Paris Tours 2019, one-day classic, October 13th

[fauniera]

Looks like most of the favourites are in the front. This is fun to watch and should only get better once the gravel starts.

 

[Velolover2]

Heavy winds. I think it's game over for group 2.

 

[HelloDolly]

Cavandish needs to retire

 

[RedheadDane]

Just take a few pulls, Søren.
See? He listens!

 

[Velolover2]

Heavy winds. I think it's game over for group 2.

I said that too early.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Gruppo compatto.

 

[Velolover2]

Kragh in Paris-Tours is like Porte on Willunga Hill.

Even if he isn't in perfect shape, he is good in this race.

 

[sir fly]

Ther wind's really strong.
Søren Kragh Andersen must be feeling good considering the circumstances.

And I'd never thought he'd be defending the title from ahead.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

The motos are making all the dust

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Lars Bak attacking in the final race of his career

 

[RedheadDane]

Ther wind's really strong.
Søren Kragh Andersen must be feeling good considering the circumstances.

And I'd never thought he'd be defending the title from ahead.

However, this way of riding could end up landing him his worst result in the race to date (it's his third outing, but still...)

 

[Velolover2]

Puncture for Kragh.

This race is really a lottery.

 

[Velolover2]

Terpstra with a puncture as well.

The 1st and 2nd last year.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

boh puncture ruining the race

 

[Velolover2]

You could add gravel sectors to virtually all races and they will become more selective and intense. Dirt roads are as numerous as asphalt roads. But is this what road cycling is all about?

The "entertainment" factor will consist of a lot of punctures and crashes making it more of a lottery.

 

[Velolover2]

In Strade Bianche, there are still less punctures than in this race. The "white roads" are more gentle for the wheels than these off road sectors?

 

[Broccolidwarf]

You could add gravel sectors to virtually all races and they will become more selective and intense. Dirt roads are as numerous as asphalt roads. But is this what road cycling is all about?

The "entertainment" factor will consist of a lot of punctures and crashes making it more of a lottery.

As long as real people ride their bikes on real dirt roads, every day in everyday life, it makes sense to me that they are part of cycling

 

[RedheadDane]

Søren Kragh is a pretty good example of how… random… cycling can be. Last year he possibly benefitted from others puncturing, this year he punctured himself...

 

[Velolover2]

As long as real people ride their bikes on real dirt roads, every day in everyday life, it makes sense to me that they are part of cycling

It's an interesting discussion. I think gravel has it's place in road cycling but it shouldn't become like cyclocross or mountain biking. As a spice in a few races, it's fine.

 

[Lequack]

Why is noone using 32mm tires or something similar?

 

[sir fly]

I suppose it's about time to make some decisions in the bunch.

 

[RedheadDane]

Alexys Brunel wins the U23 race. The "adult" G-FDJ team seems to be having some troubles following up on that.

 

[Velolover2]

Very punchy hill. 400 m at 9% was enough to split the peloton.

 

[RedheadDane]

Poor Vlaanderen guy! That is one annoying place to have a mechanic…

 

[Alexandre B.]

Wallays will resist, I think.