Author Topic: cycling in 2018 & beyond (Read 44024 times)

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #375 on:** June 17, 2023, 02:14:18 pm »

If there's a flaw in Jumbo Visma, it's the lack of support climbers for Vingegaard, especially without Kruiswijk. Just Kuss and Kelderman as Kruiswijk's replacement. of course, there's Wout.

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #376 on:** June 17, 2023, 02:21:07 pm »

The TdF will be full Basque madness for the first few days, should be fun

English Natsie · « **Reply #377 on:** June 23, 2023, 06:12:51 pm »

Froome the bell tolls....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/65998408

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #378 on:** June 23, 2023, 07:47:10 pm »

Sorry for Froome. I think he turned around opinion on running up mount ventoux. Became a high risk descender too. I remember him and Sagan teaming up on a descent out front another stage in their primes. IPT is just stage hunting this year, but he'd have helped Woods and given them 2 mountain stage cards

English Natsie · « **Reply #379 on:** June 29, 2023, 06:15:42 pm »

It's that time again - here's the annual, useful guide...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/65843147

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #380 on:** June 30, 2023, 08:59:52 am »

I have not given much thought to whether there's a realistic shot for someone to break the duopoly for yellow short of both not completing the Tour. I sort of think Pogocar may have more support for the mountains than Vingegaard, although Van Aert seems capable of helping in the mountains as well as going for green. Really, Vingegaard is down to Kuss and Kelderman, plus Van Aert. The smart play for Pogocar might be to let the yellow go to a team with less climbing support early, then have his train around to attack late. But Pogocar is the new Animal, so he may just grab the jersey in the Basque Pyrenees and not look back if he is healthy.

English Natsie · « **Reply #381 on:** June 30, 2023, 09:59:49 am »

Yes - difficult to see past them. Pogacar is claiming that his wrist fracture came at 'just the right time', as it has forced him to go into the Tour more rested. He did look in great form, before it, but he looked unstoppable last year - and we all know what happened...Vingegaard looked off the pace, at the start of the Dauphine, but by the end he'd come through to win it, looking very good on the final climbs. Good to see Bernal back, but he's still a shadow of his former self - clearly still has some way to go in his recovery.

Of course, the above virtually guarantees that an unconsidered rider will emerge and win the Tour...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #382 on:** July 01, 2023, 08:22:39 am »

Picking Van der Poel today.

English Natsie · « **Reply #383 on:** July 01, 2023, 06:50:11 pm »

Cracking first day - and not bad for the US...This is why we don't need the Prologue....

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #384 on:** July 01, 2023, 09:17:00 pm »

Make them speak English if they want to talk to a jersey holder. Or Slovenian for white.

Do the Brits feel Yorkshire accents are English?

Adam Yates can take off any time he wants and Vingegaard will not chase and drag Pogocar along with him.

English Natsie · « **Reply #385 on:** July 02, 2023, 05:51:26 pm »

Another interesting day - Pogacar agressive early in the race; clearly trying to build a lead through time bonuses...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #386 on:** July 02, 2023, 06:29:25 pm »

Quote from: English Natsie on July 02, 2023, 05:51:26 pm

Another interesting day - Pogacar agressive early in the race; clearly trying to build a lead through time bonuses...

yes. These 3rd places are useful when there's probably not 2 minutes difference between him and Jonas. He's legit a faster finisher. It's like how Roglic would build time gaps with uphill sprints and bonuses

English Natsie · « **Reply #387 on:** July 03, 2023, 05:33:49 pm »

Day Three - fast boys day, so the last two km are worth a look...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #388 on:** July 04, 2023, 12:22:30 pm »

Unofficial neutralized rest day for most of the race. About a half hour slower than the pre-race estimated time. Maybe the most boring stage ever until the race track chaos finish

English Natsie · « **Reply #389 on:** July 04, 2023, 04:42:45 pm »

Quote from: JCA-CrystalCity on July 04, 2023, 12:22:30 pm

Unofficial neutralized rest day for most of the race. About a half hour slower than the pre-race estimated time. Maybe the most boring stage ever until the race track chaos finish

Yes - another last two km day...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #390 on:** July 04, 2023, 04:48:52 pm »

I think they set a record for nature breaks. At least they stayed topped up on fluids.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #391 on:** July 05, 2023, 06:08:39 pm »

In contrast to yesterday, this one will be worth viewing the replay.

