Ardèche Classic (February 26) and Drôme Classic (February 27) 2022

[RedheadDane]

This race has been quite fun to watch, being Danish!

 

[CyclistAbi]

Alaphilippe done at the beginning of the ramp Vine go dropping Ayuso.

Congrats!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Impressive ride by Vingegaard.
I thought Martin was killing himself just to get 5th, but he was not too bad in the end.

 

[johnymax]

Vingegaard now the favourite for the Tour.

 

[RedheadDane]

Vingegaard now the favourite for the Tour.

The Tour favourite seems to change by the hour.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Strong performances by Vingegaard and Ayuso, great breakaway. Congrats to the Dane on his victory (maybe this year he'll be strong in more than a couple of races per season), tough luck for Ayuso, who got weaker at the end. Surprisingly Ala was dropped at the end.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

You can watch this, and then swap to Kuurne afterwards. Nice of the two races to not be finishing at the same time.

And of course there's also Hagelandt (look in the Women's race thread for a link to the stream).

Yeah doing that now. I usually watch the cobbles as first preference but after yesterday thought I'd give the hilly race a go.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Vingegaard now the favourite for the Tour.

Vaughters already told us

 

[Eeslliw]

Vingegaard now the favourite for the Tour.

If he drops Pogi in Tirreno–Adriatico, I will start to believe

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

Strong performances by Vingegaard and Ayuso, great breakaway. Congrats to the Dane on his victory, tough luck for Ayuso, who got weaker at the end. Surprisingly Ala was dropped at the end.

Looked like cramp.

 

[SafeBet]

Fun race today.
Vingegaard already in good shape. Ayuso finally showing his class.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Yeah. Rogla likely working for Vine go at La Flèche Wallonne.

Nice race.

 

[johnymax]

It'll be interesting to watch Jonas vs Pogi in T-A.

 

[RedheadDane]

Yeah doing that now. I usually watch the cobbles as first preference but after yesterday thought I'd give the hilly race a go.

I just tend to focus on the race that's closest to the finish.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

It'll be interesting to watch Jonas vs Pogi in T-A.

We will see, it could be interesting with also Remco here. Jonas & Primoz look like a dream duo to try to topple Pog at the Tour (if not them then who?)

 

[CyclistAbi]

Basically what we have seen today could indeed be a strong leverage on JV side. At the bigger races. But then again on bigger races it will likely be harder for Vingegaard to put himself in such position. But this is it. What we have already speculated that could happen.

 

[johnymax]

We will see, it could be interesting with also Remco here. Jonas & Primoz look like a dream duo to try to topple Pog at the Tour (if not them then who?)

They really do. Both great climbers, time trialists, very good on hilly terrain, explosive... they can do it all. Just like Pogi, who is just a bit better at all (or some) of those things. It'll be a great Tour hopefully.

 

[JosefK]

They really do. Both great climbers, time trialists, very good on hilly terrain, explosive... they can do it all. Just like Pogi, who is just a bit better at all (or some) of those things. It'll be a great Tour hopefully.

Also, Jonas is still early in his career--likely to continue improvement in the coming years.

 

[tobydawq]

Girmay being 6th here should certainly silence those who say he is only a sprinter.

 

[SafeBet]

Girmay being 6th here should certainly silence those who say he is only a sprinter.

He was actually very close to make the split when Alaphilippe attacked with Martin and Cosnefroy.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

This race has been quite fun to watch, being Danish!

But it isn't Danish

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Girmay being 6th here should certainly silence those who say he is only a sprinter.

To be fair, he has been climbing very poorly this year. This is really his first good climbing performance.

 

[will-10]

To be fair, he has been climbing very poorly this year. This is really his first good climbing performance.

His win in Majorca was at least partially down to getting over Batalla in the front, whilst a lot of the other sprinters didn't make it.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Girmay being 6th here should certainly silence those who say he is only a sprinter.

I certainly wasn't among those claiming that, but i agree with Hugo Koblet that i expected him to climb even better than he has been doing so far. Always figured him to be more of a Sagan type than a pure sprinter.

 

[cen]

Personally, I am waiting for Itzulia for the real fireworks, Pogačar not yet confirmed though.