Le Tour 2020
Last Post 07/29/2019 10:40 AM by Cosmic Kid. 150 Replies.
Author Messages
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/18/2019 03:08 PM
Figured we could start this thread early as there is a lot going on impacting the 2020 Tour. Froome out, Thomas crashes at the Tour Suise and now Dumoulin has delayed his trip up to altitude.

I see very little chance Dumoulin can challenge in July now...same with Thomas.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/dumoulins-tour-de-france-altitude-camp-postponed/
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Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/20/2019 11:19 AM
Official - Dumoulin is out of the TdF.

Based on what happened today in the Tour de Suise (admitedly against a pretty weak field), this may well indeed be a processional GC for Bernal.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

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06/24/2019 12:22 PM
Thomas finally getting some respect from someone at Team SKY / Ineos.....and it is from the guy who will arguably challenge him in July. Kudos to Bernal.

“He will be our leader and I will try to help him,” Bernal said after his Tour de Suisse win. “I don’t have any problems to help him. I’m just 22 years old, so I think I have a lot of Tours in front of me.

“I don’t choose to say I’m the [Tour] favorite,” Bernal said. “In any case I’ll go with G. He will be our leader and I will try to help him.”


Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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06/24/2019 04:02 PM
This tour is looking like it is for Ineos to pocket. Unless Fugslang outperforms himself or unless Movistar can do something with their numbers.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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06/24/2019 09:21 PM
So sad it takes career ending or career modifying crashes to make this beautiful event more interesting. But Skybots are still anointed, even if one is out, one is tired, and one is mediocre. Even with 8, a single team can still dominate.
Ban the radios (beyond safety warnings). Ban the power meters. Reduce teams to 6 or 7. Keep the stage lengths mostly short.
That will give us some real cage fighting, entertaining, raise the revenues (for you corporate whores who own everything and run everything) racing. Bring that on, and expand your markets and make even more money, you corporate whores who own and run everything. PS F U corporate whores.
Dale

Posts:1767

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06/25/2019 07:26 AM
+1 on the shorter stages. Those really destroy the formulaic racing that's boring, predictable and tedious.

One of my favorites was... was it 1996 stage 9? Yeah, thanks google, it was shortened due to snow from 176k to 46! They went full gas from the drop of the flag, it blew the race apart.

Not suggesting every stage be 46k but holy crud, was that day amazing. It was just a street brawl on two wheels
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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06/25/2019 07:39 AM
What race organizers have never realized is that making epic stages doesn’t make the racing more open, it just ensures the the strongest guys solidify their spots.

Huge weeks with tons of climbing doesn’t open up the racing, it shuts it down.

It is so basic, but they keep doing the same dumb stuff. “Oh, we’ll make it a big climbing route this year to make it more even.” No, you just handed the race to Froome (or whoever the favorite may be).

It is so basic, but they keep making the same mistakes. It was like when gold tried to “Tiger proof” course by making them longer....they actually just made it harder for the other guys to win.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/02/2019 11:19 AM
Alright, I will go out on a giant limb and put Valverde down as winner.

He's back in form and looking lean. While he doesn't have the recovery anymore to be properly competitive over three weeks I think I am seeing enough ambush staged that he may be able to pull a surprise.

Wishful thinking, I know.
thinline

Posts:323

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07/02/2019 12:49 PM
Heck,

I am rooting for Michael Woods on Education First! My across the road neighbors in Vermont are long-time friends of his family. I met his parents a couple weeks ago when they were in Vermont visiting. My neighbors are heading over for the final week of racing and may be attending the post-race dinner with the team. Pretty cool.

Go Michael!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/02/2019 05:28 PM
Aren't we getting a little antsy? Froome, Dumoulin and Thomas have rougholy 52 weeks to get to their best. (Le Tour 2020.) Am I missing something (other than I didn't catch this earlier?

Ben
Cosmic Kid

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07/02/2019 09:34 PM
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/08/2019 10:18 AM
I have to say that this tour has been much more interesting than many of the past tours, so far...Classic sprint stage to open it, TTT and a punchy stage today have kept things active.

I would have expected Movistar to be more active today...a perfect stage for Valverde and they obviously need to make up time. Aliphalippe rode a great race and marched away on a move that Alejandro should have done.

Smart move by Ineos to not chase too hard...Deceunick will work to keep yellow the next two days and Aliphalippe isn't a threat overall. Bernal is in the pole position for Thursday.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

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07/08/2019 11:21 AM
If Movistar is indeed here for GC and if Valverde is indeed here as support then he was better off doing what he did today (just follow). Thursday will be a good indicator of where everyone is at. I liked LeMond's commentary about Valverde LOL.

Really lousy TTT for Movistar. As noted elsewhere, this is because they brought a team solely focused on mountains and left home some of their rouleurs. Time will tell if this was wise or foolish.

Good weekend for the orange 2nd place on the pitch against USA notwithstanding...two JV wins in LeTour and two wins by Vos in Giro Rosa. Good to see Vos back in particular after some tough years and good to see that as a veteran she can still hold her own against a women's field that has gotten much stronger and more competitive in recent years.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/08/2019 12:09 PM
Movistar blew it in the TTT. My opinion. Yes, they didn't feature the rouleurs needed, but ... they needed to put in the super effort Jumbo-Visma did. Felt to me they had neither the practice or the will. For a huge, really disciplined effort, they might have shaved 30 seconds off. Still nowhere near a podium, but that isn't what they need. Giving Ineus a cushion just isn't smart Tour riding. Instead they penalized all three of their GC men. (And they are deep enough and strong enough to have survived today's stage totally wasted and get the magic s.t. Recover tomorrow and survive Thursday)

Edit: I'm taking note re: Lemond's comment re: Valverde.  He's right way too often!

Yeah, good to see that Vos is back!

Ben
BuffFan

Posts:53

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07/08/2019 12:24 PM
i miss Paul in the booth....
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/08/2019 12:41 PM
The reason Movistar should have been more active was for the time bonuses....if Valverde had gotten the bonus form the climb, plus the finish bonus, that would have been 18" he could have gained back (not to mention any time gained on the field).