English Natsie · « **Reply #392 on:** July 06, 2023, 01:46:01 pm »

Interesting - an early 1st category climb attack is a strategy we haven't seen for a while. VIngegaard very animated at the lack of support - and then they took all the bonuses at the end, so a lot of effort. Pogacar, with team-mates, appeared content to hold things at under a minute - VIngegaard fortunate that Pocagar was caught behind the service car, which narrowed the road. If VIngegaard wins, then it will be seen as great strategy, but I think the jury is still out...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #393 on:** July 06, 2023, 02:16:45 pm »

today was more predictable. Take care of Hindley the day after he made a big effort, have Kuss on the Tourmalet blow apart the GC group, and have Van Aert available for the descent.

My impression is that Vingegaard plays great tactics and better support riders, but Pogocar beats him 1 on 1, barring weird tactical circumstances.

English Natsie · « **Reply #394 on:** July 06, 2023, 06:33:42 pm »

Pogacar looked to be riding well within himself all day - even time for a liitle bit of kidology with the camera. It's almost role reversal from last year, with Vingegaard having to make all of the effort. Pogacar looked good, today - a statement ride. He should also take time on the time trial, so 23 seconds isn't much of an advantage, for Vingegaard.

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #395 on:** July 06, 2023, 07:07:13 pm »

Pogocar can simply stick to Vingegaard and not get fancy. No need to send Yates up the road, no need to chase Hindley or whoever else of the GC contenders try. force JV to burn his support guys, but there's no real need for UAE to conserve support riders. Pogocar can follow Kuss and Jonas on the big mountains. Vingegaard I think needs to gap Pogocar and not vice versa. Otherwise, Pogocar can sprint at the end, and is likely a better TT (although Jonas is good).

Ali the Baseball Cat · « **Reply #396 on:** July 09, 2023, 06:43:57 pm »

I was travelling for the first 5 stages and have been struggling to get caught up. Glad this thread had a few days to go stale so I could safely drop in

English Natsie · « **Reply #397 on:** July 12, 2023, 06:16:33 am »

Sad end for Cavendish - a slipped gear, which cost him the stage win, and the record, then to go out following a pretty innocuous collision (albeit that previous injuries had left him prone to issues...).

Two climbs, twice Pocagar rides away. Is Vingegaard sandbagging, or just Whistlin' Dixie?...

JCA-CrystalCity · « **Reply #398 on:** July 12, 2023, 08:33:32 am »

Vingegaard grinds, Pogocar spurts. Longer, steadier climbs suits Jonas. Jumbo is early Froome / Sky redux at this point, while Pog is more Nibali / Contador. It would be much different if Roglic were the leader. He relies on the killer sprints to rack up time. Something about Slovenia. I buy that Vingegaard needs to pile up serious time in the Alps.

I hope Ali has caught up on his watching because Canada / Woods had a great show on the Puy de Dome! Tough on Jorgenson. Between him and Powless, the US is so overdue for a big stage win out of a breakaway

For some weird reason, Brandon McNulty is only doing the time trial at the Worlds. The road race team will be built around Powless, but I think Jorgenson and Craddock will be there, as will be Quinn Simmons.

English Natsie · « **Reply #399 on:** July 17, 2023, 04:53:22 am »

Excellent weekend - in fact, I'd go so far as to say that we're seeing the best racing since the HInault -Fignon - Lemond rivalry, of the '80's...