2020 Tour de France

[Tim Brink]

That worlds course is not easy..a lot of climbing on the day.

Only 5 000m. Easy peasy when you have the weight of a nation...

[Dirt Tracker]

Or World Champs at home, so he has two jerseys he can't wear instead of one?

 

With 5000m of climbing in that one so not too sure how many fast men will be left going for the line in Imola. 

['Dale]

So with the pandemic, there'll be testing on each rest day. Sentiment is floating around the Tour de France that there is a risk of the Tour being called off if there is a critical amount of positives.

 

Although the French government is working closely with ASO and its commercial partners, public health safety will always be of greater priority than the biggest annual sporting event.

 

In the possible premature end to the race, the maillot jaune will likely go home with the team in its possession after Sunday's stage. Or so it is speculated. We can expect the GC favourites to fight it out this weekend.

 

It's 2020, after all. 

 

Pic by K Ramon

Edited September 5, 2020 by 'Dale

[Dirt Tracker]

So with the pandemic, there'll be testing on each rest day.

Sentiment is floating around the Tour de France that there is a risk of the Tour being called off if there is a critical amount of positives.

 

Although the French government is working closely with ASO and its commercial partners, public health safety will always be of greater priority than the biggest annual sporting event.

 

In the possible premature end to the race, the maillot jaune will likely go home with the team in its possession after Sunday's stage. Or so it is speculated.

 

It's 2020, after all. 

 

Every team interviewed has said that wasn't in the equation but you have to think that is the reason that Jumbo are pushing on today. Take it today, defend tomorrow and see what happens on the rest day. It's such a complicated scenario this year, it's not how you'd want to win it but they have been fairly all over the stages and the race as a whole so far. A lot of commentators speculating that Ineos are letting other take the strain for the first week and let Egan and Siv' recover and also let Jumbo do too much and burn matches. Come Monday we'll see if the race carries on and who comes out of it the best into the following week. Enthralling chess game happening around the action on the road. 

[Dirt Tracker]

The Grenadier pub in Belgravia, London where the guys from Ineos decided to make a 4x4, name it after the pub and from there rename Brailsfords team for this edition of the tour. 

 

[Dirt Tracker]

And Pinot seems to be struggling again. This year doesn't seem to be shaping up to be his phoenix moment after 2019. 

['Dale]

Every team interviewed has said that wasn't in the equation but you have to think that is the reason that Jumbo are pushing on today. Take it today, defend tomorrow and see what happens on the rest day. It's such a complicated scenario this year, it's not how you'd want to win it but they have been fairly all over the stages and the race as a whole so far. A lot of commentators speculating that Ineos are letting other take the strain for the first week and let Egan and Siv' recover and also let Jumbo do too much and burn matches. Come Monday we'll see if the race carries on and who comes out of it the best into the following week. Enthralling chess game happening around the action on the road. 

 

 

I typed this post, Dirt Tracker, as soon as I saw the team on Bianchi machines begin to string out the peloton.

 

About Pinot, he is the big French hope and he is becoming a bit of an Almost Man. It is about time to raise Gauda's status as one of the rising stars in the team and possible mould him into GC for Groupama-FDJ. 

 

Below is some race data from the EF rider in Neilson Powless from his time in the break. Always insightful. He turned 24 on the day, true story.

 

https://cyclingtips.com/2020/09/power-analysis-neilson-powless-breakaway-lessons-learned/

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by 'Dale

[Vetseun]

Makes me sad to see Pinot in such a bad place.

[Dirt Tracker]

And all of France sighs and sheds a little tear with Madiot. 

[Dirt Tracker]

I typed this post, Dirt Tracker, as soon as I saw the team on Bianchi machine begin to string out the peloton.

 

What are your thoughts of Sepp Kuss being used up and kicked out of the Jumbo train with 37kms to go? 

[The Ghost]

What are your thoughts of Sepp Kuss being used up and kicked out of the Jumbo train with 37kms to go?

It’s not ideal, he’s usually one of the last to drop off on leading the train up the climb. I wonder what that is about.

[Chris_]

Makes me sad to see Pinot in such a bad place.

It's oddly emotional watching the old man. I'm not even a fan but... yoh

[The Ghost]

Woud is not afraid though [emoji33]

I’m not sure I’m seeing the plan here, no real gains being had for these efforts; maybe it’s to come

Edited September 5, 2020 by The Ghost

[Knersboy]

My mind cannot comprehend Wout. Best sprinter in the tour so far, dropping GC contenders on the climbs. Unbelievable.

 

I feel like we are entering a golden age of cycling. The young talent at the moment is something else.

['Dale]

What are your thoughts of Sepp Kuss being used up and kicked out of the Jumbo train with 37kms to go? 

 

He'll be instrumental tomorrow to be sherpa for Roglic tomorrow.

Resource management strategy, I reckon.

[The Ghost]

He'll be instrumental tomorrow to be sherpa for Roglic tomorrow.

Resource management strategy, I reckon.

That’s what I’m hoping, just strategic management.