Competitive Cycling

[Thenop]

Poor Poor Tom Pidcock.

[Nickslikk2112]

Olav 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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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!

[Thenop]

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.

[David L]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

Olav 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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

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,

[Thenop]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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.

Idiots, and the protestors again, held them up for a good 30 secs

[David L]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

Marc Soler doing Marc Soler things 

[Thenop]

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!

It took a little longer but Soler has his win.
It's now 7 out of 14 wins for UAE