Just the bonus seconds alone would have significantly altered their position in the race and what they need to accomplish moving forward.

And....Buffy is back!!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/08/2019 09:21 PM
Just an observation from a fan exhausted by radio directed robots: I am so skeptical and so bored that I haven’t watched a stage of what has been a good start to le grande boucle. Glad to follow on line and read of some great racing. Love JA’s courage. Time to tune in or will predictable outcomes and boredom follow?
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/11/2019 10:47 AM
VeloNews had a good article re: saving resources to survive the Tour. It talked some of the need ot save up for today's stage. Watching the racing and seeing riders blow up. De Gendt did a little too much and what looked like a brilliant ride for a glorious stage win comes down to blowing apart in a kilometer. Too much time spent in previous days' breakaways and too many failed efforts to start breakaways?

https://www.velonews.com/2019/07/tour-de-france/whats-the-key-to-surviving-the-tour-avoiding-fatigue-in-the-early-stages_496579

Day 6 and the attrition is already happening. (The Tour - the hardest regularly scheduled athletic event there is. I've been saying that for years. Reading riders' descriptions of the experience, yup.) I remember seeing a documentary-like footage of the gruppetto years ago riding desperately to make the cut. The hardest racing nobody ever saw. Today, Greipel getting over a Cat 1 climb in the break, probably just so he could have a cushion to the field and survive the day.

Then again - from CyclingNews live with 4 km to go - "Valverde is back and smiling at Ineos who are not setting fastest possible pace at the moment." (Was LeMond on to something?)

Ben
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/11/2019 12:08 PM
Very good stage today...was very surprised to see Thomas gap Bernal on the final steep pitch. I thought for sure the day would end with Bernal as the clear team leader for Ineos and with big time gaps to the other GC contenders.

Gaps were MUCH smaller than I expected...nobody's tour hopes really blew up today, with the possible exception of Bardet, but that is as much due to their crap TTT as today's result.Nibali lost gobs of time in the last 100m, but he is a cagey enough rider that I am not ruling him out just yet....but he was definitely deep in the pain cave coming up to the line.

Race is shaping up well so far and been one of the most interesting tours in awhile....
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/11/2019 01:50 PM
Freaking brutal last couple of k's! When they had to have officials push the rides clear of the finish line, you know the riders were shelled.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/11/2019 02:58 PM
We saw Thomas claim leadership role. Between his classics experience he may have had and edge on Bernal with gravel finish and steepness matches his characteristics as former track rider. Not overly surprised.

Good to see no team domestiques were really factoring in final. That may keep this tour interesting. But Ineos are keeping Poels in their back pocket for week 3.

Nibali is done I think given that he already rode Giro I don't see him going forward again.

Movistar?!? All that's really clear is that Valverde is support and not going for GC.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/11/2019 05:32 PM
I thought Landa's move was a good one....he just went a bit early and ran out of steam. He is clearly out of fooks to give re: team tactics and is riding for himself. I am hoping he can continue to agitate things!!

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/11/2019 08:35 PM
One of the announcers, when Landa went, exclaimed that Quintana was attacking.

...as if...
Cosmic Kid

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07/11/2019 08:59 PM
LOL, Dale....Quintana won’t stick his nose in the wind until he is completely out of it.

Don’t understand why Groupama / FDJ led the chase for so long on the final climb...yeah, they wanted to set Pinot up, but FFS let Ineos do the work. You still get a free ride and hopefully tire them out.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
mondonico

Posts:158

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07/11/2019 10:15 PM
I don't understand why any team with GC thoughts would take the front this early. Let Eneos drag you up the final climb. Make them work this week and next then force the action. I don't think they have the same form as years past. And I loved Alalphilipes (ms) effort to retain the Yellow. And watching all these newbies winning stages and the Yellow is great. Time for a new generation.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/11/2019 11:30 PM
If you looked at grades there's next to zero help you would have gotten from.sitting in. Not a bad move by FDJ at all. Didn't work but that's another matter.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/12/2019 11:06 AM
Now today's stage would have been an excellent one for drafting, except they just didn't go that fast! 6 hours and 2 minutes. You'd think it was one of the monuments. Average speed 38.1 kph/23.7 mph. My first open race, 1976, 105 miles in pouring rain and ~5000' of climbing was faster.

Of course, there is that grade issue. -0.074% average with the two grueling Cat 4s and the back breaking Cat 3. The course ramps up to a draining -0.19% for the final 90km. (The negative grades are the really hard ones, aren't they?)

This photo, lifted off the CyclingNews text updates sums up the first 215 km quite well. The first three riders here and the two in the break were the only ones to any work almost that entire distance.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/13/2019 04:59 PM
Fantastic stage today...great racing, some GC drama and guys willing to take chances.

While I still think this is a forgone conclusions for Ineos, Thomas has surprised me and I am glad to see other riders attacking.

Alliphalippe....stud.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/13/2019 06:21 PM
France! Just in time for Bastille Day. 2,3 on the road, 1,3 on GC and yellow on the back of a Frenchman. All is well.

I remembered St Honores Boulangie this morning, the French bakery that opens early for the Tour and shows the Tour on a wide-screen. Tomorrow I'll get up early and go establish a seat there. Say "hi" and "happy Bastille Day" to the (very French) owner.

Seeing Alaphillippe and Pinot riding well - I like! The idea that young French kids get to see quality French riders in the great French race again. It was a long drought. (I'd love to see Pinot win! Seeing him and Alaphillippe embracing after the finish - yeah.)

Ben
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/13/2019 06:23 PM
+1, what a day of racing! That De Gendt stayed away for 200k is unreal and that Alaphilippe scooped up the 5 second bonus to draw to 1 sec from yellow on his attack and to make the attack stick. Dayum!

