Cycling thread

[spectateur]

It's determined by geography to an extent though, isn't it? Italy tends to have hills earlier on because they have hills in more places. The north of France is pretty featureless, so a lot of stages that ride in those places are also unless you venture into Roubaix or TroBro territory off-road.

The grand départ City or region of course is determined by money.
The course planners have to make the best of what's available there.

 

[davids]

Comme vous voulez mais j'habite la France depuis quinze ans.

Ah but I'm a friend of Peter Crinnion.?

 

[spectateur]

Ah but I'm a friend of Peter Crinnion.?

And Sean Kelly and Stephan Roche as well perhaps. ?

 

[davids]

Poor Jasper.

 

[spectateur]

Wout blew them away today.

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Wout showing his class yesterday - proper strongman move. I'd fancy him again today but he may not have free rein - a lot of GC shepherding needed on the cobbles. MvdP attacks this stage for a certainty.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Pogacar is competing in a different sport to everyone else. I've never seen anyone so dominant in pretty much every environment.

 

[spectateur]

Pogacar is competing in a different sport to everyone else. I've never seen anyone so dominant in pretty much every environment.

I wonder if he'll regret the effort today in trying to gain time over rivals.
He put in a huge effort for the 14s he got at the end.

 

[Rita_Poon]

I wonder if he'll regret the effort today in trying to gain time over rivals.
He put in a huge effort for the 14s he got at the end.

Shown hes got it, theyll all be on him now which lets the elastic off someone else.

 

[spectateur]

Shown hes got it, theyll all be on him now which lets the elastic off someone else.

I don't for a moment think he was ever without. But it will remind the peloton that he's still there.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I wonder if he'll regret the effort today in trying to gain time over rivals.
He put in a huge effort for the 14s he got at the end.

He's buried Roglic. Who else realistically is there?

 

[spectateur]

He's buried Roglic. Who else realistically is there?

Well, agreed, you have a point there.

 

[FrenchDarrenBent]

Pogacar is competing in a different sport to everyone else. I've never seen anyone so dominant in pretty much every environment.

I agree. He never has a bad day. It's almost too good to be true. His only preparation was the tour of Slovenia, yet he has found his best form ...

But: he really had to dig deep to follow Stuyven today and he couldn't follow Van Aert yesterday.

Maybe, just maybe, Vingegaard might be able to pressure him in the mountains.
And on the plus side: the early time differences might inspire some early attacks or, having the 2010 giro in mind, a mass-escape leaving Pogacar in the second peloton...

 

[spectateur]

Pogacar is competing in a different sport to everyone else. I've never seen anyone so dominant in pretty much every environment.

So, Tom P thinks Wout was taking the piss yesterday going on a long breakaway.
I think it's more likely Pog is doing just that.
. Or does he just want to revel in yellow for the rest of the race.
I expect he'll stomp that final climb today and kill off the race.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

So, Tom P thinks Wout was taking the piss yesterday going on a long breakaway.
I think it's more likely Pog is doing just that.
. Or does he just want to revel in yellow for the rest of the race.
I expect he'll stomp that final climb today and kill off the race.

Pog at the moment reminds me of Pantani in the 99 Giro. He was taking the mick out of everyone else and just winning everything. If the rumours are true, had he been a bit more modest and shared the wins around he wouldn't have been kicked out.