I'll talk to myself in here then.
Awful what happened to Gino Mäder yesterday. It's a dangerous sport is Cycling to go off down a ravine and end up under water is just awful. Magnus Sheffield goes the same way and it's concussion and contusions.
There's talk of it being a dangerous descent, but any descent is in the right circumstances.
Heard about that on the news - I don't follow the cycling competitions myself and hadn't heard of him, but what a tragedy.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 16, 2023, 09:13:11 PMI'll talk to myself in here then.
Awful what happened to Gino Mäder yesterday. It's a dangerous sport is Cycling to go off down a ravine and end up under water is just awful. Magnus Sheffield goes the same way and it's concussion and contusions.
There's talk of it being a dangerous descent, but any descent is in the right circumstances.
The problem here was that they could have finished up top but they (the organization) decided not to and add to the excitement by a downhill finish where the riders clock up to 100kph to reach the bottom.
A tragedy for sure and while the riders could be more 'careful' these circumstnces are bound to cause accidents. With the adrenalin pumping no one feels the danger.
Quote from: Thenop on June 17, 2023, 08:33:08 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 16, 2023, 09:13:11 PMI'll talk to myself in here then.
Awful what happened to Gino Mäder yesterday. It's a dangerous sport is Cycling to go off down a ravine and end up under water is just awful. Magnus Sheffield goes the same way and it's concussion and contusions.
There's talk of it being a dangerous descent, but any descent is in the right circumstances.
The problem here was that they could have finished up top but they (the organization) decided not to and add to the excitement by a downhill finish where the riders clock up to 100kph to reach the bottom.
A tragedy for sure and while the riders could be more 'careful' these circumstnces are bound to cause accidents. With the adrenalin pumping no one feels the danger.
They could have finished at the top, but the local municipal authorities put up the money to have stages finish in their towns, so that's where they sometimes finish. Today's Tour of Slovenia stage was after a descent from a Cat 1 climb.
I'm surprised there aren't more fatalities with all the racing I watch, just little random things can cause a major incident.
Well, that's the Tour de France under way (not in France of course) and a good day for a couple of Brits: Adam and Simon Yates came in first and second. Must be the first time identical twins have done that in the Grand Boucle.
Not so good for my "mate" James Shaw in his first tour as he came in 9'53" down, but I think he was down as Richard Carapaz's wing man and stopped with him after the crash involving Carapaz and Enric Mas. Carapaz had two bloodied knees and looked none too comfortable, but at least he continued unlike Mas.
Good to see Pog coming in third. I like Pog, he seems a good egg. Fantastic crowds out in Gernika and Bilbao too. Hope it's not that busy at the Road World's in Glasgae.
As a penance for his coming over I made my brother watch the race. At least he got to see Orla Chennaoui, one of his mates has told him that's she's a babe. A badly dressed trollop according to me.
I think the Tour is taking tips from Bazball, two days in and it's manic. Pog and Vingegaard doing a bit of slugging it out already. Pidock trying to sprint from 3k out, then Cofidis get a first stage win in 15 years through Baby Faced Victor Lafay, who sprinted from 1k out holding off a pissed off WvA. Come now Wout, do you really think Vingegaard will do a lead out for you.
Best of all was seeing Pog doing an impression of a pissed off WvA to Adam Yates :)
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnnndddddddddddddddddd relax.
A nothing much doing day. Just a two man break so Neilson Powless could keep the Polka Dot Jersey. The last 30k were a bit frantic though, like the last 5k of a regular sprint stage. Cav came in 5th, maybe he can get to 35 stage wins.
The last three days have been a fantastic advert for the Euskadi tourist board, tempted to get a flight to Bilbao, maybe even one back. Spanish Basque Country > French Basque country.
What channel's it on? Maybe I'm missing out.
Quote from: Slim on July 04, 2023, 09:34:13 AMWhat channel's it on? Maybe I'm missing out.
Shown live on ITV4, highlights on ITV4 @ 7pm
You have to have a liking for scenery and hope there's a few crashed to liven it up :)
Very true, The Spanish Basque country is much bigger than its French equivalent both in terms of geographical size and population. Same is true with Catalonia
I love the slow tv that it is. They are now at 7k for the bunch sprint. I do hope Cab gets 1 win, but it will not be today.
So MvdP as locomotiv and Philipsen as the puncher. Nice combo, 2 days in a row. Some nasty crashes near the end as well.
First HC climb tomorrow, let's see who shows up
Quote from: Thenop on July 04, 2023, 07:17:58 PMSo MvdP as locomotiv and Philipsen as the puncher. Nice combo, 2 days in a row. Some nasty crashes near the end as well.
First HC climb tomorrow, let's see who shows up
Yes, surprised at the amount of crashes at the end. If only Cav hadn't chosen to follow Pedersen and had managed to get on the MvdP express, he might have got a 3rd! He's doing better than I thought.
I think they'll let the break take the HC, then UAE go for the bonus seconds on the Marie Blanque. With the Pyrenees coming so early things may be a bit cagey, but then again they might let rip from the off, what do I know?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 04, 2023, 09:47:22 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 04, 2023, 07:17:58 PMSo MvdP as locomotiv and Philipsen as the puncher. Nice combo, 2 days in a row. Some nasty crashes near the end as well.
First HC climb tomorrow, let's see who shows up
Yes, surprised at the amount of crashes at the end. If only Cav hadn't chosen to follow Pedersen and had managed to get on the MvdP express, he might have got a 3rd! He's doing better than I thought.
I think they'll let the break take the HC, then UAE go for the bonus seconds on the Marie Blanque. With the Pyrenees coming so early things may be a bit cagey, but then again they might let rip from the off, what do I know?
Guess with the amount of climbs this tour they'll ease into it. Still don't get why Jumbo did not bring Roglic like last year to lure Pog out.
I get that he wants to do Giro Vuelta, but surely Le Tour trumps both of them?
Quote from: Thenop on July 05, 2023, 05:28:29 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 04, 2023, 09:47:22 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 04, 2023, 07:17:58 PMSo MvdP as locomotiv and Philipsen as the puncher. Nice combo, 2 days in a row. Some nasty crashes near the end as well.
First HC climb tomorrow, let's see who shows up
Yes, surprised at the amount of crashes at the end. If only Cav hadn't chosen to follow Pedersen and had managed to get on the MvdP express, he might have got a 3rd! He's doing better than I thought.
I think they'll let the break take the HC, then UAE go for the bonus seconds on the Marie Blanque. With the Pyrenees coming so early things may be a bit cagey, but then again they might let rip from the off, what do I know?
Guess with the amount of climbs this tour they'll ease into it. Still don't get why Jumbo did not bring Roglic like last year to lure Pog out.
I get that he wants to do Giro Vuelta, but surely Le Tour trumps both of them?
Roglic tends to have bad luck in the Tour
Yes and no, he was the one that made Vingegaard win the tour last year. If the team, collectively, want to win, they should put forward the best riders to increase their chance of winning.
Quote from: Thenop on July 05, 2023, 11:01:40 AMYes and no, he was the one that made Vingegaard win the tour last year. If the team, collectively, want to win, they should put forward the best riders to increase their chance of winning.
But you don't want too many bosses and not enough workers. I think the Vuelta is Roglic's race.
Well, today certainly didn't go how people thought! Don't like seeing Australians winning things at the moment, but it's tipping towards Vingegaard now. Pogacar is definitely undercooked after his injury break, maybe he'll gain form over the race but it'll be too late.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 05, 2023, 05:05:59 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 05, 2023, 11:01:40 AMYes and no, he was the one that made Vingegaard win the tour last year. If the team, collectively, want to win, they should put forward the best riders to increase their chance of winning.
But you don't want too many bosses and not enough workers. I think the Vuelta is Roglic's race.
Well, today certainly didn't go how people thought! Don't like seeing Australians winning things at the moment, but it's tipping towards Vingegaard now. Pogacar is definitely undercooked after his injury break, maybe he'll gain form over the race but it'll be too late.
Vingegaard looks really strong and super focused.
Hindley won't win this, Bora does not have the team to carry this for 3 weeks.
As interesting as this was, I am a bit afraid the fireworks have come & gone. Hindley will have a bad day, Vingegaard will gain the time and defend. Unless Pogacar really stands up it'll be boring from now on.
I hope not, but I think it will be.
Hindley has won a Giro. He also came second to Tao Geoghegan Hart the year before and with the best will in the world Tao would never win the tour. It's not yet over, but it's getting there.
So long as we get sun in the mountains things will pick up, tomorrow's finish is where Mrs S learned to ski so she wants to get a good view.
Well it's Pogacar again then. Hindley not strong enough.
Vingegaard has the best team.
Might just turn out to be an interesting 2,5 weeks to come.
Rip up your predictions and flush 'em away. Game back on!
Once again I didn't see that one coming. JV have the grand plans, but Pog just makes them up as he goes along. I'll have to watch the last 10k again after Mrs S gets home.
Big shout out for James Shaw too, nice to see a local lad doing well. Don't like seeing him when he flies by me on his training runs - first in Ribble Weldtite colours, now EF Pro Cycling - but he was up there with the big boys for a long while.
ARSE!!! I really thought Cav had got that one. Can't believe he got so close from where he was 1k out, seems as if his gears weren't changing properly and he had had a wheel change about 40k out so maybe the indexing was a bit out. It made Mrs S run when she heard me shouting "COME ON CAV!" so check your local seismometers for action at about 16:15!
I would have liked Cav for this one as well. The sad news is, Philipsen is on course for Green, which means he'll try and outlive the Alps to bring that jersey home.
Still rooting for Cav to get at least 1 stage so he beats the record. It's about time.
Oh no Cav! Does not look good :(
Quote from: Thenop on July 08, 2023, 02:41:58 PMOh no Cav! Does not look good :(
Yep, he's out. Rough luck
A real pity, really thought he was going to do it
From the near highs of yesterday to the lows of today. It's a tough sport is cycle racing. Pity the appeals against Philipsen weren't upheld yesterday. Robbie McEwen said that if Girmay had ended up crashing Philipsen would have been relegated, but no crash no relegation.
Steff Cras who was 13th on GC has had to quit following a crash near the finish which cost Simon Yates two places.
That was a bit of a climb... It is such an unfair sort, you see the American out for 50-60 km and then Woods comes and takes over on the last 600 meters.
Ah well, resting day tomorrow and then we'll see what damage the Alps will do!
You have to admire Woods though. His attack was timed superbly.
I'm sure they'll all enjoy thd rest day
Quote from: dom on July 09, 2023, 05:52:32 PMYou have to admire Woods though. His attack was timed superbly.
Yes and he's the right sort of American - a Canuck not a Seppo :) It's not over until you cross the finish line.
Nice to see Tom Pidcock up there near the end, I thought he'd been a bit off on the climbing so far. He's certainly doing better than his CX buddies WvA and MvdP, but then he doesn't have to empty himself like WvA
Tom Pidcock's afternoon ride:
https://www.strava.com/activities/9419603994/
Matteo Jorgenson set a KOM on the Puy de Dome climb on a recce run @ 40", Pidcock took 33'50" today. Pog and Vingegaard will have been quicker...
Cycle racing ought to be quite simple. Today was a Dude WTF day! I missed all the fun at the start as well. Would have been nice if they'd kept the Peloton split to force Bardet and Gaudu out of the top 10.
Hopefully the Yates brothers and Pidcock can reclaim the positions they lost.
And just what were WvA and MvdP up to?
Kept forgetting to mention last week about the Giro Donne going on, won by Annemiek van Vleuten, a young whippersnapper of 40!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2023, 11:46:13 PMTom Pidcock's afternoon ride:
https://www.strava.com/activities/9419603994/
I find that astonishing. Averaging 25mph over 118 miles. Can't even imagine it.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2023, 04:58:13 PMCycle racing ought to be quite simple. Today was a Dude WTF day! I missed all the fun at the start as well. Would have been nice if they'd kept the Peloton split to force Bardet and Gaudu out of the top 10.
Hopefully the Yates brothers and Pidcock can reclaim the positions they lost.
And just what were WvA and MvdP up to?
Kept forgetting to mention last week about the Giro Donne going on, won by Annemiek van Vleuten, a young whippersnapper of 40!
WVA was just stupid. MvdP just had to try, he has nothing to defend, WVA has!
In the end Bilbao winning was beautiful in honour of his lost teammate.
Quote from: Slim on July 11, 2023, 05:14:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2023, 11:46:13 PMTom Pidcock's afternoon ride:
https://www.strava.com/activities/9419603994/
I find that astonishing. Averaging 25mph over 118 miles. Can't even imagine it.
Quote from: Slim on July 11, 2023, 05:14:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2023, 11:46:13 PMTom Pidcock's afternoon ride:
https://www.strava.com/activities/9419603994/
I find that astonishing. Averaging 25mph over 118 miles. Can't even imagine it.
That's why he's a pro rider and we're not :)
I'd hope - vainly - for a 14.5 mph average on a ride like that. Don't know if I could do the last 4km @ 11% though...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2023, 04:58:13 PMCycle racing ought to be quite simple. Today was a Dude WTF day! I missed all the fun at the start as well. Would have been nice if they'd kept the Peloton split to force Bardet and Gaudu out of the top 10.
Hopefully the Yates brothers and Pidcock can reclaim the positions they lost.
And just what were WvA and MvdP up to?
Kept forgetting to mention last week about the Giro Donne going on, won by Annemiek van Vleuten, a young whippersnapper of 40!
Bardet and Gaudu are 2 fine cyclists. Why did you want them to drop out of the top 10?
Quote from: dom on July 12, 2023, 01:20:00 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2023, 04:58:13 PMCycle racing ought to be quite simple. Today was a Dude WTF day! I missed all the fun at the start as well. Would have been nice if they'd kept the Peloton split to force Bardet and Gaudu out of the top 10.
Hopefully the Yates brothers and Pidcock can reclaim the positions they lost.
And just what were WvA and MvdP up to?
Kept forgetting to mention last week about the Giro Donne going on, won by Annemiek van Vleuten, a young whippersnapper of 40!
Bardet and Gaudu are 2 fine cyclists. Why did you want them to drop out of the top 10?
They're French, can't have French cyclists doing well in the Grande Boucle ;D
Oh, and Gaudu wears specs and neither of them like Goats.
About time we had a proper resurgence in French Cycling. Too many Brits and American types thinking they can cycle, just won't do!
Philipsen again, by far the fastest in the game at the moment.
Quote from: dom on July 12, 2023, 02:43:41 PMAbout time we had a proper resurgence in French Cycling. Too many Brits and American types thinking they can cycle, just won't do!
Don't forget the Brits who think they are Irish - although none are at the TdF.
Never thought Philipsen would be so dominant in the sprints as I thought the big sprint names seemed fairly evenly matched. But hey, what do I know...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 12, 2023, 05:04:06 PMQuote from: dom on July 12, 2023, 02:43:41 PMAbout time we had a proper resurgence in French Cycling. Too many Brits and American types thinking they can cycle, just won't do!
Don't forget the Brits who think they are Irish - although none are at the TdF.
Never thought Philipsen would be so dominant in the sprints as I thought the big sprint names seemed fairly evenly matched. But hey, what do I know...
It's the Tour de France, normal rules do not apply.
Bonkers again today. If you'd only seen the second half of the race you'd think it had just been a regular TdF stage, but it was attack after attack after attack with no thought as to why it was being done. Wonderful.
And Cofidis wait 15 years for a stage win and two turn up at once. Well done Ion Izagirre.
Well deserved. MvdP not yet strong enough but had me on the edge of my seat for a while.
Roll on tomorrow: Le Grand Colombier!
Well done Kwiatkowski 8) but the rest was a big letdown to be honest. Pogacar waiting till the last 500 metred and pinching a few seconds. Meh. I feel Vingegaard might be stronger than him. Less explosive but more stamina. We will see the coming days which are more for him.
I enjoyed it, Pog just chip, chip, chipping away, the next couple of days will be a bigger test though.
Nice to see 4 Brits in the top 10 and all from the North too (Midlands counts as North) but gutted for James Shaw, couldn't quite hang on for a podium finish.
Crikey! I was so overjoyed by the surfeit of Brits in the top 10 today, I failed to mention the lack of Frenchies :) Tom Pidcock did suggest that after his victory on Alpe d'huez last year that la fête nationale should be renamed la fête d'INEOS.
Some injured in an early big crash, but it is hot and JumboVisma is pushing like crazy. Let's see if they can crack Pogacar.
Don't normally post during a stage, but gutted for James Shaw - and other abandons - as I won't be able to say I get passed on the roads by a TdF finisher. Looking interesting so far.
At least 1 moteur should have it's licensed pulled immediately.
Powerplay from 2 teams today, already looking forward to tomorrow!
Vingegaard won 1 second today...
Well done Rodriguez, where 2 fight...
That was bonkers.
Thought Pog was going to put it bed when he attacked up the Joux Plane. Vingegaard fights back, Pog's bonus second sprint was blocked by motorbikes then he messes up attempt two.
Ten seconds between first and second, one between third and fourth.
Hopefully blow for blow again tomorrow.
And Pidcock isn't a GC rider, certainly not at Grand Tour level.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 15, 2023, 02:53:29 PMDon't normally post during a stage, but gutted for James Shaw - and other abandons - as I won't be able to say I get passed on the roads by a TdF finisher. Looking interesting so far.
Ditto for Bardet. He's not at his best level but it's a real shame injury ended the tour for him
Quote from: Thenop on July 15, 2023, 05:00:45 PMAt least 1 moteur should have it's licensed pulled immediately.
Powerplay from 2 teams today, already looking forward to tomorrow!
Vingegaard won 1 second today...
Well done Rodriguez, where 2 fight...
I think the moteurs were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Impossible to accelerate because of the huge mad crowd in front and Pogacar like a rocket behind.
Quote from: dom on July 15, 2023, 09:23:51 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 15, 2023, 02:53:29 PMDon't normally post during a stage, but gutted for James Shaw - and other abandons - as I won't be able to say I get passed on the roads by a TdF finisher. Looking interesting so far.
Ditto for Bardet. He's not at his best level but it's a real shame injury ended the tour for him
Serves him right. He doesn't like Goats...
I think Sky were thinking of signing Bardet at one time, David Brailsford had the desire to make a French TdF champion.
Wout Poels! What a win! Fantastic, third week Wout, Froome's helper in years gone.
Pogacar and Vingegaard fascinating how nothing happened. All that tension and then.. Nothing.
Roll on the 3rd week.
Now watching Poels for Dutch TV, very emotional.
Mrs S is very pleased for Wout Poels.
But what was Pog doing? Does he want to make sure the drama lasts longer?
Shame about the spectator caused crash near the start.
I don't normally care for Time Trials, but Tuesday should be interesting.
Spectator found himself more important than the riders. Idiot.
Pogacar, don't know, maybe he wasn't good enough today. My guess is he wants to do the TT full on bur we know Vingegaard can do that as well....
Holy sh!t.
What a difference :o
What more is there to say?
Pogacar stupidly changing bikes, but he was already lost.
Wow.
Can't believe that. Thoughts of "Special Vitamins" are creeping into my head. I thought there might be about 5-10 seconds between them at the end. But Pog being 1'15" ahead of WvA then Vingegaard 1'30" ahead of Pog. Pog's bike change was stupid, but in the end didn't cost him that much.
Maybe UAE have a cunning plan for tomorrow, Who knows.
Adam Yates now in a podium position, the Yates twins have upped their TT skills.
So, it's done. Pogacar just broke, that's it, Tour over.
Lovely stage win for Gall, saw his post race interview, he was very emotional. Looks like Yates can go for 2nd place if he pushes and gets the green light.
Lizard Lips has got it then - barring an accident and I think he's about the only one in the peleton I haven't seen hit the deck yet.
Surprised that the commentators didn't see the imminent popping of Pogagcar, as soon as I saw his jersey fully unzipped I told Mrs S that he'd done.
And Felix Gall should have said "Who vaz dat?" when Ben O'Connor came to congratulate him on his win.
And finally so glad the sun was out all day, love the Alps, loved the Phone Box up near the Cormet de Roseland.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2023, 05:03:37 PMLizard Lips has got it then - barring an accident and I think he's about the only one in the peleton I haven't seen hit the deck yet.
Surprised that the commentators didn't see the imminent popping of Pogagcar, as soon as I saw his jersey fully unzipped I told Mrs S that he'd done.
And Felix Gall should have said "Who vaz dat?" when Ben O'Connor came to congratulate him on his win.
And finally so glad the sun was out all day, love the Alps, loved the Phone Box up near the Cormet de Roseland.
Dutch commentators picked it up early on. TJV being a Dutch team was immediately pushed for a response for TV, Merijn Zeeman, team boss, was very respectful when responding to prying questions.
Pogacar is a superb athlete, but he's not recovered enough from his fall in LBL, he couldn't put in enough time before the Tour.
Would have like a bit more of a battle....
On to find out who will take the Polka Dots!
By the way, spectators, motard & TDF hotshots in a car blocking the road on the climb again was disgraceful.
Excellent win for Asgreen today, just staying ahead of the pack. Honourable mention for Dutch no2 Eenhoorn.
Tomorrow again something for the breakaway, hoping MvdP can show himself.
Well done that Breakaway :) Was shouting at the telly at that one. So glad that Jasper Philipsen didn't get another win. I've taken an irrational dislike to him this tour, but I've got reason to now after he blocked Pascal Eenkhoorn from trying to get to the breakaway.
The Alpecin Team car said that MvdP will be going for it tomorrow. I expect Pidcock will too, could be one of the reasons for him dropping back these last few mountain stages.
Surprisingly interesting today. Great winner, lovely man.
Tomorrow the last real stage, serious climbing, looking forward to it!
And Asgreen was so unlucky not to get two stages in a row.
MvdP and Pidcock did make the break, but pulled up no trees.
Tomorrow's stage could be another full on day with people fighting for the minor placings. Bring it on.
All over bar the shouting now. The curmudgeon in me hopes Vingegaard crashes a metre from the 3km limit and then spends 8 minutes getting back on his bike. But that's just me.
Thought today didn't deliver as much as it could, but Gall wanted a stage win and to maintain his GC position over the Polka Dots. Pinot put on a good show and it was good to see Pog back to winning ways and for the Yates brothers to come in third and fourth overall.
Nasty crash for Carlos Rodriquez and Sepp Kuss, Team JV dais it was Rodriguez's tyre exploding that dropped him and Sepp rode over him.
Just a processional stage now, but the Tour de France Femmes starts tomorrow.
But of a letdown today to be honest, Tour is done.
Ciccone polka dots, well done.
One more sprint tomorrow and then on to see if van Vleuten can win 6 large tours in a row.
Glad the men's stages were more exciting than that. Took a long while to kick off. Was hoping to ride rather than watch the final men's stage, but I'm not going out in the wet.
Nice for Kopecky to take the first yellow but I agree, quite boring.
Feel bad for the Spanish lady who fell. Quite annoyed with the cameras hoovering over her getting all the footage. Clearly she was seriously injured, leave her be vultures >:(
That was a surprise! Nice though, another Belgian winner in the sprint.
2023 Tour done, Tour de Femmes to be rolled out and then the Vuelta. With...that's right Vingegaard & Roglic in the same team. JV going for the 3 tours this year.
Quote from: Thenop on July 23, 2023, 03:51:18 PMClearly she was seriously injured, leave her be vultures >:(
Yes, the commentators here were saying leave her be, she's crashed that's all we need to know.
Well done Jordi Meeus today, didn't see that coming and nice to see Pog on the attack, wasn't that keen on him when he appeared on the scene, but I like him more and more.
And yes Vingegaard and Roglic for the Vuelta. Geraint Thomas must have sunk into his chair hearing that.
Good win for Arnaud de Lie today in the Tour de Wallonie.
He had a crash in May resulting in a fracture to his sternum along with a broken rib, a collapsed lung and a broken left collarbone. I'd still be in bed...
Interesting and hard finish in the TDF Femmes today. Well done beating the yellow jersey by the Austrian.
Some unfortunate crashes due to a slippery road, I hope Eva van Agt is OK, she crashed badly and slipped under the guiderail. Didn't look good.
Quote from: Thenop on July 24, 2023, 04:55:05 PMInteresting and hard finish in the TDF Femmes today. Well done beating the yellow jersey by the Austrian.
Some unfortunate crashes due to a slippery road, I hope Eva van Agt is OK, she crashed badly and slipped under the guiderail. Didn't look good.
Yes, the weather gods smiled on the men's race. The Eva van Agt crash didn't look good at all, don't like descending in the wet, let alone racing in it.
And one small point, Liane Lippert's German, I watch too much cycling...
Yeah just realized that, German, Austrian... It's the language, I saw the post race interview. Should've picked up on the jersey... ::)
Watching Tour De France Unchained covering last year's race. It's brilliant!
Quote from: dom on July 24, 2023, 10:41:53 PMWatching Tour De France Unchained covering last year's race. It's brilliant!
It is indeed a great watch. There's also one that concentrates on the Movistar team but not got around to that one yet
Poor Julie van de Velde, over the last 20km I thought she'd got it, I thought she'd not; I thought she'd got it, I thought she'd not; I thought she'd got it, I thought she'd not; I thought she'd got it, I thought she'd not; I thought she'd got it, I thought she'd not; Shes' got it! No she hasn't...
Yes that was exciting. And then Wiebes takes with a top speed of 61kph.
Eva van Agt who crashed yesterday has a concussion and a bruised long, never heard that before. She lost consciousness a bit after her fall.
Roll on the mountains, looking forward to the Tourmalet later this week.
Quote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 04:40:31 PMEva van Agt who crashed yesterday has a concussion and a bruised long, never heard that before
Me neither ;)
Quote from: David L on July 25, 2023, 05:14:09 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 04:40:31 PMEva van Agt who crashed yesterday has a concussion and a bruised long, never heard that before
Me neither ;)
Might be my lack of language skills. It's a literal translation.
Correct term is pulmonary contusion.
Quote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 05:17:07 PMQuote from: David L on July 25, 2023, 05:14:09 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 04:40:31 PMEva van Agt who crashed yesterday has a concussion and a bruised long, never heard that before
Me neither ;)
Might be my lack of language skills. It's a literal translation.
Correct term is pulmonary contusion.
I assumed "long" was an unnoticed 'typo' :D
Don't knock your language skills - you express yourself as well as anyone on this site
Quote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 05:17:07 PMQuote from: David L on July 25, 2023, 05:14:09 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 25, 2023, 04:40:31 PMEva van Agt who crashed yesterday has a concussion and a bruised long, never heard that before
Me neither ;)
Might be my lack of language skills. It's a literal translation.
Correct term is pulmonary contusion.
I've learned all sorts of medical terms since I started cycling/watching cycling. I'd spent most of my life saying "Collapsed Lung" instead of "Pneumothorax"
Well done Yara Kastelijn, a win from the breakaway, although with a 10 minute gap with 60km to go the breakaway should succeed, but she was the only one. I thought that Audrey Cordon Ragout* might put the leaders in a stew, but not to happen. It was a good watch that, I thought Lotte Kopecky might hold on from the peloton, but not to be either.
* Yes, I know...
Very good win with a steep endclimb there.
Kopecky will loose the jersey shortly anyway, and Vollering not fully aware whether she won or not :P
Now watching some post match interviews and Vollering looks mangled. Van Vleuten on the other hand very cheerful, 'we tested each other'.
I can still see her take the overall win...
Chapeau Ricarda Bauernfeind, a cast iron sprint stage? Think not. I bet she didn't dare fail with Magnus Backstedt as her DS...
Surprised British Champ Pfeiffer Gerorgi hasn't been doing better, these Ardennes' style stages are quite similar to the parcours of the British Chamoionship sourse this year, perhaps because she's on Domestique duties - as women should be :-X
Belated congrats to Filippo Ganna for winning the Tour de Wallonie yesterday. Shame the organisation was such that some riders followed a Moto rider off course resulting in the race being neutralised.
Just heard Vollering has a 20 second Penalty for stayering. Stupid really, her own car brought her too far front.
Another first winner, SDworx clearly not as much in control as they'd like to be..
So sprinting then tomorrow.. Maybe?
Quote from: Thenop on July 27, 2023, 04:50:33 PMJust heard Vollering has a 20 second Penalty for stayering. Stupid really, her own car brought her too far front.
Yes, daft thing to do. Looked like she expected a bike change not a wheel change. Why weren't any team mates sent back for her?
So...Danny Stam, the teamboss for SD Worx has been evicted from Le Tour following his actions with the car and subsequent 'visit' he paid the jury. Seems he was a bit upset and expressed himself like an idiot.
He should know better, jury's don't take too well to that.
That was one hell of a bunch sprint.. Or was it 8)
Well done Norsgard, deserved win this.
Unfortunately the camera vultures found it necessary again to keep rolling when injured riders were being helped..
Now, Tourmalet as decisionmaker. Bring it on!
Yes, another good win from the breakaway and there is too much concentration on the injured, let them got sorted, but there have been an awful lot of cyclists ending up in ditches this tour.
Normally the Col d'Aspin would suffice for a women's stage, but the Tourmalet as well, there could be an awful lot of riders outside the time limit tomorrow.
Quite the battle that.. So it's Vollering this year, not surprising after all. Niewiadoma was very strong, well deserved for the podium.
Let's see what the TT brings tomorrow, Kopecky can push van Vleuten off of the podium if she does well.
Gutted for Katia Niewiadoma, would have loved to see her win the stage after taking off down the Col d'Aspin whilst Vollering and and AvV faffed around. Kopecky was really given some oomph by the Maillot Jaune. I expect she will get to the podium tomorrow, but that will probably show why I don't bet.
I say this through clenched teeth, but well done Remco Evenepoel for winning the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa - just watched on catch-up.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 29, 2023, 11:36:15 PMI say this through clenched teeth, but well done Remco Evenepoel for winning the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa - just watched on catch-up.
Yes, yes. Let's see if he left something for the world's....
I am liking WvA and MvdP for that one though, with Pidcock being close.
Quote from: Thenop on July 30, 2023, 06:00:51 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 29, 2023, 11:36:15 PMI say this through clenched teeth, but well done Remco Evenepoel for winning the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa - just watched on catch-up.
Yes, yes. Let's see if he left something for the world's....
I am liking WvA and MvdP for that one though, with Pidcock being close.
I'm off to watch it in Glasgow next week, with it being a circuit race at the end I'll get to see them 10 times :)
I think it's between WVA, MvdP and Remco. Pidcock's not doing the road race, think he's just doing the Mountain Biking. Fred Wright's the best bet for GB and he's not at the level he was at last year. The Belgian road squad is stacked with talent.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 30, 2023, 11:09:48 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 30, 2023, 06:00:51 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 29, 2023, 11:36:15 PMI say this through clenched teeth, but well done Remco Evenepoel for winning the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa - just watched on catch-up.
Yes, yes. Let's see if he left something for the world's....
I am liking WvA and MvdP for that one though, with Pidcock being close.
I'm off to watch it in Glasgow next week, with it being a circuit race at the end I'll get to see them 10 times :)
I think it's between WVA, MvdP and Remco. Pidcock's not doing the road race, think he's just doing the Mountain Biking. Fred Wright's the best bet for GB and he's not at the level he was at last year. The Belgian road squad is stacked with talent.
Oh great, enjoy that!
Did not check the starting lineup for the road, seems like Pidcock will be no1 fav for the MB then.
Looking at the lineup for the road, the Belgians have a very strong team. So do the Danes and the Aussies. I think we are OK as well.
I could see Pedersen get far, maybe if he does it right, Ben Healy. Well impressive the the Giro.
Would be surprised is Alaphillippe amounts to something, he has been out of it quite a bit.
Quote from: Thenop on July 30, 2023, 12:46:39 PMLooking at the lineup for the road, the Belgians have a very strong team. So do the Danes and the Aussies. I think we are OK as well.
I could see Pedersen get far, maybe if he does it right, Ben Healy. Well impressive the the Giro.
Would be surprised is Alaphillippe amounts to something, he has been out of it quite a bit.
Yes, could be a good one for Pedersen and Healy, with the world championships being a one off you can get a surprise winner.
Gutted for Niewiadoma again today, just being pipped for second place, but good that the three big jerseys were shared out.
Yes, not so exciting of an ending. Good lesson for the organization, never end a tour on a TT.
Mens tour ended on a TT a couple of times. The one I remember best was Fignon vs Lemondin Paris, that was exciting though.
But clearly van Vleuten passed on the torch to Vollering.
Quote from: Thenop on July 30, 2023, 05:04:10 PMYes, not so exciting of an ending. Good lesson for the organization, never end a tour on a TT.
Mens tour ended on a TT a couple of times. The one I remember best was Fignon vs Lemondin Paris, that was exciting though.
Next year's men's tour ends on a TT in Nice, thinking of going, not a big TT fan, but at least you get to see everybody.
QuoteBut clearly van Vleuten passed on the torch to Vollering.
Yes.
Ah yes, that's right. The Olympics are in France next year. I wonder how many of the cycling community will stay on to do the Olympics.
Picking at scraps today with stage one of the Tour de l'Ain.
Highlights were two of the three man breakaway crashing together on a speed bump and an English man winning the stage for a French team - wouldn't have happened a couple of years back!
All action on the final descent today, someone, can't recall who came off into a barbed wire fence; Hugh "Pob" Carthy came off on a corner, then Michael Storer crashed after hitting Jefferson Cepeda on the finish line, his own stupid fault.
Well done Will Tidball for winning Gold in the Scratch Race at the Track World Championships.
Can't say I'm a fan of disabled sport, but watching a bloke with one leg cycling puts me to shame, as did the Spanish bloke with two arm stumps and a prosthetic leg - built in cleat on the end, nice!
Watched the Junior Downhill Mountain biking this afternoon. The women's race was a 1-2-3 for the Kiwis, I'll accept that, they were a part of Empire.
Thankfully a Kraut and a Canuck prevented a Froggo 1-2-3 in the men's. That would have stuck in the craw, they all belong in the FFL
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 04, 2023, 05:17:00 PMWatched the Junior Downhill Mountain biking this afternoon. The women's race was a 1-2-3 for the Kiwis, I'll accept that, they were a part of Empire.
Thankfully a Kraut and a Canuck prevented a Froggo 1-2-3 in the men's. That would have stuck in the craw, they all belong in the FFL
FFL?
Quote from: dom on August 05, 2023, 12:09:22 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 04, 2023, 05:17:00 PMWatched the Junior Downhill Mountain biking this afternoon. The women's race was a 1-2-3 for the Kiwis, I'll accept that, they were a part of Empire.
Thankfully a Kraut and a Canuck prevented a Froggo 1-2-3 in the men's. That would have stuck in the craw, they all belong in the FFL
FFL?
French Federation of Lose
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 05, 2023, 08:38:34 AMQuote from: dom on August 05, 2023, 12:09:22 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 04, 2023, 05:17:00 PMWatched the Junior Downhill Mountain biking this afternoon. The women's race was a 1-2-3 for the Kiwis, I'll accept that, they were a part of Empire.
Thankfully a Kraut and a Canuck prevented a Froggo 1-2-3 in the men's. That would have stuck in the craw, they all belong in the FFL
FFL?
French Federation of Lose
>:(
Caught the Junior Men's road race today, 16 year old Albert Philipsen stormed it.
Crowds were great for it, might struggle to find a viewing spot tomorrow.
Race starts in 30, enjoy!
What an unbelievable end of a fantastic race, and what a deserved winner. MvdP, a true champion.
Proud he is Dutch, it's been 38 years since the last one, Zoetemelk.
And fuck those protestors: no one will remember who you are because no one saw you on TV.
Yes,well done MvdP. Couldn't believe his margin of victory.
Maybe more to follow tomorrow.
What a great day! :)
After seeing the finish of the Men's junior race on Saturday - and once we'd been fed and watered - we did a course recce to see where a good viewing point would be. We decided that Montrose Street would be good and maybe wander down to the finish area later.
We got to Montrose Street about 10:20 and both sides were already full. There was a Belgian base camp at the summit and further down a good couple of longships worth of Danes, who had set up a full on Euro Techno Disco. I was prepared to put up with it for the sake of learning foreign cycle fans customs, but Mrs S was dead set against it. So, we set up over the brow of the hill before a corner so the riders wouldn't be going too quickly, we could also see them going by the feed zone before the course got round to Montrose Street.
Whilst were waiting we were entertained by people who'd just ridden up Montrose Street: People on Bromptons; kids on mountain bikes; tandems; hire bikes, the full panoply of ridden things and ages of people. Various National team riders were doing course recces for later races. When they started to clear people off as the race was coming Shirin van Anrooij and Lorena Wiebes stopped about 10 yards from us.
Of course we didn't know what was going on in the race even though there was a big screen in front of us, but it was facing the other way, but we did hear the commentary go off because of the protesting pillocks.
The wait didn't dampen the party atmosphere, I think the locals were well outnumbered by incomers and the roar which greeted the breakaway riders was something to behold (behear?) Mrs S thought the Pleton when it came through was too far down already. I told her she was stupid. Of course the break was soon reeled in.
It's hard to pick people out when they come by, but I spotted Victor Campanaerts pulling the Peleton along, he then dropped further and further back each lap, but he always got a hearty "COME ON VICTOR" from me. He gave me a resigned look on his last pass through.
It was always good seeing those near the back of the race not far ahead of the broom wagon and wondering if you'd see them again, I think Jasper Philipsen managed a couple of laps before being swept up.
Matteo Trentin got off near us. I pointed out to Mrs S a lone Alaphilippe going by, she didn't believe me, but did when he got off at the feed zone the next lap.
Not knowing fully what was going on meant it was a surprise when a lone Bettiol came by, of course he didn't last and soon it was down to Pog, WvA, MvdP and Pedersen. We heard that MvdP attacked and then heard the chorus of dismay when he came off, followed by a cheer after his remount from those watching the big screen, we thought that would be it, but couldn't believe the increased lead he had coming by again before his victory.
A good result, who could complain about that 1-2-3 just about the cream of the cycling crop. We stayed on the hill until the last of the finishers came by, each of them got just as big a cheer as the front guys, a cycling crowd is a fair crowd. Very partisan - a Belgian couple near us knew each of their riders - but fair.
Fantastic day again, and I even enjoyed seeing the mechanics wheel away the bikes of the non-finishers. Complete and utter bike porn ;D
Before we left today we saw some U14 and U16 races for boys and girls on a short section of the city circuit, that must have been a great experience for them with the proper finish line and a commentator announcing their progress. They got a decent crowd too.
Yes, so good I'm thinking about going back for the women's race, but wallet doesn't like the look of train ticket prices.
Sounds like a grand day, glad you enjoyed it!
And yes MvdP's lead was unreal, and then to think he fell in the first to last round, my heart sank, I was in front of the telly, hands covering my face in disbelief. But I should have known, the way he accelerated when he finally got free of the others was otherwordly.
Quote from: Thenop on August 08, 2023, 11:31:08 AMSounds like a grand day, glad you enjoyed it!
And yes MvdP's lead was unreal, and then to think he fell in the first to last round, my heart sank, I was in front of the telly, hands covering my face in disbelief. But I should have known, the way he accelerated when he finally got free of the others was otherwordly.
Thanks.
We enjoyed it so much that we've booked to go back up to Glasgow for the Women's race on Sunday. The Dutch team, is rather good! But so was the Belgian men's team and it was a Netherland's victory. So Lotte Kopecky will win on Sunday...
Only six laps of the circuit for the women, but I lost track after seven laps for the men, so six will be about right. We should also catch the end of the men's U23 race on Saturday - trains permitting.
Watched a good chunk of the men's race now on catch-up and have spotted myself and the good wife in the crowd a couple of times :)
Enjoyed the short course XC mountain biking today. Pity Puck Pieterse didn't win, but she's still young. Good couple of Bronze medals for GB, Pidcock did well from starting 30th, must be a bit funny coming off a three week road race to do a 20 minute MTB race!
Remco's lost one set of rainbow stripes and gained another! That was some TT, youngest ever winner at 23 yet GB's Josh Tarling got Bronze aged just 19 after winning the Junior's last year, missed out the U23 level!
And young Ben Wiggins got Silver in the men's junior TT
Yes, Tarling is one to watch for sure, enjoyed that. Still, as much as I like the battle with the clock, it's never as exciting as normal race, is it?
Quote from: Thenop on August 11, 2023, 06:18:57 PMStill, as much as I like the battle with the clock, it's never as exciting as normal race, is it?
No :)
Mrs S likes Time Trials though, I think if she cycled she'd be a heads down thrash it round sort of rider.
Got to Glasgow in time for the last 3 laps of the men's U23 Road Race. Good win for Axel Laurence and nice to see a British man in fourth.
Then to the hotel where we caught the last three laps of the XCO mountain biking. Well done Tom Pidcock, would have loved it if he'd crashed though with Yorkshire flag round his face 😀
Well done Pidcock indeed, but was gutted seeing MvdP fall. He was mainly mad at himself, blaming himself for making a mistake. In the end it was just too much, which is understandble.
Outstanding performance for Puck again, bronze in her first WC. Well done and we'll be hearing from her...
Missed out on Puck coming third. I like Puck, followed her battles with Fem van Emple in the Cyclo Cross season, she can bunny hop better than the men!
Another great afternoon in Glasgow, who'd have thought it?
Well done Lotte :)
Yes it was an exciting race. Lotte was clearly the strongest and most clever today.
Demi Vollering looked extremely powerful getting back time and time again. Getting over the line 2nd must have felt like winning :)
Van Vleuten very unlucky, material breakdown twice! Right in the finale at 14 before the end.
Another great weekend of cycling in Glasgow, glad we made the decision to return, couldn't quite hit the heights of the previous week, but wouldn't have missed it anyway.
Got to Montrose Street this week and there was barely anybody there. We could have had our choice of where to stand, but chose a place just after the crest of the climb on the opposite side of the road to last week - we knew it would keep the sun longer.
Last week the top of the hill was overwhelmed by Belgians and Danes. This week there was a Gazebo full of Dutch Men. A very entertaining Gazebo full of Dutchmen. The Wijbosche Wielervrienden who also had an exceedingly large banner spread out at one side of the road. A loud hailer too, through which they could play Police siren noises and shout "GO, GO, GO!" at passing cyclists.
(https://images0.persgroep.net/rcs/L15NGyTCf9L2_y2UCiN2RROs3AM/diocontent/227907751/_fitwidth/694/?appId=21791a8992982cd8da851550a453bd7f&quality=0.8&desiredformat=webp)
We also met an American lady from New York who'd come over to watch, it's nice to chat to people who know the names of cyclists and spend all their time watching GCN+
The race was a very similar pattern to the men's - except with a Belgian victory - and Lotte Kopecky looks much slighter than she does on the telly. Most of the female riders also look about 12 years old, maybe it's just my age.
