2023 TdF

[DavidS]

This is shaping up as a very good tour, that climb last night was brutal, a bit like my lack of sleep. Must go to bed earlier tonight . . . rest night.

DS

[Mububban]

It was good.
The top 2 are going to be duking it out until the end it appears.
Jai fought back well at the end too.

Imagine being as good as Jai Hindley, and just getting abslutely smoked on those climbs by the top 2 They are on a different level

[warthog1]

It does make you wonder unfortunately
Anyway, can't do anything about that and it is close, so good to watch.

[vosadrian]

Great tour so far.... Sadly the Giro did not really deliver this year, great that the Tour is!

It seems to me that Pogacar came in a little undone with virtually no racing coming in. But I think that first summit finish was what he needed to wake the legs up, and he seems there now! It feels like the tide has turned and JV must be pretty anxious about how to defend.

They have not got the two pronged attack they had last year (unless they repurpose Sepp) that forced Pogacar to have to defend multiple attackers. They have easily the strongest team, and can isolate Pog, but all he has to do is mark JV. They tried using the team to burn up Pog, but that backfired and they just set up for Pog to attack JV, so doubt they will try that again. I think their tactic will be more defensive now. Accept that Pog can go with JV, and try to get JV as close to the finish with team support to limit time losses to late attacks.

I wonder if the tide will swing?

[davehirst]

Wow, its brutal out there, what a start

[warthog1]

Yeah very attacking stage.
Even Wout is out the back at the moment!

[MichaelB]

Good showing by Ben O’C and almost there. Hopefully keeps coming good.

Good win for BV (despite the sport washing etc) with the passing of Gino.

The battle for the last spot on the podium is hot !

I’d love to see a completely different podium. Pog & Jonas have many GT’s ahead of them. Wouldn’t hurt for them to miss out on one now.

[warthog1]

This HC climb and finish could be eventful.
Bloody spectators flying their flags in front of the riders, or running alongside them, are very annoying though.

[warthog1]

Well the Pog pared back another 8 seconds.

A bit of a worry for Caleb though
https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/ca ... /h6fr03s57

[DavidS]

Pog seems to be just chipping away at Vingegaard's lead, Jumbo Visma really need to sort some sort of different strategy because they are losing the race. Maybe attack earlier, or set a faster pace earlier, at the moment it looks like Pog has JV's measure.

DS

[blizzard]

Entertaining stage last night, still extremely close. Pog is looking slightly better than Vingegaad but a lot can happen in a week

[Warnesy]

Another cracking stage. Battle of 3v4 also looks like it could be a good one.

[JPB]

Speaking of cracking stages. What is the story with all the bum cracks visible on the spectators?
Is it just international bogans or is there some other deep significance?

[Warnesy]

Speaking of cracking stages. What is the story with all the bum cracks visible on the spectators?
Is it just international bogans or is there some other deep significance?

Is there a story? Now i'm curious. My kids thought it was hilarious when the saw with his butt hanging out alongside the riders...

[warthog1]

The Pog didn't look as good last night.
TT after the rest day. It is short but still could be quite decisive.

[vbplease]

A bit of a worry for Caleb though
https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/ca ... /h6fr03s57

Yes, gutted for Caleb.. it must be demoralising when your competition (Jasper) is a level above.. and fighting through the mountain stages.. but would be nice to see Caleb battle through a bit more.

What do you think of the team's manager comment?
"I guess the problem in the legs were in the brain today."

Maybe a little insensitive, but its hard to know the full story and what he's going through.. that's nothing compared to Lefevere's criticism of Sam Bennett.. “women who return home after domestic abuse”
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... nnett-jibe

[warthog1]

A bit of a worry for Caleb though
https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/ca ... /h6fr03s57

Yes, gutted for Caleb.. it must be demoralising when your competition (Jasper) is a level above.. and fighting through the mountain stages.. but would be nice to see Caleb battle through a bit more.

What do you think of the team's manager comment?
"I guess the problem in the legs were in the brain today."

Maybe a little insensitive, but its hard to know the full story and what he's going through.. that's nothing compared to Lefevere's criticism of Sam Bennett.. “women who return home after domestic abuse”
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... nnett-jibe

From the the team manager's perspective, it is a stack of money spent and a lot of other athletes who have trained to support him. It would be hugely disappointing.

[vosadrian]

The Pog didn't look as good last night.
TT after the rest day. It is short but still could be quite decisive.

I agree the Pog did not look as strong. JV seemed to have his measure on the accelerations. JV seems to be very consistent. Pog seems to be awesome when he is on, but then struggle when he is not. I suspect the tide is turning back in JV's favour. He is probably stronger on TT also.

I'm barracking for Pog though. I like his racing style. He seems to be just out having fun every day. It's almost a shame to see him manage his efforts compared to last year.

[warthog1]

I agree the Pog did not look as strong. JV seemed to have his measure on the accelerations. JV seems to be very consistent. Pog seems to be awesome when he is on, but then struggle when he is not. I suspect the tide is turning back in JV's favour. He is probably stronger on TT also.

I'm barracking for Pog though. I like his racing style. He seems to be just out having fun every day. It's almost a shame to see him manage his efforts compared to last year.

l like the Pog too and hope he wins. JV seems like a good person, just not as entertaining to watch, so not too worried either way. JV is very focussed.

[blizzard]

I really like Pog but am rooting for Jonas, why exactly... Not sure...

Also I was reading JV in the posts as Jumbo Visma, which had me confused for a second.

[stevenaaus]

Col de la Loze - Final climb of Stage 17

[Mububban]

I found this one really interesting, and kinda scary. How fast do the slowest Tour riders get up Alpe d'Huez?



Summary:

2022 winning time - 41min 53sec
Slowest rider that year (sprinter) - 57min 01sec
GCN ex pro who was not taking it easy - 1hr 6min

The poor old "slow" sprinters who "struggle" climbing in the mountains are still absolutely flogging even talented riders. Just compare how fast Hank is going past the regular riders, and he's almost 10 minutes behind the slowest Tour rider! And the GCN host was only doing the Alpe d'Huez segment, whereas the 2022 riders had to first get over the Col de Galibier and Col de Col de la Croix de Fer before even beginning Alpe d'Huez.

Mental. Absolutely mental.

[warthog1]

Oh well, that decided it

[MichaelB]

Oh well, that decided it

He certainly smoked 'em !!

Not over yet though, and I'm sure Pog isn't one to take it lying down ! Think he'd rather fall off the podium trying than settle for second !

S Yates did a good ITT, but didn't gain any places. Jai seems to be suffering, but still doing well

[MichaelB]

Polka dot knicks ????

Not a good look.