41th Route du Sud (2.1)

[Escarabajo]

Re:

For the second year in a row it's a pretty easy route compared with previous editions.

You must have the stamina of Eddy Merckx!

 

[Frankschleck]

Re: Re:

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

what happened to him, he issnt even that old :/

Yeah, according to CQ ranking he was riding for AG2R until the end of last year, didn't even realise he had retired.

sad was a good rider

 

[Red Rick]

Re: Re:

When the combined routes of the Route du Sud and the Dauphiné, combined a grand 12 stages, are decidedly better than the Tour de France.

You're welcome.

Daaaaaaaamn

 

[Netserk]

^^True heir to Parlulzo

 

[Leinster]

Re:

We have a lot of ideas for the next years. Add a hilly stage or a medium mountain one is an option. But we also have to manage with candidate cities and to design the route by taking into account all the constraints (budget, accomodation, UCI rules, administrative authorizations etc.)

By example, there are more than 150kms of dirty roads (strade bianche) in the Languedoc, not very far from Montpellier, Sète and Clermont-l'Hérault. It would be awesome to design a stage in this area, but 2 weeks before the Tour, is it really the good way to attract big names at the start ?

Antoine, thank you for your posts about the route design, it's really interesting to hear about this from someone involved in the logistics.

Could it be possible that we would ever see a stage of the Route du Sud go up to Cap de Long? It's the most stunning road I've ever ridden, but I understand it's also restricted by being part of a national park.

 

[rick james]

Re:

Daamn the Sky crew means business in this race, still doesn't know why at least one of them isnt riding Suisse instead lol. Maybe they think that race is too demanding ahead of TdF or something #marginalgains

the thing is they all won't all turn up with their A game, it would be good to see with a team like that but I think a few of them will be taking it a bit easier

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Re: Re:

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

what happened to him, he issnt even that old :/

Stopped being a pro, but still ate like a pro. Looks like.

 

[Tank Engine]

Re:

Daamn the Sky crew means business in this race, still doesn't know why at least one of them isnt riding Suisse instead lol. Maybe they think that race is too demanding ahead of TdF or something #marginalgains

That squad is extreme for a 2.1 race. Strong and well balanced. It will be interesting to see how they race it, but I guess it will be mostly training. Maybe Elissonde will be able to go for GC.

I'm also wondering if Duran Duran will show something here.

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

 

[Robert5091]

What's the odds on Sky winning everything? Could be worth a bet.

 

[s.i.]

On paper Skys roster here kind of seems stronger than many teams can put together for the Tour. Reckon Henao is in ok form, probably Thomas too, curious to see where Poels is at.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Ill eagerly follow the mountain stage in this race, good chances of telling us what kind of a Tour we can expect. Hopefully Poels doesnt feel aight before August.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

https://twitter.com/botero31/status/860059940077137920
The guy on the right won a hilly stage in the Tour de France 2014. Yep, that's Blel Kadri.

That's the guy who ate Blel Kadri. I had wondered what happened to him after Ag2r didn't renew his contract. I didn't see a retirement announcement but I also didn't see him join a smaller team. If he's done that's a real pity as he was a fun attacking rider who was capable of an occasional big win.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Re: Re:

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

What's so stupid about his name?

 

[kingjr]

Re: Re:

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

What's so stupid about his name?

Not Benjamin's name, the nickname, Tank Engine. Referring to Tomas Vaitkus, I believe.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re: Re:

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

What's so stupid about his name?

Not Benjamin's name, the nickname, Tank Engine. Referring to Tomas Vaitkus, I believe.

sure that it's not Thomas The Tank engine, as in the popular kid's show?

 

[kingjr]

Re: Re:

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

What's so stupid about his name?

Not Benjamin's name, the nickname, Tank Engine. Referring to Tomas Vaitkus, I believe.

sure that it's not Thomas The Tank engine, as in the popular kid's show?

No, I'm not sure. But I dont know any popular kid's shows, I only know cycling

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

That's my problem as well. Just googled Thomas The Tank, never heard of it before...

 

[Tank Engine]

Re: Re:

I'm starting to follow Benjamin Thomas after his victory in the however many days of Dunkirk race. I'm stuck with this stupid name and the original is not going to riding for ever

What's so stupid about his name?

Not Benjamin's name, the nickname, Tank Engine. Referring to Tomas Vaitkus, I believe.

sure that it's not Thomas The Tank engine, as in the popular kid's show?

True, strictly speaking the original is Thomas the Tank Engine, the character from the children's stories written by a Welsh vicar and later made into a cartoon series with Ringo Starr narrating. It was used as a nickname of my favourite rider, as correctly stated Tomas Vaitkus , which is the original, and still present source, of my user name.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

When I saw Thomas the tank engine had reacted I tought someone created an account just to make this remark

 

[TourOfSardinia]

 

[DNP-Old]

Carapaz looking real good for GC suddenly.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Excellent race action today. Beam me over to the place, Scotty.

 

[fauniera]

First Cannondale rider at +5:56. :lol:

Astana also, but they brought mostly rouleurs.

 

[Alexandre B.]

What a year for l'Armée de Terre. They fully deserve Pro Continental status.

 

[yaco]

Re:

What a year for l'Armée de Terre. They fully deserve Pro Continental status.

This - Having an excellent year for a CT team - Do they have the money or desire or finances for PCT ?