Tour de France 2022

[Count Steer]

It's got Pogačar written all over it.

(V nice section on R4 at the moment about Beryl Burton....new book out about her. Among other things she set a record for 12 hour time trial that the men didn't beat for 2 years).

[Ditchfinder]

I can see a break being let go today, yesterday was so fast and there's a few teams who need a stage win to save their first week. We should see the main contenders for Polka poke their heads above the parapet today too.

The profile of that last climb is ridiculous >20% in places - should really suit a specialist climber but it's probably Pog isn't it (unless I've managed to scupper him like every other rider I've backed so far)

[Count Steer]

Any thoughts on who we're unlikely to see at the Tour after this year? A number of names, some quite big names, seem to be nearer the end than the beginning. Rising stars on the horizon? Be a daunting prospect given how young some of the new stars are.

[Dodgy69]

Top man Pog.

[weeksy]

Just caught up.

As epic as you'd expect on that hill.

Thomas cemented himself as leader for ineos, but I think he'll be 3rd by the end overall.

[Count Steer]

Interesting day. Bit surprised the breakaway 21 fell apart so quickly but nice result for the day. Pleased to see Castroviejo getting in the top 3.

[weeksy]

I like Jungles lots. Watched himat his peak in the spring classics gone by and he's always entertaining, especially when wearing the national champs jersey he had for ages.

It would've been a cracking fairytale for Pinot to make it, but he just couldn't quite and lost it on the 2 descents.

[weeksy]

Well that was a bit of a crazy one lol. They all seemed to want to throw it away in the 4 man group with 700m to go, but i guess they were just all in.

Cort though with a crazy day out again and a win for him ! proper battle for the line.

[Ditchfinder]

So Galibier today and d'Huez tomorrow, this should sort out the KOM and we should find out if anyone is going to bother attacking Pog. Don't think they can rely on trying to wear him down just 'cos he' s down a couple of team mates, Ineos have a triple GC threat, if they don't try something with one of them it's a waste, Pidcock looked lively before the break went yesterday, will they try with him today?

Grupetto got a let off yesterday with the protest giving them an easier ride in yesterday, going to be a long hot day for the fast lads today by the looks of it.

[weeksy]

[MingtheMerciless]

Punish Poggy day today so far, some lovely looking "hills" that I'd love to swear and curse my way up.

[weeksy]

Thing is, it's the only card they have to play.... INEOS have fallen apart other than G, so Jumbo are giving it the big-un.... and why not.... it's pointless sitting with Pog until the last 400m. May as well lose by a minute instead of by 3s and not try.

[MingtheMerciless]

You’ve gotta watch the last climb!!!

[Count Steer]

It looks like we have a race.

Until today it looked like 'Who do you think is going to come second?' Good to see Quintana at the sharp end. I did wonder if this was going to be his last TdF but he can still go uphill.

[Ditchfinder]

Woohoo, proper day that, JV will be tough to beat now, will Pog claw a minute or so back tomorrow on d'Huez maybe and wait for the Pyrenees....?

[weeksy]

By jiggedy! That's livened things up hasn't it.

What a day

[Noggin]

The Col du Galibier is about 2.5 hours from home. So probably 30-40 mins from here. I now REALLY want to find that wiggley road on the bike! I can stay with a mate here to reduce the time on the day!!! Looks bloody awesome! I'll never be enough of a cyclist to do anything like that, but on a motorbike, wow!!!

[Count Steer]

The Col du Galibier is about 2.5 hours from home. So probably 30-40 mins from here. I now REALLY want to find that wiggley road on the bike! I can stay with a mate here to reduce the time on the day!!! Looks bloody awesome! I'll never be enough of a cyclist to do anything like that, but on a motorbike, wow!!!

I'd be OK going up. I got chance to do the 'Ooh look I've been/ski'd there!' today. There was a Serre Chevalier sign among others.

Have to say my interest was waning in it as a contest but today has perked it up a fair bit. Pog looked pretty happy, right up to the point where he didn't. WvA as well....what a star.

[weeksy]

The Col du Galibier is about 2.5 hours from home. So probably 30-40 mins from here. I now REALLY want to find that wiggley road on the bike! I can stay with a mate here to reduce the time on the day!!! Looks bloody awesome! I'll never be enough of a cyclist to do anything like that, but on a motorbike, wow!!!

I'd be OK going up. I got chance to do the 'Ooh look I've been/ski'd there!' today. There was a Serre Chevalier sign among others.

Have to say my interest was waning in it as a contest but today has perked it up a fair bit. Pog looked pretty happy, right up to the point where he didn't. WvA as well....what a star.

Whatever he's getting paid, he should get more

Thomas did well today as did Yates, they may not be the fastest, but you've got to get up all the hills, day in day out. If Jonas cracks, them and Bardet are right back in the game.

This ain't over that's for sure

[weeksy]

CLimby again today...

Will it be attacking, or will they sit and wait this time...

I can see Pog going for it