Was Vingegaard on 1x today? Looked like it. Visma* do seem to be pretty keen on it but seems like a bold call for a stage like this.
Was be using a Classified Powershift rear hub or was it a genuine 1x?
I would be very surprised if it wasn't a Classified hub. Several teams have been trying them out over the past couple of years.
they are pretty obvious bit's of kit, I'd think we'd have a photo by now if it was.
The amazing thing is that Jonas’ form is as close as it is. Incredible. Maybe the whole prolonged recovery stuff was a bluff? Maybe?
Given his lack of racing, his form is incredible - to come back from injuries like he had and be able to hang with Pogacar is pretty much miraculous (and I don't mean that in a "he must be doping" way, I'm just stating the obvious). I realise that the Giro didn't have quite the A-list of stars to go up against Pogacar but you look at how he dominated that and compare it to now when Vingegaard can (sort of) stick with him, his recovery has been exceptional.
Obviously usual caveats - we're 4 days into a 3 week race, literally anything could happen, Vingegaard could easily be racing his way to better form...
On yesterday's stage, Ned Boulting was talking about Marc Soler (I think) saying that when he was at Movistar it wasn't a good fit - he was a square peg in a round hole. What did he mean? Do Movistar specialise in a certain type of race or riding that Soler wasn't prepared for?
Good question abou Soler. At Movistar he was prone to ignoring his team role in order to chase his own results. I suspect that Movistar's management techniques were a bit more ambiguous than at UAE: at his new team he's given a clearer role (and probably paid better for it).
On yesterday’s stage, Ned Boulting was talking about Marc Soler (I think) saying that when he was at Movistar it wasn’t a good fit – he was a square peg in a round hole. What did he mean? Do Movistar specialise in a certain type of race or riding that Soler wasn’t prepared for?
It happens - every once in a while you find a rider who simply doesn't fit at a team in terms of personality, not the same aims, not giving the results...
Nairo Quintana was famously not at all happy in his later years at Movistar - he thought he should be team leader but wasn't getting the results to back it up but equally the team were not riding in support of him, in fact I think that he was actively disliked by some of them.
due to his team being ravaged by injury and bad fortune
And one of his strongest team mates is now riding to beat him!
Just read that Pidcock hit 66 mph on yesterday’s descent😳 I think I’ve hit 45 a few times and was scared stiff. Utterly ludicrous speed to be going on a bicycle..
And one of his strongest team mates is now riding to beat him!
he wasn't there last year 😕
https://twitter.com/StevenPisto07/status/1808439206429011973
Who's that in fourth place? Looks a bit like an old colleague of mine.
On yesterday’s stage, Ned Boulting was talking about Marc Soler (I think) saying that when he was at Movistar it wasn’t a good fit – he was a square peg in a round hole. What did he mean? Do Movistar specialise in a certain type of race or riding that Soler wasn’t prepared for?
There is (was?) a movistar series on netflix. Going by that, complete chaos, change plan every day, nobody is a good fit, unless you are Valverde. But that's just TV so who knows really.
Yeah I remember the documentary on Movistar. Felt a bit sorry for Quintana - he didn't seem to get much support even when he did well and it felt like he was ostracised by the others.
Pogi caused a crash!
https://twitter.com/Eurosport_ES/status/1808508323592872121
or Pogi trying to avoid badly signed road furniture caused a crash
a future cross world champion right there 😉
How long left? Got a meeting at 4, then need to leave the house at 5:30. Hoping to catch the sprint, although not looking likely.
54 km
Well it's 15.30 now at time of posting, 53km to go so probably about 1hr 10min, maybe a bit less?
Just gone through the intermediate sprint. There's really not a lot going on but they should be picking the speed up soon.
Weather worsening now, roads looking sketchy. Cav has moved a lot further forward within the peloton, Ineos have been told on team radio about the rain, told to switch on a bit and keep it together... Might be quite a nervy finale if it's raining properly.
Never Stray Far is right all pro cyclist (no matter where they are from) speak a weird english with belgique accent/bent/expressions 😀
Astana / Cav fully up for this. And/or - get to the front, stay well out of trouble.
for sure -uh?
Been dipping in and out this afternoon but fully tuned in now. Cav and his boys very much at the front.
Sketchy as **** in that peloton now -Christophe Laporte down in a minor spill, Alexander Kristoff fell on the descent. Relatively calm and controlled at the moment, can't be long before it all lights up.
They're going to have to rethink the low-down signage on those unmanned islands
Let the nail-biting commence. Inside the final 15km.
#ComeOnCav!
blimey Brexit Jims lot aren't mobbing the front 😕 what's going on ?
is there an audio feed anywhere?
OMG
what a rider!
Hell yes!!!!
****ing A. What a win
Has he done it?
Get in !!! F@@ brilliant !
no walk over either
proper missile!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!
Amazing!!
CAV!!!!!!
Undisputed GOAT
Astana about to be another rider light in the team... 😉
Christ that was a tricky route to the front! Absolute magic. Never in doubt. #35.
Wow.
Just incredible.
The absolute master.
