Anyone else watching the TdF? Pogacar in the yellow jersey after today, is looking very strong already, but still 2 1/2 weeks to go. Vengegaard should get stronger as he continues to recover from his recent accident. I’ve got an each way bet on Evenepoel who is currently in second place. it’s a brilliant race and fantastic spectacle as you see the gorgeous French countryside. Going to enjoy the next 17 days!
He'll take some stopping and it wouldn't surprise me if he goes for all 3 grand tours. He won the giro comfortably
Always watch the tour, never watch any of the other cycling. Odd one. Pog looks like the has the beating of Vingegaard this year, not just because of the stage but because of how utterly dominant his team looked. Think it's a reverse of last year where Pog was recovering from a wrist injury I think and Vingegaard capitalised. Can't see anyone but one of them winning it. They made the likes of Roglic look poor today.
Would love to see it but just can't imagine it. Surely not, if Mercx couldn't manage it, no one will.
Rarely miss a raceday, whether it's the classics or the Grand Tour. Pogačar is seriously one of the best ever. His kick with less than 2kms to go was insane and put some seriously awesome riders in great difficulty. Looking forward to the next few weeks. Great thread NSF
Love the tour. Used to like it better when Cav was being led out by his train and they just kept winning. How fit these buggers who win it must be mind. Like you say great spectacle. Although I limit myself to the highlight show on an evening.
If last night was anything to go by I reckon Cav will have no chance. I know he’s chasing the record number of stage wins and last night was a great chance for him to give it a go and he came up short. He was struggling on the hills the night before that, coupled with a hill stage today, it’s only going to get worse for him I reckon.
I agree, Pogacar looks incredibly strong already. One thing to consider though - and this was highlighted on Eurosport just after today’s stage finished - was that Pog rode in and won the Giro only 6 weeks ago, so will that start to have an effect on him in another 2 weeks time??… by which time Vingegaard will be regaining his strength as he recovers from his crash. So although Pog is over 50 seconds ahead tonight - the balance may start to swing back to Vingegaard towards the end of the race! Brilliant isn’t it? Hopefully Cav will get his chance for number 35. I can’t see him doing another Tour after this so it’s got to be this year! Finally - must mention Orla Chennaoui the presenter on Eurosport! Very easy on the eye and really knows her stuff. In fact all the presenters do a good job, Robbie McEwan and Adam ( not sure of his surname), very interesting summaries and insights into the tactics of the various teams - but Orla is very watchable !
I always watch it but, in all honesty, for the views and to see if I recognise anywhere I've been or lived. I never have any idea of what was going on. It came through our village once, near Grasse, and the place was buzzing ... .. the day was great, everyone went crazy and the restaurants on the route were great crack. When the riders came through they were going so fast you could barely see them, twenty seconds and they were gone
When the Grand Depart was in Yorkshire it passed close to where we live so we went to see it. Got there about 4 hours early to get our spot and before the roads were closed. The excitement built up throughout the morning and then the Tour caravan passed through throwing out sweets and gifts etc to the crowds. Then the cyclists appeared and as Smug said there was a blur of colour flashing past and within a minute it was all done! It was a cracking day though
Me and the wife did Paris when Froome won his last tour. It was an amazing site and you could get a true sense of the speed these go at
It's an aspiration of mine (and the missus) to do this one year. It would have to be a mountainous stage though. The atmosphere sounds amazing.
Nowt on the milk race to be honest. Used to come through our village as a bairn. Used to get this ripped paper hat to wear and a paper kazoo. Used to be class as a bairn. Brought a random memory back. The Lombard rally came tearing through our village on the hamsterley leg. Sure one year it was at night. Sat on the front wall with rally cars tearing past 5 metres away in the dark, what could possibly go wrong
Mrs K and me have said the same. We will have to wait until we’re both retired. We’ve even said about hiring a camper van and following the tour for a few stages and to end up in Paris for the last stage. Roll on retirement!!
Haven’t watched today yet as been in the office all day but I wouldn’t rule Jonas out just yet. Pog has a lot of racing in his legs and could easily blow up in week 3
Never seen it live but saw the Wincanton Classic 20 odd years ago which featured mostly tour riders. Was at the bottom of bottle bank watching the peleton come flying down and over the swing bridge...they were absolutely flying. The course was around 120/130 miles with several long laps followed by shorter laps in the city. Watched them cycle up Dean Street, their speed was amazing...faster than I could have cycled down. Watched all of the first race last week but away ATM so have to catch up on Friday. Cav was struggling, I think 22 mins behind lead....hope he's recoveed
Went to see the Kielder stages a couple of times as a kid. I loved rallying back then. It was brilliant, just walk along the track until you hear someone blow a whistle, then leap into the undergrowth seconds before Hannu Mikkola tears past in an Audi Quattro at 120mph. Also remember I'd quite often see the cars on the A68 while I was sitting on the bus on the way to school as they were going from stage to stage.