I was very happy to see Paris-Roubaix winner Ali "Action" Jackson going by, I like Ali, she's nuts (check out her "I WON A ROCK" video if you can find it. She also showed that the riders can hear you shouting at them as she turned to look at me when I shouted "COME ON ALI!" at her, I think she looked because it was obvious her main fan-club was further down the road. On one lap they gave her a box with doughnuts in and she rode off eating them!
(https://scontent.fbhx4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/366942046_10159794642430544_6879663089368638466_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s1080x2048&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=7f8c78&_nc_ohc=urebH_031QYAX_iiGEt&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-2.fna&oh=00_AfB0CTHVpboyWBX8LEa85IB_KtPy83TQerqfxr3vt3dHhg&oe=64DFE48D)
Over too soon though, we had a walk down to the finish area and lots of riders were on their way back to team buses, including Ali Jackson, so I told her "Well Done". There was also a tiny young kiwi lass who looked about ten.
Still, well done Lotte:
(https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/367448422_10159794142880544_402180596308533331_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=7f8c78&_nc_ohc=RZFQRmRV0A0AX_sunnr&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-1.fna&oh=00_AfAi8WpC2ClQsJigWJJt1eZQbLfleiGcQTEgDbXeApBdYg&oe=64DFBBC5)
Next years Road Worlds are in Zurich, I know we can be there in a day by train, think I'll wait for route details first and I'm also thinking of doing the final TdF stage in Nice. Decisions, decisions...
Team TT to kick off the Vuelta tonight. Curious to see what Roglic can do. Can he win it or will Evenepoel be able to take it?
Thomas usually peaks only once a year and did so in the Giro.
Don't see Vingegaard win it after the Tour but we'll see what happens.
Ayuso, Mas and Carthy are outsiders for me.
It was a bit wet! Remco was unhappy - diddums - and Vingegaard punctured. Such fun. Shame one of DSM's young Brits couldn't have claimed the Maillot Rojo, bu maybe tomorrow.
I think Roglic is the man to beat, so long as he doesn't crash. I'd be happy to see Geraint come top 5. Sounds like tomorrow will be wet too.
I've still got to catch up on the Tour de l'Avenir. Renewi Tour, Deutschland Tour and women's Tour of Scandinavia.
You and me both, the catching up bit. Actually watching the WC athletics in Budapest where out miracle runner Hassan won a silver medal again.
Vuelta typical Spanish unorganized, almost Giro like. No one thought of the fact it would be darker as the evening progresses ;D of course Evenepoel was grumpy, mind you, he is at his best when antagonized. Agree on Roglic, he just about won everything he competed in this year.
Just seen that Laurens de Plus didn't finish, that's a big mountain domestique lost for Ineos. But Geraint won't win anyway.
Almost forgot the Athletics...
Rain. Everywhere.
My team won 6-1 but the game was suspended for an hour due to rain and lightning. Max Verstappen won the GP in Holland, but the race was suspended due to rain.
The riders in the Vuelta just got on with it, but it was a bit of a mess.
Bit of a damp squib really. Not as wet as predicted. Pity young Oscar Onley is out with a broken collarbone.
Well done Remco, but what a mess at the finish.
The big 3, well maybe 4 with Ayuso taking the first 4 places. Quite the undertaking for a 3rd stage. Happy to see Kelderman in the first group. Hopefully he'll get a chance this Vuelta to show himself.
Bad day for G. Hope he gets his game together, I like his style.
Poor old Remco. Yes the finish was congested, but he was too intent on celebrating.
Having said that G would do well with a top 5, a top 10 might be good for him. He didn't seem to up to speed in the Tour of Poland a couple of weeks back, he was more up for it in the Tour of the Alps before the Giro although there he was holding back. Still, there's a long way to go and I'm sure the organisers will find many more ways to feck things up...
Milano thinking he would make that... Groves had probably prepared a bit better ;D
Nice win, but what a shame about the crash 5k before the finish. And vd Berg crashing in the last 500 meters, had hoped to see him try winning the sprint.
Yes, an exciting sprint today, didn't think Groves would get there. Sounds as if Bryan Coquard has broken his collarbone and I can't believe Buitrago came in 2'22" down, he was rolling on the floor longer than that!
Rinse and repeat tomorrow.
Again Groves... Cannot shake the feeling the top sprinters stayed home... Oh well, nice to see some other names.
Yes, a repeat of yesterday, crash and a Groves win. Thought Ganna had got it from the front on shot, he'd be a great lead out man! You don't tend to get the sprinting elite at the Vuelta, too many crazy summit finishes.
I feel a part of the top-level racing scene now, when they were interviewing one of the Alpecin team after the finish a photographer appeared who I'd been talking to at the women's World Road race.
Back to the important stuff, proper stage tomorrow with a summit finish :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 30, 2023, 05:20:26 PMYes, a repeat of yesterday, crash and a Groves win. Thought Ganna had got it from the front on shot, he'd be a great lead out man! You don't tend to get the sprinting elite at the Vuelta, too many crazy summit finishes.
I feel a part of the top-level racing scene now, when they were interviewing one of the Alpecin team after the finish a photographer appeared who I'd been talking to at the women's World Road race.
Back to the important stuff, proper stage tomorrow with a summit finish :)
Less than six degrees of separation this.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 30, 2023, 05:20:26 PMBack to the important stuff, proper stage tomorrow with a summit finish :)
Forgotten I'm off for a couple of days now, probably miss this :(
Ouch...today is really something
Got a Hotel with Eurosport :D
Remco wanted to lose red today. Don't think he envisaged that!
Nope, Remco had a baaaad day. Sepp Kuss for president, what a guy. TJV ruled this stage 100% and they got everything they wanted.
Nice for a 20 year old to wear the red, he did very well.
But what a climb, a monster that is!
Yes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Quote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2023, 09:40:27 PMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
He's 20 ! Learning his trade! And French teams don't cheat! Unlike those Sky/Ineos feckers!
Quote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 09:58:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2023, 09:40:27 PMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
He's 20 ! Learning his trade! And French teams don't cheat! Unlike those Sky/Ineos feckers!
Festina...'98..they didn't call it Tour de Dopage for nothing..
Quote from: Thenop on September 01, 2023, 06:19:34 AMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 09:58:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2023, 09:40:27 PMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
He's 20 ! Learning his trade! And French teams don't cheat! Unlike those Sky/Ineos feckers!
Festina...'98..they didn't call it Tour de Dopage for nothing..
Interesting read, they were all at it back then!
Quote from: dom on September 01, 2023, 06:51:14 AMQuote from: Thenop on September 01, 2023, 06:19:34 AMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 09:58:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2023, 09:40:27 PMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
He's 20 ! Learning his trade! And French teams don't cheat! Unlike those Sky/Ineos feckers!
Festina...'98..they didn't call it Tour de Dopage for nothing..
Interesting read, they were all at it back then!
The hypocritical part is that when the French are caught - Virenque-they are cordially invited to subsequent Tours after they retire, year after year being a hero, but if a foreigner does it they are frowned upon and persona non grata, not welcome in any way, shape or form.
Quote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 09:58:19 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2023, 09:40:27 PMQuote from: dom on August 31, 2023, 08:07:39 PMYes delighted for the young French lad to be wearing the red jersey. Seemed appropriate that he virtually came over the finishing line with Bardet. Hopefully Martinez will prove to be a worthy successor to that great climber
Gah, he's juiced up, he kept fading on climbs in the Coupe de France earlier this year.
He's 20 ! Learning his trade! And French teams don't cheat! Unlike those Sky/Ineos feckers!
Look at Ineos in the Vuelta looks like the drugs don't work!
Now Jumbo Visma on the other hand... ;) They do have a rider currently suspended.
Amateur day at Eurosport, I think I just about saw the bunch sprint finish.. But I am not sure.
Vultures again insisting on showing Arensman while he was at his most vulnerable.
Not the most memorable day.
No,not a great day and more crashes.
Souper day for beardless...
Fantastic last climb! Super impressed by TJV, which team can beat that?
Remco a bit grumpy after losing, it is becoming his demeanor, doesn't suit him. He's a great rider,Tuesday he'll get his chance in the TT.
And an American in red! That's been a while I suppose... If ever.
Edit: of course Chris Horner won the Vuelta 10 years ago. Thank you Sepp Kuss.
Yes, great last climb, one that I'd avoid! Got back from my Gourmet Break in time to see it. Thought Hugh Carthy was going to come good today at one point, but he's still way off the HC who once got a second in the Vuelta.
I seem to be the only person who doesn't like Sepp Kuss, I see him and can see him dressed as a young SS Officer. Mrs S thinks I have an overactive imagination.
According to Remco he didn't realise the break had been caught and so didn't bother sprinting too hard. Yes Remco, we understand...
Switched to the Tour of Britain today. Drove home along a lot of the roads used today yesterday and they went by my brother's old house!
JV pulverised it in the end. WvA led out Olav Kooij, easy as you like.
Not seen that, seen the Vuelta which had a bit of a strange ending. Finish was brought back to 2K before the actual finish due to weather conditions. Which actually meant they forgot somehow the last 500 mtrs was actually a dirt road. Anyway, Kamna took the victory and no real changes in the GC.
TT on Tuesday should be interesting.
Rest day tomorrow then? Richly deserved ! They'll probably spend it on their bikes 😂
Quote from: dom on September 03, 2023, 08:27:06 PMRest day tomorrow then? Richly deserved ! They'll probably spend it on their bikes 😂
They WILL spend it on their bikes. A gentle recovery ride out to a coffee shop or local beauty spot. Can't let the legs seize up.
Caught the last 7km of the Vuelta after the ToB, so the organisers have gone from throwing caution to the wind to being ultra cautious. Better late than never I suppose.
After a surfeit of cycling yesterday, just the Tour of Britain today. A short stage from Wrecsam to Wrexham, 110km in 2 hours 20 minutes. Easy life.
Another Olav Kooij victory, led out again by WvA.
TJV seems to grab up everything right now. Not healthy, there's quite some grumpy riders in other teams that feel the dominance is too much.
Anyone remember Team Sky...?
Happy to see Olav Kooij develop this fast though.
And Olav Kooij gets three from three in the tour of Britain. The last 30km made for exciting racing with teams trying to break JV, but they've just got too much firepower. I should be riding out to see it tomorrow as it passes within 20 miles of my house, but if it's this warm again it might be Telly Time.
TT was surprising. Kuss did so well he remains in Red. No big changes in the GC. Was an OK view, under 30 mins, so I expect some fireworks still this week.
GO, GO, GANNA! Avenged his defeat in the World Championships.
Kuss still in red, can he take it all the way?
So, Olav Kooij wins again. Didn't get back home in time to watch it, could have ridden to the finish, but I wouldn't have made it back in this heat. Not enough onboard water capacity. Bit of a pathetic KoM they chose, the peloton just rode up as if it wasn't there. I tried making an effort, but what I thought was the finish was 500m to go. I blew up. Fastest Pro time today was 1'48" mine was 2'26", if only I'd paced myself better.
Got back in time to see the end of the Vuelta. Could Ganna be a future GC contender? Answer: No. He put in a good pull though today, pity G didn't have it in his legs. Stalemate for the GC riders.
Ganna is waaaay too heavy to get over the mountains properly. He sort of reminds me of Dumoulin when he was 'just' a TT specialtst. Next thing he lost weight and won the Giro, so who knows?
Interesting last climb today, nice for the breakaway to finally make it.
Tomorrow is just a bridge day for Friday: Tourmalet day!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 06, 2023, 04:52:39 PMSo, Olav Kooij wins again. Didn't get back home in time to watch it, could have ridden to the finish, but I wouldn't have made it back in this heat. Not enough onboard water capacity. Bit of a pathetic KoM they chose, the peloton just rode up as if it wasn't there. I tried making an effort, but what I thought was the finish was 500m to go. I blew up. Fastest Pro time today was 1'48" mine was 2'26", if only I'd paced myself better.
Got back in time to see the end of the Vuelta. Could Ganna be a future GC contender? Answer: No. He put in a good pull though today, pity G didn't have it in his legs. Stalemate for the GC riders.
You should be delighted. A retired leisure cyclist only 30 seconds behind people in peak physical condition dedicating their lives to cycling. Chapeau and kudos!
Not 5 out of 5 for Olav Kooij. WvA decided he wasn't going to be the leadout man and just took off like a rocket. Gained three seconds on everybody else, which should be a tour winning margin for a race without time bonuses.
And Juan Sebastian Molano beat Kaden Groves in the Vuelta. Groves said he suffered a dropped chain on the run in. Despite banging his bars he didn't sound too disappointed.
Bring on the Mountains tomorrow :)
Yes, todays' stage seemed to never end. Roll on the Aubisque and Tourmalet tomrrow.
Bit dull today really...
What happened to Remco? His team say he's not ill, is he just being stroppy for some reason?
Then a JV 1-2-3 stage win to give 1-2-3 in the GC. Must not start thinking US Postal.
Lovely scenery though.
Remco is, well, just not happy. It rubs off on his performance clearly.
TJV is impressive. Honestly, the only real competition was ever Remco. The only real surprise is Kuss.
More climbing tomorrow!
Remco: The Return! What went off yesterday? What's happened today?
Remco's Revanche
No idea what was odd yesterday I suppose there will be some digging there... TJV was OK today, they more or less relaxed looks like.
Bardet impressive and impressed by Evenepoel judging by the post match interview ;D
I think Remco concluded that a three pronged JV attack would be too much for him, so he spent yesterday gently dropping his toys out of the pram instead of throwing them all out at once like in his younger days.
WvA takes the ToB. Who needs bonus seconds? Only GC race he's ever won.
A fun stage in the Vuelta today, lots of action up front,Remco trying for 2 in a row. In the end good old slick Rui Costa sneaks in the win. He probably was not the best, but he was the smartest.
Too bad Kamna fell just a few km before the finish or he would have taken it for sure.
Bad day for G again with a bad fall.
Only saw the last 8 km today, almost pure comedy gold at the end :)
Didn't know G had fallen again, if he didn't have bad luck he'd have no luck at all.
Last trek of Annemiek van Vleuten in the Ladies Tour over here today.
Great champion,I am convinced she brought the level up significantly.
I will take a bow!
Yes, she had a very successful career. Just looked like she was showing signs of age over the last couple of months.
Be interesting to see if upcoming youngsters like Shirin van Anroiij and Fem van Empel last as long.
JV again with Vingegaard. Doing it for Nathan van Hooydonck.
Took a long time for the break to go and not long to bring it back.
Bring on the Angrilu [sic] tomorrow :)
Let's see what happens indeed. So sad what happened to Nathan, hope he will be OK.
Kuss seemed a bit knackered, his first run at a GC...
Vingegaard very strong again indeed.
Another JV 1-2-3
GCN+ think Vingegaard and Roglic are disrepecting Kuss' Red Jersey and being rather unfair towards him. Their interview answers point that way. Cycling's a team sport and with the position Kuss is in, his teammates should pay him back for all the work he's done for them.
Pogacar wants UAE bosses to open their chequebook and sign Kuss!
Well, they all have their reasons to win. I suppose TJV would like to either Roglic or Vingegaard win it, they are already among the highest earners so they should deliver.
I think that if Kuss wants to win, he needs to be better than those two. And I doubt he is. Simple as that. In fact, if they would let him win he'd feel disrespected. I know I would..
It's all about respecting the jersey. JV have let others win who probably wouldn't have, WvA gifted Gent-Wevelgem this year. In an (W)out and out sprint WvA would flatten Laporte.
Maybe it's a British thing, fair play and supporting the underdog .
Fair play is universal I think, but it depends on the stakes. Being able to win a Vuelta, Giro or Tour it takes a special kind of person. I am not sure Kuss is that.
But I'll probably eat my words sooner than later when he actually wins it.
If Tao Geoghegan Hart can win a Grand Tour then I'd let Kuss have one and I'd say Kuss would be a more worthy winner than Chris Horner.
Roglic certainly owes Kuss one, Kuss dropped back on the Angliru to help Roglic in 2020 to limit Roglic's losses to Carapaz on the day, Kuss helped him big time in the Giro this year too. Lizard Lips couldn't give a shit.
So Kuss it is, they clearly chose at the TJV office. No more attacks, just defend the jersey.
Good choice.
In hindsight it is unreal: winning all 3 grand tours in one season with three different riders.
Back to the Remco show today and the JV shitshow calmed down.
Well done to young Max Poole, coming in fourth on a stage like that isn't bad for a lad from Scunthorpe.
Sprint stage with a long straight finish and still there's a crash. Alpecin rider looked behind and that's enough to deviate and cause a domino effect.
Would have liked to see Ganna win, but Dainese did well with his lead out train wiped out. Nice to see them still getting up all covered in blood, then celebrating when they heard Dainese had won!
Yeah that was a bit unreal, you'd think at 60 kph you'd look where you go.
Ganna is no sprinter that much is clear, he went off too early. Dainese has the timing and the instinct, that made the difference today.
True, Ganna's no sprinter, but he can go very fast for a long distance. He should start from about 4,000m out!
String bean Wout Poels outsprinted Remco. Who says nice guys don't win. Barring a disaster Kuss has won the Vuelta.
Yessss, Third Week Wout strikes again. Did it in the Tour and now the Vuelta. Well done!
Wow! That was some processional stage!
Evenepoel/Ganna/Groves in the breakaway plus two more stage winners. Who would have thought it.
Great end to a great Vuelta.
Soon be Cyclocross season :)
Didn't get to see it, figured it'd be like all final stages. Oh well.
Euro championship first I believe now, over here in Holland.
Quote from: Thenop on September 17, 2023, 07:34:43 PMEuro championship first I believe now, over here in Holland.
Yes, GBR are sending a team this year. Not enough money last year, allegedly. And they ascend the VAM berg in the road race, a true "mountain" or former rubbish tip!
And Il Lombardia is still to come.
Well done youngster Tarling!
And terrible news for Nathan van Hooydonck. Career over, very sad.
Yes, the boy done well.
Awful crash for Stefan Kung though, when they cut back to him you could just see what was going to happen. Hope he's OK, I don't like seeing lots of blood.
Well done Marlen Reusser for her third consecutive win and a silver for Anna Henderson.
Zoe Backstedt smashed the women's U23 as well, nearly a minute quicker over 20km.
Quote from: Thenop on September 20, 2023, 04:55:04 PMAnd terrible news for Nathan van Hooydonck. Career over, very sad.
Not Good :(
So, Mischa Bredewold wins the European Championships on her own muck heap. Lotte Kopecky only third, but what when would she wear a European Champions jersey?
Plucky Brit Pfeiffer Georgi was fourth.
Was a good win for Bredewold, a nice push to get away from the group. Strong performance.
Another JV 1-2-3 - and it had to be the Frenchman :(
A good race though, but Ganna was unlucky with falls.
Didn't see it, but I like Laporte, so well done to him.
Cav doing another year, Jumbo merging with Quickstep, Roglic will leave for Bora. Exciting times people. Let's see what else will happen.
And Jasper Philipsen beats Olav Kooij to win the Visit Friesland Elfstedenrace.
Thanks to this, I'm now learning Frysk...
Wy hawwe hûnger
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 04, 2023, 03:44:52 PMAnd Jasper Philipsen beats Olav Kooij to win the Visit Friesland Elfstedenrace.
Thanks to this, I'm now learning Frysk...
Wy hawwe hûnger
Ugh, don't like the Frysian. Elfstedentocht good, people there bad.
Quote from: Thenop on October 04, 2023, 03:52:16 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 04, 2023, 03:44:52 PMAnd Jasper Philipsen beats Olav Kooij to win the Visit Friesland Elfstedenrace.
Thanks to this, I'm now learning Frysk...
Wy hawwe hûnger
Ugh, don't like the Frysian. Elfstedentocht good, people there bad.
Closest language to English though :)
Can't say I've ever met any Frisians - and I'm perfectly happy keeping it that way...
So, no merger between JV and Quickstep it seems. Roglic still leaving for Bora though, doesn't like paying second violin.
Quote from: Thenop on October 07, 2023, 10:55:30 AMSo, no merger between JV and Quickstep it seems. Roglic still leaving for Bora though, doesn't like paying second violin.
Wonder if the Ineos/Quickstep merger rumours will resurface now?
And three Lombardia's in a row for Pog. Was a good race.
Was a good race agreed but that chasing group will feel like idiots they let jim go downhill just because Roglic did not take the lead. I wonder why not..
Watching Il Lombardia did a good job for the Italian tourist board. I see my local airport does flights to Bergamo, I'm sorely tempted to go.
And it's farewell to Thibaut Pinot. He sure has some devoted fans, love the way the painted an arrow on the road for him to follow and one pointing the other way for Team JV ;D
A good weekend for Slovenian cycling, Matej Mohoric is now World Gravel Champion.
Plucky Brit Connor Swift got bronze.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 08, 2023, 03:22:20 PMA good weekend for Slovenian cycling, Matej Mohoric is now World Gravel Champion.
Plucky Brit Connor Swift got bronze.
What on earth is World 'Gravel' Champion. Are you making this up?
Quote from: David L on October 08, 2023, 06:40:06 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 08, 2023, 03:22:20 PMA good weekend for Slovenian cycling, Matej Mohoric is now World Gravel Champion.
Plucky Brit Connor Swift got bronze.
What on earth is World 'Gravel' Champion. Are you making this up?
He's the World Champion of riding on Gravel tracks, even if half of it was tarmac.
Gravel riding is the new thing to sell people bikes they don't need. Think a road bike with knobbly tyres or a 90s Mountain bike with dropped handle bars.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 08, 2023, 09:59:39 PMQuote from: David L on October 08, 2023, 06:40:06 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 08, 2023, 03:22:20 PMA good weekend for Slovenian cycling, Matej Mohoric is now World Gravel Champion.
Plucky Brit Connor Swift got bronze.
What on earth is World 'Gravel' Champion. Are you making this up?
He's the World Champion of riding on Gravel tracks, even if half of it was tarmac.
Gravel riding is the new thing to sell people bikes they don't need. Think a road bike with knobbly tyres or a 90s Mountain bike with dropped handle bars.
The only thing they've not tried is square wheels
Great ride from 20yo Thibau Nys in the first round of the CX World Cup series. Rode up just about everything. His dad will be proud. Be interesting to see how he goes against MvdP and WvA.
That was some CX race in Overijse today. Eli Iserbyt won it, but Thinau Nys made a great recovery from a crash and fought back from 24th to gain the lead near the end then crashed out again.
Plucky Brit Cameron Mason came in 5th.
Cyclo Cross, much better than the F1 car procession.
Watching van der Poel demolish the rest of the field in Belgium :o
Bum. I've missed it! Have to watch on catch up on Discovery+, if GCN+ was still going I'd have seen it.
MvdP demolished the rest last Saturday - and Pidcock did on Sunday. Pidcock got a second last Saturday and tried to do his interview in Dutch!
Quote from: Thenop on December 22, 2023, 02:29:37 PMWatching van der Poel demolish the rest of the field in Belgium :o
And didn't realise WvA was riding it too!
Be more interesting tomorrow when most of the CX regulars will be back. Have to watch on catch up though due to too much Xmas shopping >:(
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on December 22, 2023, 06:51:28 PMQuote from: Thenop on December 22, 2023, 02:29:37 PMWatching van der Poel demolish the rest of the field in Belgium :o
And didn't realise WvA was riding it too!
Be more interesting tomorrow when most of the CX regulars will be back. Have to watch on catch up though due to too much Xmas shopping >:(
Yep, WvA was gone in no time. MvdP ploughing through that sand like it was fresh tarmac. Unreal.
And MvdP pisses it again today. Didn't think WvA would even get second for most of the race. Much higher class field than yesterday,
4 in a row.
Wow.
MvdP's on another level. At least Puck managde to put an end to Fem's winning streak - was 11 from 11 - today.
The regular CX riders must hate the "Big Three", yes good to see Pidcock work his way up to third.
And MvdP wins again...
If Pidcock could ride through sand it might - might - have been different.
Another day, another CX race, another MvdP win ;D
Well done to Felipe Orts on his podium finish.
Saw that yes, was a very muddy one. A minute ahead of the pack, again impressive. Orts just taking it in a sprint no less. Nice one.
Another day, another CX race, another MvdP win...
Crashes and mechanicals kept it from being a big three battle, but I don't think the winner would have been different. Kudos to Pidcock for keeping going and moving up to 25th from 99th.
Wonder if MvdP will be fined for his action though.. He spat into the crowd, needs to be said he was constantly berated (even before the race started) and had beer thrown at him the round before by the same 'fans', so I'd probably done the same...
So long as he doesn't end up writing loads of angry music like Roger Waters, I'll forgive him...
Rohan Dennis arrested after riding over his wife with a pick up truck and killing her :o
Jesus this guy really is not well.
Quote from: Thenop on December 31, 2023, 09:22:09 AMRohan Dennis arrested after riding over his wife with a pick up truck and killing her :o
Jesus this guy really is not well.
Woah!
Watching MvdP ripping through this cross, embarrassing the rest. Round 3 he takes 40 seconds on WvA :o
The way he instinctively know which lines to choose, how easy he flies up the steps. Pure cross perfection.
Aye, another year same old result!
Coo, er, gosh, MvdP wins again.
Hope Lucinda Brand's nose is OK.
Didn't see it, speed skating on telly this weekend. But yes, I read it MvdP 10 out of 10 now.
2024 Road Racing season now underway with the Women's Tour Gazunda. Not very star studded yet.
So, MvdP isn't superhuman. Almost, but not quite. That was some race today, had everything bar ice, rain, snow and mud. Makes it sound like it didn't have a lot, but it had ACTION! Well done Michael van Tourenhout, coming second after the snow and ice of Zonnebeek yesterday.
Well done to Stevie Williams too for winning the Tour Guzunda.
Title Nr. 6
Yes, well done MvdP.
Well done Fem van Empel and well done Zoe Backstedt.
Best race was probably the women's junior as the top three were all in contention until the last few hundred yards.
Remco's back! He's hit the ground cycling too, 50km solo breakaway to win the Figueira Champions Classic
Yes very nice, let's see how he shapes up this year. He's not doing the Giro (Pog will take that one) so the Tour should be interesting...
WvA's back - as a lead out man for Olav Kooij...
Nasty crash at the end of that race.
Classics season underway now. Visma Leaseabike carrying on like Jumbo Visma, Jan Tratnik and WvA picking up wins.
Pogi running rampage doing an 80k solo in Strade Bianchi.
Also heard the commentators say last years' epic battles between Pogi, MvdP and WvA will be limited to only 3 races this year as they all choose different ones. Which is sad, it makes it again more predictable.
Quote from: Thenop on March 02, 2024, 04:18:07 PMPogi running rampage doing an 80k solo in Strade Bianchi.
Also heard the commentators say last years' epic battles between Pogi, MvdP and WvA will be limited to only 3 races this year as they all choose different ones. Which is sad, it makes it again more predictable.
They've all got different aims this year unfortunately.
Good to see Pogi keep his word and attack with 80km to go though and look as if he's enjoying it too!
Not too bad for Pidcock coming in 4th, but I think his aims are different this year and he's still undercooked.
I want to go to Siena.
Both Tirreno and Paris Nice won by Visma - Lease A Bike (VLaB?), impressive show of force this early one.
Not got round to watching Tirreno Adriatico yet, but Lizard Lips Vingegaard is a few steps above the rest already. VLaB mist have kept the JV special sauce. Roglic certainly looks like he's missing it and Matteo Jorgenson is liking it now he's on it.
Watched the women's Ronde van Drenthe after Paris-Nice, Lorena Wiebe's getting her fourth consecutive win. Enjoyed seeing Puck Pieterse come in third. I'm missing Cyclo Cross.
Wow! That was some finish to Milan - San Remo. So many people coiuld have won that, Pidcock came close yet didn't even get a top 10.
A grudging well done to Jasper Philipsen (don't like his face), well done Bling and a first podium for Pogi.
Missed it entirely, was in the rehearsal room, but read it just now. I guess the Alpecin boys will run riot this spring season.
And it came down to a photo-finish after 288km. Alaphilippe in the top 10 too, maybe that'll shut Lefevre up for a minute.
Photo finish win for Lorena Wiebes, great race for her.
MvdP 2nd after Pedersen after winning the E3 last Friday. The new season is on!
And Fred Wright came 20th in the E3 and 21st in Gent-Wevelgem. Consistent riding by the British champ.
Lars Craps improved from 100th in the E3 to 79th today.
I'll presume that Pogi won the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. Nice to see Bernal coming back to some sort of decent form.
Pogi won indeed after 4 day wins :o
Team VLaB back to winning ways in the Dwars door Vlaanderen today with Matteo Jorgenson. Exciting race, but a bad crash which has hospitalised WvA and Jasper Stuyven taken to Hospital.
A 6th place for plucky Brit Josh Tarling. Needs to learn to ride up hill more quickly - and not spend to much time getting across to the lead group on a solo move.
:-\
Update Wout van Aert
Wout van Aert had a successful operation today.
Examination revealed that he
suffered a broken sternum, broken collarbone and several broken ribs.
It is unclear when Wout will be able to get back on his bike. The next few weeks will be all about his recovery. He will, therefore, miss the spring classics. His participation in the Giro d'Italia is still uncertain. We will make a decision in the coming weeks based on his recovery.
Not the least bit surprised MvdP won the RVV. But considering every other team tried to gang up on Alpecin, I do find it quite the accomplishment!
That was quite the final. We'll done to Lidl Trek, breaking the SDWorx reign.
Good top 10 place for Puck Pieterse.
Yes, a good day's racing once I'd managed to catch up on it after throwing the family out of the house...
Watching the women's Ronde de Mouscron today was a bit of a come down. But I'm still too stuffed from yesterday to move from the settee :P
Lorena Wiebes has now won all four editions of the Scheldeprijs Vrouwen. Not bad going.
Awful crash in the Itzulia Basque country today. Vingegaard, Roglic and Evenepoel all went off the road and are out of the race. Six riders taken to hospital. Several riders ended up in a couple of concrete ditches. Didn't look good at all.
(https://www.stickybottle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/JV-1-1200x638.jpg)
Oh sh!t, did not see any of this. What a terrible news, can only hope the season is not over for them.
Roglic went off in a team car giving a wave to camera. Vingegaard was taken to an ambulance with an oxygen mask on.
Not seen any further updates.
Vingegaard is conscious is the latest update. He is being examined but this does not sound well. Would be a real shame if his Tour would be compromised by this.
Update on Jonas:
It was a nasty crash, but fortunately he is stable and conscious.
Examinations at the hospital have revealed that he has a broken collarbone and several broken ribs. He remains in hospital as a precaution. Thank you for all your messages
Could/Should make it back for the Tour then.
WvA still hasn't ruled out the Giro after breaking Collarbone/Sternum/Ribs.
That was a close finish in Paris-Roubaix Femmes. Lotte Kopecky winning it ahead of Elisa Balsamo and plucky Brit Pfeiffer Georgi - crazy name, crazy gal - pipping Marianne Vos for third.
And twenty years after her dad won it, Zoe Backstedt came in 16th, not too shabby.
Yes, was a nice race. The strongest one won for sure, the cobbles are not for everyone. Lots of Dutch ladies there, most of them were very strong today.
M v d P
That's it, that's the post.
MvdP on another level. Then he had team mates Philipsen and Vermeersch in second and seventh.
Fred Wright best Brit in 13th. Silly Josh Tarling disqualified for a sticky bottle, he wouldn't have won, but I'd have loved to have seen how well he could do, after finishing outside the time limit last year.
Lorena Wiebes chucked that one away, to give it to Vos! Look, love, don't celebrate until you actually have won.
Plucky Brit Pfeiffer Georgi in fourth.
Seen it too often, just plain stupid. Cheer now, cry later.
Well done Pidcock! Great win.
Thankfully he ddin't start his celebrations too early!
Well done Tom. 22nd for plucky MvdP ;D
Well done plucky Brit Stevie Williams (We'll forget he's Welsh today) for winning La Flèche Wallonne. Luke Rowe called him out as the winner with about 50km to go because the weather was so filthy just like in Wales :)
And well done Kataryzna Niewiadoma for winning the women's Fleche Wallone. A popular winner there.
Best plucky Brit was Flora Perkins in 36th.
Pogi, Pogi, Pogi! Oi! Oi! Oi!
He's good :)
Can't believe MvdP made the podium and plucky Brit Tom Pidock made 10th. MvdP and Pidders must have used up a lot after being caught uo in a crash and a mechanical respectively.
Pogi yes, but MvdP might even be a more impressive achievement. I think he weighs well over 10kg more than any of them. Climbers are featherweights while he's approaching heavy weight fighting realms.
Quote from: Thenop on April 21, 2024, 04:12:48 PMPogi yes, but MvdP might even be a more impressive achievement. I think he weighs well over 10kg more than any of them. Climbers are featherweights while he's approaching heavy weight fighting realms.
oh MvdP will never win a Grand Tour, but in the Ardennes classics the climbs are shorter and punchier so his power can get him over.
Delighted with how well Bardet performed. Hopefully he'll have a decent season; could well be his last
Good win for Thibeau Nys in stage 2 of the Tour de Romandie. Only his third road race day of the year after the cyclocross season. And he'd spent all day in the breakaway - completely oblivious to the beautiful surroundings.
My mate Alison Jackson won stage 2 of the Vuelta Espana Feminine today. Nice to see someone enjoying a win :)
Great win by Maxin van Gils in the Eschborn-Frankfurt classic today, he came from out of nowhere to win the sprint.
Plucky Brit Lukas "Son of Richard" Nerurkar came in fourth.
Happy Giro. Let's see what happens, who will be numbers 2 and 3?
Pogi can be beaten! Only got third today!
Well played Jhonatan Narvaez. Plucky Brit Geraint Thomas came in 10th, which is better than I thought he would, always comes in a bit undercooked for a Grand Tour.
My guess is Pogi trained to be the best over 3 weeks, in doing so losing some of his immediate response quality. Day for day maybe 1 person can be better, but he will not be beaten overall. The ease he came from nearly last n the peloton to pass by and ride to the 2nd place, impressive.
Well done Narvaez indeed.
Disappointed in Arensman.
I think Pogi really did want to try and win all 21 stages. But I don't think he'll mind now that he can't so long as he has some fun.
That's it. Pogi in pink. Can he win 20 stages? He even had a crash.
Plucky Brit Geraint Thomas came in 3rd.
And well done Demi Vollering for winning the Vuelta Espana Feminine
Vollering was fantastic, great win.
And Pogi, well.. I don't see anyone coming even close.
Hmmm, that was supposed to be a boring sprint stage. The first half was, then after the first intermediate sprint the sprinters took off together in a break which caused big splits in the chasing peloton.
It all came back together again. Pogi and G picked up bonus seconds in the second intermediate sprint, then when Mikkel Honoré took off with 3k to go, Pogi went off in pursuit and G had to follow. They dropped Honoré and were then caught with about 250m to go and a regular sprint finish happened, bonkers.
Hope tomorrow's boring sprint stage is a dull!
It was a weird one, with a logical conclusion. But still, Pogi is trying t prove himself a bit too much. Last time he did that he lost the TdF.
Not so much stiff competition in the Giro though.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 06, 2024, 07:04:39 PMNot so much stiff competition in the Giro though.
We're not in week 3 yet ;)
What's up? Pogi didn't contest that stage!
Good win for Jonathan Milan, was hoping Top Ganna would make it, but he'd not quite got enough.
Shame that Bini Girmay's out after two crashes.
Didn't see anything. Work, it takes up so much of my free time...
Anyway, good news today: Vingegaard is back in training and says he will do everything to make the TdF.
I'm retired, spend too much time watching cycling. Still, it lets me travel the world without leaving the comfort of my settee, somehow Italy seems more tempting than Belgium.
They were discussing Vingegaard on the commentary today and they think it will be a hard battle for him, but he may well be able to hit the ground pedalling and cycle back into form in the Tour.
Another nice day's armchair tourism.
Another boring sprint stage which wasn't. Alpecin Deceuninck brought back the breakaway on the midpoint big climb hoping to burn out the other sprint teams. It all came back together and another breakaway went off and got to the end, with Benjamin Thomas getting Cofidis' first win of the season.
Some nasty looking crashes. Christophe Laporte came down on his own, Riley Pickrell cut his head open and Tobias Foss ended up at the bottom of a pile of cyclists. Hope they can all start tomorrow.
Managed to see the finale today. Wonderful, the big teams were, late, too late. I bet there will be harsh words tonight.
Well done Benjamin Thomas!
Breakaway did it again today. Pelayo Sanchez outsprinting Alaphilippe and Luke Plapp, all three on their Giro debut.
Took over half the stage to get a breakaway, they were going over 50kmh, bonkers.
Interesting to see Patrick Lefevre handing out a bidon to Alaphilippe, on the commentary they wondered whether it was full of concrete or dust...
I liked this one, actually got to see a bit. Not predictable, yet it was: the breakway made it. Not sad to see Alaphilippe not win, but starting to feel for him a bit as well. Must be hard riding around with a 125.000EUR watch.
Oh well, guess he deserved it.
Anyway, TT tomorrow let's see how that works out. I am hoping G will actually come out of his shell.
Ooh, Cav won today's stage of the Tour de Hongrie, pretty perfect lead out for him.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 09, 2024, 11:32:42 PMOoh, Cav won today's stage of the Tour de Hongrie, pretty perfect lead out for him.
He is doing another TdF right? Hope het gets that win he wants there.
Quote from: Thenop on May 09, 2024, 06:17:12 PMAnyway, TT tomorrow let's see how that works out. I am hoping G will actually come out of his shell.
I think G's shell was weighing him down. Obviously I'm not a DS on a cycling team, but when I saw G was riding a single chain ring with 66 teeth I said to Mrs S that it was too much for an old man. It might be OK for a powerhouse like Ganna, interesting that Pogi rode a double chain-ring set up.
Feel sorry for Ganna, all that time in the hot seat, then the last man out beats you.
Visma LaB was also running a double chain ring, they did alright in the end with none of the real specialists being there.
But yes, there is no doubt who will win this Giro. It's just about places 2 & 3 then.
Another Pogi win :)
Closer though today, I think there may have been a lot of suffering from yesterday's TT
Getting a bit predictable. But he did well if course. I hope he thanks Majka.
Good win for Olav Kooij, all down to lead out man Pogi!
Great win, his first stage in a grand tour. Pogi taking a page out of MvdPs book trying to help Molano to the win.
And Milan, well.. Someone should teach him what aerodynamics is. He will win even more then.
Well done to the 23 year old PP brother. Watched the last part, it's a good thing there was no wind. The lad weighs 52kgs.
Bardet 2nd, not bad.
Yes, good to see Valentin emulating his brother with a Giro stage win.
TV commentators were wondering if Pogi is tiring because he just followed at the end, but Luke Rowe thinks he's just being conservative. If he was on a bad day it hasn't harmed him.
Second stage win for Milano, the Ciclamino Monster today. Peleton never allowed the breakaway much of a gap - half of the Visma Leaseabike team in the break - and Ineos steered them through a messy approach to the finish.
People still speculating about Pogi being a bit off as he coughed in the post-race interview and his nose looked a bit red...
A win for LouLou from the breakaway then. Was hoping Mirco Maestri would hang on, but no such luck, or that Narvaez could bring him back, but no.
Patrick Lefevere will say his psychology has worked...
Only saw the last 10K, but looked like a good win. Levefre is a relic, and an ugly one.
Another bunch sprint another win for the giant Italian.
And yet it all came so close to splitting into echelons. Just not windy enough.
I bet Ineos wish there was a Team Time Trial, five riders in the top 12 today, even with Sheffield crashing.
Glad Ganna got his win, G's back to second and Pogi's even further ahead. Bring on the mountains.
Hooray Arensman, a fantastic result for my fellow countryman.
Ganna wasn't to bad either.
Another 3 minutes for Pogi, he's almost there.
Didn't get to see it, watched Feyenoords last game of the season. Manager is leaving for Liverpool, he received a grand farewell.
Pogi didn't win today! Let Georg Steinhauser have it, but still put more time into his GC rivals.
At least G didn't lose more time to Martinez.
Understood G wasn't too happy with Arensman yesterday, even though the team leads told him to go for it.
Anyway, good win for the 22 year old.
Ah, a proper breakaway stage today. Don't like a French team winning, but as Andrea Vendrame is Italian I'll let him off - and he's won Tro Bro Leon in the past.
G had a stupid fall today, but his GC rivals waited for him. Unwritten rules of cycling and all that.
Was a good win, he was clearly the strongest and he fought for it. Like seeing that.
Seems Alaphillippe is finaly letting the air out of tires.
I think Pog's won it :)
Was a bit worried about G's third place at one point, but he knows how to pace himself, so should break his record for oldest podium place winner in the Giro.
Best bit was when Pog had a little kid in an Astana jacket running alongside him, there was a UAE soigneur at the side of the road and Pog took a bidon and gave it the kid. Wonder if it was a set up?
Nah was genuine by the looks of it.
Anyway,a Pog victory, let's see if he takes the Tour as well.
Was an OK Giro albeit not really surprising.
I know he didn't win, but that was some comeback by Jonathan Milan to get second behind Tim Merlier after getting a front wheel puncture. Chapeau.
Four weeks to the tour now :)
And WvA picked up third on the final stage of the Tour of Norway. If I'd broken Collarbone, Sternum and ribs I wouldn't even be riding again after 60 days!
Giro done, roll on the Tour for Pogi part 2 then. Can't see anyone beating him to be honest, he is so far ahead on the rest.
His competitors will be hoping that he put all he had into that outstanding result and that it will come back to bite him during Le Tour
Quote from: dom on May 27, 2024, 03:09:39 PMHis competitors will be hoping that he put all he had into that outstanding result and that it will come back to bite him during Le Tour
He didn't, clearly. He had so much left and now another 4 weeks of preparation ahead.
I really think he is on another level currently and no comes even close.
Quote from: Thenop on May 27, 2024, 03:13:01 PMQuote from: dom on May 27, 2024, 03:09:39 PMHis competitors will be hoping that he put all he had into that outstanding result and that it will come back to bite him during Le Tour
He didn't, clearly. He had so much left and now another 4 weeks of preparation ahead.
I really think he is on another level currently and no comes even close.
Yup. Her barely broke sweat. G thinks he's on an insane other level and at the Tour he's going to have his "A" team with him.
Bertie Contador says Pogi will win the Tour and then should consider giving the Vuelta a go.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 27, 2024, 03:20:43 PMQuote from: Thenop on May 27, 2024, 03:13:01 PMQuote from: dom on May 27, 2024, 03:09:39 PMHis competitors will be hoping that he put all he had into that outstanding result and that it will come back to bite him during Le Tour
He didn't, clearly. He had so much left and now another 4 weeks of preparation ahead.
I really think he is on another level currently and no comes even close.
Yup. Her barely broke sweat. G thinks he's on an insane other level and at the Tour he's going to have his "A" team with him.
Bertie Contador says Pogi will win the Tour and then should consider giving the Vuelta a go.
