Suns out in Harrogate. As are the Dutch fans. There’s a great atmosphere. Should be a great race today. Hopefully no dodgy decisions by the race jury (yesterday’s decision was dodgy as and should have been made in race). Heading up to Ripon for my second day of Marshalling (aka spectator engagement). Hopefully there’ll be a few more people out.
Hard to see beyond the Dutch as the team that the winner will come from - the question is who will it be? Blaak? Vos? Van de Breggen? Or van Vleuten? The money seems to be on Vos.
Any recommendations for places to watch in the town?
If you watch it at Crescent Road you can see it twice cos it passes one side (Cornwall Road) at about 3.7km to go then does Swan Road/Crescent Road at about 900m to go do you see them twice.
Finishing straight is good but busy. There is however live commentary there on speakers all down the street.
Cafes: Starling on Oxford Street and Cadex pop up at the 500m to go mark. Most pubs, cafes, bars etc will also have it on.
Specialized shop at West Park (about 50m past the finish line) is good, they've got big screen, drinks and as the riders head back after the race they have to go in front of it so people hang round there for selfies.
Setting off soon. Not sure if I can see the light show and catch the music later on. Depends on alcohol consumption 😁
If you’re watching in Harrogate crazylegs suggestion is good. For the final lap I would be looking to get on to the top of the hill by the corner as the road straightens onto the last few hundred meters. The riders are slower here. Make sure you’re on the Bettys side of the road as that’s the racing line.
At about 200metree Shimano have a truck with tv screens. Unfortunately folks don’t quite have a sense of etiquette- few too many brollies up.
I wish Claire Balding would **** off back to horse riding
Suns out and the town is very vibrant !!
Very busy down around the pump rooms. A pleasure to see so many of having a good time of it
Just back from watching this race on the Lofthouse climb. I was just above the sharp left-hander that's the steepest part of the climb. Van Vleuten had just made her move and was about ten to fifteen seconds of the group, including Lizzie Deignan, that were trying to follow. Amazed that she kept away for the 106km to the finish.
Well deserved win but I thought the chasing group just let her ride away to victory by refusing to work together and +1 for Claire balding going back to horses
Who are we thinking for tomorrow? A break away? Bunch till the last 500m and VdP or Alaphilippe? Something else
ATMOSPHERE!!
Awesome ride by Van Vleuten, I knew she had it in her... and a 1-2 for the Dutch after yesterday’s DSQ... thoroughly deserved 👍👍👍🤗
Atomsphere was fabulous in town, I spend some time in my mates bike shop and it was great to see Tom Pidcock in there chatting with the kids 🤣👍👍👍👊
And they got to go gravel riding with Robbie McEwen no less 👍👍👍🤷♂️👍👍🔥☄️
The atmosphere around the circuit is mental. HUGE crowds and campervan alley is like Dutch Corner on Alpe d'Huez.
A big crowd of Sagan supporters have just walked past, then AvV came out of the compound with her rainbow jersey and medal (and an entourage of security) so a massive crowd materialised instantly.
Tomorrow should be incredible, just hope the weather isn't too shit....
How was it feasible for a 105km breakaway to win? Is there a huge gulf in class between her and the rest or did the dutch team prevent a chase?
Great result but as an occasional follower of road racing it just sounds bonkers.
At first I think they just thought they'd leave her out front, I think her lead for most of that time was around a minute, but no-one seemed to want to work to bring her back. Of course the Dutch weren't going to help out in any chase. Occasionally breakaways do work.
How was it feasible for a 105km breakaway to win?
Everyone thinks she'll die a death so they leave it out there.
She doesn't - if anything the gap keeps going out - so riders start looking around to organise a chase.
No-one is going to tow anyone else to the line, no-one wants to help someone who is obviously a favourite so they all sit there looking at each other, maybe launching a few sporadic attacks which only serves to let the breakaway get even further away.
And the incredibly strong Dutch team will sit there and block everything. Pretty much any of those Dutch riders could have won today.
Smart riding from AvV with the legs to back it up.
Yes, as above, I think the bunch saw the main threat as Marianne Vos, who was at/near the front of the chasers. At 60km to go, they were 3 minutes behind, easily catchable with a bunch, but no-one seemed to want to try, they were still watching Vos, then at 30km to go, they were still losing time, and realised they were not going to catch her.
What isnt quite clear when watching, is that there is a large difference in abilities in the womens race. Although they are all fast and FaF by normal peoples standards, the top 10-20% are a real step above the others,so when it starts getting tough, there are a lot who are just hanging on.At 60km to go, many could not do any more, so the chase never happened.
It wasn’t any old rider riding that 100+ km break. It was AvV someone with a proven time trial record. The Dutch had a rider in the chase group (Van de Breggen) who would have won if AvV had been brought back. Quite aside from Vos being in the main group. So no one is going to ride without taking the Dutch with them. Genius tactics by the team.
Genius tactics by the team.
