Pro cycling thread

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Fantastic end to le tour yesterday. Had the wife and kids moaning at me most of the time I was watching then the 4 of us screaming at the TV for the last 5 minutes.

Again, I'm in the wrong timezone and relying on highlights packages... but that was a fairytale finish. Beyond scripting, just a magical way for day one to unfold and WvA taking the bunch sprint for third is icing on the cake.

Don't think I have ever seen a more brutal first stage. Reminded my of the Yorkshire stages with constant sharp climbs.
You have to wonder if someone wanted to sabotage Cav's record attempt on the first day.

Cav is a better climber than many of the sprinters. You'll remove plenty of his competition before you remove him.

[Blackmac]

Again, I'm in the wrong timezone and relying on highlights packages... but that was a fairytale finish. Beyond scripting, just a magical way for day one to unfold and WvA taking the bunch sprint for third is icing on the cake.

Don't think I have ever seen a more brutal first stage. Reminded my of the Yorkshire stages with constant sharp climbs.
You have to wonder if someone wanted to sabotage Cav's record attempt on the first day.

Cav is a better climber than many of the sprinters. You'll remove plenty of his competition before you remove him.

That was exactly my thoughts. Eurosport made a big thing about how close he would be but in the end he was a good 10 minutes.

[Guy Smiley]

Two stages in and there are 4 heavyweights slugging it out in the ring already. I expected Vingegard to take some damage in these first few days as they're a brutal start but he's done really well and made a statement of his own... bodes well for the rest of the race.

Also, nice to see France get the first two stage wins in their own race... has to be said, it makes a pleasant change.

[Slick]

Two stages in and there are 4 heavyweights slugging it out in the ring already. I expected Vingegard to take some damage in these first few days as they're a brutal start but he's done really well and made a statement of his own... bodes well for the rest of the race.

Also, nice to see France get the first two stage wins in their own race... has to be said, it makes a pleasant change.

Vingegard looked like he was taking the piss today which I wasn’t expecting at all.

[Blackmac]

Yeeeeeeessssss.

[Margin__Walker]

Genuinely happier for the bloke than I can remember being for another sportsman.

What an achievement

Edit - The overhead of that sprint tells you everything you need to know about him. Just perfect decision making to go with the kick.

[Blackmac]

Genuinely happier for the bloke than I can remember being for another sportsman.

What an achievement

Edit - The overhead of that sprint tells you everything you need to know about him. Just perfect decision making to go with the kick.

Yep, dropped off his lead out and as he has done for years, picked the right wheels.

Looking at who he beat in the sprint today, you can hardly say it was an easy win either.

[Jim Lahey]

Serious wattage in those last 200m
Fair fucks to him after waiting so long to get the 35th win. Unbelieveable performance at his age and against that level of competition.

[yermum]

Over the moon so happy for cav. Pure magic

[Stranger]

The finish line was just outside of my office today , so I had the privilege of seeing the end of this stage, I was on the 350M line, Christ those guys are fast. I also made it to the podium in time to see Cav

[Biffer]

Like a margin says above, hard to remember being so genuinely happy for a sportsman. Delighted for him, astonishing that he won his first stage SIXTEEN years ago!

[dpedin]

Absolutely feckin brilliant! So pleased for Cav, well deserved!

[Biffer]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

[Sandstorm]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Just seen the highlights (couldn't watch it live, daughter's graduation today) - what an amazing finish! Typical Cav, his ability and awareness to get on the right wheel (at 70kph) remains absolutely phenomenal. And still able to produce the speed, no-one got near him. Also so nice that everyone in the peloton was so pleased for him - Kristoff's smile as they came over the line was lovely see.

[Marylandolorian]

The finish line was just outside of my office today , so I had the privilege of seeing the end of this stage, I was on the 350M line, Christ those guys are fast. I also made it to the podium in time to see Cav

One of the best sprint finish I’ve seen, you were lucky to be there.

[weegie01]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

There is no question Merckx was a better all round cyclist. To me it actually highlights just how exceptional Cavendish is to have the record when he can only do one thing. He just does it much, much better than anyone else.

