2024 Tour de France

[#37]

Oh man, sad news Roglic abandoned.

And a bummer that covid seems to be in the peloton. I wonder what kind of measures teams have in place to minimize exposure.

Ayusa just gave a close quarters presser without a mask on to a tight group of journos who weren't wearing masks either.. So, I'd say very little.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Ayusa just gave a close quarters presser without a mask on to a tight group of journos who weren't wearing masks either.. So, I'd say very little.

That's kind of what I figured. Which is insane when you think of the stakes and sponsorship money involved.

 

[Chris5225]

Crazy that any professional cycling team would still think masks are effective after all this time. Can't hurt I guess?

 

[#37]

Crazy that any professional cycling team would still think masks are effective after all this time. Can't hurt I guess?

Well, Ayusa put a mask on right after the presser, just before he embraced his wife (masked) and baby and picked up their dachshund. So, I suppose it is a matter of priorities.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Crazy that any professional cycling team would still think masks are effective after all this time. Can't hurt I guess?

Crazy that people are still pushing this narrative after all this time.

 

[Jack Straw]

Crazy that people are still pushing this narrative after all this time.

Seeing as this is a hockey forum, maybe he’s thinking of goalie masks? Which defintely wouldn’t work. Pretty good at keeping your face from getting broken though.

 

[#37]

Pidcock out with COVID.

Geraint Thomas tests positive, rides race anyway.

Not a great day for Ineos.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Pidcock out with COVID.

Geraint Thomas tests positive, rides race anyway.

Not a great day for Ineos.

You'll get fined for riding with the wrong height socks but can ride the Tour de France with Covid? UCI logic.

 

[Jack Straw]

Didi the Devil is on Zwift

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Some idiot holding out crackers in front of pogacar as he goes by and hits him in the face.

 

[Jack Straw]

Big win for Pocagar. It's still not over but Jonas has almost 2 minutes to make up now.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Big win for Pocagar. It's still not over but Jonas has almost 2 minutes to make up now.

Agreed. There's a lot of mountains left and then the final TT, but that Pogacar could distance Vingegaard today was a bit surprising.

Matteo Jorgenson with a great ride but Visma is missing Sepp Kuss on these climbs for sure.

 

[#37]

Remco riding himself off the podium, might lose hold of the white jersey soon too.

Was pulling for Healy.

EDIT:
Impressive ride by Rodriguez.

Healy awarded most combative rider, has a look on his face like he has been handed a bronzed turd. Can't say I blame him.

Vingegaard now 2nd in KoM.

 

[#37]

Ouch, carnage from the start. 3km in and riders getting dropped left and right... lots of splits.

 

[Jack Straw]

Love the Slovenian fan with his dog.

 

[Jack Straw]

Pocagar looks so strong.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Pogi is on another level this year.

Vingegaard is as strong as last year, but looks like UAE and Pogi have found another gear

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Pogi is on another level this year.

Vingegaard is as strong as last year, but looks like UAE and Pogi have found another gear

Almeida and Yates have been great. UAE seems to have gotten better with tactics. Or at least less bad? Pogacar still does things I don't understand (like trying to hang with the sprinters in the final 100m on a stage he has no chance of winning) but has gotten smarter too.

And Visma is definitely not as strong with the absence of Kuss, Wout not in good form and no Roglic. Though Jorgensson has performed admirably.

Today is the most suffering I've ever seen from Vingegaard while riding.

 

[#37]

So, Pogacar (by 3:44 minutes), Vinegaard, and Remco all broke Pantani's record. It is what it is.

Greatest Climbing Performances Of All-Time on Plateau de Beille | Tour de France 2024 Stage 15 - Lanterne Rouge

Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard both did the best and second-best climbing performance of all time on the Plateau de Beille climb, making this the greatest climbing stage of all time.

lanternerouge.com

 

[Chris5225]

Definitely better equipment, nutrition, and training nowadays but still, when multiple people are absolutely annihilating modern records of known opera, it all but confirms that everyone is juiced once again.

I wonder how much of a difference it would have made with Kuss available on a stage like this. Likely Pogi takes it anyway.

 

[#37]

I don't expect much from this until the final sprint. At least the scenery should be nice.

 

[Jack Straw]

Uh Bobke, make sure your mike is off.

 

[#37]

Disaster for Girmay. Crashed near the end on a roundabout, missed sprint, only has a 32 pts. lead in the Green Jersey competition over Philipsen, and was walking to the podium with a limp.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

So, Pogacar (by 3:44 minutes), Vinegaard, and Remco all broke Pantani's record. It is what it is.

Greatest Climbing Performances Of All-Time on Plateau de Beille | Tour de France 2024 Stage 15 - Lanterne Rouge

Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard both did the best and second-best climbing performance of all time on the Plateau de Beille climb, making this the greatest climbing stage of all time.

lanternerouge.com

That's what's crazy. Vingegaard is pretty close to being Pantani sized. Imagine if Pantani time trialing like that. (RIP Marco)

And agree with what most others have said. Nutrition has gotten much better, equipment is better. But still... I think they said the top 14 riders all beat Lance Armstrong's record up that climb?

There's so much money involved, the UCI is still a joke and complicit when it comes to testing, so many former doped riders are now involved in managing these teams.

I love the sport, but it definitely is what it is.

Disaster for Girmay. Crashed near the end on a roundabout, missed sprint, only has a 32 pts. lead in the Green Jersey competition over Philipsen, and was walking to the podium with a limp.

I hope he's ok.

Philipssen is a dirty rider and after watching the Netflix series, a baby as well. I'd much rather Girmay hang on to the green jersey and pick up another sprint win.

 

[#37]

Pretty good stage, though it was rather dull until the intermediate sprint was over (Girmay). Good rides by Carapas and S. Yates. Remco had a good day, broke away from the others and he and Pogacar put a little time into Vingegaard. Looks like the crash and the time off have finally caught up to Vingegaard.

I think Girmay has all but secured the Green Jersey, barring a disastor. Other than Remco's ride, I don't really see the GC as the big story of the stage, because nothing really changed. Imho, Carapas and Girmay were the big winners today.

Strange things from UAE today, perhaps sickness has entered their camp.