Got a strong feeling that the Belgians will be doing the same tomorrow....
Who will they send out early then?
Gilbert 🤣🥳🥳🥳🤯
Nah. If Gilbert goes early GVA will just chase him down, sorry ‘try to bridge across’
It’s early, but a bit grey and overcast in Harrogate... it’s wet.
☔️🏄♂️🙄
We're at a bnb in Burton Leonard, it's pretty damp out! Just trying to decide where to go watch, we're not very organised!
We did manage to watch the ladies on the Lofthouse climb yesterday, the atmosphere was fantastic 😁
Shortened route due to flooding. No hawes buttertubs or grinton :-/
Edit ^what he said
Loads of the route has been cut due to flooding by the sound of it. Hope Reeth/Grinton area isn't too bad again 🙁
It's been raining most of the night here (near Skipton). When I went over to Pateley Bridge yesterday to watch the women's race the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey was pretty high. gaugemap.co.uk is showing Reeth as possible flooding but the gauge at Grinton is currently within normal limits.
Well that's heading to the Dales Centre/Grinton out the window then. Probably try and get into Harrogate.
Those of us in Grinton are gutted its not coming through, we need a bit of a lift right now. The beck is up again due to the heavy rains with some peoples already damaged properties losing the temporary flood recently put in place.
roglic & martin trying to make a break !!!!!!!!!!!
wtf is going on ?
The Dales Bike Centre has a big screen and a big tent so its off down there for beers to watch the race.
Part of original route is now under water at Hawes.
Have the road closure times been brought forward at all?
I need to get from Boroughbridge to Saltergate (near The Che la Vie) on the A59 at 13.30. Then I have to get from there to the Yorkshire Event Centre for 14.15.
Had to go round by Norwood Edge, Beckwithshaw, Burn Bridge & Pannal yesterday!
On shuttle bus duties.
3 gt winners in the break !?
Just looking at the shots of them heading up from Skipton and there's big puddles where I can't remember seeing any. There's been a lot of rain and still siling it down (to use the local expression).
How was it feasible for a 105km breakaway to win?
Women's racing is a bit more open than the men's. But also national team, not used to riding together, and a difficult punchy course that's hard to control - we've seen a similar pattern in all the races really, with it coming down to individuals and very small groups.
Nah. If Gilbert goes early GVA will just chase him down, sorry ‘try to bridge across’
GVA hasn't had many results for a while, and the course looks to be favouring the strongest riders rather than any kind of specialist, which makes it hard to predict - who still has it this late in the season? Gilbert was clearly strong in the Vuelta so I reckon he could be good for it, but we'll see.
Gilbert in “full Belgian” mode ☔️🚵♂️🤹♂️
Good lad.
Shame the routes been cut short, but if the conditions are that bad then they’ve made the right choice.
9 laps of r’ogate 👍
We’re stying put inside until they hit Parliament St for the first time then head to Dutch corner for waffles and beer and bonkers cheering 🤗🔥🥳🥳🥳☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️☔️
Bollocks BBC bullshit chat when the red button feed closed off as they head up Kidstones... and we’re getting Claire’s gossip ☔️🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️🙄
Gastauer knocked off by the Irish team car! Doesn't look happy.
Descending Kidstones at 60+kmh in the wet is holding back apparently, hmm.
No helicopters flying then? Don't think I'll bother watching, have had enough of Clare Balding's witterings already.
Not on Eurosport either till tonight? Wtf.
I like world superbikes but surprising not to see it on Eurosport 2
Turned it off already 🙁🙁 seriously thinking of goung out for a ride myself.......but maybe not 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
the crowds are amazing for such shit weather. Chapeau to everyone who is out.
Back live on tv now... 👏
Jeeze... looks grim doesn’t it.
Dennis sat on the front on a bright red BMC! I wonder why he got a difficult reputation? At least his TT bike was blacked out
Went out for a couple of minutes earlier to give 'em a shout as they shot by and can confirm that it is indeed grim out there. Disappointing about Buttertubs but I'd not fancy the tricky descent today.
Mainly though I'm feeling grateful to the UCI for organising the men's elite race for today. I'm confident that everyone who raced the 3peaks cyclo-cross a couple of weeks ago (brought forward to avoid a clash) will agree...
Roads before and after buttertubs are under feet of water. Its not safe to travel never mind send a sporting event over there. It’s not just the descents a bit wet. I was shocked how bad cray was and that’s pretty low
What's the story with the camera coverage being stopped for an hour? I thought they said it was to refuel the motos but I can't imagine that it can't be staggered.
It’s to refuel the relay plane apparently.
That would make more sense, thanks
so now I want to know how an aircraft flies to cover all the motorbikes. Thanks to the wonders of the internet I need wonder no longer:
What was going on with rochelle's jacket? Does she think she's off for a night out on the town rather than commentating on a bike race.
Valverde has pulled out then, what a shame.
