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2021 TDF
Jul 10, 2021 13:59:12 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 10, 2021 13:59:12 GMT
Wow that was a great finish from Cav, had to fight back to Morkov a few times after losing his wheel. Outstanding stuff. Love how you get a different version Cav for every post race interview. So much charisma about him. I think Orla is good Deeside, she knows her cycling onions for sure but plays the presenter role on telly. Writes some decent stuff for Rouleur magazine too. Wears some bizarre clothes mind. The slo-mo of the replay was interesting on yesterday’s stage. Morkov’s expression was one to watch, as he seemed like he just eased off a touch before the line.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 5:45:18 GMT
Wow that was a great finish from Cav, had to fight back to Morkov a few times after losing his wheel. Outstanding stuff. Love how you get a different version Cav for every post race interview. So much charisma about him. I think Orla is good Deeside, she knows her cycling onions for sure but plays the presenter role on telly. Writes some decent stuff for Rouleur magazine too. Wears some bizarre clothes mind. The slo-mo of the replay was interesting on yesterday’s stage. Morkov’s expression was one to watch, as he seemed like he just eased off a touch before the line. Yes I noticed Morkov at the line, he thought he'd got it. We've seen that numerous times in other races/Tours and the rider can be seen banging the handlebars in frustration afterwards. Cav just kept going though. Should be a cracker today in the Pyrenees - highest point of the Tour then a big decent to the finish in Andorre La Vieille. I see the media are continuing to question Pogacar's dominance in those earlier stages in the Alps, and also the T.T. He's said he'd like to release his power figures but "there are reasons" why the team won't do it. He hasn't said what those reasons are though. I recall that we saw similar with Chris Froome at his peak, but Pogacar's rides have apparently raised more than just lingering doubts in the cycling media. He did make a very valid point when he said the GC would have been a lot more competitive if his two main contenders for yellow, Roglic and G, hadn't been involved in those crashes and effectively ruled out of contention so early in the Tour. The remaining riders are not really serious contenders for yellow.
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2021 TDF
Jul 11, 2021 12:08:20 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 11, 2021 12:08:20 GMT
This is a bit of a breakaway! He’s probably as dirty as they come (and I don’t care) but I love Valverde. Chances of the breakaway imploding and lots of hand gestures and head shaking and someone relatively unfancied slips away for the win...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 12:13:27 GMT
This is a bit of a breakaway! He’s probably as dirty as they come (and I don’t care) but I love Valverde. Chances of the breakaway imploding and lots of hand gestures and head shaking and someone relatively unfancied slips away for the win... For someone 41 years old Valverde (born April 1980 !) is incredible. I see Alaphilippe is in the breakaway yet again !.
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2021 TDF
Jul 11, 2021 12:22:45 GMT
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jul 11, 2021 12:22:45 GMT
This is a bit of a breakaway! He’s probably as dirty as they come (and I don’t care) but I love Valverde. Chances of the breakaway imploding and lots of hand gestures and head shaking and someone relatively unfancied slips away for the win... For someone 41 years old Valverde (born April 1980 !) is incredible. I see Alaphilippe is in the breakaway yet again !. I’m 41 and exactly the same as him😉
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2021 TDF
Jul 11, 2021 15:10:43 GMT
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Post by chuffedstokie on Jul 11, 2021 15:10:43 GMT
I'm enjoying this stage.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2021 18:18:57 GMT
Good result for Kuss. However I think today's stage has just about confirmed what we've known for most of the race - that except for a crash or major mechanical Pogacar is going to win by the proverbial country mile. No-one else in the race is remotely close and I'm finding the GC is more than a little disappointing tbh. Today Carapaz, Uran and the others just had to try to put time into Pogacar but either he was just too good and/or they just weren't good enough. The only remaining interest IMO is if Cav can make it to Paris, and if he can make it number 35. I just hope Quintana (spits !) doesn't win the KOM to really spoil things.
