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The 2021 Tour de France thread (spoilers!)
Last Post 07/21/2021 10:56 AM by Orange Crush. 156 Replies.
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Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/10/2021 10:38 AM
In the Dutch speaking world the verb Mollemalen has been in existence. It means turning pedals in the manner of Mollema (ie rocking shoulders tongue sticking out).
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/11/2021 10:55 AM
Sepp Kuss pulls off a stage win! Got the go-ahead to dance at altitude where he thrives. I was afraid Valverde would be able to pull back 25 seconds on the downhill but glad to see Sepp pull it off. Today was a taste of what he did in Utah a few summers ago but this time against the big boys. (Yeah, Pogacar and such weren't there so it was Valverde and the break but still, some real climbing power.)
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/11/2021 11:03 AM
Its a home win for Kuss, he knew the climb and descent, said he didn't train it too often because its too hard (haha). His girlfriend was cheering for him at summit. Well played by JV with Wout pacing him to base of climb and then helping Jonas the fish guy on descent (as well as winning an earlier KOM).
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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07/13/2021 08:26 AM
Well deserved win by Sepp Kuss yesterday. Jumbo is salvaging this Tour.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/13/2021 10:57 AM
Matthews and Colbrelli are still lurking for green. Cavendish has his work cut out for him to bring it home but two more opportunities to score major points so as long as he survives the next two days he should be good. Either of those teams may send out guys on long-range escapes next two days to make for sharp cut-off times for Cav's grupetto.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/13/2021 01:50 PM
Posted By Orange Crush on 07/13/2021 10:57 AM
Matthews and Colbrelli are still lurking for green. Cavendish has his work cut out for him to bring it home but two more opportunities to score major points so as long as he survives the next two days he should be good. Either of those teams may send out guys on long-range escapes next two days to make for sharp cut-off times for Cav's grupetto.

This take me back 44 years to my heyday (for that that's worth!) of my racing; summer of '77.  Many weeks I would ride to Mt Wachusett for my mid-week long ride.  Often my training partner would join me.  (I passed her house 20 miles out.)  We'd ride a moderate pace to the base, then I would do the 1000' hard.  She'd take her time, we'd eat lunch then return via two tough climbs.

What brought this thought on was Cav being helped over the Pyrenees by his comrades.  Of course there is only so much they can do when the road gets steep (legally).  But the ultimate gift to a non-climber or spent rider?  The sustained push.

One week back then, I had use my day off to rebuild a wheel that had been trashed by a car the day before.  That meant riding early and being at work by 2pm.  (Bike shop Friday - all hands on deck.)  So we left early.  Usually Kate would simply ride toward my home easy, then turn around and join me.  Not that day.  I arrived at her house and gently knocked on her bedroom window.  A sleepy Kate appeared.  She was game so a quick breakfast and we were off.  She'd ridden the club race the night before, hence the sleep-in.  Lunch at 10am at the mountaintop.  Headed home.  Got to the first of the two tough hills and it was very obvious she didn't have the legs.  OK, I need to be back.  I can leave her and do it.  But it's 40 miles on tired legs for her, starting with these climbs.  I wouldn't exactly be a gentleman!

So I rode-up beside her from behind, put my hand on her butt and pushed.  (Not pre-planned.  Seatpost or brake cable never occurred to me.)  So, my left hand at the stem, me pushed back on the seat and powering the pedals for all l was worth.  OMG hard!  Next hill, same thing.  Up there with the hardest climbs I have ever done.  The gift that I wasn't going to appreciate until years later when I tried to push someone else was that Kate was a very skilled rider.  Rode rock solid while I pushed.  I didn't need to steer, just follow her and power like a tandem stoker.

So, back to Cav.  Yes, that push would be highly illegal and very visible if there is anybody around.  At the same time, if Morkov or Declercq were to do such an illegal act - wow would that be an effort/sacrifice for a teammate!
mondonico

Posts:158

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07/13/2021 08:08 PM
"So I rode-up beside her from behind, put my hand on her butt and pushed"

Opps, Im sorry, my mind went on a different tract there.
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/13/2021 08:25 PM
Posted By Bill H. on 07/13/2021 08:08 PM
"So I rode-up beside her from behind, put my hand on her butt and pushed"

Opps, Im sorry, my mind went on a different tract there.


Summer of 77 LOL. No can do this anymore. FWIW back in the 80s I used same technique to push heavier male team members over hills. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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07/13/2021 10:38 PM
I just remembered the reason that push was so bloody hard. In those days, I didn't ride low gears. 95% of my racing and training was on a 13-19 FW. Sugino Mighty crankset. I'd stand and loaf for an easy pace with my partner.

mondonico, thoughts of the appropirateness didn't cross my mind until after the deed was done and we were locked into the ship and assisting tug mode. Then it was "well there's nobody here but us and she's not complaining". And "we're getting over the hill".
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/14/2021 08:17 AM
I did that once in a race with a combined men/ woman field. One of the women kept sliding off the back so I went back, asked permission to help and explained that I'd put my hand on the small of her back. After rescuing her twice I brought her to the middle of the field and told her "good luck" and worked my way up near the front.

The crap my buddies dished out to me was fantastic!
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/14/2021 10:39 AM
Welp....that was anticlimactic.

Pog did only what ne needed to do......the three strongest guys in the race finally separated themselves and we have the clear podium now.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/14/2021 01:10 PM
Rigo can still rock back onto podium via iTT, but it depends on tomorrow.

I thought the racing on final climb was good today. Pog looked pretty tired at finish but, like VDP, he recovers within minutes and is all smiles again. JV have another gem in Vingegaard (they also have Foss).
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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07/14/2021 01:49 PM
BTW - JV had great use of the ears today. van Aert spent the entire final climb shouting encouragement to Jonas via radio. They may be down to four but spirits are high.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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07/15/2021 05:20 AM
Police raid Bahrain-Victorious hotel…..

https://cyclingtips.com/2021/07/police-search-bahrain-victorious-tour-de-france-team-hotel/
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Dale

Posts:1767

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07/15/2021 05:04 PM
Once they hit the climb it was a forgone conclusion.
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