And the the guys yapping about Alaphilippe and Pinot drafting the moto... ok, fine the moto, what were those two supposed to do, hit the brakes?
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/13/2019 08:43 PM
Excellent stage but not too many conclusions other than that a few more guys are more done than they already were. Nibali for sure.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/13/2019 10:45 PM
Posted By Dale Dale on 07/13/2019 06:23 PM
...

And the the guys yapping about Alaphilippe and Pinot drafting the moto... ok, fine the moto, what were those two supposed to do, hit the brakes?

+1  Drafting the moto is BS, but that is on the moto driver, the Tour and UCI, not the riders.  Asking a rider to NOT take the fastest line to the finish?  I'm listening to Angel baseball right now.  That's like asking Mike Trout to not swing at floaters down the middle of the strike zone.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/14/2019 06:30 AM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/13/2019 08:43 PM
Excellent stage but not too many conclusions other than that a few more guys are more done than they already were. Nibali for sure.


I think the other conclusion is that Thomas is really strong right now...he made it back to the front group with relative ease, especially when he had to close the final gap.

Oh, and we can conclude that Moscon needs a new bike....dayum.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/14/2019 09:32 AM
Yes Thomas looking good but Ineos as a whole haven't impressed which may open door for a proper race.

Motos are random opportunities. I don't think we should fuss about them unless they cause danger.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/14/2019 05:28 PM
I think Ineos is just biding their time at this point....when they hit the mountains proper, I suspect they are gonna open up a Costco-sized can of Whoop-Ass and ride roughshod over the field as usual.

I hope I am wrong.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
longslowdistance

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07/14/2019 06:48 PM
Me, too.
Sigh.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/14/2019 07:54 PM
So the peloton rode a no-drop century charity ride today. (For a French cause, it being Bastille day? Didn't catch that.) Finished together, fresh and hungry for the post-ride feast, (Knowing the race of 15 riders up the road would get there first, but being only 15, couldn't eat it all so there was no rush.)
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/14/2019 08:18 PM
Porte completed stage 9 without crashing.

All bets are off now.
Cosmic Kid

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07/15/2019 10:20 AM
Well damn....what a stage!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

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07/15/2019 10:45 AM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 07/14/2019 05:28 PM
I think Ineos is just biding their time at this point....when they hit the mountains proper, I suspect they are gonna open up a Costco-sized can of Whoop-Ass and ride roughshod over the field as usual.

I hope I am wrong.


Well, I wasn't wrong...except for the part about waiting for the mountains. Who would have thought the Tour would essentially get decided on a Sprint stage?

Yates and Mas still within striking distance....but it is really down to the internal Ineos battle now.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

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07/15/2019 10:57 AM
Ok now Thomas is a shoe in.

Kruijswijk is sitting better and will fare better than Yates or Mas. He's a week 3 rider.
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/15/2019 12:46 PM
Good grief! When you lead out the sprint with Viviani on your wheel and still take the win you know you can play in the bigs.

Yeah, the GC just got boring
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/15/2019 12:58 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/15/2019 10:57 AM
Ok now Thomas is a shoe in.

Kruijswijk is sitting better and will fare better than Yates or Mas. He's a week 3 rider.


The Thomas / Bernal issue will, IMO, get settled on Stage 12....mountain stage, but not a summit finish. That plays into Thomas' hands vs. Bernal. And then Stage 13 is the TT....so as long as Thomas stays with Bernal, or within a few seconds, he should solidify his role as the leader the next day. Once he gets a significant time gap on Bernal, there is no way they can let Bernal go out and attack the defending race champ (who could potentially be in yellow).
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/15/2019 02:20 PM
Great racing today. CyclingNews predicted a break/sprint/Sagan stage. Happily, quite wrong. I just wish the big benefactor wasn't Ineos though they completely deserved their "victory".

Landa blew it. I could see Movistar's decision to drop back and help him. Cool that Quintana did what he had to do to get that magic s.t. Broken record here - I love that petite Quintana can ride with the big boys. Got his respect a few years ago by pushing one of the peloton bullies off the road. Hung out in the lead group a few years back on one of those brutal southern France crosswinds. I just wish he could dig deep and find a tiger in his tank. Maybe next week when Movistar has to support him - if he can find it. So far this year he hasn't quite had the form. Maybe (am I just wishing?) he has finally gotten it right and will be peaking week three in the high mountains he was born to thrive in.

So, sorry it was Ineos, but what great racing! This is what I love to watch. And to have it play out with the big boys, not the tiny 15 man race I rode across town to see yesterday.

Edit: just read ttat Landa flatted.  I forgive him.  S*** happens.  Just epic bad timing.

Ben
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/15/2019 02:38 PM
Barguil crashed Landa.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-barguil-admits-causing-mikel-landas-fall/

Pinot & Co took the wrong side of a roundabout which cost them 40 spots and put them on wrong end of split.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinots-tour-de-france-hopes-dealt-hefty-blow-in-crosswinds/

Great racing. Too bad about Pinot; he seemed like the one guy who would make life difficult for Ineos and he had the team to back it up. I'd also would rather have seen Landa than Quintana stay in front group as he has a bit more fight and unpredictability in him.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/15/2019 02:39 PM
Yeah, I was bummed about Landa because now it is all on Quintana and he never puts his nose in the wind unless there is nothing left to lose....
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/15/2019 02:50 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/14/2019 08:18 PM
Porte completed stage 9 without crashing.

All bets are off now.


I just hope he didn't celebrate too hard. Today showed that the GC exit can be reached through many different doors.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/15/2019 02:52 PM
Posted By Dale Dale on 07/15/2019 12:46 PM
Good grief! When you lead out the sprint with Viviani on your wheel and still take the win you know you can play in the bigs.

Yeah, the GC just got boring


Normally Viviani does a lot of griping when he doesn't win. Today he was very quiet; I think he was just happy that he was there to compete. If not the wind then certainly the final rise to finish did him in.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/15/2019 03:05 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/15/2019 02:52 PM
Posted By Dale Dale on 07/15/2019 12:46 PM
Good grief! When you lead out the sprint with Viviani on your wheel and still take the win you know you can play in the bigs.

