Ovo Energy Tour of Britain UCI 2.HC (07.09-14.09)

[Dekker_Tifosi]

It’s false flat at the start and finish of the 1.5k climb, the middle section of 500m is 10%. not sure it’s long enough to cause any huge damage.

It’ll probably be a reduced bunch that gets to the top at the finish, unless someone is crazy strong.

Lukcily we know of somebody who is crazy strong, at those things at least.

 

[Pricey_sky]

Van Der Poel goes early and holds off Trentin. Very strong once again.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

MonsterVdP again

 

[therealthing]

Hope next year's course is much hillier- just been so predictable this year. MVDP vs Trentin

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Trentin died in the wheel. I thought he would come around in the last 100m..but that's where MvdP kicked again. Still. If that were Sagan in the wheel I wonder if he'd still win

 

[King Boonen]

I'd point out I called it, but it was incredibly obvious what would happen.

 

[SafeBet]

It wasn't that bad, at one point I even thought the Swift group could make it.
There certainly is terrain for a few very selective stages though. A few hills today might have made life for VdP a bit harder, since Ineos had numbers.

 

[Pricey_sky]

It wasn't that bad, at one point I even thought the Swift group could make it.
There certainly is terrain for a few very selective stages though. A few hills today might have made life for VdP a bit harder, since Ineos had numbers.

Yes good to see a few people give it a go, at one point over the penultimate climb VDP had to go alone to respond to Sivakov then Moscon.

Decent finish overall, but not great when it’s the only hilly stage on the race

 

[King Boonen]

I didn't watch, was stuck in meetings, so it could have been good to watch but the outcome was almost nailed on from the start. The whole race has been a let down, so at least it's following tradition, cycling loves that!

 

[therealthing]

This year's edition has probably been the worst I've known of- barring 2017 (which was literally just 7 pan-flat sprint stages and a TT.) So, so predictable and not hilly enough. Maybe they made the parcours so VdP would ride.

 

[Red Rick]

Pretty funny to see Trentin celebrate the moral victory of finishing 2nd behind VdP

 

[postmanhat]

I only watched the last 20k and it was fairly enjoyable. The hill did it's job of shaking off the pretenders. Really enjoyed Tuesday's stage to Kendal, and the TT was ok. Sprinter's stages are all about the scenery no matter what the race, unless there's crosswinds.

Overall though, I'd agree about the ToB becoming lacklustre. I'm mainly only watching this year because of Van Der Poel. Was speaking to two other cycling fans at work and they haven't bothered even though it's on terrestrial TV here. The Tour of Yorkshire seems to have become more popular in a few short years

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This year's edition has probably been the worst I've known of- barring 2017 (which was literally just 7 pan-flat sprint stages and a TT.) So, so predictable and not hilly enough. Maybe they made the parcours so VdP would ride.

2010 was the worst, made worse by the fact that Kai Reus won it on the road but was screwed, AGAIN.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

If they wanted to make it more VDP like they actually would have made it harder. Now it's pretty risky with fast guys still surviving.

 

[KZD]

Another amazing win by MVDP almost securing the overall win the race.
Trentin is loking very good for the World Championships too and Moscon's shape is on the rise.

 

[sir fly]

MVdP's so strong that even wasting energy on closing the attacks doesn't affect his performance.
Works in this race, but in two weeks the assistance from teammates could be useful.
Will be interesting to see Dutch selection.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Break of the day -130km @2m40s

 

[Pricey_sky]

Echelons splitting the race up. Van Der Poel in the first group with about 30 riders.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Interesting, echelons on the last day

 

[Brullnux]

How have the likes of pershore got a whole stage to itself? The TTs used to be in London and Bristol. Tiny towns which shouldn’t really be able to afford stages if the tour was growing as it should be (huge step back this year both for the course and field btw, but that’s already been covered).

 

[postmanhat]

Not often you see a 3 lane city road given over to cycling in the UK. Fair play Manchester

 

[postmanhat]

Thought MVDP might be in trouble there, but it looks like Bol who moves across to cause the collision

 

[KZD]

That was a bit too close but great way to finish the Tour of Britain overall win with another stage win.

 

[Son of Amsterhammer]

Thought MVDP might be in trouble there, but it looks like Bol who moves across to cause the collision

Yeah, Bol was the one moving. No issues.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

3 stage wins and gc, and still people wee disappointed with his TT, which was his first serious one in 5 years. The standards this guy has set for people's expectations are going to kill him.