2020 Tour de France

[Dirt Tracker]

He did show promise in his whippersnapper days at BMC, even usurping Cadel at times. He also did well back home winning a few big races or stages thereof.

 

What happened thereafter, he just seemed to have not lived up to expectations. Look kudos to him for achieving what he has, but what is he bringing to the EF team for the Tour? Woods might well have been able to pull up front for the Colombians or even a stage, but TJ whats he gonna do? Or am I missing something....

100% but those results are a long time ago and he constantly talks about how he couldn’t do anything other that’s GC which is unfortunate as he has shown great ability to face for stages. I think he’s there because he has to be for a US team and can be a good super Dom but I’m pretty sure EF are all about their 3 Colombians to cause left field mayhem.

 

Edit: Actually looking at their roster they have a very, very good team this year. Not only the 3 Colombians (I think Higuita will be the one) but Powless, Carthy, Bettiol and Jens K. That is a strong, under the radar team.

Edited August 27, 2020 by Dirt Tracker

[EvanB]

2020 has been such an upside down year, maybe we get a French winner - can you imagine, maybe that will keep them from stopping it before the end

[Jewbacca]

2020 has been such an upside down year, maybe we get a French winner - can you imagine, maybe that will keep them from stopping it before the end

Is there a realistic French hope outside of Pinot?

 

Is Bardet in any sort of world beating form and can he defend 3 minutes on the last day in the ITT? JA is a card but will be watched.... 

 

I hear you,  but I just can't see it happening this year. 

 

My money is on Carapaz......

[TNT1]

2020 has been such an upside down year, maybe we get a French winner - can you imagine, maybe that will keep them from stopping it before the end

Thibaut if he can keep from whacking his leg against his bars this time? What a newb fault to exit on last year.

[J Wakefield]

Is there a realistic French hope outside of Pinot?

 

Is Bardet in any sort of world beating form and can he defend 3 minutes on the last day in the ITT? JA is a card but will be watched....

 

I hear you, but I just can't see it happening this year.

 

My money is on Carapaz......

The TT suites Bardet well, he has the KOM on that final verticale wall of a climb and the middle section suits him well. Pinot has voiced how he is worried on the middle section.

 

However; how you get to that last day is key for bay GC rider. You

Can lose 4 minutes that day if it goes pear

[TNT1]

Of course, Bardet said:

 

"This year, the main goal for me is not the general classification," Bardet said. "I'm going to take advantage of this year's aggressive profile of the Tour de France to be more attacking and not focus on waiting for the GC.

 

[Gr3mlin131]

I am seeing on the rider list every team has two subs, any idea how that works? I have not heard of substitutions in cycling yet, 

[Jewbacca]

The TT suites Bardet well, he has the KOM on that final verticale wall of a climb and the middle section suits him well. Pinot has voiced how he is worried on the middle section.

 

However; how you get to that last day is key for bay GC rider. You

Can lose 4 minutes that day if it goes pear

I'm really excited for this exact reason. The last day is in the back of everyones minds and there looks to be a lot of aggressive racing just to get there.

 

There is scope early for someone to do a Linus Gerdermann ala 2007 and solo away to yellow from nowhere, so the GC guys will need to mark a lot of attacks, especially with the way guys have been racing lately.

 

That 1st week is steamy and week 3 is going to be fire on broken legs!

 

As much as I prefer watching the classics, the Grand Tours get me super excited looking at the sheer scope of fatigue

[DieselnDust]

I dont know why they did this but I presume its cause we have then 2. I do think this is also a good call. 

 

 

 

We did saliva prior to leading up to races and now the Tour from a team and protocol. Here at the Tour they doing PCR. This is what they want so you follow the protocol.

 

The system was really good so to say they need to evolve or make it better isnt needed. They will set up per city we in when it is required and do the testing. 

 

We tested now on each rest day.

 

Thanks for the response John. What I meant by evolving the protocol relates to the current process booting a rider or staffer out after a single positive or non negative result (not the same as positive). The repeatability of the pcr test is poor so at least 2 follow up tests should be conducted. In fact 3 tests should be the process. There was discussion around this with a decision to implement follow up tests as standard practice but it appears this has not been taken yet. Will they implement the follow up tests before the end of the first week or are they sticking to their guns because if they are we may as well draw straws on the eventual winner

[J Wakefield]

I am seeing on the rider list every team has two subs, any idea how that works? I have not heard of substitutions in cycling yet, 

 

These subs are pre Tour and you have a limit when this can be put in place. So for example if rider X crashes pre tour or is positive within a time limit you can put your R1 or R2 in. Names are given in advance. You cannot sub during a race though. 

[J Wakefield]

Thanks for the response John. What I meant by evolving the protocol relates to the current process booting a rider or staffer out after a single positive or non negative result (not the same as positive). The repeatability of the pcr test is poor so at least 2 follow up tests should be conducted. In fact 3 tests should be the process. There was discussion around this with a decision to implement follow up tests as standard practice but it appears this has not been taken yet. Will they implement the follow up tests before the end of the first week or are they sticking to their guns because if they are we may as well draw straws on the eventual winner

 

Noted and good post. However, Im not keen on being poked in my nose so many times!! We are being tested again on each rest day as per protocol. 

[J Wakefield]

I'm really excited for this exact reason. The last day is in the back of everyones minds and there looks to be a lot of aggressive racing just to get there.

 

There is scope early for someone to do a Linus Gerdermann ala 2007 and solo away to yellow from nowhere, so the GC guys will need to mark a lot of attacks, especially with the way guys have been racing lately.

 

That 1st week is steamy and week 3 is going to be fire on broken legs!

 

As much as I prefer watching the classics, the Grand Tours get me super excited looking at the sheer scope of fatigue

 

I agree on totally on this post, I think this will be a very exciting and very unpredictable Tour. for the viewer and fan its awsome. 

[Pure Savage]

Wow, so strange we get le Tour before Roubaix! 

 

Hoping for good racing, hopefully no race jury decisions, no COVID issues and a lot of suitcases of pain!! 

[DieselnDust]

I'm really excited for this exact reason. The last day is in the back of everyones minds and there looks to be a lot of aggressive racing just to get there.

 

There is scope early for someone to do a Linus Gerdermann ala 2007 and solo away to yellow from nowhere, so the GC guys will need to mark a lot of attacks, especially with the way guys have been racing lately.

 

That 1st week is steamy and week 3 is going to be fire on broken legs!

 

As much as I prefer watching the classics, the Grand Tours get me super excited looking at the sheer scope of fatigue

 

 

exactly why I think this tour can play to Alaphilippe's skill set if he has the legs this year. Lets see. He is looking to be in good form although the Dauphine didn't showcase it. smart momey is still on Bernal or Roglic

[DieselnDust]

Wow, so strange we get le Tour before Roubaix! 

 

Hoping for good racing, hopefully no race jury decisions, no COVID issues and a lot of suitcases of pain!! 

 

 

Suitcases of courage.....

got to get the Sherwinism's right before the big day LOL

 

unless you making your own Savagism......then proceed

Edited August 28, 2020 by DieselnDust

[gummibear]

France has seen a sudden spike in virus numbers with the schools opening and people returning to work[emoji85][emoji15][emoji15]

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/27/tour-de-france-in-doubt-after-covid-red-alert-issued-before-grand-depart-in-nice