Yeah, the GC just got boring


Normally Viviani does a lot of griping when he doesn't win. Today he was very quiet; I think he was just happy that he was there to compete. If not the wind then certainly the final rise to finish did him in.


Viviani's facial expressions did all the talking for him today...

https://twitter.com/JorisMalfroot/status/1150788291379236865?s=20
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Dale

Posts:1767

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07/15/2019 03:20 PM
Bwahaha... that was a WTF? look if ever I've seen one
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 07/15/2019 03:05 PM
Viviani's facial expressions did all the talking for him today...

https://twitter.com/JorisMalfroot/status/1150788291379236865?s=20


Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/15/2019 04:02 PM
Hahaha yes that facial expression said it all "where the F did you come from". Almost a carbon copy of Sagan on stage 1 when Teunissen nipped him.

And that is 4 wins for J-V by 3 different riders and as team effort.
Cosmic Kid

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07/15/2019 05:15 PM
Yeah, J-V is having a helluva Tour so far....would love to see Krujswieck finish it off, but I don’t think that is gonna happen.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

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07/16/2019 07:21 AM
I hate rest days.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

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07/16/2019 08:27 AM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 07/16/2019 07:21 AM
I hate rest days.


Pinot agrees and says is a cloud of anger. Says he wants to ride Tourmalet "right now". He may still make this race interesting
Cosmic Kid

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07/16/2019 09:37 AM
Just rewatched the 10 K from 40-30km to go...damn, that looked painful.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Dale

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07/16/2019 02:03 PM
Cloud of anger? I thought it was stomach full of anger but my memory isn't super sharp.
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/16/2019 08:27 AM


Pinot agrees and says is a cloud of anger. Says he wants to ride Tourmalet "right now". He may still make this race interesting

Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/17/2019 11:12 AM
Good sprint today.....thought Ewan's chances were sunk with ~10K to go and he lost a leadout guy and a bunch of real estate.

Dude is SO fast for such a little guy!!
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Orange Crush

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07/17/2019 11:48 AM
Caleb...the new Robbie. Or perhaps the new Cav.
mondonico

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07/17/2019 06:18 PM
"Viviani's facial expressions did all the talking for him today.."

But I loved his interview the next day. Classy
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/17/2019 06:47 PM
Great finish today. Enjoyed the beautiful SW French countryside as much as the race.

I'm using NBCSN gold, the paid ad free option. Aussie fan boy commentators but I'm OK with that. I'm at work so the sound is mostly way down anyway. NBCSN Gold is a royal pain in the derriere on many levels, ease of use is poor for 2019, they F up PR every year and I'm ready to drop them, but the Tour coverage salvages it for me.

In this day and age you can watch many US sporting events like a college football game on several feeds, simultaneously if you prefer. The TDF could offer the same with little effort, all commercial free. This could be another revenue stream for them.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/18/2019 03:00 PM
Disappointing, but not surprising, stage today....with TT tomorrow and a brutal weekend of climbing, none of the GC guys were gonna take a shot today. At best, Landa or Bardet might have taken a flyer in a desperate hope to take back some time.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
SideBySide

Posts:444

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07/18/2019 04:00 PM
I did not realize that it would bother me to be two hours from Pau, and not go. We'll get a small ride in tomorrow on the rental bike. She is glad we brought my bike so far, in spite of the pita aspect of transporting it and the extra costs.
Orange Crush

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07/18/2019 08:12 PM
Even without TT that stage was set up to be boring. Leave it to Letour to design boring mountain stages.
Orange Crush

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07/19/2019 09:10 AM
Meanwhile in LaCourse Vos shows who's boss. This after 4 wins in Giro. She is back with a vengeance.

And in other random news in an interview that will appear Saturday Pablo's brother Roberto reveals that the Medelins wanted to use their earnings to sponsor a Tour team. A dream that never happened though they tried.
BuffFan

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07/19/2019 09:54 AM
So.. whats the dope on Rohan D?????
Orange Crush

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07/19/2019 10:17 AM
No one really knows yet but the main hypothesis is disagreement on equipment.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/19/2019 11:08 AM
TT spoiler!!

Good on Marianne! Glad she's back. (I just had the thought of the athlete she reminds me most of for her love of the sport. Centerfielder Ken Griffey. And like Griffey, she loves it so much and is so gifted that she pushes too hard and suffers career limiting injuries. Ken Griffey ran into walls to catch balls no other could get to. Vos raced 3 disciplines in one year.)

The Tour de France attrition continues. Rohan Dennis, personal reasons only his agent is privy to. Van Aert crashes out, 1 km from setting the best yet TT time. And now Schachmann. Does he start tomorrow? (We normally think of TTs as costly in GC, not in the next day's start list.)

And that TT finish? Wow! I won't say more.

Ben
longslowdistance

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07/19/2019 12:11 PM
Heck of a TT today (no spoiler)
Orange Crush

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07/19/2019 12:26 PM
Seeing is believing?
longslowdistance

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07/19/2019 01:44 PM
I loved the Aussie commentators’ “Whoa!” moment when both had the same thought at the same time, while the winning ride was clearly really happening. “Is it possible??!?” one of them wondered out loud . (I.e. is it possible that the stage winner will win the Tour? Whoa!) A pause. Then the other said something like “Can’t go there, at least not yet”. Great stuff.
Cosmic Kid

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07/19/2019 09:25 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/19/2019 10:17 AM
No one really knows yet but the main hypothesis is disagreement on equipment.


Here’s what I don’t get....you know who the team’s equipment sponsors are before you signed with the team. As a guy who has made his name in TT’s, the first thing I do is make sure they have top-notch TT stuff (spoiler - they don’t). I was shocked when Dennis signed with them for that very reason. He has no reason to act like a child now...he knew their stuff was crap.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/19/2019 09:45 PM
CK - yup. Exactly that.

zootracer

Posts:833

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07/20/2019 10:57 AM
The equipment issue makes perfect sense. That's why the team does not want to talk about it. Sooner or later the truth will come out...
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/20/2019 12:49 PM
This race is hot!
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/20/2019 01:48 PM
PS Buh By Skybots.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/20/2019 04:50 PM
This could still go many ways.

