Chris_

Athletics is exactly where my mind went last night when dale posted the pic that began this train of thought. And its as you say, not even remotely comparable. I'm putting it down to a badly comprised set of comparatives, again without knowing anything behind the details, but one(or just me) doesn't know the weather, the length of the stages (mentioned), wind, who was challenging, who was breaking away, time gaps, etc etc. I think theres so much additional that happens on the day that affects cycling. Its not always flat-out speed attacks.

Now now... lets not ruin a good boring tour thread

Tdf is proving so easy for Pog a couple days afterwards he's doing Vuelta too.

I still think of the year 2000 as the other day so at first I thought - it's impossible to see 10% improvement in that time. But, it's 20 years... Without applying my mind too much is that a reasonable gain? I'm thinking no. Seems pretty incredible

And owner of one of the tallest seat posts I've ever seen.

I don't know why you (supersport) okes have the sound on. Just stick it on mute. These chaps have 5 hours to fill every second with commentary (read: noise), of course its going to be rubbish. Edit: not that I don't like or enjoy insights, I just can't listen to them for very long.

Nils' attack powered by the spirit of Sagz.

Looks like I picked a good stage to be away for the last 3 hours from. 15 mins haha, rest day...

Nah, Declerq will jump on the front just now, and all his shoulders will negate any winds

I'll bet anything Simon 'I only ride at the back' Yates has been caught out already

Our man on the ground said they would work for Vingegaard. I'm glad Wout didn't listen.

He came in almost last on stage 1. Affected by every crash

At the risk of repeating myself from the other day and continuing this circle, I feel everyone in dissent with EM is saying the same thing. I think MvdP saying upfront he was only doing a week of the tour, and his heroism etc is irrelevant. EM was on drugs, and is old, is irrelevant. Pou Pou was celebrated, and non cycling fans became fans, is irrelevant. The point to me is that the tour is a 3 week affair. Its not a 5 day tour. Its not a 1 day tour. Entering a 3 week race to bury yourself, maybe your team, maybe other riders who can't keep up your 1-day pace, to get a jersey and then dropping out once your mission is over is against the spirit of it being a celebration of people who can endure 3 weeks of probably the most jaw-dropping feat of fitness and pain tolerance. Commentators always mention whomever is the x hundredth rider to wear the yellow jersey. Theres so few of them. and for good reason. I think MvdP-like tactics will tarnish that halo. He's not riding the same race.

Stage 11 is unconscionable. All I hope for is dry weather. I'm tired of holding my breath down the descents. I know that's equally a skill that should allow someone to make crazy gains, but yoh, enough crashes.

I'm assuming Ben will fall away over the next 2 weeks. But then from Uran in 3rd all the way to Gaudu in 10th, there is only 2 mins separating all 8 of them. Its a pity the race for the rest of the podium isn't reeeeally as exciting for us, but for each one of their cycling CV's theres a lot to fight for. Maybe time to shift attention slightly from the very, waaaaaaaay out in front, front of the race.

More like 2 dots on a map, of his competitors, disappearing behind him... That's interesting, I'll look it up. What a week Mr Wakefield! High 5s all round. Utter domination.

The oke is laughing

There should be a bit of un-concertina'ing when Ben get to the final 2km flat section. Go man!

UAE out the way, Ineos begin smashing the time gap. Ugh

Even after just now when Pog erupts and catches O'Conner before the line, I'm sorry, but ride of the day has to be Colbrelli. What's the big man still doing up there, hahaha, brilliant

COME ON BEN!

I noticed this yesterday, but Pog is always busy on his bike computer. Maybe time for a bigger unit so he can see whatever he keeps wanting to look at

Business idea: Gloves, jackets, and zips that are possible to put on/do up when you're cycling

I hope he remembers to change out of this First Ascent top before the finish line should he win

Fair to say no one has no 1. This has been a stonking first week. So ja, it's down to the size of your intangibles.