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Original poster

Tour de France 2023: starts 1 July - this Saturday

189 replies

prettybird · 29/06/2023 18:21

I thought we should start a new thread for this year's TdF, rather than recycling (Wink) last year's thread.

If nothing else, it irritates me by saying that it starts on Friday GrinConfused

The MN league is called Mumsnet Marauders. 113428518 works to get your Velogames team into it.

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BishyBarnyBee · 07/07/2023 08:15

Dinneronmybfpillow · 06/07/2023 20:47

And a confetti cannon in Pog's face 🙄 I get quite twitchy watching some of them when they have flares/run alongside. They must be thinking "oh, piss off!"

Show quote history

The mountains have always been a place where spectators recklessly crowd the riders - I think I remember Lance Armstrong catching his handlebar on a spectator's bag handle many years ago. But the flares are something else and personally I think they should be prosecuted, though I can see this could be difficult logistically, even though it's all captured on film.

The confetti though! Couldn't believe they showed it in the montage at the end of the highlights. Yes, it's very visual, but acknowledging that by giving it publicity surely only encourages it to become a thing.

Fabulous stage and so dramatic. I love that Pog's girlfriend is a serious cyclist in her own right too - I'm picturing them pottering around on a tandem in later life! Hope she's recovered from her concussion.

JofraArchersFastestBall · 07/07/2023 10:04

The last two days have been fantastic. I'm a big Pogacar fan and I was so glad to see him cling on and fight back yesterday. I can't believe it's only the first week - we're in for a real classic if it carries on like this.

Quite glad it's a sprint stage today, I don't think my nerves could handle another day in the Pyrenees! Hoping for a crash free day, and (if it's not too much to ask) a win for Cav.

Plasmodesmata · 07/07/2023 17:28

This is going to be an exciting tour - I like it when there's a bit of competition, the ones where a big team sews it up early on and processes to the finish are no fun.

lljkk · 07/07/2023 20:23

yeah agreed about needing a competition. I lost all interest in the Armstrong years.

Cav was so close today... Girmay is my guy but I would have been so happy for Cav.

neverenoughchelseaboots · 07/07/2023 20:59

What an emotional rollercoaster that sprint finish was. My 5 year old got out of bed to ask why mum was shouting 😬.

HeyJackKerouac · 07/07/2023 21:37

It's been a terrific few days. I was out of my seat shouting for Cav today. I see my team on velogames slipping down the leaderboard after a strong start. Am I being thick or is there no way to swap out a rider? I had carapaz. Can I choose someone else instead??

BishyBarnyBee · 07/07/2023 22:35

HeyJackKerouac · 07/07/2023 21:37

It's been a terrific few days. I was out of my seat shouting for Cav today. I see my team on velogames slipping down the leaderboard after a strong start. Am I being thick or is there no way to swap out a rider? I had carapaz. Can I choose someone else instead??

Pretty sure you can't make any changes once the Tour has started. That's kind of the whole point of how it works. If someone crashes out your team is weaker, just as the real team is in real life.

We were shouting at the telly here too and my heart was pounding afterwards. Really thought he was going to do it. Hopefully a good sign that he's on form if it was only the mechanical holding him back.

Another great stage.That bloody earring is still annoying me though.

Original poster
prettybird · 08/07/2023 14:46

Bugger, bugger, bugger Sad

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EvlisPersley · 08/07/2023 15:40

prettybird · 08/07/2023 14:46

Bugger, bugger, bugger Sad

Completely gutted 😞 😩

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/07/2023 15:56

prettybird · 08/07/2023 14:46

Bugger, bugger, bugger Sad

Just got back from hair cut to this news.

Bugger.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/07/2023 16:00

The mountains have always been a place where spectators recklessly crowd the riders - I think I remember Lance Armstrong catching his handlebar on a spectator's bag handle many years ago.

Mid 2000s wasn't it. And Jan Ullrich waited for him. Brilliant sportsman-ism. They'd battled for years, Ullrich had an opportunity to get a big lead, and didn't take it. I loved him for that.

AlisonDonut · 08/07/2023 16:03

We went to watch it go past, it was 20 mins from our house.

We didn't know he had gone out, we were at the next village.

Shocker.

Can I just say, they get so close it was quite scarey...just vrooming of the vehicles then the swish of the bikes and then straight back to vroom....it made my hair stand on end. Like within inches of where they made you stand...and inches between each other.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 08/07/2023 16:23

Really lovely chat with Christian Prudeholme "For 2 or 3 seconds yesterday, we all thought Cav would get the record.... he will always be welcome here, with or without his bike."

Original poster
prettybird · 08/07/2023 16:31

Spoiler alert: don't read this thread until you've seen the highlights!

Sad
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WobblyLondoner · 08/07/2023 16:46

Ah bugger. Gutted for him after yesterday's stage.

I've been trying to avoid any news until I see the highlights each evening but foolishly clicked on this wanting to see comments about yesterday - foolish me. My dilemma now is whether to to say anything to DP...

Original poster
prettybird · 08/07/2023 16:58

Spoiler alert: don't read this thread until you've seen the highlights!

Sad
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BishyBarnyBee · 08/07/2023 17:08

Devastated. So near and yet so far. I feel he needs a football team style welcome back to the UK. I'd go and yell my appreciation of everything he's given us over the years.

blobby10 · 10/07/2023 11:15

How amazing were those riders on yesterday's route? That final climb would have had me hopping on the train without any hesitation but they just kept going! Felt so sorry for the American who led for so long but lost his legs so close to the top but on the other hand how awesome was Woods? Such an fantastic turn of speed on that climb.

RandomUsernameHere · 12/07/2023 10:34

Amazing on Sunday and absolutely epic from Woods. Just found out that he ran a sub-4 minute mile while at college, totally bursting with admiration!
The rumour mill is going wild about van Aert not starting today, I wonder whether it's true or not. So far it has been denied by Jumbo.

Beninthesortingoffice · 12/07/2023 12:05

Can you imagine the mumsnet AIBU! My baby is due and my husband wants to spend the next three weeks cycling across France

Original poster
prettybird · 13/07/2023 18:10

I'm gradually creeping up the league: up to 15th of 19 Wink at one stage I was 18th Shock

I might manage to overtake STDG but don't think I'll get much higher than that, as Cav is out and I don't have Philipsen in my team - or the indefatigable Wout Grin

I had hopes for a stage win from one of my trio of Frenchmen but I'm losing confidence. Ditto with my two Brits (both of whom ds raced against I say "raced" but they were in the older of the two year age group so when ds did race them, he was at the back and they were at the front Hmm)

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Alexandra2001 · 14/07/2023 16:19

what an exciting stage today, no spoilers but it was edge of the seat stuff after what looked like it was heading for a draw!

Original poster
prettybird · 14/07/2023 16:51

Very pleased at the winner Smile

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Alexandra2001 · 14/07/2023 17:46

Yes very well deserved and great for the team which has a hard time recently.

Callmecordelia · 14/07/2023 21:11

I'm pleased with the winner today and velogames. 🙂