But not Quintana's way. The old dog Valverde is best Movistar rider?
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/21/2019 10:59 AM
And we have a race. These last two days have been pretty exciting. Apparently a heat wave in forecast for final week with lots more climbing to come.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/21/2019 12:46 PM
Yes, another great day.
If Pinot can continue these superlative mountaintop finishes, I like his chances.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/21/2019 01:18 PM
I'm getting new respect for Viviani. I'm used to the ego-driven sprinter types that shun hard work (except to stay really fast). Viviani taking a pull after Cat 2 and then Cat 1 climbs? Wow! And having big, strong Viviani there to help on the 800m descent to the second Cat 1 climb had to help Alaphillippe.

You guys have heard this a few times already, but I love the mindset of Q-S; that the team is number one, that all support he who is "on" that race. I hope that their current leader, Alaphillippe, can hang out a little longer in the thin air.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/21/2019 03:31 PM
Viviani lost all my respect with his endless whining in Giro. He's leaving Deceuninck I don't think it was a good fit. Interesting to see him pace Alaphillipe today though.

Trying to decide who may win Tour but still can't make up my mind.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/21/2019 05:23 PM
Boy....no fooks given by Movistar for Quintana, huh? "Oh, you have the 1 on your back as team leader? You are in the break and in a higher position than Landa? OK, we are gonna counter w/ Landa, have him blow past you w/o a glance and then have Valverde drop you too, just for good measure even though he has nothing to ride for.

Enjoy Arkea, OK?"



Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/21/2019 05:28 PM
What a great stage today....I am happy to say that all my pre-race predictions were very, very wrong.

Ineos is benefitting from their TTT and the crisswind stage....Bernal and Thomas are doing nothing individually. If one of them wins, i’m gonna be so disappointed. That 1’40” lost by Pinot is looming very large right now.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/21/2019 05:30 PM
I liked Landa's quote that it would have been nice if Quintana could have pulled even for a minute. But it was clear he was useless (again) and not going anywhere in that break. Good call by Landa. I am not ruling him.out for podium yet. Landa was done hard by that crosswind stage with someone crashing into him. Pinot knows he only has himself to blame going wrong way around that roundabout. That's racing it only takes one mistake. If Ineos pulls this one off they'll have had to work hard for it and it will be earned and have been exciting. Whoever wins this race will be one to remember.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/21/2019 05:33 PM
So does Quintana get his own table at dinner tonight or does he just eat in his room alone?
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

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07/21/2019 05:36 PM
I suspect he'd prefer the latter. Hahaha.
Orange Crush

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07/21/2019 05:40 PM
What I don't get is why Landa would be leaving Movistar with Quintana exit and Carapaz also. He'd have that sole leader role he wants and he gets along with Valverde.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/21/2019 08:12 PM
So much fun to have an open TDF. Short stages: check. Smaller teams: semi check. Ban the race radios and power meters: Hello TDF brass, here's your chance. Buehler? Buehler?
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/21/2019 10:44 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/21/2019 05:40 PM
What I don't get is why Landa would be leaving Movistar with Quintana exit and Carapaz also. He'd have that sole leader role he wants and he gets along with Valverde.


Rumors are circulating that the deal w/ Bahrain-Merida may not happen.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/21/2019 11:11 PM
Watched the last 20k with my 8 year old grandson jabbering on about bike racing.

Trying to explain stage racing to an 8 year old is like explaining quantium physics to a chimpanzee.

Another great stage today- solid racing, brutal attacks, shelled field at the end.
jookey

Posts:197

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07/22/2019 08:00 AM
I’ve explained quantum physics to 13 YO. He sort of gets it. He explains to me Fortnite. I don’t get it at all. I will say I can still drop him on climbs. He drops mom now and hangs on for a long time. It gets tougher each time. I should just let him play video games all the time so my ego isn’t hurt. Although, I do like it when he beats me in a sprint 1 out of ten times,
Cosmic Kid

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07/22/2019 08:55 AM
OK....here's the question - This is the best tour since:

* 2011
* 2008
* 2003
* 1989

Tried to focus on years with either a multitude of leaders or significant uncertainty re: the overall leader throughout the race (i.e. 2003). Feel free to provide other years if desired.

I'm leaning towards 1989, quite honestly.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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07/22/2019 10:09 AM
1989 was the most exciting finish. We were out of town at the time and we taped it with our VCR (remember those?). I think Paul Sherwen was doing the commentating. Hard to top that one..
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/22/2019 11:30 AM
I watched the stage of the '87 Tour where Stephan Roche nearly caught Pedro Delgado on the climb to La Plagne after being a full minute back, staying within 39 seconds of Delago on GC, a deficit he should be able to make up in the final time trial.

Went to Wikipedia for memory help. Oh yeah, that was before they made the Tour easy. 25 stages (plus prologue) 4231 km. 5 time trials totaling 209 km. 1 rest day after 17 days (plus prologue) of racing.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/22/2019 11:34 AM
Posted By 79 pmooney on 07/22/2019 11:30 AM
I watched the stage of the '87 Tour where Stephan Roche nearly caught Pedro Delgado on the climb to La Plagne after being a full minute back, staying within 39 seconds of Delago on GC, a deficit he should be able to make up in the final time trial.

Went to Wikipedia for memory help. Oh yeah, that was before they made the Tour easy. 25 stages (plus prologue) 4231 km. 5 time trials totaling 209 km. 1 rest day after 17 days (plus prologue) of racing.


Yeah, I thought about adding '87 to the list....a great race.