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Post by salopstick on Jul 11, 2021 19:22:15 GMT
The gc may be over but it’s turning into a great tour
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2021 TDF
Jul 13, 2021 17:36:03 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 13, 2021 17:36:03 GMT
Well that was a bonafide dud. I know there are two potentially key days coming up but that was dire.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2021 17:53:30 GMT
I didn't watch it today - first time for ages that I just haven't bothered to even watch the finish. I'm finding it boring this year. Pogacar is streets ahead of the rest since Roglic and G crashed, and I can't see him losing the lead in the next couple of days. There's also the TT on stage 20 where he should put even more time into most, if not all, of the other riders. The only interest remaining is whether Cav makes it to Paris and if he can get win number 35.
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Post by Bod on Jul 13, 2021 19:00:36 GMT
I didn't watch it today - first time for ages that I just haven't bothered to even watch the finish. I'm finding it boring this year. Pogacar is streets ahead of the rest since Roglic and G crashed, and I can't see him losing the lead in the next couple of days. There's also the TT on stage 20 where he should put even more time into most, if not all, of the other riders. The only interest remaining is whether Cav makes it to Paris and if he can get win number 35. Difficult to disagree with that. The climbers jersey has potential too but not sure I fancy watching Carapaz, Uran, Mas, etc all terrified of losing their positions and doing the standard ‘Attack with 2km left’ tactic and then watching each other as nothing happens. Hopefully I’ll be proved completely wrong and it will be a couple of days of absolute carnage.
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2021 TDF
Jul 13, 2021 19:02:34 GMT
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Bod likes this
Post by salopstick on Jul 13, 2021 19:02:34 GMT
Bernal has to ride it next year
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2021 19:47:57 GMT
I know Sky/Ineos have dominated the Tour for the best part of a decade, but even when they were winning the time difference to second place (and the rest) was usually much closer than this year.
Bernal not riding it has been a very big miss for Ineos, and there just doesn't seem anyone else currently who can come close to Pogacar (or Roglic). I think the "old guard" (Froome, Nibali, Quintana (spits !), Uran, etc) have had their time as real GC contenders now and the younger riders are coming through to take their place. Tom Dumoulin has been missing for a year or so but even when (if) he comes back he's not going to beat Pogacar. I think at the moment there are a number of young riders on the scene but only a very small number who are capable of winning a Grand Tour or the TDF specifically. G crashing was a big problem for Ineos, Carapaz just hasn't been competitive, and as a result they've had a very, very poor Tour, plus some of the other teams seem to have caught up with their rider rosters. Who else is out there that could be available for Ineos to compete with Pogacar and Roglic if Bernal is injured or his back problems return. I had hoped Adam Yates was going to be a genuine TDF GC contender so maybe time will tell, although his TT performances are not really competitive enough. It's got to be better (more interesting and exciting) next year.........hasn't it ?
