Tour de France Stage 6 - Binche to Longwy (219.9km)

Brian?

Unbelievable from Pogacar. He wants the full set of jerseys this years, including green. I think it’s his last chance to take white. 😂

Seriously though, how strong is he to be able to do that already?

Sigma101

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119304958#Comment_119304958

He's only 23 so he has another 2 years in the white jersey. The idea of white was to reward a potential future Tour winner. However, going by Pog's performance, the next TdF winner is unlikely to be in the peloton and may well still be in school.

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119305241#Comment_119305241

For some reason it’s stuck in my head that it’s for U23s. But it’s U25s

odyssey06

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119305241#Comment_119305241

Cycling demographics have changed, think the rules need to catch up.

Needs to either be for tour debut and\or under 23s.

dastardly00

😁😂

https://twitter.com/Cycling_Memes1/status/1545056813694926848?s=20&t=UA7g1HE1B1zOIuYAMEKmwQ

Bot1

Can we believe in Pogacar?

He looks superhuman out there!

thebourke

if he wins tomorrow the race is definitely over

ben.schlomo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119306828#Comment_119306828

Unfortunately true. The grand tours without him are now far more enjoyable.

Macy0161

I think I'm a bit less pessimistic than some regarding the GC being over, even if Pog wins again today. His team was exposed again, and the last few days could take a further toll on them. They don't have the power to control everyone, and Pieper a big loss in the Team car. The question is really whether the skineos "new type of racing" happens on the Tour, how well Rog has recovered, and whether ineos and JV are prepared to fire people up the road.

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119307763#Comment_119307763

A couple of contenders need to do a Kelderman and just sit on his wheel and let some others try to wear him down, then try to drop him in the last km a few times to just nick 10 seconds here and 10 seconds there. A bit like Pog did to Rog in 2020. Just stay within striking distance for until the last couple of big mountain stages and see what way the cards fall. I don't think Sky Train tactics will break him as he seems to be the strongest rider there and comfortable just sitting with whatever pace is laid down. It could be a dark horse who ends up being his closest challenger in the final week.

RoscommonHero

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119303752#Comment_119303752

I strongly suspect, with regard to the GC battle anyway, that this will be a procession with Pog way out ahead of anyone else. I don't see any realistic challengers and barring an accident or illness I think the yellow jersey is a formality for him.

Brian?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119307871#Comment_119307871

I think what’s more likely to happen is the other GC contenders ride against each other for podiums places. They know they haven’t a hope.

Raoul Duke

I think so too. There might be a stage where someone like Roglic/Vlasov finds himself in a break and UAE are in trouble bringing it back. In that situation Ineos will probably do Pogacar's work for him.

Paddigol

Well, I can at least hope! Quite possibly as suggested though. More or less what happened last year IIRC.

Macy0161

Real test of the "new Ineos" whether their prepared to risk a podium to win the tour. Also lays down a marker for future years, even if they try and fail.

Squidgy Black

edit: wrong thread

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119308425#Comment_119308425

They might reach an agreement where INEOS don't chase and then the favour is returned if it works out?