Vuelta is a bridge too far considering the Olympics, 4th of August . And then there's the worlds as well last week of September.
Mind you he's crazy enough to attempt it.
"insane other level". That's beginning to sound like Armstrong levels of performance! Is anyone asking questions about this super human effort?
Quote from: dom on May 27, 2024, 04:12:26 PM"insane other level". That's beginning to sound like Armstrong levels of performance! Is anyone asking questions about this super human effort?
Perhaps my memory/paraphrasing needs working on. G actually said "It's insane how talented he is"
In amongst here:
Quotehttps://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/its-insane-how-talented-he-is-geraint-thomas-lauds-tadej-pogacar-as-the-best-hes-ever-raced-with
Personally I think Pogi's as on the level as a cyclist can be - except when going uphill.
Le Dauphine has started with a magnificent win for Pedersen. Fantastic work by the team, good win.
Hoping we can see Kruiswijk do some good work this week.
Just got round to watching it. Well done Mark Donovan for picking up the Maillot a Pois :)
Misty Mountain finish. Well done to Mr. Moustache Cort Nielsen but I do feel for Armirail..
Quote from: Thenop on June 03, 2024, 04:04:01 PMbut I do feel for Armirail..
Don't. He's French ;D
Roglic in second. Didn't Roglimate them.
And the French were denied again ;D
Well done Derek Gee after getting four second places in last year's Giro, a win in a big stage race.
Well done too to plucky young Brit Lukas Nerurkar, third today and up to 6th on GC :)
Was an OK win, not much heroism today to be honest. I agree, it was time Gee won something though, the way he was heralded as the next great thing with a 5 year contract.
Bum. Plucky young Brit Josh Tarling was knocked out of the Hot Seat by Little Bastard Belgian Remco.
Josh could have done with being further up the GC than he was, ran out of minute men to overtake well before the end...
And every stage winner so far has taken the Yellow Jersey.
Not seen it but a bit predictable when it comes to the winner.
Just read about the crash, did not see it. My heart bleeds, Kruiswijk was just back from a crash and now he's in hospital again. Van Baarle as well, and it looks like Evenepoel did not go unharmed as well.
No winner today.
Just got round to watching this as I watched the Women's Tour of Britain earlier. Bad day, perhaps the local authorities in France should think twice before re-tarmacing their roads because a bike race is coming through.
ra
Lottie Kopecky won in the Tour of Britain, thought Letizia Paternoster had won,but photo-finish said otherwise. Bit of a lacklustre field, for which Brexit has been blamed. The fact that the race had been cancelled and then resurrected at the last minute won't have anything to do with it.
Lotte's Kopeckylating them in the Women's tour of Britain. Two stage wins out of two. Anna Hnderson ran her close though on her comeback from a second broken collarbone of the year.
Team Lifeplus Wahoo had all their bikes stolen - £70,000 worth - overnight. They ended up riding spare bikes from other teams. There are some toerags about.
Roglic time again, his Russian comrade helped him out in the end.
Evenepoel not at his best, let's see what tomorrow brings...
Yes, just caught up with it, Roglic back to Roglimating.
Think yesterday's crash might have taken it out of a lot of people. Plucky young Brit Lukas Nerurkar had to quit - because of COVID.
Rogla will take it, clearly. Evenepoel not recovered enough yet. Nice 2nd place for Jorgenson, his first year in VLM yellow. Not bad at all.
Complete Roglification. Thought Soler might just stay out there.
Here in Blighty SD-Worx won the third stage of the Tour of Britain, but Lorena Wiebes today. Samoens 1600 can't compete with Warrington...
Ruby Rosaman Gannon prevented an SD-Worx clean sweep in the women's tour of Britain, Christine Majerus celebrated before crossing the line. Kopecky was disgusted after setting it up for her, when will cyclists learn?
Roglic winning the Roglic way: with a few seconds. Jorgenson looked so string in that last stint, unfortunate!
Been a good Dauphiné, now I've caught up with it.
Only 94 finishers.
Been watching the Tour de Suisse this week, been a UAE slugfest, Adam Yates and João Almeida battling it out between themselves. They'll be a huge support for Pogi in the TdF. Yates also won the KoM and points Jerseys.
Almeida failed to overtake a 31 second lead for Yates on today's mountain time trial. Close, but no Cigar. Yates did just about every climb in the big ring, I'd have been on my hands and knees!
Bugger! Katie Archibald out of the Olympics after breaking her leg in a bizarre gardening accident.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/cj556zqy6n1o
She might be Scottish and a woman, but I like Katie, she's mad as a box of Frogs!
Congrats to Chantal van de Broek-Blaak and Dylan Groenewegen for getting to wear the Dutch jersey for a year after winning the national championship.
Very enjoyable watch.
Just caught up with the UK National Championships.
Ethan Hayter won the men's and Pfeiffer Georgi kept the women's.
I've heard Hayter is out of contract at the end of the year, trying for a new one with Ineos?
Watched the Men's Criterium championships too, won by Lewis Askey. The top three were all FDJ riders, how cycling has changed when so many Brits are ridinf for the most French of teams :)
Sepp Kuss has not recovered properly from Covid and will not join the VLM Tour team. Ouch..
Looking forward to the start of Le Tour today. 7 climbs, a very difficult first stage. So we get to see how well Vingegaard recovered, how Pogi is dong after the Giro, if Roglic is capable.
Bring it on!
I know Pogi's just had COVID, but I hope they rip it up today and try and put everyone to the sword :) Pidcock could have a go for it today too.
Oh my Cav.. Come on!
Quote from: Thenop on June 29, 2024, 01:12:25 PMOh my Cav.. Come on!
Not looking good, but at least some of the other sprinters have now dropped back to him.
Apparently the heat's go to him.
Delighted for Bardet! Cav should be safe
Arse! A Froggo in yellow >:(
Old man Bardet managed to hold off the sprinting Peleton, didn't expect that at the start of the day.
Congrats to debuting Dutchman Frank van de Broek that gave this one away to Bardet. He can now collect the white jersey, fantastic effort for a first ever etappe in the TdF.
And WvA in 3rd, with Remco in 8th.
Plucky Brit Pidcock in 11th
The French seem to win easier outside of France...
And a masterclass from Pogi and Vingegaard. So no big 4, just the big 2 again. Exciting to see Vingegaard back like this. Going to be an interesting 3 weeks!
Arse! Another Froggo stage winner - and his Bianchi's not even a proper Celeste one!
Can't believe it from Lizard Lips Vingegaard, they must feed him herring that have been swimming in EPO!
Pogi in Yellow, Remco 2nd and Vingegaard 3rd overall. Looking forward to stage 4 now!
Pity Bardet couldn't hold onto yellow but another "froggo" stage win provides some compensation
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 30, 2024, 04:27:27 PMArse! Another Froggo stage winner - and his Bianchi's not even a proper Celeste one!
Can't believe it from Lizard Lips Vingegaard, they must feed him herring that have been swimming in EPO!
Pogi in Yellow, Remco 2nd and Vingegaard 3rd overall. Looking forward to stage 4 now!
"Lizard Lips" ;D
Think today's going to be a dull day. Still, even flat Italy is looking good.
Let's see if Cav can make it 35 today. Although I think it'll be a deception for him this Tour I do hope he manages.
Well, that was messy! No win for Cav, but a win for Bini Girmay, first Eritrean TdF stage winner, let's hope he's learned how to open a bottle of Champagne...
Was a good sprint, bit messy but that's supposed to be the first one. Good win for Girmay!
And Carapaz in Yellow.
Pogi time again. Very good from Vingegaard to followe him, had to give in in the end but hey, the man was in a million pieces just 3 months ago..
I'm shattered just watching that! UAE showing how strong they are when they use Adam Yates as a sacrificial rider.
Still can't believe Lizard Lips is so close after just six weeks of training. Bernal's still not Bernal after a couple of years, but he was more badly banged up than VIngegaard.
Can't believe how quickly Simon Yates dropped so early either. At least the French have disappeared now they're back on their own muckheap :)
CAV ;D
What a hero!
HELL FUCKING YEAH!!!!!!!!!
Just come down from the ceiling, been screaming at the telly! ;D ;D
Sensational - to see how he suffered on day 1 that is an amazing recovery
The biggest British sporting achievement of the year. Forget what 11 over paid men can kick or what happens at the Olympics. Well done Cav
Quote from: pdw1 on July 03, 2024, 08:59:53 PMThe biggest British sporting achievement of the year. Forget what 11 over paid men can kick or what happens at the Olympics. Well done Cav
That's well done SIR Cav to you :D
When I watched the highlights on ITV4 with Mrs S, I noticed that when Mads Pedersen crashed, the Cofidis rider behind him bunny hopped over him. Can't recall any Cofidis riders riding CX
Fantastic win for Dutch hero Dylan Groenewegen! Great job, well deserved.
Could have donw with the wind I was riding in today for some proper echelon action, still a nervy race though.
A Dylan "Captain Beaky" Groenewegen win then, Cav well back, hed had to come back from a mechanical at one point, so might have been drained by that, he is an old man.
Time trial tomorrow :( Only redeeming feature is the vineyards making wines I'd love to drink, but can't afford.
Stage win for Remco, gets him a bit closer to Pogi, and both pull out a bit from Lizard Lips.
Mhy mate Victor Campanaerts a good fifth :)
Nice TT, not too long but just enough to make a difference.
Good win for Remco. Still amazed Vingegaard is in the shape he is in.
Terrible news: the death of young Andre Drege who died as a result of injuries suffered from a fall during a descent in the Tour of Austria.
25 years of age. It is a sad day.
Difficult sprint and a very good win for Girmay again! Well done holding on to the green jersey.
Yes, I think it's going to be a Green Girmay this year.
Pity Abrahamsen couldn't have held on for the win, being as Norwegian rider André Drege lost his life in the tour of Austria today :(
Interesting stage today with the gravel lanes. Looking forward to this!
Quote from: Thenop on July 07, 2024, 01:16:23 PMInteresting stage today with the gravel lanes. Looking forward to this!
Crazy that some of it is not navigable on a bike though!
Great stage so far :D
Very exciting, Roglic being the first name to drop behind. Perfect TV for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Perfect TV for a sunny afternon :)
Nasty ceash for Vlasov
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2024, 03:53:27 PMPerfect TV for a sunny afternon :)
Nasty ceash for Vlasov
Russians like ditches I think.
Another French victoire toujours..
Unlucky Jasper Stuyven, so close!
MvdP 11th,be hoped for more.
Bliminy! Another Froggo winner :(
Plucky Brit Thomas Pidcock in second, at least he beat turncoat Ben Healy.
Now is Ben Heaky incapable of putting his helmet on straight, or does he have a crooked head?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2024, 04:57:05 PMBliminy! Another Froggo winner :(
Plucky Brit Thomas Pidcock in second, at least he beat turncoat Ben Healy.
Now is Ben Heaky incapable of putting his helmet on straight, or does he have a crooked head?
Can't get over those helmets from EF, they look like dickheads.
Jasper the Disaster gets his win today.
Another rest day apart from the last 3k, tomorrow looks more intersting :)
Thanks to MvdP.. Girmay nr. 2,that green jersey seems to suit him very well
Crikey! Pogi beaten in a two up sprint for the first time! Late crash for Roglic and Remco I think keeps second.
Some stage that.
Still can't believe where Lizard Lips is at after just six weeks of pre-tour training and no racing.
Wow.. Dying swan sprint taken by Vingegaard. Well, it feels just a little like Pogi is starting to feel the Giro and Vingegaard has recovered enough and is growing stronger. Will be an interesting 2nd half ;D
Could all come down to the last day Time Trial...
Bini again! Cav was more up for it today, but got boxed in.
Roglic lost time after a crash. Podium settled then now.
3rd time for Girmay, fantastic.
Crash Roglic, sounds familiar. And Demare will be DQd, no doubt. Philipsen without MvdP isn't strong enough.
Exciting end to a dull stage.
Sooo, Roglic is out. That leaves the door open for Evenpoel to battle for the podium with Almeida and Rodriguez.
Belgium 1-2 with a crash leading in to the final.
No change to the GC, not a bad stage at all.
That was a pretty hectic non-stop day, didn't see it all, but it had the lot - apart from high mountains...
Second win for Jasper the Disaster and another second for WvA, bring on the weekend, could get exciting.
Good old Pogi! I thought he was only going to follow Vingegaard today. Makes tomorrow even more interesting now.
Remco down to third.
Yes it seems Pogi wanted to do it today and then see what tomorrow brings.
Too bad that more and more riders leave due to covid though. Let's hope the rest of the peloton will be spared, but somehow I doubt that.
It's OK for Pogi, he had COVID 10 days before the tour, probably had his immunity boosted.
Bini made the break to get Green Jersey points. Chapeau.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 14, 2024, 11:55:42 AMBini made the break to get Green Jersey points. Chapeau.
And was then relegated to place 3.
Quote from: Thenop on July 14, 2024, 12:40:54 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 14, 2024, 11:55:42 AMBini made the break to get Green Jersey points. Chapeau.
And was then relegated to place 3.
Not too surprised...
Looking touch and go for Cav to make the time cut.
I bet Pogi will win the resting day tomorrow as well. Oh my.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2024, 09:22:33 PMIt's OK for Pogi, he had COVID 10 days before the tour, probably had his immunity boosted.
Why didn't they all just have a vax?
Quote from: David L on July 14, 2024, 05:13:38 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2024, 09:22:33 PMIt's OK for Pogi, he had COVID 10 days before the tour, probably had his immunity boosted.
Why didn't they all just have a vax?
Too young.
Cav made the time cut :) Looked a bit done in though...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 14, 2024, 05:19:17 PMQuote from: David L on July 14, 2024, 05:13:38 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2024, 09:22:33 PMIt's OK for Pogi, he had COVID 10 days before the tour, probably had his immunity boosted.
Why didn't they all just have a vax?
Too young.
;D
For years cycling teams' managers could get their hands on all sorts of injectable shit, are you telling me that covid vaccines are hard to come by?
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz Intermediate Sprint Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz No Crosswinds Zzzzzzzzzzzz Girmay Crash, Philipsen wins.
Well done MvdP, ehm Philipsen I mean. Boring stage indeed. But an exciting week ahead.
Great win for a very nice man. Surprised to hear it was his first tour stage win. Ecuador is elated.
Pogi showing who's the boss and Vingegaard looking a bit fragile. Let's see what this week brings!
Well that was better! Wish it had been rainy at home today.
Good breakaway win for Carapaz to give him his Grand Tour full set of stage wins. Plucky Brit Simon Yates in second and Pogi going on the attack again; got brought back and then Evenepoel clawed some time back andPogi got a couple of seconds into Vingegaard on the line :)
Well done Victor Campanaerts. He deserves a win, straight talking and very Belgian.
Now bring on tomorrow.
Victory for Victor! Nice one, we'll played.
A 6th or 7th spot for Dutch debutant Bart Lemme, a superb performance for him. It's his first year on the ProTour at 28.
Even though I'd watched it live, I watched the highlights on ITV4 last night as Mrs S hadn't seen the race.
The play out music was "Is Vic There" by Department S, in honour of Victor Campenaerts :)
I think that's tour over now.
Whatever Visma/Lease=a=Bike's plan for the day was it failed. No stage win, no springboard for Vingegaard.
How long now before Pogi breaks Cav's stage win record?
Plucky Brit Simon Yates came in third and Carapaz takes POlka Dot.
It's ridiculous how much better he is than the rest.
VLB went for a stage win, did everything right but Pogi was just stronger.
Game over.
Apparently its the first time since 1984 that the yellow jersey wearer has won 3 stages while wearing it.
Laurent Fignon was the last to do it
Quote from: dom on July 19, 2024, 07:38:22 PMApparently its the first time since 1984 that the yellow jersey wearer has won 3 stages while wearing it.
Laurent Fignon was the last to do it
It's not been customary to want to win all stages. He doesn't care, and wants to win them all.
Nice to see Pogi's girlfriend at the finish in her little denim shorts showing off the tanlines on her legs :)
Quote from: Thenop on July 19, 2024, 08:41:35 PMQuote from: dom on July 19, 2024, 07:38:22 PMApparently its the first time since 1984 that the yellow jersey wearer has won 3 stages while wearing it.
Laurent Fignon was the last to do it
It's not been customary to want to win all stages. He doesn't care, and wants to win them all.
Exactly, generally there is a bit of cat and mouse, testing each other, keeping main competitors on a tight leash, keeping something in reserve.
Instead he knows he's stronger than anyone else and is not worrying about the competition, just riding his own race
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2024, 09:07:39 PMNice to see Pogi's girlfriend at the finish in her little denim shorts showing off the tanlines on her legs :)
She's been skipped for the Olympics even though she's the best they have. Pogi was not amused about that.
Quote from: Thenop on July 20, 2024, 05:05:22 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2024, 09:07:39 PMNice to see Pogi's girlfriend at the finish in her little denim shorts showing off the tanlines on her legs :)
She's been skipped for the Olympics even though she's the best they have. Pogi was not amused about that.
Well, she'd got no chance of winning it, someone Dutch or Lotte Kopecky for that.
Whenever I see Urska in a race she's at the back of the peleton wiggling her bum at the camera :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 20, 2024, 11:11:47 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 20, 2024, 05:05:22 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2024, 09:07:39 PMNice to see Pogi's girlfriend at the finish in her little denim shorts showing off the tanlines on her legs :)
She's been skipped for the Olympics even though she's the best they have. Pogi was not amused about that.
Well, she'd got no chance of winning it, someone Dutch or Lotte Kopecky for that.
Whenever I see Urska in a race she's at the back of the peleton wiggling her bum at the camera :)
Still it's silly not sending your national champion.
And again.
Too bad Kelderman couldn't hold on. He rode a strong race today
Five stage wins for Pogi. I don't think he wanted to look too good today.
Carapaz gets Polka Dot, first Ecuadorian ro do so.
Be funny seeing a non Champs Elysées finish tomorrow.
That's Cav's tour done with. Lanterne Rouge too now - probably.
Just hope Remco or Pogi aren't so quick they put him OTL
Crikey! A sixth stage win for Pogi. He's a beast. He was really going for that, I'd have cruised round, that's why I'm not a winner.
Chapeau
And now... who gets to be in the end GC and who hasn't made the cut...30% today,n not have the data present, hope they all made it.
Been watching the Tour de Wallonie this week.
Won by Matteo Trentin - is it really nearly a year since I saw him climb off his bike at the World Championships? - who finished on the same time as Corbin Strong, but won on countback. If Corbin Strong hadn't been relegated in yesterday's sprint he'd have won it.
Last stage won by plucky young Brit Sam Watson, pity he comes from Dirty Leeds...
Thank Heavens for rain in the rank third world hell-hole that is France, it got plucky Brit Anna Henderson a Silver instead of a more likely bronze :)
Gold for Remco, Silver Ganna, Bronze WvA.
Plucky Brit Josh Tarling 4th. If only he'd not punctured could, could have been Gold. Dirty, cheating French roads...
Just home in time to see Evenepoel win. Rain.. not nice for a TT
Quote from: Thenop on July 27, 2024, 05:26:06 PMJust home in time to see Evenepoel win. Rain.. not nice for a TT
Not nice, but so long as it's the same for everyone it evens out.
US Woman cyclist Taylor Knibb came off about three times, blood streaming from her left leg, she goes in the Triathlon on Wednesday, wouldn't want open wounds swimming in the Seine.
Gutted for Puck Pieterse in the Women's Mountain Biking. Rear wheel puncture ruining her chances.
She'll bounce back though, she's happy and fun-filled so I don't have to be.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 28, 2024, 02:52:44 PMGutted for Puck Pieterse in the Women's Mountain Biking. Rear wheel puncture ruining her chances.
She'll bounce back though, she's happy and fun-filled so I don't have to be.
You'll be delighted to hear she'll be doing the Tour de France Femmes this year.
Quote from: Thenop on July 29, 2024, 05:59:35 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 28, 2024, 02:52:44 PMGutted for Puck Pieterse in the Women's Mountain Biking. Rear wheel puncture ruining her chances.
She'll bounce back though, she's happy and fun-filled so I don't have to be.
You'll be delighted to hear she'll be doing the Tour de France Femmes this year.
Be interesting to see how she goes against Cyclocross compatriot Fem van Empel. Shirin van Anrooij and Blanka Vas from the CX world are down to start too.
Well done to Magnus Cort - sans blue 'tache - for winning the Arctic Race of Norway. Spectacular scenery there and it didn't rain.
Sepp Kuss is leading the Vuelta a Burgos, but Discovery+ aren't showing it. Bad crash the other day which toom out plucky Brits Tao Geogehan Hart; James Shaw and Ben Tulett.
Tour de Femmes just started in my hometown. They actually pass by the building where I work, but I am not in today. Ironically, it was difficult to get there due to.... Road closures for the Tour de Femmes ;D
Well done Charlotte Kool! First yellow jersey and tomorrow starting in the Netherlands again.
Quote from: Thenop on August 12, 2024, 02:41:54 PMWell done Charlotte Kool! First yellow jersey and tomorrow starting in the Netherlands again.
All thanks to plucky Brit Pfeiffer Georgi ;D ;)
Both tomorrow's stages in the Netherlands, Wednesday starts in the Netherlands and finishes in Belgium and stage 5 starts in Belgium, so only 3 of 8 stages in France.
Stage 2 for Kool and the short TT (stage 3) runs through the heart of Rotterdam, fantastic!
And Vollering wins the TT and takes Yellow, was hoping Kool could hold on as she has two plucky Brits on her side, plus SD-WORX win everything, nice to get other winners.
Vollering takes the stage and the yellow jersey.
Was a great watch that, seeing them speed through our city.
Well done Puck Pieterse!!! :D
What a stage to win, I thought Vollering had been a complete bitch and pipped her at the post, but no.
Deserves it so much after the French punctured her out of the Mountain biking at the Olympics. Means Puck now has the Young rider's White Jersey and the Polka Dot jersey. I like Puck, she likes racing and having fun like Pogi.
Didn't see anything today, will need to watch later. But good to hear she won, I like her as well.
Another day, another Cyclocross winner, Blanka Vas, after it looked like Fem van Empel might have been trying to match her CX rival Puck.
Not that Blanka would have won without the crash that happened, looked like Pfeiffer Georgi lost it on a not very tight corner which then took out Demi Vollering and more. Vollering has now lost Yellow to Kasia Niewiadoma.
Been waiting to see if Pfeiffer Georgi finishes, but I doubt it, she wasn't looking in a good way.
*Update* Plucky Brit Pfeiffer Georgi is out :(
Damn they finish too early, I am not seeing any of this.
Wfh tomorrow so the 2nd screen should help me then.
Arse, a French Victory :(
I was hoping Puck might do something like that, but now she's down in fourth and out of Polka-dot.
Missed it again, did see Vos has the green jersey now.. Maybe I'll see a glimpse tomorrow..
Belgian victory for Justine Ghekiere the QOM jersey wearer today, Vollering made up 4 bonus seconds on Kasia.
Puck dropped away towards the end, but is back up to second on GC.
Alpe d'Huez tomorrow and Puck has the best time up it out of all this year's TDF Femmes riders :) Go Puck!
And Brandon McNulty wins the opening TT in the Vuelta - In Lisbon.
Josh Tarling was favourite but could only finish sixth, he said he fekt like a Brick. WvA managed a creditable third.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 17, 2024, 08:44:58 PMAnd Brandon McNulty wins the opening TT in the Vuelta - In Lisbon.
Josh Tarling was favourite but could only finish sixth, he said he fekt like a Brick. WvA managed a creditable third.
WvA on pole position for the red tomorrow.
Kasia wins it by four seconds! I've gone off her though, now I know her partner is Taylor "Rat Tash" Phinney.
Was rather hoping that Pauliena Rooijakkers would pull off a shock victory after Puck dropped out of contentio on the Col du Glandon.
Noticed that in next week's Tour de l'Avenir Femmes sans Zwift that Bodine Vollering is taking part.
I feel for Demi, she has had a tough time. She'll leave SD Worx at the end of the season and she's had a lot of backlash from her own team even. 4 seconds is nothing and with that fall it feels like the luck of the draw.
Good to see Bodine starting to really complete as well :)
Quote from: Thenop on August 17, 2024, 09:14:21 PMWvA on pole position for the red tomorrow.
Told ya.
Quote from: Thenop on August 18, 2024, 06:06:09 PMQuote from: Thenop on August 17, 2024, 09:14:21 PMWvA on pole position for the red tomorrow.
Told ya.
We are not worthy ;)
Just caught up with the Vuelta, Kaden Groves back at the Vuelta and back winning stages.
Looks like WvA is coming into form. Getting better at the finish every day, can't get any further up though.
Yep, he is back at it. Tomorrow is for the GC riders though, but he wore the Red with pride and won a great sprint today!
I was hoping Victor Campenaerts would win with his late attack. He'll be a teammate of WvA next year.
I hope that at some point Thomas de Gendt goes out there and does some Thomas de Gendt things, it's his last GT, we want some pointless bravado attacking!
Roglimation day!
That was a nasty climb at the end, I'd have turned round at the 5k to go mark.
Van Eetvelt raised his arm to celebrate,then slammed it down as Roglic came by him.
Rogla time again he'll go in and win this unless he crashes and looses more teeth.
Surprise win for Bitter, Groves just screwed up and WvA pushed his bike too soon. Weird.
Too bad Rui Costa crashed 8km before the finish and is now out.
A close one, WvA did his bike throw twice. Perhaps was unsure where the finish line was.
And Rui Costa was taken out by his team mate Owain Doull. There'll be some breakaway riders pleased now that Rui Costa won't be a non working partner in the break.
Intense stage with a great winner. Quite surprising Roglic allowed that much time to O'Connor... So the Ozman has some defending to do.
Missed it today
Gone away for weekend and train delays meant I didn't get to Hotel on time to watch.
Was a nice one to watch, lots of action not so much tactics.
But it remains cycling with a sprint at the end so WvA takes it thanks to Kuss.
WvA again then. Missed again due to spending most of the day in Cathedrals and Churches.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 23, 2024, 05:47:48 PMWvA again then. Missed again due to spending most of the day in Cathedrals and Churches.
Careful you don't catch on fire
Roglic again, O'Connor had a tough last climb, lost 45 secs in a couple of minutes. Only Mas could follow.
Quote from: Thenop on August 23, 2024, 05:55:07 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 23, 2024, 05:47:48 PMWvA again then. Missed again due to spending most of the day in Cathedrals and Churches.
Careful you don't catch on fire
Most had been turned into antique shops...
Thanks to various train related problems - >:( - got home just too late to see today's Roglification.
Almeida out due to Covid, he had a very rough day yesterday so whether it's Covid, the flu or just tired of the season: he's out.
Mas howeve, did make a strong impression yesterday.
Well done to Joseph Blackmore for winning the Tour de l'Avenir yesterday, just hung on to win by 12 seconds!
UAE played a blinder today with plucky Brit Adam Yates. Pity he couldn't keep the 6 minutes advantage over the GC group he had at the top of the last climb, but 58km solo takes it out of you.
Carapaz went for it too. Could be big fun in the week to come.
Will be big fun indeed. Still impressed with Mas, also the way he managed to not fall after that scare in the descent.. Brrr..
Roglic not very good today.. I'd say we have 5 or so contenders now, much more interesting than the Tour this!
Back racing again and it's been van Aerticised again. Not only is WvA in Green but level in the Polka dot standings. He's a big, green all terrain machine.
He is in top form, that poor Pachet.. Had to bow his head quickly. But fair play to him for playing ball and helping WvA extend the gap.
GC riders booooring all looking at each other. Tomorrow same amount of height meters but steeper ascends, nice!
Another Belter of a stage today! Eddie Dunbar poached it at the end with his attack, plucky Brit Max Poole came in third.
Nice to see Victor doing Victor things and Xandro Meurisse on his own in the break for so long - he has plenty of decent Strava segments on my local roads, probably fron when he rode for An Post.Chain Reaction.
And Roglic got a bit of Roglification in putting time into Ben O'Connor.
Real good win for Dunbar here, surprising the rest who were lurking when to go. Too bad losers!
Roglic winning back some time he should have never lost to begin with.
Still liking Mas, he is looking strong!
Well done Pablo Castillo, took his chance and got the Victory. Out of contract at the end of the season - bu supposedly off to Ineos, hope he's not signed, should be able to get more cash out of them now!
Plucky Brit Max Poole went a place better than yesterday, can he get a win at some point?
No GC action. There's plenty of chance for that yet.
What a win for Castrillo, at the day when they announced the teams founder has passed away and wore black ribbons to commemorate this. Always special for a Spaniard to win a Vuelta stage. Impressive.
Disappointing performance from the GC riders.
All in all a decent stage.
Well done Michael Woods, not too bad for a 37 year old. Mauro Schmid second and Marc Soler third. But how would it have panned out if Brandon McNulty hadn't disappeared ubder crash barriers and down a mountain.
WvA now in Polka Dot too.
Now to wait for the Roglification damage,
O'Connot still in Red. For how long now though? Enric Mas dropped by Roglic, did he suffer for Movistar doing a long pull at the front?
Bring on tomorrow.
Nice for Woods, not so nice for Vine and McNulty who took a tumble.
WvA looking very strong again, I'd like to see a green polka dot now;D
Roglic will win this thing for the fourth time, I don't see who else would really.
All in all a very enjoyable Vuelta this year!
Quote from: Thenop on August 30, 2024, 04:45:42 PMAll in all a very enjoyable Vuelta this year!
Apart from all the suffering for the riders through endless climbing! Sean "King" Kelly thinks it's too much. Robbie McEwen thinks it's too much - but great to watch!
Sprinting in a mountainstage. Groves before WvA. Seems he is human after all.
Bit of a damp squib before tomorrow's fireworks.
But a proper sprint finish on a Mounatain stage, Kaden Groves edging out WvA.
Roglic puncturing on the last descent and coming in on a bike slightly too small for him, but no time lost.
Quote from: Thenop on August 31, 2024, 04:05:55 PMSprinting in a mountainstage. Groves before WvA. Seems he is human after all.
It's all that going for KoM points!
What has 2 wheels and goes like lightning.. It's Puck!
She is world champion mountain biking, well done!
This Vuelta is bonkers. Break had gone on the first climb of the day, UAE had a rider in it, then Marc Soler attacks, Adam Yates ends up following and the main GC contenders end up near the front again.
well done Puck, must catch up with that later. Evie Richards won the short course, which was nice.
What a stage :o phenomenonal Castrillo wins his 2nd beating 2 big riders.
Roglic thought he'd fix it in the last 3km,nit the case. Still O'Connor in red!
And Roglic has been penalised 20 seconds for drafting behind his team car. Thought he'd get fined or even a yellow card, but this makes things more interesting :)
Not looking good for WvA bad crash on a descent clippig the guy in front who'd fallen. Maybe he should have concentrated on Green rather than Polka Dot as well. Hindsight is 20-20 and he might have wanted some climbing practice before the World Championshios.
The World's might be in jeopardy, didn't look good. Wasn't a real contender anyway, neither is MvdP.
Marc Soler you bastard. Denying plucky Brit Max Poole a potential stage win, looks down and out, then rockets off.
And O'Connor stays in Red. Six seconds slower and I think all four jerseys wouild have changed today.
Finally Solar gets his win, deserved. He has been the one attacking nearly each stage. Well done.
Have to say I find Roglic becoming less convincing each day. He will win in the end but it's not going to be pretty.
That was an intense last 70 km in the rain. Groves will win the sprints now that WvA is gone.
Campenaerts tried his hardest but couldn't take it. Better luck next time Victor!
No WvA = Kaden Groves victory.
Was rooting for my man Victor, but not to be.
On the KOMs today it looked very much like the countryside in my part of the world - especially with the weather - and as I thought it the commentator said the same.
Of course there's more than just the Vuelta going on, there's the Tour of Britain going on too :)
Had a 20 mile ride out to see it today - all ten seconds of riders passing by - and managed to extract a shot of Remco riding by. In the gloomy drizzle above Sheffield.
(https://scontent.fbhx4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/458480582_10160489946305544_4595497384280101194_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s600x600&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=7zOeE3yq2uwQ7kNvgGvYkjC&_nc_ht=scontent.fbhx4-1.fna&oh=00_AYBgKyr3ozO2mZ1YmU9HFjH7gTMBXZ3QX_ZfU4V9p0dy-w&oe=66DF8A68)
Urko's Conquest!
This Vuelta is the gift that keeps giving, always the most unpredictable Grand Tour, but off the scale this year. Third stage win for Kern Pharma.
Roglic briefly in virtual Red and Mikel Landa shipping shedloads of time due to Carapaz's attack on the Cat 1 climb. T-Rex Quickstep then send Cattaneo back to help Landa with just 13km to go. Bonkers.
Missed the final :-* but great, another win for Urko. They prove to be an interesting outfit.
TT will put Roglic in Red but Bora cutting it short.. What if a mechanical defect occurs? Guess we'll find out.
Not catching any of the race but following the rankings. Nice to see 2 French cyclists in the top 10 and both moving up a place at Landa's expense
Quote from: dom on September 05, 2024, 05:09:49 PMNice to see 2 French cyclists in the top 10 and both moving up a place at Landa's expense
Typical narrow-minded, insular, chauvinistic French attitude there Dom.
Us Brits appreciate the riders for their derring-do, their attacking, their plucky underdog status. We shed a tear when WvA has to abandon, we shed a tear of joy when riders from Equipo Kern Pharma pull of victories with panache :)
And who are these French riders? Well, serial wheel-sucker David Gaudu and Italian born Russian Pavel Sivakov, clinging to his little three coloured flag of convenience.
And Mikel Landa is a fine rider who has come out of his shell a bit and is riding with renewed vigour since his move to T-Rex Quickstep.
Landa always seems to slip away. Never truly reached his potential. Today just backed that up.
I think you sre being unsurprisingly harsh on Gaudu's ability.
Sivakov was born in Italy to Russian parents but his cycling education was French. That is where he was brought up.
Nothing wrong with supporting plucky French cyclists.
Not sure how representative of Brits your perspective is, probably as valid as mine 😂
Quote from: dom on September 05, 2024, 10:22:27 PMI think you sre being unsurprisingly harsh on Gaudu's ability.
No :)
QuoteSivakov was born in Italy to Russian parents but his cycling education was French. That is where he was brought up.
Simon Carr was brought up in France, but he's man enough to ride for the land of his birth, being as he was born in Hereford. Mind, he's thick as mince, in his mind being born in Hereford qualifies him for Wales
If the Russians weren't such cheats and rotters Sivakov would be competing under their flag, it was only after the Russian invasion of Ukraine that he found a flag of convenience to cling to.
Anyhoo, I've not talked enough about the tour of Britain, it's been good racing so far, LouLou and Remco have been trying to rip it up, but Stevie Williams - genuine Taff - is in the lead after winning stages two and three.
However, even though it starts from my home county today it's duller from here on in, the hills disappear. I expect Soudal Quick-Step will be all in for Paul Magnier.
On a chauvinistic note, it's good to see that three of the Equipe continentale Groupama-FDJ team are plucky Brits ;D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 06, 2024, 10:34:44 AMQuote from: dom on September 05, 2024, 10:22:27 PMI think you sre being unsurprisingly harsh on Gaudu's ability.
No :)
QuoteSivakov was born in Italy to Russian parents but his cycling education was French. That is where he was brought up.
Simon Carr was brought up in France, but he's man enough to ride for the land of his birth, being as he was born in Hereford. Mind, he's thick as mince, in his mind being born in Hereford qualifies him for Wales
If the Russians weren't such cheats and rotters Sivakov would be competing under their flag, it was only after the Russian invasion of Ukraine that he found a flag of convenience to cling to.
Anyhoo, I've not talked enough about the tour of Britain, it's been good racing so far, LouLou and Remco have been trying to rip it up, but Stevie Williams - genuine Taff - is in the lead after winning stages two and three.
However, even though it starts from my home county today it's duller from here on in, the hills disappear. I expect Soudal Quick-Step will be all in for Paul Magnier.
On a chauvinistic note, it's good to see that three of the Equipe continentale Groupama-FDJ team are plucky Brits ;D
Entente Cordiale eh? Perhaps we could learn a thing or 2 from their example.
Sivakov is essentially the French version of Raducanu. Either could have chosen a number of countries to represent, one chose France the other the UK.
Quote from: dom on September 06, 2024, 02:03:31 PMSivakov is essentially the French version of Raducanu. Either could have chosen a number of countries to represent, one chose France the other the UK.
Raducanu? She's a bloody Canuck!!!
I hate Tennis, I'd strip anyone who competes for Britain of their citizenship!
Roglification puts Roglic in Rojo. O'Connor fought hard, but he's not on the same level.
Gaudu wheelsucked his way to second.
Skjelmose took white from Rodriquez.
Big day tomorrow though. Over 5,000m of climbing, seven categorised climbs.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 06, 2024, 02:56:46 PMQuote from: dom on September 06, 2024, 02:03:31 PMSivakov is essentially the French version of Raducanu. Either could have chosen a number of countries to represent, one chose France the other the UK.
Raducanu? She's a bloody Canuck!!!
I hate Tennis, I'd strip anyone who competes for Britain of their citizenship!
I knew that was coming 😂
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 06, 2024, 04:44:31 PMRoglification puts Roglic in Rojo. O'Connor fought hard, but he's not on the same level.
Gaudu wheelsucked his way to second.
Skjelmose took white from Rodriquez.
Big day tomorrow though. Over 5,000m of climbing, seven categorised climbs.
HA!
The Roglinator struck in full force, the way Martinez ripped even his own teammate apart..
But he's there, he won't let go now. O'Connor is done, I hope he survives tomorrow.
Still interesting who will become 2 and 3,there are a couple of contenders still..
Eddie Dunbar.. Again! It's the Vuelta of the 2 and 3 wins
O'Connor on the podium, well done.
And. Roglic does what Roglic does. Well played.
Second stage win for Eddie Dunbar, more or less as you were for the rest, but Carlos Rodriquez slipped back.
Rumours of Salmonella in Red Bull Bora, Primoz did what he needed to though and Ben o'Connor showed better today.
Chapeau to Jay Vine for getting King of the Mountains, real ding-dong battle between him and Marc "Plans, what plans?" Soler.
And the tour of Britain was won by Stevie Williams, a Welshman.
Been a good race, a lot happened in today's supposedly straightforward sprinter's stage. Including Tom Pidcock pulling out after a crash.
So Kung picks up the last TT stage and no change to the final 3 which is a major achievement for O'Connor. Well done!
Same place next year then?
Of course let's not forget we have said goodbye to a Dutch icon of cycling: Robert Gesink
So, no changes as you'd expect, apart from Gaudu dropping a place - no wheel to suck ;D
The glory days of French cycling are long gone.
When I first started watching cycling on the tv there was Hinault and then Fignon. Not one winner since then, so I'll celebrate the little victories when they come.
Gaudu is a solid professional, good at climbing and not a wheel hugger.
Surely the true wheel huggers are the sprinters? 99.9% of each stage that they have a chance of winning is spent being supported by their team mates so they can show off that burst of energy to get them first over the line?
Quote from: dom on September 09, 2024, 04:30:31 PMSurely the true wheel huggers are the sprinters? 99.9% of each stage that they have a chance of winning is spent being supported by their team mates so they can show off that burst of energy to get them first over the line?
But that's their job :) Sometimes they have to freelance it though.
The French wouldn't like Gaudu to win anyway. No panache. That's why they love Alaphillipe, the Brits like a plucky loser, the Frogs like a flamboyant loser :)
Tim Merlier wins the European Championships Road Race. Entertaining race, much better than yesterday's women's race.
Plenty of attacking from MvdP
Yes, MvdP was up for it, our Olav Kooij just nicked second place, well done!
Pogi pulverised the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. Looking ominous for Zuerich.
MvdP got his first win since April yesterday on Stage 1 of the Tour de Luxembourg. Kept the lead today by coming second. The leader's jersey makes it look like he's riding for Lidl-Trek.
So Remco takes another title on his golden bike. Well deserved.
Remco retains his World TT championship. Plucky Brit Josh Tarling came 4th, don't know how he lost tiem in the last 10km though, unless he had a not as bad a moment as Jay Vine.
Grace Brown also did a Remco winning World and Olympic champion, yet won't race in a Rainbow jersey as she's retiring.
Medals for GB at last!
Cat Ferguson got Gold and Imogen Wolff got Bronze in the women's Junior Time Trial.
I know that at U23 level next year they are looking to stop World Tour and Pro Team riders competing, but both Cat and Imogen are on Women's World Tour teams aged 18, Cat for Movistar and Imogen for Visma Leaseabike.
Much against my expectations, today's Team Time Trial relay was a good watch! Australia pipped Germany by 0.85 seconds with Italy another seven seconds back.
Cst Ferguson wins Gold in the Junior Women'a World Championship. Hasn't finished outside the top 3 in any junior race this season. Is she the female Evenepoel?
Plucky Brit Imogen Wolff came sixth after having ridden into a ditch a one point.
After half a gold yesterday - the Italian who won has a DeeDah father - and a Bronze GB in the men's Junior race there were no medals for GB in the men's U23 race, but plucky Joseph Blackmore got a respectable fifth in what was another entertaining race.
All this is as nothing though because a young Swiss lass died after falling and hitting her head in the Women's junior race yesterday. :'(
A very sad day indeed, only 18 years old :'(
Very sad
Another good race and Lotte Kopecky retains her World title. Thought she was gone with 15km to go, but she musr have been riding within herself.
Bring on tomorrow.
Very bad play from the Dutch who should have won with 5 riders at the front 25km before the final. Vollering could have won this if she had taken off at the steep climb. Bad tactical decision.
Kopecky did what she had to do, basically hang on and then sprint in the final.
At least Puck won the U23 race :)
The U23 women get a separate race next year, to bring them in line with the men.
Fantastic! What a race.
Pogi won, of course I'd almost say.
O'Connor 2nd and a very strong MvdP on the podium.
Really enjoyed this one.
Another great race again today. Never thought Pogi would go from 100km out, I then thought he wouldn't make it. But wow, he did.
Never exoected Ben O'Connor would come second and shame on MvdP for denying Toms Skujins a deserved Bronze.
And days after becoming a double Junior World Champion, Cat Ferguson wins the Binche-Chimay-Binche Femmes. Not bad for a lass who's technically still a club rider.
Alexander Kristoff won the opening stage of the Cro race and plucky Brit Max Poole has taken the lead in the Tour de Langkawi.
Yup, it's been raining all day, nothing better to do than watch cycling. I'll catch up on Binche-Chimay-Binche Mémorial Frank Vandenbroucke later.
The Pog, the Poh, he's at it again!
First race in rainbow, first win ib rainbow, first Giro dell'Emilia.
Plucky Brit Tom Pidcock in second - will he really go to Q36.5?
Marianne Vos, she remains absolute class. Beating Kopecky in a sprint, another title in the bag.
