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

[Boehmand]

So in fact, you're telling that if there's a serious chance of riding in the Yellow Jersey once in the Tour de France, biggest boy dreams ever, none of the better climbers/puncheurs outside Pogi or Vingy will try? If there's one opportunity, it's this one and like someone already said; if one GC rider starts, the rest of them will automatically follow.

No, I'm saying I don't think the riders aiming for the podium in Paris will.

It will of course be a hotly contested stage, because of that boyhood dream, but not for the captains with bigger fish to fry.

 

[yaco]

I'd like to see the two Yates battling it out for the win.

 

[Boehmand]

he should obviously go for it. The chance to end up on the podium is minimal anyway.

And that applies for basically everyone apart from Vingegaard and Pogacar, who is yet to do a defensive race.

I think it is difficult to say, because if you go for that early success, you also compromise the long term chances in the race, not just because of that one stage, but also because you then have to spend the team to keep the jersey after.

If I was the lead DS, I would prohibit my GC captains from going for it, but obviously different teams have different ideas

 

[Nick2413]

I think it is difficult to say, because if you go for that early success, you also compromise the long term chances in the race, not just because of that one stage, but also because you then have to spend the team to keep the jersey after.

If I was the lead DS, I would prohibit my GC captains from going for it, but obviously different teams have different ideas

I don’t see why it’s necessary to spend the team to keep the jersey. It really doesn’t matter who’s wearing it until the final week.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I don’t see why it’s necessary to spend the team to keep the jersey. It really doesn’t matter who’s wearing it until the final week.

Yeah, getting the jersey on stage 1 would be much more about getting an advantage over the others (mentally as well). Then they can just give it away afterwards if they don't like the responsibility.

Not that I expect them to do it, but going all-in in the last 10-15 km wouldn't compromise the whole Tour for any of the favourites.

 

[Andre]

Two interesting questions for a first stage like this one:
1.) Who will try to go in the break. Only absolute outsiders or also strong riders?
2.) Which team will chase the break? In other first stages it´s always the team from the prologue winner or the sprinter teams. But on Saturday? With a 100% Pogacar I would have said, that UAE will chase, but after his injury they might take it slow at the start. Jumbo already want to work at the first day? Perhaps a team from a puncheur like Quick-Step for Alaphilippe or Alpecin for van der Poel?

question number 1: 7 or 8 outsiders will go on the break along with 3 or 4 strong riders.
question number 2: AG2R and Bora will do the initial chasing, and then QS and the rest.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673968450559942658

View: https://twitter.com/IsraelPremTech/status/1673968450559942658

Israel have come up with a French jersey and are having the colors represent Israeli landmarks.

 

[DNP-Old]

Congratulations to Sagan for already being the biggest loser of the '23 TDF.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

I'd like to see the two Yates battling it out for the win.

Unfortunately I don’t see Adam getting enough freedom for the stage, even if UAE is saying he’ll be a co leader.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Congratulations to Sagan for already being the biggest loser of the '23 TDF.

Nothing says 'I'm motivated for my final Tour' like partying until 3 in the night and getting so drunk that your alcohol promillage is still triple the legal limit at 11:35 the morning after.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Why wouldnt Skjelmose contest stage 1? Are you actually out of your mind? He's one of the favorites and of course he will try to grab bonus seconds, the stage and yellow if he can.

I like the idea with Pedersen in the break though honestly, but only if its a strong break. No chance on the last climb.

 

[DNP-Old]

Nothing says 'I'm motivated for my final Tour' like partying until 3 in the night and getting so drunk that your alcohol promillage is still triple the legal limit at 11:35 the morning after.

I laugh at Van Avermaet because he is so bad, yet still thinks very highly of himself for some reason. That interview after his oh so deserved non-selection, hysterical. However, he is going down swinging. He is working his ass off out there, trying to make the best of what is an unwinnable fight against Father Time.

This clown on the other hand... If there is the tiniest possibility, I'd expel Sagan from the race already were I in Prudhomme's shoes. Drunk driving, what an idiot.

 

[DNP-Old]

This isn't the first time by the way. He abused an officer whilst drunk two years ago too, because he was scared of a mandatory covid vaccination. He is an alcoholic and a wappie.

 

[Earns1985]

question number 1: 7 or 8 outsiders will go on the break along with 3 or 4 strong riders.
question number 2: AG2R and Bora will do the initial chasing, and then QS and the rest.

To the first one: It´s really an interesting question, how big the GC teams will leave the breakaway group and if good riders will there be allowed. The terrain is also hilly in the beginning, means if there is a real fight for the breakaway, only strong riders should be in it...
The question who will chase will depend of course on the fact, who is in the breakaway. But honestly can´t see Bora chasing here. Their GC man is a typical high mountain 3rd week rider, so they don´t have a big interest to catch the break..

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This isn't the first time by the way. He abused an officer whilst drunk two years ago too, because he was scared of a mandatory covid vaccination. He is an alcoholic and a wappie.

And a groper, let's not forget that part. It doesn't reflect well on the wider cycling fanbase that he was one of the most popular riders for most of his career.

 

[Salvarani]

I laugh at Van Avermaet because he is so bad, yet still thinks very highly of himself for some reason. That interview after his oh so deserved non-selection, hysterical. However, he is going down swinging. He is working his ass off out there, trying to make the best of what is an unwinnable fight against Father Time.

