Tour de France 2023 Tour de France, Stage 1: Bilbao - Bilbao, 182 km (Spain, Saturday, July 1)

[Lequack]

So this is official. We'll hear snippets of teams race radio during broadcast

https://twitter.com/x/status/1674680185927487488

View: https://twitter.com/inrng/status/1674680185927487488?t=T_Gy6m4dEn_-zFoa9znguw&s=19

Eh, I don't like it. They're trying to make an F1 spectacle out of it, and it's not good. It''s adding drama artificially, like reality shows. Ever since the F1 franchise was bought out they've been trying to add this artificial drama, but cycling doesn't need this.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Is that really something we need?

It didn't really add a whole lot to the women's race last year, but the teams will receive a whopping 5000 Euros each for agreeing to it.

 

[SafeBet]

Is that really something we need?

I guess what we (meaning cycling nerds) need might differ from what the general public needs.
It's pretty clear to me that cycling is trying to cater to a bigger audience and experimenting a few things that might work or not work.

 

[Aimar16]

Luckily they start in Spain, but I don't know how safe it will be next week in France.

 

[Tim Cahill]

I miss Remco.

Before some press managers told him to tone it down anyway

 

[dazaau]

Eh, I don't like it. They're trying to make an F1 spectacle out of it, and it's not good. It''s adding drama artificially, like reality shows. Ever since the F1 franchise was bought out they've been trying to add this artificial drama, but cycling doesn't need this.

Why is everyone in here against being entertained probably preferred it when the results were just written in the paper

 

[Berniece]

Is that really something we need?

What's the problem with it? Don't you think it's fun to also see the team celebrate or see how they react to certain scenarios? Gives you more insights in how they operate. What's the difference with a documentary about SQS or Jumbo? Isn't it to know more about the teams internally?

 

[DNP-Old]

In principle, these images offer nothing more than ''hup, hup, hup'', ''dai, dai, dai'' or ''venga'', but it is not surprising to see Alpecin refuse to partake. Their BoD, mainly Roodhooft, is probably #1 when it comes to being unsympathetic. Roodhooft always has the face of someone who just received the news that their rabbit died.

 

[armchairclimber]

Judging from what I've seen of the netflix series, there'll be a lot of bleeping.

 

[tobydawq]

What's the problem with it? Don't you think it's fun to also see the team celebrate or see how they react to certain scenarios? Gives you more insights in how they operate. What's the difference with a documentary about SQS or Jumbo? Isn't it to know more about the teams internally?

Sure, but I would think it can interrupt the transmission quite a lot if we have to hear 17 different sporting directeurs telling their riders to remember to eat, drink, stay together and get to the front 10 times each stage.

 

[dazaau]

Sure, but I would think it can interrupt the transmission quite a lot if we have to hear 17 different sporting directeurs telling their riders to remember to eat, drink, stay together and get to the front 10 times each stage.

Yes, not sure how they will execute it. Presumably each broadcaster will get the info to use as they see fit in their broadcast

 

[Boehmand]

Sure, but I would think it can interrupt the transmission quite a lot if we have to hear 17 different sporting directeurs telling their riders to remember to eat, drink, stay together and get to the front 10 times each stage.

Let's wait and see how it is employed.

When watching Formula 1, I enjoy the occasional driver/garage radio communication, as it is usually quite relevant to tactics - or a bit of drama between drivers.

IMO the crew producing the Tour, are usually quite skillful in how they present the entertainment to the viewers, so I would assume (or at least hope) they are with radio communications as well.

 

[tobydawq]

Yes, not sure how they will execute it. Presumably each broadcaster will get the info to use as they see fit in their broadcast

Okay, that's fine then. Danish TV2 know what they're doing.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Vingegaard dismisses favourite tag handily. He has the right mindset, it seems.

It depends on who is in the best shape in the end. I don't think it matters to say who is the big favourite – I can also say that he is the big favourite. I only think about myself and preparing myself as good as possible. I think about what I can do to improve. In the last two months I've only been thinking about the training and being fully optimal for the Tour de France. As I said before, I think I am where I want to be and I'm happy with my shape

On one hand you can say that you're the hunted but I'm also still hunting the victory. In that case it's not that different from last year.

