Pro-cycling thread

Froome didn't help matters this year by saying, effectively, that the team let him down and that he was in great form. Ultimately, age and injuries mean he's a shadow of his former self. Also, frankly, the team isn't good enough to help a rider to a podium in the tour.

You can't imagine Sky/Ineos letting a rider under-fuel in a stage to the extent they drop 23 minutes like Woods did on stage 6.

Woods had stomach issues on Stage 6 so the team told him to lose time so he could go stage hunting later in the race, rather than try and hang on to a GC position.

Ineos sports director Steve Cummings was interviewed after the race and was very clear that they asked the team to ride tempo to ensure Pinot didn't gain too much time that he'd become a GC threat to Pidcock and Rodriguez in the last week.

When the highlights show skipped to the breakaway having formed for yesterday's stage, Ben O'Connor was a minute behind the peloton, which was at that point being driven by... AG2R.

I know O'Connor is not a GC threat, but what was going on there? Or were they trying to limit the pace so he could get back? Not crucial to the stage in any way, but it caught my eye and confused me.

In terms of the stage, I was really impressed by Martin's role, basically frustrating the chasers continually so that Izagirre could keep making time. It must take some balls to be the guy in the group that's pissing off everyone around you, but perfectly executed team play.

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AG2R.
I know O'Connor is not a GC threat, but what was going on there? Or were they trying to limit the pace so he could get back?

Probably something to do with Felix Gall and the KOM competition

They didn't get anyone in the break, so the DS made them ride as punishment.

Reducing their chances of getting in the break the next day.

That's such a dumb punishment for people that generally like riding bikes fast...

ITV is showing a VT of David Millar riding up the Colombier to show the route, and it's very notable that he's just burning past all the other riders on the open course, on a Brompton, while holding a camera and having a chat about the mountain. That EPO has a long shelf life doesn't it?

you sure he was on a brompton?

Actually no. They were joking about having to ride Bromptons up Alpe d'Huez the other day so I just assumed it was the same here.

ah right yeah. think was a flash of drop handlebars. millar in decent shape, though lots of nodders on the mountain

chap oh to Steve Cummings

Isn't Kwiatkowski, like, 50 years old now?
Well done old chap.

Happy for Kwiato, good result

Is that 9 seconds back for Pog?

[EDIT] 8 I think (inc the 4 sec bonus)

33 apparently. class win that

Annoyingly early finish. Am in abroad and found a cycling cafe with excellent breakfast hoping to watch the finale.
It opens in 40mins. Oh well, might as well stuff my face anyway.

short stage with a tail wind. yep, early finish despite that monster climb at the end

Seemed like a wasted opportunity from UAE. Did they just not ride hard enough? I can’t imagine they’re happy with 9 seconds after riding all day

They isolated Vingegaard and Kuss very early. It didn't matter today, but they now know that they can do the same again in the coming days when it could make a big difference. It's also a psychological blow to Jumbo-Visma too.

Problem with that story is Woods himself told media that he'd massively under-fuelled on stage 5 and he had a serious issue on stage 6 which caused him to over-eat which caused the "stomach issues". It's like in F1 when the teams say they have an oil leak which causes retirement, when the oil leak is caused by the engine exploding.

I’m still unconvinced by UAE climbers. I feel Pog has a bad day in him. Although could easily see him winning by pinching a few finish line sprints. Feels well poised and with hindsight everything will be very clear lol

That said all minor points, the big talking point being Kirby quoting Hendrix, a little bit of me died.