Competitive Cycling

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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.

And he does give his goodbye a bit of shine: Danish champion

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

It all starts Saturday, in Barcelona in case missed that little detail...
Highslide Image Viewer

[Nickslikk2112]

Already talk of stage cancellations if it gets too warm

[Thenop]

Already 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.

[Thenop]

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?

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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!

[Thenop]

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..

[Nickslikk2112]

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

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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..

[David L]

Very impressive the way Pog lit the afterburners in the last few hundred metres!

[Nickslikk2112]

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.