'89 was really the introduction of the "modern" Tour, where they chopped ~1k KM's form the overall race, had fewer TT's (but still a lot of TT miles), etc.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
BuffFan

Posts:53

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07/22/2019 12:42 PM
timely question... i was cleaning out the basement and found a box of old VCR tapes, all cycling... tours going back to 89, coors classics, tour de Trump (remember those?)....

Im happy to send them around share with everyone, starting with CK!!! ;-)
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/22/2019 02:10 PM
Semi OT, but there is a good article in cycling news.com about Dennis’s abandon and the related issues about his inflexible and demanding personality. I mainly want to call him a douche, but that’s probably unfair if he has a true personality disorder. In which case he’s a douche but it’s mostly not his fault.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/22/2019 03:11 PM
Of those years 1989 is the only one I can remember. The other ones may have been entertaining but didn't make a lasting impact. That is the fate that will befall this year's tour as well.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/22/2019 03:21 PM
Wow! We've had (all?) 12 posters on this thread! The most active thread since Keith Richards moved on? (Any one hear from him? If you are in contact, give him my best. My last contact info left me several computers ago.)

Ben
jookey

Posts:197

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07/22/2019 03:59 PM
1989 by far. LeMond and Fignon battled back and forth. Attacking. Bad days. They raced each day. And that last day TT... epic.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/22/2019 04:12 PM
* 2011 was Cadel Evans win, with Andy Schleck's huge ride to gain back time in the Alps
* 2008 was Carlos Sastre
* 2003 was Lance's narrowest win, with Ullrich pushing him all the way
* 1989 was....duh.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/22/2019 04:23 PM
Ben - Keith is doing well. Just a straight up copy/paste from FB page, this is his current gig.

Anacostia Bicycle Company was established in 2018 by Keith Jackson, a lifelong cyclist, after spending a summer volunteering with Gearin’ Up Bicycles at the Anacostia Library in Southeast D.C.
http://gearinupbicycles.org/

Anacostia Bike Company’s mission is twofold.

One, to serve the Southeast DC and Prince George County Maryland areas. While the company will be serving the entire DC metro area, Anacostia Bike Company feels that some areas of Washington DC are neglected. Anacostia Bike Company will be using its mobile service truck to bring bicycle sales and service to people and places that are normally neglected.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/free-repair-clinic-in-bike-shop-desert-gets-anacostia-cyclists-back-on-their-wheels/2017/07/15/f228b9d8-663f-11e7-a1d7-9a32c91c6f40_story.html?utm_term=.98be20006611

Anacostia Bike Company’s second mission is to show young people from the city that a bicycle is more than a way to get around until you get a car. It can provide a job, a career, and a method of exercise to maintain health in addition to transportation.
Cosmic Kid

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07/22/2019 04:29 PM
Yeah, I talked with our old friend Bartape yesterday and he was having dinner / drinks with Keith yesterday.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/22/2019 04:29 PM
Ben - BTW Keith's response to the photo I took of you at start of OTGG "The Great Man himself". A few other responses from folks that no longer visit this place but are still active on FB as well (Tai, Charlie, etc.).

edit CK - met Keith a couple years back during an east coast trip. Think I've met about half a dozen forumites now.
smokey52

Posts:492

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07/22/2019 05:54 PM
Not much of a comment except that I still lurk the forum and sometimes post.
Thinline's post on the Finger Lakes ride reminded me of a family ride when we circumpedaled Owasco Lake. We rode through the Bon Ton Roulet as part of our route; we could have crashed their rest stop.
I think it was 2004, but I'm not sure.
My dad was in his late 70s, and some of the nieces/nephews were < 10. One nephew was pleased as punch for riding over 30 miles until he realized that his little sister did the same ride.
We did a bunch of MS rides in the Finger Lakes, but this was just a family ride. The ice cream was good.
jookey

Posts:197

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07/22/2019 07:15 PM
I’ve explained quantum physics to 13 YO. He sort of gets it. He explains to me Fortnite. I don’t get it at all. I will say I can still drop him on climbs. He drops mom now and hangs on for a long time. It gets tougher each time. I should just let him play video games all the time so my ego isn’t hurt. Although, I do like it when he beats me in a sprint 1 out of ten times,
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/22/2019 07:52 PM
Old fart observations:
Smokey, back in the day the lap around the Onondaga finger lake race in upstate NY was as big as we got, as big as the Nats or Somerville. The winners' list was a who's who.
Jookey: Philosophical stuff to follow, read only if you dare. A younger me understood differential geometry and its child general relativity. Now I understand something different and less complicated, that helps people every day, but alas that older stuff I no longer truly understand. Sherlock Holmes proposed that we have limited room in the attic of our brains, so we have to pick and choose what we retain. I prefer the present.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/23/2019 01:27 PM
Posted By steve brunet on 07/22/2019 12:42 PM
timely question... i was cleaning out the basement and found a box of old VCR tapes, all cycling... tours going back to 89, coors classics, tour de Trump (remember those?)....

Im happy to send them around share with everyone, starting with CK!!! ;-)


LOL...and on that note, here is the WCP coverage of the 1989 TdF!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U05Xf3ZhAdQ
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/23/2019 05:46 PM
De Cauwer reminisced today about how Fignon in declining health in 2010 approached him to say he was at peace about that 1989 Tour. He also talked about how they got approval to use the aero bars through a 7:30 am visit to a race commissionaire ahead of the first TT earlier that tour. Something like, "yeah sure, now go away". The rest is history.
Cosmic Kid

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07/24/2019 02:27 PM
So am I nuts for thinking that tomorrow's stage, while brutal in profile, will actually be relatively quiet for the GC? two very short and hard stages to follow, both of which are summit finishes....very possible that the main GC guys let a group go up the road with guys like Bardet, etc. and just watch each other, only pouncing if they see someone crack.

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/24/2019 02:32 PM
I think you are right CK. Particular Galibier isn't steep enough to go on a rampage. Domestiques will close things down.

Only caveat, Landa going early. Movistar need to do something big to get back in podium contention.