They won't be happy in Belgium (are they ever?) qith MvdP wining the men's Gravel World Championships.
Plucky Brit Connor Swift came in 6th. No bronze this year.
At least Max Poole won the GC at the Tour de Langkawi.
A nice fresh title for Mvdp, a rainbow jersey he didn't have yet.
And Laporte took Paris - Tours beating Vacek in the sprint.
Season's almost done for, we need Lombardia still happen though.
Quote from: Thenop on October 06, 2024, 04:18:45 PMAnd Laporte took Paris - Tours beating Vacek in the sprint.
D :( ang, I've been spoiled
QuoteSeason's almost done for, we need Lombardia still happen though.
There's still the Gree-Tour of Guangxi too :)
And it's time for Cyclocross :D
So, Lewis Askey came 12th in Paris-Tours the best placed plucky Brit.
Also the end of the road for Edvald Boassen Hagen and Michael Mørkøv. Happy retirement guys :)
He really has an inhuman season, Pogi. Closing it out in style winning Lombardy.
Missed it cos I was in London for David Gilmour.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 12, 2024, 11:39:51 PMMissed it cos I was in London for David Gilmour.
Yes but can ol' Dave cycle? Can he climb, do a TT?
Quote from: Thenop on October 13, 2024, 05:56:40 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 12, 2024, 11:39:51 PMMissed it cos I was in London for David Gilmour.
Yes but can ol' Dave cycle? Can he climb, do a TT?
He played Comfortably Numb on a Unicycle...
He came up with the song after the unicycle ride I thought. It was without a saddle - originally the song was to be called Uncomforably numb
MvdP's back in CX. Wish he'd feck back off again!
Well done to Zoe Backstedt for coming second in the women's race. Her best ever World Cup position.
The boy likes cycling, and he likes winning ;D
That's 3 in a row..
Very impressive. Don't think WvA will do for him tomorrow either.
Decent ride from Cam Mason to come in 8th.
Stroll in the park for Fem too and a nice crash by Imogen Woolf.
Just seen MvdP destroy everyone again, for the 4th time in a row, and that included WvA. He left at 4.30, had a minor bicycle issue, fell once and finished well ahead of the rest. I don't see how anyone else than him can win the world title.
Just caught up with yesterday's racing. At least the chasers were a bit closer to MvdP than they have been.
Nice to see Imogen Wolff come third in the women's race. Might have been short on the big names, but you still have to finish.
Well, surprise, surprise, MvdP wins again. Only a 20 second winning margin though. Michael Vantourenhout recovered well to come in 7th, but best of all plucky Brit Thomas Mein came in 6th.
Fem Feminated the women's race and Marianne Vos came in 5th in her first race in two years.
Good to see Puck Pieterse back to winning ways at Koksijde today.
Here's her course recon from yesterday
MvdP strikes again. Even with a broken rib .
Yeah, but it would have been closer if WvA hadn't crashed so much...
Zoe Backstedt was so close to getting her maiden elite World Cup win today. I blamed her last lap bike change, but it was really her slipping out on the off camber section that cost her. Proper sport. Zoe's teeth were still covered in mud in her post race interview :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 25, 2025, 11:21:22 PMYeah, but it would have been closer if WvA hadn't crashed so much...
Part of the sport is staying on the bike I suppose..
Quote from: Thenop on January 26, 2025, 06:03:08 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 25, 2025, 11:21:22 PMYeah, but it would have been closer if WvA hadn't crashed so much...
Part of the sport is staying on the bike I suppose..
It's more fun to watch when they come off though :)
I'd love to have a go at CX but I doubt I could ride more than 100m before coming off and I hate running - and getting muddy...
So strong, I cannot see anyone else but MvdP become 8 time world champion next week
Quote from: Thenop on January 26, 2025, 04:23:01 PMSo strong, I cannot see anyone else but MvdP become 8 time world champion next week
I've read Michael Vanthourenhout saying he wants to see a Belgian 1-2-3 next week. He's deluded.
MvdP's a beast, but man of the day is Felipe Orts for jumping the planks.
And Road Cycling's back. Jhonatan Narvaez has won the Tour Guzunda.
Tom Pidcock's only on his second day of racing for Q36.5 and he's already got a road victory under his belt. Only managed 5 when he was at INEOS.
Hattrick of CX World Championhsips for Fem.
I was rooting for old woman Lucinda, but alas it was not to be.
Gold for Netherlands in the Men's U23 with Tibor de Grosso.
The plucky brits got Gold in the mixed team relay yesterday, think they were the only entrants...
Easy, Easy, MvdPeasy. Good job WvA turned up so there was someone within a minute of Mathieu.
Well done to Zoe Backstedt for retaining her U23 World Title.
Oh my, at the Volta ao Algarve nearly the entire platoon takes a wrong turn, the handful of riders left finish, Ganna first.
Feels like the signaling was off.
Quote from: Thenop on February 19, 2025, 05:01:03 PMOh my, at the Volta ao Algarve nearly the entire platoon takes a wrong turn, the handful of riders left finish, Ganna first.
Feels like the signaling was off.
Yes, it's been declared a non-race. That's my afternoon wasted.
At least Pog's back winning again.
A slight benefit of not yet being back on the bike post crash - right elbow still a bit sore and after badly breaking it 42 years ago I want to be careful - is the amount of cycling I could watch this week.
Pogi was tearing it up in the UAE today, getting in the break and picking up bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint - as if he needs them - VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè and VF Group - Bardiani CSF - Faizanè will love him for that. Nasty crash for Simone Consonni - bashed up right elbow - then a couple of nasty looking ones before the end. INEOS suffering because four of their riders crashed outside the 3km limit.
In the Ruta del Sol, Pidcock's doing well at second in GC. Nice jump off a speed bump after he won yesterday. Couple of nasty looking crashes in the race though.
Volta ao Algarve has picked up after Wednesday's farce. Jan Christen leads the GC which means UAE lead all three current tours. Again though marred by crashes. Romain Bardet is out with what looks like a broken collarbone. Then a crash into a concrete wall in the finishing straight.
Surprising win for Waerenskjold! Fantastic for Uno X.
Valliant effort by Tarling trying to get to the break away but he needs to learn to read a race. He went in the wrong moment and was doomed to fail.
Missed it today :( walking round shops in Birmingham.
Tarling's still a young lad he'll learn and Ineos are attacking more this year
Not Pro cycling, but just logged into my Strava account and noticed that a 16 year old kid who lives up the road from me came 74th in the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne junior race at the weekend. It was in the main bunch, so not too bad for him.
MvdP yesterday: "I want to race, I feel like racing, there's a race tomorrow? Can I still enter?"
Today: wins Le Samyn in a sprint.
He opened his balance.. let's see how many more will follow this year.
Pogi is human! Caught the last 20km only, his injuries look like mine from a few weeks back. I expect he won't have four weeks off though.
Two brits in the top 4!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 08, 2025, 04:15:46 PMPogi is human! Caught the last 20km only, his injuries look like mine from a few weeks back. I expect he won't have four weeks off though.
Two brits in the top 4!
He made a stupid mistake, the Strade is different than other races. Different tyre pressure, he went into the curve to fast, Pidcock knew and didn't fall. But the inhuman thing is: he caught up 40 secs. easily, and then just left Pidcock behind.
Start of Paris - Nice, a sprinters prey. Well done Tim Merlier, won the same stage 2 years ago..
Two from Two for Merlier.
Finally catching up on some cycling!
Almeida just passing Vingegaard before the finish line. Was a good race even though it was neutralized for 45 mins due to severe weather conditions.
And MvdP was closed in in the Tirenno. Well done Vendrame.
And well done to Pippo Ganna for retaining the lead in Tirreno Adriatico.
Olav Kooij snuck his way to victory in Tirreno Adriatico today. Nobody on commentary noticed he was there until the last minute. MvdP coming in third.
Never a dull moment today.
Sneaky Martinez, cleverly done, with Champoussin taking place 2.
Vingegaard 30 secs out,after a nasty crash, he looked terrible. Looks like he fell flat on his face.
Good to see INEOS doing more attacking this year too. Maybe it'll work for Tobias Foss one day.
Vingegaard dropped out of Paris - Nice after his fall yesterday
Not surprised about Vingegaard quitting. Sounded to me as if he could be concussed as well as a bad wrist.
Breakaway win for Dversnes of UnoX in Tirreno Adriatico today. Looks like a mechanical will cost Ganna the lead. Last 3k but not a crash or puncture.
They did give Ganna the same time, he stays in Blue.
Paris-Nice "The Race to the Sun" LOL!
Good day for Visma LaB and INEOS
Juan Ayuso wins Tirreno-Adriatico - nice trophy dude - and Ganna picked up bonus seconds to get to second on the podium.
Matteo Jorgenson wins Paris-Nice again. Magnus Sheffield picking up the stage win for INEOS.
Le Tour starting in Grand Bretagne in 2027. Really, that was the announcement they made.
Well, that has some of you sorted for a long weekend then!
Quote from: Thenop on March 19, 2025, 08:21:21 PMLe Tour starting in Grand Bretagne in 2027. Really, that was the announcement they made.
Well, that has some of you sorted for a long weekend then!
Bloody Edinburgh's expensive enough at the best of times >:(
First one day win for Isaac del Toro in Milano-Torino today, plucky Brit Ben Tulett in second.
Nils Eekhoff won Nokere Koerse, aided by Jasper the Disaster crashing out, if INEOS can nobble MvdP it'll really improve Ganna's chances with Pogi getting banged up at Strada Bianche.
And today 19 year old Matthew Brennan won the Grand Prix de Denain - Porte du Hainaut. The boy done well in soccer parlance. Get him in Paris Roubaix!
Well done MvdP was hoping Pippo could pip him, but that was an entertaining last 30km
Pogi can be beaten but it seems only by the Grand matadors.
Exceptional race by MvdP.
Quote from: Thenop on March 22, 2025, 05:14:36 PMPogi can be beaten but it seems only by the Grand matadors.
Exceptional race by MvdP.
Has to be the right Monument.
Both MvdP and Pogi have won Ronde van Vlaanderen
MvdP has wins in Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix
Pogi has wins in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia.
Lambardy will never be for MvdP unless he looses a lot of weight. LBL might be possible, on the right day.
And Pogi needs the right day for Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.
I wonder if he was still affected by the aftermath of his Strada Bianche crash.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 22, 2025, 09:26:16 PMAnd Pogi needs the right day for Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix.
I wonder if he was still affected by the aftermath of his Strada Bianche crash.
He probably was, just like Vingegaard will be affected for a while as well. Although he is always a late starter.
The Rine in Spine falls Minely in Catalunya.
Well done young Matt Brennan, 19 and wins the opening stage pipping Kaden Groves and Tibor del Grosso.
To think he still rides for the Visma Lease-a-Bike development team too.
Brennan couldn't double up. Had to settle for second today, but another plucky Brit Ethan Vernon came through to win.
Caleb Ewan back to winning ways in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali.
Not interested in Catalunya today a brit didn't win.
But plucky Brut Paul Double won in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali, well done him.
Then I find Pogi has pulled out of E3 and Gent-Wevelgem, but he's added Paris-Roubaix! Bring it on.
Back to Catalunya and another win for Matthew Brennan :)
Double success for Brits at Visma LaB as Ben Tulett won today's Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali stage :)
And surprise, surprise MvdP wins the E3. Was hoping Pippo could do it, but he's not quite a full on classics man yet.
Attack of the Killer Bees got stung at the end of Dwars door Vlaanderen!
Neilson Powless gets back to back Seppo wins.
Best Plucky Brit Fred Wright in 16th
Pogi time again :) He worked them over well.
MvdP perhaps set back by his crash, WvA looking better aagin.
Mads Pedersen a strong ride again. Bring on Paris Roubaix.
Someone on another forum I visit occasionally posted this, a couple of pics from today's Paris-Roubaix. Looks grim.
(https://i.postimg.cc/pXSKcYkz/temp-Imagel-VE3-Up.avif) (https://postimages.org/)
It's dried up a lot. Great race so far.
A hat-trick for MvdP, but I hope Pogi comes back next year, he sure can win it.
Shame Mads Pedersen punctured when he did, but at least he got third to give the same podium as in Flanders.
This is really MvdP territory. His steering is unrivaled, but the last 10k were tough!
Oh, and I hope they catch the idiot that threw a drinking bottle at him. Stay home of you are only there to cause problems.
Remco's back! Feel sorry for WvA he needs a win too and a pity Joe Blackmore couldn't hang on with them.
Oh my, what a finish! Skjelmose winning the AGR, quite the surprise. Well deserved though, he kept up and managed to properly beat the Olympic and World Champion.
He
Great!
Yes, good race when I got round to catching up with it :)
Can't believe how Remco has hit the ground running so well.
Enjoyed the women's race too. Was so wanting Puck to win it, I love the way she tries to get the breakaway working when she's in it. Like Pogi I think she just loves racing.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 21, 2025, 11:38:27 AMYes, good race when I got round to catching up with it :)
Can't believe how Remco has hit the ground running so well.
Enjoyed the women's race too. Was so wanting Puck to win it, I love the way she tries to get the breakaway working when she's in it. Like Pogi I think she just loves racing.
Cycling surely? ;)
Quote from: dom on April 22, 2025, 11:13:34 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 21, 2025, 11:38:27 AMYes, good race when I got round to catching up with it :)
Can't believe how Remco has hit the ground running so well.
Enjoyed the women's race too. Was so wanting Puck to win it, I love the way she tries to get the breakaway working when she's in it. Like Pogi I think she just loves racing.
Cycling surely? ;)
Racing. Cycling's just riding around on a bike. And don't call me surely.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 22, 2025, 03:17:44 PMQuote from: dom on April 22, 2025, 11:13:34 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 21, 2025, 11:38:27 AMYes, good race when I got round to catching up with it :)
Can't believe how Remco has hit the ground running so well.
Enjoyed the women's race too. Was so wanting Puck to win it, I love the way she tries to get the breakaway working when she's in it. Like Pogi I think she just loves racing.
Cycling surely? ;)
Racing. Cycling's just riding around on a bike. And don't call me surely.
If the elongated cap fits! ;D
Pogi's not lost it :) Easy win in Fleche Wallonne, Mur de Huy suits his riding.
Plucky Brit Pidcock in third, glad he beat splitter Healy.
And a Classic Puck up in the women's race :)
I knew she'd got it in her.
Can anyone beat Pogi? Well, yes! But not today. First man to six successive podium finishes in monuments.
Thomas Pidcock the pluckiest Brit in 9th.
Three Brits in the top 20, would have been four if Healy weren't a traitor.
Yes, so I expected Remco to actually do something, be stepping out at 13km before the finish line? What's up with that?
Pogi's escape on the Redoute was inhumane, didn't even get up from his saddle. Scorching.
Too bad Puck didn't win it.. shame, it would have been a fantastic win for her.
Quote from: Thenop on April 27, 2025, 05:39:44 PMYes, so I expected Remco to actually do something, be stepping out at 13km before the finish line? What's up with that?
Maybe the exuberance of being back racing has worn off
QuotePogi's escape on the Redoute was inhumane, didn't even get up from his saddle. Scorching.
He just makes it look so easy.
QuoteToo bad Puck didn't win it.. shame, it would have been a fantastic win for her.
Yet to catch up on the women's race, at least I still don't know who won ;)
Mads Pedersen pips WvA in the first Grand Tour stage of the year. Lidl Trek worked them over well.
Pluckiest Brit Thomas Pidcock in fifth.
Big losses already for Thyman Arensman and Derek Gee.
Looks like all over for Mikel Landa, nasty looking crash there.
Landa looked bad indeed. Sad to see.
Tarling lacks a bit of stamina it feels, Arensman: different year, same start.
WvA always second.. and Denmark finally has a pink jersey.
Not sure what to think of the weeks to come, the big boys aren't there. Well Roglic is there but, meh.
Quote from: Thenop on May 09, 2025, 05:14:51 PMNot sure what to think of the weeks to come, the big boys aren't there. Well Roglic is there but, meh.
Should make it more open and competitive especially with only three summit finishes.
Plucky Brit Josh Tarling wins the Time Trial :)
Rogla pips Mads Pedersen to get the Maglia Rosa, is that the start of 20 days in Pink?
Don't think so. Pedersen will want to get it back tomorrow. And Roglic won't mind.
WvA very disappointing, I see him step out soon.
Quote from: Thenop on May 10, 2025, 05:35:38 PMDon't think so. Pedersen will want to get it back tomorrow. And Roglic won't mind.
I know, if it were Pogi it might be a different story :)
And Pedersen back in Pink. Been an enjoyable three days in Albania
As predicted :D
In the Vuelta Feminina they had Marianne Vos, the alleged GOAT, but the Giro had an actual Goat!
(https://r.testifier.nl/Acbs8526SDKI/resizing_type:fit/width:1080/height:720/plain/https://s3-newsifier.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/www.indeleiderstrui.nl/images/2025-05/giro-682098d3dc6a4.jpg@webp)
Thankfully carnage was avoided.
Yessss! Dutch boy van Uden wins the sprint for the Picnic PostNL team! fantastic!
Didn't bother watching it all today - flat stage - but that last 20km was a bit frantic!
Well done the boy Casper, surprised to see Ben Turner up in 9th after fighting his way back on.
Pedders pipped Zambanini and Pidders! Was looking as if he was struggling at times in the last 2km, but had enough left.
Another good ending to a day.
Yes, exciting last 20k or so. Although it it completely beyond me why UAE all of a sudden decided to start peddling.
A win for Kaden Groves after a chaotic sprint in a chaotic stage.
Nasty crash on a wet road led to an effective neutralisation. Crashes are part of cycling, it's an outdoor sport, but if the medical services are overstretched it makes sense to play it safe. Unfortunately.
Yeah, was an interesting one. Vd Hoorn almost made it!
And the Kooij locks himself in..he should have followed van Aert.
Quote from: Thenop on May 15, 2025, 04:48:16 PMAnd the Kooij locks himself in..he should have followed van Aert.
Not quite sure what WvA was up to, but at least Moschetti got relegated.
First big GC day and Juan Ayuso wins it. Roglic managed to do enough to get the Maglia Rosa back.
Egan Bernal looking like he's close to being the Bernal he was.
Plucky Brit Max Poole came in ninth. Pity Paul Double couldn't have led the breakaway to success.
Was an interesting one. Big group than finished, no real standout. Keeps it interesting.
Good breakaway win for Luke Plapp today - even if he is an Aussie.
Pity it couldn't have carried on like it was going up until the big climb, but there'd have been a lot of sore legs if that had been kept up.
Roglic manages to lose the Pink jersey.
Kelderman had a very good day, well done Wilco! And Ulissi in pink.. well deserved I think, an Italian in pink in the Giro is always nice.
WvA finally wins, well done! And a Mexican Pink jersey.. it turns out to be a very enjoyable Giro
Must have forgotten to click on Post earlier...
Now THAT'S a bike race. Can we have white roads on all stages? Maybe get rid of Team cars and make riders carry their own spares for when they have problems!
Oh, and never Doubt the Wout!
With Roglic losing a bit of time it might all get very tasty in the next couple of weeks :D
Del Toro keeps the Pink Jersey after rain has helped things bunch up a bit at the top.
Good win for Daan Hoole, shame that he had to beat a couple of plucky Brits. He is a National champ though and Tarling put in a lot of work on Sunday - the British commentators making excuses for him.
Great run from Hoole! Big victory for him already the 4th (!) for Lidl Trek. Shame about the rain at the end might have a little influence. Rogla now 5th, back as a contendor.
Big attack from Carapaz today to move up the GC.
Thought the breakaway might survive, but Pedersen ate away at them to help Ciccone, don't think the breakaway riders will be sending Pedersen Xmas cards this year.
Del Toro picked up some bonus seconds too, been all action so far this Giro.
Nice stage today, wished Poels would have caught it, would have completed his Giro/Tour/Vuelta trilogy, and he is in giid shape after the queens stage and GC in the round of Turkey recently.
But Carapaz did it in style.
Triumphant Kooij! With a big thank you for WvA.
3rd Dutch victory in this Giro, nice ;D
Yes, well, if Kooij hadn't won the Netherlands would have got the win with van Uden. Ben Turner picking up his best Grand Tour placing with a third.
Thankfully only one rider hit the deck in the run in.
Fourth stage win for Pedersen, out powering WvA. Del Toro picking up more bonus seconds too. Much more exciting day than I thought it would be.
Dying swans sprint. Fantastic though, Vacek doing groundwork, Pidcock bit of a letdown today. Del Toro still looking strong!
Breakaway win for Kasper Asgreen. Helped by a crash in the Peleton, but unfortunately crashes are part of cycling. Del Toro pulled off a good save second time round over the crash site, his lead increases still further and makes the next week even more exciting!
Danish Giro this year, even though the Lidl Trek team was on the floor. I bet Ayuso is pissed ;D No Pogi, so he could finally get his moment, and Del Toro steals his thunder.
Also: Yates for JVLaB jumps to spot nr. 2!
I think Simon Yates might be a dark horse for this Giro. Hardly had to pedal in anger, yet up in second by stealth. Probably trying to do in reverse what happened to him a few years back.
I know today's stage hasn't finished, let alone the whole Giro, but the highlight has to be the bloke running up Monte Grappa carrying a stuffed Fox and Derek Gee scratched its head!
Carlos Verona gets a breakaway win, but from the day's second breakaway. Lidl Trek's sisxth stage win this Giro.
INEOS tried lighting things up again to no avail and the Cockroach body of Roglic got a good stamping on, but have they done emough to kill him off?
Yeah, there are some weird folks out there.
And victory nr 6 for Lidl Trek.
Rogla is out for sure, I don't see him coming back the play. So it's up to Yates and Carapaz to challenge Del Toro!
Threat of rain here means a full day watching the Giro - where it's raining!
And Josh Tarling is down and out. Robbie McEwen says rider error, he started pedalling too soon on exiting a roundabout.
Ha, away from home. Only a telephone at my disposal and of course today is the day to watch. I'll probably make it for the finale, but that is a few hours away I suppose.
Oh well..
Roglic Quits after another fall.
Bernal falls and UAE push on, possibly in payback for Sunday when INEOS put the hammer down.
Alessio Martinelli of CSF Bardiani slides out off the road and needs Mountain Rescue to get him back. Needless to say he didn't get back on the bike.
Now the Sun Shines :)
Del Toro now UAE leader as Ayuso dropped on penultimate climb.
Bernal now dropped. Arensman already dropped.
Managed to catch the last 25km. What a race and what an upset to the GC!
Forza Italia today. Bad day for Del Toro and old Richie C. snuck in there.
Gee, not a bad day either and Yates close now as well.
Going to be an interesting last few days!
Well, that was an interesting watch. Carapaz took off leaving Simon Yates and Del Toro behind him, Simon Yates then dropped Del Toro, Adam Yates helped try limit Del Toro's losses. Del Toro retains the Maglia Rosa, Simon Yates stays second, Carapaz third, all separated by 32 seconds.
Del Toro's back! Extends his lead again. Carapaz tried on the Mortirolo, but it didn't work. Saturday's going to be the big day. But so far every Bormio stage winner has been the Giro winner - bar one.
Carapa now up to second. Is Simon Yates holding on for redemption on the Colle de Finestre?
Bullyboy did it, he took a lot of risk in that last descend.. youthful 21 years old energy that is
Lets see who takes it, I think good old Richie is more suited for the long climbs. But I am not complaining at all, at least without Pogi it's a real contest again!
The calm before two Mountain Storms today, brings a consolation prize to Red Bull Bora.
I don't like the bikes that Lidl Trek are riding, but the Ciclamino paint job on Mads Pedersen's is gorgeous.
Yes Ze Germans took it today. Fair play to Denz, he did it twice a couple of years ago as well.
Ayuso retiring was perhaps the biggest event. They showed a brief pre race interview, he got stung by a bee on his eyelid :o yesterday.
Yes, Ayuso looked a bit .
Lovely weather, loevely scenery, not much of a mounatain storm.
Looks like just between Del Toro and Carapaz now, but 18.5 km @ 9.2% up the Colle delle Finestre with the last 8 km on gravel a lot could still change, 185m @ 9.2% is enough for me.
I thought SImon Yates might be holding a bit back, but I think he's at the limit.
Let's wait and see. Noticed Pellizari wanted to have a go but got bullied back by Del Toros Polish bodyguard Majka. Ouch.
Lovely win for Prodhomme, I like seeing the underdog win especially when it is so well deserved.
I reckon Carapaz needs to start at it early, he has not much of a team as opposed to Del Toro.
Meanwhile, in Norway, Matthew Brennan wins stage 2 of the Tour of Norway for his eighth win of the year and to take over the lead of the race. Not bad for a 19 year old.
Fellow Brit Bjorn Koerdt - a good Yorkshire name - is up to 10th overall.
WOW!!!!! Just WOW!!!!!
Redemption for Simon Yates, he's done a Froome.
Del Toro does he have the cojones of a Veal calf? Unfair perhaps, him and Carapaz and their teams not havung a rider in the breakaway together with bad tactics threw it away.
Hard to believe what has just happened.
Edited to say WvA for MVP. If he'd not been up the road maybe, just maybe things may have been different.
Unreal, UAE made some serious tactical mistakes there and VLM did everything right!
Magnificent Yates with the WvA machine, great job!
And 19 year old Matt Brennan wins the final stage and GC in the Tour of Norway, making him the winningest rider of the year so far.
Oh my Kooij making the festivities complete with thanks to Affini.
Nice close out stage, Giro done, bring on Le Tour!
Another successful day for Visma/Lease a bike.
Been a good GIro that, very competetive. Very few down days, lots going on all the time. Plus fantastic scenery, certainly the best tour for that.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 01, 2025, 06:09:00 PMAnother successful day for Visma/Lease a bike.
Been a good GIro that, very competetive. Very few down days, lots going on all the time. Plus fantastic scenery, certainly the best tour for that.
Doesn't compare to when Le Tour went through Yorkshire
Quote from: dom on June 02, 2025, 11:13:20 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 01, 2025, 06:09:00 PMAnother successful day for Visma/Lease a bike.
Been a good GIro that, very competetive. Very few down days, lots going on all the time. Plus fantastic scenery, certainly the best tour for that.
Doesn't compare to when Le Tour went through Yorkshire
Absolutely no comparison. Italy is just stunning ;D
The Tour finish in Sheffield by a run down Steel works was, well, ...
Yes Sheffield is pretty unique 😂
Quote from: dom on June 03, 2025, 02:33:53 PMYes Sheffield is pretty unique 😂
It's no longer good enough (or 'cheap' enough) for Joe Elliot 😄
Those last 8km! Pogi won but really it could have been any of them. Impressive display of force in the Dauphine, makes for an interesting watch this mini Tour.
Quote from: Thenop on June 08, 2025, 01:52:39 PMThose last 8km! Pogi won but really it could have been any of them. Impressive display of force in the Dauphine, makes for an interesting watch this mini Tour.
Missed all of that, been in Glasgow to watch the women's Toir of Britain finale.
Ally Wollaston pipping Cat Fergus by virtue of all the bonus seconds she pocked up.
Good day out,did too much shouting at Cat though.
Milan takes it, MvdP 3rd place, not bad at all.
This Dauphine is mainly a trial, see how well in shape the men are, they look good. Evenepoel has not really impressed me yet, but we'll see.
A bit more significance this year than most as it is Bardet's last race. Hope he has a decent send off.
Forgot to say it was good to see Lorena Wiebes win the stage on Sunday. She is quick!
And getting to see the team presentations I now know what Marty MacDonald McCrossan - Commentator on Women's cycling - looks like and it wasn't what I see in my mind when I hear him. I now understand why José Been has been commentating on the Women's ToB, it's because Marty has been working as the Tour presenter on site.
Also saw his sometime Colour Commentator Dani Christmas in the car for her day job as a DS at Ag Insurance/Soudal
Breakaway win for Ivan Romeo today. Puts him into Yellow, only looks about 14 years old too. Not a bad TT rider so he could be in yellow for a couple of days.
Yeah MvdP wasn't going to do it alone, and good fun for the young Spanish rider. Movistar team of loose cannons finally wins something
OK, so Romeo isn't that good a TT Cyclist :-[
Remco is a good TT cyclist ;)
Vingegaard can do a very good TT.
Pogi can TT but only wins in his National Championships and Grand Tours TTs.
And MvdP does what he always does, all in.
So Remco for the win? Nah, I still think he falls short in the mountains.
Plucky Brit Jake Stewart gets the win today. First win at World Tour level for the Coventry Comet.
Remco had a crash before the end. Don't know how bad it is.
Stewart played a number on them all! Well done, the entire Lidl-Trek train got derailed, fantastic.
He looked OK, hurt his thumb by the looks of it.
Pogi! Pogi! Pog! Unreal! Unreal! Unreal!
Didn't see that coming.
Visma looked in command on the Cat 1 climb, but then Narvaez and Sivakov coming back exploded it for Pog.
I had read that Pogi had taken it easily on the TT and would then just shadow Vingegaard so as to give nothing away. Not really Pogi's style.
The big Pogi show today, I don't see anyone come close, not now and no in Le Tour. Remco pooped (& pissed!), he does not have the team to do it. Lipowitz surprisingly good again, a year or 2 more and he'll be a full on contender.
Well, it's clear. More Pogi but I am really impressed with Lipowitz again.
Remco is not in the shape he should be in, that's clear.
Pogi was strugglinbg today - he got out of the saddle a couple of times!
Remco is still on the way back from a serious injury - not that he'd be quite there anyway.
I guess Pogi's in decent form. First World Champion to win the Dauphiné since Bernard Hinault in 1981 and the 99th win of his career.
Jonas and Remco have some work to do.
As expected. That about sums it up. We've seen the top 2 form the TdF flex the muscles.
Good win for Lenny Martinez this last day.
Good win for Oscar "The Kelso Killer" Onley in the Tour de Suisse today. His second win at World Tour level, but this is a higher level than the Tour Down Under.
Joao Almeida doing a grea job in working his way up the GC after a disastrous first day when the rain let a big breakaway get big time on a lot of the main contenders.
[Rock me Amadeus]Jordi Meeus, Jordi Meeus! Jordi Meeus![/Rock me Amadeus]
Good sprint win for him today, breakaway was just caught at the flamme rouge and plucky Brit Lewis Askey in third. Having a good season is Lewis, any coincidence that his contract ends at the end of the year?
Lorena Wiebes Dutch national champion, well done!
And there were two surprise winners in the Belgian TT championships - Remco and Lotte...
In Britain we had our National Criterium racing championships yesterday, Cameron Mason beating Bjorn Koerdt racing round the streets of Aberystwyth. An hour's Crit is just right for a CX racer.
Now watching the Mens race, will be a bunchsprint so let's see. We'll know in 20 mins or so..
Supersprint with RBHs Van Poppel just pips Olav Kooij with Dylan Groenewegen 3rd. Fantastic achievement for the main lead out man Red Bull Hans Grohe rider. He gets the Red White and Blue for a year.
Kooij 2nd place for the 3rd year in a row..ouch...
Danny van Poppel then :)
[quote link=msg=33808 date=1751122134]
Danny van Poppel then :)
[/quote]
Yes, not Boy and also not Jean-Paul ;D
Richie Carapaz pulls out of Le Tour due to illness.
What a shame! His Giro was really good and attractive.
Millie Couzens has won the British Women's road race championships. Be strange not seeing Pfeiffer Georgi in the national champ's jersey after she's worn it for three out of the last four years.
Millie is also the U23 British champion AND she races Cyclocross :)
Sam Watson is British Men's champion, after twice being U23 champ.
Matt Brennan came second and won the U23 jersey which he'll never wear because even though he's 19 he races at World Tour level.
Watched the end of the Italian Road Race and it was won by a Club rider, Fiippo Conca, won't see the Italian champs journey out on the road in the next year, unless he goes back to Q36.5 or even the likes of Lotto Soudal where he dod a couple of years.
Not a bad start to the Tour!
Unless of course you're Filippo Ganna or Stefan Bissegger, who had to abandon. Lots of chaos all over.
Visma really lit it up in the last 30km, spiltting the Peleton and putting 40s into Evenepoel and Roglic.
Then Jasper the Disaster won the sprint, with Sam Watson the best plucky brit.
Nice opener!
How about Thomas catapulting his compatriot for the polka dots?
Philipsen very strong and Milan not making the split.
Promising start though!
Quote from: Thenop on July 05, 2025, 04:44:22 PMNice opener!
How about Thomas catapulting his compatriot for the polka dots?
I was just coming back to say I'd forgotten about that! Certainly been an action packed day. Wondering if any action will be taken against Philipsen from when he took his hands off the bars at the intermediate sprint.
What a final! And what a sprint from MvdP! Fantastic stage again, it could have been boring but it was exciting!
MvdP wins the stage and gets Yellow.
Took a while to really get going, but ended up a good finish again.
Pluckiest Brit Oscar Onley in 6th, if things go well he could be up for a top 5 finish overall.
Disaster for Jasper!
I was falling asleep but that woke me up, shame that's been the only bit of action so far.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2025, 03:30:32 PMDisaster for Jasper!
I was falling asleep but that woke me up, shame that's been the only bit of action so far.
I was also asleep, my wife's hollering woke me! I wonder if this Stage 1 incident had anything to do with it?
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2025/jasper-philipsen-accused-trying-push-bryan-coquard-stage-1-jonathan-milan-intermediate-sprint_sto23198850/story.shtml
What a horrorfinish. Merlier picking up his 1st if the Tour.
But Oh my, there will be talked about this. Dreadful track choice here.
Quote from: David L on July 07, 2025, 04:21:09 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2025, 03:30:32 PMDisaster for Jasper!
I was falling asleep but that woke me up, shame that's been the only bit of action so far.
I was also asleep, my wife's hollering woke me! I wonder if this Stage 1 incident had anything to do with it?
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2025/jasper-philipsen-accused-trying-push-bryan-coquard-stage-1-jonathan-milan-intermediate-sprint_sto23198850/story.shtml
No. Every day is a new day. Sprinters hold no grudges,they live fast.
QuoteI was also asleep, my wife's hollering woke me! I wonder if this Stage 1 incident had anything to do with it?
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2025/jasper-philipsen-accused-trying-push-bryan-coquard-stage-1-jonathan-milan-intermediate-sprint_sto23198850/story.shtml
No. I wouldn't say so. Coquard could easily have come off worst.
Messy end to today's stage too, Evenepoel went down with Jordi Meeus and Geraint Thomas. Another crash near the end as Merlier pipped Milan.
Pluckiest Brit Jake Stewart in 15th, looked to me as if Sam Watson pulled out of it early because it was so messy. Glad I only ever ride solo.
Quote from: Thenop on July 07, 2025, 04:53:20 PMQuote from: David L on July 07, 2025, 04:21:09 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2025, 03:30:32 PMDisaster for Jasper!
I was falling asleep but that woke me up, shame that's been the only bit of action so far.
I was also asleep, my wife's hollering woke me! I wonder if this Stage 1 incident had anything to do with it?
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2025/jasper-philipsen-accused-trying-push-bryan-coquard-stage-1-jonathan-milan-intermediate-sprint_sto23198850/story.shtml
No. Every day is a new day. Sprinters hold no grudges,they live fast.
Sounds very noble. Nevertheless, the race organisers saw fit to fine him and issue a yellow card.
Quote from: David L on July 08, 2025, 09:18:57 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 07, 2025, 04:53:20 PMQuote from: David L on July 07, 2025, 04:21:09 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 07, 2025, 03:30:32 PMDisaster for Jasper!
I was falling asleep but that woke me up, shame that's been the only bit of action so far.
I was also asleep, my wife's hollering woke me! I wonder if this Stage 1 incident had anything to do with it?
https://www.tntsports.co.uk/cycling/tour-de-france/2025/jasper-philipsen-accused-trying-push-bryan-coquard-stage-1-jonathan-milan-intermediate-sprint_sto23198850/story.shtml
No. Every day is a new day. Sprinters hold no grudges,they live fast.
Sounds very noble. Nevertheless, the race organisers saw fit to fine him and issue a yellow card.
Well, the UCI not the race organisers.
Very harsh on him I'd say. But the UCI don't care about fairness or doing the right thing, you'd get the same punishment, probably worse, for having socks that are too long
That was some finish today! Once those hills started near the end it was absolutely gripping!
Pogi gets 100 up, pipped MvdP and Vingegaard in third. Plucky Brit Oscar Only in fourth. I could watch those last 5km again and again, kept up the action all the way. MvdP keeps Yello I think.
I think the power unleashed there today would near superhero strength.
Pogi has his win and MvdP keeps Yellow, so tomorrows TT will be extra exciting.
Remco looked sort of OK but somehow I feel he will fall short.
Roglic nowhere to be found.
Storming ride from Remco today. But how can he still be a young rider?
Pogi up into Yellow.
Not a bad ride from Vinegarad but nowhere near good enough. Did Pogi have them on in the Dauphiné TT?
No Plucky Brits today.
Good time trial from Vauquelin puts him into 3rd overall.
EDIT: Looking for a new Bardet but I don't think this lad is strong enough in the tough mountain stages - time will tell
Quote from: dom on July 09, 2025, 04:46:50 PMEDIT: Looking for a new Bardet but I don't think this lad is strong enough in the tough mountain stages -
Neither was Bardet LOL ;D
LOL - King of the Mountains in 2019 a 2nd and 3rd in the overall race and 6 top 10 finishes. Pretty strong!
Quote from: dom on July 09, 2025, 05:17:45 PMLOL - King of the Mountains in 2019 a 2nd and 3rd in the overall race and 6 top 10 finishes. Pretty strong!
KOM is a noddy competition most years, either mid stage breakaway chancers or a by-product of winning the race.
And he obviously wasn't good enough. As Robbie McEwen would say "Second is first Loser".
Dave Brailsford wanted to get Bardet for Team Sky as he wanted to help France get a Tour winner again, but French Hubris didn't allow it.
Overall not a bad day, usually TTs are pretty boring and predictable except when they are the end of Le Tour. Than anyting goes. But Remco winning is as expected. Vingegaard gained some climbing muscles. which means loosing TT muscles. Or at east, that's what it feels like. But no one will be able to get past Pogacar this year, he is just too strong.
Been watching it on Dutch TV. I can watch Belgian, Eurosport with Dutch commetators and Dutch TV with the likes of Boogerd, Dumoulin etc. Quite nice to have these guys comment.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2025, 05:37:30 PMQuote from: dom on July 09, 2025, 05:17:45 PMLOL - King of the Mountains in 2019 a 2nd and 3rd in the overall race and 6 top 10 finishes. Pretty strong!
KOM is a noddy competition most years, either mid stage breakaway chancers or a by-product of winning the race.
And he obviously wasn't good enough. As Robbie McEwen would say "Second is first Loser".
Dave Brailsford wanted to get Bardet for Team Sky as he wanted to help France get a Tour winner again, but French Hubris didn't allow it.
Team Sky/INEOS/Grenollers whatever! ?
How the mighty have fallen!
Quote from: dom on July 09, 2025, 06:55:49 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2025, 05:37:30 PMQuote from: dom on July 09, 2025, 05:17:45 PMLOL - King of the Mountains in 2019 a 2nd and 3rd in the overall race and 6 top 10 finishes. Pretty strong!
KOM is a noddy competition most years, either mid stage breakaway chancers or a by-product of winning the race.
And he obviously wasn't good enough. As Robbie McEwen would say "Second is first Loser".
Dave Brailsford wanted to get Bardet for Team Sky as he wanted to help France get a Tour winner again, but French Hubris didn't allow it.
Team Sky/INEOS/Grenollers whatever! ?
How the mighty have fallen!
Everything has its ups and downs.
Quote from: Thenop on July 09, 2025, 06:01:55 PMBeen watching it on Dutch TV. I can watch Belgian, Eurosport with Dutch commetators and Dutch TV with the likes of Boogerd, Dumoulin etc. Quite nice to have these guys comment.
If I were a much younger man I'd learn Dutch, be nice to go out and watch some Cyclocross then and give the riders some proper abuse LOL!
Tom Dumoulin was interviewed on TNT Sports today, speaks English too well, better than Sean "King" Kelly anyway and Adam "Ooh Crikey!" Blythe anyway. I'll leave Robbie McEwen out of it because he slags off the French ;)
Been meaning to say how plucky Brit Anna Henderson has been in Pink in the Giro d'Italia women, not now, she shipped 10 minutes today LOL
Still she's way ahead of Lotte Kopecky.
Marlen Reusser's come out of Long COVID like a climbing rocket!
Seems as if UAE have just gifted Yellow back to MvdP, just, bu a second it seems!
Won't mention the Turncoat who won. Traitor. Jumping ship to become a big fish in a small pond.
Was hoping that the break wouldn't go today, it took an awful long time before it was let go.
Brilliant Ben! Lovely win that.
And a completely pooped MvdP back in Yellow with a whopping 1 second!
As I understood the turning of coats happened not on Bens own behelst, rather there was no place for him in the British selection.
I like Ben though, nice fella
Quote from: Thenop on July 10, 2025, 04:23:57 PMAs I understood the turning of coats happened not on Bens own behelst, rather there was no place for him in the British selection.
Well, he did decide it was better to be a big fish in a small pond.
I don't like his earrings.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 04:57:58 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 10, 2025, 04:23:57 PMAs I understood the turning of coats happened not on Bens own behelst, rather there was no place for him in the British selection.
Well, he did decide it was better to be a big fish in a small pond.
I don't like his earrings.
From what I see hen rides circles around the Brits so far, so that choice turned out fine.
What I understood is that he started on the track, moved to mountain biking but was left off the selection. So he moved to the road on an Irish license since his grandfather is Irish.
I like his earrings, they suit the long hair
Quote from: Thenop on July 10, 2025, 05:31:24 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 04:57:58 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 10, 2025, 04:23:57 PMAs I understood the turning of coats happened not on Bens own behelst, rather there was no place for him in the British selection.
Well, he did decide it was better to be a big fish in a small pond.
I don't like his earrings.
From what I see hen rides circles around the Brits so far, so that choice turned out fine.
What I understood is that he started on the track, moved to mountain biking but was left off the selection. So he moved to the road on an Irish license since his grandfather is Irish.
I like his earrings, they suit the long hair
His father's Irish, but like a good number of my Ancestors Ben was born in Kingswinford in the Black Country. Mrs S always confuses Kingswinford with Swinford, Swinford's in Ireland and that's where (some of) my Irish ancestors come from.
Ben's never been a world champion Mountain Biker or Cyclocross rider like his former Zappi's Racing Teammate Thomas Pidcock.
I don't mind long hair, but earrings are a no-no for me. Even Mrs S doesn't have any.
A friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
Quote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 09:44:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
Young and reckless Nick ! 😁
True-blue (True-orange?) Dutch woman Lorena Wiebes won her second stage of the Giro d'Italia Women (Why not Giro d'Italia Donne?)today.