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2021 TDF
Jul 13, 2021 20:25:12 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Jul 13, 2021 20:25:12 GMT
I know Sky/Ineos have dominated the Tour for the best part of a decade, but even when they were winning the time difference to second place (and the rest) was usually much closer than this year. Bernal not riding it has been a very big miss for Ineos, and there just doesn't seem anyone else currently who can come close to Pogacar (or Roglic). I think the "old guard" (Froome, Nibali, Quintana (spits !), Uran, etc) have had their time as real GC contenders now and the younger riders are coming through to take their place. Tom Dumoulin has been missing for a year or so but even when (if) he comes back he's not going to beat Pogacar. I think at the moment there are a number of young riders on the scene but only a very small number who are capable of winning a Grand Tour or the TDF specifically. G crashing was a big problem for Ineos, Carapaz just hasn't been competitive, and as a result they've had a very, very poor Tour, plus some of the other teams seem to have caught up with their rider rosters. Who else is out there that could be available for Ineos to compete with Pogacar and Roglic if Bernal is injured or his back problems return. I had hoped Adam Yates was going to be a genuine TDF GC contender so maybe time will tell, although his TT performances are not really competitive enough. It's got to be better (more interesting and exciting) next year.........hasn't it ? It’s sad that maintaining position In the top ten is more important than trying to win stages
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Post by Bod on Jul 13, 2021 21:38:43 GMT
Bernal is a racer. He is thrilling when he fires on all cylinders and that explosivity is hard to deal with. I know that data is where it’s at, but impressive as it is to see domestiques churning out high wattage in the mountains, it’s dull. I appreciate that we are looking at it through the eyes of a fan, but seeing someone attack, then try again, then again is why I got interested in the sport in the first place. If you are a young Spanish cycling enthusiast for example, how inspired are you going to be seeing Mas ride anonymously into sixth place having not been seen to attempt anything, at any point? It doesn’t mean that you can’t admire the achievement, but it’s not going to get the heart racing. It’s like watching us. I respect it when we grind out results and a win is a win, but it doesn’t half feel good when we put in performances that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
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Post by thepremierbanksy on Jul 14, 2021 9:38:58 GMT
After a great first week, got to say watching the highlights last night was as disinterested in a race as I've been for a while, and I watch most world tour races. Perhaps I'm in sport overload following the Euros, because the contest for a life changing stage win between the breakaway riders should be enough intrigue. Certainly that was all there was to see in a good few Giro stages and I was lapping that up.
Even though they've no chance of overhauling Pog, would like to see Ineos do something next few days and make good on their pledge to shake things up. So far the only surprise has been how anonymous they've been. I completely understand them being conservative with Carapaz in case Pog crashes out, but surely the likes of Porte and TGH should be going for stages, Carapaz can fend for himself.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2021 16:14:28 GMT
I didn't watch again today but it seems Pogacar won today to extend his overall lead. Carapaz moves up to 3rd, only 4 seconds off Vingegaard in second place, and now approx 1 min 30 ahead of Uran.
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2021 TDF
Jul 14, 2021 19:40:41 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 14, 2021 19:40:41 GMT
Old school shithousery by Carapaz? Or canny riding? Or both? I think you make the guy in yellow do the work, so then attempting to do him over is fair enough really. However, I’ll admit that I laughed my head off when Pogacar blew him away and then Vingegaard got back and gapped him a little too. Aside from that, another pretty unmemorable one. Some GC movement but not enough to really encourage any enthusiasm. I’d quite like tomorrow to just be a decent breakaway stage which is fought out by people who are interested in bashing each other up a bit. Not talking about GC men, as I’ve given up hope on that, but just a stage with a bit of something that doesn’t play out over the final few km.
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2021 TDF
Jul 15, 2021 11:37:18 GMT
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Post by franklin on Jul 15, 2021 11:37:18 GMT
Ineos have some serious thinking to do about the future I'm not sure they have anyone capable of challenging for the yellow jersey at least not in this line up. Podium yes top spot no miles off atm it's a procession into Paris and has been since the first week.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 11:55:28 GMT
Ineos have some serious thinking to do orbthe future I'm not sure they have anyone capable of challenging for the yellow jersey at least not in this line up. Podium yes top spot no miles off atm it's a procession into Paris and has been since the first week. I agree. They've got Bernal and that's about it really. IMO G is past his best, Carapaz isn't going to beat the likes of Roglic or Pogacar, maybe Adam Yates is an option but he's nowhere competitive enough in Time Trials to take any time off those two. After that they have Tao Geoghan-Hart who won the Giro but isn't in the other two's class. Kwiato, Porte, Castroviejo are really good domestiques, but will never trouble the top step of the podium. They also have Sivakov, Hayter, Pidcock, and a couple of other young riders, but not really consistent enough to win a TDF ? Big decisions for the team, but who is out there, who's available, that they could entice for 2022 ? Maybe Bernal will go for the TDF next year, with Yates, Carapaz and TG-H for the Giro or Vuelta (and one of them as back up in the TDF), and Brailsford will have to try to sign one of the "big boys" when their contract is up. I see they have the wonderfully named Luke Plapp joining them in 2022 ! www.ineosgrenadiers.com/riders
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Post by marylandstoke on Jul 15, 2021 12:24:15 GMT
Bahrain Victorious raided by the police. Training materials and other materials taken.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 16:55:12 GMT
If it looks too good to be true. It probably is too good to be true.