This clown on the other hand... If there is the tiniest possibility, I'd expel Sagan from the race already were I in Prudhomme's shoes. Drunk driving, what an idiot.

An idiot, sure. What he did was wrong and should not be happening.

But he is also probably someone, who isnt in a good place.

We can be quick to cast judgement and curse him out, but the guy is obviously not okay. He needs help. I hope the team or someone close to him cares enough to try and help him, if he isnt gonna do it for himself before he hits rock bottom.

 

[frisenfruitig]

I laugh at Van Avermaet because he is so bad, yet still thinks very highly of himself for some reason. That interview after his oh so deserved non-selection, hysterical. However, he is going down swinging. He is working his ass off out there, trying to make the best of what is an unwinnable fight against Father Time.

This clown on the other hand... If there is the tiniest possibility, I'd expel Sagan from the race already were I in Prudhomme's shoes. Drunk driving, what an idiot.

What interview are you talking about? In the one on Sporza he was pretty humble as far as I can tell. He was hoping to go the tour based on his past achievements and said he would have been fine working for the team/trying to make a breakaway. Perhaps you are referring to some other interview but I don't recall anything hysterical.

Geen Tour voor "ontgoochelde" Van Avermaet: "Had gehoopt mee te mogen met mijn palmares en verleden" | sporza

Geen plek voor sentiment bij AG2R-Citroën in de Tour-selectie. Greg Van Avermaet kon in zijn laatste seizoen geen ticket bemachtigen voor de Grand Départ. "Het is normaal dat ik ontgoocheld ben, anders had ik geen ambitie meer", vertelt hij.

sporza.be

 

[QueenStagiaire]

I‘d say Jumbo chase because Grischa Niermann likes winning and they hope to get Van Aert over the climbs and into the sprint. Also, Jumbo is more than comfortable in the role of the team controlling. But they’ve also historically liked giving leader’s jerseys away (although they won‘t have one here yet), so what do I know. Alpecin will most likely rely on others. Or Pog is bluffing and his team ride a high pace all day up until the final climb. I don‘t see Bora pacing. Maybe Alaphilippe is ready to take a chance.

 

[Lequack]

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

'We really don't have any choice in the matter'

www.cyclingnews.com

"UAE Team Emirates general manager Mauro Gianetti has told L’Equipe that the ongoing uncertainty regarding Tadej Pogačar’s current condition means that Adam Yates will be the team’s co-leader for the Tour de France."

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

'We really don't have any choice in the matter'

www.cyclingnews.com

"UAE Team Emirates general manager Mauro Gianetti has told L’Equipe that the ongoing uncertainty regarding Tadej Pogačar’s current condition means that Adam Yates will be the team’s co-leader for the Tour de France."

Can Pogačar do Roglič‘s job of last year for Yates?

 

[DNP-Old]

What interview are you talking about? In the one on Sporza he was pretty humble as far as I can tell. He was hoping to go the tour based on his past achievements and said he would have been fine working for the team/trying to make a breakaway. Perhaps you are referring to some other interview but I don't recall anything hysterical.

Geen Tour voor "ontgoochelde" Van Avermaet: "Had gehoopt mee te mogen met mijn palmares en verleden" | sporza

Geen plek voor sentiment bij AG2R-Citroën in de Tour-selectie. Greg Van Avermaet kon in zijn laatste seizoen geen ticket bemachtigen voor de Grand Départ. "Het is normaal dat ik ontgoocheld ben, anders had ik geen ambitie meer", vertelt hij.

sporza.be

Some of the juicier quotes are missing in the Sporza article, the one in Het Nieuwsblad offers some more fun. However, that quote about having to be selected due to respect and history is already so delusional. This isn't a charity match. I also think he is overrating his own results in the classics, and it would seem AG2R think so too.

Mostly referring to an interview he gave earlier in the year though, where he thought himself capable of hanging with Mathieu and Wout every now and then. He'd get dropped by Jasper De Buyst a few hours later, lol.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

'We really don't have any choice in the matter'

www.cyclingnews.com

"UAE Team Emirates general manager Mauro Gianetti has told L’Equipe that the ongoing uncertainty regarding Tadej Pogačar’s current condition means that Adam Yates will be the team’s co-leader for the Tour de France."

Almost as believable as the time they claimed Pogacar would be on domestique duty for Aru.

 

[SafeBet]

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

Gianetti says Adam Yates is UAE's Tour de France co-leader alongside Pogacar

'We really don't have any choice in the matter'

www.cyclingnews.com

"UAE Team Emirates general manager Mauro Gianetti has told L’Equipe that the ongoing uncertainty regarding Tadej Pogačar’s current condition means that Adam Yates will be the team’s co-leader for the Tour de France."

UAE is the same team who said Aru and Pogacar were co-leaders before the 2020 Tour...

 

[DNP-Old]

What the hell is this abomination of a US jersey? Everything ruined by Lidl.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Can Pogačar do Roglič‘s job of last year for Yates?

It's clear that Vinge will be only focusing on Pog, who one day will perform a huge, suicidal attack. Obviously at the end it'll be Adam on the top podium spot in Paris. Gianetti didn't say that Pog would be a super domestique to fool JV.