Watching it reminded me that I'd like the Colli Euganei moving to England so I can live there - I ain't lving in no steenking foreign land!
The cycling rumour mill also has Kévin Vauqelin on the verge of signing for Team Ineos.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 09:44:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
Van de Velde, the golfer who was on the verge of winning the Open until he decided to go for a paddle was French so it's a possibility!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 09:44:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
True, just like Max Verstappen was bron n belgium. Wout van Aert is more Dutch than MvdP, but they
identify as Dutch ;D Same for our Sifan Hassan.. but I digress. it's all about cycling here.
Quote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 05:00:46 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 09:44:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
True, just like Max Verstappen was bron n belgium. Wout van Aert is more Dutch than MvdP, but they identify as Dutch ;D Same for our Sifan Hassan.. but I digress. it's all about cycling here.
Just like the TV commentary 😁
Quote from: dom on July 11, 2025, 05:37:42 AMQuote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 05:00:46 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 10, 2025, 09:44:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 10, 2025, 07:37:48 PMA friend of mine from Wolves Poly was from Kingswinford. We sometimes got the bus there on a Sunday for his mum's roast dinner!
You took the bus? Brave man! I did once do the Black Country Beer Bus to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory in Tipton.
I'm surprised that you don't claim MvdP as French Dom - even though we all know he's Belgian.
True, just like Max Verstappen was bron n belgium. Wout van Aert is more Dutch than MvdP, but they identify as Dutch ;D Same for our Sifan Hassan.. but I digress. it's all about cycling here.
Just like the TV commentary 😁
Ah correct! We have Belgian commentators for Eurosport, guess it's 'bi-lingual'. Belgians are the best commentators though, probably the best country to be a cyclist as well. Demi-gods all of them there.
Quote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 06:04:30 AMAh correct! We have Belgian commentators for Eurosport, guess it's 'bi-lingual'. Belgians are the best commentators though, probably the best country to be a cyclist as well. Demi-gods all of them there.
We sometimes get Nathan Van Hooydonck on the commentary during Grand Tours, although as a "colour" commentator not the main one.
We also get a Dutch woman José Been - whose name I wilfully mispronounce - commentating on lesser races. She speaks impeccable English, claiming to have learned it from Take That, but she certainly speaks better than Gary Barlow. It's only when confronted with place names that she falls down, but most English people will fall down on Slaithwaite, Happisburgh and Edensor.
I like the input of former cyclists a lot. The insight in fantastic. We had Boogerd the other day telling us how the Olympic race in 2004 went. This came about because we saw riders in the TT beiing cooled with vests before starting. So 20 years earlier this was groundbreaking stuff and the Dutch Olympic commitee had heavily invested in...not enough of them And because hockey was far more important than cycling, the vests went to the hockey players.
Boogerd, in a very sarcastic manner, made some lovely remarks there (of course hockeys, that's a lot of work, they play what, 2 x 20 minutes? Yes that's exhausting..) and on the chances to win, the hockey teams were considered a higher priority. "of course he said, my season was terrible...coming in 2nd in Liege and Lombardy.. I had no chance to win..".
Hindsight: he DNF'd and the hockeyers became 2nd, both boys & girls.
But the highlight of the story was this:
any form of putting a needle up your arm was already banned in cycling, even a simply saline drip: a big no no. But when the Olympic team medical staff saw how severely dehydrsted the cyclists became when training (they were there 10 days in advance of the race) they were shocked. So they offered them to just put fluids though drips, and the cyclists were: "huh? but.." so they proceeded to walk downstairs only to fn=ind a room full of sportsmen and women lying in beds being drip fed just about everything..
It's these kind of stories I want to hear when watching the French countryside pass by on the telly.
Best insight we get is Adam Blythe who says of any slight uphill bit of road "Ooh Crikey, it's Brutal!"
No, even Adam, bless him can give good insight into life in the Peleton. Robbie McEwen is very good at describing life as a sprinter and how he used to ride along calculating cut off times from when he was riding in the autobus on mountain stages. He's also very informative on flags and using them to calculate wind speeds, even taking into account the weight of the flags being flown - heavy duty flags for windy days.
Pogi! But Vingegaard seems a lot quicker in sprints these days.
A couple of bad crashes, looks like Almeida might be out.
Pogi back in Yellow, puts a bit of time into Evenepoel.
Vingegaard's been working on his explosive poweer for stages like this - and Pogi's been doing more long mountain climbs where VIngegaard normally betters him.
Oscar "The Kelso Killer" Onley again the pluckiest Brit coming in 3rd.
Did Almeida get back on his bike? Thought I might have seen him do it, but not sure. Jack Haig will be out.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 03:40:16 PMPogi back in Yellow, puts a bit of time into Evenepoel.
Vingegaard's been working on his explosive poweer for stages like this - and Pogi's been doing more long mountain climbs where VIngegaard normally betters him.
Oscar "The Kelso Killer" Onley again the pluckiest Brit coming in 3rd.
Did Almeida get back on his bike? Thought I might have seen him do it, but not sure. Jack Haig will be out.
Team management probably told poor Joao toget back on his bike, we don't pay you 2,5 million to not cycle. But they ll do damage assessment later.
Quote from: Thenop on July 11, 2025, 04:07:28 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 03:40:16 PMPogi back in Yellow, puts a bit of time into Evenepoel.
Vingegaard's been working on his explosive poweer for stages like this - and Pogi's been doing more long mountain climbs where VIngegaard normally betters him.
Oscar "The Kelso Killer" Onley again the pluckiest Brit coming in 3rd.
Did Almeida get back on his bike? Thought I might have seen him do it, but not sure. Jack Haig will be out.
Team management probably told poor Joao toget back on his bike, we don't pay you 2,5 million to not cycle. But they ll do damage assessment later.
He didn't look too bad when he crossed the line, bloodied hand, elbow and knee. I've looked worse after coming off at low, or even no speed.
Jack Haig was a DNF
Broken rib for Almeida, but he's going to carry on.
Marlen Reusser got a yellow card in the Giro Women yesterday, looks like she tried to hit another rider in the final sprint, tut-tut.
Liane Lippert won todays stage, Shirin van Anrooij got third. The commentators - Joanne Rowsell and Dani Rowe - did my head in, I don't speak Dutch, but I know Loes Adegeest is not pronounced Loes Adegast.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 11:40:48 PMBroken rib for Almeida, but he's going to carry on.
Marlen Reusser got a yellow card in the Giro Women yesterday, looks like she tried to hit another rider in the final sprint, tut-tut.
Liane Lippert won todays stage, Shirin van Anrooij got third. The commentators - Joanne Rowsell and Dani Rowe - did my head in, I don't speak Dutch, but I know Loes Adegeest is not pronounced Loes Adegast.
Nearly though, A-duh-gaste with a long aaa like in haste
Quote from: Thenop on July 12, 2025, 05:57:49 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 11:40:48 PMBroken rib for Almeida, but he's going to carry on.
Marlen Reusser got a yellow card in the Giro Women yesterday, looks like she tried to hit another rider in the final sprint, tut-tut.
Liane Lippert won todays stage, Shirin van Anrooij got third. The commentators - Joanne Rowsell and Dani Rowe - did my head in, I don't speak Dutch, but I know Loes Adegeest is not pronounced Loes Adegast.
Nearly though, A-duh-gaste with a long aaa like in haste
These women use a very short "a" sound. Like in "cat". I was going to say like in "bath" but most (?) English people would get that wrong.
All down to when I went to the women's world championships in Glasgow we were stood near some Dutch fans who called out her name every lap, it got imprinted in my mind.
Funny, I hated languages at school, but love things like etymology, accents and dialects.
For today I predict a dull stage with a sprint finish. But what do I know.
First A is long, second A (the EE in Dutch) sounds like your long A.
In expect Milan wants this one, and he will get it.
Quote from: Thenop on July 12, 2025, 01:27:18 PMI expect Milan wants this one, and he will get it.
As you were.
The Jolly Green Giant Milan did do it.
Arnaud de Lie came in fifth, not bad for him these days.
Elisa Longho Borghini takes over the GC in the Giro Women. I remember seeing her come third in the Women's Tour of Britain in 2016 when a stage finished in my home town. Saw her come 11th the following year in a stage which started and finished in my home town.
WvA formally notified the whole world he'll be joining the sprint today by posting it all over social media ;D
What a guy.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 11:40:48 PMBroken rib for Almeida, but he's going to carry on.
And he's out! Bad news for Pogi, he looked real strong!
Quote from: Thenop on July 13, 2025, 02:23:57 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 11, 2025, 11:40:48 PMBroken rib for Almeida, but he's going to carry on.
And he's out! Bad news for Pogi, he looked real strong!
Surprised Georg Zimmerman dodn't quit, I'd have gone home in tears, hope his wounds get cleaned well, I got a bit of grit out of my arm four months after coming off.
Back to the race, didn't expect that from MvdP, he nearly did it! Tim Merlier gets his second stage and Arnaud de Lie up to third.
I don't care who crossed the line first, there is only 1 winner today: MvdP.
Seriously unreal what he did. What was supposed to be a dull 160 km, and thensome towards the sprint, became a race for the ages. Fantastic!
So, that was all to get Jonas Rickaert on the podium for the combativity award! Chapaeau MvdP
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2025, 04:05:35 PMSo, that was all to get Jonas Rickaert on the podium for the combativity award! Chapaeau MvdP
So yesterday's combative was for the French duo, and today's for only one? And then not the one that did the most kms..
Quote from: Thenop on July 13, 2025, 04:28:43 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2025, 04:05:35 PMSo, that was all to get Jonas Rickaert on the podium for the combativity award! Chapaeau MvdP
So yesterday's combative was for the French duo, and today's for only one? And then not the one that did the most kms..
Well, Rickaert made the first move and the French won't like MvdP not competing for the land of his grandfather :)
Plus, hasn't MvdP won enough?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2025, 08:31:25 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 13, 2025, 04:28:43 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 13, 2025, 04:05:35 PMSo, that was all to get Jonas Rickaert on the podium for the combativity award! Chapaeau MvdP
So yesterday's combative was for the French duo, and today's for only one? And then not the one that did the most kms..
Well, Rickaert made the first move and the French won't like MvdP not competing for the land of his grandfather :)
Plus, hasn't MvdP won enough?
MvdP explained in an interview: Jonas told him that his dream was to once stand on a TdF podium. So he figured that to make that happen, this was the easiest way.. hence the early escape. They spoke about it at dinner yesterday and MvdP immediately said: "I'll go with you" and so it happened.
Genuine British win today, Simon Yates did what he didn't do in his Giro win and got a stage.
The Turncoat has gone into Yellow. But how Irish is he? Not that much, because what's today? What is he celebrating? Why, it's Black Country day for a Black Country boy.
Well done Simon, too bad Thymen fell just short for his first our win. Pogi looked uninterested in pursuing the yellow at this point, he could have easily done so. Nice stage though, although I only got to see the last 2 climbs.
Quote from: Thenop on July 14, 2025, 05:36:13 PMWell done Simon, too bad Thymen fell just short for his first our win. Pogi looked uninterested in pursuing the yellow at this point, he could have easily done so. Nice stage though, although I only got to see the last 2 climbs.
Apart from adverts I saw every bit of it :)
Wish I'd gone out on my bike though as it looks like its rain tomorrow. Typical that it comes on the TdF rest day.
Well, that was all a bit manic! Nailed on post rest day sprint stage. Not one bit of it!
Ages for a break to form, attacks when it looked like things had settled and people had stopped for a nature break.
A five man break chased by a group of five with MvdP and WvA.
MvdP ends up third, Jonas Abrahamsen gets Uno X's first ever Grand tour stage win. Fred Wright best plucky Brit in seventh, will he ever win a stage?
Then Pogi overlaps a wheel and crashes 4km from the end. The peleton did wait, but he's got some nasty road rash.
And Romain Bardet replaces Jens Voight on the Moto, who knew he spoke such good English?
Bit of a stage yes, not a moments peace. And then to think Abrahamsen broke his collar bone less than a month ago :o
MdvP started his charge just a bit too late, post race interview he said he did not have anything left but thought he'd give it one more go. Holy Jaysus, if that's having nothing left than I'll take it!
Very gentleman like behaviour after Pogi's crash who was not really paying attention and Johannesen was not looking out either. Nasty crash indeed.
So on to the Pyrenees!
I'd heard that MvdP had a bit of a cold before the start. Obviously rode it off.
British TV commentary after race said Pogi was doing the right thing, just looking round to make sure he had a full picture of what was going on, but he should have had both hands on the bars.
MvdP had a slight cold, just like 90% of them after half a Tour.
Pogi had a race incident, part of the game.
How about that Quinn Simmons though? I like his aggressive style!
Quote from: Thenop on July 16, 2025, 04:58:18 PMHow about that Quinn Simmons though? I like his aggressive style!
Yes, they were saying on commentary today that if he doesn't get the most Combative rider of the Tour award there's no justice.
I don't like his moustache though.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 16, 2025, 05:05:48 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 16, 2025, 04:58:18 PMHow about that Quinn Simmons though? I like his aggressive style!
Yes, they were saying on commentary today that if he doesn't get the most Combative rider of the Tour award there's no justice.
I don't like his moustache though.
He's making America great again ;D
Quote from: David L on July 16, 2025, 05:10:03 PMHe's making America great again ;D
Being as it's a Hulk Hogan 'tache more like Making America Grapple Again
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 16, 2025, 09:48:46 PMQuote from: David L on July 16, 2025, 05:10:03 PMHe's making America great again ;D
Being as it's a Hulk Hogan 'tache more like Making America Grapple Again
Great hair too! He's deffo not related to Gene (Making Abject Greed Abhorrent) ;D
Race winning stage from Pog today. Looks unassailable.
Didn't expect that level of Pogification today. That was some ride and yet he did appear to be breathing heavily at times, never seen that before.
Vingegaard may have gained some explosive power but I think he's lost on the climbing.
Remco suffered today and is out of White. Or maybe not. I think the TV commnetators aren't good on time differences.
Oscar Onley the pluckiest Brit again, if he keeps this up he may make top 5 as I thought he could.
INEOS got five in the break, yet couldn't even make the top of the first climb.
Still a long way to go though.
Getting Armstrong vibes. He's almost too good.
Liking Lipowitz for a podium if he keeps this up. And Remco is very grumpy.
Rogla, meanwhile, is done for.
If he were the new Lance would he be making it so obvious?
Even if he is he's a nicer bloke, he did mention he was thinking of Samuele Privitera the young Italian rider who died in a crash yesterday.
Chapeau to Bryan Coquard, broke his finger in a feed zone incident yesterdy, going for an operation on it tonight and yet still honoured the tour and did today's Mountain TT
Followed today's stage on letour.fr while at work - found it exciting just reading about it and seeing the real time gaps. Pogacar is a monster!
Rice Krispie day for Remco, he snapped, crackled and popped.
Semi Lazarus day for Vingegaard, but Pogi just keeps riding on, up to 21 TdF stage wins, youngest man to get there.
Oscar Onley now up to fifth, can he keep it up for another eight stages?
Yes 4 seconds ahead of Vauquelin who drops to 6th - could be an interesting battle between the 2 over the next week or so
Quote from: dom on July 18, 2025, 04:29:55 PMFollowed today's stage on letour.fr while at work - found it exciting just reading about it and seeing the real time gaps. Pogacar is a monster!
Follow it on https://www.procyclingstats.com/ it'll piss ASO off :)
Glad I've got Discovery+, so could watch it all. Don't normally care for TTs, but this was in the mountains :)
Quote from: dom on July 18, 2025, 04:34:37 PMYes 4 seconds ahead of Vauquelin who drops to 6th - could be an interesting battle between the 2 over the next week or so
Oscar's got the edge on Vauquelin, Vauquelin's from Normandy, Oscar was born in Southend!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 18, 2025, 04:37:20 PMQuote from: dom on July 18, 2025, 04:34:37 PMYes 4 seconds ahead of Vauquelin who drops to 6th - could be an interesting battle between the 2 over the next week or so
Oscar's got the edge on Vauquelin, Vauquelin's from Normandy, Oscar was born in Southend!
The Essex edge? But who conquered who ? ;)
Quote from: dom on July 18, 2025, 04:43:55 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 18, 2025, 04:37:20 PMQuote from: dom on July 18, 2025, 04:34:37 PMYes 4 seconds ahead of Vauquelin who drops to 6th - could be an interesting battle between the 2 over the next week or so
Oscar's got the edge on Vauquelin, Vauquelin's from Normandy, Oscar was born in Southend!
The Essex edge? But who conquered who ? ;)
The English won out in the end. And some think Onley to be Scottish, but Kelso's Northumbria.
I think the Lazarus award goes to Roglic actually. Pogi is otherworldly, and only Vingegaard can be number 2.
Quite exciting to see the 3rd podium place battle!
It's been 30 years to the day Fabio Casartelli died.
What a waste, and what a shame.
It's a dangerous sport cycling.
can't believe it's 30 years ago.
Remco gone all Rice Krispie again.
Skjelmose quits, unsurprisingly. Wrapped hsi arm up like a mummy and still blodd coming through.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2025, 01:18:45 PMRemco gone all Rice Krispie again.
Skjelmose quits, unsurprisingly. Wrapped hsi arm up like a mummy and still blodd coming through.
Remco quit as well. Boohoo.
Finally a win for Arensman, fantastic!
INEOS must have discovered the remains of Team Sky's 2012 stash, Thymen Arensman getting the stage win from the break.
Not 3 in a row for Pogi, but he won't mind too much, still put time into Vingegaard and Oscar Onley cements a place in the top 5.
Sarfend 1 Normandie 0
Turbo Tim Wellens completes the full set of Grand Tour wins in a Belgian one-two.
Did LouLou think he'd won?
Belgium day, with Wellens and Campenaerts.
Yeah looks like Alain Philippe thought he's won.. curious
Yes, LouLou did think he'd won! When he found out the truth he stomped off refusing interviews ;D
Louis de Funes vibes ;D
Mind, he had dislocated his shoulder earlier in a crash, probably dislocated his brain too...
Zoe Backstedt won the Baloise Ladies Tour, after three stage wins including two in one day. Ellen van Dijk who's old enough to be Zoe's mum was second.
Bad crash at the end and American rider Alexis Magner had to be resuscitated.
MvdP out of Le Tour. He complained of a cold, turns out he has a pneumonia.
Quote from: Thenop on July 22, 2025, 09:02:33 AMMvdP out of Le Tour. He complained of a cold, turns out he has a pneumonia.
he won't be targeting Green then, another jersey for Pogi...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 20, 2025, 09:41:30 PMMind, he had dislocated his shoulder earlier in a crash, probably dislocated his brain too...
Well it dislocated his radio - so he had no idea there were people ahead of him. A day to remember for him anyway.
Crash -> dislocated shoulder -> reinserting shoulder himself -> helps team mate M Storer into the breakaway -> ends up winning his sprint to the line -> thinks he's won -> finds out he's third.
Quote from: dom on July 22, 2025, 01:01:05 PMWell it dislocated his radio - so he had no idea there were people ahead of him.
And if only he'd looked up he'd have seen my mate Victor up the road ahead of him...
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 22, 2025, 02:23:26 PMQuote from: dom on July 22, 2025, 01:01:05 PMWell it dislocated his radio - so he had no idea there were people ahead of him.
And if only he'd looked up he'd have seen my mate Victor up the road ahead of him...
details, mere details
What a finish! The fly weight took it today, Valentin, well done.
'turncoat' Healy just missed out today.
I'll stick up for the Frogs today because Parrot Painter beat the turncoat. I knew Pogi had got too much of a deficit to get his stage win on Ventoux.
Plucky Brit Oscar Onley lost a bit of time today, got worked over by Red Bull/Bora. Still in 4th overall though.
A French win at last - pity that Vauquelin is dropping further back. I thought Roglic was done - he really seeems to be finding his legs
Quote from: dom on July 22, 2025, 03:53:08 PMA French win at last - pity that Vauquelin is dropping further back.
Vauquelin's forté isn't the high mountains
QuoteI thought Roglic was done - he really seeems to be finding his legs
Building back into it after crashing out of the Giro.
Parrot Painter winning a stage in the TdF
(https://i.ibb.co/0R4chtJ1/62065d4c-e648-4409-82c8-18ac5b45079f.jpg)
Just reading Johannesen was administered oxygen and taken to hospital right after today's finish.
Undecided whether he will continue.
Quote from: Thenop on July 22, 2025, 07:59:57 PMJust reading Johannesen was administered oxygen and taken to hospital right after today's finish.
Undecided whether he will continue.
I wouldn't! Then I'd never have got up Ventoux
Quote from: dom on July 22, 2025, 03:53:08 PMpity that Vauquelin is dropping further back.
For some reason I was looking at Pogi on Strave and surprise, surprise he's taken the KOM on Ventoux - 53'47" for the 12.88 miles
Oscar Onley and Kevin Vauquelin also uploaded their rides - with power, somthing that Pogi doesn't reveal.
Onley took 55'32" averaging 373W
Vauquelin took 56'45" averaging 395W
Being a smaller guy helps.
My best 1 minute power output today was 328W, it drops off rapidly after that.
And Johannesen just gets on with it.
Quote from: Thenop on July 23, 2025, 11:59:21 AMAnd Johannesen just gets on with it.
He os a Wiking!
Jonathan Milan wins a sprint stage, holding off Jordi Meeua, possibly helped by a crash taking people out.
Jonas Abrahamsen last man standing from the break yet Frenchman Quentin Pacher wins the most combative rider, hows that work?
The Green man takes it today, just before Meeus. But another nasty crash there, Girmay does not look good. But considering this was the last sprint no harm done in that way.
Hope Lenny Martinez gets Yellow carded for his sticky bottle/sticky gel/sticky bottle/oh, didn't want a bottle antics.
No idea why the AI would want to make sure the rider is wearing a SKY jersey ;D I did not specify that..
(https://i.ibb.co/ymKdYkWB/12ab0775-cce2-4306-811f-aa42ee90bcab.jpg)
(https://i.ibb.co/9HY3Dzs2/b843f2e9-2189-4728-a778-776f60c9743c.jpg)
Wow! Podium place in touching distance for Oscar!
Quote from: Thenop on July 24, 2025, 01:14:08 PMNo idea why the AI would want to make sure the rider is wearing a SKY jersey ;D I did not specify that..
And Astana Blue as well.
Ben O'Connor gets an Ocker win for Jayco Alula.
Pogi picks up second and more seconds, barely had to work for it.
Good stage, but Visma's tactics were a bit dubious. Pogi was isolated but got team mates back before the Col de la Loze. Can't believe that Vauquelin got back on either, he'd been well dropped.
Plucky Brit Oscar Onley gets closer to the podium
Quote from: David L on July 24, 2025, 04:28:54 PMWow! Podium place in touching distance for Oscar!
If only he had a team to help him...
Quote from: David L on July 24, 2025, 04:28:54 PMWow! Podium place in touching distance for Oscar!
Start a supporters club I'd say:
OnleyFans
Anyway, bit of a disappointing stage. Nice win for Benjamin, otherwise rather uneventful. Hoping La Plagne tomorrow brings more joy.
Lenny was penalised. As to Vauquelin, can't see that he did anything wrong?
Quote from: dom on July 24, 2025, 05:07:23 PMLenny was penalised. As to Vauquelin, can't see that he did anything wrong?
He didn't just did really well to make up the time to get back to the GC group.
And Martinez got off lightly. An eight point KOM deduction? Word on the street is that if he wasn't wearing the Polka dots and if he hadn't been French it would have been more serious.
Thibau Pinot wasn't impressed, he gave Martinez's actions a Vomiting emoji.
I don't like Martinez, he's a bit of a cry-baby and looks like a bloke I was at school with who I couldn't abide.
Quote from: dom on July 24, 2025, 05:07:23 PMAs to Vauquelin, can't see that he did anything wrong?
Reviewing the day's fines and I've seen that Vauquelin has been fined 200CHF for a sticky bottle.
For Martinez it was Sticky Bottle. 500CHF fine; Pushing off against a car. 200CHF fine; 10 second overall classification penalization, 15 UCI point penalization and 8KOM point penalization.
Shortened stage today. An outbreak of a Cattle disease has lopped off tow cols and reduced the stage to 95km (although it was only 126 anyway)
Makes it an Alpine sprint stage with two HC climbs. Picernic Post have to try and hold a few together to help Onley blast up to La Plagne to give him a chance, but it makes it easier for Red Bull to keep together. Let's hope Lipowitz is tiring to get a plucky Brit onto the podium.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 25, 2025, 10:58:40 AMShortened stage today. An outbreak of a Cattle disease has lopped off tow cols and reduced the stage to 95km (although it was only 126 anyway)
Makes it an Alpine sprint stage with two HC climbs. Picernic Post have to try and hold a few together to help Onley blast up to La Plagne to give him a chance, but it makes it easier for Red Bull to keep together. Let's hope Lipowitz is tiring to get a plucky Brit onto the podium.
Lipowitz has Roglic backing him, that's one hell of a helper..althugh he might be a bit demotivated seeing he was supposedto be the nr. 1. He might go for the stage win.
Don't know how Martinez dare show his face today at the front of the race.
Sean "King" Kelly says "Yes, well, he gor off very loightly yesterday"
Arensman x 2, what a great win..
The big guns were too late, and unlucky Onley.
Nice 95k ride..
Second stage win for Arensman!
I think everyone else is on their knees now. Lipowitz has probably sealed the third podium spot, apart from yesterday he'd always edged out Onley on the climbs.
An Oz win for Groves, well done. lil' Frankie was too late but the 2nd place is nice with Eenhoorn third.
Let's see what the Montmartre brings tomorrow!
Kaden Groves completes the set of Grand Tours victories. His last nine wins have been in GTs.
Pity Jake Stewart didn't stick with him, but I think he'd have dropped back in the last unclassified climb. Surprised he got over the Cat 2 one so weel.
Hope Ivan Romeo is OK after his crash, that was nasty.
Pleased for Jegat coming in comfortably ahead of the peloton and getting into the top 10 general classification
First Yellow for Vos, but we lost Reusser. Interesting first stage though, lots to come and see in the coming 8 stages.
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 04:55:56 PMPleased for Jegat coming in comfortably ahead of the peloton and getting into the top 10 general classification
Typical sneaky Froggo.
The Breakaway didn't want him there and were persistent in telling him, but there's no honour in France.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 26, 2025, 06:59:09 PMQuote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 04:55:56 PMPleased for Jegat coming in comfortably ahead of the peloton and getting into the top 10 general classification
Typical sneaky Froggo.
The Breakaway didn't want him there and were persistent in telling him, but there's no honour in France.
I didn't watch the stage, they didn't want him there? What was that about? How does that work?
Having read up on what happened I think The Nop needs to revive his yellow card so it can be issued to Velasco.
Completely ridiculous behaviour
No idea what I did, but i'll take the Yellow. Won't pay any fines though, that's where I draw the line.
Quote from: Thenop on July 26, 2025, 08:44:16 PMNo idea what I did, but i'll take the Yellow. Won't pay any fines though, that's where I draw the line.
Sorry Nop! You're the card issuer, not its receiver!
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 09:01:03 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 26, 2025, 08:44:16 PMNo idea what I did, but i'll take the Yellow. Won't pay any fines though, that's where I draw the line.
Sorry Nop! You're the card issuer, not its receiver!
Ah! I misread that. Yeah Im not sure whether it counts if you swear in Italian, I think they teach it in school.
Quote from: Thenop on July 26, 2025, 09:10:57 PMQuote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 09:01:03 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 26, 2025, 08:44:16 PMNo idea what I did, but i'll take the Yellow. Won't pay any fines though, that's where I draw the line.
Sorry Nop! You're the card issuer, not its receiver!
Ah! I misread that. Yeah Im not sure whether it counts if you swear in Italian, I think they teach it in school.
Not sure who he thinks he is - to decide who should and shouldn't be in a breakaway? "Petit cäid"
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 08:12:46 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 26, 2025, 06:59:09 PMQuote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 04:55:56 PMPleased for Jegat coming in comfortably ahead of the peloton and getting into the top 10 general classification
Typical sneaky Froggo.
The Breakaway didn't want him there and were persistent in telling him, but there's no honour in France.
I didn't watch the stage, they didn't want him there? What was that about? How does that work?
They didn't want him there because they knew he wanted to improve his GC standing, but that meant Jayco Alula would chase to try to keep Ben O'Connor in 10th, a chasing peleton means breakaway stands less chance of success.
The PicNic Post NL DS radioed Frank van den Broek saying "Have a word with Jegat, tell him he's not wanted"
There are a lot of unwritten rules in cycling - enough to fill a library - and Jegat was transgressing.
Not having it Nick. He did nothing wrong. Everyone wants to improve their GC standing! There might have been a bit of an argument had the peloton caught the breakaway(even then pretty dubious). There is absolutely nothing to see here. Even Wellens told Velasco he was out of order
Well done Jegat. A journeyman cyclist getting into the top 10
Quote from: dom on July 26, 2025, 09:33:32 PMNot having it Nick. He did nothing wrong. Everyone wants to improve their GC standing! There might have been a bit of an argument had the peloton caught the breakaway(even then pretty dubious). There is absolutely nothing to see here. Even Wellens told Velasco he was out of order
Well done Jegat. A journeyman cyclist getting into the top 10
Dom, you don't understand cycling.
Every day the breakway is monitored and marshalled. At the best of times most teams have riders from other teams who they will not get in breakaways.
You want to improve your GC position
you make your own breakaway, don't gatecrash someone else's.
The younger riders are just too uppity these days.
Quote from: Thenop on July 26, 2025, 06:45:31 PMFirst Yellow for Vos, but we lost Reusser. Interesting first stage though, lots to come and see in the coming 8 stages.
All thanks to plucky Brit Imogen Wolff ;) Well she did do a big pull towards the end. Just 19 as well.
Good to see Puck up in 6th and six Dutch riders in the top 10.
Audrey Cordon Ragot doing reports from the Moto, didn't realise she spoke such good English, money obviously talks.
Old woman Mavi Garcia gets a breakaway victory today.
Was really hoping that Puck might do it today, but she's probably not road conditioned yet. Good second for Lorena Wiebes.
That was a mis calculation by the peloton that should have never let her go. Ahe left, what 11km before the finish line? Sprint teams really messed up there, it was up for grabs?
Tactics need some work...
SuperWout!
I think I can get used to this last day of the TdF, it was a good TdF although it was clear from the start who would win.
Don't doubt the Wout! Well done WvA
And well done Pogi for still racing it. he didn't have to do it, but he's a racer. I think just maybe he may have thought he should just knock it off a bit before the end, just in case.
ANd G made it round his last tour safely.
Plucky Brit Oliver Knight won today's stage in the Ethias-Tour de Wallonie and took over the GC lead :)
I thought it was a nice twist on the final day with the cat 4 climbs to make it a proper race and not just the traditional procession with only the sprinters having any competition.
Good of the organisers to mix it up a little. I wonder if they'll ever consider doing a time trial on the final day again. I still have a degree of trauma from the last one!
Quote from: dom on July 28, 2025, 09:58:04 AMI thought it was a nice twist on the final day with the cat 4 climbs to make it a proper race and not just the traditional procession with only the sprinters having any competition.
Good of the organisers to mix it up a little.
Well G enjoyed it, but only because he won't have to do it again :)
Matej Mohoric and Fred Wright enjoyed it, but Phil Bauhaus didn't
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 28, 2025, 02:05:38 PMQuote from: dom on July 28, 2025, 09:58:04 AMI thought it was a nice twist on the final day with the cat 4 climbs to make it a proper race and not just the traditional procession with only the sprinters having any competition.
Good of the organisers to mix it up a little.
Well G enjoyed it, but only because he won't have to do it again :)
Matej Mohoric and Fred Wright enjoyed it, but Phil Bauhaus didn't
What about you?
Good win for Wiebes, no competition really, she is so strong. Vos 2nd, but the ugly crash is a bit of a concern.
Avg speed 44+kmh, very fast again.
Quote from: dom on July 28, 2025, 03:27:09 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 28, 2025, 02:05:38 PMQuote from: dom on July 28, 2025, 09:58:04 AMI thought it was a nice twist on the final day with the cat 4 climbs to make it a proper race and not just the traditional procession with only the sprinters having any competition.
Good of the organisers to mix it up a little.
Well G enjoyed it, but only because he won't have to do it again :)
Matej Mohoric and Fred Wright enjoyed it, but Phil Bauhaus didn't
What about you?
I emjoyed it, but maybe add a couple more Champs Elysees laps at the end to give the sprinters a hope of catching back, make it more chaotic!
Lorena Wiebed won the TdF avec Zwift again today, was hoping my mate Ali Jackson would hold on, alas no.
Demi Vollering involved in a crash late on.
Lorena Wiebes gets ger second stage win. A bit of argy-argy on the way in. But beat old woman Vos again.
And again, sprint won by Wiebes, Vos 2nd and maintains the Yellow and Gillespie 3rd.
Bring us some mountains!
Quote from: Thenop on July 29, 2025, 04:41:32 PMBring us some mountains!
Get's a bit hillier tomorrow. Just hillier.
And no Pogi for the Vuelta, poor lad's too tired.
Although if he feels a bit better he'll be able to ride the Tour of Britain :)
Yeah, it's Ayuso and Almeida. They just don't learn at UAE.. they lost the Giro because of the absence of a real no.1.
A few hills make for a more exciting race!
Kim le Court Pienaar takes the win and retakes Yellow.
Mountains from now on, but only a summit finish on Saturday.
Intercontinental win and yellow for leCourt. Vollering 2nd.
Nice stage, bit hilly but enough to make a difference.
Not sure what was wrong with your mate Jackson, looked like mechanical failure of some sort.
Quote from: Thenop on July 30, 2025, 04:33:52 PMNot sure what was wrong with your mate Jackson, looked like mechanical failure of some sort.
Yes, looked like she was stuck in the wrong gear. At the best of times she rides like a Farmer though! But then she is a Canadian farm girl.
That was a great win for Squiban, exciting stage with climbing and the quick descend, bring on the Madeleine!
A win for Maeve Squiban today.
Kim le Court Pienaar managed to extend her lead by picking up more bonus seconds.
Mountains starting to make a bit of a difference.
Quote from: Thenop on July 31, 2025, 04:43:28 PMThat was a great win for Squiban, exciting stage with climbing and the quick descend, bring on the Madeleine!
Ditto. Well done, Squiban.
Two from two for MaeVa Squiban, pity Shirin van Anrooij couldn't get a top three placing.
Kim le Court put in a fantastic descent to keep her in Yellow
Now for a proper Mountain stage.
First time a French cyclist has won 2 consecutive stages of the tour since Charly Mottet in 1991!
Quote from: dom on August 01, 2025, 08:22:22 PMFirst time a French cyclist has won 2 consecutive stages of the tour since Charly Mottet in 1991!
To be fair, the Dutch had to set the example first this week.
Quote from: dom on August 01, 2025, 08:22:22 PMFirst time a French cyclist has won 2 consecutive stages of the tour since Charly Mottet in 1991!
So they still haven't then, this is the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift :)
Plus young Maeva is from the ends of the Earth, so she might be Breton.
:o PFP!
Col de la Madeleine is unforgiving. Quite the race today.
A damp Squiban for Maeva today, pity it wasn't for France with PFP winning, she's got ot be tainted she rode for INEOS...
Giant steps from Sarah Gigante to make it up to the podium.
Thankfully Demi Vollering pur one over on Kasia Niewiadoma, a bit of revenge for last year.
Bit of a a screw up from UAE in Clasico San Sebastian. Ciccone takes it, but the UAE boys should have played that better...
We saw the same in the Giro, and we'll see it in the Vuelta again. No Pogi, no team.
Quote from: Thenop on August 02, 2025, 05:26:48 PMBit of a a screw up from UAE in Clasico San Sebastian. Ciccone takes it, but the UAE boys should have played that better...
Dang! Spoiled again! But then I'd inadvertently found out anyway. Don't want to find out avoid the internet.
Got to love Puck Pieterse, she's not been at the same level as last year - too much Mountain Biking - but looking at her Strava account she called today's ride "First time in the grupetto🤭"
So PFP gets a second stage ein and yellow.
Pity Sarah Gigante can't descend, cost her a podium place.
Well done PFP, Demi Vollering managed to secure place 2 in both GC and stage. Better luck next year, try without falling over then..
Was a very enjoyable TdF Femmes this year, you can really see the level going up, proper mountain stages etc.
Saw on my Strava feed that a 17 year old lad from up the road was out in Samoens. He rode up the Col de Joux-Planes in 53'26" (Although his best time is 46'48")
Interesting to compare him to today's times from the Women: Nianh Fisher-Black took the QOM in 42'43", best plucky Brit time was Millie Couzens in 50'35", Puck took 53'51".
I think it would take me about an hour and twenty! Of course the KOM is Pogi with 33'52"
We've booked a motorhome pitch at a campsite (at a pub!) to watch a stage of the Tour of Britain next month. We will be staying at Ridgmont in Bedfordshire and will hopefully be able to catch the (Milton Keynes to Ampthill) stage in more than one location by using the mtbs from the site. The finish is just a few miles down the road. Should be fun.
Olav Kooij wins the openinhg stage of the Tour de Pologne.
Pluckiest Brit Ethan Vernon in fifth.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 04, 2025, 03:51:25 PMOlav Kooij wins the openinhg stage of the Tour de Pologne.
Pluckiest Brit Ethan Vernon in fifth.
No surprise, Kooij is the strongest sprinter there.
And Olav Kooij has been added to the Startlist for the Tour of Britain, hoping to add to the four stage wins he got in 2023.
Paul Lapeira won today's stage of the Tour de Pologne, came from nowhere after Kwiatowski had tried setting up Magnus Sheffield and failing miserably - Victor Langelotti was INEOS's best rider in third, also coming from nowhere.
I'm sure in past years that Discovery+ have shown the Vuelta a Burgos, but not this, maybe they've swapped it for the Tour de Pologne as I don't recall watching that before. Anyhoo, Roger Adria won the first Burgos stage.
In transfer news Dylan Groenewegen has left the World Tour and joined Unibet Tietam Rockets, bit of a coup for them.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 05, 2025, 03:53:17 PMPaul Lapeira won today's stage of the Tour de Pologne, came from nowhere after Kwiatowski had tried setting up Magnus Sheffield and failing miserably - Victor Langelotti was INEOS's best rider in third, also coming from nowhere.
I'm sure in past years that Discovery+ have shown the Vuelta a Burgos, but not this, maybe they've swapped it for the Tour de Pologne as I don't recall watching that before. Anyhoo, Roger Adria won the first Burgos stage.
In transfer news Dylan Groenewegen has left the World Tour and joined Unibet Tietam Rockets, bit of a coup for them.
I read that about Groenewegen, good for TdT. Boost for the profile and Groenewegen has won (and earned) enough. Pro Cycling teams are getting better and better as well.
Remco jumping ship and joining Bora. Roglic must be over the moon...
Win for Ben Turner in the Tour de Pologne today. Funny old stage after it got neutralised after several riders crashed into a ditch. Took out Paul Lapeira the Yellow jersey. No change to GC positions.
Matteo Moschetti won in today's Vuelta a Burgos atage for Q36.5
Tour de l'Ain still ongoing, will catch up with that.
Good finish to Stage 1 of the Deutschland Tour today. Matt Brennan just getting by Jonathan Milan. Longest wait for a photo-finish I've known in cycling, but ended up not being the closest.
I think that makes Brennan the winningest [sic] sprinter in the World this year.
And Olav Kooij doubled it up for Visma by winning stage 2 of the Renewi Tour
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 22, 2025, 10:26:49 AMAnd Olav Kooij doubled it up for Visma by winning stage 2 of the Renewi Tour
Yes, our sort of National tour. It's never been very good.
In other news: the Vuelta starts tomorrow ;D
MvdP Renewi tour. Of course.
Quote from: Thenop on August 22, 2025, 04:11:04 PMMvdP Renewi tour. Of course.
Of course - just watched on catch up.
Decent ride by Alfred Brockwell Wright - love your Sunday name Fred.
Riley Sheehan lost today's Deutschland Tour stage by celebrating too early.
Jasper not even at 100% by the looks of it. There to win the stage and pick up the red.
Bring on the climbing, this is not very exciting to be honest.
Jasper Philipsen starts the Vuelta like he did the Tour.
Ethan Vernon pluckiest Brit in second.
Bit of a dull stage for a Vuelta stage. Get it back in Spain for the madness :)
Caught up on the Deutschland and Renewi Tours, much more exciting than the Vuelta!
Danny van Poppel "won" in Germany, but got relegated, giving Soren Waerenskjold the win.
Tim Merlier won the bunch sprint in the Renewi Tour.
However, a junior rider competing in the Vuelta Internacional Junior a la Ribera del Duero has died following a crash during Saturday's Stage 2. Not nice news.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 23, 2025, 11:51:32 PMHowever, a junior rider competing in the Vuelta Internacional Junior a la Ribera del Duero has died following a crash during Saturday's Stage 2. Not nice news.
That is very sad news indeed. Ivan Melendez was just 17 years old..
Vingegaard just pips Ciccone who thought he'd take it. All the big guns going for it on day 2 already.
More a moral win than anything else.
Bad crash appears not much broken though.
That's what we want, sprint mountains!
Vinegarad pipping Ciccone on the line. Tom Pidcock is not a GC rider.
DNF for Guillaume Martin and I thought it was all over for Axel Zingle.
Was also watching the Toue de l'Avenir with the stage won by Britain's Noah Hobbs.
Another Matt Brennan stage win today :)
And Arnaud de Lie pipped MvdP in the Renewi Tour, all down to bonus seconds on the line.
And Axel Zingle dislocated his shoulder twice, whilst it was being put back in the second time someone ran off with his bike...
A week ago some idiots stole a complete supply of specially made anniversary shirt from Dutch football club NEC. Of course they came back, they were not retailed yet so anyone wearing one would be picked up quickly.
So what are you going to do with 18 completely specially outfitted Cervelo bikes. Besides being a massive tool stealing these, criminals are so stupid.
Clever clever Gaudu 8) Pedersen's teammates will not be happy!
And Vingegaard will remain in the red.
Exciting final few kms! More of this please..
Bloody David Gaudu won that.
Bjorn Koerdt the pluckiest Brit in 9th.
Uphill sprint again though.
Looked like a very technical finish having to navigate that bend while sprinting
Second stage win for the Great Britain Team in the Tour de l'Avenir today with Elliott Rowe. He's on the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development team.
Bennie's crying he is so happy.
Philipsen second who got locked in by his own teammate ???
Crikey! Stage win for Ben Turner, wasn't even meant to be at the Vuelta, got called away from the Renewi Tour with 36 hours notice. Ethan Vernon 4th on hos birthday.
