2024 Pro Cycling Season

[Whitewater Horn 954]

16 minutes ago, G650 said:

Phillipsen again a total disgrace

Even in a low stakes effort to collect some leftover bonus sprint points, he still just can’t seem to maintain his line. Must be in his DNA. 

[TexPx 2282]

Vlasov

[Whitewater Horn 954]

[G650 13195]

Man. Jonas

[Whitewater Horn 954]

23 minutes ago, G650 said:

Man. Jonas

Holy shit. What a stage!

[G650 13195]

Just now, Whitewater Horn said:

Holy shit. What a stage!

I mean, winning the sprint?! Jesus

[Whitewater Horn 954]

2 minutes ago, G650 said:

I mean, winning the sprint?! Jesus

And Jonas initiated the sprint. So much for no balls and a supposed fear of Pogi. 

[G650 13195]

Man this emotion from Jonas is choking me up.

[Whitewater Horn 954]

1 minute ago, G650 said:

Man this emotion from Jonas is choking me up.

I felt that. Real shit. I can’t imagine the crazy scope of emotions from injuries like that to clawing Pogi back and eventually starting that sprint and gutting it out for a stage win. That has to be huge for the confidence of Jonas. He still has a bit of a team problem, though. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

 

 

 

[Whitewater Horn 954]

11 minutes ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

 

 

 

Let those nuts hang, JV. 
 

We’re watching a cycling version of the tortoise and hare tale. Pogi keeps needlessly burning matches with that racing on instinct in the moment trying to be something akin to The Cannibal or The Badger. High risk, high reward, but also potential for high consequence. Jonas racing with intent and measured effort, with consideration that’s it’s a three week race with a hard third week. Gangster level confidence. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

 

[Clintonaldo 2339]

It’s a great rivalry with a ton of respect and for that I won’t hate Pogacar. The new Evinrude guy just got suckered into speaking up when he don’t know shit about fuck. 
 

In my triathlon group this morning during our run we were talking about Jonas not getting suckered into going out with Pogacar a few days ago and I said everyone of us would have said fuck the plan and went out. Jonas has incredible discipline and hasn’t stopped the poor mouthing about his fitness and now he has them where he wants them. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

4 hours ago, Clintonaldo said:

 The new Evinrude guy just got suckered into speaking up when he don’t know shit about fuck. 
 

 

He's young. It's his first tour. We all did and said stupid stuff when we were young. He's still second in the GC and lives to fight another day.

[Txzen 498]

Tadej isn't as strong as he thinks he is, and Jonas is no where near as weak as expected. Tadej claims his training was optimized for the Pyrenees stages - we shall see. The Pyrenees always get written as these irregular climbs with ever changing gradient compared to the more steady alpine climbs. Outside of Hautacam, I don't think that's true. The Tourmalet is relentless but regular, as is Pla d'Adet and Plasteu de Beille. Unlike today, you're not going to find long stretches of double digit percentage gradients. 

Is Tadej fading or did he bonk? Jonas is certainly surging. 

[G650 13195]

https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/L-equipe-totalenergies-cambriolee-onze-velos-derobes-et-150-000-euros-de-prejudice-estime/1481714

 

 

[Whitewater Horn 954]

1 hour ago, G650 said:

https://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme-sur-route/Actualites/L-equipe-totalenergies-cambriolee-onze-velos-derobes-et-150-000-euros-de-prejudice-estime/1481714

 

 

Man, fuck thieves. Teams are going have to start hiring security or stand security watches on these big races since the organizers don’t seem to be helping with this. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

Let's see if Cav can pull this out.

It's funny how I used to not like Cav very much and thought he was arrogant and then Phillipson came along and now I'm all "let's go, Cav!"
 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

Girmai is a badass.

Poor Roglic.

[G650 13195]

3 minutes ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

Poor Roglic.

Man, it's like death and taxes with him.

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

1 minute ago, G650 said:

Man, it's like death and taxes with him.

I was impressed with Wout, too.  He had to be hurting bigtime after that crash yesterday.

[Captain Ron 12708]

That finishing stretch was nasty.

[G650 13195]

Just now, Hornius Emeritus said:

I was impressed with Wout, too.  He had to be hurting bigtime after that crash yesterday.

Yeah, very close for him. His form is definitely improving even with that knock.

 

Bini has been such a great story too. And Jasper only got 6th, big daylight in the points competition.

[Whitewater Horn 954]

What a great race so far, but poor Roglic really is the Battered Bastard of Bora. 

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

[idigTexas 2257]

On 7/6/2024 at 2:28 PM, idigTexas said:

Nice seeing a young rider from a country with no TdF history on a team that hasn't had much success doing well.  Two Three down, 33 32 to go...34 33 if he wants the record outright.  