If you've not seen the documentary about Cav then watch it. Few people would come through that, get back up and get to 34, then have more troubles and then come back again at what is in cycling terms a very old man.

Vinokourov deserves a lot of plaudits for believing in Cav. Albeit it was a no lose for the team as they were getting publicity either way.

[Slick]

Yup, that was awesome and so good to see so many riders and teams happy for him. Phenomenal achievement

[Slick]

The finish line was just outside of my office today , so I had the privilege of seeing the end of this stage, I was on the 350M line, Christ those guys are fast. I also made it to the podium in time to see Cav

Do you work for the International Boules Federation

[fishfoodie]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

There is no question Merckx was a better all round cyclist. To me it actually highlights just how exceptional Cavendish is to have the record when he can only do one thing. He just does it much, much better than anyone else.

If you've not seen the documentary about Cav then watch it. Few people would come through that, get back up and get to 34, then have more troubles and then come back again at what is in cycling terms a very old man.

Vinokourov deserves a lot of plaudits for believing in Cav. Albeit it was a no lose for the team as they were getting publicity either way.

For me, you can win all the stages you win, but ultimately they only count towards your total if you finish the Tour !

I don't count the riders who win a few stages & then piss off to the Worlds, or the Olympics or whatever, because they clearly don't count Le Tour

[Uncle fester]

What channels are this on? Normally it's on multiple channels so we can have the French countryside rolling past on the telly every evening of the week but we're having to hunt for it this year.

[Sandstorm]

What channels are this on? Normally it's on multiple channels so we can have the French countryside rolling past on the telly every evening of the week but we're having to hunt for it this year.

Eurosport and Discovery +

[Guy Smiley]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

I'm not up to speed on whatever this is all about but this frames things a bit.

Merckx is the GOAT. He deserves whatever he does. He won nearly everything, not just tour stages.

[Insane_Homer]

What channels are this on? Normally it's on multiple channels so we can have the French countryside rolling past on the telly every evening of the week but we're having to hunt for it this year.

Eurosport and Discovery +

ITV4 have a 1 hour stage highlight at 19:00 every night too

[Slick]

What channels are this on? Normally it's on multiple channels so we can have the French countryside rolling past on the telly every evening of the week but we're having to hunt for it this year.

Eurosport and Discovery +

ITV4 have a 1 hour stage highlight at 19:00 every night too

They have the full day every day as well

[Biffer]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

I'm not up to speed on whatever this is all about but this frames things a bit.

Merckx is the GOAT. He deserves whatever he does. He won nearly everything, not just tour stages.

Merckx is indeed astonishing. It’s just a couple of years ago when Cav tied his record, he was pretty grumpy and ungracious when asked about it.

[SaintK]

What channels are this on? Normally it's on multiple channels so we can have the French countryside rolling past on the telly every evening of the week but we're having to hunt for it this year.

Eurosport and Discovery +

ITV4 have a 1 hour stage highlight at 19:00 every night too

Just watched the last 20 minutes or so.
Well done Cav, fucking brilliant

[Blackmac]

Is Eddie Merckx likely to be any more gracious this time do we think?

I'm not up to speed on whatever this is all about but this frames things a bit.

Merckx is the GOAT. He deserves whatever he does. He won nearly everything, not just tour stages.

Yeah. I think to Merckx the stage wins were just an obvious component of his tour victories and it not really possible to compare the two records as they are so different.

[Blackmac]

I don't think Cav's finished for this tour. I reckon he might win more. Even after the first day he seemed mentally to be in a great place, now he has proved it physically as well.

[weegie01]

I don't think Cav's finished for this tour. I reckon he might win more. Even after the first day he seemed mentally to be in a great place, now he has proved it physically as well.

I don't follow cycling very much, so have no idea of his form. But to see Philipsen giving it full gas and making no impression of Cav was incredible.

On the last Netflix doc Philipsen said Cav did not have the legs anymore, but had the craft. It appears he still has both. I thought Cav might get a heroic failure or two, but watching this I think you're right and he'll be a danger on more stages.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

I don't think Cav's finished for this tour. I reckon he might win more. Even after the first day he seemed mentally to be in a great place, now he has proved it physically as well.

