Author Topic: Tour de France 2023 (Read 2795 times)

mr.bluesky · « **on:** July 02, 2023, 11:06:51 am »

I love watching the Tour de France (No I'm not a lycra clad cyclist myself, more of a fair weather mountain bike rider) Great to see Brit Adam Yates win the opening stage beating his twin brother Simon Yates over the line. No Chris Froome this year but hopefully Mark Cavendish the Manx missile will get the record for most stage wins over the great Eddie Merckx

MissWolf · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2023, 11:41:55 am »

I really should get back into watching it as I used to love it.

It kind of lost its sparkle for me after Armstrongate

he was so exciting to watch it really skews your perspective of what you think you were watching if you know what I mean.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2023, 11:51:19 am »

Quote from: MissWolf on July 02, 2023, 11:41:55 am

I really should get back into watching it as I used to love it.

It kind of lost its sparkle for me after Armstrongate he was so exciting to watch it really skews your perspective of what you think you were watching if you know what I mean.

Yeah, Armstrong really tarnished the image of the sport with his cheating as do all riders who took performance enhancing drugs. As a sport it has done a lot to clean up its image. What I love about watching the Tour is you get to see some fabulous scenery especially in the mountain stages.

I like natural boobs · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2023, 12:17:10 pm »

8 mountain stages this year. Beautiful scenery but those stages always make me worry about the time limit for Cavendish. On mountain stages he usually finishes 20-30 minutes behind the stage winner. He's only just scraped into the time limit on a few occasions in the past. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he can get the record.

I like natural boobs · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2023, 12:37:46 pm »

When I think about Lance Armstrong I always think about that stage where he caught his handlebar on a spectators musette bag and hit the deck. It later turned out that he rode the rest of the stage with a cracked frame although I don't think he realised it at the time. His shoe cleat kept slipping out of his pedal too and he STILL won the stage. It was amazing. Such a shame it was done whilst doping.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2023, 01:04:08 pm »

Quote from: I like natural boobs on July 02, 2023, 12:37:46 pm

When I think about Lance Armstrong I always think about that stage where he caught his handlebar on a spectators musette bag and hit the deck. It later turned out that he rode the rest of the stage with a cracked frame although I don't think he realised it at the time. His shoe cleat kept slipping out of his pedal too and he STILL won the stage. It was amazing. Such a shame it was done whilst doping.

It always annoys me when watching the Tour how close the crowd close in on the riders in the mountain climb stages. There has been numerous instances of riders colliding with spectators who get in the way. I remember one year a police officer stepping out in front of a rider to take a photograph and bringing him down . Even riders being bought down by bags draped over the barriers and getting their handlebars caught in them as they go past.

Corus Boy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2023, 02:23:54 pm »

Quote from: I like natural boobs on July 02, 2023, 12:37:46 pm

When I think about Lance Armstrong I always think about that stage where he caught his handlebar on a spectators musette bag and hit the deck. It later turned out that he rode the rest of the stage with a cracked frame although I don't think he realised it at the time. His shoe cleat kept slipping out of his pedal too and he STILL won the stage. It was amazing. Such a shame it was done whilst doping.

And, while 176 riders started the race, only 174 began today's stage. Movistar's team leader, Spain's Enrico Mas and his counterpart for EF Education-EasyPost, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, have both pulled out.

The pair crashed into each other yesterday and Mas had to abandon almost immediately because of a shoulder injury. Carapaz got to the finish line but an X-ray shortly afterwards that showed he had a small fracture to his left kneecap, and his race was over too.

The crash was about 20Kms from the finish, so Carapaz cycled 20Kms with a fractured kneecap!!!!!!

I like natural boobs · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2023, 03:05:07 pm »

Quote from: Corus Boy on July 02, 2023, 02:23:54 pm

And, while 176 riders started the race, only 174 began today's stage. Movistar's team leader, Spain's Enrico Mas and his counterpart for EF Education-EasyPost, Ecuador's Richard Carapaz, have both pulled out.

The pair crashed into each other yesterday and Mas had to abandon almost immediately because of a shoulder injury. Carapaz got to the finish line but an X-ray shortly afterwards that showed he had a small fracture to his left kneecap, and his race was over too.

The crash was about 20Kms from the finish, so Carapaz cycled 20Kms with a fractured kneecap!!!!!!

