Tour De France

[snake911]

Looks like an incredible route. The first two stages in Spain should be a blast, and then a super early blast into the Pyrenees. Plus the return of Puy de Dome. They are for sure setting up another tactical climbing team battle between Jumbo and UAE. Hope Evenepoel decides to race the Tour and Pidcock returns. This could be an epic battle for GC.

[snake911]

Very good set of classics races so far this year, hoping this bodes well for an entertaining Tour. If Ineos can get Bernal and Pidcock into shape, Jumbo and UAE are already looking damn strong. Heres to an awesome 2023 season!

[snake911]

Pogacar crashed in Leige-Bastogne-Liege and broke his wrist, hope this doesnt put too much of a dent in his prep for the Tour. And Evenepoel's attack to go solo for the victory was damn impressive to watch. This has been an excellent spring season!

[drakan]

It's only 2 months before the tour...I don't think he's going to be 100%.

[drakan]

è partito il giro d'italia.

[snake911]

Just finished watching the Tour doc on Netflix and I am properly amped up to start the Tour next week! I think that doc took some dramatic license with the whole Wout vs Jonas thing, but you need some sort of drama to tell a story I suppose.

Should be a fun Tour and the road worlds in August could be an all timer as well.

[drakan]

Froome not selected for TDF. If Pogo or Vingo don't win it will be an interesting tour.

[snake911]

Froome not selected, which is the correct move. Has he had a top ten finish in a race or stage in the last 3 years?

I'm hoping either Gaudu or Pidcock can keep things interesting at the top, but yeah its likely going to be a Jonas/Pagacar battle. Its incredible how quickly the Tour became a young persons race, historically it was difficult to do well until at least your late 20's. Maybe sunsetting all the dopers has finally opened things up.

[Rodey]

I’m really interested in seeing if Mãder’s death has any impact on how recklessly guys descend this year.

[ToySoldier#34]

Haven't paid close attention in a while, Schleck or Contador any chance of winning TDF?

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Haven't paid close attention in a while, Schleck or Contador any chance of winning TDF?

Not sure if this is a joke or not, but they’re both retired.

[ToySoldier#34]

Wasn't being serious but yeah I've been out of the loop for a long time, I used to follow every stage religiously but got tired of every winner cheating, has that changed?

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Wasn't being serious but yeah I've been out of the loop for a long time, I used to follow every stage religiously but got tired of every winner cheating, has that changed?

Has it changed? Short answer is probably yes. There’s far less cheating than there was. That said, I’m far more skeptical than some in this thread, probably.

[drakan]

Literally everyone used to dope back in the day/Armstrong years so it's probably better and more of a cases by case basis than a whole team or tour doping.

[drakan]

https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/le...tour-de-france

[Rodey]

If I could bet in my state I’d throw some money at those Bardet and Pidcock odds.

[snake911]

Originally Posted by ToySoldier#34

Wasn't being serious but yeah I've been out of the loop for a long time, I used to follow every stage religiously but got tired of every winner cheating, has that changed?

Depends on what you mean by cheating. All of the tests, and biologic passports, for banned substances and blood bags and such have become much much better. They can actually see the age of your red blood cells and know if you grew them last week, or 3 months ago and just infused them last week.

That said, everyone at the top of the sport is using every strategy that is allowable within the current rules and testing to gain an advantage. So its def not just skinless chicken breasts, broccoli, and gatorade to rehydrate. But its also not the growth hormone and EPO fest that it was 10-15 years ago. As the open doping generation has aged out the younger set are having some phenomenal competitive races, with some real tactical battles and attacking has become fun again.

[snake911]

Originally Posted by Rodey

If I could bet in my state I’d throw some money at those Bardet and Pidcock odds.

Pidcock is a great dark horse pick, wouldnt take much going wrong with a couple of favorites for him to be on top of that podium.

[drakan]

Stage 1.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WlQpnR70zQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCQbbZ7lqnk

[drakan]

Stage 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqSBMFGsQUg

[Rodey]

Great finish by Lafay today to get Cofidis its first ever stage win.

Both Yates brothers looking good. Still have my eye on Pidcock and Bardet.

[drakan]

Stage 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7sw890VMgQ


Stage 4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFFdxDgCP2s


Stage 5 preview.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmRFKyKc0fA

[Rodey]

What a ride by Jai Hindley today. Pogacar struggled a bit. Only five stages in, though.

[drakan]

Originally Posted by Rodey

What a ride by Jai Hindley today. Pogacar struggled a bit. Only five stages in, though.

That was a lot of time to lose to Vingo on a stage that was sort of a mountain stage though.

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by drakan

That was a lot of time to lose to Vingo on a stage that was sort of a mountain stage though.

True. We’ll see how it all shakes out, but I think there are still plenty of chances for anyone under 2 minutes back right now.

[drakan]

Vingo a pretty good favorite now. Only thing is maybe Vingo used too much energy today? It happens.

https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/le...tour-de-france

[Rodey]

Originally Posted by drakan

Vingo a pretty good favorite now. Only thing is maybe Vingo used too much energy today? It happens.

https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/le...tour-de-france

These odds make absolutely no sense. Granted I’m not much of a betting guy, but Kwiatkowski is like 33 minutes back and is only +3500?

[Rodey]

Wow, Pogacar absolutely blew up Jumbo’s effort and Wout’s pacing today by attacking on the final climb. Huge response from him today. Let’s see if he can keep pressuring Vingegaard.

[drakan]

Great stage!

[drakan]

Stage 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-_rL0Cubxg

Stage 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYYVF2sJzBo