Tour de France 2023 ** SPOILERS **

[GuyBoden]

13th July, Tom Simpson TdF Ventoux Anniversary.

 

[Shadow]

Superb win by Izaguirre Jr. Classy and smart.

One for the TdF historians here: when was the last time someone has won a second stage of Le Tour more than 7 years after the first?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Possibly the final stage as somehow he manages to get dropped.

Emotional scenes at goat festival as Pinot narrowly misses out on best in show prize.

 

[Chislenko]

@Chislenko after Cofidis second stage win....
View attachment 698661

It's beyond my wildest dreams Adam. Two wins in one Grand Tour.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

It’s generally accepted as the hardest sporting event in the World.

It isn’t the distance or elevation only, it is racing it. Giving literally 100% day in and day out. Collapsing at the end of tough stages with 2 weeks still to repeat.

I don't think that eg the GC riders give 100% on the dull flat 'sprinters' stages.

 

[DogmaStu]

I don't think that eg the GC riders give 100% on the dull flat 'sprinters' stages.

Semantics; every rider goes through physical 'hell' on the Tour and studies have shown that what these athletes endure over the 3 week race is pretty exceptional, without parallel from other sporting events.

Typically, ultra-endurance athletes cover massive distances at a measured pace that they can manage - take the Race Across America, RAAM, as an example. I know a UK athlete who has competed in that event. He is a diesel who can plod on for longer than most and cover great distances.

He would be dropped on day 1 of the Tour and not make the cut-off time. His ultra-distance palmares are World Class but he does a measured time-trial that tests his ability to cycle a lot with as little rest as possible. It's a different type of stress and a great achievement but..he couldn't do that if he had any single day in his events where he had to give his all in a stage race scenario.

It's the constant racing element of the Tour against other World Class racing Pro's that makes it so brutal. Sure, the GC men have it 'easy' sometimes, flat stages for example, but even those 'easy' days are equal to what an Ultra-Endurance athlete would be doing on other events.

 

[Adam4868]

GC battle on Bastille day 😁

 

[T4tomo]

GC battle on Bastille day 😁

yes almost zero chance of a french winner today, i cant see a break getting or staying away given the pace the GC boys will be doing the climb to the summit finish.

 

[GuyBoden]

Mattias Skjelmose for the win today, if it's not too hot.

He's been really suffering in the extreme temperatures, otherwise, he would be winning the GC battle as I predicted.

 

[T4tomo]

Mattias Skjelmose for the win today, if it's not too hot.

He's been really suffering in the extreme temperatures, otherwise, he would be winning the GC battle as I predicted.

That's a bit like saying Thibaut Pinot would be leading if he wasn't massive steaming pile of under-achieving disappointment who has consistently raised and then dashed the hopes of nation for many years.....

 

[GuyBoden]

That's a bit like saying Thibaut Pinot would be leading if he wasn't massive steaming pile of under-achieving disappointment who has consistently raised and then dashed the hopes of nation for many years.....

No, Mattias Skjelmose is a future cold weather Grand Tour champion in the waiting (waiting as in, waiting for cold weather).

 

[Dogtrousers]

For the win. You can bet your goat fam in it.

 

[Adam4868]

No, Mattias Skjelmose is a future cold weather Grand Tour champion in the waiting (waiting as in, waiting for cold weather).

Tour of Norway ?

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Semantics; every rider goes through physical 'hell' on the Tour and studies have shown that what these athletes endure over the 3 week race is pretty exceptional, without parallel from other sporting events.

Typically, ultra-endurance athletes cover massive distances at a measured pace that they can manage - take the Race Across America, RAAM, as an example. I know a UK athlete who has competed in that event. He is a diesel who can plod on for longer than most and cover great distances.

He would be dropped on day 1 of the Tour and not make the cut-off time. His ultra-distance palmares are World Class but he does a measured time-trial that tests his ability to cycle a lot with as little rest as possible. It's a different type of stress and a great achievement but..he couldn't do that if he had any single day in his events where he had to give his all in a stage race scenario.

It's the constant racing element of the Tour against other World Class racing Pro's that makes it so brutal. Sure, the GC men have it 'easy' sometimes, flat stages for example, but even those 'easy' days are equal to what an Ultra-Endurance athlete would be doing on other events.

I don't disagree with what you say there apart from 'semantics'.

But, on the 'quiet' days whilst they are certainly working pretty hard but it's still not 100% which was my point.

 

[Chap sur le velo]

HAve lots to do but anyone like to speculate what time they will hit the final clilmb. Hope to see it as it happens