Tour de France 2024....chat, discussions, talking points

[Ditchfinder]

Not only loved the fact that they made it but also that doom merchant Kelly was proved wrong

Been a while since a bike race had me literally on the edge of my seat for 30km, that was epic. They looked like they were dying a thousand deaths every single pedal stroke on the long straight. If he can hold on to yellow until the Auvergne stages he'll be hailed as a hero forever

[weeksy]

Break away attack again I think.

This time from Pidcock

[Ditchfinder]

Is the final decent technical?

[weeksy]

Not sure matey. If it is then it may be a mohoric type day, or maybe VdP

[Count Steer]

Don't think we'll have quite the type of finish we had yesterday....but, you never know.

(Oi loiks Bologna, but I never had to climb that hill ).

[weeksy]

Yeah we never went to that part of Bologna when there for some reason, i don't think we actually knew it existed.

Another excellent stage though and interesting to see the ease that Vingy and Pogacar gapped the rest, quite ominous for the Tour this year i think. Thomas died a lot which wasn't ideal for him, although punchy attacks like that have never been his forte.

Today i think is a bit less exciting, the big question being "will it be a sprint"
https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/to ... age-3/live

[Count Steer]

It feels like some of the teams haven't settled into operating as a team yet, one or two weaknesses in some and they seem to be getting shredded a bit. I expect they'll 'ride themselves in' a bit over the coming days.

I was wondering what the Olympic road cycling event will be like - not sure when it's on - but how many of these riders will make it? (If it's feasible date-wise).

[weeksy]

MVdP is targetting the Olympics for sure and has stated he won't be going all in for attacks etc. Tom Pidcock is racing the XC and Road after getting back. It's about a week or so after the end of Tour.
I'd still expect MVdP to be on leadout duties for Jasper today.

[Count Steer]

Beast of a day coming up tomorrow. Should start to see things shaping up a bit more. Bit messy at the end today.

[weeksy]

Beast of a day coming up tomorrow. Should start to see things shaping up a bit more. Bit messy at the end today.

Yeah the crash spoiled it for the Cav fans... along with a few others of course

[Noggin]

Was there some sort of discussion between Cavendish and a camera bike yesterday? I wasn't paying full attention, but there were a lot of jokes amongst the presenters/commentators and the guy on the bike at the start of the race on Canal+. I think they said it was all in good humour, and it sounded funny! Everyone seemed to be laughing/happy

The bit they recounted was him saying something like - what are you guys doing there, move over and let the cycles get on and do their thing!!

Well, a rough translation of what I heard

[weeksy]

Well i do believe it's time that the big boys settle their arguments and we see what's happening this year

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/to ... age-4/live

Big mountains day. 22.9km climb near the end of the Galibier. It won't be a fast explosive day, it may be a tense day for some too... but it'll be a game changer for sure.

[MingtheMerciless]

Fascinating insite into the nutrition and support side of the teams.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/art ... xx568grlwo

[weeksy]

This is like the last 20km !!!!

[weeksy]

Race blown apart for the bunches... WvA dead, Roglic struggling, bernal seems to be struggling. Sprinters are shelled out... it's nuts.

[Count Steer]

Just switched on. At first glance it seems mainly reasonable? Breakaway with KoM in, peleton not far behind and sprinters all at the back. Group WvA behind the peleton though.

Have Pog and Co been trying to destroy the other possible GC lot on day 4?

[weeksy]

Yeah it's settled down a fair bit now.

Nothing to do with UAE, just random loonies from all different teams going off the front, then more, then more... But yeh it's settled.

[MingtheMerciless]

Love the geology segment. Ophiolite is the term for oceanic rock/crust found in mountain ranges.
https://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/structure/a ... olites.htm

[Hot_Air]

Fascinating insite into the nutrition and support side of the teams.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/art ... xx568grlwo

Fascinating!

Energy bars, gels, drinks and gummies provide quick hits on tough days, while more traditional food sources include wet rice cakes, brioches, jam sandwiches, flapjacks, sweet breads and cakes for easier days.

The required quantities are unenviably vast. Each rider consumes close to 1.5kg of rice or pasta every day and in the region of 120g of carbohydrates per hour when on the bike - the equivalent carbohydrate content of five hourly bananas.

One EF rider once went through four tubs of maple syrup during the three-week race.

I would struggle to eat the equivalent of five bananas per hour

[Count Steer]

By the time the TdF has finished I'll be an expert in cheap funerals, 1gm, 1/8th sovereign coins , home lifts (and how to say 'stairlift' in a very dismissive fashion) , how to sponsor a guide dog puppy and travel insurance for old folk.

Not sure what they think the typical watcher of the TdF is...an old, gullible people who fly a lot but can't handle stairs?

Meanwhile, the TdF has taken on a familiar look.