Yes. They're tough men, riding on with bone fractures. I remember one year Geriant Thomas finished the whole tour after cracking his pelvis early on. They have some balls too. On some of those mountain descents with drop offs at the side when they're doing 70mph around corners on skinny tyres. I'd shit myself.
I hope those riders who crashed out on stage one can recover soon enough to perhaps set their sights on the tour of Spain. Some years ago Alberto Contador won that tour after crashing out out the Tour de France.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2023, 03:17:22 pm »

Quote from: I like natural boobs on July 02, 2023, 03:05:07 pm

Yes. They're tough men, riding on with bone fractures. I remember one year Geriant Thomas finished the whole tour after cracking his pelvis early on. They have some balls too. On some of those mountain descents with drop offs at the side when they're doing 70mph around corners on skinny tyres. I'd shit myself.
I hope those riders who crashed out on stage one can recover soon enough to perhaps set their sights on the tour of Spain. Some years ago Alberto Contador won that tour after crashing out out the Tour de France.

Yeah, tough guys indeed, no protective clothing apart from helmets to protect them, some of those downhill descents in the mountains look particularly scary especially in the wet .
Also scary when you have a tightly bunched peloton and one rider goes down bringing down multiple others.

Just a shame we don't have any stages in this country on this tour

Spacecowb0y · « **Reply #9 on:** July 03, 2023, 12:20:58 am »

Back into watching it this year,after watching the Netflix special.
Learning about the new riders and teams.

Might drag the road bike out the garage and turn back into a MAMIL

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #10 on:** July 03, 2023, 06:12:48 am »

Quote from: Spacecowb0y on July 03, 2023, 12:20:58 am

Back into watching it this year,after watching the Netflix special.
Learning about the new riders and teams.

Might drag the road bike out the garage and turn back into a MAMIL

Resist the temptation to put your lycra back on though

chrishornx · « **Reply #11 on:** July 03, 2023, 10:22:28 am »

Big day today with Cav going for the record

fingers crossed

he has eight goes at it

LLPunting · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2023, 08:02:12 pm »

Quote from: Spacecowb0y on July 03, 2023, 12:20:58 am

Back into watching it this year,after watching the Netflix special.
Learning about the new riders and teams.

Might drag the road bike out the garage and turn back into a MAMIL

Make it MAMINL, new lycra always best when resuming, the beaten up, moth-eaten stuff tends to let things drop out that you don't want hitting a scorching Summer saddle.

LLPunting · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2023, 08:08:56 pm »

The doping only tarnishes it with respect to who wins and gets rewarded for it. The actual achievement of going the distance and having the drive and bottle to achieve the speeds, risk the passing and descents, make the ascents, riding through the pain and injury are all monumental. The demonstrations of teamwork too.

70+ pedalling downhill on an Alp on a bike in lycra

I was bricking it coming down Ditchling Beacon at 40 with my brakes part on in the London to Brighton.

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #14 on:** July 04, 2023, 05:32:35 am »

Quote from: chrishornx on July 03, 2023, 10:22:28 am

Big day today with Cav going for the record

fingers crossed

he has eight goes at it

Finished 6th in yesterday's stage, Hopefully he gets another chance in today's stage where it should be another stage for the sprinters. This will be his last tour before he retires so it would be good if he manages to get the record of most stage wins in the history of the tour.

chrishornx · « **Reply #15 on:** July 04, 2023, 09:23:29 am »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 04, 2023, 05:32:35 am

Finished 6th in yesterday's stage, Hopefully he gets another chance in today's stage where it should be another stage for the sprinters. This will be his last tour before he retires so it would be good if he manages to get the record of most stage wins in the history of the tour.

i guess he already has that record, doesn't he? setting the bar higher would be fantastic and cement himself in history

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2023, 12:11:43 pm »

Quote from: chrishornx on July 04, 2023, 09:23:29 am

i guess he already has that record, doesn't he? setting the bar higher would be fantastic and cement himself in history

He has 34 stage wins which equals that of the great Eddy Merckx. One more and he beats the record. Most would say that Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time as he has won 5 Tour de France titles and numerous other tours. Although Cav has won 34 stages he has never been an outright winner in the tour de France as he is more of a sprinter

chrishornx · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2023, 03:32:09 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 04, 2023, 12:11:43 pm

He has 34 stage wins which equals that of the great Eddy Merckx. One more and he beats the record. Most would say that Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time as he has won 5 Tour de France titles and numerous other tours. Although Cav has won 34 stages he has never been an outright winner in the tour de France as he is more of a sprinter

so he does have the record at present. ITV4 explained yesterday that in TDF jargon he doesn't break the record as he already holds it, he just extends it.

fingers crossed today

mysteryman30 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2023, 08:01:20 pm »

Quote from: chrishornx on July 03, 2023, 10:22:28 am

Big day today with Cav going for the record

fingers crossed

he has eight goes at it

Just watched the Cavendish interview with the delightful Orla, he doesn't seem fussed about records etc but I am pretty sure he is desperate for 1 more win!

standardpostage · « **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2023, 10:43:22 pm »

With Formula 1 car racing, they now have Formula 1 Electric car racing.

