Ive stuck this in racing and bike sport but feel free to move @mods Am also a relative noob to cycling so probably wont be able to add much of a technical viewpoint but im sure others might be able to add something over the next few weeks. Rasmussen clearly the highlight of the first three days in Denmark taking the KOTM jersey, made me lol the way he celebrated each point in front of the fans, superb. Unreal how many fans took to the streets and countryside too. Van Aert today, though, what an absolute animal. If you havent seen it fast forward to about 15k to go. Cobbles tomorrow and i watched the tour of flanders earlier this year so i know what's coming - hell on earth, cant wait
I've been watching for years but not this year as no Mark Cavendish, it's a conspiracy they won't let him take the overall wins.
Team decision not to take ‘The Missile’ not the organisers. They’ll have decided on their best option for this year, it appears Bennet got the nod.
First time that the TdF has started in Denmark so plenty out and a big sporting event post lockdowns. He appeared to gain by the lack of an organised chain to reel him back in by the time they had it was too late. Flanders cobbles are nice and even as they’re everyday roads as such, Arenburgs are very much agricultural tracks and don’t get a lot of traffic as they’re so uneven. Difficult to ride in a bunch as it’s narrow they’ll be lots of crashes, you’ll hope your favoured riders will getaway in very small groups. Riders lose their support cars on the cobbled sections so a puncture or mechanical is a disaster. Armstrong wasn’t a fan of re introducing cobbled sections to the tour when he returned, many riders don’t like the cobbles. Johan_Museeuw very nearly had his leg amputated after crashing heavily, only after the surgeon recognised him was it decided to treat the leg and not remove.
The Tour stormed across our village a couple years ago. What a show! The whole thing is really phenomenal to watch live. First the « caravan », with all the advertising cars, music, goodies thrown all around, and then the race. Faster than you could ever imagine. Crazy fast, actually, coming downhill from the nearest pass into our little place. On TV? Holy cow! I’d rather stick pens in my eyes…
Oh just like all sporting events I only watch the highlights, seen a couple of Tour stages whilst in France. As you say such a spectacle is a sight to behold. The peloton is over very quickly, the pace achieved is incredible wheel to wheel in a bunch.
Great to watch. Being near MT Ventoux it’s been through quite a few times. Main benefit being the roads are well looked after. Makes them even more fun on a MC. Down side lots of wannabes in Lycra riding like total prats. Superb show, zips through at crazy speeds.
The beauty about TV coverage you'll get to see the whole race and not bits & pieces, plus cool interviews by Bradly Wiggins on the back off that motorbike. Also not forgetting your own bathroom & kitchen for the usual home comforts. Perhaps i might watch it afterall.
Some of the roads are repaved during the spring before the Tour rides on them, mostly due to riders safety concern. It’s actually a good way to guess the future itinerary. I read somewhere that the Tour organization contributes to 25% of the repavement costs.
I really don't get the cobbles thing. Here we have a group of elite, well trained and invested athletes and they send them into that environment in their stretchy pants.
Traditions, traditions… Paris-Roubaix is one of the most legendary bike races here in France. And it’s all about cobble stones… Risky. https://www.paris-roubaix.fr/en/
I like having it on in the background while I’m working it’s quite soothing and I like all the countryside you see it started off in the uk a few years ago and came through our town to say I was hugely under whelmed would be an under statement
I’m not a huge fan of cobbled sections in the Tour, should be reserved for the Spring Classics really. Very different sort of riding to what required of a 3 week GT
This was Lances argument against the Pave sections being added when he returned, not many of the riders like ‘The Hell of the North’ as a single event but most have to contractually. Been to Arenburg and the surrounding area a few times and completed the PR sportive once, on every occasion it remained dry. 1976 iteration, soz it was filmed on an etcha sketch. Not called ‘The Hell of the North’ for no reason. When it’s at it’s most dangerous, Rounaix toothpaste. Big George bike falls apart, warning broken bone content
My bud and I are contemplating the cobbles one last time but on our Tigers before we hang our boots up. Hopefully it stays dry.
