Tour de France 2023 ***spoilers*** Warning in OP

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120830462#Comment_120830462

Ah ok. I’ve only heard bits and pieces about him, all of it I didn’t like.

Daroxtar

They won fk all since Ratcliffe took over. Sky won it all.

CantGetNoSleep

You could imagine Bernal going for the Vuelta next year if he is getting some form back and TdF looks like it could be Tadej, Jonas, Remco

Although if Pogacar were to win this year, you would wonder if he would go for a Giro Vuelta 2024. He has already won one of the three GTs, three of the five monuments, two of the seven biggest one week stage races, and five of the 12 biggest classics. He has to be considering completing cycling at this stage so skipping a TdF might make sense if the sponsors allow it.

the 12 th man

On reflection on rest day-Carlton creaming his pants 75 yards too soon the funniest thing so far to happen..😅😅

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120831020#Comment_120831020

He could attempt the Giro-Tour double and that way he will always have the excuse if that Tour goes belly up. I'm sure a Vuelta will present itself somewhere in his career if he crashes or misses a tour through injury.

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120831020#Comment_120831020

As much as we like to talk about three Grand Tours, it isn’t really true IMO. The Tour is the most prestigious by far to win. It’s what the sponsors and the team owners really want. Pogacar won’t take his focus off it if he is still capable of winning it.

The Giro is even a step above the Vuelta in this regard. Great race, but it’s often a consolation prize.

eagle eye

Stage 10

The next couple of stages are set up for classic riders and puncheurs before we get serious again on Friday.

This one screams classic riders.

The second I seen the profile for this one four names came into my head, those being Van Der Poel, Van Aert, Magnus Cort and Pidcock.

I don't think Van der Poel is at his best, Wout is on fire but just can't get it done, Magnus always has a go at stages like this one and Pidcock is having a good tour. Others like Mohoric and Mads Pederson will be dangerous too.

I'd expect Bettiol to make it as well and that'll lessen the workload for Cort. I think Laporte will make it too which would be a huge bonus for WVA.

As much as I think this stage would suit Pidcock, I don't think he gets in the break because I don't think the Yates brothers would be happy to let him go.

It screams Wout but he's having nothing but bad luck when it's time to get it done so I'll pick Magnus Cort for the win.

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120830806#Comment_120830806

Apart from Bernals TdF and Giro, Geoghan-Harts Giro, Van Barle's Roubaix....

lawrencesummers

Hard to see wva being allowed off on his own when vinggegard looked vulnerable at times.

Ineos have nothing on the board so far, they will really be chasing a stage win this week.

Jai hingley needs to put in an effort and after the rest day might be the perfect time.

lawrencesummers

If ineos can get to the final climb close to a breakaway or with nobody up the road pidcock could launch for the top and try to gap everyone on the descent.

Thats if he is willing to take the risks on the downhill.

Mefistofelino

Quinn Simmons has withdrawn as his crash injuries aren't healing as expected.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120832631#Comment_120832631

My heart bleeds.

Raoul Duke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120832783#Comment_120832783

Huh?

I think he withdrew before yesterday's stage.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120832787#Comment_120832787

Ya I think you are right. With all the hurling the weekend is a blur but either way good riddance.

Raoul Duke

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120832832#Comment_120832832

Am I missing something about him?

Edit: had a look at his Wikipedia page, which I presume explains the dislike. Missed that news at the time.

Paddigol

Not sure I'd put Wout's lack of a win so far down to bad luck - more a case of making a mess of things on a team/ individual level. Hope he gets a win in the next few stages. That said, it would be typical of Wout's career if just as he's primed to win MVP refinds his legs and gets there before him.

mewso

Big battle for the break coming I suspect.

Mefistofelino

I think today could see an attempted mugging, precisely because no-one is expecting one.

retalivity

lol, the break is pretty much the top 20 on GC

breezy1985

Absolutely no way that "break" was staying away.

retalivity

Gaudu and Bardet nearly 2 mins back already.

Morris Garren

News just in that Bryan Cocquard, renowned sprinter and track rider, is a 'mountain goat' when he needs to be. CK just said so. Granted, he is in the 2nd group after the early split, rather than with the bus riders. If he's a mountain goat then there's hope for us all.

odyssey06

Very strange make up to the dropped riders... names I wouldn't expect to see there.

A. Yates

S. Yates

D. Gaudu

S. Kuss

M. Woods

R. Majka

N. Powless

G. L. Craddock

J. Philipsen

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120835582#Comment_120835582

He's no Kuss, but he goes quite well over very lumpy terrain. Days of 3rd & 4th cat climbs where any 1st cat climbs are done early tend to suit him.

Mefistofelino

Hatch telling us that they are experiencing "a huge waft of hot air that's coming up from North Africa"

I thought Carlton was English, no?

odyssey06

Yates brothers, Gaudu, Bardet back in the peloton.

Macy0161

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120835627#Comment_120835627

Insert "no one knows how the legs will react to the rest day" cliche here!

Paddigol

Not really happening for Wout at all this Tour

Mefistofelino

What a cracking stage.

G1032

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120837123#Comment_120837123

Epic stuff. Would have been magic altogether if Ala's group made it across before the finish