Vingegaard gives up the Maillot Rojo
And Dorian Godon goes to INEOS next year.must be a Total Energies thing. Don't like Dorian, don't like his 'tache - same with Matteo Jorgenson.
Vingegaard giving up the jersey is a clear premeditated move
Quote from: Thenop on August 26, 2025, 03:45:04 PMVingegaard giving up the jersey is a clear premeditated move
it'll go straight back tomorrow.
Yup. Lizard Lips back in Red. They pulled that back well.
UAE take the stage win.
Matteo Sobrero had a nasty crash for Red Bull, lucky not to take more of his team out.
INEOS probably suffer for looking after Bernal. he may be Colombian TT champion, but that's not saying a lot for riding a flast course.
More or less as expected. It doensn't really bring anything those group TTs do they?
Some prostesters were the most eventful thing to see. And the wind, which caused the later teams to loose time in part 2 of the race.
So, tomorrow, real mountains.
Stage win fro Jay Vine from the break.
UAE leadsership is settled - it's Almaide.
Vingegaard cedes the Maillot Rojo to Torstein Træen, could we see a repeat of Ben O'Connor and Roglic?
Good to see James Shaw up in the breakaway - means he isn't flying by me on his training rides if he's in Spain - or Andorra.
And that's just the first Mountain Stage!
Exciting stage, Træen is nowhere near the rider that could hold on to the red for long, perhaps tomorrow he will already concede.
Heard his story during the stage today:
Was randomly doping tested and received a call from the testers: they found some disturbing blood anomalies and he should call the doctor. Long story short, he had testicular cancer, was operated on a week later and was back on his bike the week after that. Who said doping tests are nonsense? They caught it early which was why he made a full recovery.
Anyway, on today's stage: a very disappointing Ayuso and Vingegaard barely broke a sweat. Vine will go for the polka dot to make it 2 years in a row, and
Juan Ayuso's not dead yet. He's getting better!
Good chaotic start today up the longest climb of the Vuelta, then it settled down a bit. Chapeau to Mada Pedersen for getting out in the breakaway to get the intermediate sprint points.
Træen keeps Red. Could still do a bit of a Ben O'Connor...
It's clear UAE wants stage wins, and Almeida can sort himself out. Next climbing stage we will see Soler trying.
But a good win for Ayuso, his first Vuelta stage win!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 24, 2025, 11:54:12 PMAnother Matt Brennan stage win today :)
And Arnaud de Lie pipped MvdP in the Renewi Tour, all down to bonus seconds on the line.
And Axel Zingle dislocated his shoulder twice, whilst it was being put back in the second time someone ran off with his bike...
They stole his bike? Unbelievable! I thought you were joking at first.
Well done Paul Seixas winner of Le Tour de l'Avenir
Quote from: dom on August 29, 2025, 08:04:22 PMWell done Paul Seixas winner of Le Tour de l'Avenir
Sounds like he has a future :)
Quote from: Thenop on August 29, 2025, 08:29:50 PMQuote from: dom on August 29, 2025, 08:04:22 PMWell done Paul Seixas winner of Le Tour de l'Avenir
Sounds like he has a future :)
Indeed he won the young rider competition as well so he must barely be out of nappies!
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 29, 2025, 07:58:45 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 24, 2025, 11:54:12 PMAnother Matt Brennan stage win today :)
And Arnaud de Lie pipped MvdP in the Renewi Tour, all down to bonus seconds on the line.
And Axel Zingle dislocated his shoulder twice, whilst it was being put back in the second time someone ran off with his bike...
They stole his bike? Unbelievable! I thought you were joking at first.
Actually they didn't he thought they had, but someone had stuck it in the "Broom Wagon" from whence it was eventually returned.
The whole team had 20 bikes stolen that night by persons unknown.
As did Team Total energies in the Tour Poitou - Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 29, 2025, 09:08:23 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on August 29, 2025, 07:58:45 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 24, 2025, 11:54:12 PMAnother Matt Brennan stage win today :)
And Arnaud de Lie pipped MvdP in the Renewi Tour, all down to bonus seconds on the line.
And Axel Zingle dislocated his shoulder twice, whilst it was being put back in the second time someone ran off with his bike...
They stole his bike? Unbelievable! I thought you were joking at first.
Actually they didn't he thought they had, but someone had stuck it in the "Broom Wagon" from whence it was eventually returned.
The whole team had 20 bikes stolen that night by persons unknown.
As did Team Total energies in the Tour Poitou - Charentes en Nouvelle Aquitaine.
In was thinking about that. It has happened before so why is there no central secured space for buses and their content? Guarded of course. You'd the organisation understands that no bikes means no race.
Quote from: dom on August 29, 2025, 08:04:22 PMWell done Paul Seixas winner of Le Tour de l'Avenir
Thanks for spoiling it >:(
Bit of a moot point as to whether he should be riding the Tour de l'Avenir as he already rides at World Tour level. The UCI have clamped down on this for the U23 World Championships this year, only World Tour development team riders and lower ranking Teams.
Noah Hobbs won the Points jersey in the Tour de l'Avenir. This helped him step up to EF Education's World Tour team from their development squad.
Sorrry ! 🫣
Jasper Philpsen gets his second win of this Vuelta. Good second for Elia Viviani and plucky Brit Ethan Vernon in third.
Bit of a dull day, but the finish circuit was a good watch.
Incredible sprint from Philipsen. He was positioned all wrong but he managed to wurm his way past Viviani, who did not keep the door closed, and overtook him.
Good third place for your man Vernon.
Dull stage indeed. We need more mountains.
Quote from: Thenop on August 30, 2025, 04:45:10 PMDull stage indeed. We need more mountains.
Gets hillier again tomorrow :)
Then the week builds up to the ANGLIRU!!!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 30, 2025, 05:20:53 PMQuote from: Thenop on August 30, 2025, 04:45:10 PMDull stage indeed. We need more mountains.
Gets hillier again tomorrow :)
Then the week builds up to the ANGLIRU!!!
Angry Lou. Mad Mountain.
And I forgot to say, that today was the first Vuelta stage in Spanish speaking Spain!
So, Viviani and Cockhard got relegated in the sprint for infringements. Viviani might as well give up now, he's 36 and out of contract at the end of the year.
Didn't see that one coming, even with tomorrow being a rest day.
Didn't expect Pidcock to do so well either, he can normally be dropped on the steeper bits where Vingegaard attacked.
Mountains mean fun.
Wanted to stretch his legs I suppose. Just test himself and give the others something to think about during the rest day. Especially Ciccone who will be crushed. To be honest hen was crushed...
Good day for your boy Pidcock indeed.
Curious was that VLB lead the group that brought the red jersey in..only explanation would be they did not want it yet themselves.
Quote from: Thenop on August 31, 2025, 04:49:25 PMCurious was that VLB lead the group that brought the red jersey in..only explanation would be they did not want it yet themselves.
That was the conclusion of our TV "Experts"
They think the same scenario may play out on Tuesday.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on August 31, 2025, 08:30:18 PMQuote from: Thenop on August 31, 2025, 04:49:25 PMCurious was that VLB lead the group that brought the red jersey in..only explanation would be they did not want it yet themselves.
That was the conclusion of our TV "Experts"
They think the same scenario may play out on Tuesday.
They can call me anytime. I am open for offers.
Good win for Arnaud de Lie in the Bretagne Classic today. Didn't realise he was in it until the last 200m! He's reallu coming back to form.
Second stage win for Jay Vine and his fifth ever in the Vuelta. Cements his grip on the KOM jersey.
Vingegaard is back in Red.
Mountains make better racing - that's why I've not yet watched the Tour of Britain, the KoM there was 1km @ 0.8!
If Pidcock can cope with the likes of Angliru he's a chance of finishing on the podium - providing he can Time Trial as well...
Better racing indeed. I looked very closely and maybe saw one drop of sweat on Vingegaard's forehead. While Almeida gave it his all, Vingegaard never even got out of his saddle.
Ayuso did 2 mins of work, gone at the end of the year. UAE is no team.
Good win for Vine though, I feel he can win even more this Vuelta!
Olav Kooij won the opening stage of the Tour of Britain. Adding to the four he won two years ago.
No stage winner on the Vuelta today - the finish has been cleared of protestors.
Time will be taken at the foot of the climb.
That's my support for Gaza gone. Bloody Basques.
Pidcock into a podium position.
Poor Poor Tom Pidcock.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 02, 2025, 11:22:38 PMOlav Kooij won the opening stage of the Tour of Britain. Adding to the four he won two years ago.
And of course he won yesterday too. He Probably will today as well.
Nice appetiser for tomorrow. Ayuos and UAE get another win and Mads Pedersen manages to pick up green jersey points at the end.
Bring on the Angliru!
Only saw the end, Ayuso a good winner here. Romo quasi upset, he knew it was not for him.
Good third place for young Rolland.
Tomorrow is the day of days.
Watched stage 3 of the Tour of Britain today. We are staying in a campsite behind the Rose and Crown, Ridgmont, Beds. Cycled SE 10 miles down to Barton-le-Cay to watch the race come through.
Unbelievable spectacle as the peleton turned sharp right at a mini r/about. Marshall with whistle and flags on the exit island had parked his motorcycle in the most stupid position across the exit of a slip road just after the exit of the r/about which ended up being a necessary route for the majority of the peleton who were unable to negotiate the r/about at speed as the road was just too narrow. How they avoided the most dreadful pile-up I'll never know. Riders splitting right and left to miss the parked motorcycle in close formation came as close to an accident as I've ever seen. Luckily no one went down and all riders passed without incident.
We then cycled up to Ampthill for the finish. Really well attended and nearby pubs doing great trade. We managed to get a decent spot around 100 metres from the finish line. Watching cyclists pass at near to 50mph is an incredible experience. You have very little chance to identify riders at that speed but we clocked Geraint Thomas who avoided the scrum at the finish and coasted home a minute or two behind the pack. Apparently Matthew Brennan took the stage for Visma/Lease -a-bike.
We managed around 20 miles and a good few pints, mostly in a smashing little craft ale pub calked Marv's in Ampthill. Excellent day. Hope to catch stage 4 at Sunrise Hill in Warwickshire tomorrow.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 04, 2025, 01:29:39 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 02, 2025, 11:22:38 PMOlav Kooij won the opening stage of the Tour of Britain. Adding to the four he won two years ago.
And of course he won yesterday too. He Probably will today as well.
Of course Olav Kooij is now fed up of winning ToB stages and today he was the lead out man for Matt Brennan.
Brennan had said on Day 1 that the plan was for Kooij to go for stages one and two and Brennan for three and four.
Quote from: David L on September 04, 2025, 10:47:31 PMWatching cyclists pass at near to 50mph is an incredible experience. You have very little chance to identify riders at that speed but we clocked Geraint Thomas who avoided the scrum at the finish and coasted home a minute or two behind the pack.
Whenever they come to the Peak District in the ToB, I ride out to KOM points, they're going more slowly - but still too quick to identify. If they have a National champion's jersey it can be easier. When I saw them come up Beeley Moor a few years back I only recognised Daniel Teklehaimanot the Eritrean...
I think G knocks it off at the end to make sure he avoids crashes, he wants to get to Cardiff. He'd better as we're off there to hopefully see him cross the line to finish his career,
Fantastic win for Almeida though I think Vingegaard could have taken it if he really has tried.
Good day still for Pidcock, he lost a little time but not too bad. And a very strong Hindley!
Young Vino with old Jungels giving some shine to this one.
I'm out of breath waching that! I'd have been off and pushuing after 2km.
Good win for Almeida, keeps him well in it.
Pidcock even keeps his podium place. I thought it might have been too much for him today, but he did well.
But sustained pitches of 20-23%, I start thinking of walking when it gets to 12% for a 100m.
Mountains are great - to look at.
Forgot the best bit - the dog running into the road pulling the plastic chair it had been tied to!
Good job the peloton wasn't coming through.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 05, 2025, 04:47:11 PMForgot the best bit - the dog running into the road pulling the plastic chair it had been tied to!
Good job the peloton wasn't coming through.
Idiots, and the protestors again, held them up for a good 30 secs
Travelled across to Warwickshire from Bedfordshire to catch some of the stage 4 action today.
We parked up at Upper Brailles and cycled the 8 or so miles to the top of the cat 2 climb, Sun Rising hill. We bagged a great spot right at the steep kicker where this 10% average climb increases to around 15%. Sat on the arnco barrier for over an hour where we enjoyed a splendid packed lunch before the race came through.
Today's stage winner was France's Romain Gregoire who just pipped compatriot Julian Alaphilippe in the 100m uphill finish at Burton Dassett Hills Country Park.
Another great day.
Caught up with the ToB at last. Dr Hutch actually picked Romain Grégoire for the win. Hills make for better racing*
Belgian CX doper Toon Aerts came in 7th today
* See the SIMAC ladies tour, pan flat and Lorena Wiebes has won four stages out of four.
Gah! Tomorrow I miss all the cycling as I'll be on a train to Cardiff.
Marc Soler doing Marc Soler things :)
Quote from: Thenop on August 29, 2025, 04:26:06 PMIt's clear UAE wants stage wins, and Almeida can sort himself out. Next climbing stage we will see Soler trying.
But a good win for Ayuso, his first Vuelta stage win!
It took a little longer but Soler has his win.
It's now 7 out of 14 wins for UAE :o
Tree green man was given a free pas it felt like. Oh well, he was bound to win at least one stage.
Spent three hours waiting in showery rain to see the Tour of Britain finale.
All over in a blink of an eye as Olav Kooij won the sprint to the line.
It was worth it to see Geraint's farewell,we gave him a good send off.
This was the finish on Sunday (action starts about 50s in)
Will Olav Kooij win for Visma again? Off to Decathlon CMA CGM next year, who seem to be building a sprint team, brought in Cees Bol as well for a lead out man.
No Landismo today, but a win for Bernal. The two comeback kids.
Bloody pro-Palestinian protesters again. Bugger off to Israel and protest there. Don't ruin my cycle racing.
Even though the cause might be just it's not the right place to protest.
A win for Bernal is welcome though
I just hope they don't ruin the TT in 2 days.
Highlight: Jorgenson just now blurting out into the camera: Victor we miss you! Lovely.
Maiden win for Giulio Pellizaro today. Atop a pretty bleak mountain.
The rest more or less marked each other out, Pidock picking up bonus seconds. Almeida needs a team around him.
Young Pellizari takes it with a strong looking Pidcock 2nd. He looks fit your man Tom, if he survives the TT he might end up being 3rd!
Surreal seeing all the scorched mountains..
Quote from: Thenop on September 10, 2025, 04:24:46 PMYoung Pellizari takes it with a strong looking Pidcock 2nd. He looks fit your man Tom, if he survives the TT he might end up being 3rd!
And there's the problem: Time Trial. Although he once did a good one somewhere...
QuoteSurreal seeing all the scorched mountains..
Very.
They have just announced the TT has been shortened from 27 km to around 12 km. Safety reasons. Which gives your man Pidcock a good chance.
Top Ganna! He really murdered those last 4km.
Pidcock gained a couple of seconds on Hindley, but he's not good enough at the TT to win a grand tour.
Almeida gains 10s on Vingegaard. What would a 28km TT have done?
Saturday's going to be Brutal now!
Quite boring TT to be honest, was never going to make much difference. Pidcock did well and it feels like Vingegaard was sort of 'coached' through it to save his energy for Saturday.
Oh well, interestingly enough Israel Premier tech were back to their old kit. Curious.
Quote from: Thenop on September 11, 2025, 05:42:11 PMOh well, interestingly enough Israel Premier tech were back to their old kit. Curious.
Didn't notice that.
Maybe special skinsuits for the TT That they didn't have time to get new ones for.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 11, 2025, 07:03:34 PMQuote from: Thenop on September 11, 2025, 05:42:11 PMOh well, interestingly enough Israel Premier tech were back to their old kit. Curious.
Didn't notice that.
Maybe special skinsuits for the TT That they didn't have time to get new ones for.
Think so, saw it when Riccitello was on the podium for take off.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Suppose the sprint was OK and Vingegaard got 4s back on Almeida.
Pity the cross winds weren't stronger.
A masterclass in lead out and winning the sprint by Alpecin. Philipsen's 3rd in majestic manner.
For the rest quite uneventful.
Bring on Tomorrow!
Crikey! Sneaky Froggo Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix de Québec.
Got in a break.sat on, then snuck off.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 12, 2025, 11:57:41 PMCrikey! Sneaky Froggo Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix de Québec.
Got in a break.sat on, then snuck off.
Must be because the trees whispered his name in his own lingo. But good to see
Alain Philippe win once more.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 12, 2025, 11:57:41 PMCrikey! Sneaky Froggo Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix de Québec.
Got in a break.sat on, then snuck off.
Way to make a negative "spin" of it 😂
Wonder your wording if a Brit had done the same thing.
You did acknowledge his win at least. Kudos for that
Quote from: dom on September 13, 2025, 10:15:13 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 12, 2025, 11:57:41 PMCrikey! Sneaky Froggo Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix de Québec.
Got in a break.sat on, then snuck off.
Way to make a negative "spin" of it 😂
Wonder your wording if a Brit had done the same thing.
You did acknowledge his win at least. Kudos for that
Even the commentator - who wanted LouLou - to win wasn't overly keen on his tactics.
I'd be the same with a British rider, some of us still believe in fair(ish) play. What you should do in this situation is keep going to the front for some half-hearted turns :)
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 13, 2025, 11:02:18 AMQuote from: dom on September 13, 2025, 10:15:13 AMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 12, 2025, 11:57:41 PMCrikey! Sneaky Froggo Alaphilippe won the Grand Prix de Québec.
Got in a break.sat on, then snuck off.
Way to make a negative "spin" of it 😂
Wonder your wording if a Brit had done the same thing.
You did acknowledge his win at least. Kudos for that
Even the commentator - who wanted LouLou - to win wasn't overly keen on his tactics.
I'd be the same with a British rider, some of us still believe in fair(ish) play. What you should do in this situation is keep going to the front for some half-hearted turns :)
Fair enough - I didn't watch the race (or even know it was on) so I'll bow to your judgement
Quote from: dom on September 13, 2025, 01:51:50 PMFair enough - I didn't watch the race (or even know it was on) so I'll bow to your judgement
I do nothing but watch cycling and listen to people moaning about transgressions of the unwritten laws of cycling :)
Today's break in the Vuelta was full of riders moaning at those not doing their bit.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 13, 2025, 03:19:33 PMQuote from: dom on September 13, 2025, 01:51:50 PMFair enough - I didn't watch the race (or even know it was on) so I'll bow to your judgement
I do nothing but watch cycling and listen to people moaning about transgressions of the unwritten laws of cycling :)
Today's break in the Vuelta was full of riders moaning at those not doing their bit.
The moaners did not win anything yet and ate a big bag of sour grapes. It's day 20 in a grand tour cut each other some slack!
It's Vingegaars's Vuelta. He deserves it after that. I got out of breath just watching it.
Pidcock's got a podium. A Vuelta podium will be the best he can do.
If I were 20 days into a Grand Tour with that to come, I'd be getting pretty tetchy!
Well done Vingegaard, well deserved. Happy to see Pidcock get a podium, Jay Vine polka dot nr. 2.
Almeida nr. 2 but there is nothing appealing about his style.
Too bad the protests spoiled some of it, even pulling 1 rider off his bike. Not doing themselves any favours here..
Anyway fantastic last climb desolate Spanish landscape really suits this grand tour.
Tomorrow MvdP trying his mountainbike skills again.
Quote from: Thenop on September 13, 2025, 04:23:31 PMTomorrow MvdP trying his mountainbike skills again.
Oh dear...
Hope he races Cyclocross this Winter. WvA is. I hope Pidcock does too.
A disappointing 29th place for MvdP.
Quote from: Thenop on September 14, 2025, 02:18:34 PMA disappointing 29th place for MvdP.
Yes. But well done Alan Hatherley.
It's raining, so I have nothing better to do than watch cycling.
Seen Laura Verdonschot win the Hope Supercross in Bradford in Britain's top ranked CX race.
Connor Swift winning the British Gravel Championships - beating cousin Ben
Watched the end of the XCO Mountain Biking
Now for the Men's Hope Supercross
Then watch the End of the Grand Prix de Fourmies
Then the Vuelta
Then finish the day catching up with the GP Cycliste Montréal.
I think the Vuelta is done..
Looks like I'm watching Montréal earlier than expected, but then Mrs S wants to watch Antiques Roadshow...
I really don't know what these protesters expect to gain from this.
Attention obviously. And they are right to ask attention for a just cause, but when I see them not just blocking the road but being physical with the riders, they cross a line.
There really are no winners here.
One of the boy's mates has gone to Madrid on a stag party. The groom to be chose Madrid so he could watch the end of the Vuelta.
It's lost the Palestinians the support of Mrs S.
What's up with Pogi? He didn't win, he let a Seppo - Brandon McNulty - win.
Pluckiest Brit Adam Yates in 5th.
LouLou was a DNF
UAE are now the equal winningest team in history.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on September 14, 2025, 05:47:43 PMOne of the boy's mates has gone to Madrid on a stag party. The groom to be chose Madrid so he could watch the end of the Vuelta.
It's lost the Palestinians the support of Mrs S.
I suppose he's setting his stall early. The bride won't be able to say she was surprised!
I bet Ethan Hayter's glad he wasn't chosen to go to Rwanda as he won today's TT in the Tour of Luxembourg. Beating Brandon McNulty so UAE are still waiting to be the winningest team in a season, if it's not come elsewhere he should win the GC tomorrow.
And Arnaud de Lie beat Matthew Brennan in the Super 8 classic.
Marlen Reusser female World Champion TT today. Tough course, might suit Pogi in the men's.
Dutch Ladies landing places 2 and 3 for van der Breggen and Vollering. Lovely.
Not done yet, but a threepeat for Remco.
Maybe Pogi should have done the Tour of Britain instead of going to Canada, like Remco.
What a victory for Remco, heroic. Looking forward next weekend in this shape he can even win the the road race.
And today Olav Kooij beat Matthew Brennan in the Grand Prix d'Isbergues - Pas de Calais. What a nice bloke Binman Brennan is, letting Kooij win when he's leaving Visma at the end of the season.
And Plucky Brit Paol Double won the Tour of Slovakia, beating Visma's Bart Lemmen and not quite as plucky Brit Thomas Gloag.
Zoe Backstedt did a Remco in the Women's U23 TT today.
Maybe even better than Remco, a bigger winning margin in a shorter race.
A proper Swede won the men's U23 TT, Jakob Soderqvist. A bit closer than the women's.
Pluckiest Brit Callum Thornley in 5th, pluckiest semi-Brit Lorenzo Finn in 4th
Two Golds for the Netherlands in the Junior TTs today.
For some reason British riders were favourites. Oooops.
Pains me to say it, but the Crims won the Mixed Realy TTT, the Froggos had obviously nobbled Marlen Reusser's bike.
Some ride by Reusser though to catch her team mates back up and then take control, think they'd have won if things had gone smoothly.
Nice for Bling though, coming back from a pulmonary embolism.
Lorenzo Mark Finn is the Men's U23 World Champion, exactly a year after he became Junior World Champion.
Pre-race favourites Jarno Widar and Jakob Omrzel were nowhere.
Surprised to hear the Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Denmark - and Great Britain have never had a U23 World Champion.
Just caught up with the Junior Men's Road Race. Best race of the championships so far and not just because a Brit - Harry Hudson - won, with two more plucky Brits in fourth and fifth. JUst good racing with plenty of breaks then a solo attack with 35km to go.
Yet in the recent Vuelta a Cantabria - GP. Gobierno de Cantabria, he came 32 on GC when a kid from up the road from me came third!
That was a surprise winner! Magdalena Vallieres only ever won the Trofeo Palma Feminina before. Niamh Fisher-Black with Silver means a good day for the Commonwealth.
Nearly as good as the Men's Junior race in the end. Let's hope tomorrow is better.
Well well Ms. Vallierres, well done! Quite the achievement, not even a world tour team.
None of the real favourites really came close.
Tomorrow might be different though..
Well, that's it, Pogi's good :)
Remco still has anger management issues. Love to see him lose his shit.
Pity Skjelmose didn't get bronze, don't like turncoats.
I suppose Pidcock's the second pluckiest Brit.
Watched some but Feyenoord is playing as well ;)
Was more of less decided when Pogi went with 100km to go. Some more competition is welcome to be honest.
Quote from: Thenop on September 28, 2025, 03:17:01 PMWas more of less decided when Pogi went with 100km to go. Some more competition is welcome to be honest.
Sometimes you just have to appreciate greatness.
Probably would have been no different if Mads Pedersen, Vingegaard, MvdP and WvA had been there, but who knows. Maybe if Remco hadn't had bike trouble, but then Pogi spent time shepherding Isaac del Toro round for a bit.
Remco and Marlen Reusser are now European TT Champions.
What's the point? They'll never get to wear their jerseys.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 01, 2025, 03:50:35 PMRemco and Marlen Reusser are now European TT Champions.
What's the point? They'll never get to wear their jerseys.
Is that so? Anyway, had they not won (or completed) it would have been an opportunity for someone else win I suppose.
I do know european championships jerseys are worn for the regular race champions.
Quote from: Thenop on October 01, 2025, 03:55:30 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 01, 2025, 03:50:35 PMRemco and Marlen Reusser are now European TT Champions.
What's the point? They'll never get to wear their jerseys.
Is that so? Anyway, had they not won (or completed) it would have been an opportunity for someone else win I suppose.
I do know european championships jerseys are worn for the regular race champions.
World Champion's jerseys take precedence.
Cross is back!!! :D And now it disappears for a fortnight...
Wins today for Inge van der Heijden and Joran Wyseure.
Demi Vollering European Champion, well done. Hasn't been easy for her lately, but this is a good win.
First European or World Championships jersey for Demi :)
Coo, er gosh, UAE got another win today. Isaac del Toro pipping Tom Pidcock in the Giro dell'Emilia.
Lovely looking race in the sunshine.
Pidcock was second last year, but more distant being as Pogi won it.
Oh well.. 1 and 2 are known.
Young Seixas in third place, that is interesting.
And Pogi gets himself a jersey he won't be wearing. Suppose it saves on the laundry bill.
Once again Remco in second.
Pity Scaroni couldn't beat Sexass, would have been good for the French...
And Pogi wins his first race in his second World Champs jersey. Strolling to win in the Tre Valli Varesini. I don't think he was going to be there, but after last years' race got rained off he told the organisers he'd be back.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on October 05, 2025, 04:00:18 PMAnd Pogi gets himself a jersey he won't be wearing. Suppose it saves on the laundry bill.
Once again Remco in second.
Pity Scaroni couldn't beat Sexass, would have been good for the French...
😁 Voeckler really rates the 19 year old. Time will tell but that's not a bad start!
5 times Lombardy winner Pogacar. What an achievement. But also, a bit boring like this.
Remco will become forever number 2 man.
The Pog, The Pog, he's at it again.
Remco needs to grow a pair and try to follow Pogi. Might cost him a podium place, but you don't know what will happen if you try.
Cross Season is well underway now.
First round of the World Cup today, good win for Old woman Lucinda Brand and very good win for Thibau Nys.
Ride of the day was from Cameron Mason, dropped to last on the opening Start/Finish straight and managed to get back to 9th.
First World Cup win for Aniek van Alphen today in Flamanville. Oh, Lucinda Brand wasn't there...
Second World Cup win for Thibau Nys, Cameron Mason finishing on the podium in third after another bad start. Nys is sitting out next week in Sardinia, could be good for Cam if he's going.
MvdP's back! Close run thing though, Thibau Nys's mistake on the last lap cost him. MvdP made his mistakes early on and had time to come back.
In the women's another win for Lucinda Brand, but my favourite Ginger could only come fourth on her return to CX
12 runs and a world Championship, let's see how many he gets this year.
So far: 1/1
I think he'll get 13/12 and keep the Rainbow bands.
3/3 for MvdP now. Not even Laurens "Sandman" Sweeck could get close. And WvA failed to make the podium yesterday thanks to a front flat.
Meanwhile Lucinda Brand just carries on winning. It'll carry on with FvE taking indefinite leave from cycling.
And today same but different seeing as WvA actually made the podium.
At least MvdP isn't racing tomorrow, so someone else gets a chance.
And WvA didn't manage to take the chance, TdG pipped him in a sprint.
Amandine Fouquenet took advantage of Lucinda Brand's absence.
I've got Cross withdrawal symptoms now, no more racing 'til Friday :(
4/4 ;)
Quite frightening really how long MvdP has been riding and how successful. In his pre-race interview he said how he couldn't remember Gavere bring that dry for 15 years and he's not 31 yet!
Looking back he won the Men's junior race there in 2011 with WvA in fourth. In the Men's elite Sven Nys was 9th and of course his son Thibau was 2nd today.
Crikey! A 12 lap race at Dendemonster! What a difference no mud makes. Won't quite be the same as MvdP v WvA but Thibau Nys v Tibor del Grosso could give us a few years of fun.
6/6
Unfortunately WvA had a puncture so no real battle.
On a side note: both MvdP and WvA came to the race by bicycle. From home. Granted, they don't live far, but normal people would want to save some energy.
But MvdP did say he was going home by car :)
A shame for Wout, but MvdP just looks so in control, always seems like he's in cruise mode even when going Hell Bent for Leather.
Nice to see Zoe Backstedt coming in 4th today after her injury layoff.
7/7. Despite a fall.
And Lucinda Brand picking up #13. Oh well, new year same difference.
8/8 now.
Would it have been different if WvA hadn't fallen though? Funny how an innocuous looking crash can do so much damage. Then again I've bitter experience of such things.
Plucky Brit Thomas Mein in a good 5th place :)
And that race shows how Cyclocross is deserving of a place at the Winter Olympics - it pisses all over Ice dancing!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:30:18 PM8/8 now.
Would it have been different if WvA hadn't fallen though? Funny how an innocuous looking crash can do so much damage. Then again I've bitter experience of such things.
MvdP crashed early on as well. So no, it would not have made a difference I expect.
Quote from: Thenop on January 02, 2026, 04:10:30 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 02, 2026, 03:30:18 PM8/8 now.
Would it have been different if WvA hadn't fallen though? Funny how an innocuous looking crash can do so much damage. Then again I've bitter experience of such things.
MvdP crashed early on as well. So no, it would not have made a difference I expect.
Apart from Wout was really struggling, I think it's the knee he damaged a couple of years back in the Vuelta.
Filipe Orts came off a couple of times with no major damage.
9/9.
He was so dominant again, unreal. Nys fell and broke his handle bar, race gone.
Apart from MvdP's complete and utter dominance it was a good day's racing.
Enjoyed the women's race when Puck, Lucinda and Ceylin all crashed going down into the sandpit.
Simon Yates calls it quits. Did not see that one coming.
Quote from: Thenop on January 07, 2026, 03:20:55 PMSimon Yates calls it quits. Did not see that one coming.
Woah! That is a surprise, I thought Visma had him down to be supporting Vingegaard in the Giro.
Good luck to him.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on January 07, 2026, 03:29:41 PMQuote from: Thenop on January 07, 2026, 03:20:55 PMSimon Yates calls it quits. Did not see that one coming.
Woah! That is a surprise, I thought Visma had him down to be supporting Vingegaard in the Giro.
Good luck to him.
They did, he had a year left on his contract.
And now Eli Iserbyt announces his retirement, due to Health issues.
I'll miss Mr Angry.
As you were then for the Belgian and Dutch Men's elite Cyclocross champions. Belgian women's stayed the same and Ceylin Alvarado relieved Puck of her national champion's jersey.
Couldn't watch the UK championships as UK Cycling had stuck their Youtube channel behind a paywall. Not to worry, I found a dodgy stream of the Belgian and Dutch men's races, had one on the laptop and one on the TV. Just wish I could speak Dutch/Flemish, can hear the riders names and "Achtervolgers" plus positions, the Belgian commentator also said "Ooh la-la " a lot.
Think they ought to make MvdP ride one-legged...
Been watching football, but I know MvdP at first wasn't going to do Benidorm, in a last minute spur of the moment thing he decided he was going to go anyway. It is abnormal, he is really the best cyclocross rider ever by now I think.
He will be if he wins his eighth World Championship. Word on the street is if he gets it he'll leave it to everyone else after that.
Good third for Filipe Orts today on home "roads"
Another victory for MvdP despite 2 punctures and a near fall.
Just caught up with MvdP's win, unreal!
Equals's Sven Nys' 50 World Cup wins, should beat that tomorrow. I'm quite a newbie to CX and saw a picture today of Sven Nys when he won his 50th win. On the podium with him? WvA and MvdP!
A win for Puck today too, Lucinda Brand not on the podiun for the first time in two years!
So far today watched the last stage of the Tour Guzunda, stage won by Matt Brennan, overall won by Jay Vine who escaped from a crash with a Kangaroo which took out his team mate Mikkel Bjerg.
Then watched Puck get two from two this weekend in a cracking race at Hoogerheide. Pity there's been such a lack of mud this year.
Surprise, surprise, MvdP wins the GP AvdP
Today GB lost the World Champions title for the Mixed Team Cyclocross relay. No surprise the Netherlands won it, their last three Leonie Bentveld/ Shirin van Anrooij/Tibor del Grosso all we could offer was Cam Mason/Zoe Roche/Oscar Amey. We could have got bronze if Zoe Backstedt hadn't had problems on the opening lap.
Enjoyed it actually each team is made of Junior/U23/Elite Men and Women each does one lap and you can send them out in any order you like. Keeps it interesting.
And Red Bull Remco's hit the road pedalling.
Led Red Bull to a TTT victory in Mallorca yesterday - at nearly 60kmh
Today a solo victory in Trofeo Serra Tramuntana
Lucinda Brand champion, nrs 2 and 3 complete the red, white & blue podium, Puck being third.
Finally got round to watching it. Great race, had it all with crashes and "fights". Six different nations in the top 10 and no Belgians *sniggers* although Marion Norbert Riberolle is a Frog really even if she hadn't been disqualified.
Watched the Junior women earlier and more of them jumped the planks than the élite women.
Anyway, well done old woman Brand and Zoe Backstedt came 7th and she's still an U23 for a couple of years
Oh yeah, Remco won again.
Not even close, the Big 8 is in.
I despise the American import that is GOAT, it tends to refer to whovever is doing the best at the moment, but I think you can say that MvdP is the Greatest Cyclocross rider of all time.
That's 5 out of 7 Golds to the Netherlands at the World Championships.
Matt Richardson beat Harrie Lavreysen in the European Track Championships today. I thought he'd be racing himself for Silver medal.
Well done Plastic Brit.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 04, 2026, 07:01:23 PMMatt Richardson beat Harrie Lavreysen in the European Track Championships today. I thought he'd be racing himself for Silver medal.
Well done Plastic Brit.
Was in the news here that Lavreysen lost ;D him winning is no news anymore apparently.
No talk of the Tour De Provence?
I don't know anything about the competition itself but what a wonderful part of the World to go cycling. Would be even better in a month's time but still a wonderful place to be
Fully immersed in the winter Olympics. Being Dutch means watching speed skating. So far we do OK, 6 times gold already..
Hadn't thought of it before but speed skating is essentially indoor cycling but on skates
or, depending on perspective, indoor cycling is essentially speed skating but on a bike!
I see the Netherlands have 12 medals in total - any not from speed skating?
Quote from: dom on February 16, 2026, 10:51:41 AMNo talk of the Tour De Provence?
I don't know anything about the competition itself but what a wonderful part of the World to go cycling. Would be even better in a month's time but still a wonderful place to be
CX season was still on :)
Most of the Tour de Provence was flat and wet. Or uphill and snowy. It was also up against the Figueira Champions classic. Clasica Almeria and the mainly cancelled by wind Vuelta a la region de Murcia.
And today we have the lovely Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior and the shortened by wind and sand drifts UAE Tour stage 1 won by Isaac del Toro
Quote from: dom on February 16, 2026, 02:52:09 PMHadn't thought of it before but speed skating is essentially indoor cycling but on skates
or, depending on perspective, indoor cycling is essentially speed skating but on a bike!
I see the Netherlands have 12 medals in total - any not from speed skating?
Nope, all skating. Both shorttrack and regular 400M track.
And yes, all speed skaters cycle. In fact in the past we had athletes doung both, and competing in the Olympics on both.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on February 16, 2026, 03:04:22 PMQuote from: dom on February 16, 2026, 10:51:41 AMNo talk of the Tour De Provence?
I don't know anything about the competition itself but what a wonderful part of the World to go cycling. Would be even better in a month's time but still a wonderful place to be
CX season was still on :)
Most of the Tour de Provence was flat and wet. Or uphill and snowy. It was also up against the Figueira Champions classic. Clasica Almeria and the mainly cancelled by wind Vuelta a la region de Murcia.
And today we have the lovely Clásica Jaén Paraiso Interior and the shortened by wind and sand drifts UAE Tour stage 1 won by Isaac del Toro
[/quote
Flat and wet or uphill and snowy? What more could you possibly want from a 3 day cycling event in February!
Coo, er gosh, Remco won the TT in the UAE tour. Big shock!
Looked nice for riding in the UAE Tour today, nice wide, smooth and flat roads in warm sunshine. Until the road kicked upwards for the last 14km with the last 7km @ 12%
Remco got pummulled, Isaac del Toro couldn't outclimb Antonio Tiberi.
Who else then MvdP wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad. The scare about 48 km before the end when a rider fell just in front of him... And the way he got around that, the man has absurd reflexes and bike skills.
Quote from: Thenop on February 28, 2026, 03:15:33 PMWho else then MvdP wins Omloop het Nieuwsblad. The scare about 48 km before the end when a rider fell just in front of him... And the way he got around that, the man has absurd reflexes and bike skills.
He'd probably have won anyway - on his debut - but the way he got by the fall cemented the victory.
Demi Vollering won the women's, two plucky Brits Cat Ferguson and Millie Couzens in the top 10.
The Binman, Matthew Brennan wins Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne. Played that one well.
Good win for Elise Chabbey in the Strade Bianche Donne. Glad she beat Nieuwiadoma, she's a prima donna.
Was hoping Puck could pull it off, but I don't think she can quite do the steep stuff.
Now for the Men's :)
The Pog, The Pog, he's at it again. Who'd a thunk it...
Not even a top 5 for Pidcock, but a decent top 10 for WvA
19 year old Seixas in second deserves a mention
Quote from: dom on March 07, 2026, 09:01:31 PM19 year old Seixas in second deserves a mention
No he doesn't. Feck the French and their inward looking parochial point of view. King Kelly was of the view that the best thing for him was to finish off the podium. Well, yes, he's a wise man King Kelly.
Hopefully he'll be another of these crash and burn French Wunderkinds.
Wow! A bit ott there Nick. In his first full season as a professional at 18 he won the Tour De L'Avenir, a race open to the U 23s. He also finished 8th in the Criterium De Dauphine and became the youngest rider ever to finish in the top 10 at that event
Now19 he's already won the Faun Ardeche and now finishes 2nd in a World Class field in the Strade Bianche.
Like it or not this lad is a serious cyclist.
What was Kelly's reasoning that he would have been better off not doing his best in that race?
Quote from: dom on March 08, 2026, 10:36:42 AMWow! A bit ott there Nick. In his first full season as a professional at 18 he won the Tour De L'Avenir, a race open to the U 23s. He also finished 8th in the Criterium De Dauphine and became the youngest rider ever to finish in the top 10 at that event
Now19 he's already won the Faun Ardeche and now finishes 2nd in a World Class field in the Strade Bianche.
Like it or not this lad is a serious cyclist.
What was Kelly's reasoning that he would have been better off not doing his best in that race?
Look if the French want to go gaga over him that's fine, but I don't want my British coverage taken up with some juvenile froggo whom the French press are building up as the second coming.
King Kelly wanted him to not do well as the French press will now put too much pressure on him. Every recent French second coming in cycling has burned brightly and faded rapidly.
Surprised Dopage hasn't reared its head yet, especially as his DS at Decathlon is Luke Rowe from the discredited Team SKY.
Best bit of yesterday's race was when after miles of ignoring Sexasses pleas to do a turn Del Toro came to the front and slowed down to have a snack. Class.
Learning experience for him perhaps. He is just 19 after all.
He will need to develop a thick skin and a huge degree of mental strength but the raw material is definitely there (as long as it has not been artificially enhanced of course)
And nice that Seixas had the last laugh by dropping Del Toro to secure second!
Quote from: dom on March 08, 2026, 12:24:59 PMAnd nice that Seixas had the last laugh by dropping Del Toro to secure second!
I've read on my than one site that del Toro let him get second. Del Toro has form for giving things away to others.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 08, 2026, 03:03:31 PMQuote from: dom on March 08, 2026, 12:24:59 PMAnd nice that Seixas had the last laugh by dropping Del Toro to secure second!
I've read on my than one site that del Toro let him get second. Del Toro has form for giving things away to others.
Right
Quote from: dom on March 08, 2026, 03:28:16 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 08, 2026, 03:03:31 PMQuote from: dom on March 08, 2026, 12:24:59 PMAnd nice that Seixas had the last laugh by dropping Del Toro to secure second!
I've read on more than one site that del Toro let him get second. Del Toro has form for giving things away to others.
Right
Right.
Sexass was also coming over young Remco too, saying that when Pogi attacked Del Toro kept blocking him. Don't start on the excuses so young kid, I still can't warm to Remco "Everybody's fault but mine" Evenepoel.
Luke Lamperti won the opening stage of Paris-Nice today. Sorry kid, we don't want Americans doing well whilst Trump is in charge.
Crash for Lenny "Sticky Handed Twat" near the end. Oh dear, what a pity, never mind.
Sun may have been out, but the environs of Paris pale against yesterday's Tuscan hills. I think I must have lived in Tuscany in a former life, or, maybe it's because I went to Birmingham University where the Chamberlain Tower is modelled on Siena's Torre del Mangia.
Meanwhile Elisa Longho Borghini put aside yesterday's disappointment and won the Trofeo Oro in Euro. Puck Pieterse in fifth.
I imagine that with him being the bright young hope of French cycling, everything he says will be broadcast throughout the cycling World.
Perhaps he can be taught to keep his counsel a little more. Then again if he has the cojones to cope with anything that comes his way and piss a few off on the way, let him at it
Top Ganna time at Tirreno Adriatico. No big surprise as it was a Time Trial.
Max Kanter didn't quite win at a canter in Paris-Nice.
I know I probably annoy you as I generally only appear on here to crow about French cycling succcess (prob why I'm not on here too often) and you enjoy the sport of cycling much more than I do but I have to quote the headline from Sean Kelly's column in Cycling News:-
"Tadej Pocacar is unbeatable, but thank God for Paul Seixas"
Amen to that!
Quote from: dom on March 10, 2026, 09:17:47 AM"Tadej Pocacar is unbeatable, but thank God for Paul Seixas"
Well yes, the man's an awful hypocrite!
The French have had some great talents over the years, and it's usually the way the teams are managed (and in doing so, the riders) that make them not come to full fruition.
