Competitive Cycling

[Thenop]

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!

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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.

[dom]

Think VPP is ahead of the Ecuadorian  but behind Pogacar.


He just couldn't deal with that final attack. Well deserved win for Carapaz

[Nickslikk2112]

Pogi in black shorts for the second day in a row, not the usual full yellow skin suit.
Gastro-Intestinal problems?

[Thenop]

Pogi 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.

[dom]

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

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[dom]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

Pidcock Popped, Ayuso dropped. Pogi accelerating away.

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Thenop]

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!

[dom]

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

[Nickslikk2112]

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.

[Nickslikk2112]

And 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.