2020 Tour de France

[Vetplant]

Pogacar is going to have to hope to catch some bonus seconds to close the gap to Roglic.

[Gen]

Pogacar is going to have to hope to catch some bonus seconds to close the gap to Roglic.

From here on out there won't be any alliances between the two. Edited September 11, 2020 by Gen

[Frosty]

Imagine this... two staff test positive from a leading team on the next test day.

Their team is expected to be withdrawn, dropping someone else into the lead.

This is not a normal year, and normal Tour, and those are the current rules.

 

It's much like golf, where the person in the lead after the third round is the winner, when the final round can't be started/completed. The riders should wait for the final climb of the final stage to make their moves.

[Bonus]

That last km was gruelling! 

[Mntboy]

The one is doing okay in Italy the other one.. not so much I'll be very surprised of he even makes the Vuelta team.

Haven't followed their results as I have been Tour focused. Will have a look to see which one's which.

[dsw]

Bernal & Ineos looking a bit cooked

 

I have never seen Bernal suffer like he did today.

 

It is possible that Carapaz is stronger than him at the moment but it is too late to change leadership at this stage.

 

It is ironic that Geraint had a great ride on the day that Bernal suffered the most.

 

That is how it goes.. 

[DJuice]

Pogacar you biscuit - this guy makes racing exciting

That puncture in the crosswinds seems to have invigorated him

Wayne did you receive your Colnago from team UAE?

Pogacar was on non-disk bike for this stage.

[Mntboy]

The one is doing okay in Italy the other one.. not so much I'll be very surprised of he even makes the Vuelta team.

Ok so I have had a look. G's undoubtedly doing ok. It might actually be safer not to mention Froome's result. And he might not have make the Vuelta squad regardless of his performances at T-A.

['Dale]

The Slovenian duo look very composed and seem in a league of their own. One can question whether Roglic’s yellow sokkies exceed the UCI’s recommended length, hey, hehehe. Pogačar is able to mark Roglic and, lying 2nd now on GC, appears to be his only threat. Thus far, it's a remarkable feat for the youngster with both his mountain goat teammates in Aru and Formolo having abandoned, leaving him isolated in the mountains.

It is obvious that there is a kinship between the two Slovenians. Their country must be very proud. The same can be said for the Colombian fans. What a rich return to the sport for Colombian cycling.

 

Bernal’s campaign is seemingly in trouble. He seems in pain, not sure whether it is total suffering or whether it is part back pain. He also excels, like most other Colombian climbers in the high mountains above 2000 m above sea level and the Tour rarely spends time above the clouds. I think the Col de la Loze is the one summit finalè at around alt 2300m during week 3. This is also the queen stage ending in Meribel during midweek.

 

However, with the amount of mountains between here and the Champs Elysees, and a time trial that favours the mountain goats, let’s reserve further predictions.

 

Chapeau to EF’s Dani Martínez who had to overcome a fierce challenge from the Bora’ duo. What a classy win. His first Tdf victory. Credit to his American teammate in Powless who attacked earlier on, allowing Martinez to ‘sit in’.

 

What beautiful racing. ????????

 

Pic credit Cor Vos

Edited September 11, 2020 by 'Dale

[Slowbee]

Is Primoz a good poker player ?

 

That calmed look on his face just before the line. He looked really calm and in control.

 

And then those shots of him after the finish line, riding around like it was just another day out.

 

If he keeps this up, he for sure is a serious contender.

 

My dark horse, NQ, lost a bit of time. It is going to be tricky to recover 1m12. But there are many more mountains to come.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

The one is doing okay in Italy the other one.. not so much I'll be very surprised of he even makes the Vuelta team.

If you’ve just signed him to your team for seriously large money you’d be going through quite a bit of bog roll right now

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Wayne did you receive your Colnago from team UAE?

Pogacar was on non-disk bike for this stage.

John has it uppermost in his thoughts I’m pretty sure

[Mntboy]

If you’ve just signed him to your team for seriously large money you’d be going through quite a bit of bog roll right now

Isreal Start up Nation might be wondering if they haven't bought a dud tbh. Hopefully next year will be better for him and by extension them too.

[Gen]

Eurosport/GCN are having a pretty interesting discussion regarding concussion due to them thinking that the police officer who guarded Bardet while he was getting up from his crash was indicated he hit his head. I wonder what everyone thinks about it: should guys get a concession test if they had a fall and a head injury is suspected? Personally I also wouldn't mind hearing John Wakefield's opinion on this.

 

Personally I think a way does need to be found to check any potential head injuries as a result of a crash and ideally it should be done quickly enough to allow the rider to get back should the doctor consider him to be ok to race on. How exactly will probably require a bit of a balance between medical necessity and allowing fair competition without stretching organisers resources.

And he won't start tomorrow as he has concussion ..

 

I just can not believe they let him finish the stage.. STUPID....

 

Yes they need to get their concussion protocol sorted.

 

I actually didn't see this live.. boggels the mind thay they just put him om the bike to continue

 

 

https://twitter.com/mrconde/status/1304531849885163523?s=19

Edited September 11, 2020 by Gen

[Mntboy]

And he won't start tomorrow as he has concussion ..

 

I just can not believe they let him finish the stage.. STUPID....

 

Yes they need to get their concussion protocol sorted.

Saw the headline as well as an Instagram post from Bardet confirming it. Very stupid indeed. It would be better if guys abandoned so they can be checked out properly and receive the necessary treatment if required or to go home and rest. Whatever the protocols are currently it is not sufficient and some thought and planning needs to be put into how to deal with doing a HIA during a race. Other sports are getting it right, why can't cycling?

[The Ghost]

Yup he’s out

 

https://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/romain-bardet-rode-90km-of-tour-stage-with-concussion-now-out-of-race-video/?fbclid=IwAR3MdDC1OEZvLQ9ouIzy-4p6zti_K3w237MbQqxPja5lwUCaewsvJEOMEys