Le Tour de Pharmaceutical 2022

Deserves its own thread, not a continuation of last year's thread.

First things first - RIP Big Dog, who led these threads, as he led the birthday threads for years. Much missed here.

Last night (AEST) was a rest and transport day - transport from the flatlands of Denmark to Dunkirk - where a hilly stage commences tonight AEST, finishing in Calais.  Only small hills but they should break up the pack a bit, with the first hill only 30 k in.

No major withdrawals at this stage despite a few early prangs in Denmark; Roglic has lost some time after an ill-timed puncture but Pogacar is well placed, as expected.

Noice work, L

Unable to scale the stage profile properly. Less than totally ept.

Stage win for Simon Clarke

Michael Matthews pipped on the line by Wout van Aert ... Pogacar looks unbeatable. However, there is a heatwave forecast for some of the tougher stages this week, there is already COVID amongst the Peleton so these roadbumps and/or crashes could yet play a part.

When I hear heatwaves at the Tour mentioned I always think of Beloki’s near career-ending crash in 2003 while contending strongly for yellow, when the tarmac melted and his tyre came off. Armstrong swerved to avoid him and went across a ploughed field, staying on his bike. He cut a corner, the cheat

Surely only a similar mishap, or Covid, can stop Pog in his tracks. With Porte absent, he just needs to keep his distance from Geraint to significantly reduce the risk…

beamer wrote:When I hear heatwaves at the Tour mentioned I always think of Beloki’s near career-ending crash in 2003 while contending strongly for yellow, when the tarmac melted and his tyre came off. Armstrong swerved to avoid him and went across a ploughed field, staying on his bike. He cut a corner, the cheat

Surely only a similar mishap, or Covid, can stop Pog in his tracks. With Porte absent, he just needs to keep his distance from Geraint to significantly reduce the risk…

I remember that well. Strange incident all round.

JGK wrote:

beamer wrote:When I hear heatwaves at the Tour mentioned I always think of Beloki’s near career-ending crash in 2003 while contending strongly for yellow, when the tarmac melted and his tyre came off. Armstrong swerved to avoid him and went across a ploughed field, staying on his bike. He cut a corner, the cheat

Surely only a similar mishap, or Covid, can stop Pog in his tracks. With Porte absent, he just needs to keep his distance from Geraint to significantly reduce the risk…

I remember that well.  Strange incident all round.

Matched only by Froome running up Mont Ventoux without a bike!

Meintjes did that a couple of days ago. With a bicycle, of course.

tricycle wrote:Meintjes did that a couple of days ago. With a bicycle, of course.

Not on Ventoux, of course, or he’d have been a bit lost… but yeah, did see him pushing his bike over the line, apparently was a mechanical fault rather than simply not having the strength to ride that ridiculously steep finish! Wouldn’t be surprised if some of the sprinters had to get off and push even without a mechanical…

Stage 10, one for the climbers.

https://images.sbs.com.au/db/8e/d8d7e1ca4f59b795e655bf2896a5/stage-10.jpg?imwidth=960

Summit finish, but looks like a warm-up for Galibier tomorrow and Alpe d’Huez on Thursday. Brutal stretch, especially in a heatwave…

The Pog cracks on the Col du Granon.

Brilliant ride by Jonas Vingegaard to win the stage & take the Yellow Jacket.
Romain Bardet is 2nd on the GC with a deficit of 2:12 with Pogacar 3rd at 2:22.

Covid or just an off day? Nobody saw this coming, seemingly including the man himself until the final climb.

No let-up tomorrow, maybe time for a call to Dr Ferrari (or maybe it’s Dr Mercedes or Dr Red Bull these days…)

And Alpe D’Huez tonight!

Surely 1 of the best days for GB riders since GT won in 2018. Can Pog get back at Vinny?
They say Vinny has the better team and is a better climber. Going to be interesting!

Michael Matthews wins Stage 14

WideWally wrote:Michael Matthews wins Stage 14

That was a great ride. I thought he was gone but he fought back.

Vanart really should get his own team for next year.

The final ramp up to rocamadour could make this timetrial interesting, but Vinny looks pretty
certain for the win.

Well, of all the possibilities for stage 1 this year, I’d never have predicted a Yates-off for the first yellow jersey! Adam takes the honours for his first TdF stage win, a number of years after being floored by a deflating flamme rouge banner when on course for victory.

A little statement from Pog to sneak a few bonus seconds in third.

WTF? He had control of that

The rules have changed forever.

Wrong thread but stuff it

Four stages down, Spain in the rear view mirror, and Pogacar is well in the mix even before the serious climbing starts. Something to keep an eye on during the Ashes lunch and tea breaks.

Jai Hindley wins the stage & takes yellow!