Tour de France 2025
Discussion
Kicked off yesterday then - some fairly big upsets even on stage one. Quite remarkable for a classics team to miss echelons - Remco has essentially given up a whole time trial of gains one stage one.
The other two looking decent but it s a long old race - looks like the tricky winds will continue in these northern French stages. Tough race if it s already this chaotic.
Anyone listening to Lance podcast with Wiggins on it? Seems Lance has binned his production and now is speaking for 101% of the time vs 96%
I do hope we get talksteer in this thread as he has some wild claims to substantiate
Evenpoel is not particularly special in terms of FTP or w/kg, he s got a very good TT position and his relative position and discipline is an even bigger advantage on a road bike hence he can ride people off his wheel as they don t get much draft. It s very notable that people of the last generation of GC riders like Froome or Wiggins didn t put very much effort on road bike position assuming as GC leaders that they wouldn t hit the wind at speed
The other two looking decent but it s a long old race - looks like the tricky winds will continue in these northern French stages. Tough race if it s already this chaotic.
Anyone listening to Lance podcast with Wiggins on it? Seems Lance has binned his production and now is speaking for 101% of the time vs 96%
I do hope we get talksteer in this thread as he has some wild claims to substantiate
Evenpoel is not particularly special in terms of FTP or w/kg, he s got a very good TT position and his relative position and discipline is an even bigger advantage on a road bike hence he can ride people off his wheel as they don t get much draft. It s very notable that people of the last generation of GC riders like Froome or Wiggins didn t put very much effort on road bike position assuming as GC leaders that they wouldn t hit the wind at speed
Edited by okgo on Sunday 6th July 09:01
Pretty decent stage, longest of the race and attacked at all points like they don’t have a further 19 race days ahead. Mental.
Seems like Jonas is trying to flap his penis about to let people know he’s going well, not sure the point of his attack other than optics.
I’d not realised there were bonus seconds at the finish each day, Pog pinched another few seconds by finishing second. VDP wasn’t ever going to lose today.
Seems like Jonas is trying to flap his penis about to let people know he’s going well, not sure the point of his attack other than optics.
I’d not realised there were bonus seconds at the finish each day, Pog pinched another few seconds by finishing second. VDP wasn’t ever going to lose today.
Leftfootwonder said:
I'll swerve the Lance one, but can anyone recommend a decent (non-American) cycling podcast?
I listened yesterday and it’s unbearable. Too many ads and also no direction for discussion points. I haven’t been watching on TNT but if that’s true that they’ve removed the ad free option that’s s
tty. 
Cycling and especially TdF is so civilised it is warming to the heart.
So many unwritten rules... Unwritten rule says don't compete in sprint but team need points so explain that and everyone will understand.
Chat with arch opponent on start line.
Opponent crashes so stop and wait for opponent.
Congratulate opponent at finish line.
but then there is doping (I have no doubt that TdF is clean)
So many unwritten rules... Unwritten rule says don't compete in sprint but team need points so explain that and everyone will understand.
Chat with arch opponent on start line.
Opponent crashes so stop and wait for opponent.
Congratulate opponent at finish line.
but then there is doping (I have no doubt that TdF is clean)
I seriously don’t think its clean - it’s the same 200 blokes that race any other races through the season but we shan’t worry too much about that until the mountains anyway
Shame for JP but that’s cycling I guess. Big stage tomorrow. Pog or MVDP I expect though outside chance of a break sticking I reckon.
Remco on the deck again, won’t help his time trial.
Shame for JP but that’s cycling I guess. Big stage tomorrow. Pog or MVDP I expect though outside chance of a break sticking I reckon.
Remco on the deck again, won’t help his time trial.
Actual said:
Cycling and especially TdF is so civilised it is warming to the heart.
So many unwritten rules... Unwritten rule says don't compete in sprint but team need points so explain that and everyone will understand.
Chat with arch opponent on start line.
Opponent crashes so stop and wait for opponent.
Congratulate opponent at finish line.
but then there is doping (I have no doubt that TdF is clean)
So many unwritten rules... Unwritten rule says don't compete in sprint but team need points so explain that and everyone will understand.
Chat with arch opponent on start line.
Opponent crashes so stop and wait for opponent.
Congratulate opponent at finish line.
but then there is doping (I have no doubt that TdF is clean)
Please expand on your well-researched & nuanced thesis?
I used to train a lot with Francis when he was still a young lad, he’s done a really good job with that podcast/vlog considering it started as him riding round Richmond park with a camera strapped to his back, it’s pretty big now.
Mega stage finale today. Hard to really put into words the speed they are going, I’ve raced a fair bit in the UK and switching back to an elite men’s UK race is like watching a different sport.
Mega stage finale today. Hard to really put into words the speed they are going, I’ve raced a fair bit in the UK and switching back to an elite men’s UK race is like watching a different sport.
There's been plenty of drama so far ... I'm not a fan of JP but don't want to see anyone on the deck and injured. I know its part of the sport but its horrible to see, all of the crashes on Monday looked particularly fast and nasty 
Anyway, plenty of positives VdP looks strong, Jonas looking like he's up for it and seems to have gained a bit of a kick, Evenepol has been a bit unluckly but that pull towards the end of yesterdays stage looked like he's got the form. And Pog, well, he's kept it underwraps until yesterday with Ayuso doing a cracking job to lead him out.
Its between the usual two and whilst I'm a Pog fan, I want to see him properly challenged by Jonas.
Anyway, plenty of positives VdP looks strong, Jonas looking like he's up for it and seems to have gained a bit of a kick, Evenepol has been a bit unluckly but that pull towards the end of yesterdays stage looked like he's got the form. And Pog, well, he's kept it underwraps until yesterday with Ayuso doing a cracking job to lead him out.
Its between the usual two and whilst I'm a Pog fan, I want to see him properly challenged by Jonas.
okgo said:
Yeh it feels as if it ll be a two man show again. Remco needs to take about 5 minutes today to have a shot - but I think he will win narrowly. Very fast TT course.
I did not see VIN losing time like that today with a flat course over 33km. (And I suspect POG did not either!)The complexion of the race up front has dramatically changed now. Ultra aggressive Visma team could be interesting though, because that’s their only option now.
Remco would have needed a lot more time, though it has helped get that day one loss back. (5 mins would have been somewhat ambitious over this course).
The next TT will be very interesting. I can’t see Remco coming out tops with the climb.
Very much enjoying the race so far.
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