Competitive Cycling

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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...

[dom]

It's beginning to look like a battle for 2nd. 1st virtually done and dusted. Pogacar is a monster

[Nickslikk2112]

It'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...

[dom]

Bien joue, Nicolas!

[dom]

It'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

[Nickslikk2112]

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!

[Thenop]

Viking day, with the Low Lands taking the remaining 4 spots in the top 5.

Otherwise very fast but uneventful.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

Yes, broken collarbone for Gaviria, Dorian Godon has a concussion and damaged ribs, Jenno Berckmoes also has a broken colarbone.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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.