Adam4868
Guru
No reckon it was more of the wet descent and why risk it.He didn't really need the stage win to show how dominant he is.
Tour De France 2021 with spoilers
- Thread starter roadrash
- Start date
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This, imo.
Martinsnos
Über Member
I know - I was being ‘naughty’!!!
It's sadly not a surprise. I'm surprised he started yesterday tbh - I thought he looked crocked then. Still, he gave it a shot and credit it to him for that. He was probably hoping to hang in there until the rest day and then reassess.
I've a sneaking suspicion that Thomas will likewise pack, maybe not today but Tuesday. He's clearly not at his best and fell away easily yesterday. I'm not sure he can go into 'damage limitation' mode even.
Martinsnos
Über Member
I’m not sure if ‘all’ the (second!) favourites going out is good for the sport. I think the sport does benefit from familiar faces (however much that irks some people) and losing those characters isn’t good for the ‘brand’?!
Above is not to suggest it is anyone’s fault (a lot was self-inflicted).
Adam4868
Guru
Or maybe Thomas can ride himself into some sort of fitness ? Maybe that's me being a little to optimistic,be good to see someone from Ineos going for a stage win at least.
Adam4868
Guru
How many really know who the "second favourites ' are ? Once someone like Pogi becomes so dominant it's good to see some attacking stages from lesser known riders.Gives a few opportunities they wouldn't normally have.
Martinsnos
Über Member
Agreed to a point. As long as the unknowns become known in a way - the history is based on ‘dominant’ characters (not always a good thing). ‘This year it was x, the following it was y’ isn’t something ‘we’ are used to.
It could be a good thing, no doubt.
Adam4868
Guru
You didn't enjoy the first eight stages ? Who knows what's to come.
hoopdriver
Guru
- Location
- East Sussex
How do you reckon that? The crashes were unfortunate, true, but that’s a part of racing (well, not the woman with the placard) and both the Roglic and Thomas crashes were self inflicted, as was the Ewan crash. The race has certainly opened up considerably and instead of tedious club run days of ‘racing” we’ve been treated to some very dynamic attacking days with interesting results. How is that bad?
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
I've definitely enjoyed it so far. It's been brilliant.
Now ... we've entered into a situation where the main contender takes a stranglehold on the race. This normally happens ... OK a few days later than this but it happens. And over recent years it has happened when a dominant team nullifies all the racing. This year it's happened through self inflicted injuries to the other contenders and the main guy (but not his team) being just too good.
End result is similar, with respect to GC.
It's been crazy - I'm looking forward to the rest.
If you're very, very invested in your favourite winning, or have a serious dislike of the leader for one reason or another then it can be dis-spiriting. But if you're prepared to look at the big picture it's going to be interesting.
Now ... we've entered into a situation where the main contender takes a stranglehold on the race. This normally happens ... OK a few days later than this but it happens. And over recent years it has happened when a dominant team nullifies all the racing. This year it's happened through self inflicted injuries to the other contenders and the main guy (but not his team) being just too good.
End result is similar, with respect to GC.
It's been crazy - I'm looking forward to the rest.
If you're very, very invested in your favourite winning, or have a serious dislike of the leader for one reason or another then it can be dis-spiriting. But if you're prepared to look at the big picture it's going to be interesting.
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