Starts today. Really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Can’t wait to watch the double ascent of Mnt Ventoux (photo of our drive up there two years ago) with downhill finish.

As usual, want Primoz Roglic to win but got a big feeling that Richie Porte could go very deep and he’s definitely a dark horse to watch.

Enjoy folks!!

Just wish I was there.

J

jdrobbo wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 10:50 am

Starts today. Really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Can’t wait to watch the double ascent of Mnt Ventoux (photo of our drive up there two years ago) with downhill finish.

As usual, want Primoz Roglic to win but got a big feeling that Richie Porte could go very deep and he’s definitely a dark horse to watch.

Enjoy folks!!

Just wish I was there.

J44668BC5-7F24-44B8-A4B8-C08F62B3B52F.jpeg715DCAA3-F058-42F5-9589-E2F3D8A3F708.jpegCC7485F1-CFE2-4D01-8452-FAA3134B9667.jpeg

Remove the delivery vehicle and that could easily pass for a Star Wars movie set very atmospheric.

As for the tour I don't follow cycling that closely, but is it simply a straight fight between the 2 Slovakians Tadej Pogacar and Primoz Roglic, or could Team Ineos or indeed anybody else gate-crash the favourites party. The more in the mix the better for the excitement and drama. and if it matches last year then it'll be some race.

Should be a cracker. Roglic will want to atone for blowing it last year, Pogacar keeps improving, Porte looked super at the Dauphine but Thomas was free wheeling.
To close to call this far out from Paris.

No time for drug riddled sport I'm afraid.

minnieclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:43 pm

Should be a cracker. Roglic will want to atone for blowing it last year, Pogacar keeps improving, Porte looked super at the Dauphine but Thomas was free wheeling.
To close to call this far out from Paris.

Too close to call, on the first day

Porte is a super domestique nowadays, his GC days have gone.

I think it’s a toss up between Carapaz and TGH for leader. Can’t see anyone but Ineos winning thisTDF. The team and talent is just ridiculous.

The only thing I want is Cav to win a stage or two….

He’s outrageously long priced today 125-1! Nacer B is 300-1!! Both have to be good e/W bets!

A.Demare today for me.

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:49 pm

No time for drug riddled sport I'm afraid.

I’d love to see Alaphilippe win today but can’t look beyond MvdP with the finish.

The whole thing, like said is impossible to predict, but surely Pogacar has even more of a chance than last year. But I do think Carapaz is long at 12/1.

Anyway, we’ll see and looking forward to seeing how Cav gets on obviously, just a shame about Bennett

Claret_tinted wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 1:02 pm

Too close to call, on the first day

Porte is a super domestique nowadays, his GC days have gone.

I think it’s a toss up between Carapaz and TGH for leader. Can’t see anyone but Ineos winning thisTDF. The team and talent is just ridiculous.

The only thing I want is Cav to win a stage or two….

He’s outrageously long priced today 125-1! Nacer B is 300-1!! Both have to be good e/W bets!

A.Demare today for me.

I'm away camping this weekend so won't see any of the first two stages but thought they were both looking like parcours to suit the classics guys? If so, hard to see beyond Alaphillipe and van Aert.

Carapaz has ridden well this year but think Thomas will still be ahead of TGH. Will be interesting see how Ineos ride; lots of talk about them being more aggressive but that will depend whether they have the jersey or are chasing it I imagine.

Agree about Cav. Would be great to see him take a stage.

The number of potential leaders at Ineos makes them more Moviestar than Moviestar. Last year Pogacar won without the usual required team support - this year there are 3 or 4 very strong teams and that could make things different and lots of GC contenders within a couple of those teams to be punchy on any given day, as Ineos have trialled a few times this season. Should be a great race and hard to call, a lot will depend on who crashes out - and who can make the most of situations, such as the slight potential of crosswinds today. By Wednesday night we should know which of the GC riders are really on it.

And yes wouldn't it be lovely if Cav can get a win or two after the troubles of the last few years probably robbed him of any chance for that all time record

This is the most open Tour for years, really excited about it.
Could be some surprises this year...

Massive pile up, rider knocked off by a spectator with a placard.

Damn idiot of a spectator takes out around half of the peloton - should be locked up - in the is country the press would be hounding the individual to death, I wonder how the French will deal with it

It’s nice that they have a competition specifically for asthma sufferers.

Another bad one. Looked even worse. Hope Froome is ok

Very lucky most of the favourites were up front or the tour could have become a farce.

That was one hell of a mangle. Brilliant first stage

Stage 4&5 close to where I live, going to watch at least 1 of them.

Stage 4&5 close to where I live, going to watch at least 1 of them.

Another great finish and really good news MvdP gets into yellow.

