[11waterloo]

Are we allowed to start getting a bit excited yet? Looks to be a more varied route than usual with less of the endless nailed on sprint stages that normally dominate the first week or so (though a run of sprint stages does save on the transfers!) I don’t know about the practicality of it, but is there any way of opening the game up using the long lists that most teams already have or just using the full list of riders? It is quite good fun playing about with potential line-ups, especially for the purist game, even knowing that the final roster will probably change. Obviously, if it creates difficulties, I wouldn’t want to add to the burden of running the game but, if it doesn’t, let’s get the TdF party started!   Here are a couple of links to the current state of the start list. https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-de-france/2022/startlist.                                https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=17&y=2022&k=8  

Topic

[11waterloo]

GC definitely needs a rest

GC definitely needs a rest but beyond that I am all at sea. Last two stages have been a disaster for me.

[Dr Winston]

My five penneth.

My five penneth.

A lot of digital ink has beeen spilt over what WVA was doing yesterday. My pet theory is that he may have been miffed at being put on domestique duties for today going up La Planche… so he went on a mad one. It got missed that he was fourth up La Planche when they had the time trial a couple of years ago… so it wasn’t beyond him to get a good result and remain in the game… instead he was the water carrier today (literally).

That’ just my thoughts on it.

[Dr Winston]

I like the fact it has two

I like the fact it has two finish lines. Today was the harder one but the other one is equally good at encouraging a great finish… brings a few more riders into the equation as well. I bet Kamna wished it had used the lower one today.

[Dr Winston]

How do you think tomorrow

How do you think tomorrow pans out? It looks quite a hard one to call. I’m thinking a super break with an easier day for GC.. the problem is i’m sure those are only decided on the hoof. 

Mollema, Izagirre, Matthews, MVDP, Mohoric, Cosnefroy, Bagioli… there’s just loads of good riders itching to put their head above the parapetts…dozens. 

[Daniel Norton]

Vlasov always disappoints in

Vlasov always disappoints in GTs.  Why do I keep falling for him?  I swore to myself I wouldn’t do that again…

Yep, just a brilliant climb that encourages racing.

[11waterloo]

The finish was excruciating!

The finish was excruciating! I could watch it as a neutral as my two non-Pogacar hopes (Teuns and Vlasov) had exploded well before the end. Tough on Kämna though and he didn’t even get the combativity award! 

[Dr Winston]

That stage never dissapoints.

That stage never dissapoints. They could make it a mandatory stage ever year for me. 

[Daniel Norton]

So, does Simmons get 4 points

So, does Simmons get 4 points now for being second in the KOM/Polka race?

[Daniel Norton]

I was getting Guerr mixed up

I was getting Guerr mixed up with Giccone (who won and was second consecutive years in the Giro)

[Simon_MacMichael]

Daniel Norton wrote:

With any luck, the rest day might give riders a chance to heal.  Guerr was climbing really well and knows how to win the climbing jersey. (Hasn’t he won Giro one twice?)

Just the once, back in 2020.

[11waterloo]

Agreed, there is very much a

Agreed, there is very much a top level of sprinters and the rest. Kristoff has done the same both days – looks like he has carried too much speed into final bend (or taken too aggressive a line) then had to brake, losing all his momentum. It’s easy watching on TV! 

[Dr Winston]

I think it was a stitch up

I think it was a stitch up decided by the peloton before a wheel had even turned. Really good stuff to allow the fans and Magnus to wallow in the day. I know of no other sport that’s arranged in such a way that allows such gestures.

[Dr Winston]

I resisted. I did my six

I resisted. I did my six transfers for three stages and that’s how it stays… for good or bad.

[Dr Winston]

Kristoff looked good today

Kristoff looked good today but lost it on that last corner. Kristoff, Poppel, Dainese and co have a definite feel of the under card about them. No shame in that because this is a very strong field of sprinters.

[11waterloo]

It was strange  that nobody

It was strange  that nobody else went in the break. With Cort after the KoM points there was a combativity award up for grabs like yesterday with Bystrøm. Looking at you Christopher  Juul-Jensen…..

[Author]

Replies