Vetplant

Broken clock is correct twice a day.. Promise, it won't happen again though. BTW. Remco is taking the Win in the TT tomorrow.

With that sequence of climbs at then end, I'm going with Pogi to take the Win ahead of Vingegaard. MvdP close enough to retain Yellow.

AGREED As a big WvA fan, I am suspicious of his(Wout's) low profile approach currently. Some theories: 1. He rode Giro, carrying fatigue, so might only be planning to peak later in LeTour 2. He is there purely as support-rider for GC, will only be freed if JUMBO GC aspirations are outside of reach. 3. He is purposefully targeting stages which MvdP wouldn't target, to increase his chances. Maybe attempt a repeat of the 2021 Ventoux win (Which can only happen if Point 2 has been reached). All things combined, Wout might start to show his colours towards the end of week 2, into week 3.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/woutvanaert/3644872545903284024

From what I could see, Wout broke their spirit with that pull on the valley road. If he wasn't there, they(Carapaz & DelTorro) might have stayed in contention. Well done Visma. Snatching it from UAE on stage 20, revenge for that shock loss to Pogačar in the 2020 TDF on stage 20.

Taking into account the profiles for today and tomorrow, his climbing skills can see him climb that ladder even further...

What a fun finish to the stage! This kid can ride.

Sad to hear Updated Wishlist for Top 5...: (In hindsight, this should have been my Wishlist from the start) 1. Del Totto 2. Yates 3. Bernal 4. Carapaz 5. Gee

I can live with that

Ideal podium: 1. Del Totto 2. Carapaz 3. Bernal 4. Roglic 5. Ayuso 😈

Nevermind, he lost 21s to Hoole between T1 and T2, now behind him. Win is still up for grabs for all of the contenders.

Looking at the T1 splits, Josh Tarling is taking this methinks...

Happy for Wout. Releases a mountain of pressure on him. You typically see the dam wall break after such a victory, might be the thing that kick-starts a series of race wins for him.

I can agree

Breakaway really giving it a fair go here

Sprint for bonus seconds coming up shortly. Will someone try to steal some GC seconds...?

Yes. and Yes.

Slightly off-topic, but I can clearly remember the VUELTA edition where you told us "Check this Pogacar kid, he is going places...." Do you have any young riders that you think we should keep an eye on?

'Meer luck as wysheid', as my FIL says. Unfortunately, the outlook on this VAT thing isn't pretty. ANC played ActionSA for the suckers they are. 15.5 is staying, then 16 next year.

Pogi going to upset the MvdP Threepeat?..

This is MvdPs race, unless something extraordinary happens. Pogačar giving it a fair go.

😱. Maybe best he gets it now instead of Sunday I suppose

Heart wants Wout to win it, just like Sagan who "should" have won more but eventually got his win. Similarly, Wout needs the favourites to hesitate a couple of moments when he makes his move and then needs a willing(and able) accomplice in the front group to go with him to the line. Head says MvdP takes it.

There are enough numbers at the front to make for an exciting finish here. Visma and Trek need to hit some repeated attacks here. But seems Pogačar is the one looking racy.