 

[idigTexas 2257]

7 hours ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

I was impressed with Wout, too.  He had to be hurting bigtime after that crash yesterday.

He needs to quit trying to sneak up along the barrier.  He got pinched off again today trying to do that, and probably wins if he takes a better line...easier said than done, of course.    

[Bodhi 1086]

22 hours ago, Clintonaldo said:

It’s a great rivalry with a ton of respect and for that I won’t hate Pogacar. The new Evinrude guy just got suckered into speaking up when he don’t know shit about fuck. 

I think those comments were pretty deliberate by Evenepoel.  Trying to get Jonas to make emotional/poor racing decisions because it's needed for Evenepoel to have a chance.  It won't work.

17 hours ago, Txzen said:

Is Tadej fading or did he bonk? Jonas is certainly surging. 

Great question.  Listened to a race recap podcast and they noted Pogacar eating on the podium afterwards wasn't common.  I have no idea if this is true or not.  If so, might indicate he didn't get his fueling right that day.

Edited July 12 by Bodhi

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

4 hours ago, Bodhi said:

I think those comments were pretty deliberate by Evenepoel.  Trying to get Jonas to make emotional/poor racing decisions because it's needed for Evenepoel to have a chance.  It won't work.

Great question.  Listened to a race recap podcast and they noted Pogacar eating on the podium afterwards wasn't common.  I have no idea if this is true or not.  If so, might indicate he didn't get his fueling right that day.

In his book, Lance talks about how, during the Tour, despite eating like 9000 calories per day, he's still lose 12 .lbs or so.  The body starts cannibalizing muscle.   Lance concludes that it's not a healthy endeavor.

[Jerry Callo 8630]

What the fuck was Pog doing at the front of a bunch sprinit?  I love the racer in this kid - no way his team coaches want him anywhere near the front in the final few kilometers.

[G650 13195]

Can't help himself

[Txzen 498]

12 hours ago, G650 said:

Can't help himself

Pretty much. 
 

Headed to some of my favorite areas this weekend. The Tourmalet from the Luz side is glorious - long regular slopes with incredible views. 
 

The Hourquette is a lovely climb, the road seemingly carved in the side of the mountain with great views all along the way. Because I enjoyed it, one can gather its not that difficult (relatively). 
 

Then Pla d’Adet. The first few K are double digit agony, but it evens out soon after. Once can see the top of the climb almost from the start, but it seems to take forever to get there as the road turns away from the end so many times you never seem to make progress. 

Spoiler

view from the first main bend at Pla d’Adet. Far in the distance, the finish is atop the green ‘bump’. 

 

[Whitewater Horn 954]

4 hours ago, Txzen said:

Then Pla d’Adet. The first few K are double digit agony, but it evens out soon after. Once can see the top of the climb almost from the start, but it seems to take forever to get there as the road turns away from the end so many times you never seem to make progress. 

  Reveal hidden contents

view from the first main bend at Pla d’Adet. Far in the distance, the finish is atop the green ‘bump’. 

 

Man, that is some truth. The start of Pla d’Adet is demoralizing. And I did it in my 20s when I still lived over there. My son graduates next year and I promised to take him to Europe to ride some famous climbs and scenic routes. The “Circle of Death” area is cycling Heaven and at the top of his wish list. That ought to be a different experiment this time at my age. 
 

I’ve been thinking about Stage 14, and here’s some questions hopefully we’ll see answered:

Will the team strength of UAE contribute to any measurable damage to Remco or Jonas?

Will Remco stay with Pogi and Jonas in the Pyrenees?

Can Pogi gap Jonas on the climbs to gain time on the descents and make it stick?

Will Jonas take back some time or pass and put time on Remco and Pogi? (The finish favors Tadej if it’s close) 

What an incredible route for today and tomorrow!

[Jerry Callo 8630]

Pog is such a fun rider to watch.  Great stage today. 

[Whitewater Horn 954]

Questions answered. If Jonas can’t answer in kind tomorrow, or at least stay with Tadej, he’s gonna need one of those days where he gains minutes on a single stage. Perfectly executed by UAE and Pogi. 

Edited July 13 by Whitewater Horn

[G650 13195]

56 minutes ago, Jerry Callo said:

Great stage today. 

Absolutely. Nice counter punch landed by Tadej.

 

Tomorrow will tell a lot. There can be a lot of minutes won and lost on Plateau de Beille.

[Txzen 498]

I had my route backwards - we climbed the Hourquette from Acuns (they descended it). We kept going around and went down the Aspin, which was beautiful, technical, and scary. 
 

Had no idea what Tadej was doing in the sprint yesterday and am convinced he’s burning too many matches…and then he did what he did today. Hell of a kick. But man, Jonas is incredible given how his Spring and lead up to the Tour went. 
 

