Tour de France 2023

[DJWrongspeed]

Overall route here

Prompted to start this thread after watching TdF Unchained. Wout Van Aert emerged the biggest star.
What's everyone's predictions for GC?
1) Vingegaard (League of his own)
2) If everyone else crashes then Jai Hindley or Adam Yates.

 

[spitfire]

Overall route here

Prompted to start this thread after watching TdF Unchained. Wout Van Aert emerged the biggest star.
What's everyone's predictions for GC?
1) Vingegaard (League of his own)
2) If everyone else crashes then Jai Hindley or Adam Yates.

My mate's doing the etape the mad bastard.

Really enjoying Unchained.

Route

The Tour de France for non-professional riders.

www.letapedutourdefrance.com

 

[stavros]

1) Vingegaard (League of his own)

Isn't Pog the unknown here? UAE looked pretty strong in the Dauphiné, albeit maybe behind Jumbo, and he surely will have learned from last year's mistakes.

Is Cav definitely going? If so expect a lot of talk about the stage record.

 

[Sweet FA]

Watch bits of it every year - love France/French culture and have driven or been driven all over the place in the last 40 years. I've got vivid memories of being around 6 or 7 years old and the Tour going near/through St Malo. The Ricard team were staying in the hotel we were at and I got loads of cycling caps and autographs from the team. TdF Unchained has really got me into the whole thing again.

Is it still quite dirty?

 

[DJWrongspeed]

Isn't Pog the unknown here? UAE looked pretty strong in the Dauphiné, albeit maybe behind Jumbo, and he surely will have learned from last year's mistakes.

Pog is indeed unknown but Jumbo have the better team and Vingegaard looks unstoppable.
From the Tour de Suisse UAE's Juan Ayuso is looking like a new potential GC rider.
I thought Gaudu had a chance after Paris Nice but is wildly inconsistent as is Carapaz this season.

 

[hash tag]

It is looking good for Cav - Startlist for Tour de France 2023

 

[hash tag]

I see froomey is out..no real surprises there. I guess it's over for him now.

 

[stavros]

Pogacar reckons his injury was a good thing.

 

[DJWrongspeed]

I see froomey is out..no real surprises there. I guess it's over for him now.

He ought to smell the coffee, 97th in Tour de Romandie isn’t indicative of any wins soon. Retiring this year would be honourable.

 

[spitfire]

Watched the Netflix tour thing. Was brilliant and Mlle Fire loved it too. She’s French but had no idea of the multi faceted layers of the race.

Bit harsh that they make the riders generate electricity for the team buses after the stage though.

 

[twistedAM]

Watched the Netflix tour thing. Was brilliant and Mlle Fire loved it too. She’s French but had no idea of the multi faceted layers of the race.

Bit harsh that they make the riders generate electricity for the team buses after the stage though.

I heard it was a bit of Jumbo love in. I'm not on Netflix right now so made do with 'Wolfpack' that followed Quickstep's (well basically Remo's) stellar 2022 season on Prime.

 

[Cid]

I heard it was a bit of Jumbo love in. I'm not on Netflix right now so made do with 'Wolfpack' that followed Quickstep's (well basically Remo's) stellar 2022 season on Prime.

I believe they had no access to UAE, they're doing their own thing or something.

Lefevere also comes out of it looking vaguely normal, which is clearly a misstep.

e2a: didn't know about the Amazon one, will have to have a look.

 

[hash tag]

Madness or romantic. How about Biniam for an outside bet?

The Documentary Podcast - Biniam Girmay: Africa’s new cycling hero - BBC Sounds

A 2023 profile of the first black African cyclist to win a stage at the Tour de France

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[1927]

Flying down tomorrow to take in the first 3days.

 

[Cid]

Madness or romantic. How about Biniam for an outside bet?

The Documentary Podcast - Biniam Girmay: Africa’s new cycling hero - BBC Sounds

A 2023 profile of the first black African cyclist to win a stage at the Tour de France

www.bbc.co.uk

He's got as good a chance as many... Though the peloton is probably getting a better idea of his abilities, and anyone he's in a breakaway with is going to be wary if there's a sprintish finish. Actual sprint finishes he may well be in with a shout if things get chaotic and he's in a position to take advantage.

 

[stavros]

From what I've heard most of the other GC contenders regard Pog and Vinnie as way above anyone else. As such it could be a good scrap for third, assuming they both finish.

 

[Cid]

Yes, I don't think Girmay has much hope of GC, talking stage win.

 

[twistedAM]

He's got as good a chance as many... Though the peloton is probably getting a better idea of his abilities, and anyone he's in a breakaway with is going to be wary if there's a sprintish finish. Actual sprint finishes he may well be in with a shout if things get chaotic and he's in a position to take advantage.

I fancy him to beat Van Aert in a reduced sprint unless they drag along Jasper Philipsen.
I'll watch the highlights the night he wins. Same for Cav and Alaphilippe.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Pog is going to win. Calling it now.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

Yes, I don't think Girmay has much hope of GC, talking stage win.

He has zero GC chance, it’s not why he’s there.

 

[planetgeli]

From what I've heard most of the other GC contenders regard Pog and Vinnie as way above anyone else.

If you are a betting person you can currently make 10-11% above your stake if you think one of those two will win (by betting correct amounts on both).

You can get 6/5 (V) and 5/4 (P).

Guaranteed 10% profit if either win.

It's a certainty, surely?

 

[rubbershoes]

I'm a bit out of the loop.

Who's the leader for Tinkoff these days?

How are Deutsche Telekom doing?

 

[hash tag]

My money would go on Vinnie for win and Binmie for an each way. I think it's presentations tomorrow?

 

[hash tag]

If anyone were to go and watch the tour where would you go. Having seen stage starts, stages finishes etc. For me best value to pick a town that hosts the finish and then the start next day. This year at Mont Blanc sounds perfect.

 

[hash tag]

Presentation starts on television at 17.30 this evening (bed time for me).

 

[hash tag]

It's raining, it looks like a slippery surface that's getting wet. I can't help feeling someone will be going down soon.

 

[twistedAM]

I believe they had no access to UAE, they're doing their own thing or something.

Lefevere also comes out of it looking vaguely normal, which is clearly a misstep.

e2a: didn't know about the Amazon one, will have to have a look.

The Wolfpack (Amazon) is alright but there's loads of Rob Hatch providing little insight in a very excitable way. Thankfully they got Contador to fill the gaps.
Remco is an interesting character - still seems to have the footballer mentality about him rather than the more chilled cycling personality. I like that.
Also lots of kudos for the likes of Pieter Serry who comes out of it as a top dude.

 

[1927]

It was always going to e a stretch to make it to Bilbao in time for presentation and an hour delayed flight made it an impossibility. Staying in Saint Jean du Luz, so heading for Gernika on saturday, as race passes through twice over space of a couple of hours. Sunday will be in Saint Sebastian and on monday it passes about 100yards away from villa we've rented for 5 days.

 

[sleaterkinney]

What worked well for JV last year was having multiple leaders. I don’t buy UAE playing it down this year. Pog for me.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Madness or romantic. How about Biniam for an outside bet?

The Documentary Podcast - Biniam Girmay: Africa’s new cycling hero - BBC Sounds

A 2023 profile of the first black African cyclist to win a stage at the Tour de France

www.bbc.co.uk

He could totally win a stage or two.