Tour de France 2019 General Thread

tuxy · 28-07-2019 11:25pm

Dr. Bre wrote: »

Have the last stage a TT. It would hve made today fascinating

It wouldn't be that exciting, that would have made it so only Thomas or Kruijswijk could take the yellow jersey with Thomas being a big favourite.

28-07-2019 11:26pm

I'd be in favour in cutting the boring run in and making it a crit race.

c.p.w.g.w · 29-07-2019 12:25am

So what's next on the Eurosport coverage regards cycling? Assume the euros and the veulta. Are they covering anything else before that?

29-07-2019 12:32am

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

So what's next on the Eurosport coverage regards cycling? Assume the euros and the veulta. Are they covering anything else before that?

Stages 4 and 5 of tour de wallonie I think from tuesday. Annoying they didn't cover the whole thing. Though i think it's earlier this year, dylan tunes won it a few years ago. Then San Sabastian at the week end and the London classic and Binck Bank Tour and then Tour of Poland.

Not sure of the dates for the US races but the usually cover Utha.

EDIT: Did you sign up for the player and looking to know what you'll get from it?

Have to say we are invested in some sports here we'd otherwise not have cared about like the Judo GP but the MTB euros were on today too and were worth a look.

29-07-2019 1:59am

tuxy wrote: »

It wouldn't be that exciting, that would have made it so only Thomas or Kruijswijk could take the yellow jersey with Thomas being a big favourite.

TT's should be kept as far as possible from the end of the Tour imo.

Throw in a few cobbles stages at the end to liven things up a bit.

Lusk_Doyle · 29-07-2019 8:03am

tuxy wrote: »

There has to be more than one second between groups for time difference to GC if there are no real gaps everyone gets the same time for the stage.

I thought that they increased the gap to three seconds this year?

DanDublin1982 · 29-07-2019 8:24am

I think the Champs Elysees is the most iconic ending to a major sporting event imaginable. It's special that it happens ever year and I could honestly have watched the whole 120km be run just around there. I hope they don't ever think of changing it.

godtabh · 29-07-2019 8:34am

If you were Thomas would you be pissed with the outcome? Last years winner but only having a dual leadership role this year?

Before last years tour he said he’d leave if he didn’t get a leadership role. Got it because Froome was crap.

Speaking of Froome I assume that is him done for the tour?

neris · 29-07-2019 9:07am

Be interesting to see how they handle froome Thomas & Bernal for next year. Can't have 3 leaders

Dr. Bre · 29-07-2019 9:18am

neris wrote: »

Be interesting to see how they handle froome Thomas & Bernal for next year. Can't have 3 leaders

Lol Movistar tried this - Landa Quintana and Valverde and it’s a mess .

c.p.w.g.w · 29-07-2019 10:22am

neris wrote: »

Be interesting to see how they handle froome Thomas & Bernal for next year. Can't have 3 leaders

Also they have signed carapaz(giro winner) his certainly going to want to be a leader at the giro or vuelta next season

lizzylad84 · 29-07-2019 10:29am

On the subject of the last stage of the tour. Leave it as is. Baring roubaix, the finish in Paris us the most iconic in cyvling

Tim76 · 29-07-2019 11:05am

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Also they have signed carapaz(giro winner) his certainly going to want to be a leader at the giro or vuelta next season

Not to mention Eddie Dunbar :P

c.p.w.g.w · 29-07-2019 11:07am

Tim76 wrote: »

Not to mention Eddie Dunbar :P

His a few years down the road ðŸ˜‚

Shedite27 · 29-07-2019 12:28pm

neris wrote: »

Be interesting to see how they handle froome Thomas & Bernal for next year. Can't have 3 leaders

3 leaders, 3 grand tours? 1 each?

harringtonp · 29-07-2019 2:00pm

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Also they have signed carapaz(giro winner) his certainly going to want to be a leader at the giro or vuelta next season

Makes you think off the times there was talk of breaking up big multinationals. You wonder can the UCI introduce measures to prevent overly dominant teams. It's clear that riders will go where the money is

c.p.w.g.w · 29-07-2019 2:06pm

harringtonp wrote: »

Makes you think off the times there was talk of breaking up big multinationals. You wonder can the UCI introduce measures to prevent overly dominant teams. It's clear that riders will go where the money is

There was talks of a salary cap for teams but can't see that happening, your'll just see a lot of unattached riders.

Weepsie · 29-07-2019 2:12pm

lizzylad84 wrote: »

On the subject of the last stage of the tour. Leave it as is. Baring roubaix, the finish in Paris us the most iconic in cyvling

Try telling that to Greg LeMond, though Fignon would likely prefer the procession

The final day all seems a bit pointless if everything is pretty much settled.

odyssey06 · 29-07-2019 2:17pm

The riders seem to enjoy it, and I assume the sponsors would be annoyed if it was dropped as it seems to be a big deal in terms of coverage in Paris and France.