Monster stage tomorrow. Visma may have conserved some helpers today for the route tomorrow. Maybe they try to crack him but I’m not sure that’s going to pan out. 
 

There are many climbs in this area I’d like to do again (and have had some second chances). Plateau de Beille is not one of them. I recall it not only unrelenting but mostly so heavily forested that you had no payoff for the work (unlike that great final climb today). Only at the end do you emerge from the forest to a plateau with some modest views. Not even a good cafe at the top, some rather ugly modern station (and I understand it recently burned so there’s not even that now).

I think the only thing that bears Tadej is Tadej. He races all heart, sometimes with reckless abandon. But if he can keep the tank topped off he’s got this one…I think!

[Txzen 498]

11 hours ago, Whitewater Horn said:

Man, that is some truth. The start of Pla d’Adet is demoralizing. And I did it in my 20s when I still lived over there. My son graduates next year and I promised to take him to Europe to ride some famous climbs and scenic routes. The “Circle of Death” area is cycling Heaven and at the top of his wish list. That ought to be a different experiment this time at my age. 

I have no good recommendations for lodging in the valley on the side we finished today. But on the other side, just near Argeles-Gazost, can’t say enough about Pyrenees cycling lodge. Hautacam just across the valley, Aubisque, Solour, Spandelles nearby. Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden just down the road. Other lesser known rides, like the Cirque de Troumouse, abound. Gorgeous area. 
 

Spoiler

a room with a view…

 

[G650 13195]

This is so awesome to watch

[Whitewater Horn 954]

Another perfectly timed attack from Pogi. He waited for Jonas to get back in the saddle to settle and went. Jonas is cooked. 

[G650 13195]

I give credit to Visma for shooting their shot.

 

3 stages left with GC implications.

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

So, I REALLY want this to be on the up-and-up, but Tadej climbed time Plateau de Beille 3:39 quicker than Pantani did in 1998.

Things that make me say "hmmm...."

 

[G650 13195]

4 minutes ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

So, I REALLY want this to be on the up-and-up, but Tadej climbed time Plateau de Beille 3:39 quicker than Pantani did in 1998.

Things that make me say "hmmm...."

 

Yeah. Beat Lance's time on Pla d'adet too. It's pretty sus.

[TexPx 2282]

Jonas staying this close after a horrific crash and hugely disrupted training and very weakened team. Hmmm.

[Hornius Emeritus 12332]

2 minutes ago, TexPx said:

Jonas staying this close after a horrific crash and hugely disrupted training and very weakened team. Hmmm.

Agreed. Jonas did it more than 2:30 seconds faster than Pantani in 1998. Although, who's to say if the disrupted training didn't actually HELP Jonas? There's no way to say with certainty.

Of course, with better equipment, better training, a deeper understanding of physiology and recovery etc ... better times are to be expected.  Still ...

Edited July 14 by Hornius Emeritus

[Whitewater Horn 954]

12 minutes ago, Hornius Emeritus said:

So, I REALLY want this to be on the up-and-up, but Tadej climbed time Plateau de Beille 3:39 quicker than Pantani did in 1998.

Things that make me say "hmmm...."

 

 

8 minutes ago, G650 said:

Yeah. Beat Lance's time on Pla d'adet too. It's pretty sus.

It’s pretty hard to know exactly what “on the up and up” is at this level of world tour cycling these days, and a rabbit hole of questions and doubt that can drive you crazy. A lot of these great performances certainly deserve examination and comparison to the filthiest era of the sport.
 

Knowing that this sport, as well as all other athletic competitions with high stakes, are always looking for competitive advantages,  both within and beyond the rules, I just can’t stop watching. I’m sure all manner of methods are employed, but watching these dudes go to battle like we’ve seen in this Tour so far messes with my “give a shit.”  I promise to stop watching the sport if irrefutable evidence is revealed of pro cycling being actively involved in human trafficking or kicking puppies. 

[TexPx 2282]

Agreed. Jonas did it more than 2:30 seconds faster than Pantani in 1998. Although, who's to say if the disrupted training didn't actually HELP Jonas? There's no way to say with certainty.

Of course, with better equipment, better training, a deeper understanding of physiology and recovery etc ... better times are to be expected.  Still ...

I have no idea but it doesn’t seem like punctured lung, several broken ribs and a broken collarbone a couple of months before Le Tour could be helpful.

If Pog wins won’t this be the first time since Pantani a rider won the Giro an TdF in the same year?

[TexPx 2282]

Chips guy spent the night in jail.

[Whitewater Horn 954]

2 minutes ago, TexPx said:

Chips guy spent the night in jail.

Good. Today I saw one fan on the side of the road try to kick the shit out of a jackass trying to run up the road between a rider and a moto.