IMO it'll come down to Saturday's finishing climb. That one is a beast.
mondonico

Posts:158

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07/24/2019 09:54 PM
"Wow! We've had (all?) 12 posters on this thread! The most active thread since Keith Richards moved on? (Any one hear from him? If you are in contact, give him my best. My last contact info left me several computers ago.)"

Kinda sad after all the posters that once were on Velo years ago. Don't know if Super Frenchie is still here. Would like to hear how he is enjoying this Tour.

I used to live in Prince Georges County in the early 70's. So many great bike trails around that area back then. Along the canal from Georgetown, along the river to Virginia. Was roommates with a young lady who's family owned one of the oldest homes in the area. Had some southern name Celubria or something like that. A real old plantation. Fire place in every room. Every room on a different level. They had built a few new homes on the property but were losing more and more land just to pay the taxes. Had tons of stuff from the civil war. Uniforms, books, they were hoping to turn the home into a museum so they could keep it in the family. One of her uncles was a pilot in WW2,they used his story for the movie 12 o'clock high. Also they were the first family in Maryland to hang a slave, if I remember correctly, for poisoning a family member. Don't hold me to that story, best I can remember, it was almost 50 years ago. We would go over there every now and then and just look at all the things. My buddy was around 5'6' and could fit in one of the uniforms. They only let us try on a jacket once. Books weapons all kinds of stuff. Like going back in time.


Orange Crush

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07/25/2019 11:49 AM
From today it looks like advantage Ineos with two irons in fire. Bernal looked good but so did Thomas. Between them they will cook Julian for sure.

Pinot looked like he may have had his best days in Pyrenees.

Maybe Movistar can throw in another monkey wrench but they're still a ways off. They let Quintana claw back a lot of time though. But the way he rode through finish sitting up early suggests GC was not on his mind.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/25/2019 01:23 PM
I am hoping Pinot was just biding his time today...he knows he is not a good descender, so why bother attacking when it is a descent to the finish? The next two stages will hopefully see him return to his Pyrennean climbing form. But he also doesn't like the heat, so.....

Bummed to see Ineos in control, but not unexpected at all.

More fireworks than I expected today, that is for sure.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/25/2019 03:14 PM
"If you look at the difference between second and fifth, there are 20 seconds," Madiot said. "Alaphilippe is still ahead. So, there are two things. One: will Alaphillippe crack or not? And two: if he does, then there’s only 20 seconds between the rest of them. So it’s the last two days that will really decide this."


Yup.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/25/2019 06:13 PM
I had a crazy thought this morning. Suppose Alaphilippe loses less than 2 minutes tomorrow and Saturday. So he is less than 30 seconds out of the lead. Now what does he have for team support that the others don't? Really good rolleurs - and - they haven't been that stressed in the mountains because most got dropped early. And who do they have for potential comrades? All of the French teams with their breakaway specialist. If the gods smile and bring crosswinds Sunday, this could be fun!

An all-out drag for all the marbles on Sunday would, in my opinion, make this a Tour to remember; even one of the greats. Yes, not very likely, but I can dream ...
eurochien

Posts:163

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07/25/2019 06:49 PM
Alaphilppe at a 2011 cyclo-cross race when he was racing for the now-defunct French Army team as an enlisted soldier-athlete.
Cosmic Kid

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07/25/2019 06:55 PM
That’s pretty cool!!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/25/2019 06:58 PM
Ben, i’d settle for 5 guys within a minute of each other going onto Sat, with another 3 guys within reach of the podium....let ‘em all hit the bottom of the final climb together.

An all-out throwdown on the final climb for all the marbles....would be EPIC!!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/25/2019 08:42 PM
Haha. That outfit.

My friend was in German army team and became national team pursuit champ on track that way.

He could have become pro but fell off the wagon while in college and is now a prof (and former Canadian masters crit champ etc).
Orange Crush

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07/25/2019 08:46 PM
Julian will last till Saturday. It will be such a let down for France but kudos on him hanging in there.

No Resurrection on Champs I don't think Ben unless we're talking seconds. Are there time bonuses on the Champs?
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/25/2019 08:58 PM
CK, having a French rider win would be huge. Odds of the all-the-marbles climb coming up French are not so good.

French parents have been discouraging their kids from racing since Festina 20 years ago. There have been no good French role models. But France is (or at least should be) the heart of bicycle racing. The Tour is theirs. It is a long, hallowed tradition. Now with Bardet, Laphilippe and Pinot, kids can look up to heroes that are clean and just good young men with a gift. It's been a long time since Fignon and Hineaut. It's time. And Laphilippe has class! If he could pull this off without being truly "qualified" to win a Tour of this character, cool!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/25/2019 10:11 PM
I’d lay some cash on Pinot to come up aces on a summit finish.....

Definitely want to see Alliphalippe or Pinot win...
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/25/2019 10:42 PM
I just looked at tomorrow's profile. Tough but a long descent to the final cat 1 but finite climb. I can see Alaphilippe (sorry Juju, I dropped your "A" last post). Now, climbing for hours to an HC climb to 9000'? Doesn't that have an inspired Quintana written all over it? Maybe with Pinot to help him on the descent?
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/26/2019 09:05 AM
Pinot isn’t helping anyone on descent...he is a horrible descender, probably one reason he didn’t bother going with Bernal yesterday.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

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07/26/2019 09:13 AM
Pinot out. Shite. This tour just deflated.
Orange Crush

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07/26/2019 10:05 AM
Frustrating not to see a fascinating battle till end but good call. Blame climate change. Randomly bouncing between extreme heat and freak storms is a telltale sign.
zootracer

Posts:833

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07/26/2019 01:27 PM
Pinot out, stage cancelled. This changes everything. Now the talk will be, what if?
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/26/2019 02:41 PM
Posted By ed custer on 07/26/2019 01:27 PM
Pinot out, stage cancelled. This changes everything. Now the talk will be, what if?