I am reading that the fun Will be over soon though: He is in negotiations with UAE.
So, while UAE might be good for Seixas, it's bad for overall competition.
Yes, I've heard UAE want another super domestique for Pogi.
Ineos are also sniffing, they've got new investment incoming and Dave Brailsford wanted to bring on the next French TdF champion with Team SKY after Wiggo won it. The French didn't want a winner riding for a British team though.
Another win for MvdP, Del Tor ahead in the GC.
Hoepfully MvdP will be spent for Milan-San Remo to give Pogi the win...
Top Ganna won the ITT in Tirreno-Adriatico yesterday and his team won the TTT today, with Josh Tarling dragging Oscar Onley round to what must be his best ever Time Trial and third on GC.
Meanwhile Juan Ayuso takes the overall lead and isn't falling out with his team mates.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 10, 2026, 06:05:34 PMMeanwhile Juan Ayuso takes the overall lead and isn't falling out with his team mates.
Yet
Quote from: Thenop on March 10, 2026, 06:20:07 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 10, 2026, 06:05:34 PMMeanwhile Juan Ayuso takes the overall lead and isn't falling out with his team mates.
Yet
Maybe he needs a bit of friction, crashed out today...
Absolute carnage in Paris-Nice today.
A Red Bull TTT delivered Dungaree Lizard Lips to a probable GC victory.
Ayuso and McNulty out. Oscar Onley losing big time due to injuries from a crash, Tarling couldn't drag him back. At least Kévin "Hic" Vaucquelin managed to put time into Sticky Martinez and Wheelsuck Gaudu.
Six and a half minute separate the top ten. Bonkers.
Whoever said TTTs were boring surely got it wrong.
MvdP again in Tirreno-Adriatico. Poor old WvA hasb't beaten MvdP since 2023.
Pellizzari picked up bonus seconds to take over the Maglia Azurro from Del Toro, is he giving things away again?
Wout van Who? 2nd fiddle, he should really avoid MvdP.
Quote from: Thenop on March 12, 2026, 03:58:53 PMWout van Who? 2nd fiddle, he should really avoid MvdP.
I have to shout for Wout, the wife tells me to...
Lizard LIps has sewn up Paris-Nice, barring accidents. Ovwe 11 minutes seperate the top 10 now. After just five stages.
Hope Onley isn't suffering for his move to INEOS, but probably yesterday's crash, fell on his left buttock. Spaeaking from bitter experience I've struggled to walk the day after doing that.
Del Toro regains the lead in Tirreno-Adriatico after Pellizzari fell away on the last climb. Del Toro is not yet the new Pogi. Couldn't bring back Michael Valgren from the breakaway.
And in Paris-Nice stage win for Harold Tejada, to move him to top 10 on GC.
Klute Godon in second, Lewis Askey Third.
Looks like Del Toro has sewn up Tirreno-Adriatico after today's stage win.
And Josh Tarling and Sam Watson deliver Klute Godon to a stage win in a much shortened Paris-Nice stage.
As expected Isaac del Toro won Tirreno-Adriatico. Not too unexpectedly Jonathan Milan won the final stage for the third year in a row.
There was a distinct lack of Alien Abduction activity in Paris-Nice so Lizard Lips got a comfortable GC win. Unfortunately Sticky Martinez won the final stage.
Dani Martinez held on to his second place on GC, but had to cope with being taken out by a team mate.
Tom Pidock won today's 150th anniversary of Milano-Torino. Got it right on the Superga climb, no Roglification of the race with Primoz in third.
And Jasper "Don't call me Disaster" Philipsen won Nokere Koerse, making up for his crash last year.
Alec Segaert came so close after a late breakaway.
I think Ben "Who's your Father" Wiggins was the pluckiest Brit in 60th.
Alec Segaert managed to win today from a breakaway of two in the Grand Prix de Denain, the mini Paris-Roubaix.
I like these cobbled races, fun to see people racing on the quality of roads that I ride on :)
Fred Wright pluckiest Brit back in 81st...
Dylan Groenewegen won today's Bredene Koksijde Classic. Not bad for an old man on a second division team :)
Pluckiest Brit Josh Giddings in 18th
Second pluckiest Brit Joseph "'Ere 'ave you got a Brother?" Pidcock in 38th
Was looking forward to seeing Matt Brennan in Milano-San Remo tomorrow to see how well he could do, but he'd been ruled out through illness :(
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 20, 2026, 05:19:42 PMDylan Groenewegen won today's Bredene Koksijde Classic. Not bad for an old man on a second division team :)
Pluckiest Brit Josh Giddings in 18th
Second pluckiest Brit Joseph "'Ere 'ave you got a Brother?" Pidcock in 38th
Was looking forward to seeing Matt Brennan in Milano-San Remo tomorrow to see how well he could do, but he'd been ruled out through illness :(
You know, I really like that Dylan won this, and his team is ace.
The Pog, the Pog he's done it at last!
Thought he was doen for after that crash, but wow! Just wow!
Plucky Brit Tom Pidcock half a wheel behind.
And WvA managed to get third after crashinv. MSR five hours of tedium, then an hour of magic!
Mads Pedersen in fourth as well, first race back after breaking his wrist 40 days ago.
Pidcock was great today, MvdP crashed too hard apparently, the injuries clearly bothered him.
And yes Pogi was unbeatable, again.
Just caught up with the women's MSR.
Victory for Lotte Kopecky, but gutted for Puck who came in fourth.
Pluckiest Brits Pfeiffer Georgi and Cat Ferguson who came in 11th and 12th.
Nasty crash for Debora Silvestri. Just a few broken ribs and shoulder though
Dylan Groenewegen made it two wins in three days today at the Grote Prijs Jean-Pierre Monseré, perfectly times sprint to pip the breakaway.
On to the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya today. First stage was won by Klute Godon, just pipping Remco on the line.
Tom Pidcock came in third after his Milano-San Remo efforts.
Klute actually gave a post race interview in English. Not heard that from him before.
Magnus Cort won the 'tache battle today in Catalunya. Klute came in fourth, but retains the GC lead.
Liam Slock from the breakaway just got caught at the flamme rouge.
Wow, Catalunya was fun!
Bora took to the front in a crosswind section, Remco then took off, Lizard Lips took off after him and they built up a lead, Remco wanted Vingegaard to take a turn, got narked, then when Vingegaard realised they were building a lead he started to help, then closer to the end Vingegaard started sitting up. Remco got the red mists again and took off, Vingegaard went with him again. Then with the peleton approaching Remco fell off at the final roundabout.
Peleton comes by and Dorian Godon picks up his second stage win, plucky Brits Ethan Vernon and Noah Hobbs second and third.
I could hear the sounds of Bora team bus windows being smashed from here! ;D ;D
Finally a bloke without a Rat Tache wins a stage in Catalunya. PLucky Brit Ethan Vernon took the honours. Klute Godon in second, Tom Pidock third. Pidcock picked up enough bonus seconds to move to second overall on GC
Good win for Carys Lloyd in the Ronde van Brugge today. Nineteen years old and beating Lorena Wiebes!
Really appreciate all the updates, have zero time at the moment to watch any of this. A little during weekends but even time gets away from me.
Well, if I'm not out on a bike I'm watching other people on bikes. It's very Zen.
Glad to be of Service :)
A Threepeat for MvdP in the E3 Saxo Classic.
Escaped the Peleton with 70km to go, took the lead with 40km to go. Then at the Flamme Rouge just as a chasing group were about to catch him he sat up, the chasing thought he'd given up, they sat up and off he went again. I said to Mrs S he was playing games with them and for once I was right :)
Finally caught up with the Volta Catalunya.
That's another victory for Lizard Lips then.
Bloody Sticky Martine up to third.
Remco drops to 6th, could have been worse, could have dropped into a ravine like Tom "Ace Descender" Pidcock. The TV commentary never even noticed Pidcock had disappeared. I could see he'd disappeared from the Peleton, but I don't think TV coverage caught it as there were multiple crashes on the descent.
Pidcock out with a bad knee.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on March 28, 2026, 11:40:23 AMPidcock out with a bad knee.
Shouldn't have offroaded yesterday then.
Lizard Lips won again today, unsurprisingly. Bloody Sticky Martinez up to second now, wheel sucking weasel that he is.
Oscar Onley been disappointing this race, although he did move up from 18th to 12th on GC today. He had been pulled from Paris-Nice due to illness so maybe still suffering from training loss.
Thrilling start to Holy Week in Gent-Wevelgem!
WvA and MvdP had a minute on the Peleton with 30km to go and were slowly brought back in. MvsP will be happy enough as team mate Jasper Philipsen won. Wout's team mate Christophe Laporte in third.
Pluckiest Brit Bob Donaldson in fifth, was hoping Sam Watson could do something, but he's not up with the best sprinters.
Great Uncle Edwin got a grandstand view as ever when they passed though the Menin Gate.
Lorena Wiebes wins the women's Gent-Wevelgem, but nearly lost it by celebrating before crossing the line, Fleur Moors not too far off.
Pluckiest Britess was Pfeiffer Georgu in 12th.
Now to catch up on Catalunya...
Lizard Lips got his GC victory in Catalunya.
Brady Gilmore won a very active final stage, pipping Klute Godon on the line. Klute was guided in by Oscar Onley who was looking a bit more lively today, meant that Klute overtook Lizard Lips for the Points jersey.
And Finally Clément Venturini won La Roue Tourangelle for the Unibet Rose Rockets.
Pluckiest - only - Brit was Alfred George in 24th
No more watching until Wednesday.
That was some Dwars Door Vlaanderen. Pippo Ganna managed to Time Trial his way along to beat WvA just before the finish line. Wout had been away for 40km or so, but ends up second for the second year in a row.
Ganna had his own problems to overcome along the way, needing a bike change due to a puncture, then the handlebars on his spare bike snapped, he then had to change back to his original bike after waiting for its wheel to be changed.
Mrs S is gutted for Wout. I'm happy for Pippo, he deserves a victory in one of the one day semi-classics.
Marlen Reusser beat Demi Vollering in the women's DDV, they started messing about in the approach to the line and Lieke Nooijen had taken a flyer from the chasing group and came but faded to third as Reusser and Vollering got their sprints going.
Zoe Backstedt (4th) beat Cat Ferguson (6th) in the battle of the plucky Brits. Serves Cat right for sitting out last season's Cyclocross.
Ion Izagirre won today's Gran Premio Miguel Indurain for the third time today. Not bad for a 37 year old in his final season as a pro rider. Looks like he's got five kids, hope he's not going to use his retirement to beget more...
Pluckiest Brit Lukas Nerurkar in 13th. I remember his dad as British 10,000m champion back in the day.
The only question left now is: will he win Roubaix next week?
Well done Demi, what a fantastic final that was. She looks superstrong, the new team fits her well.
Quote from: Thenop on April 05, 2026, 04:56:18 PMWell done Demi, what a fantastic final that was. She looks superstrong, the new team fits her well.
Gah! Wish I'd not seen this, watching it now...
Just caught up with the men's race after an extended Easter lunch. Pogi's quite good. Remco didn't do badly.
Pluckiest Brit Lewis Askey in 21st. Surprised to see Sam Watson as a DNF
Nice to see Puck in 3rd in the women's and a good 5th for Zoe Backstedt. Go Cyclocross!
So it looks like Paul Seixas is a decent time trialist. Good to have that in his armour if he is to compete at the top level.
A decent field competing and lots of climbing over the next 5 days so it will be a stiff test.
Quote from: dom on April 06, 2026, 08:59:08 PMSo it looks like Paul Seixas is a decent time trialist. Good to have that in his armour if he is to compete at the top level.
A decent field competing and lots of climbing over the next 5 days so it will be a stiff test.
Controle ant-dopage s'il vous plait Monsieur Seixas!
I'll behave like the Frogs do. Funny how on the TdF they used to target Bahrain victorious - until Sticky Martinez joined them.
Funny how the Frogs only pop-up when their blokes do well.
Jhonatan Narvaez to leave UAE for INEOS - from whence he came - to bring in Seixas as Pogi's new super-domestique.
And bloody froggo Clara Copponi won the Ronde de Mouscron today. Could have sworn she was Italian. Olga Wankiwiecz in 7th and plucky Brit Eilidh Shaw in 8th.
Yes, the ultimate fair weather cycling fan. It is what it is but I'm definitely guilty.
I must admit I had no idea how much cycling there was going on. Take this week with Flanders and Basque country going on at the same time.
I'll also confess that you have helped with that. I enjoy your and The Nop's posts on this thread. Informative and entertaining! But apart from the TDF and the odd classic I wouldn't seek it out .Too many other sports and distractions for me to be able to devote serious time to cycling apart from the best sporting event in the World in July.
Quote from: dom on April 06, 2026, 09:54:25 PMToo many other sports and distractions for me to be able to devote serious time to cycling apart from the best sporting event in the World in July.
The Giro's in May :)
Lance Sexass won again today. If Pogi's sus, then he's super sus. Two minutes up after two stages? He only won the Tour de l'Avenir against his peer group by 40s and he had lots of help from Maxime Cockwomble there.
Nice to see Ben Tulett up in fifth, if only he'd stuck to cyclocross though, twice Junior World Champion then gave it up.
Not nice to see Mikel Landa crash today. I think it's his last season and I thought it might have been over after today, but he got back on to finish. See if he turns up tomorrow,
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 07, 2026, 05:06:52 PMQuote from: dom on April 06, 2026, 09:54:25 PMToo many other sports and distractions for me to be able to devote serious time to cycling apart from the best sporting event in the World in July.
The Giro's in May :)
Lance Sexass won again today. If Pogi's sus, then he's super sus. Two minutes up after two stages? He only won the Tour de l'Avenir against his peer group by 40s and he had lots of help from Maxime Cockwomble there.
Nice to see Ben Tulett up in fifth, if only he'd stuck to cyclocross though, twice Junior World Champion then gave it up.
Not nice to see Mikel Landa crash today. I think it's his last season and I thought it might have been over after today, but he got back on to finish. See if he turns up tomorrow,
I think you're just trying to wind up the froggos, and you just can't bear to give credit to the Great French Hope.
If he does badly he'll be mocked, does well he's obviously doped up.
Quote from: dom on April 07, 2026, 05:26:06 PMI think you're just trying to wind up the froggos, and you just can't bear to give credit to the Great French Hope.
If he does badly he'll be mocked, does well he's obviously doped up.
He may just burn out quickly. Del Toro was nowhere today and the won the l'Avenir by 1'13".
But the French? A nation which can sink the Rainbow Warrior is one which pay lip service to Paniagua cycling whilst developing an artificial blood. :)
I support all cyclists - just not French ones, Americans, Russians, Turncoats who become Irish, Vingegaard and Remco ;D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 07, 2026, 05:32:29 PMQuote from: dom on April 07, 2026, 05:26:06 PMI think you're just trying to wind up the froggos, and you just can't bear to give credit to the Great French Hope.
If he does badly he'll be mocked, does well he's obviously doped up.
He may just burn out quickly. Del Toro was nowhere today and the won the l'Avenir by 1'13".
But the French? A nation which can sink the Rainbow Warrior is one which pay lip service to Paniagua cycling whilst developing an artificial blood. :)
I support all cyclists - just not French ones, Americans, Russians, Turncoats who become Irish, Vingegaard and Remco ;D
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 07, 2026, 05:32:29 PMQuote from: dom on April 07, 2026, 05:26:06 PMI think you're just trying to wind up the froggos, and you just can't bear to give credit to the Great French Hope.
If he does badly he'll be mocked, does well he's obviously doped up.
He may just burn out quickly. Del Toro was nowhere today and the won the l'Avenir by 1'13".
But the French? A nation which can sink the Rainbow Warrior is one which pay lip service to Paniagua cycling whilst developing an artificial blood. :)
I support all cyclists - just not French ones, Americans, Russians, Turncoats who become Irish, Vingegaard and Remco ;D
Enjoy your bitterness 😂
Well Ethan Vernon stuck to the Frogs today in the Région Pays de la Loire Tour. Taking first place in the bunch sprint. Noah Hobbs came in third, Erland Blikra splitting the plucky Brits.
Bryan "No Mirrors in My House" Coquard, came in 11th
Unfortunately not shown on TNT Sports.
Charlotte Kool won today's Scheldeprijs Vrouwen. All down to a leadout from plucky Brit Millie Couzens...
Mikel Landa didn't start the Itzulia today, Isaac del Toro DNF after a crash.
Another Froggo win in the Itzulia today, probably won't be reported in France as Axel Laurence rides for INEOS. Sae him win the Men's U23 road race World Championship in 2023.
Pluckiest Brit James Shaw in 5th, I sometimes see him overtake me on local roads. I let him by.
Hat-trick of wins for Tim Merlier in Scheldeprijs. Only his second race day of the year. Many of th top names crashed out on the cobbles of the Broekstraat.
Jed Smithson pluckiest Brit in 21st
Breakaway day in the Itxulia again, ending in victory for Alex Aranburu who put one over on Tobias Johannessen, but could easily have been beaten by Ion Izagirre who hadn't been in the breakaway.
Good to see Emiel Verstrynge in 11th today, a victory for Cyclocross!
Meanwhile in Turkey, plucky Brit Calum Johnston took the stage victory in the Tour of Mersin
Lance Sexass and the Hype Machine won again today. After Florian Lipowitz had played it so well up until deciding to sprint much too far from the line. He'd riled Seixas by sticking to him like a limpet in the last 10km then spoilt it all.
Be nice if tomorrow Ion Izagirre could make up 11 seconds on Roglic to finish on the podium in his last year. Mind, he is only a year older than Roglic.
Wondering when sticking to someone's back wheel is "playing it so well" and when it's an act of treachery bordering on cheating ala Martinez?
Quote from: dom on April 10, 2026, 05:35:29 PMWondering when sticking to someone's back wheel is "playing it so well" and when it's an act of treachery bordering on cheating ala Martinez?
Martinez does sticky bottles. Gaudu is the wheelsucker.
Sexass thought he could drop Lipowitz on a descent as descending can be a bit of a lesser skill for him, but he railed it. He did take turns on the flatter bits, but should have held back for the sprint, do a bit of finesseing, they weren't going to be caught. Well, they might have been, but the chasing group were mucking about too much.
With Lipowitz being 6 years Seixas' senior you would have thought he would have gotten the better of him tactically
Quote from: dom on April 10, 2026, 09:38:26 PMWith Lipowitz being 6 years Seixas' senior you would have thought he would have gotten the better of him tactically
He's German.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2026, 11:43:51 AMQuote from: dom on April 10, 2026, 09:38:26 PMWith Lipowitz being 6 years Seixas' senior you would have thought he would have gotten the better of him tactically
He's German.
Outwitted by a 19 year old French kid. Bet he's feeling great about himself!
Quote from: dom on April 11, 2026, 01:48:50 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 11, 2026, 11:43:51 AMQuote from: dom on April 10, 2026, 09:38:26 PMWith Lipowitz being 6 years Seixas' senior you would have thought he would have gotten the better of him tactically
He's German.
Outwitted by a 19 year old French kid. Bet he's feeling great about himself!
Not outwitted. Just doing things wrong. Lipowitz isn't a sprinter.
Might have done what 20 year old Matt Brennan did and misread a distance marker - in the Tour Down Under Brennan went with 200m to go, except the sign said 300.
AJ August won the wet final Itzulia stage. David Bowie would like that. Perhaps.
Sexass showed his immaturity today. Tobias Johannessen who was over 5 and a half minutes down on GC was in a breakaway group with three minutes on Sexass, so eventually Sexass decided to try and bridge over on his own Why? Second place Lipowitz was under threat, use him to keep the gap steady or reduced, keep team mates round you just in case there is a mishap on wet roads - and why there weren't any today I don't know, I slid off the settee just watching.
Lipowitz kept second on GC by three seconds.
Proper racing tomorrow: (somewhere within 50 miles of)Paris-Roubaix!
Yes showed nerves and inexperience today. Hopefully as well as his winner's prize he will take home a valuable lesson or 2
Eventful Paris Rpiubaix so far!
Pogi had to take a Neutral service bike, managed to get back.
MvdP then punctured on the d'Arenberg, swapped bikes with Philipsen, couldn't clip in the pedals then ran back to his own bike where Tibor del Grosso had swapped his front wheel for MvdP's. MvdP then punctured again.
Now Ganna's punctured after getting back to the the front group. All action.
WvA's had his issues and now MvdP is back to within 20s of Pogi.
As one time Paris-Roubaix 58th place finisher Adam Blythe said: "This is the most nuts race ever!"
Pogi's Beatable! Just.
Well done WvA finally getting your cobble. And MvdP was first to congratulate him.
Well done Wout, bad luck MvdP. But he'll be the first to admit he has been lucky the past 3 years with no issues at all.
All the favourites had issues today. Made it good viewing.
Finally, the pluckiest Brit is Bib Donaldson in 35th.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 12, 2026, 03:55:49 PMFinally, the pluckiest Brit is Bib Donaldson in 35th.
No he wasn't! It was Lewis Askey in 13th, ProCyclingStats had missed him off the list. Maybe on his spare bike without a transponder.
And Vos just lost to Koch, what a shame.
Just caught up with the Femme's race. Well done Frabzi Koch.
Pluckiest Brit Zoe Backstedt in 12th, the best result for Sweden since her dad won it?
Slumming it with O Gran Camino this week. The former Tour of Galicia. Opening TT was won by UAE's Julius Johansen. Adam Yates in 6th and Ivan Romeo went a bit Remco after his bike got a puncture.
Carlos Canal won today's O Gran Camino stage.
Tim Merlier won the Ronde van Limburg with a rocket like sprint. Pluckiest - indeed only - Brit was Ben Wiggins in 39th
Ivan Romeo won today's O Gran Camino stage. Gets him back higher on GC. Jorgen Nordhagen takes over the GC, Adam Yates up to fourth, sets up a good couple of climbing days now.
Cyclocrosser Célia Gery won the women's Brabantse Pijl today, Millie Couzens pluckies Brit in 6th. Yellow card for Anna van der Breggen
Anders Foldager won the men's Brabantse Pijl, pluckiest Brit Lukas Nerurkar in 16th
And in O Gran Camino Adam Yates won the stage and took over the race lead. Got yesterday wrong, Alessandro Pinarello took the lead, the race organisers incorrectly added up the bonus seconds.
Yatesy wrapped up O Gran Camino, coming in third on the final stage was good enough for him.
Good solo win for Paula Blasi in the Women's Amstel Gold Race.
Pity Kasia beat Demi to Second.
Pluckiest Puck in 19th
PLiuckiest Brit Pfeiffer Georgi in 31st.
Skjelmose couldn't hold off Remco in the Men's race. Pity I wanted to see toys being thrown out of the pram.
Benoit Cosnefroy rounded out the podium.
Matteo Jorgenson looked in a bad way after being brought down by Kevin Vaucquelin.
Pluckiest Brit Ben Tulett for not starting.
Nice finale indeed. Shame the Big Boys didn't want to compete today.
Bit of a worrying crash for Jorgenson there, hope he is sort of OK.
Broken Collarbone for Jorgenson. Think he'd only just come back from injury.
Tommaso Dati an Italian riding for a Japanese team won the opening stage of the Tour of the Alps in Innsbruck today. INEOS had tried to set up Thymen Arensman for a solo win from 5km out, but he was reeled back in.
Thomas Pidcock looks like he's not suffering too badly from his Catalunya injuries as he managed a second place.
Giulio Pellizzari won today's Tour of the Alps stage and took over the GC lead. Thymen Arensman in second and second overall.
Watching that made me want to be in the Alps.
French wonderboy does it again. Even the Huy wall isn't safe for him. Not bad, for a 19 year old.
Arse biscuits. Hyoe boy Sexass wins again. Not much better than plucky Brit Ben Tulett though.
But as a coautioaary tale, where's 2024 Fleshy Walloons winner Stevie Williams?
I first started watching cycling in the late 70s with Hinault and then Fignon competing and winning Le Tour.
As a youngster I thought that that was the norm, that France would always have riders capable of winning major tours.
I've long learnt that is not the case (bloody hell nearly 40 years I've learnt that) but it's fantastic to finally have a rider that looks capable of matching their efforts.
Fingers and everything else crossed!
Elsewhere today Tom Pidcock took the stage victory in the Tour of the Alps. He's thankful there are no sprinters in the race, he still has no chance in LBL. The race passed through Andalo where I learned to Ski in 1978. Didn't recognise it.
In the Women's Fleshy Walloons, Demi Vollering managed to hold off a charging Puck Pieterse to deny her a consecutive victory in the race. Thankfully Paula Blasi beat Kasia "I Love Myself" Nieuwiadoma to take the final podium spot.
Micron wants Sexass to stay at a French team, you'd think he had more pressing problems to deal with. Decathlon CMA-CGM want to switch to a Swiss racing Licence because crippling French employment taxes means they can't pay riders enough LOL.
Lennart Jasch won today's stage of the Tour of the Alps. German former Speed Skater. Should have some good thighs on him. Another lovely looking day in the saddle for them - not that they get time to look.
Pidcock keeps getting dropped on the climbs, not what you want for LBL, but after ligament damage and stress fractures he's not doing too bad. Came back to compete for the minor sprint placings.
Micron! That's good Nick, will use that if you don't mind 😁
Quote from: dom on April 23, 2026, 06:24:43 PMMicron! That's good Nick, will use that if you don't mind 😁
I nicked it from somebody else, think it was a bloke from the Netherlands. Smart people the Dutch.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 23, 2026, 07:03:21 PMQuote from: dom on April 23, 2026, 06:24:43 PMMicron! That's good Nick, will use that if you don't mind 😁
I nicked it from somebody else, think it was a bloke from the Netherlands. Smart people the Dutch.
Until you deal with them every day.
Quote from: Thenop on April 23, 2026, 07:13:37 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on April 23, 2026, 07:03:21 PMQuote from: dom on April 23, 2026, 06:24:43 PMMicron! That's good Nick, will use that if you don't mind 😁
I nicked it from somebody else, think it was a bloke from the Netherlands. Smart people the Dutch.
Until you deal with them every day.
Now you say that, I used to work for a company with a Dutch subsidiary... ;)
Old man Quintana wins the 2nd stage of Asturias round. He dedicated it to Cristian Munoz who apparently passed away earlier from an infection he had after a fall.
Sad to hear about Munoz. Dangerous game cycling.
Pelizzari won the Tour of the Alps
LBL as expected won by Pogi, but Seixas will be a competitor for sure very soon. Impressive!
Remco winning the sprint for 3rd, wonder how grumpy he is this time.
Demi Vollering doing it Pogi style with Puck sprinting to 2nd place.
Man from another Planet beats Pas Normal Hype boy who beats toys from pram man.
Best ride of the day Emiel Verstrynge in fourth, hoorah for Cyclocross!
Pluckiest Brit Ben Tulett in 13th.
Was going to avoid posting here so as not to see the Women's result as I'm watching on catch-up after coming back from a weekend away, but accidentally saw the women's result.
I would be happy to use the spoiler function in future to prevent spoiling your fun.
Don't worry about it. I always end up on a cycling website and find things out, or messages appear on my phone. I live under a rock 95% of the time, don't want to increase that time.
Two stages into the Presidential Tour of Turkiye and both have been won by Tom Crabbe of the Flanders Baloise team.
His team probably fold at the end of the season due to lack of sponsorship, but he's 20 and with his results so far this year the World Tour teams will be sniffing round him.
Ivan Sosa won today's stage of Presidential Tour of Turkiye, got away on the 10km @ 9.7% finish climb.
Klute Godon won the prologue of the Tour de Romandie. Pogi could only manage 5th. Will he be bothered?
Stanisław Aniołkowski won the bunch sprint in today's Presidential Tour of Turkiye.
Tadej Pogavar won Stage 1 in the Tour of Romandie. He attacked on the day's big climb and Sticky Martinez then wheelsucked his way to the top behind him. Nice guy that Pogi is he let Sticky take the KOM points and all the other sprint points on the way down. Florian Lipowitz got back on and wheelsucked all the way to the end because he was hoping Roglic would come back. Thankfully P:ogi won the sprint at the end.
Casper van Uden picked up PicNic PostNL's first win of the season in today's Presidential Tour of Turkiye. They managed to get their lead out train sorted for once.
Pogi won stage 2 of the Tour de Romnadie, pipping the nearest thing to a sprinter in the race - Klute Godon - into second in a bunch sprint. A bunch sprint where Nairo Quintana came 10th...
Georg Zimmerman won today's Eschborn-Frankfurt. Plucky Brits Tom Pidcock and Ben Tulett second and third respectively.
A 12 man breakaway got away on the final climb and just held on to the finish. Zimmerman had been hanging at the back of the break and outsprinted the rest.
Now to catch up on Romandie. Turkiye for supper.
Klute Godon got back to sprint for today's Tour de Romandie stage. Pogi could only manage 4th.
Last race for INEOS before they become Netcompany/INEOS and gain a new kit.
Christian Bagatin won today's Tour of Turkey stage. Was in the break and hit the final 21km climb @ 9% with a 6 minute lead and lost 5 of them.
Sebastian Berwick came in second to take over on GC
Noemi Ruegg won the opening stage of the Vuelta Feminina. Lotte Kopecky in second.
Pluckiest Brit Alice Towers in 49th
Of course Pogi wrapped up the Tour de Romandie. Another race ticked off his list.
Tour de Suisse next to race and win.
He's thinking of Tour Down Under and Tour of Poland for next year.
And finally, Tom Crabbe got his third stage win of the Presidential Tour of Turkey, Sebastian Berwick taking the GC.
Arnaud de Lie won his third Famenne Ardennes Classic.
Shari Bossuyt a surprise winner in the Vuelta Espana Feminina today.
A day in which Marianne Vos didn't start after breaking a collarbone yesterday and in which race leader Noemi Ruegg crashed out.
Groundhog day for pluckiest Brit Alice Towers who came in 49th again.
And Seixas now confirmed for the TdF. Game on!
Quote from: Thenop on May 04, 2026, 04:55:58 PMAnd Seixas now confirmed for the TdF. Game on!
Hopefully he'll blow up at some point, the French press will crucify him, he'll run home crying to mummy and the French can suffer another 40+ years of hurt :)
Only trouble with that is, is the French like being miserable.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 04, 2026, 07:05:14 PMQuote from: Thenop on May 04, 2026, 04:55:58 PMAnd Seixas now confirmed for the TdF. Game on!
Hopefully he'll blow up at some point, the French press will crucify him, he'll run home crying to mummy and the French can suffer another 40+ years of hurt :)
Only trouble with that is, is the French like being miserable.
Speak for yourself!
I'm looking forward to the new boys. Del Toro, Seixas, Lipowitz. The previous gen was very good, and is still going, Remco I don't see winning any grand tour anymore though.
And although I like Pidcock he seems lightweight these days?
Will be a few years before Pogi hangs it up though.
Pidock will only ever win week long stage races at best. Can't time trial and not quite good enough as a climber. Like Remco he'd be better trying for the one day classics - that don't involve Roubaix.
Some people think Pogi may quit after the 2028 Olympics, so long as he wins the road race. He's under contract to 2030 though. People seem to burn out more quickly these days.
I did think del Toro could be Pogi junior, but I think he lacks a killer instinct.
Rumours say Visma want to sign Seixas, can't see that as they need a new title sponsor. Bjarne Riis says Vingegaard should go to INEOS, but I can't see him carrying on too long, too much of a family man.
Cedrine Kerbaol won today's Vuelta Espana Feminina. A win for Bretagne all set up by a Grand Bretagnean, plucky Alice Towers who managed a 22nd place today.
Lotte Kopeky won today's Vuelta Feminina stage today, taking over the GC lead too. Makes up for her being yellow carded a couple of days ago.
Pluckiest Brit Imogen Wolff in 17th, get back to Cross in the Winter though Imo...
Lotte Kopecky gifted today's stage win in the Vuelta Feminina to Mischa Bredewold. Lotte came in second, so extended her overall lead and also got the green jersey.
Must have been feeling sorry for the Netherlands after Dutch riders won evert stage last year they hadn't won any this year.
Magnier in Pink! French succes in the Italy round opening in Bulgaria.
But what a mess and what a crash. Only a handful of riders could compete.
No incident at Nessebar today, but there was one at the sprint in Burgas. Big pile up meant most of the sprinters trains were taken out letting Paul Magnier take the win.
Pluckiest Brit Ethan Vernon in 3rd.
Anna van der Breggen won today's stage of the Vuelta Feminina today and took over the GC lead. Paula Blasi came in second.
Pluckiest Brit Francesca Hall in 67th
That was a brutal 3.9km climb and tomorrow is the Angliru 11km of Brutality. Bring it on.
Seen that, that was brutal indeed. 27% incline? Jeebus, my car would take issue with that.
But fantastic she managed to get this done, quite a story hers as well. Winning everything, stopping, sitting in the car, and then return to do this.
Well that came to life 25km or so from the end. Came close to death for some too.
Going to be lots of bones to pick out of that, but crashes happen.
Guillermo Silva won the stage must be a first for a Uruguayan. Florian Storck second, Giulio Ciccone 3rd.
If Jay Vine didn't have bad luck he'd have no luck at all. Doubt Adam Yates will start tomorrow.
What a horrible vraag that was. Yates looked like hell, mud and blood covered. In fact, except for one,the entire UAE squad was on the ground.
Good for Vingegaard trying to test Pellizari like that. Will be an interesting watch.
Marc Soler out for UAE too. That's a pity I enjoy seeing Marc Soler doing Marc Soler things. You never know what he's going to do - and nor does he,
Petra Stiasny took the first win for a woman up the Angliru, Paula Blasi put Anna van der Breggen to the sword and took the Maillot Rojo for Spain.
Francesca Hall again the pluckiest Brit in 53rd.
I was right Adam Yates didn't take the start - late onset concussion.
Watching the breakaway each day I'm getting a liking for the glossy black Aurum bikes with gold lettering that Polti Visit Malta ride.
Second win for SeppoFroggo Magnier. Beating Jonathan Milan and Old man Groenewegen.
Pluckiest Brit Sean FLynn in 15th.
Breakaway nearlly did it.
Filippo Fiorelli won Tro Bro Leon, great bonkers race.
Lewis Askey pluckiest Brit in 3rd.
That's more like it now we're back in Italy.
Movistar ripped it up on the climb of the day for their man Orluis Aular, dropping all the pure sprinters - Kayden Groves and Arnaud de Lie had dropped themselves out - along with race leader Silva and nearly shelling out Egan Bernal.
Jan "What does team mate mean" Christen ripped it up from over 1km out, but fell back for his teama mate Jhonatan Narvaez to take the stage. Giulio Ciccone's 3rd gave him the bonus seconds to take the Maglia Rosa.
Pluckiest Brit Ben Tuner in 4th. Not too shabby after all the work he did to bring Bernal back.
Another day, another Maglia Rosa! Afonso Eulalio got away in the break and made it to the end. But he didn't win the stage, Igor Arrieta took that. They both escaped fromn the break, both slid out on the final run in to the finish. First Arrieta, then Eulalio. Arrieta then missed a corner letting Eulalio away, Arrieta then pulled back 10 seconds on the last uphill kilometre.
Thought it all might explode on today's Cat 2 climb, but the foul weather probably put paid to that. I didn't bother going out today because of a few showers. These guys were white water rafting at one point. Then again they're paid for it. If the GC riders had gone for it it could have been carnage on the downhill run in.
Complete chaos indeed, great win for Arrieta who never thought he had a chance this Giro.
And a new pink jersey wearer.
Most surprising: LidlTrek did nothing to defend Ciccone's pink jersey.
Quote from: Thenop on May 13, 2026, 05:19:23 PMMost surprising: LidlTrek did nothing to defend Ciccone's pink jersey.
Ciccone tried...
Trouble is, half the team are there for Milan and Derek Gee is the GC man. Ciccone was suffering from the cold too.
Davide Ballerini wins the sprint into Naples. Big crash on the last corner took out Milam and Groenewegen. Magnier came in third - Soudal's best sprinter Tim Merlier won in Hungary yesterdy.
Pluckiest Brit Ben Turner in fifth.
Always gives a messy sprint does Naples.
Terrible crash that, Groenewegen was on pole position there. Shame rally.
Well done Ballerini. Italians winning in Italy always a good win.
Strike 1 by Jonas, impressive Gall.
No Brits, 3 Oz-men in the top 10 though.
Arensman doing Arensman things, waiting for the 2nd and third week. Perhaps he should consider starting a week early for the TdF?
Lizard Lips took the stage win in Blockhaus. Eulalio did enough to keep the Maglia Rosa, although he'd have had to really crack to lose it.
Felix Gall in second, must be being fed the same juice as Sexass.
Bernal at best now should be a mountain domestique for Netcompany INEOS
The hopes and dreams of the Netherlands rest on the shoulders of Thymen Arensman. No Hope. Dream on.
Pluckiest Brit might finish before dark.
Another stage win for Jhonatan Narvaez. UAE have won a stage for each team member they've lost now.
Missed the first half of the stage but enjoyed that second half. Pity Pogi wasn't there, he'd have loved that finish.
Lizard Lips even gained a couple of seconds at the end.
Mark Donovan pluckiest Brit in 21sr
Kudos to UAE for the entertainment. Thanks to mountain man Bjerg.
Dutch pride Wout Poels coming in 9th for Rose Rockets, his turn will come this Giro I am sure of it.
Just noticed Jhonathan Narvaez is 21:12 down on GC
He's also off to Netcompany/INEOS at the end of the season. Allegedly.
Second stage win for Lizard Lipa. Gets 50s back on Eulalio.
Felix Gall cements podium position.
Piganzoli denies Arensman a couple of bonus seconds.
Pity Madaonna's nephew couldn't get the victory.
Arensman getting into it, I am expecting him to get only better from now on.
Well done VLM again, Gall tries but I don't know whether he will be able to continue this 2 more weeks.
Pellizari too lightweight still.
Red Bull said Pellizzari was suffering from a Stomach upset.
I say that whenever I have a bad day...
A cynic? Qui moi?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 17, 2026, 11:26:02 PMRed Bull said Pellizzari was suffering from a Stomach upset.
I say that whenever I have a bad day...
A cynic? Qui moi?
Toi? Jamais!
Oh my, the Ganna machine did damage. More than 2 minutes! Unbelievable.
Vingegaard having a poor day and Arensman climbing to the podium. Could he really be a contender this Giro? His best weeks lie just ahead of him.
And still a Portuguese in Pink, maybe even the biggest surprise!
Eulalio still in the Maglia Rosa then! Did a non team issue skin suit do for Lizard Lips? Or, was it the flatness?
Pippo Ganna won the stage - shock, horror - Arensman in second and up to a podium position, maybe when they sleep in the Netherlands they can dream!
Forgot to mention Dutch pride Sjoerd Bax came in fourth! Well done lad!
Jhonatan Narvaez picks up his third stage of the Giro. If UAE hadn't had their Bulgarian disaster they probably wouldn't have a stage win.
And then to think he is on pole position for tomorrow's stage if you look at it.. What a Giro this man has.
And what an idiot Enric Mas is, he paved the way for Narvaez to the finish.
Mas needed to drop Narvaez on a climb and then stay away,he's never going to outsprint him.
Laurence Pithie won stage one of five of the Quatre Jours de Dunkerque - I used to work in accounts for a French owned company, they don't have a great grasp of numbers.
Lewis Askey pluckiest Brit in 3rd.
And Remco Evenepoel's gone down even further in my estimation, turns out he's an Arsenal fan.
Ha! He's gone up in mine!
Stage win for Alec Segaert, took off like a rocket with 3km to go.
Pissed on Movistar's chips after they'd ripped it up on the climbs to try for an Orluis Aular victory.
Eulalio managed to extend his lead by picking up the Red Bull bonus seconds.
Ethan Vernon pluckiest Brit in 4th. Best Cyclocrosser Toon Aerts in 2nd.
Ben Turner's chances blew with a rear wheel puncture 15km out.
With some thanks to his mate Victor who kept the pack from chasing for 10 crucial seconds. That, and his immense effort, gave him the win.
Fantastic, cycling at its finest, rolling back the years to Cancellara who won numerous stages like this.
3 Belgians in the top 5 even with Aerts and Stuyven.
Belatedly caught up with the last hour and a half of today's stage.
Good win for Alberto Bettiol, he took off like a rocket at the top of the last climb.
Pluckiest Brit - again - was Mark Donovan in 5th. He's up to 36th on GC now!
Was a bit of a boring stage, the last few km were OK I guess. Good for the peloton to rest up for tomorrow - The Big One.
Nice win for Bettiol indeed, unlucky for Leknessund who seems to become number 2 more than once.
Scenery was nice enough though!
Quote from: Thenop on May 22, 2026, 06:54:30 PMScenery was nice enough though!
Of the Grand Tours, Italy always looks the best.
That was more like a cycling stage. Sunshine, Alpine valleys, snow capped peaks and lots of climbing :)
Lizard Lips puts an end to Eulalio's sojourn in pink. Doesn't look as impressive as Pogi, but he's a bit more calculating, might be saving something for the Tour.
Eulalio keeps on the podium, Arensman - he doesn't like it hot- loses his third place to Gall
Tim Rex wins the "He's going to pop surely, but he's still going" prize for his pull on the Lin Nor (I think) climb
And two times Dutch pride in the top 10 with Arensman and Poels.
Arensman should step up though, he wants a podium spot.
Breakaway day and a win for Fredrik Dversnes on his Grand Tour debut.
Not enough sprinters teams committed to the chase, hoping others would bring it back. Third fastest Giro stage ever, most riders will have gone quicker than they did in the TT
Magnier won the minpr places sprint ahead of Groenewegen, pluckiest Brit Ethan Vernon in 8th.
Not sure about the neutralisation, most crashes are down to rider error or rider stupidity.
Dversnes, what happened there?
Only 4 chances to sprint and the teams botch it like this. That will be a very serious team debrief for them...
5th and 6th do show who are the strongest here: Magnier and Groenewegen. They will be very displeased. I suspect Groenewegen will leave after today. There is nothing for him to win anymore.
Neutralisation was mostly on behest of Vingegaard who complained to the race management it was too dangerous. He did so while having 1 hand loose and leaning into the car.
Lot's of teams moaning about the break being motor paced by the camera bikes. Didn't look any different to any other day to me.
Our TV commentary at one time did say that team cars and neutral service were a bit close behind the break with team cars being called up a lot which can give a boost.
Lizard Lips putting a bit more cement onto his top step position.
Eulalio off the podium.
Felix Gall up to 2nd, Arensman up to 3rd.
Good stage that, even had Ciccon throwing his toys out of the pram.
2 times Dutch pride in the top 10 again, Poels was tenth. Well done.
Real hero Victor Moustache did it today, he was pale when he finally had to give in. Bernal did good work for Arensman as well.
Speaking of Moustaches Vingegaard's is crap.