I don't follow cycling very much, so have no idea of his form. But to see Philipsen giving it full gas and making no impression of Cav was incredible.

On the last Netflix doc Philipsen said Cav did not have the legs anymore, but had the craft. It appears he still has both. I thought Cav might get a heroic failure or two, but watching this I think you're right and he'll be a danger on more stages.

I was wondering after the interviews whether he would just enjoy riding the rest of the tour (his last, almost certainly) having got the monkey off his back. But he seems to have the legs on everyone, so I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for more stage wins. I guess we'll find out later this afternoon as it's another flat stage today.

[Biffer]

I don't think Cav's finished for this tour. I reckon he might win more. Even after the first day he seemed mentally to be in a great place, now he has proved it physically as well.

I don't follow cycling very much, so have no idea of his form. But to see Philipsen giving it full gas and making no impression of Cav was incredible.

On the last Netflix doc Philipsen said Cav did not have the legs anymore, but had the craft. It appears he still has both. I thought Cav might get a heroic failure or two, but watching this I think you're right and he'll be a danger on more stages.

I was wondering after the interviews whether he would just enjoy riding the rest of the tour (his last, almost certainly) having got the monkey off his back. But he seems to have the legs on everyone, so I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for more stage wins. I guess we'll find out later this afternoon as it's another flat stage today.

I'm sure he will, but I really want him to complete the tour and have a last sprint down the Champs d'Eylesee.

[SaintK]

I don't follow cycling very much, so have no idea of his form. But to see Philipsen giving it full gas and making no impression of Cav was incredible.

On the last Netflix doc Philipsen said Cav did not have the legs anymore, but had the craft. It appears he still has both. I thought Cav might get a heroic failure or two, but watching this I think you're right and he'll be a danger on more stages.

I was wondering after the interviews whether he would just enjoy riding the rest of the tour (his last, almost certainly) having got the monkey off his back. But he seems to have the legs on everyone, so I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for more stage wins. I guess we'll find out later this afternoon as it's another flat stage today.

I'm sure he will, but I really want him to complete the tour and have a last sprint down the Champs d'Eylesee.

Unfortunately not. This years tour finishes in Nice due to the Olympic Games in Paris. But I hope he gives a crack!

[Biffer]

I was wondering after the interviews whether he would just enjoy riding the rest of the tour (his last, almost certainly) having got the monkey off his back. But he seems to have the legs on everyone, so I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for more stage wins. I guess we'll find out later this afternoon as it's another flat stage today.

I'm sure he will, but I really want him to complete the tour and have a last sprint down the Champs d'Eylesee.

Unfortunately not. This years tour finishes in Nice due to the Olympic Games in Paris. But I hope he gives a crack!

Bugger

[Jim Lahey]

Betfair have Cav at 5.5 for today. Worth a punt that given how strong he looked yesterday

[Stranger]

The finish line was just outside of my office today , so I had the privilege of seeing the end of this stage, I was on the 350M line, Christ those guys are fast. I also made it to the podium in time to see Cav

Do you work for the International Boules Federation

Now that would be a cool job. No I work for an automotive 1et tier.

[Slick]

The finish line was just outside of my office today , so I had the privilege of seeing the end of this stage, I was on the 350M line, Christ those guys are fast. I also made it to the podium in time to see Cav

Do you work for the International Boules Federation

Now that would be a cool job. No I work for an automotive 1et tier.

I'm very seriously considering a short term move to France and putting the kids in school for a year with a view to a longer term move, slowly, as they get older.

[Stranger]

We moved here 13 years ago and have no regrets at all. The kids were already adults with their own families.

[yermum]

The gravel stage was epic. They should have more of them.

[fishfoodie]

The gravel stage was epic. They should have more of them.

I agree, but I think all the team lead riders disagree

The potential winners of the TdF these days are all Grand Tour specialists, & not keen on stages that are more at home in the Classics.