Tour de France 2024 SPOILERS

[ebikeerwidnes]

Ok - well he is entered for the Olympic - or was last time I checked!

 

[T4tomo]

Morkov left the tour after stage 11, it was Ballerini who improved by one place on the TT.

yes sorry wrong teammate!

 

[T4tomo]

So - is Pog going to enter the Vuelta??

No. Olympic road race and World championships. Only Tratnik on the startlist for Slov in the TT, so dont think Pog's bothering with that.

 

[tarric]

Lol....even you have to admit Remcos been class ! Exceeded everyone's expectations....except myself obviously 😁

There's no doubt he's good just not at the same level as Pogacar and Vinegaard when it comes to Grand Tours. I had my doubts like many that he would explode in the high mountains and he didn't so good for him but he also did what I doubted he was capable of doing and settled for a podium finish rather than trying to win, by not chase them when they attached instead settling into his own rhythm which sometimes got him back to them and sometimes didn't and also not chasing stage wins IMHO got him the best result possible. By curbing his love to race every day which showed maturity and will help him in the future.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

No. Olympic road race and World championships. Only Tratnik on the startlist for Slov in the TT, so dont think Pog's bothering with that.

Well I suppose Giro, Tour, Rainbow bands and gold medal is not too bad for one year

gotta leave something to aim for next year!!!!

I do wonder how long Cav's new record will stand given the way Pog is looking at the moment

Of course, Vinegaard was not fully fit and Eveneepoel was only in his first Tour
so there is some possible contenders for the future
and you never know who will pop up

 

[Aravis]

Doesn't look like it according to Matxin.

"This year, it was the Giro-Tour double. He's now old enough to ride two Grand Tours a year, but we always look ahead. If he were to ride the Vuelta too, he'd end up racing four Grand Tours in one year, which would take its toll. It can't be that he makes history this year and isn't competitive next year."

Yes, I saw this, and although I'd dearly like to see history made, I have to accept that he and his advisors know more than I do. I don't quite follow the maths (BIB) though.

When I'm watching the final podium of the Tour, to me the guys always look as though they could start the Vuelta tomorrow. I appreciate that they are actually tired, but riding the Vuelta and maybe not be competitive next year? I'm doubtful, but it's a good line.

I understand the worlds course is pretty much made for Pogacar this time. And teammates like Yates and Almeida need their chances as well.

 

[T4tomo]

I don't quite follow the maths (BIB) though.

Tour 23 / Giro 24 /Tour 24 / Vuelta 24 in pretty much a 12 month period (well 12 months and 3 weeks).

Also Pog started this season in March with Strade Bianchi, he will defo need some rest. Vuelta would be madness and knacker his chances for the WC's

 

[rich p]

Can't help wondering if that's also Cav's last race?
It would seem a massive anti-climax to come in 5th a few times at the Tour of Poland or some such.

 

[T4tomo]

Can't help wondering if that's also Cav's last race?
It would seem a massive anti-climax to come in 5th a few times at the Tour of Poland or some such.

Didn't he sort of confirm it was in interviews?

"Was this your last race?"

"I think so.."

 

[SpokeyDokey]

In one of the post-tour interviews of Poj he basically said the Vuelta was not on the schedule for this year. Although he really wants to wear the rainbow jersey 'once in his career'.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I understand the worlds course is pretty much made for Pogacar this time.

Is it though?

I'm not making any claims to actually know what I'm talking about, but as a city circuit with a 2k 6% climb I imagine MVDP will not be all that depressed at the sight of it either.

 

[matticus]

Is it though?

I'm not making any claims to actually know what I'm talking about, but as a city circuit with a 2k 6% climb I imagine MVDP will not be all that depressed at the sight of it either.

Fair point. But ... what sort of course would you prefer, if you were part of Team Pog?

 

[MichaelW2]

Can these guys fit the Paris Olympics into their racing schedule?
That forthcoming event was the reason the finale was changed from la gloire de la France to a fine municipal carnival .

 

[rich p]

Didn't he sort of confirm it was in interviews?

"Was this your last race?"

"I think so.."

Ah, I didn't see that but hope it is his final bow.

 

[T4tomo]

So 2024 WC course:
this looks really hilly when shown like this

This less so. when you look closely there is about 5km of uphill, in each 27km circuit, 3.4km of which is in the two "sustained climb" sections, one is an elevation gain of 100m closely followed by another what looks like 130m ish gain

so its not super super hilly, but after 8 circuits on top of the opening 70km it will be testing the legs of the climbers and one day specialists. No point any specialist sprinters entering this one!