Hats off to Valgren, what a magnificent comeback after which a terrible period. He broke nearly every bone in his body, take a bow Michael!
Leknessund must be the unluckiest rider in this Giro.
Looked like a breakaway stage today. It was a breakaway stage.
Well done Michael Valgren.
Narvaez back in Ciclamino, couldn't make it to the finish to get more points though.
In honour of the stage finish in Andalo, I have composed a few lines:
Long ago,
outside a dive bar in Andalo
I chucked up my guts on Stock Brandyo
It was on a School Ski Trippio!
A Fool was I,
Nearly drank enough Stock to die.
A full bottle became dry,
You'll never know until try.
Puking away forever
Puking's not very clever!
Andalo
Puking puts you in danger
When you ouke on every stranger
Andalo
I need to remember to ask you to write a few words for my eulogy.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on May 26, 2026, 07:09:44 PMSpeaking of Moustaches Vingegaard's is crap.
He must have seen this, it's gone :)
Nice to see James "I'm not from Derby" Shaw in the breakaway today. Don't see him on local roads now he's at EF
Another win for Magnier, who takes the Ciclamino back. Milan needs a Jasper Stuyven.
Birthday boy Ben Turner pluckiest Brit in 11th.
During the race nice to see Vingegaard have a word with Adam "Moto Man" Blythe to explain all of Visma's bike changes - swapping one chainring bikes for two chainrings.
Interesting finale today, some breakaways, the 12% incline near the end. And still sprinters managed to survive.
Well done Stuyven, Oh and Magnier did the last few meters by himself.
Quote from: Thenop on May 28, 2026, 04:32:54 PMOh and Magnier did the last few meters by himself.
Which is what sprinters do :)
Narvaez Abondoned.
Valgren Did not start - he's off to do the tour
James "Look duck, I'm from Nottingham" DNS, surely he's not doing the tour as well?
Ciccone now owns the jersey he's wearing.
They need to speed up, I've got to get ready to go out and see Kraftwerk in an hour...
Ciccone's anger at not getting the full set of mountain points at the penultimate climb couldn't propel him to the finish.
Full set of Grand Tour stage wins foe Sepp Kuss now. Ciccone managed to come in third.
Jai Hindley knocks Arensman off the podium.
That was a fun - and brutal - day.
Well done Sepp, and Gee coming in second.
Seems the Trek boys are a bit at odds, in the end impulse control deprived Giulio wasn't man enough to win it, or even beat the Canuck.
I'd like to hear the conversation over dinner served by Lidl tonight.
Pity Arensman fell just short, maybe next time.
Ciccone was just annoyed by Einer Rubio taking maximum Mountains points. I don't think he was expecting to get the final set. He's a bit of a hot-headed loose cannon - and that's why we like him :)
And Ciccone gets the Maglia Azzura.
And a gratuitous cycling pic from last night.
(https://i.ibb.co/7NJzm4TD/20260529-211923.jpg)
Looks like Vinegarad has sealed the Maglia Rosa, barring disaster.
Felix Gall in second.
Jai Hindley to get a full set of Giro podium positions.
Egan saved Arensmans's Bacon to keep him in fourth.
Eulalio kept going well this week. Secured his jersey.
Not sure if any plucky Brits are left in the race... (Well, Turner, Swift and Mark Donovan, maybe Bob Donalsson)
Done deal, not the most exciting stage but am pleasantly surprised by Eulalio.
Shame about Arensman, a podium would have been nice.
Oh well, let's see how Vingegaard lives up to Pogi in July.
Elisa Balsamo wins stage one of the Giro Donne after Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for an underweight bike.
Just watched on catch up, before doing so I told Mrs S that Wiebes would win and Cat Ferguson would come in 12th and whinge about something.
Right and wrong on the first prediction. Fully wrong on the second as Cat didn't even last 35km.
This is a bit of a controversy. Everyone in the Wiebes camp says the bike was weighted, like all their bikes are, and found not too light.
Even more so, she has used bike, with the same setup, for many other races.
Curious.
UCI officials are very picky.
If everybody's sock lengths are found to be within regulation they'll make sure they find something else.
If her bikes anything like mine, something will have fallen off it...
It won't change anything but there is a protest incoming. There were 2 weighings, which is unusual.
And there are still doubts whether the equipment used to weigh was calibrated properly.
Also, punishment is a bit disproportional. Taking away the win, a time penalty, sure. But disqualify her completely?
Quote from: Thenop on May 31, 2026, 12:42:24 PMAlso, punishment is a bit disproportional. Taking away the win, a time penalty, sure. But disqualify her completely?
This is the UCI. They live in their own Universe.
Anyway, ELisa Balsamo has "doubled" up today.
Yeah she did, I am just disappointed. Takes the shine off a bit for me.
Maybe it'll come back, let's gow Vollering performs.
So, watching the Giro for 3 weeks on Eurosport and the last stage they decide to prefer tennis over cycling. I HATE tennis.
HoMe oF cYclInG >:(
I've had full on cycling on TNT Sports :)
Finally Milan gets a stage win. Gutted for Ganna though, was hoping he could TT to victory.
As you were overall. Four weeks to the tour.
Milan in Rome.
Oh well, we can only hope for an exciting France cyclefest
As an aside, this was the first Giro where all the final jersey winners had spent time in the Maglia Rosa.
"Three" in a row for Elisa Balsamo.
Was hoping my "mate" All Action Jackson would hold in the breakaway to get the QOM jersey, alas no, but she does ride like an old farmer.
Pfeiffer Georgi was the pluckiest Britette.
Caught up on the Boucles de Mayenne last night. The commentators were discussing Lorena Wiebes. The conclusion was that if the bike was underweight then under UCI rules it means instant disqualification. José Been was surprised that Wiebes' bike would be anywhere near the lower weight limit as she isn't a small rider and isn't on a small frame which can be harder to get to the weight limit. Dr Hutch wondered if a part had been swapped out for a lower weight one and not logged on the maintenance records. Failing that it was a hot day and the bike sweat a lot.
Old woman Anna van der Breggen absolutely murdered everyone in the uphill TT today. Over a minute quicker than Marlen Reusser.
Pluckiest Brit Lauren Dickson in 6th. Last year she was riding for the Handsling Alba development team.
Demi Vollering gets her first ever Giro stage win today. Gets four seconds back on Anna van der Breggen with time bonuses.
I'll presume Lauren Dickson is the pluckiest Britette again, but she hasn't finished yet...
Fourth stage win for Elisa Balsamo. After a huge leadout from Lucinda Brand.
Bit of echelon action half way through the stage distanced Marlen Reusser but it all came to naught.
Breakaway day today. Bur only one of the breakaway - Wacko Jacko - made it to the end as a second breakaway formed on a descent.Then again a couple of others made it to the end, but they're not on my cycling radar. Thought they had been dropped.
A day for Cyclocross with young Célia Géry taking the stage and old woman Lucinda Brand getting second.
AvdP survived a big crash, but made it back, might have spent too long behind a team car though. We'll see.
Pluckiest Brit Josie Nelson in 9th. Or maybe Millie Couzens, it's just flipped on PCS.
Modern Adventure Pro Cycling got their first ever Pro level GC win in the Ethias Tour de Wallonie.
Won by Kiwi Ben Oliver. Team was set up by George Hincapie - former Lance team mate - and this is their first season. Nasty crash at the end, for the second time this race.
Shortened stage today due to threat of an icefall.
Demi Vollering took the win and beought back 15 seconds on AvdB, but it would have been interesting to see how it
would have played out otherwise. They'll be going hammer and tongs on tomorrow's stage now.
Pluckiest Brit Lauren Dixon seventh.
Operation Grund and Pound from Demi Vollering got her the Maglia Rosa. Went on the final climb and that was that. A full set of Grand Tour jerseys now.
Antonia Niedermaier managed to move up to second overall.
ELisa Longo Borghini won the final stage, but of she couldn't make mincemeat of a shrimp like Niamh Fisher-Black there's something wrong.
Once again Lauren Dickson was the pluckiest Brit in 8th. Vollering owes her a pint.
Thankfully Hype Boy wasn't trying to win all stages of the Criterium de Dauphiné, deigning to let Alex Baudin take the biggest win of his career.
Plucky Brit Oscar Onley managed to sneak a 12 second gap over his GC rivals.
WvA wasn't in good shape after crashing his TT bike in training last Monday and Joao Almeida was just there to make up the numbers on his return from illness.
Back to the Critérium du Dauphiné and Captian America Alexi Lalas, I mean Quinn Simmons took the win for the breakaway. Just holding off the Peleton by 4 seconds.
Hype boy lost a bit of time yesterday in the TTT won by Visma. Could possibly have lost more if Ineos hadn't waited for Oscar Onley - something which Kevin Vauquelin wasn't happy about.
WvA won today's stage of the Dauphiné in the bunch sprint at the Parc des Wazzers.
Hugo Hofstetter was visibly upset to come in second, giving his handlebars a good pounding.
WvA a DNS today. Sore elbow, but he got his stage win.
Massive breakaway today gives young Aussie Luke Tuckwell takes over the Yellow Jersey, his team amte Maxim Van Gils took the stage.
Hype Boy and Del Toro came in together.
I thought Oscar Onley had choked big time, but just heard Matteo Jorgenson say he'd crashed.
Dislocated shoulder for Onley yesterday and broken clavicle for Josh Tarling, both riders only ever seem ot have bad luck.
Isaac del Toro won today's syage up the hard side of the Grand Colombier. Juan Ayuso looked like he'd get it from a long range hit out, but probably went to early.
Hype boy finally had a crash and had to use up all his team and then judicious team car use to get back on.If I were him I'd have ignored my hype and taken the final climb more steadily, he's 19, put it down to experience.
Luke Tuckwell stays in Yellow but lost about two minutes of his lead.
Good shout on Seixas Nick! Lesson learnt hopefully!
Quote from: dom on June 14, 2026, 02:45:34 PMGood shout on Seixas Nick! Lesson learnt hopefully!
Might even have been better quitting then, he climbed off today. Seems as if nearly half the field hasn't finished, lots of crashes, illness and "political" quitting.
Isaac del Toro won today's Dauphiné stage and took the overall and best young rider. He's won more races than Pogi in the past year.
Luke Tuckwell held on to secure second spot on the podium ad Juan Ayuso moved up to third.
Under the radar star of the week Lars Craps coming in 14th overall.
Pluckiest Brit Ben Tulett in 17th overall.
Also today Paula Blasi won the Tour des Pyrénées Feminin.
Kasper Haugland won Stage 1 of the Giro Next Gen - by 1 second after being in the break with a lead of nine minutes!
Jasper Philipsen won the Copenhagen sprint, big crash took out over half the field and the breakaway nearly got the win - after being away for 220km.
Now got to watch the GP Gippingen and the Muur Classic Geraardsbergen...
Never seen that before. Liam Slock started celebrating his first Pro win in the GP Gippingen before the line and he crashed, thought he'd lost it, but just slid over the line before Alexander Vlasov finished.
Paul Magnier won the Muur Classic Geraardsbergen.
Another Giro Next Gen stage where the breakaway just held on for the win. Jasper Schoofs did the business.
The Pog, The Pog, he's at it again. Again.
Stage 1 of the Tour de Suisse and already he's got two minutes on second place.
Took off with 70km to go and only Carapaz tried to go after him, then Roberto Bagioli was the only one to take after Carapaz. Pogi may as well use his unicycle for the rest of the tour.
Also today:
Femke de Vries pipped Lauren Dickson in stage 1 of the Women's Tour de Suisse
Biniam Girmay won stage 1 of the Baloise Belgium Tour
Laurence Pithie won the opening stage of the Tour of Slovenia
Matteo Fiorin won stage 4 of the Giro Nexy Gen.
Stuff the World Cup, I'll enable the evil UCI instead of the EVIL FIFA
Which is worse as an evil organisation?
FIFA.
The UCI isn't in cahoots with Trump. It's somewhere in Switzerland...
Quote from: dom on June 18, 2026, 09:21:34 AMWhich is worse as an evil organisation?
Well, FIFA is run by The Hood.
"Curse International Rescue!"
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 18, 2026, 10:19:13 AMFIFA.
The UCI isn't in cahoots with Trump. It's somewhere in Switzerland...
Next to UEFA HQ..
I asked Deepseek and it agrees, its conclusion is as follows...
Ultimately, both organizations have been hugely problematic. But FIFA's scandals involved a level of global criminality that directly impacted the integrity of the world's biggest sporting event, arguably placing it in a category of its own
Failure from Pogi today, came in 8th. Romain Grégoire took the stage win for the breakaway. Plucky Brit Finlay Pickering came in 5th.
In the women's Tour de Suisse Elisa Longo Borghini took the stage win and leader's jersey. Marlen Reusser and Kasia Nieuwiadoma managed to take a wrong turn near the end, not that it made a difference, but glad it happened to the big "I am" Nieuwiadoma.
Quote from: dom on June 18, 2026, 04:27:05 PMI asked Deepseek and it agrees, its conclusion is as follows...
Ultimately, both organizations have been hugely problematic. But FIFA's scandals involved a level of global criminality that directly impacted the integrity of the world's biggest sporting event, arguably placing it in a category of its own
You don't need AI for that. Or maybe I spend too much time reading random shit - the joys of retirement - but the UCI is a hot bed of low-level corruption, nit-picking and incompetemce, FIFA should just be spelt CORRUPT :)
And in the rest of today's cycling, there's an awful lot at the end of this week, great for World Cup avoidance, then next week nothing. I'll be at a loose end.
Tim Merlier won the stage and took the lead in the Baloise Tour of Belgium
Thibau Gruel won the opening stage of the Route Occitanie
Dusan Rajovic won stage 2 of the Tour of Slovenia
Matisse Van Kerckhove won stage 5 of the Giro Next Gen and took the Maglia Rosa
So far today;
Zoe Backstedt won the Tour de Suisse stage. Bad crash for second overall on GC Lauren Dickson, but luckily for her she was in the last 5km safety zone.
Laurence Pithie got his second stage win of the Tour of Slovenia.
Pogi's girlfriend broke her jaw in a crash yesterday. Thought he was looking a bit subdued in the stage and he shooed away photographers when he as on his phone warming down after the stage.
Pictures were lost at the end of the Men's Tour de Suisse, so I missed seeing Jhonatan Narvaez hang on to win from the breakawy from Xandro Meurisse his breakaway partner.
MvdP who nobody had even seen in the Peleton got 4th.
And further results today:
Ronan Augé took the win on the second stage of the Route Occitanie after Noa Isidore was relegated for elbowing. Surprised a French rider would get relegated in France but he was elbowing a French rider and it let a French rider win.
In the women's Volta a Catalunya Nienke Veenhoven took the win.
And finally:
In the Baloise Belgium Tour Alex Aranbaru won the stage and took the GC lead, just denying plucky Brit Lewis Askey the same thing. Askey derserves it - losing - as he's come out as Scottish despite being born in the oh so English Cannock (All because he's a ginger...)
In the Giro Next Gen half man of steel Lorenzo Finn (his dad's from Sheffield) took the stage and race lead. Can we not get him to do a Max Sciandri and declare for GB?
Marlen Reusser denied Zoe Backstedt a second successive stage win in the TT today. But then she is the World Champion, Zoe is the U23 world champion. Would have been nice if Megan Arens the junior World TT champion had come in third.
Florian Lipowitz won the stage to Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, thereby picking up the race lead. If he'd let Giulio Pelizzari win he would have been the leader.
I was convinced that MvdP was going to win hos first ever individuAL TT, but, who else but Pogi pipped him by 0.31s
MvdP had been pushung each corner to the limite but still not enough. Don't normally care for flat TTs but that was a good one.
Now seen Davide Piganzoli win the Route Occitanie after his 8th on GC in the Giro.
Then Paula Blasi continued her good run of form by winnibg stage 2 of the women's Volta a Catalunya.
Need to listen to some sounds, have a shower and get something to eat nefore catching up on the Baloise Belgium Tour and the Giro Next Gen.
And Olav Kooij won in Belgium, cannot get used to him not being in Visma kit.
Aubin Sparfel won the stage in the Giro Next Gen, plucky Brit Elliot Rowe in second.
Marlen Reusser took the last stage and the GC in the Tour de Suisse.
Cedrine Kerbaol managed to beat Kasia Nieuwiadoma to second overall
Florian Lipowitz win the Tour of Slovenia today. Thought he was younger than 25 though.
Slovenian Tadej Pogacar won the stage and GC at the Tour de Suiaae. Thankfully he managed to overtake Sticky Martinez on the final climb. Good second overall for old man Carapaz.
And Paula Blasi won in Catalunya
Lorenzo Mark Finn won the final stage TT in the Giro Next Gen cementing his overall GC win.
Two more to watch...
Jasper Philipsen won the stage and enough bonus seconds to win the Baloise Belgium Tour, Lewis Askey plukciest Brit in 4th.
Thomas Pidcock won the Andorra MoraBanc Classica, well worth faking an illness to miss the Tour de Suisse.
Right, more or less no cycling to watch for a fortnight apart from some National Championships next weekend. Better paint some walls and watch it dry rather than suffer the World Cup...
Do they not televise training runs? I'm sure you'd be subscribed if they did ;D
Quote from: dom on June 23, 2026, 11:33:37 AMDo they not televise training runs? I'm sure you'd be subscribed if they did ;D
Err, no, I'm not that desperate. But the French amateur Time Trial championships are on TNT sports on Friday...
Magnus Cort has decided to call it a day at the end of the season.
33 years old. I like him as a rider, always pushing, sporting the Moustache.
He had a good run.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on June 23, 2026, 02:52:13 PMQuote from: dom on June 23, 2026, 11:33:37 AMDo they not televise training runs? I'm sure you'd be subscribed if they did ;D
Err, no, I'm not that desperate. But the French amateur Time Trial championships are on TNT sports on Friday...
Actually they weren't, pulled from the schedule :(
British Circuit racing championships were good last night. Megan Barker winning the women's and Matthew Bostock the men's.
Quote from: Thenop on June 27, 2026, 08:36:18 PMMagnus Cort has decided to call it a day at the end of the season.
33 years old. I like him as a rider, always pushing, sporting the Moustache.
He had a good run.
I liked his Hotel reviews on Instagram. Not done one for 33 weeks though. Gave them marks out of 7.
Wilco Kelderman just became Dutch national champion, old man Mollema in his last season ending second in his last season at a minute and a half.
And Lieke Noijen wons the ladies race and gets to wear the countries flag for a year. Well done!
I see that Romain Barnet is enjoying his retirement. He posted his trip on Strava today from Manchester to London 351km in 10 and a half hours.
Enjoyed the British Road Race Championships today. Had to watch the last 60km of the women's race on catch up as I had to do some cycling myself, but the useless commentator in the men's race - Jez Cox - spoiled the result of the women's race, that dozy twat normally won't reveal who won a race a week ago just in case someone hadn't heard >:(
In the men's race it came down to a sprint a trois between Lewis Askey, Alfred Wright and Connor Swift. Alfred Wright won his second British title, was hoping for Askey even though the man from the middle of England - Cannock - has come out as a Jocko.
The top U23 riders Elliot Rowe and Matthew Dodd fresh from the Giro Next Gen came 4th and 5th. The top 10 was a real mix of World Tour riders, World Tour development riders, Continental level riders and club riders.
In the women's race Josie Knight had an 8 minute lead on the Peleton with 60km to go but Zoe Backstedt set off from the pack and caught her with a lap of the 12km finishing circuit to go! A title she adds to her TT title from Friday. Her dad Maggie was shouting encouragement from the roadside in an undecipherable language.
Quote from: Thenop on June 27, 2026, 08:36:18 PMMagnus Cort has decided to call it a day at the end of the season.
33 years old. I like him as a rider, always pushing, sporting the Moustache.
He had a good run.
And he does give his goodbye a bit of shine: Danish champion
Romain Gregoire won the French championships yesterday, that's what winning a Tour of Britain can do for you. Quite a British style course too. He was helped that with the FDJ and FDJ Development team he'd got about 30 people riding for him.
It all starts Saturday, in Barcelona in case missed that little detail...
(https://i.ibb.co/hRz7BX2V/HMSq-KOYXMAAw91.jpg)
Already talk of stage cancellations if it gets too warm :(
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 03, 2026, 11:57:54 AMAlready talk of stage cancellations if it gets too warm :(
Boo, hope they manage to pull through as much as they can. The stages look fantastic.
Curious to see who the teams put forward for the TT winning the yellow jersye tomrrow. It's really Ineos, VLM and UAE that make a chance to win. Will Ineos give Ganna a chance to wear the jersey?
Bum. Lizard Lips in Yellow.
Gutted for Ganna, he's failed on getting a full set of Grand Tour stage wins.
Good TTT though even if I dn't agree with the format. Movistar fell to bit, looked like Netcompany INEOS were falling to bits when Vaucquelin punctured.
Nice, VLM in yellow. I liked the format, it is a true test to start with. You immediately see who is up for it and who is not. Great.
Remco looked quite OK, his team is not strong enough though.
Del Toro is a contendor, Piganzoli very strong as well.
Let's hope for a good battle, which already starts tomorrow!
Spectacular win by Del Toro, courtesy of Pogi.
4 big names with Vingegaard and Remco filling out the top 4.
Enjoyable enough stage, even the heat was a big factor, 38 degrees and climbing. Jeez..
Well, that was a bit of a surprise, Pogi gave del Toro the stage win, what a nice guy. Raul Alcala has company as a Mexican TdF stage win. Del Toro had to come back after a bad bike chaneg too.
Pluckiest Brit Tom Pidcock in 10th
Day for the breakaway today. Er no. Pogi day.
Puts Pogi into yellow on countback. Now fifth on the tour stage wins list.
Took 70km for the break to go fast and furious stuff!
Visma wanted to give yellow away - to the right rider - UAE had other ideas.
Oh to be a breakaway specialist in the Pogi era. What a nightmare, the man is a usurper.
And if I am not mistaken he also has the yellow already.
Curious to see how he holds up in the superhot and gruelling stages, which are more Vingegaard territory.
And of course, all the usual suspects follow respectfully..
Very impressive the way Pog lit the afterburners in the last few hundred metres!
UAE have shown Visma how to lose yellow! But have they given Torsten Traeen too much?
Mads Pedersen gets the stage win for the breakaway. Think that puts him in Green.
LidlTrek day with the MadsMachine and Captain America 1 and 2. Impressive teamwork led by the strongest of the three: Vacek.
By the looks of it the first yellow ever for UnoX with Traeen. Caught a glimpse of a proud Hushovd, big smile on his face.
And green for Pedersen of course.
Uneventful until 5.5k before the finish. Nasty crash!
But Kooij was so strong, will he be the one that wins most of them this year?
First sprint stage goes to Olav Kooij. Chaotic finish with a crash just outside the 5km safety zone.
Long lonely day for Baptiste Veistroffer after a long dau off the back with Arnaud de Lie the other day.
Missed Pogi coming in, but he came in safely, there could be some gaps from the crash, but they are wondering if the commissaires will give everyone the same time as the crash was so close to the safety zone. We'll see, what does Trumo think?
The man is not human, he cannot be.
The best of the rest is insanely good but needs to bow his head. We are not even a week in and we have a winner.
Del Toro thought, the way he ate up Evenepoel on the finish, also hats off to that.
LOL ;D
Just looked at the result after a day of automobiles, planes, buses and trains.
So much for Traeen keeping the yellow!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2026, 04:34:48 PMLOL ;D
Just looked at the result after a day of automobiles, planes, buses and trains.
So much for Traeen keeping the yellow!
Traeen had an extremely bad crash, he was lucky to finish. I would be surprised if for back on tomorrow.
Amazing to see the way Pog destroyed the Tourmalet today!
Quote from: Thenop on July 09, 2026, 05:04:28 PMQuote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 09, 2026, 04:34:48 PMLOL ;D
Just looked at the result after a day of automobiles, planes, buses and trains.
So much for Traeen keeping the yellow!
Traeen had an extremely bad crash, he was lucky to finish. I would be surprised if for back on tomorrow.
Ah, didn't know that I could have been queuing at Naples Airport
And Traeen is out with a broken rib and a concussion. Wise decision given his medical history.
Mighty Merlier in spite of Mighty Mathieu doing lead out for Philipsen.
Best Dutch Giant today was Artz in 7nd place, good result for him.
Kooij ending in 23rd place ::)
Otherwise a bit of a snooze stage with a remark: they finally seem to have found an agreement on having the GC riders drop back already way before the 5k neutralisation. Smart and safe.
Yes didn't mind missing today through being in Pompeii for Opeth
Did watch some om
N Italian TV
Again Merlier, so much stronger than the rest.
Girmay 2ns, Kooij 3rd and only the Philipsen who was extremely pissed yesterday when he came in 5th.
Nice stage to watch due to the surroundings, all castles all the time.
Castles? Pah! I've just seen Opeth in a Roman Amphitheatre ;)
Just had time to watch the end of today's stage now I'm back from hell, well done Turbo Tim!
And MvdP most combative rider and stage winner. Very rarely will I commit to saying who will win the stage, but I called it for MvdP.
PLuckiest Brit Pidcock in third, but he probably suffered from an earlier mechanical problem.
Impressive win by MvdP, really what a powerwin.
Pidcock showed himself burning the end turned out to be too lightweight.
Curious how UAE kept chasing, for what? A stage win? Surely they don't need it. Could have saved energy going into the resting day with 40 degrees.
Our TV pundits were perplexed by UAE's tactics, but came to the conclusion that they wanted to keep the gap to the breakaway at around a minute to deny them support from team cars.
Pidcock is blaming malfunctioning rear deraileur and was struggling to get the right gear.
Pogi's not put the Tour to bed yet, but he's further up the wooden hill. Also gets revenge for the last time the stage finished in Le Lioran.
Vinegarad was struggling at the end too.
Was hoping Richie Carapaz could pull off the win, but no. Surprised at Del Toro losing time today, might be post Rest Day blues.
Unusual to see Pidcock crash on a descent, but the road surface looked a bit sketchy, Chris Harper and Matteo Jorgenson coming down too.
No surprising winner but the UAE team look a bit shaky.
And even though Remco looked to be not 100% he is the big winner today. Beautiful scenery today on this Quatorze Julliet. I feel like storming a castle all of a sudden...
It's beginning to look like a battle for 2nd. 1st virtually done and dusted. Pogacar is a monster
Quote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 05:37:29 PMIt's beginning to look like a battle for 2nd. 1st virtually done and dusted. Pogacar is a monster
Well, going on tomorrows's stage finishing town, Nevers say Nevers...
Bien joue, Nicolas!
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 14, 2026, 10:19:32 PMQuote from: dom on July 14, 2026, 05:37:29 PMIt's beginning to look like a battle for 2nd. 1st virtually done and dusted. Pogacar is a monster
Well, going on tomorrows's stage finishing town, Nevers say Nevers...
looking at the prefecture you might say Nevers say Nievre
Soren Waerenskjold wins the fastest ever Tour de France stage. Bet the organisers regret giving Anthon Charmig the combativity prize when there has been a Frenchman in the break!
Viking day, with the Low Lands taking the remaining 4 spots in the top 5.
Otherwise very fast but uneventful.
Well that came to life in the last 30km!
What's the plan? There is no plan! Ride you suckers!
Another win for Tim Merlier, bad crash at the end, not looking good for Gaviria. British champ Fred Wright was showing his face. That could now well be it for the sprinters.
Three time Timmy wins but there is a cloud over this. What a terrible crash at 300m from the line.
Gaviria taps the wheel of the Bahrein rider in front of him and did not look good when he was pushed over the finish..
Probably the last sprint this year so I would not be surprised if a few of these guys will leave tonight.
Yes, the way Gaviria rode in looks like broken collarbone. Dorian Godon looked like he came down hard too.
In other cycling news, Zoe Backstedt leads the Baloise Ladies Tour after two stages. TNT sports not showing that this year, sure they did last year.
Yes, broken collarbone for Gaviria, Dorian Godon has a concussion and damaged ribs, Jenno Berckmoes also has a broken colarbone.
Bonkers stage today, big break got away with Philipsen in it, looked like he'd pick up the sprint points, but Pedersen and Girmay fought their way back on.
Pidcock and Q36.5 were in the break and got Pidcock up to virtual second on GC. The desecent from the Ballon d'Alsace wasn't technical enough for Pidders to make a difference.
Mauro Schmid won the stage from Harold Tejada, Pidcock managing third. We'll see where he ends up on GC, definitely overtaken Sticky Martinez and probably Hype Boy Sexass.
Purple Boy day, good win for Schmid.
Your man Pidcock looked good, just a little shy of winning. He is climbing to (near) podium heights in the gc though.
OK Pidcock up to fourth, 9 seconds behind Remco.
32 riders ahead of the yellow jersey group! That can't be a very common occurrence.
Taking it easy as the real race begins tomorrow? Either way Pidcock did really well to steal a march towards the top.
Pidders will probably drop back again, today may have taken in it out of him and he's not up to much in a time trial. Still Top 10 on GC in the TdF would be a good result.
Prince Albert of Monaco has apparently said that he'll be waving of Pogi at the start of the Vuelta - in Monaco. We'll see.
Zoe Backstedt has lost the lead in the Baloise Ladies Tour, Charlotte Kool is hoovering up the 10 second win bonuses.
Pogi Powers, Pidcock Pops. Didn't really need a crystal ball to predict that.
Once again Carapaz can't hang in for a win.
Chapeau to Pidcock for getting in the day's break though, to make it look as if he was trying.
Hype boy into the White Jersey.
Delighted for Seixas - did so well to catch Vindegaard on the final climb. Just enough of a gap to pinch white off Ayuso.
Nice if he can hang onto it.
Seixas looked strong, well done. And Pogacar, he didn't seem too pleased with his team. Rightfully so, they bowed out way too early.
I was impressed though how Vingegaard did all the heavy lifting in catching ol' Richie.
Remco was good today, he kenw when to drop off and adjust his pace, just to bring it back in the descent. Very mature riding.
I did feel for Arensman, his puncture cost him just too much and he couldn't make it back. He literally said to the car, but he needed to change bikes in the middle of a climb while ahead. Shame.
Zoe Backstedt regained the lead in the Baloise Ladies Tour today, thanks to the stage 3a Time Trial. She's nowt but a flat track bully that lass - but I wouldn't argue with her.
Quote from: dom on July 18, 2026, 04:52:02 PMDelighted for Seixas - did so well to catch Vindegaard on the final climb. Just enough of a gap to pinch white off Ayuso.
Nice if he can hang onto it.
I see his mountain domestique got fines for two sticky bottles yesterday.
Vinegarad woken at 2am for doping control today.
Pogi woken at 5am for doping control today. Pogi got through it by drinking lots of coffee and listening to Eminem, that's the big flaw of Pogi, he likes shit "music"
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2026, 12:28:23 PMQuote from: dom on July 18, 2026, 04:52:02 PMDelighted for Seixas - did so well to catch Vindegaard on the final climb. Just enough of a gap to pinch white off Ayuso.
Nice if he can hang onto it.
I see his mountain domestique got fines for two sticky bottles yesterday.
Vinegarad woken at 2am for doping control today.
Pogi woken at 5am for doping control today. Pogi got through it by drinking lots of coffee and listening to Eminem, that's the big flaw of Pogi, he likes shit "music"
Yep, we have Tom Dumoulin as commentator. It has been going on for years, but in his days it was between 6 and 7 AM. Especially when being at the top of the ranking he was visited each day..
Sleeping in was never an option.
But 2AM.. come on.
Any genuine reason for doping control happening at that time?
Quote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 02:22:55 PMAny genuine reason for doping control happening at that time?
None.
Nothing given as reason, but why not wait until 6AM? What are trying to accomplish, catch someone with a needle sticking in the arm?
Quote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 02:22:55 PMAny genuine reason for doping control happening at that time?
TNT Sports were saying that it's when they're acting on suspicions or tip-offs. Or ASO just want to disrupt the plans of people ahead of Sexass.
Oh no, Vingegaard crashes out!
I think Vingegaard might retire from cycling now.
Don't know why Piganzoli had a go at Del Toro
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2026, 04:05:49 PMI think Vingegaard might retire from cycling now.
Don't know why Piganzoli had a go at Del Toro
Me neither, Vingegaard just slipped, heb did not hit the curb, probably hit the brakes a little to hard.
Remco! He did it uphill.
Pogi could have probably taken him, them again then he should have. And he didn't.
So Remco in 2nd place.
I liked the spirit Quinn Simmons showed, he will have his day in the sun soon.
Pidcock tried but also, again too lightweight.
Pogi in Domestique mode today, didn't work. Del Toro fell away and Remco got it. Think Pogi could still have got it of he tried though.
Pidders gave it a go again, but he's trying to do too much.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2026, 04:44:57 PMPogi in Domestique mode today, didn't work. Del Toro fell away and Remco got it. Think Pogi could still have got it of he tried though.
Pidders gave it a go again, but he's trying to do too much.
Pogi was in a charitable mood to give Remco his first TdF stage win, deffo could have won it.
Pity for Vindegaard. What a stage though!
A well deserved rest day awaits!
Quote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 05:08:07 PMPity for Vindegaard. What a stage though!
A well deserved rest day awaits!
Yes, poor Jonas. Very difficult to see exactly why he went down.
Quote from: David L on July 19, 2026, 05:14:58 PMQuote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 05:08:07 PMPity for Vindegaard. What a stage though!
A well deserved rest day awaits!
Yes, poor Jonas. Very difficult to see exactly why he went down.
Looks like he caught the gravel on the roundabout exit. Pogacar said the loss of concentration that caused it was down to his early morning wake-up call for the dopage test
Quote from: David L on July 19, 2026, 05:14:58 PMQuote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 05:08:07 PMPity for Vindegaard. What a stage though!
A well deserved rest day awaits!
Yes, poor Jonas. Very difficult to see exactly why he went down.
If you read the BBC Cycling page it implies spectators were involved
QuoteVingegaard out of Tour after spectator crash as Evenepoel wins
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/c0jl84wp50wo
Their standard of reporting is shite, but they are institutionally anti-cyclist.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 19, 2026, 02:47:47 PMQuote from: dom on July 19, 2026, 02:22:55 PMAny genuine reason for doping control happening at that time?
TNT Sports were saying that it's when they're acting on suspicions or tip-offs. Or ASO just want to disrupt the plans of people ahead of Sexass.
No that was purely an ITA call. More justification for from the head of EF - Education EasyPost (he was a former teammate to Lance Armstrong back in the day)
"Two am testing is one of the very effective ways to prevent peptide (EPO, HGH) and testosterone micro dosing. If [the] UCI had tested us in 2001 at 2am? We'd all have been suspended and saved the sport 25 years of drama"
Tits. Bruno Armirail has pipped Josh Tarling in the TT.
Tarling was annoyed he'd not gone out hard enough. Paid for it now Welsh boy. Still, under six weeks since her broke his collarbone.
Thymen Arensman, what a twerp, missed his start time, he'd have been quickest!
Remco's aero skin gets him another TT win.
Nasty crash puts Lipowitz out of the race, Pogi very nearly went out on the same corner.
Yes well, Sean Kelly thought del Toro might have left too much on the road on Sunday.
Good TT from Pidcock, came in 12th in his least favourite discipline, got some time back on Sticky Martinez.
Aa expected Remco takes it, and not much change apart from Ayuso who will have a tough last week.
Shame Lipowitz crashed out, I like him.
Quote from: Thenop on July 21, 2026, 05:17:33 PMShame Lipowitz crashed out, I like him.
That's 2nd and 3rd from last year gone. Keep it rubber side down Pogi.
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 21, 2026, 05:21:38 PMQuote from: Thenop on July 21, 2026, 05:17:33 PMShame Lipowitz crashed out, I like him.
That's 2nd and 3rd from last year gone. Keep it rubber side down Pogi.
He slipped in the same corner Lipowitz did, just managed to stay upright.
Wrong Jasper won that. I was hoping Jasper Stuyven could keep away on his solo break, but MvdP got Jasper the Disaster back to win it.
Would have benefitted Pedersen in the Green Jersey competition if Stuyven could have stayed away. Pedersen did well to get away and get the maximum in the intermediate sprint.
Good result for Lewis Askey in 4th.
Adam Yates really suffered today with a stomach upset, hope it doesn't go through the UAE team.
So... he has his win, 2022/23/24/25/26 and to be continued.
Funny Tour this, just when you think the sprints are done suddenyl they survive climbs they normally don't. And the constant chasing of the breakways htting near top speeds every day. They must be exhausted by now?
Anyway, good top 10 classifications for our Dutch boys Pluimers and Artz as well.
Artz, being interviewed 2 weeks ago: I am no sprinter I just try to position myself well, this is his 5th (!) top 10 place two of them being top 5 (4/7/10/5/7). Great job!
Finally, Richard Carapaz gets his Stage win. Gives him the most Tour stage wins for a South American.
Nothing happened on GC, no surprise with two hard days to come.
Brandon McNulty couldn't hold on today like Yates yesterday, he abandoned due to illness.
Richard Lionheart takes it today, well done.
No changes overall, would have hoped Jorgensen could have take this one, but alas.
Looks like Richie is the KOM overall as well, for now at least.
Think VPP is ahead of the Ecuadorian but behind Pogacar.
He just couldn't deal with that final attack. Well deserved win for Carapaz
Pogi in black shorts for the second day in a row, not the usual full yellow skin suit.
Gastro-Intestinal problems?
Quote from: Nickslikk2112 on July 24, 2026, 01:03:49 PMPogi in black shorts for the second day in a row, not the usual full yellow skin suit.
Gastro-Intestinal problems?
Test him today, although.. who would have the legs to do that?
And also: today is a walk (ride?) in the park compared to tomorrow.
Fair play to VPP for getting the better of Carapaz on the first 2 climbs of the day. It means that the polka dots are his outright (for now) and not loaned to him by Pogacar
Now can Mads Pedersen get over an HC climb tomorrow to pick up the intermediate sprint points and claim the Green Jersey?
Parrot Painter dropping back now, come on Richie C!!!
Hope Sticky Martinez blows up on the Alpe.
That cat 2 climb really split the race open. Front group down to 14 and the leaders group 3.5 mins back down to 11.
Carapaz got the polka points. If this group can keep ahead of Pogacar and Co he will be almost guaranteed the 20 points and putting him top of the mountain table.
Pidcock Popped, Ayuso dropped. Pogi accelerating away.
Pogi, powers to the top quicker than Pantani. Hmmm....
If Pogi was suffering I'd hate to see him fully fit, but I don't think he was.
Didn't enjoy seeing Sticky/Sucky Martinez come in second.
Clearly the strongest.
Lenny Martinez very strong today, upset when he crossed the line that he didn't manage to get a sprint a deux with Pogi. Still moving up in the GC.
Richie strong again after his win yesterday.
Both Seixas and Del Toro still battling for white. It'll be an interesting watch tomorrow!
I really did 😁
Great effort from Carapaz to go again after yesterday's victory but Pogacar seems to be capable of anything!
Seixas dropped 4 seconds on Del Toro but all to play for tomorrow for 3rd and White.
Evanapoel so consistent but no one can get close to the Slovenian
Carapaz into Polka Dot by One Point. He needs to get in the break and get as many points as possible on 2 HC and one 1st Cat climb to win it.
I think Black shorts were a Red Herring.
Quote from: Thenop on July 24, 2026, 01:49:55 PMAnd also: today is a walk (ride?) in the park compared to tomorrow.
Tomorrow's stage was the stage chosen for this year's Etape de Tour, a Cyclosportive for the keen amateur.
A lad from up the road from me rode it, he came 125th out of 12,000, took 6 hours 30 minutes for him and he was the quickest under 19 year old.
I wouldn't even think of it, 5,400m of climbing in 170km. Bonkers. Dropping back to proper measurements, that's about 170 feet of climbing per mile. For me a hilly ride is 85 feet per mile. Again, bonkers.
But honestly, a stage like that on the last Saturday, after 3 weeks?
The stage itself is as you say, bonkers, but this far into the Tour it feels like they don't want half the peloton to reach Paris.
First job done for Carapaz.
Mads Pedersen on the rampage behind. He did say earlier in the week that he wants to win a proper mountain stage one day. This one's too proper though.
Hats off to Mads Pedersen!
Almost guarantees the Green Jersey so long as he finishes the race
And that's the polka dot for ol' Richie
And Pogi looks like he's trying to drop del Toro!
Well, that was eventful in the end!
Sexasses team mates rode too strongly for him, Pogi shephereds del Toro in Sepp Kuss crashes himself out of a win and Carapaz adds a stage win to his Polka Dots.
And now a shortened final stage due to wild fires.
More Richie, more upset Remco, he started his chase too late, more happy Pogi and Del Toro.
Even Martinez strong, it feels like he can do more but somehow misses support.
Biggest disappointment for Kuss, although escaping narrow death could be considered a win..
Quote from: Thenop on July 25, 2026, 03:38:26 PMBiggest disappointment for Kuss, although escaping narrow death could be considered a win..
Perfectly positioned safety nets...
Pity for Paul, Del Toro is and will be a significant adversary. What a mad stage, 5000m of climbing, takes me 3 months to do that.
Just seen that Kuss has been docked 60s and 50 UCI points, looked it up and it's for littering twice outside litter zones. Also a 1000 CHF fine. Knowing the UCI it'll be because things fell out of his pocket when he crashed!
Quote from: dom on July 25, 2026, 08:56:21 PMWhat a mad stage, 5000m of climbing, takes me 3 months to do that.
Move to Derbyshire, takes me about six days :)
Here we go.
Just heard for the first time in history there is no stage win for 3 traditional cycling nations: France, Italy and Spain.
When I look at the jersey winners this year it is clear that the traditional countries no longer dominate:
Slovenia, Ecuador, Denmark and Mexico.
That was some finish!
Was hoping Pogi could win in yellow, not to be, but good day for MvdP just holding on. Mads Pedersen up there for third.
MvdP completely spent.
What a final!! Unbelievable MvdP with Pogi doing lead out, these men are not human.
Philipsen waited for MvdP to win, if Pedersen would have overtaken him, then Philipsen would have taken it.
Wow, what a race, edge of the seat stuff.
And in winning the Green Jersey, Mads has only managed two top five stage finishes,he was monstering the intermediate sprints.
I was happy that Pogacar didn't win yesterday. It shows that he is human after all! I loved his attitude that led him to give it a go though
I think that for all Pogi's superhumanness, he's still going to be a bit knackered after three weeks. MvdP did a lot of sitting at the back in the last few stages.
I've seen this morning that Mads Pedersen is doing the Vuelta, that's the Maillot Verde sorted! Unless of course Pogi enters and wins it from stage wins.
After the Lord Mayor's show comes the Tour de l'Ain.
And stage one of three was won by plucky young Brit Noah Hobbs of EF Procycling. Pity the Visma development team didn't have a space for his brother Henry. Jonathan Milan's brother Matteo came in fourth.