Can't see another thread for this yet, so here we go for this year's TdF.
Should be terrific this year with all the big guns in GC taking part. Evenepoel, Roglic, Wout and Mathieu VDP are all capable of stage wins and pushing Pog' but, with his form being so good at the moment and doubts around JV's recovery from that crash, he's gotta be heavy favourite for it.
With Thomas in the super-domestique role you'd expect a much stronger showing from Ineos so I've had a couple of quid on Carlos Rodriguez to make the podium. Probably wasted tbf but you never know.
Will Cav get that illusive 35th? Much as I'd like to see it I think it's asking too much but he'll have plenty of opportunities looking at the stages this year.
Without doubt Cav is the sportsman I admire most, what he has achieved is truly phenomenal on its own. But what he has got through and recovered from to get there is truly inspirational, from depression, Epstein bar, being beaten in is home by armed burglars not to mention multiple injuries from crashing on his bike. To keep literally and metaphorically getting back on your bike after that and all the associated physical pain that comes with each crash and recovery takes huge bravery. Chapeau
Bollux - as ever I'm behind with the highlights and have had it spoilt by hearing it on the news. What pathetic fuckwit thought a bike race would be newsworthy
Definitely want to see him pick up another, as unsurprisingly there have been a few trolls out there claiming that he was gifted the win by the Peloton today - Load of bollocks, as why didnt that just happen last year, when his chain came off.
Not to mention this image of Philipsen, says anything but a gifted win...
Notice as well that Renshaw said afterwards that they thought tomorrow would suit Cavendish better than the one today, so really hope we're not done yet!! - Its been nice reading through some of the Official Team / Rider accounts on Social Media today, seeing a lot of congratulatory messages.
Hopefully he'll get something like the Lifetime Achievement Award at SPOTY this year.
Sounds like Cav possibly lost his chain on the line?
Yup he did
Nothing was stopping him... Such a shame they're not finishing on the Champs Elysee, he deserve to lead the peloton on to the cobbled streets
The chain was not up to the torque he was producing, what a great achievement!!
<pedant> Chain dropped because he stopped pedalling. Happens in sprints a lot </pedant>
Fantastic sprint - classic Cav. Lead out wasn't up to Alpecin's, so he moved onto Philipsen's wheel, then jumped for the gap when it opened up - and the fact that Philipsen couldn't live with his speed is a great sign for the rest of the sprint stages. Genuinely think he has a chance at 2 or 3 more - if he can somehow make the time cuts. Just gutted that the finish isn't on the champs elysee this year
I honestly thought Cav would never quite get there and would eventually realise that just equalling Merckx is pretty much superhuman.
When I was a kid, there were very few Brits who'd even ridden the tour, never mind achieving anything in it. And now we have the record-holder. There's a part of me that still thinks it can't possibly be true. What a legend he is.
Little bit disappointed that Mark isn't wearing some special Jersey today to really milk the win lol!... Although was nice to see him embrace Rolf Aldag this morning.
Interestingly EuroSport spoke with Rod Ellingworth a short while ago, who didnt think that Philipsen looked as sharp as last year
Phew... Cavendish getting a bit lucky with the break in the peloton thanks to crosswinds - He was a bit buggered for a minute with that mechanical at the worst time possible.
Yeah, quite funny seeing him arguing with the UCI car, whilst hanging on to the side of it... Getting the full Mark that we know and love this year lol!
Quite ironic as it came whilst I was watching Ep3 of Unchained Season Two, which centred around Philipsen's dangerous Sprinting approach from last season.
Going to require an impressive comeback from Vingegaard given the time he's already lost. Its a shame the last two Tours now, we've had one of Tadej or Jonas recovering from injury.
Comments
Not to mention this image of Philipsen, says anything but a gifted win...
Notice as well that Renshaw said afterwards that they thought tomorrow would suit Cavendish better than the one today, so really hope we're not done yet!! - Its been nice reading through some of the Official Team / Rider accounts on Social Media today, seeing a lot of congratulatory messages.
Hopefully he'll get something like the Lifetime Achievement Award at SPOTY this year.
Chain dropped because he stopped pedalling. Happens in sprints a lot
</pedant>
Fantastic sprint - classic Cav. Lead out wasn't up to Alpecin's, so he moved onto Philipsen's wheel, then jumped for the gap when it opened up - and the fact that Philipsen couldn't live with his speed is a great sign for the rest of the sprint stages. Genuinely think he has a chance at 2 or 3 more - if he can somehow make the time cuts. Just gutted that the finish isn't on the champs elysee this year
When I was a kid, there were very few Brits who'd even ridden the tour, never mind achieving anything in it. And now we have the record-holder. There's a part of me that still thinks it can't possibly be true. What a legend he is.
Interestingly EuroSport spoke with Rod Ellingworth a short while ago, who didnt think that Philipsen looked as sharp as last year
Strong chance of crosswinds today as well
Quite nice not being a bad of nerves for a Sprint though lol!.
About bloody time
That said the spread of winning teams to date has been encouraging.
Although happy to see anyone but the Disaster win