Astounding from MvdP - what a rider

To get the bonus seconds on the climb and then go for the win to get into yellow was just incredible. What a start to the Tour. The Pog and Rog show is in full-swing already. Fancy primoz still. Ineos not living up to their reputation at present.

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 3:17 pm

Damn idiot of a spectator takes out around half of the peloton - should be locked up - in the is country the press would be hounding the individual to death, I wonder how the French will deal with it

Seen this crash on the news last night, what on earth was a spectator doing in the middle of the road when the race was in full flow, I certainly wouldn't be getting in the path of these guys you're asking for trouble because quite rightly they won't stop unless instructed too by the authorities.

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 3:17 pm

Damn idiot of a spectator takes out around half of the peloton - should be locked up - in the is country the press would be hounding the individual to death, I wonder how the French will deal with it

The women in question is being sought by the police after fleeing from the scene.https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tour-france-f ... _deeplink

just seen the clip.

what is it about a tv camera that can turn someone into an absolute imbecile?

Thomas with a weird fall and then ridden into by Tony Martin - riding again and not looking too comfortable - reportedly dislocated his right shoulder - and had it popped it back in

Poor Thomas off again. But he’s at least made it to the finish and not lost too much time.

Ewan is supposedly out now which opens up the sprints for Cavendish no doubt.

Carnage again today.

Thomas didn't come out of it too badly in the end, providing he is fit to continue tomorrow.

Roglic might not be so lucky.

Carapaz the beneficiary of another crazy day.

Brutal stage

TheFamilyCat wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 28, 2021 11:50 pm

Carnage again today.

........

Carapaz the beneficiary of another crazy day.

and to think there are less riders these days *used to be 9 man teams now 8 man) It seems to be getting worse each year - I am pretty sure most of it is money related - The Director Sportif's desperate to get their sponsors names on screen to keep it flowing.

There also seems to be an inordinate amount of exceptional young talent coming through- I hope we are not heading to another major doping scandal in the sport

Apparently Thomas dislocated his shoulder. The doctor put it back when he was on the floor. I guess he will be feeling uncomfortable but don't see why he can't continue. I used to dislocate my shoulder two or three times per week. Thomas needs to improve his bike handling skills or his attentive skills, he has a long record of falling off.

Ewan (The Mossvale missile) definitely out. Fractured collar bone. No one to blame but himself to my mind. Looked like a sniper had shot him. He is a local rider to where I now live so I am disappointed to see him out.

CP. There are a lot of great young riders. I too hope that we are not looking at another wave of drug cheats. Unfortunately in many sports people are still living on the edge with their nutrition and vitamin intake.

Mark Cavendish - wow what a man - after all he has been through

CCCCAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVVV!!!!!

No wonder he can sprint, he has three legs. The man from Man.

Such a beautiful sight...

Glad to see Cav win a stage. for him.

Woke up this morning, on my birthday to the amazing news that Cav won the stage, and England beat the Germans. Happy Day.

Who's gonna win today's TT?

I'm going for Kung, I think it's his kinda route.

Fingers crossed that G pulls some time back today though!

I suppose we’ll see how much pain Thomas is in after his dislocation as it’s a long way to hold his position.

Should be a good TT with plenty of potential winners. Interested to see how Roglic is after falling on right on his arse.

I’m going to stick a pin in and go for Kasper Asgreen.

Pogacar in a different universe it would seem - it is going to take something special to catch him now, even though it is still very early in the race - hopefully no more serious accidents and a real scrap until the end as teams take turns in trying to break him

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 26, 2021 3:17 pm

Damn idiot of a spectator takes out around half of the peloton - should be locked up - in the is country the press would be hounding the individual to death, I wonder how the French will deal with it

Police have found and arrested the idiot - sounds like it will just be a relatively light fine

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/police ... nce-crash/

Just watched the highlights: impressive stuff from Pog!

I take it that Slovenia is now the epicenter for doping?

Early 1990s: Spain
Mid 1990s: Germany and Italy
Early 2000s: USA
Mid 2000s: Back to Spain
Early to Mid 2010s: UK
2020-?: Slovenia

Pogacar in a different class to the rest of the field. He looked like he had been on a training ride when he finished.

Wirvine wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 30, 2021 11:44 pm

Pogacar in a different class to the rest of the field. He looked like he had been on a training ride when he finished.

Still early and a hell of a lot can happen but there's a pretty good chance that Pogacar could to stroll to victory.

I hope not as I want to see an exciting race. Even if the climbers can get ahead of him in the mountains, he's likely to destroy them again in the final TT.

There have already been enough crashes to suggest that this year's race will be totally unpredictable.
Hopefully it'll settle down a bit now...

Can Cav replicate his first ever TDF win today? - it feels like to much to ask given all his troubles and the sheer elation of Tuesday

Time for a breakaway to win?!

Cav wins again!! - stupendous

Would it be possible for a sprinter to win the yellow jersey?