MediaMan · 29-07-2019 10:15pm

Decent highlights reel on the letour.fr home page now.

Direct link to vid: https://dai.ly/x7el7he

fryup · 29-07-2019 10:30pm

Does a leopard change its spots??

Are we to believe that Team Ineos are squeaky clean?? afterall Brailsford still calls the shots??

eeeee · 30-07-2019 6:51am

fryup wrote: »

Does a leopard change its spots??

Are we to believe that Team Ineos are squeaky clean?? afterall Brailsford still calls the shots??

Mod note: No doping speculation allowed, further orders to that effect will just be deleted.

neris · 30-07-2019 12:24pm

So Dan & the boys are blaming their drinks for being crap

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/change-in-sports-drink-blamed-for-uaes-poor-tour-de-france-performance/

GetWithIt · 30-07-2019 5:50pm

neris wrote: »

So Dan & the boys are blaming their drinks for being crap

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/change-in-sports-drink-blamed-for-uaes-poor-tour-de-france-performance/

"UAE Cycling, defying all medical advice, has switched to Powersauce's arch rival - the Vita-Peach Health Log. Doctors say they may not have the meganutrients needed to stave off death."

c.p.w.g.w · 30-07-2019 6:16pm

neris wrote: »

So Dan & the boys are blaming their drinks for being crap

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/change-in-sports-drink-blamed-for-uaes-poor-tour-de-france-performance/

Would I be correct in saying that this isn't the first time that team had issues with their nutrition products?

letape · 30-07-2019 6:42pm

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

Would I be correct in saying that this isn't the first time that team had issues with their nutrition products?

PDM in 1991 is the other one that comes to mind.

Dan had initially come out and said that he had good form and condition but that there was something specifically holding his performance back each day, which would be clarified.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/dan-martin-raises-questions-over-team-prep-after-disappointing-tour-de-france/

His performance was very disappointing and not a typical Dan Martin performance.

c.p.w.g.w · 30-07-2019 6:43pm

letape wrote: »

PDM in 1991 is the other one that comes to mind.

Dan had initially come out and said that he had good form and condition but that there was something specifically holding his performance back each day, which would be clarified.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/dan-martin-raises-questions-over-team-prep-after-disappointing-tour-de-france/

Oh sorry I was thinking UAE in specific, I had a feeling there was an issue at the tour of Oman

TheBlaaMan · 30-07-2019 9:51pm

I dont think this was posted? Someone did post a collage of the riders aged by Faceapp, but Cycling Tips took it a bit further

A look into the 2070 Tour.....

Valverde loooking better than ever, those dodgy energy drinks didnt do Dan much good and Sagan is still on the pull.....

https://cyclingtips.com/2019/07/a-glimpse-into-the-tour-de-france-2070-grand-masters-edition/

Weepsie · 30-07-2019 10:32pm

neris wrote: »

So Dan & the boys are blaming their drinks for being crap

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/change-in-sports-drink-blamed-for-uaes-poor-tour-de-france-performance/

They didn't have any food prepped after one of the stages apparently, and had to pick some up. Not sure where I read that.

A team that should be well up there but loads have gone backwards on it.

If Dan was still with DQS the way they were performing this year one only wonders.

eeeee · 30-07-2019 11:44pm

Anyone else think Bardet looks unnaturally thin? I'm sure he's naturally a tiny guy but he looks quite unwell. A few kilos might help his power and he'd probably still struggle to make 55kg.
He reminds me of Maya Abbott, hopefully it's nothing as worrying as that.
I know it's easy to judge from the couch.

neris · 31-07-2019 12:18am

nee wrote: »

Anyone else think Bardet looks unnaturally thin? I'm sure he's naturally a tiny guy but he looks quite unwell. A few kilos might help his power and he'd probably still struggle to make 55kg.
He reminds me of Maya Abbott, hopefully it's nothing as worrying as that.
I know it's easy to judge from the couch.

Yep thought he looked like a skeleton on the podium on Sunday getting his jersey. Looked like he had no fat or muscle on his legs. Like a modern day Michael Rasmussen

c.p.w.g.w · 31-07-2019 12:21am

I remember Bradley Wiggins talking about about being 5 kg underweight during the season. Froome also looks unhealthy in fairness.

31-07-2019 12:59am

Pinot looked ... from the TV at least a healthy man for a cyclist on a GT compared to them. Bardet got it so wrong, have question his prep and people advising him.

I've been at the start of 3 GT stages and am surprised by "how much bigger they look on tv " and Bardet looked wrong last night.

