Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Cycling

Join the cycle chat on our Cycling forum.

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Alexandra2001 · 15/07/2023 20:45

Stunning racing today, TP has the measure of JV (just about...) tomo looking like another epic stage!!!

Original poster
prettybird · 15/07/2023 22:30

Fantastic race today. The race is still wide open - don't have a clue who'll win although given that Vingegaard is in my team Wink

Given all the effort that Pog and his team put in today, they'll be disappointed that they came up with losing a second to Vingegaard. Shock V will be pleased that TJV's efforts paid off.

Was really pleased for Rodriguez: dh and I kept shouting at the commentators as P and V duelled on the main climb, "But what about Rodriguez?" who was fast approaching them Confused

Two in a row for Ineos Smile

OP posts:
Plasmodesmata · 15/07/2023 23:00

That was proper exciting today. More of that sort of thing please.

Alexandra2001 · 16/07/2023 07:07

Thoughts on those motorcycles? they really did decide the race yesterday, for the main contenders, they effectively blocked Pog and his final attack.

I thought UAE were the ones who had an arm chair ride yesterday, with only Adam Yates hanging it out for Pogacar, WVA was amazing for TJV.

blobby10 · 16/07/2023 07:10

Those motorcycles are awful - as bad as the spectators who Get in the cyclists face! Do the tv viewers really need such close up shots on these days of zoom lenses? 🤔🤔

manontroppo · 16/07/2023 07:28

Alexandra2001 · 16/07/2023 07:07

Thoughts on those motorcycles? they really did decide the race yesterday, for the main contenders, they effectively blocked Pog and his final attack.

I thought UAE were the ones who had an arm chair ride yesterday, with only Adam Yates hanging it out for Pogacar, WVA was amazing for TJV.

Agree, but I think the motos had few choices because of the appalling spectator behaviour. There were several occasions where an attack by Pog/Vingegaard would have been impossible because spectators blocked their paths.

I know I shouldn’t, but I do like Vingegaard. He always looks so gormless :D

Callmecordelia · 16/07/2023 08:01

I agree, the spectators limited more choices than the motor bike. Looked like the spectators were blocking the motor bike and the cyclists. Aren't the motor bikes controlled by the commisaires?

That said, Pog has often gone at around that point on a climb and you would think they'd know that and tell the moto to get out of the way.

Alexandra2001 · 16/07/2023 08:33

As David Millar said The top of the climb should have been barriered plus why were 2 moto's allowed so close to the top? with time bonuses, attacks surely were predictable.

I hope yesterdays organisational debacle, doesn't end up affecting the end result, this years race may be decided by a handful of seconds.....

Original poster
prettybird · 16/07/2023 09:06

It's why I don't like bonus seconds: I preferred it when the Tour was decided on "pure" time Hmm

The two motorcycles involved have apparently been banned today (but only today? Hmm) but I agree: the spectators crowding in are as much of a problem.

OP posts:
Callmecordelia · 16/07/2023 10:22

manontroppo · 16/07/2023 07:28

Agree, but I think the motos had few choices because of the appalling spectator behaviour. There were several occasions where an attack by Pog/Vingegaard would have been impossible because spectators blocked their paths.

I know I shouldn’t, but I do like Vingegaard. He always looks so gormless :D

Show quote history

He looked like a very doting dad yesterday backstage while waiting for the podiums, and I felt like I might start liking him too. Imagine doing all that climbing and still having the energy to play with a preschooler.

LlynTegid · 16/07/2023 10:25

Looking like a very interesting two man race for the rest of the week.

Still upset for Mark Cavendish and the way his tour ended.

Original poster
prettybird · 16/07/2023 10:27

I think with the two of them so close on time, the time trial is going to be key.

Unless one or other of them manages to take a big chunk of time out of the other in one of the remaining hill stages. Shock

OP posts:
Alexandra2001 · 17/07/2023 12:44

Yes TT is going to be v important but pogacar looked weaker yesterday, so i wonder how well he will cope with Wednesday and Saturday climbing stages?

Either way, its a shame one of them will lose.

BishyBarnyBee · 17/07/2023 20:28

LlynTegid · 16/07/2023 10:25

Looking like a very interesting two man race for the rest of the week.

Still upset for Mark Cavendish and the way his tour ended.

Yes, every time there's a sprint I will be grieving his lost hopes.

BishyBarnyBee · 17/07/2023 20:36

Alexandra2001 · 17/07/2023 12:44

Yes TT is going to be v important but pogacar looked weaker yesterday, so i wonder how well he will cope with Wednesday and Saturday climbing stages?

Either way, its a shame one of them will lose.

It takes me back to the (now tainted) Lance Armstrong/Jan Ulrich days. It was a great sporting battle between two honourable champions. Until it wasn't. But there is something very special about watching two well matched riders at the top of their game and not being sure who will be the ultimate winner. It's been such a dramatic and unpredictable tour!

Plasmodesmata · 17/07/2023 21:57

I have cleared my diary for Wednesday and a date with the sofa. Might we even be about to see that rarest of beasts - an exciting time trial?

Plasmodesmata · 17/07/2023 21:58

And I reckon Cav would have won in Paris. I suppose this way we can always think that he might have done.

Alexandra2001 · 17/07/2023 22:10

Plasmodesmata · 17/07/2023 21:58

And I reckon Cav would have won in Paris. I suppose this way we can always think that he might have done.

I hope Cav comes back next year, not to necessarily to win but to retire on his own terms
His team has said they'll sign him for another year....

Callmecordelia · 18/07/2023 06:28

Plasmodesmata · 17/07/2023 21:57

I have cleared my diary for Wednesday and a date with the sofa. Might we even be about to see that rarest of beasts - an exciting time trial?

Am I the only one who loves time trials?

The technical aspects of it, the way it's a mental challenge as much as a physical one, the TV torture of sticking the leader in the hot seat... When Pog won his tour that was a brilliant day to watch the whole thing unfold.

Original poster
prettybird · 18/07/2023 08:03

Plasmodesmata · 17/07/2023 21:57

I have cleared my diary for Wednesday and a date with the sofa. Might we even be about to see that rarest of beasts - an exciting time trial?

Ummm - isn't today (Tuesday) the Time Trial? Confused

OP posts:
Alexandra2001 · 18/07/2023 09:33

TTs are often boring unless there are small time gaps, the most exciting one being Fignon vs Lemond, the race into Paris was one of the most exciting things i ve ever witnessed on TV.

Todays TT is going to be a scorcher, technically, will they swap bikes for the final climb? helmets? Will Adams ride flat out to secure 3rd place OR save himself to aid Pogacar?

Original poster
prettybird · 18/07/2023 09:41

In one respect, we don't need to watch much of the TT: just the last 2 Wink

Maybe also Adam to see how much effort he puts in? There will be minimal changes elsewhere in the GC.

OP posts:
Plasmodesmata · 18/07/2023 11:42

Yes I don't book the sofa for time trials. I'm watching an exciting mountain stage on Wednesday, hopefully.

Original poster
prettybird · 18/07/2023 16:35

Wow Shock

OP posts:
RandomUsernameHere · 18/07/2023 16:35

Wow. Absolutely phenomenal. Words can't do it justice!