Cycling

[theadore]

The UCI rule book is almost deliberately vague on a lot of these things to give the directeur latitude and cover for these decisions... But ultimately neutralising / cutting short stages has precident and is just the reality of what is an extreme sporting event. There was a similar incident when Quintana won the Giro a few years ago.

The riders can quibble, but they were asking for some protection just days before.. and ultimately Prodhomme (sp?) Had very little time to make a call.

[mrblackbat]

Neutralising stages does have the precedent, and by neutralising it returns the stage to the state at the start really. For example Cadel Evans' puncture incident, or the Milan San Remo where they upped and moved the race. I don't recall seeing a stage be stopped and times still be awarded, which for me is against precedent. Especially to pick a point in the race prior to the decision to stop it.

[mrblackbat]

Nice to see Tom Pidcock take a stage today at the Tour, on the Alpe d'Huez. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/ ... e-day-live

[Ethiaa]

It's actually feeling a little bit open at the moment... which is a pity as I have no time to watch any of it.

In not really related news, I picked up an old but immaculate Boardman CX Team for £100 the other week. I can only assume the bloke I bought it off had stolen it.

[mrblackbat]

Nah, I think Vingegaard has it wrapped up following Pogacar cracking the other day. Though it was great tactics from Jumbo Visma that attacked him while exposed on the flats, coupled with misfortune for UAE that they lost two riders to covid. Tbh, Pogacar should have just let Roglic go on one of them. Thomas would have had to respond if he had.

[Ethiaa]

I am not so sure it's wrapped up... but I kinda hope so

[mrblackbat]

Well there's only really two days left of serious mountains where a chunk of time can be brought back, and the TT is flat as a pancake and all these guys are good enough time triallers that I don't think there'll be big differences.

Jumbo-Visma also have an incredibly strong team, and they're all doing their bit on different days to protect Vingegaard. Both Roglic and Kruijswijk are serious GC contenders in their own right.

I don't see Geraint Thomas being able to launch the kind of attack needed to make up the difference, so it'd need to be Pogacar gets away, or Vingegaard cracks.

[Ethiaa]

...either of which are possible. So I'm not so sure yet.

[mrblackbat]

Possible, but I think the status quo is more likely.

[Ethiaa]

More likely... but not sure!

[Gibbon]

Possible, but I think the status quo is more likely.

Surely not now that Rick Parfitt’s dead?

[mrblackbat]

Pogacar just cracked. Green jersey leading out the Yellow on the final climb of the tour. Mad.

[Ethiaa]

Done and done. Just finished watching the last 90 mins once I got home, well worth the wait. Loved the handshake after that little off.

[mrblackbat]

Yeah they've been great competitors throughout. Pogacar's feint yesterday before the stage win was great.

Duel reminded me of Schleck v Contador in 2010, especially the stage on the Tourmalet.