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Off Topic Tour De France 2022

Discussion in 'Horse Racing' started by NassauBoard, Jun 29, 2022.

  1. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    Armstrong?
     
    #61
  2. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    The main reason for the doubt!
     
    #62
  3. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    Saw a list of times up Ventoux the other week and I think it was 1 in the top 40 times that had been set by a “clean” rider. Staggering really.


    My view is that Pog is the generational talent but to win this Tour will make him a cycling immortal. Given his team have folded quicker than Oddy in a game of poker. He is going to have to beat Jumbo Visma and Ineos in two weeks of high mountains and high temperatures.

    I just hope it’s not illness that spoils his and others chances
     
    #63
  4. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    Agree on all of this but I am not sure that his team are all that important on what is left. He will use JV as if they are riding for him. He is a master tactician as well as being a sublime rider.
     
    #64
  5. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    If Ineos send someone (Pidcock tomorrow) down the road, then what does he do?
     
    #65
  6. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    Follow JV in the chase as they wont let it stand
     
    #66
  7. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    I can see both Wout and Pidcock going in the break tomorrow. Both aren’t the best climbers but would make it very interesting if UAE didn’t control the gap.

    if they do then it’s perfect counter attack for the big GC riders in both teams
     
    #67
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  8. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    Yesterday was a bizarre stage with riders breaking away only to ease off and allow themselves to be chased down. A lot of efforet from some with nothing to show for it at close of play. Why you would go through all that pain just to let a sprinter back in your midst is beyond comprehension.
    If you assume the break gets closed down today then on such a mountainous and technical climb it really should be a two man shoot out between Vingegaard and Pogacar. Pogacar has pretty much had back to back rest days and I expect him to take this stage and cement his yellow jersey position. 5/2 for stage 11 looks very fair.
     
    #68
  9. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    Problem they had yesterday is that they weren't taking turns on the front, so why would you put yourself in the red to set up a sprint for someone else? As such it all came back together.

    Today, I really want to see Pidcock and Benoot go down the road. The former could take yellow with a good result, whilst the latter would be a superb launchpad for a Roglic attack during the stage. I do think they've got to go aggressive today with Roglic, Pidcock and probably Yates, as they've got to crack Pogacar and the way to do it is by exploiting the teams weakness of numbers.

    As such, I think today's stage is going to be bonkers, and whilst Pogacar has been brilliant so far, I don't know how today will go, and I would be against him today (stick rejoices).
     
    #69
  10. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    That would surely entail Ineos doing something radically different to just sitting in a train with all the other passengers. They are annoyingly dull and sterile.
     
    #70

  11. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    I don't think they are, when Tao won his grand tour they were all out attacking. I think we will see similar this tour. They won't even podium if they play it safe.
     
    #71
  12. rudebwoy

    rudebwoy Well-Known Member

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    Maybe so , but you pick your battles when you can win them, ineos will definitely be ramping up the heat in the high Alps, it's not even half way through the race mate, they have plenty of ammunition left
     
    #72
  13. Pilgrim

    Pilgrim Well-Known Member

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    Today the Tour arrives at the Col du Granon, a very tough col. This col is much harder than Alpe D'huez (for example) and the Galibier, but shorter. Until 2011 it held the record for the highest finish, that year it was taken away by the Galibier. Only once in the history of the Tour has this col been passed, it was in 1986, and it was a stage finish and was won by Eduardo Chozas after a breakaway of more than 150 km. A mythical stage, among other things because Lemond took the lead from Hinault and because of the victory of Chozas who arrived with more than six minutes of advantage. Just looking at the names (and men) who raced that day and the gaps at the finish line gives you an idea of what it was like. If you compare it with today, it makes you want to cry.

    https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/tour-de-france/1986/stage-17


    please log in to view this image
     
    #73
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  14. Pilgrim

    Pilgrim Well-Known Member

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    Free efforts are paid for.
     
    #74
  15. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    Picked the wrong one in todays 2 horse race.

    Superb tactics from Jumbo Visma. Now we find out how good Pogacar is. Today could have destroyed him or maybe it was a good lesson.
     
    #75
  16. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Missed the entire stage - bloody work <wah><wah>
     
    #76
  17. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    BB0FAD0C-691A-466A-876E-82562A73A749.jpeg You can tell what the BBC think :)
     
    #77
  18. NassauBoard

    NassauBoard Well-Known Member

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    The day after the big day. Another big day!!

    Bastille day if I recall. So that means the French riders will be going for the breakaway, before failing spectacularly!!

    I am really puzzled about today, I don't see how Pogacar can attack, other than from the bunch on the last climb. As such I expect the breakaway to win, and that will be a race about who can get up the road and who can tame the mountains.

    Michael Woods, Carlos Verona, Damiano Caruso & Valentin Madouas are the four I would be with at fancy prices.
     
    #78
  19. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    As I said last week, I expect this to be the deciding stage of the tour. With the strength of his team Vingegaard has to be favourite now but 3 HC climbs today will be a monster test.

    As you say Nass, the French riders will be looking to win on their national day.

    Gimme a vive !!!!
     
    #79
  20. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    What about good old Geraint Thomas as an outside bet for the stage? Has he got a huge effort in him?
     
    #80

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