There's a lot of what if's but I am 100% sure JA would have lost yellow regardless. He was only going to go further backwards on final climb and tomorrow. Riders who may complain are perhaps Thomas (who could have gone on final climb had Bernal been pegged back) or Kruijswijk (who had de Plus to keep Bernal on a leash). Tomorrow's stage has now been shortened to just 59kms. Do or die. I like it.
jookey

Posts:197

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07/26/2019 02:45 PM
What was looking like an epic two days, just fizzled. So disappointed here.
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/26/2019 04:03 PM
Update: The 2019 Tour de France will be decided by a Bingo game on the Champs Elysees on Sunday. No actual bicycle racing will take place.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/26/2019 05:18 PM
Wow...this is the craziest schitt i have ever seen.

Gives Alliphalippe a fighting chance though, I guess....

Everyone better bring their trainers tomorrow AM...it is gonna be ON from the gun. And 33K of that 59K is uphill so it will be NUTS. Pola-dot jersey also up for grabs at the summit.

They need a quick-release trainer....line everyone up at the line. get 'em revved up and turn 'em loose when the flag drops....a real-life Zwift race start!!!
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/26/2019 07:50 PM
They tried that F1 start CK. Hilarious scene.
mondonico

Posts:158

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07/26/2019 07:58 PM
In a way does this not give JA a punchers chance?
longslowdistance

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07/26/2019 08:12 PM
Interesting climb, none of it is the relatively mild average of 5%, rather a series of steeper but not Quintana steep steps. Everyone is so tired now, that's the main thing.
Pics:
1. Pinot (oh snap, bad luck that)
Pics redux:
1. Simon Yates
2. Kruijswijk.
3. Bernal, keeps yellow


If JA had been lurking rather than holding on to yellow, he'd be a top threat, too.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/26/2019 08:49 PM
Posted By Bill H. on 07/26/2019 07:58 PM
In a way does this not give JA a punchers chance?


A 30km climb is not very puncheury.
Orange Crush

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07/26/2019 08:54 PM
For tomorrow I have.

1. Bernal (stage win to go with yellow) or Thomas (thank you mate).
2. Kruijswijk
3. Thomas or Bernal
longslowdistance

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07/26/2019 09:17 PM
PS: OC, Agree. But just wondering if this rather is a series of adjacent, shorter climbs. Explosive but relatively light (for that type of rider) like van A and a rested JA are supreme at recovery on the fly. That's why I speculated without any chance to prove that a rested JA might be a contender tomorrow. So just me speculating. As it is, I wish him the best and chapeau for a truly superb defiance up there with Cyrille Guimard. If he does have more than fumes in his tank, curious if he will go out guns blazing for the win, or do everything he can to keep a podium. Either way, or even if he merely limps to the line in the laughing group, Chapeau M. Alaphillipe.
Cosmic Kid

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07/26/2019 10:19 PM
It definitely gives JA life....no way he would have held on today and tomorrow at full stage length.

He is on life support, and the prognosis is grim, but there is a heartbeat....the likelihood of him being bale to drop Bernal for however much time he needs though ain’t very high
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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07/26/2019 11:57 PM
the winner is........global warming
Cosmic Kid

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07/27/2019 07:20 AM
I’ll say the same thing when people point to really cold days and say “yeah, right...global warming.” - weather does not equate to climate. Freak hailstorms in the mo7ntaims are now unheard of.

Now, the likelihood is that the intensity of the storm was heightened by climate change, but a single storm is not necessarily indicative of climate change.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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07/27/2019 08:32 AM
CK a big raspberry right back to you...
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/27/2019 09:02 AM
13k to go. JA is done.

Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/27/2019 05:11 PM
Posted By ed custer on 07/27/2019 08:32 AM
CK a big raspberry right back to you...


Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/27/2019 05:16 PM
Well...today’s stage was kinda anticlimactic.....no one bothered to even try and attack Bernal. Kruijswijk seemed content to just get rid of Alliphalippe and get on the podium. You’d think with the chance to win the freakin’ TOUR DE FRANCE someone woulda at least try and attack.

I get that it was likely completely futile, but jeez....

Battle for the stage win was much more exciting...nice win by Nibbles.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/27/2019 07:02 PM
Kruijswijk was too afraid he'd break and Buchman would keep him off podium. Thomas wanted to go for stage but he was afraid to lose 2nd spot to Kruijswijk. Landa wanted to take a flyer but pace set by JV was too high.

Snoozefest as result.
longslowdistance

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07/27/2019 09:18 PM
But kudos to Thomas for his cheering of Bernal.
79pmooney

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07/28/2019 11:21 AM
Posted By ed custer on 07/26/2019 11:57 PM
the winner is........global warming

Yup.  And not only is the climate changing, there has been a entire shift of the seasons.  The Bernal Equinox is now in July.
Orange Crush

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07/28/2019 06:37 PM
It was a descent edition. Certainly not anywhere near 1989 which was maybe the last great edition. Missing was a Pinot Bernal final battle on three full length alpine stages. None of the tours since 1989 have been properly memorable. Let's hope Bernal can find a worthy adversary that can help him make history. Bernal is a champion deserving of a worthy adversary.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/28/2019 06:47 PM
The real winner of the Tour

despite only getting the crumbs - France. Bicycle racing is now respectable. A French man can race bicycles and become the heartthrob of the country. If a 12 year old wants a racing bike to be like Juju, or Bardet or Pinot, mom's not going to conferring with Dad "how do we get him interested in something else?"

What we saw was far bigger than the 6th place on GC, the most combative prize (what an understatement!) and a polka dotted jersey. The French were out en-mass to witness the racing like we haven't seen for years.

The best Tour I've seen in years even if Ineousky (pronounces ee-nee-oh-ski) did have to win.

Ben
mondonico

Posts:158

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07/28/2019 08:55 PM
"A 30km climb is not very puncheury."

Not sure what puncheury means, But watch the heavy weight fight between Homes and Shavers back in the day to see what I meant. One of the great all time heavy weight fights. Lots of puncheury.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/29/2019 10:40 AM
Me on Tour Withdrawal Monday.....

Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!


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