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2021 TDF
Jul 15, 2021 17:04:10 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Jul 15, 2021 17:04:10 GMT
Bahrain Victorious raided by the police. Training materials and other materials taken. Are they getting their bahrains and UAE’s mixed up?
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2021 TDF
Jul 15, 2021 17:04:39 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Jul 15, 2021 17:04:39 GMT
If it looks too good to be true. It probably is too good to be true. I bet he’s the most tested rider on tour
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Post by tuum on Jul 15, 2021 17:12:55 GMT
If it looks too good to be true. It probably is too good to be true. I bet he’s the most tested rider on tour So was Lance Armstrong?
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2021 TDF
Jul 15, 2021 17:52:33 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 15, 2021 17:52:33 GMT
I bet he’s the most tested rider on tour So was Lance Armstrong? It is hard to watch this and not have a ‘WTF?’ feeling. I’ve said earlier in the thread that I don’t care about doping in sport but this will naturally (ahem) lead to raised eyebrows. I do wonder if the fact that he is so keen to win, which will draw even more attention to him, may actually be a sign that he is clean. Knowing that scrutiny will follow and doing it anyways means either a) clean. b) dirty but confident that he has his cycle exactly right so that testing is not an issue. c) dirty and ego driven to a point where he doesn’t care and will take the chance. C seems unlikely to me as that is hugely risky for multiple reasons.
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Post by tuum on Jul 15, 2021 18:25:29 GMT
I think doping in cycling is an art form. It's like a game of cat and mouse with the authorities. The cycling teams find ways to dope legally (or illegally) and then a few years later the UCI catches up and bans whatever the cyclists were using or catches them red-handed and the whole 'cycle' starts again. I have no idea whether Pogacar is clean or not but anyone who can waltz up a mountain in the big ring without getting out of his seat is doing something extraordinary and, you are right, he will be scrutinized. If there is any shenanigans then I think the media is more likely to uncover any wrongdoing than the authorities. Cyclists etc will talk among themselves and eventually someone will spill the beans to a journalist to start the ball rolling.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 19:52:33 GMT
I think doping in cycling is an art form. It's like a game of cat and mouse with the authorities. The cycling teams find ways to dope legally (or illegally) and then a few years later the UCI catches up and bans whatever the cyclists were using or catches them red-handed and the whole 'cycle' starts again. I have no idea whether Pogacar is clean or not but anyone who can waltz up a mountain in the big ring without getting out of his seat is doing something extraordinary and, you are right, he will be scrutinized. If there is any shenanigans then I think the media is more likely to uncover any wrongdoing than the authorities. Cyclists etc will talk among themselves and eventually someone will spill the beans to a journalist to start the ball rolling. I watched that stage where Pogacar just sailed past the other riders, on the big ring, sat down, and didn't look as if he was trying - after that it's all felt just a little (by that I mean a LOT) unnatural. He may be clean but his performances and dominance just don't "feel right".
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2021 TDF
Jul 15, 2021 19:56:54 GMT
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Post by Bod on Jul 15, 2021 19:56:54 GMT
I mean, he does look absolutely done in at the end and even in the interviews which are 7 or 8 minutes later, he was really breathing hard still and sweating buckets. Forget that though, the biggest news of the day was that Enric Mas actually attacked. I nearly fell off the sofa.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2021 20:05:19 GMT
Do we reckon it's going to be Cav's 35th tomorrow ?
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