MPFGLB · 31-07-2019 2:36am

There were alot of GC riders way off the pace at this Tour and a few teams bossing the whole 2 weeks ...the teams on ketones it seems

Adam Yates who was flying at the beginning of the year was very very poor ( Simon though was flying after being poor at the Giro)
Richie Porte was hanging on most days
Enric Mas was no wonder kid
Quintana & Bardet ..the favourites 2 years ago to beat Froome ... apart from the Galibier stage looked very average
Dan Martin, Rui Costa & Henao were poor
Uran only began to show anything towards the end of the race
Calmejane the Direct Energie was dropped by Vivani of a few mountain stages
Barguil although better than last year still looked sluggish on the climbs
G Martin was ok only for Wanty despite much hype a few years ago
Valverde although in the top 10 was pretty anonymous

Seemed to me alot of team got their GC prep very wrong or else a few teams like QS, Lotto Visma & Ineos have better marginal gains

tuxy · 31-07-2019 3:31am

Was Ineos one of the teams using ketones this year and if so what year did they start?

From 2015
https://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/15264/9915199/tour-de-france-chris-froome-hits-back-at-french-critics

Sir David Brailsford, Sky sporting director, said the team had never used them

Froome added: "There had been a lot of talk about Team Sky and myself specifically using some kind of ketone drink or something, which is crazy.

"I had to Google it to find out what it was. One hundred per cent the team does not use ketones."

:pac:

eeeee · 31-07-2019 7:25am

Ketones have questionable efficacy though, particularly amongst elite athletes.
I suspect it's a psychological boost more than a physical one.

harringtonp · 31-07-2019 8:57am

nee wrote: »

Anyone else think Bardet looks unnaturally thin? I'm sure he's naturally a tiny guy but he looks quite unwell. A few kilos might help his power and he'd probably still struggle to make 55kg.
He reminds me of Maya Abbott, hopefully it's nothing as worrying as that.
I know it's easy to judge from the couch.

Hadn't paid too much attention myself but my wife commented straight away on it. And when Bernal stepped on the podium she reckoned that although small too he looked healthy and normal.

Melodeon · 31-07-2019 9:16am

c.p.w.g.w wrote: »

I remember Bradley Wiggins talking about about being 5 kg underweight during the season. Froome also looks unhealthy in fairness.

Didn't Wiggins say something along the lines of how most of the pro peleton would be getting treated for eating disorders if they were doing what they're doing as ordinary members of the general public?

jimbobaloobob · 31-07-2019 9:47am

The acetone smell should be evident to the podium girls of the ketone users. Let's ask them.

Most athletes at that level are underweight but optimal weight for the performance ethical or not I suppose you could ask.

Tim76 · 31-07-2019 10:48am

Deleted User wrote: »

I've been at the start of 3 GT stages and am surprised by "how much bigger they look on tv " and Bardet looked wrong last night.

I'm reminded of that jockey episode from the Simpsons. Maybe all the riders are just evil elves as well?

c.p.w.g.w · 31-07-2019 10:51am

Melodeon wrote: »

Didn't Wiggins say something along the lines of how most of the pro peleton would be getting treated for eating disorders if they were doing what they're doing as ordinary members of the general public?

Yeah said it during the giro coverage on Eurosport on one of the highlights shows. I liked of Kittel & Sagan are the healthiest looking. But those are never going to be GC guys

Dr. Bre · 31-07-2019 11:11am

MPFGLB wrote: »

There were alot of GC riders way off the pace at this Tour and a few teams bossing the whole 2 weeks ...the teams on ketones it seems

Adam Yates who was flying at the beginning of the year was very very poor ( Simon though was flying after being poor at the Giro)
Richie Porte was hanging on most days
Enric Mas was no wonder kid
Quintana & Bardet ..the favourites 2 years ago to beat Froome ... apart from the Galibier stage looked very average
Dan Martin, Rui Costa & Henao were poor
Uran only began to show anything towards the end of the race
Calmejane the Direct Energie was dropped by Vivani of a few mountain stages
Barguil although better than last year still looked sluggish on the climbs
G Martin was ok only for Wanty despite much hype a few years ago
Valverde although in the top 10 was pretty anonymous

Seemed to me alot of team got their GC prep very wrong or else a few teams like QS, Lotto Visma & Ineos have better marginal gains

Also add Landa to this. In his sky days it looked as if he was carrying Froome up the climbs at times but at Movistar he has been disappointing.

neris · 31-07-2019 11:16am

Melodeon wrote: »

Didn't Wiggins say something along the lines of how most of the pro peleton would be getting treated for eating disorders if they were doing what they're doing as ordinary members of the general public?

