Tour de France Stage 9: Aigle – Châtel Les Portes du Soleil (192.9 km)

dastardly00

The peloton enter the Alps today with a medium mountain stage. The uphill finish is uncategorised, but it comes after two Cat. 1 climbs. It's unlikely we'll see any major GC action, unless Pog goes on the attack or Jumbo-Visma/Ineos try some sort of an ambush.

It looks like an ideal day for the breakaway, in particular for anyone who fancies their chances of taking the polkadot jersey off the back of Magnus Cort (I'm looking at you Pierre Rolland).

I'm hoping indeed that we get a large breakaway, because so far in the race they have been very small, apart from the stage to La Super Planche des Belles Filles.

dastardly00

There are a few non-starters today...

Ruben Guerreiro (EF Education) - it was reported that he was I'll yesterday, but it's not Covid-19

Kasper Asgreen (QuickStep) - left knee injury sustained at the Tour de Suisse

Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) - unconfirmed reports that he has Covid-19 and will not start today.

Guerreiro had those heavy falls last weekend didn't he.

retalivity

Cav on commentary today? Christ...

Mefistofelino

Neutral service have a bike specifically set up for the Yellow Jersey. Makes sense but I never knew it was a thing.

https://twitter.com/keitsuji/status/1546064731773063169?t=7v4mvWNB4UxnTZqb2hU9YQ&s=09

I recall reading somewhere the Shimano bikes had dropper posts too.

CrowdedHouse

WVA - the new Kelly!

Mefistofelino

21-man break over 3 minutes up the road. Pinot is in the break which means it will be swept away by an avalanche, struck by an utterly lost Russian drone or mauled by escaped circus lions.

Or possibly all three

Mefistofelino

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119316812#Comment_119316812

Not yet

Morris Garren

Quite Frankly.... Quite Frankly.... QUITE FRANKLY..

What does the phrase mean in the context of a bike race? Quite frankly

retalivity

Poor Ben O'Connor

Mefistofelino

Poor guy just looking for some quiet spot to get off the bike

Spectator sprinting up the hill with the camera definitely on the juice.

Mefistofelino

Years back, on Formula 1 commentary, Martin Brundle reckoned that in terms of sponsor coverage, if you couldn't be up with the leaders you were probably better off being a back-marker because at least your sponsor logo was in shot every time you got lapped by the leaders.

I wonder if that's Chris Froome's strategy?

mewso

Man have to watch some of the cornering from Jungels through my fingers.

retalivity

Martinez off the back already for Ineos

Mefistofelino

Bob Jungels soigneur fills a musette with rocks and awaits the arrival of Pinot at the 15km to go mark...

Mefistofelino

That was a brilliant last 20km. Great win for Jungels

eagle eye

Delighted for Jungles after all he's went through.

Combativity award for Pinot.

eagle eye

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119317866#Comment_119317866

I guess if you win the stage you can't win that?

MyDarkArts

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119317930#Comment_119317930

Makes sense I suppose, probably best regarded as a consolation prize. Well deserved award for Pinot anyway, made for an exciting bit of racing for the last 30km.