Will the Tour de France, ever have an electric version ? ? ?

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2023, 06:50:11 am »

Quote from: standardpostage on July 04, 2023, 10:43:22 pm

With Formula 1 car racing, they now have Formula 1 Electric car racing.

Will the Tour de France, ever have an electric version ? ? ?

I think I could complete the Tour de France on an electric bike

Bigdave2000 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 05, 2023, 12:14:41 pm »

Quote from: standardpostage on July 04, 2023, 10:43:22 pm

With Formula 1 car racing, they now have Formula 1 Electric car racing.

Will the Tour de France, ever have an electric version ? ? ?

Was it not someone like Fabio Cancellara who was accused a few years back of having "assistance" somehow on his bike? there was a clip where there were a few on a climb, all looked to be at full gas, and he basically just rode away from them....nothing ever proved though!

Not sure Cav has the strength this year looking at the last two sprints; he'll be there or abouts but I think he'll be lucky to get a stage win. He looks like an old time sprinter now, which isn't a bad thing by any stretch, but by his own admission it all works differently now, and he may just be too old/heavy to get another. Having said that, I'd love it for him to get another final victory but on merit not because someone lets him take it.

chrishornx · « **Reply #22 on:** July 05, 2023, 01:56:03 pm »

Quote from: standardpostage on July 04, 2023, 10:43:22 pm

With Formula 1 car racing, they now have Formula 1 Electric car racing.

Will the Tour de France, ever have an electric version ? ? ?

the Giro does and the TDF does too understand

chrishornx · « **Reply #23 on:** July 05, 2023, 04:41:03 pm »

Superb day of racing today opened up the whole TDF

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #24 on:** July 05, 2023, 09:14:13 pm »

Quote from: Bigdave2000 on July 05, 2023, 12:14:41 pm

Was it not someone like Fabio Cancellara who was accused a few years back of having "assistance" somehow on his bike? there was a clip where there were a few on a climb, all looked to be at full gas, and he basically just rode away from them....nothing ever proved though!

Not sure Cav has the strength this year looking at the last two sprints; he'll be there or abouts but I think he'll be lucky to get a stage win. He looks like an old time sprinter now, which isn't a bad thing by any stretch, but by his own admission it all works differently now, and he may just be too old/heavy to get another. Having said that, I'd love it for him to get another final victory but on merit not because someone lets him take it.

I don't think he has the same calibre of riders in his support team this year, plus he is 38 years old now, his best days may be behind him.

timsussex · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2023, 01:00:41 am »

While a full sprint train is nice many of Cav's wins have come without one He is probably the best at picking a wheel.
Where he does need support is getting through the mountains - although he has improved there in the last few years

mysteryman30 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2023, 11:15:50 am »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 05, 2023, 09:14:13 pm

I don't think he has the same calibre of riders in his support team this year, plus he is 38 years old now, his best days may be behind him.

Always wondered why sprinters don't use other team's lead out trains if required?

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2023, 01:40:42 pm »

Quote from: mysteryman30 on July 06, 2023, 11:15:50 am

Always wondered why sprinters don't use other team's lead out trains if required?

Good point, why don't they just tag onto the end of another teams train must be a reason for it . Its more of a tactical sport than most people realise .
I can never fathom out why a rider who is good in the mountain stages is not so good on the flat stages when riding uphill is tougher

timsussex · « **Reply #28 on:** July 06, 2023, 01:49:58 pm »

assuming the train works well then at 50-100m from the line the last leadout man pulls to one side leaving The Sprinter to go for it So if you are following The Sprinter you are 8 ft behind with the line rapidly approaching and he would have a better idea of you as to when the leadout will pull over and which way
It has been done but it would need you to anticipate or be a lot faster over 50m

I like natural boobs · « **Reply #29 on:** July 06, 2023, 02:34:50 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 06, 2023, 01:40:42 pm

Good point, why don't they just tag onto the end of another teams train must be a reason for it . Its more of a tactical sport than most people realise .
I can never fathom out why a rider who is good in the mountain stages is not so good on the flat stages when riding uphill is tougher

The good climbers seem to lack that extra little bit of bulk required to give the power to beat everyone in a sprint for the line. The climbers are always really skinny.
The thing that baffles me is why the pure sprinters are usually quite poor at the individual time trial. It would make sense on a mountain time trial but they don't do well even on flat time trials..