Yeah and said that people commented on his weight gain amd were surprised at how far he became after he retired even though he's a normal weight. There must be riders in there who are damaging their bodies to keep to such a low weight which isn't natural for them. Dan's another umhealthy looking one

MPFGLB · 31-07-2019 11:53am

neris wrote: »

Yeah and said that people commented on his weight gain amd were surprised at how far he became after he retired even though he's a normal weight. There must be riders in there who are damaging their bodies to keep to such a low weight which isn't natural for them. Dan's another umhealthy looking one

Always been a massive problem for Nicolas Roche over the years as he is broad shouldered and big built..much bigger than Dan Martin ....believe its his main handicap on the climbs even though he has had to practically starve himself ..pushes big power but

harringtonp · 31-07-2019 12:05pm

Good read

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pinot-to-forget-all-this-ill-need-to-win-the-tour-de-france/

D9Male · 31-07-2019 12:13pm

Comments on the riders below. I would have had different expectations of riders than you coming into the Tour, I think.

MPFGLB wrote: »

There were alot of GC riders way off the pace at this Tour and a few teams bossing the whole 2 weeks ...the teams on ketones it seems

Adam Yates who was flying at the beginning of the year was very very poor ( Simon though was flying after being poor at the Giro)
Agreed, not sure what the craic with Adam was
Richie Porte was hanging on most days
I actually thought he was in line with expectations. He is getting older now and he hasn't been on top form for a while. He has only two GT top 10s, so we shouldn't be surprised he came 11th. It's actually his third best GT in his career
Enric Mas was no wonder kid
Disagree with this. He was going great guns until he got sick in the Pyrennees. He was in 4th overall (8s ahead of Bernal) when he got sick. He rode very well in the Alps in service of Alaphilippe
Quintana & Bardet ..the favourites 2 years ago to beat Froome ... apart from the Galibier stage looked very average
Indeed. Quintana seems to have a lot of enemies in Movistar. I actually thought he would get a podium in this. Shows what I know!
Dan Martin, Rui Costa & Henao were poor
Rui Costa is not a GC rider in GT's surely? Sergio Henao is the same type of rider surely. Working for leaders in GT's, maybe going in a break and given a chance to lead in 1 week stage races. Dan Martin was disappointing alright, but I didn't expect much.
Uran only began to show anything towards the end of the race
He was good all the way through, no?
Calmejane the Direct Energie was dropped by Vivani of a few mountain stages
Agreed, he was terrible. Must have been sick
Barguil although better than last year still looked sluggish on the climbs
I thought he looked good. Top 10 for him is an excellent result
G Martin was ok only for Wanty despite much hype a few years ago
I thought he was in line with expectations
Valverde although in the top 10 was pretty anonymous
Agreed. But I think he will ride a big Vuelta

Seemed to me alot of team got their GC prep very wrong or else a few teams like QS, Lotto Visma & Ineos have better marginal gains

D9Male · 31-07-2019 12:18pm

Dr. Bre wrote: »

Also add Landa to this. In his sky days it looked as if he was carrying Froome up the climbs at times but at Movistar he has been disappointing.

Landa was riding his second GT this year. If he hadn't had the crash on the echelons stage (not his fault) he would have been contesting for a podium.

And this after a great Giro where he came fourth after again losing time in the opening 10 days and where he was hamstrung by his leader being in yellow.

I am a massive Landa fan, and he exceeded my expectations this Tour.

CramCycle · 31-07-2019 12:28pm

jimbobaloobob wrote: »

The acetone smell should be evident to the podium girls of the ketone users. Let's ask them.

Most athletes at that level are underweight but optimal weight for the performance ethical or not I suppose you could ask.

Surely they would have to drink a fair bit to get concentrations high enough (although I don't know how much they are taking).
Would that not possibly cause Ketoacidosis though, does Ketones taken intentionally rather than through a drink still cause this. I would have thought the body would be able to maintain a better pH stability if ingested rather than made internally. If it does cause Ketoacidosis, there are far more long term potential issues although I doubt with the short timespan they go like this it would be an issue. Interested to see has anyone done blood kinetics on the drink, look at pH levels, other acids (does it affect lactate clearance or even improve it?). There is some interesting questions to be looked at, I sense a research project coming on.

eeeee · 31-07-2019 8:10pm

neris wrote: »

Yeah and said that people commented on his weight gain amd were surprised at how far he became after he retired even though he's a normal weight. There must be riders in there who are damaging their bodies to keep to such a low weight which isn't natural for them. Dan's another umhealthy looking one

Yeah I think some, like Bardet are over the line.
Reading Maya Abbot's story is really interesting. It's worrying that young riders might see his frankly emaciated state as desirable, although in fairness eating disorders are far, far more complex than just looking up to people.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jul/01/mara-abbott-womens-cycling-still-faces-an-uphill-struggle-giro-rosa

harringtonp · 31-07-2019 9:06pm

In the case of cyclists not sure if the word disorder is quite correct. During the season they will be making big efforts to lose weight for target events. But in general they are quite happy to eat and put on a bit of weight in the off season.

Disorder for me implies a permanent state of emancipation