 

[SafeBet]

Sure, but I would think it can interrupt the transmission quite a lot if we have to hear 17 different sporting directeurs telling their riders to remember to eat, drink, stay together and get to the front 10 times each stage.

Sounds like a dream when you're listening to Kirby. Where do I sign?

 

[Berniece]

Sure, but I would think it can interrupt the transmission quite a lot if we have to hear 17 different sporting directeurs telling their riders to remember to eat, drink, stay together and get to the front 10 times each stage.

Haha, yeah I hope this will be managed by the director. That they'll only show interesting stuff. And preferably picture-in-picture

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

What's the problem with it?

Kidology is part of tactics. Is that rider in the break really incapable of contributing,or is he pulling faces while holding something back for an attack. He may be lying to his breakaway companions (or compatriots, as Carlton will insist on calling them), but is he really going to mislead his DS?

Do DSes clear their broadcasts for broadcast (in which case only the most inane encouragement will be shared), or does the broadcaster have the right to share anything they wish? If the latter, does it change the way DSes use their communication? Will they have to be wary of what they make public? Will the riders be left without instructions/knowledge they would have had in another race?

It could add some interest,but that will not necessarily be without cost.

 

[theyoungest]

Eh, I don't like it. They're trying to make an F1 spectacle out of it, and it's not good. It''s adding drama artificially, like reality shows. Ever since the F1 franchise was bought out they've been trying to add this artificial drama, but cycling doesn't need this.

I don't even like it in F1. You can clearly hear that it's mostly just a performance for the people at home.

 

[Nick2413]

Kidology is part of tactics. Is that rider in the break really incapable of contributing,or is he pulling faces while holding something back for an attack. He may be lying to his breakaway companions (or compatriots, as Carlton will insist on calling them), but is he really going to mislead his DS?

Do DSes clear their broadcasts for broadcast (in which case only the most inane encouragement will be shared), or does the broadcaster have the right to share anything they wish? If the latter, does it change the way DSes use their communication? Will they have to be wary of what they make public? Will the riders be left without instructions/knowledge they would have had in another race?

It could add some interest,but that will not necessarily be without cost.

It’ll probably only be the most basic stuff like they do in the NFL and NBA with pump up speeches and encouragement. A lot of pulling up the radio feed whenever a rider has a mechanical or has to get back to the peloton. Probably restricted on key stages and moments as well. Could be kind of cool I guess..

 

[Boehmand]

Reading/listening up on some of the interviews of the past day, I will have to revise a few positions slightly:

It sounds like Pogacar will use stage 1 to test if he is in Tour shape, so not the conservative tactics I expected. He does also say a lesson from last year is being smarter about how to spend strength, so we will still see a more conservative Pogacar generally, but apparently not on stage 1.

Trek say Skjelmose is given freedom to ride GC (so not a "all for 1" strategy), but also say he has been in top shape for a long time - alluding to questioning his durability themselves. This IMO makes it more likely he will be a candidate for stage 1, rather than doing the "GC thing" and just follow the other captains, as the focus might be to make results early while the shape is there.

Mads Pedersen saying at the team presentation he might go for green surprises me. I thought he - like MvdP and WvA - would save himself on quite a few stages, to not be burned out when Worlds roll around.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

What the riders and DSs answer to all these questions they get, and how the race unfolds are two very different stories.

 

[Boehmand]

What the riders and DSs answer to all these questions they get, and how the race unfolds are two very different stories.

Yes, otherwise nobody would watch

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Yes, otherwise nobody would watch

What I meant was that the answers you get rarely align with what they really want to do & think.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

Most of all, by the way, Roglic is like the „King of the Basque Country“… How sad that he doesn‘t join the Grand Depart in Bilbao. So many stages are tailormade for him.

I still hope for his last minute entry, by the way… ;-)

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Most of all, by the way, Roglic is like the „King of the Basque Country“… How sad that he doesn‘t join the Grand Depart in Bilbao. So many stages are tailormade for him.

I still hope for his last minute entry, by the way… ;-)

Vingegaard looked weak and starving during yesterday's team presentation, he could barely talk. I think Primoz will be a last minute replacement to deliver the Slovenian battle we've been waiting for!