Tour '25

[Jeremy McCreary]

And I guess in normal times politics shouldn't come into racing.

We live in a time when many people think that knowing just one thing about you — especially your politics, religion, or skin color — is all they need to know. Wrong answer, and you're evil to the core, a waste of good oxygen.

Nothing good can come of this. Very, very hard to resist that poisonous mentality in these troubling times, but I'm really, really trying.

 

[stompandgo]

Great interview with Quinn after the race. Very cool, calm, and collected. Keeping a close eye on him now.

He clearly has the green light.

 

[stompandgo]

I was surprised that the peloton waited for TP. If he was in yellow, sure. That's tradition, especially at the end of a stage that decides nothing. But I think this sets a precedent that I don't like. If TP was 2 minutes down to Jonas, and Jonas crashed, would they wait for him? I think not. What about MVDP? I think not. I like to see respect, but taking advantage of race situations is also respected. It's not like doing something sleezy like attacking in the feed zone. Once again, I don't understand what Visma is doing.

Tomorrow should be the beginning of the GC racing.

Let's go.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I was surprised that the peloton waited for TP. If he was in yellow, sure. That's tradition, especially at the end of a stage that decides nothing. But I think this sets a precedent that I don't like. If TP was 2 minutes down to Jonas, and Jonas crashed, would they wait for him? I think not. What about MVDP? I think not. I like to see respect, but taking advantage of race situations is also respected. It's not like doing something sleezy like attacking in the feed zone. Once again, I don't understand what Visma is doing.

The Peacock crew discussed this at great length very early in the post-race show, bringing in a lot of personal experience and pertinent TdF history in the process. Very interesting.

All 6 were deeply conflicted. Tejay was leaning toward your position, and Roll, the other way, but no one was comfortable with it.

If I had to choose or lose my bike, I'd say it happened, it was touching in a way, but don't do it again for a non-current-yellow rider.

How did the slowdown get started? Healy?

 

[BlackHand]

It was so close to the end, I don't know that the 20 or 30 seconds they might have gotten would be worth incurring the wrath of Pogacar and UAE. I was a little surprised they sat up and didn't make him earn his way back to the group though.

IIRC, Didn't Armstrong wait for Ullrich when Ullrich went off the road? I don't think either was in yellow at that point. Ullrich returned the gesture a few years later, but Armstrong was already in the yellow jersey by then.

 

[BlackHand]

How did the slowdown get started? Healy?

EF sports director said Healy made the call without their input/advice but they agreed with it. I'm sure it was more of a group consensus though. You could see Healy and Jonas briefly talking and a Soudal QS domestique said Remco was shouting Stop Stop to those who had started an attack.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys, please tell me: Do the racers use bike computers? I assume they only need to see their Workout Data and prefer the smallest Garmin computers?

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Guys, please tell me: Do the racers use bike computers? I assume they only need to see their Workout Data and prefer the smallest Garmin computers?

Yes, but don't know what type or functions. You often see them hit the stop button as they cross the line. Though not obviously the sprinters!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

The next 4 days might well decide this Tour. Pyrenees today, 10km mountain TT tomorrow and 2 more days of mountains (assuming Monday is back to being rest day)
Will Pog attack and in one 10 min period get away from Jonas and everyone else and race over? Hope not for my selfish entertainment! Will Visma attack attack attack tomorrow hoping Pog is badly bruised from yesterday's fall and Jonas can gap him? Will Remco hang in there today and gain time in the TT? How is he on mountain TT'S anyway? I imagine still bloody fast. Any of the other top tens want to put down a marker and prove they can stick the pace? Lot of tricky descents too, hope everyone makes it down ok. Love the Pyrenees.

Of course I'm travelling all day tomorrow and a lot of Saturday. Typical.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

<<Of course I’m traveling all day tomorrow and a lot of Saturday>>

Screw the job, this is important!

 

[stompandgo]

The Peacock crew discussed this at great length very early in the post-race show, bringing in a lot of personal experience and pertinent TdF history in the process. Very interesting.

All 6 were deeply conflicted. Tejay was leaning toward your position, and Roll, the other way, but no one was comfortable with it.

Good. Screw the "wrath of UAE". If that drives their strategy, they are risking their race.

I had Peacock running on my tablet at my bench at the shop and we were very busy. I can't turn up the volume so I rely on captions. I can't take the time to watch the post race to get every conversation. Thanks for summarizing. Mateo just said that he turned to Jonas and asked him if they should wait, and he said yes. So this may have come from the field and not the cars. I have a lot more respect for the decision if that was the case.

 

[stompandgo]

Guys, please tell me: Do the racers use bike computers? I assume they only need to see their Workout Data and prefer the smallest Garmin computers?

Yes. The data is used by the riders during the race, and for analysis by the coaching teams after the race. One of the reasons that a team or group of teams can catch the break very close to the finish is because the rider's effort is controlled by data.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

<<Of course I’m traveling all day tomorrow and a lot of Saturday>>

Screw the job, this is important!

Family would burn me at the stake - driving to Ireland for summer hols!

 

[stompandgo]

VandeVelde on the motor, commenting on today's stage (paraphrased): "It's hot out here. Usually riders have to deal with two of three things: stage length, long, hard climbs, or the heat. Today we have all three. To me, that spells opportunity. If you've got the legs, and I'm talking to you, Jonas Vingegaard, you gotta go for it today".

I concur. Although there's plenty of racing left and plenty of opportunity, it's time for Visma to do something.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

VandeVelde on the motor, commenting on today's stage (paraphrased): "It's hot out here. Usually riders have to deal with two of three things: stage length, long, hard climbs, or the heat. Today we have all three. To me, that spells opportunity. If you've got the legs, and I'm talking to you, Jonas Vingegaard, you gotta go for it today".

I concur. Although there's plenty of racing left and plenty of opportunity, it's time for Visma to do something.

Heat, yeah Irish/Uk riders tend not to be the best with this! Ol' Froomedog was Kenyan after all and great in the summer heat. Healy? We'll find out.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Remco dropped when Visma hit the accelerator!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

EF have a rider up the road in remains of breakaway, possible deliberate future help for Healy unless he's cooked. Remco already over 2 mins down.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Healy now dropped- I really need to get on with packing but this is riveting.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

That EF rider in the front group was Harry Sweeney, he's not dropped back and is helping Healy. 5km to go on this climb. So long these climbs...

 

[Rás Cnoic]

now dropped back, not not dropped back...