Tour de France 2024

[Orange Agent]

Absolute belter of a course whoever picked it.

 

[eth-dog]

Hindley putting 12 seconds into Haig is surprising, Haig has usually been the better TTer

 

[Over The Post]

Stage 8 Semur-en-Auxois > Colombey-les-Deux-Églises

Although no altitude records will be broken, the first two-thirds of this stage does feature five categorised climbs. The relentless ups and downs may put a strain on the legs at the point when the sprinters’ team-mates are starting to think about setting up a bunch finish. But the last three kilometres of the final straight, which rise slightly but steadily, could be the ideal place to bring the peloton back together.

 

[eth-dog]

It's officially a "flat" stage but I think given the constant up and down nature it'll be one for the likes of Girmay, Bling, MvdP, WVA and Coqard. Maybe even one for a break if a few get in there with a teammate.

 

[largebus]

Bernard getting fined for kissing his wife and kids. Classic UCI.

 

[eth-dog]

I think Abrahamsen gets caught but it might be tight here.

 

[CURVE]

Just out of interest, has the tour ever raced over the Millau Viaduct?

I'm guessing, no, because it's an important and heavily used road, but it would be incredible to see. I went over it the last time I was in France and it's an exciting experience, and a little scary if you have an issue with heights.

 

[largebus]

Shocking news which reminds us how dangerous this sport is.

Just out of interest, has the tour ever raced over the Millau Viaduct?

I'm guessing, no, because it's an important and heavily used road, but it would be incredible to see. I went over it the last time I was in France and it's an exciting experience, and a little scary if you have an issue with heights.

They went under it in 2018. They've gone over the Saint-Nazaire bridge though which blows 60 km/h crosswinds

 

[Orange Agent]

This UnoX guy is stupid. Should have sat up yesterday, should have sat up at 60ks to go today.

 

[Plugger35]

Just out of interest, has the tour ever raced over the Millau Viaduct?

I'm guessing, no, because it's an important and heavily used road, but it would be incredible to see. I went over it the last time I was in France and it's an exciting experience, and a little scary if you have an issue with heights.

It's the tallest bridge in the world, amazing piece of engineering.

 

[largebus]

EAD Philipsen.

 

[99 Problems]

De Lie won’t sleep well tonight missing out there.

 

[Orange Agent]

Jasper the disaster lives on.

MVDP should have been sprinting here.

 

[Orange Agent]

This guy is a ****ing legend.

 

[Plugger35]

Girmay putting Eritrea on the map.

 

[Plugger35]

I knew Girmay had the goods when he won a stage in the prestigious Tour du Rwanda. it's a pity that SBS don't cover that tour.

 

[eth-dog]

He's a star. Probably favourite for tomorrow as well.

 

[Over The Post]

Stage 9 Troyes > Troyes

The Tour’s first week concludes with a new feature: white roads, which are already an emblematic feature of Strade Bianche and Paris-Tours. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift made the first passage across Champagne’s gravel roads close to Troyes in 2022. There will be 14 sectors, including six in the final part of the stage, extending to 32km in total, each sector pitching the riders onto the gravel and into the dust.




Weather:
start 1315 20deg, overcast, sprinkles of rain
the odd shower throughout the race
finish 1749 21deg cloudy heavier showers

Having said that, the further south they go the weather should improve, but then they head back up into it.

 

[two blue tiger]

Awesome stuff on the gravel. Love the idea that the Tour is a proper test of the riders' skills.

 

[eth-dog]

Bling left it too late IMO

 

[largebus]

Pogi going when Jonas has the wrong bike is the least surprising thing ever

 

[eth-dog]

Pogi going is the least surprising thing ever

FTFY

 

[eth-dog]

Honestly how does Gerrans get a commentary gig? He butchers so many ****ing names.

Evenepoel
Juul-Jensen (This one bugs me the most, he ****ing rode with him)
Jorgensen

 

[Plugger35]

These gravel sections will sort the men out from the boys, it reminds me of the gravel tracks I used to ride to school.

They aren't fazing Pogacar though, nothing fazes him.

 

[eth-dog]

Wondering how much energy Pogi will have come week 3. He's riding so aggressively...