Lesser known races 2023 edition

[RedheadDane]

Gap was down to 18 seconds, but now it's back up to over 30 seconds.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

I just realised Powless' socks are two different shades of pink and it bugs me more than it should.

 

[RedheadDane]

First solo win in the race since Roy in 2011.
Not by quite as big a margin, though.

 

[Samamba]

I just realised Powless' socks are two different shades of pink and it bugs me more than it should.

Yeah it's supposed to be like that. EF being EF

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I just realised Powless' socks are two different shades of pink and it bugs me more than it should.

There's even a twitter account dedicated to checking if the EF riders wear them the right way around.

https://twitter.com/efsockcheck

 

[RedheadDane]

There's even a twitter account dedicated to checking if the EF riders wear them the right way around.

https://twitter.com/efsockcheck

And I got a warning about "delicate content"... Oh, no! Backwards socks! The horror!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

And I got a warning about "delicate content"... Oh, no! Backwards socks! The horror!

Twitter socks nowadays.

But while the EF-TIBCO-SVB rider have decided to wear them like Powless did today, the male riders seem to be doing whatever they feel like.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

There's even a twitter account dedicated to checking if the EF riders wear them the right way around.

https://twitter.com/efsockcheck

I see I'm late to the party

Considering how the season's started for them: never change a winning sock combination. Well, unless you care about such luxuries such as hygiene.

 

[tobydawq]

As expected, EF and Intermarché are the teams with the most victories so far.

 

[RedheadDane]

Guess that explains were Cosnefroy went...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1619730537782063105

 

[Sciatic]

Guess that explains were Cosnefroy went...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1619730537782063105

Ouch!

 

[skippo12]

Feels like the relegation battle never ended. I guess after last season teams are more aware of the system and trying to get a headstart.

 

[staubsauger]

Cosnefroy actually was misguided twice! Obviously the Frenchman isn't amused.

 

[Samamba]

As expected, EF and Intermarché are the teams with the most victories so far.

You forget the mighty TotalEnergies with 4 very very hard fought wins.

 

[tobydawq]

You forget the mighty TotalEnergies with 4 very very hard fought wins.

Of course. The Sagan effect.

Expectedly, DSM have now tied Intermarché and EF. It's going to be an interesting season to see which of the three will come up on top and whether the other 15 teams will even win again.

 

[DNP-Old]

Initially scheduled to race just in Spain and France before heading to the Dauphiné with Gaudu and eventually la Vuelta with Romy Gregoire, Lenny said after Marseillaise yesterday that his next race will be Antalya, under the condition he doesn't have to suit up in Besseges, where he is a reserve. Could be a very good race for him, where he could already go for a win Tahtali and perhaps do something in the GC*.

* Not accounting for possible echelons

 

[Samamba]

Initially scheduled to race just in Spain and France before heading to the Dauphiné with Gaudu and eventually la Vuelta with Romy Gregoire, Lenny said after Marseillaise yesterday that his next race will be Antalya, under the condition he doesn't have to suit up in Besseges, where he is a reserve. Could be a very good race for him, where he could already go for a win Tahtali and perhaps do something in the GC*.

* Not accounting for possible echelons

That's perfect. I was already wondering why he would race something like Murcia and Almeria while he can actually already win Antalya, or atleast wint on the one MTF (way harder than last year)

 

[Squire]

Roojai dominating the Tour of Sharjah with a Van Engelen/Phounsavath 1-2 on the mountain top finish.

Although looking at the podium presentation, you could be forgiven if you thought they were 4th and 5th behind three generational Emirates sibling talents (picture is taken from Roojai's Facebook live stream).

 

[yaco]

Roojai dominating the Tour of Sharjah with a Van Engelen/Phounsavath 1-2 on the mountain top finish.

Although looking at the podium presentation, you could be forgiven if you thought they were 4th and 5th behind three generational Emirates sibling talents (picture is taken from Roojai's Facebook live stream).

Interesting that Van Engelen finished 3rd in the NZ Cycling Classic behind James oram who then finished 29th in the Cadel Evans race.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Tomorrow it's the Figueira Champions Classic. A few of the protagonists of the Mallorca Challenge will be there. Some riders who will move on to Algarve later this week as well.

I hope my man Van Wilder will manage to stay on his bike and starts riding with some more determination and belief.

 

[RedheadDane]

Break just passed the finish line. Two laps to go.
Peloton not far behind.

 

[carolina]

So much work on promoting this race and we don't get kms and time.

 

[RedheadDane]

So much work on promoting this race and we don't get kms and time.

Yeah, someone really should tell them that graphics are suppose to show kms, and time-gap. Not... how much time the riders have spent on their bikes.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Not... how much time the riders have spent on their bikes.

At least that can give you some kind of an idea of how far they've ridden.

 

[DNP-Old]

I hope it's a matter of lack of interest from Axeon's part, rather than a case of not getting invited by the race organisation, but Gonçalo Tavares and Antonio Morgado would have already crossed the line hand in hand by now.