Off Topic Tour de France thread

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Evil Jimmy Krankie

Evil Jimmy Krankie

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Sep 25, 2019
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As much as I’m a MLF, my other great sporting love is cycling. I try and get out on my bike whenever I can.
The TDF is the one sporting event I look forward to every year, closely followed by the other grand tours, the Giro and Vuelta especially.
Obviously it’s a bit different this year. COVID putting it back and no Froome or Thomas for Ineos, although Egan Bernal will be looking for the GC win if not a podium finish. Last year everyone was getting behind Alaphillipe who attacked virtually from the off.
So what’s everyone’s thoughts this year?
 
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Love the 3 tours and was gutted Thomas was included but understand the reasoning behind Froomes omission.

I think the race will be between Roglic and Bernal. Personally would love to see Tom Doumalin do well again but I guess Jumbo Vista will only go to him if Roglic pulls out.

Not sure if you watched stage 1 but it was fun and not for the faint hearted.
 
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So, a win for Caleb and Alaphillipe keeps the yellow jersey. Looks like he’s going to employ the same tactics as last year. He was great to watch but obvious he couldn’t take it into the third week. And a shame for Perez who had to pull out.
 
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Smug in Boots said:
I watch the TDF for the scenery although I've never any idea what's going on.

France has so many different kinds of geography, architecture and cultures it makes it fascinating.

I've only 'attended' once, in Grasse, and the atmosphere was manic.
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Haven't looked at the route but is it coming near you at all Smug?
 
Evil Jimmy Krankie said:
So, a win for Caleb and Alaphillipe keeps the yellow jersey. Looks like he’s going to employ the same tactics as last year. He was great to watch but obvious he couldn’t take it into the third week. And a shame for Perez who had to pull out.
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I was impressed with the sprint particularly after his crash on Monday. I agree with you regarding Alaphillipe, I don't thing he has the endurance like some of the others.
 
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I love the Tour de France. I watch the Eurosport highlights every night. The racing is one thing to watch and the scenery is another. For this year's race, I think Alaphilippe will hang on to Yellow for most of the race. He seems to be an all a bit of an all rounder. He can climb, he can descend, he can sprint and he knows what it takes, tactically to hang on to the leaders jersey. Bernal will come strong in week 3. But the one to keep your eye on is a young lad from the UAE team Tadej Pogacar. He's currently in 4th place. I've got an each way bet on him. Enjoy it
 
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Smug in Boots said:
Serious question, do these people take drugs or are they just light and fit.
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Serious answer. I’d be surprised if EPO isn’t floating around in some of them. Lance Armstrong totally screwed himself with that so sanctions were tightened but as with any elite sport some athletes will always find a way around it. Although that doesn’t take anything away from the fact they have to be supremely fit in the first place.
 
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Evil Jimmy Krankie said:
Serious answer. I’d be surprised if EPO isn’t floating around in some of them. Lance Armstrong totally screwed himself with that so sanctions were tightened but as with any elite sport some athletes will always find a way around it. Although that doesn’t take anything away from the fact they have to be supremely fit in the first place.
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I've often wondered now that sport is pretty much professional everywhere whether doping regulations are actually necessary.

At the end of the day if it's available to all the athletes then the best athlete will still win. It's a relatively short career and if they are willing to hurt their own bodies then that's up to them.

Whilst i agree that clean sports are better there will always be those that find a way to cheat so why not make it legal? Do whatever you want your bodies but don't expect any sympathy later in life when your testicles have fallen off.
 
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There is a shadow over the sport because of the history of the use of EPO. When such a high profile person like Lance Armstrong blatantly cheats for so long then it does make you wonder what is going on today. All this use of asthma inhalers etc ??

It's as shame because regardless of that it is such a spectacle - especially when they are descending at speed. The dangers are there all the time - like yesterday when that guy went over the crash barrier when he mis-judged a bend. If I was on a bike coming down a hillside at 50mph, I think I would prefer to be stone cold sober!
 
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Lutsenko takes the stage win. Alaphillipe puts on a late surge, clearly trying to make up as much time as he can to get the yellow jersey back. As much as Yates still leads the GC and he is British, a part of me still wants Alaphillipe to get it it back, only because of his efforts last year.
 
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