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

[weeksy]

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/to ... ge-13/live

Nogaro and the circuit make an appearance today. It's getting close to time up for the sprinters and Girmay snapping everything up means it's time for a few of them to pick up a win, so the break won't be staying away today i think.

[Ditchfinder]

Shit time to be alive for the bourradeurs,(sp?) anything slightly lumpy and vino and pog are hoovering up the wins, meaning sprint teams not letting breaks go in the flatter stages.

Abrahmson off the front again, probably a counter attack after the sprint, looking for KOM points, which seems pointless when it looks like Pog will win that competition anyway. He has to be favourite for the combative award for the race though.

[weeksy]

Yeah that's the problems for sure, it used to be that a KOM guy could actually make it to the end in the polka dot, but these days they're all going to Vingo and Pog as you say, too many points for them guys and not enough on the other climbs to build up a lead.
I think it's just the evolution of the sport these days really in all aspects. Even the sprinters can climb nowdays, people like Pog when he sprints isn't actually terrible at that. LOL.
It does mean though that a lot of the stages can be a bit samey.. but i don't know how to change that.

[Ditchfinder]

You could take away the KOM points from stage finishes, even if they are a categorised climb, means there's more of a carrot for the break to get away to pick up mid stage climbing points but only go for the stage win if it's really on meaning the GC guys might be a bit more relaxed about letting them go in the first place. Worth a punt if this carries on.

[Bustaspoke]

Seems like Covid's in the peloton,Pidcocks had to withdraw today..

[weeksy]

Been away so just catching up on highlights. The big 2 once again showing they're the best for a good reason. Pog showing epic form and destroying the race as before... impressive. It does somewhat kill some of the highlights, but hey that's racing.

[Count Steer]

Highlights are probably enough tbh. The main interest most of the day has been the scenery. (Watched most of the Tourmalet day just to see which bits I remembered, having yomped up and down the area for a week ).

I hoped Vingo would keep it a bit closer so that there was a possibility of a contest on the final day but that looks like it'll only matter for the placings.

[weeksy]

Last day for the fast lads today really. Assuming the make it over the kicker in the middle of the day that is... but after that the next few days get a bit lumpy.

[Count Steer]

Quiet day apart from a couple of tarmac interfaces and a bit of incompetence with a team car. Haven't seen a replay of the Girmay thing yet.

[weeksy]

Bit of an anticlimactic end for Cav. Just not there after losing his favoured wheel, but I guess that's the end of that story.

Girmay stacking it makes green wide open for battles now

[Count Steer]

Bit of an anticlimactic end for Cav. Just not there after losing his favoured wheel, but I guess that's the end of that story.

Girmay stacking it makes green wide open for battles now

It's not a bad end though but having a TT on the last day isn't quite the same as riding up the Champs. That'll be anticlimactic.

[Dodgy69]

The last stage was always boring, a champagne procession, as job was usually jobbed.

[weeksy]

The last stage was always boring, a champagne procession, as job was usually jobbed.

Lol this race was over 5 days ago already

[Count Steer]

The last stage was always boring, a champagne procession, as job was usually jobbed.

It gives the fans an opportunity to pay their respects though and if I was Cav I think I'd like to finish that way (there's often a bit of a sprint at the end too IIRC). Slogging around a meaningless TT isn't really a fitting end. (If the lower orders actually have to?).

(That's assuming he's not actually back again next year ).

[weeksy]

Once again Pog shows his dominance and i don't expect today to be any different. It's not crazy hilly today in terms of actual incline, but it's up and down a lot and i think the gradient/distances will suit Pog more than they'll suit Jonas. I expect to see Pog have a bit of a pop at him again. The big question is really whether Remco can close the gap a bit more on 2nd place overall.

Another day of break away and battles i think, although it'll be hard to beat the insanity of the first KMs of yesterday where it was just attack after attack after attack.

[Count Steer]

I think the fact that I forgot it was on yesterday might indicate a waning interest level.

[Count Steer]

Woot! That's a nice result.

[Bustaspoke]

Nice to see them let a break go for two consedutive days!

[MingtheMerciless]

Tomorrow looks very lumpy......all it takes is one bad day but I don't think it will happen.

[Dodgy69]

Should be a good watch next 2 days.