A mates comment was she looks like she is auditioning for Frozen
Wow, VdP exploded!!!! Shocked there.
MVP bonked!
And I love Boardmans explanation - "Double leg puncture"!
I've had a few of those myself!
6 & half hours in that no wonder it was a slowmo sprint 🙂
congrats to all those that finished 🙂
That was a turn up! Didn't expect it in the last few km.
Tao looks absolutely destroyed.
funny old race really with some odd team picks from all countries. if it was a classic's race theres no way you'd take some of these riders (e.g. Adam Yates wonderful rider but next to useless in the circumstances) .
es. e.g. Adam Yates wonderful rider but next to useless in the circumstances) .
Fourth in the years LBL and won the one day San Sabastian Classic?
Good race, glad to see the Dane get the sprint after VdeP popped, shame the weather truncated the course, and the BBC post race interviews were pretty dire.
Fourth in the years LBL and won the one day San Sabastian Classic?
but everyone in the team rides for him in those.... he's not domestiquing/chasing down attacks for Luke Durbridge (on in this case Ben Swift)
ATMOSPHERIC Worlds !!
Awesome effort by all the volunteers, Marshall’s, Police, Barrier shifters, medics, support crew, Riders and especially the FANS !!
A few clips from Norwegian/Belgian/Dutch corner... (I didn’t take any of the riders as the came through, mainly because they were so quick)
And...
At the risk of derailing the that. True but he's a quality rider at one day and gt' so probably pretty capable of domestiquing and chasing stuff down - not that it was needed today!
We saw MvdP come through Dutch corner and he looked shot ! The fans went typically berserk 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🤪
He did lift a hand to them 👍👍👍
@bikebouy - everytime I drove through Dutch Corner, it was mental (in a good way). Just incredible atmosphere!
Thanks for your help!! Man, it’s guys like you who made this event happen.
Hope you all get to enjoy this evenings events... 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🔥
I laughed at the double leg puncture comment. I do like Mr Boardman.
I reckon the lady with the jacket, “pulled” last night and didn’t get back to her hotel to change.
The lack of hills did for Yates.
Good to know Van de Poel is human too.
Really enjoyed it despite Clare Balding.
fantastic event in such conditions.
ideal mtbing weather, but 6+ hours on the road in that...... grim
i dont think we realise how tough these blokes are. respect to em all.
Thank God there was a race on the telly. I nearly had to go out for a ride in the rain.
Just back from Harrogate. Wet. Cold. Busy.
We did spend a fair amount time in the Tempur mattress shop with Callum Skinner, Rollapaluza, a TV, and an excellent view of the circuit.
Great day.
We’re doing the bloody crossword, got most of them and one left (the white wines kicked in and we’re a bit pissed)
6 Across - “eight Tour stages” ?? 5 letters, 4th letter A
Help?
Just back from three and a half hours in the wind (dodged the rain). VdP was two gels from being world champion, but I thought the Dane had it all the way, myself. Big diesel and youth on his side. Sagan should have gone a lap earlier, but he didn’t look to bothered - already having three jerseys of his own.
Rather enjoyed the conditions from my lounge. I’ve raced in as bad and when the hypothermia sets in it’s a shocker! Never seen my HR tank like it before or since.
6 Across – “eight Tour stages” ?? 5 letters, 4th letter A
Help?
Guessing: Sagan?
Guessing: Sagan?
Ashamed !! The Mrs says I should be ashamed of myself... 🤪
Call myself a cycling fan? Hardly 🤷♂️🥳🥳
Thanks dude.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
VdP was two gels from being world champion
That was quite a "stop" button wasn't it ⛽
Funny, seemed to have his approach otherwise just right in all of the bits I saw - no smashing off the front except at "the break", sitting in a bit like Sagan was (and who I also thought might be right up there).
We went out riding in the rain, just to get a feel of what those racers were going through.
So sad for Gilbert.
As for Yates, He's one of the best riders in the world, he did the job he was supposed to do. I'm a huge fan. He's a wee guy and anyone of that build and height would have struggled at the end of a busy Grand Tour season.
Crazy-legs - out of interest how did you get you’re driving gig? Were you there as a Yorkshire volunteer. I was hoping my German would get me into a slightly more exciting role.
Brilliant day, Crescent Gardens was great spot with screen and pub.
Crazy-legs – out of interest how did you get you’re driving gig? Were you there as a Yorkshire volunteer.
No, we were "employed" outside of the Volunteer system.
I've been doing it for years at National level events (Lincoln GP, Beaumont Trophy, Junior Tour of Wales - basically most of the BC National Series road events) and then about 3 years ago I did the UCI Drivers Course.
As you do more and more of the races, you get to know the Commissaires and event organisers and if you don't screw things up too much they'll always ask you back and recommend you to others cos good reliable drivers who actually understand bike racing are very useful.
Did Tour de Yorkshire earlier this year and it's more or less the same people and same fleet provider for this.