on a few stages was also great to see, but blimey WVA was just a machine!!
Chapeau to the jersey winners but most of all chapeau to us as spectators, magnifique!!
Have you been out watching it?"
I wish!! Maybe I should have said viewers but I’ve watched every stage from the start and enjoyed it all  |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"
But it's been a great tour this year but the nagging doubt that Jumbo visma have a n advantage that may or may not be chemically induced.
"
In my rant about how dodgy Pogacar is, I never actually addressed this point. And I'm never going to be convinced the old Team Rabobank with a continuation of staff are an advert for clean racing.
As an aside anyone who wants a reminder how bad the bad old days were the Erik Dekker and Frank Vandebrooke books are eye opening |
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By *ohn KanakaMan
over a year ago
Not all that North of North London |
"Chapeau Jonas!!
What an absolutely great race it’s been this year, Piddcock on the Alpe d’Huez was the highlight for me, Fred Wright lighting it up on a few stages was also great to see, but blimey WVA was just a machine!!
Chapeau to the jersey winners but most of all chapeau to us as spectators, magnifique!!
Have you been out watching it?"
2 of my friends were out watching it in the Alps, I'm massively jealous! |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
Going back to the question on time trials… I don’t mind it… remember the giro always does it on the final day… same with Paris-nice!
The reason I loved this version of the tour is that there were not many pancake flat stages that played into the hands of pure sprinters and sprinting teams!
Oh… and I have said if you are going to do a midway ITT… bring back the mountain time trial!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Going back to the question on time trials… I don’t mind it… remember the giro always does it on the final day… same with Paris-nice!
The reason I loved this version of the tour is that there were not many pancake flat stages that played into the hands of pure sprinters and sprinting teams!
Oh… and I have said if you are going to do a midway ITT… bring back the mountain time trial!! "
20k TT up Mont Ventoux  |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"Going back to the question on time trials… I don’t mind it… remember the giro always does it on the final day… same with Paris-nice!
The reason I loved this version of the tour is that there were not many pancake flat stages that played into the hands of pure sprinters and sprinting teams!
Oh… and I have said if you are going to do a midway ITT… bring back the mountain time trial!!
20k TT up Mont Ventoux "
Can you imagine an ITT ending going up Alpe D’Huez…..  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Going back to the question on time trials… I don’t mind it… remember the giro always does it on the final day… same with Paris-nice!
The reason I loved this version of the tour is that there were not many pancake flat stages that played into the hands of pure sprinters and sprinting teams!
Oh… and I have said if you are going to do a midway ITT… bring back the mountain time trial!!
20k TT up Mont Ventoux
Can you imagine an ITT ending going up Alpe D’Huez….. "
I’d rather not imagine it, I’m not built for climbing  |
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Didn't they do a TT up Ventoux in the past few years, I think it was during one of Froome's victories? The Vuelta is starting off in Utrecht this year with a TT, I'm very tempted to get in the car and drive to Holland, assuming I can get the the tunnel! |
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