Cycling

[markl121]

Really struggling to get back at it. Been off the bike for the guts of a year. 10-15 k a struggle atm even to motivate myself to do it

[grounded]

Really struggling to get back at it. Been off the bike for the guts of a year. 10-15 k a struggle atm even to motivate myself to do it

Best to join a club/group. Even if only for part of a longer spin. Nothing to motivate you like cycling as part of a group.
   

[gallsman]

Tour starts on Saturday. Absolutely cannot wait for this one.

Everything suggests Pog should waltz his way to another one but JV took time out of him on the TT at the Dauphiné (although subsequently got destroyed) and his injury troubles are well and truly behind him.

If Pog utterly destroys the field this year, 6+ TDFs and 12+ Grand Tours are absolutely a possibility.

[bennydorano]

Wonder how far Roglic will get before crashing out

[maddog]

Wonder how far Roglic will get before crashing out

Before or after they mention his ski jumping past?

[grounded]

Great finish by Van der Poel there.

[gallsman]

Crashes all over the place this week. Evenepoel down today to continue his rotten first week but looks to be on. Philippsen gone. Really nasty crash on the final corner with someone going head over heels over the handlebars and over the barrier.

[gallsman]

Pogacar back in yellow with the stage win. Same time as MVDP.

Really tough climb with about 5km to go that topped out at about 15 or 16%. Almeida put in such a shift that Pogacar's kick was borderline unnoticeable other than him getting out of the saddle for once. Everyone other than JV was right on the limit and when he went they just sort of fell away. He even had a couple of bike lengths on JV before he sat back down. The pair of them had about 10 seconds in the rest but appeared to sit up a touch.

Pogacar definitely left something in the tank though because when it came to the sprint finish uphill at about 4%, MVDP tried to go and just didn't have it in the legs. He did really well to stay in that group with the pace Almeida was setting though. Phenomenal rider. JV looked good as well, so hopefully a bit more of a contest than last year.

[gallsman]

MVDP keeps yellow on countback apparently. Deserves it.

[gallsman]

Pogacar in yellow after losing only 16 seconds to Evenepoel in today's TT. Awful TT from Vingegaard and he's over a minute down already. Far from over but a not insignificant chance the Tour is over already.

[maddog]

Vingegaard i think went pretty deep on Tuesday maybe blunted the speed a bit for the TT. But that minute or so lost in the TT can be wiped out in a few K if Pog gets it wrong in the mountains. Plus there is always the stupid crash risk. Wouldn't say its over at all.
Today maybe the breakaway will get its chance. UAE might be happy to ship the jerseys. Lenny Martinez i think will try and mop up some KOM points. Ben Healy, Simmons, Powless, Mohoric maybe try and get up the road.
That said 14% kick to the finish POG could be fancying it.
Mur De Bretagne tomorrow cannot look past another POG Van Der Poel shoot out.
It's good racing so far, some of the lumpy "flat" stages must be to the annoyance of the sprinters but i'd say fans prefer it.

[bennydorano]

I'd agree on going to deep, would expect him to recover to compete with Pog ok. Watching something recently that said Vingegaard had added more muscle over the winter and is heavier than recent years, so that Power 2 Weight ratio could be interesting in the high mountains.

[maddog]

I'd agree on going to deep, would expect him to recover to compete with Pog ok. Watching something recently that said Vingegaard had added more muscle over the winter and is heavier than recent years, so that Power 2 Weight ratio could be interesting in the high mountains.

When Jonas looked around on that final ramp and lost maybe 4 bike lengths, was weird the way he rallied. Normally that look around and the gap = game over.

[gallsman]

But that minute or so lost in the TT can be wiped out in a few K if Pog gets it wrong in the mountains.

For sure, but based on the last couple of years evidence I'm not sure that can or will happen. Visma had success in 22 and 23 isolating him and being able to attack repeatedly. With likes of Almeida setting a ferocious pace I'm not sure they'll be able to at all. He looks to be considerably stronger at the minute than anyone JV has. Good bet for the podium I'd say.

[mrdeeds]

1st and 4th places for Irish riders today.