Tour de France 2020

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by Burgundy Red, Aug 29, 2020.

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  1. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    Just watching Le Grand Départ. It seems Marion Rousse, the former professional cyclist who is a presenter for the French TV coverage these days, has divorced Tony Gallopin and is "en couple avec Julian Alaphilippe". Fortunately the former isn't in AG2R's team this year otherwise that could have made for some very awkward interviews.

    The cycling might be interesting too. Roglic seems to be the bookies' favourite but I wouldn't bet against Bernal retaining the maillot jaune.
     
    Burgundy Red, Aug 29, 2020
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  2. jjs

    jjsmiff Active Member

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    not sure Bernal has the form this year yet, and Roglic had the crash in the dauphine. Looks very open for a change.

    cheering for Pinot here as Ineos is not clearly a "British" team this year (and in my fantasy team) and Adam Yates is racing for stage wins
     
    jjsmiff, Aug 29, 2020
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  3. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    I'd be happy with a Pinot win as well, @jjsmiff. As you say, in the absence of a serious British challenge in the GC it's a different proposition this year. I was disappointed there's no Cav again to cheer on for stage wins but he said himself he wasn't ready.

    There's live coverage on ITV4 in the UK, for anyone interested.
     
    Burgundy Red, Aug 29, 2020
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  4. Dja

    Django Well-Known Member

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    I fancy Pogacar based on him been the best of the riders who doesn’t have any questions around him over form & injuries.

    Bernal & Roglic both pulled out of the Dauphiné injured, Dumoulin returning after over 2 years without riding a grand tour, Alaphilippe not proven over three weeks etc & as much as I’d love him to win Pinot seems cursed.

    It should be the craziest tour in years with riders form all over the place. Think it’ll come down to who doesn’t have a bad day rather than who’s the strongest climber
     
    Django, Aug 29, 2020
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  5. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    It would be very easy to have a bad day today. Conditions look pretty treacherous.
     
    Burgundy Red, Aug 29, 2020
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  6. Met

    Metatarsal Well-Known Member

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    I'm struggling to hazard a guess who will win it this year. As Django says, the usual favourites aren't in consistent form, and there's the two month delay to factor in, both in terms of the impact on rider preparation and also the possibility of more variable weather.

    It looks like a race in November at the moment.
     
    Metatarsal, Aug 29, 2020
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  7. Dja

    Django Well-Known Member

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    True Sivakov already looks like he could be home bound.
     
    Django, Aug 29, 2020
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  8. jjs

    jjsmiff Active Member

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    mad first stage with the crashes. it could be a strange winner this year especially with the covid rules that could see whole teams sent home
     
    jjsmiff, Aug 29, 2020
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  9. red

    red24/7 Well-Known Member

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    our lass will be fuming she loves Alaphilipe, I thought he was riding for other team, so much for my gaydar

    that Marion is a bonnie lass though
     
    red24/7, Aug 29, 2020
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  10. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    Bonnie enough for me to muddle along with the French coverage rather than switch over to ITV4. I like Ned Boulting, just not in the same way.
     
    Burgundy Red, Aug 29, 2020
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  11. upt

    upthecolliers Well-Known Member

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    My tip to finish in the 1st 3 and possibly win it Richard Carapaz.
     
    upthecolliers, Aug 30, 2020
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  12. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    Interesting shout, given the team's record with apparent deputies showing strongly and even going on to win.

    It'll be interesting today to see who's brought their climbing legs with them. Unusual to see two category 1 climbs so early in the route.
     
    Burgundy Red, Aug 30, 2020
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  13. upt

    upthecolliers Well-Known Member

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    It will be interesting let's hope the rain keeps off as there were too many crashes yesterday Tony Martin called a truce at one point in the downhill but then the silly Astarna team nearly lost a rider by shooting off.
     
    upthecolliers, Aug 30, 2020
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  14. Burgundy Red

    Burgundy Red Well-Known Member

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    That was crazy. Their team leader, no less. I've never been a big fan of Astana and they hardly covered themselves in glory there. Got plenty of stick for it from the rest of the peloton, apparently.
     
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2020
    Burgundy Red, Aug 30, 2020
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  15. Mrs

    MrsHallsToffeerolls Well-Known Member

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    Be nice to see how Valverde fairs now he does not have Quintana to help, age not in his favour narrdays but still a top rider.
     
    MrsHallsToffeerolls, Aug 30, 2020
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  16. Dja

    Django Well-Known Member

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    I think he’ll outperform Bernal.

    I think his giro win in 19 was a lot more impressive than Bernal winning the tour.
     
    Django, Aug 30, 2020
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  17. red

    red24/7 Well-Known Member

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    Alaphilipe is a legend
     
    red24/7, Aug 30, 2020
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  18. dreamboy3000

    dreamboy3000 Well-Known Member

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    Hope the whole event gets to finish because Macron will be keeping an eye on this......

     
    dreamboy3000, Aug 30, 2020
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  19. upt

    upthecolliers Well-Known Member

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    What I've seen on T.V. is that 99% of the roadside public are wearing masks.
     
    upthecolliers, Aug 31, 2020
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  20. Sco

    Scoff Well-Known Member

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    I don't think Cav has the legs to win any more stages. I suspect he will retire soon - 35 is old for a sprinter.
     
    Scoff, Aug 31, 2020
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