chrishornx · « **Reply #30 on:** July 06, 2023, 02:55:15 pm »

Quote from: timsussex on July 06, 2023, 01:49:58 pm

assuming the train works well then at 50-100m from the line the last leadout man pulls to one side leaving The Sprinter to go for it So if you are following The Sprinter you are 8 ft behind with the line rapidly approaching and he would have a better idea of you as to when the leadout will pull over and which way
It has been done but it would need you to anticipate or be a lot faster over 50m

absolutely correct and pick the wrong side to attack and the leadout is a hindrance

chrishornx · « **Reply #31 on:** July 06, 2023, 02:57:44 pm »

Quote from: I like natural boobs on July 06, 2023, 02:34:50 pm

The good climbers seem to lack that extra little bit of bulk required to give the power to beat everyone in a sprint for the line. The climbers are always really skinny.
The thing that baffles me is why the pure sprinters are usually quite poor at the individual time trial. It would make sense on a mountain time trial but they don't do well even on flat time trials..

in a sprint they tuck in out of the wind behindntheir team until 200 or less from the line. On a flat time trial they are into the wind all the way. Horses for courses

I like natural boobs · « **Reply #32 on:** July 06, 2023, 03:37:18 pm »

Quote from: chrishornx on July 06, 2023, 02:57:44 pm

in a sprint they tuck in out of the wind behindntheir team until 200 or less from the line. On a flat time trial they are into the wind all the way. Horses for courses

Ah yes. I see what you mean. So their slightly bigger frame means that they create more drag which would give them a slight disadvantage on a time trial where there is no shelter from other riders.

chrishornx · « **Reply #33 on:** July 06, 2023, 03:42:55 pm »

Quote from: I like natural boobs on July 06, 2023, 03:37:18 pm

Ah yes. I see what you mean. So their slightly bigger frame means that they create more drag which would give them a slight disadvantage on a time trial where there is no shelter from other riders.

yep. They use 30% less effort hidden behind a big readout with no headwind whilst in an individual time trial they are on their own

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #34 on:** July 06, 2023, 09:50:25 pm »

Good to see another British rider in the top 10 classifications (James Shaw) along with the Yates twins. Tomorrow's stage 7 is another flat stage which will suit the sprinters. Hopefully Cavendish can get his long awaited sprint finish win to claim the outright record of 35 stage wins

chrishornx · « **Reply #35 on:** July 06, 2023, 09:59:24 pm »

He won last time it was in Bordeaux

timsussex · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2023, 03:47:20 am »

Loved the interview with Cav who pointed out that he had arrived 6 minutes inside the cut off for todays mountain stage "that means we were 5 minutes too fast "

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2023, 10:46:42 pm »

Disappointing for Cavendish in today's sprint finish just missing out on stage win 35. Hopefully he will get it on another stage .

chrishornx · « **Reply #38 on:** July 07, 2023, 10:59:08 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 07, 2023, 10:46:42 pm

Disappointing for Cavendish in today's sprint finish just missing out on stage win 35. Hopefully he will get it on another stage .

5 to go

mikecee · « **Reply #39 on:** July 08, 2023, 02:59:35 pm »

After a crash on todays stage Mark Cavendish has abandoned the tour. Early suggestions are a shoulder injury. Sad way to end a glittering tour de France career.

chrishornx · « **Reply #40 on:** July 08, 2023, 04:24:25 pm »

Quote from: mikecee on July 08, 2023, 02:59:35 pm

After a crash on todays stage Mark Cavendish has abandoned the tour. Early suggestions are a shoulder injury. Sad way to end a glittering tour de France career.

Tragic indeed

If it is 'the end'

mr.bluesky · « **Reply #41 on:** July 08, 2023, 04:51:44 pm »

Quote from: chrishornx on July 08, 2023, 04:24:25 pm

Tragic indeed

If it is 'the end'

Sad news, this was going to be his last tour before retirement so unlikely he will set a new record for stage wins. 34 is no bad achievement which we will still share with one of cycling's all time greats Eddie Merckx. He has had a few injuries the past few years so will likely call it a day to spend it with his family ( his wife is former page 3 model Peta Todd - lucky sod)

Private Parts · « **Reply #42 on:** July 08, 2023, 05:14:43 pm »

Quote from: mr.bluesky on July 08, 2023, 04:51:44 pm

Sad news, this was going to be his last tour before retirement so unlikely he will set a new record for stage wins. 34 is no bad achievement which we will still share with one of cycling's all time greats Eddie Merckx. He has had a few injuries the past few years so will likely call it a day to spend it with his family ( his wife is former page 3 model Peta Todd - lucky sod)

Quite

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