Le Tour.....

[Biggles]

Starts tomorrow. Any views, fancies, tips, or anything else from our little band cycle fans?
The winner? Bernal, Roglic, Pinot, Dumoulin, Quintana, or any other suggestions?
Jersey winners? Stages?
All (sensible) observations welcome.

 

[Chronic]

Think Roglic will win. He's been steadily improving every year and is now approaching the peak of his powers. Has had a good clean run.

Hope Pinot wins it.

Would also like to see Dumoulin at his best.

 

[OurGert]

Bernal
If the race finishes.

 

[cornishcrabberblade]

Got to be Roglic, he looked unbeatable in the Dauphine and a much better time trialer than Bernal.

 

[Redalwaysablade]

Bernal for me too, Ineos have a very strong in depth outfit again, Roglic may be in the shake up, not seen the time trial distances or course lay out, that being said.

 

[OurGert]

Individual TT stage 20

 

[Redalwaysablade]

Pure carnage on day 1.......This will be very testing.

 

[OurGert]

Crazy .....just about impossible to race. Should be neutralised.
Someone could cop a serious injury.
TDF first week always iffy but these road conditions!

 

[Redalwaysablade]

The fact that they’re all coming back together may be even more troublesome......

 

[tomytony]

All together on the next descent could be very interesting- and downright dangerous

 

[Redalwaysablade]

Looks like common sense is playing a part, Chapeau to them for self- policing.....

 

[tomytony]

Lucky that hedge was there- another 20 yards and he'd have been over that low wall

 

[Redalwaysablade]

I’m on the edge of my seat just watching..........

 

[Redalwaysablade]

Were Ineos the big losers in that crash, they were in a decent position ?

 

[Biggles]

Were Ineos the big losers in that crash, they were in a decent position ?

Not unless they got any injuries. They were just inside the 3km to go marker, so they all get the same time - and they had no interest in winning the stage. So no problem.

 

[Chronic]

It only took him 2 stages to win! Yellow jersey to boot.

 

[Biggles]

Long, long way to go yet but, yes he has a chance overall.
I’ve never known a year where there are so many genuine contenders.
Very difficult to forecast anything.
Apart from Sagan for his usual green jersey (and that’s not as nailed on as it was in the past), I would not like to forecast anything. As always, the really big mountains and the stage twenty TT will decide - if we get that far!

 

[OurGert]

Bet your house on Bernal, unless he crashes or the race doesn’t finish in Paris he’s nailed on .

 

[Biggles]

Bet your house on Bernal, unless he crashes or the race doesn’t finish in Paris he’s nailed on .

11 to 4 (2nd fav) with Bet365, Gert. That seems reasonable. Are you having a punt?

 

[OurGert]

11 to 4 (2nd fav) with Bet365, Gert. That seems reasonable. Are young having a punt?

I packed in betting years ago (lost toooooooo much on The Blades!
Love em or hate em Ineos/Sky/Dave are very calculating, Ineos looked like they were out on a club ride today.