Tour de France 2020 | Stage 2 (Nice Haut Pays - Nice, 186 km)

[Gigs_98]

Contador to attack on the penultimate climb but Henao and Thomas will close the gap just enough to snatch the gc away from him.

 

[Red Rick]

Contador to attack on the penultimate climb but Henao and Thomas will close the gap just enough to snatch the gc away from him.

I'm sure Gallopin will do a lot of pacing for them.

 

[Breezy1985]

Must say that Bernal looked a bit off today, expression on his face. Possibly back pain involved? Or maybe just related to bad weather and not enjoying the experience.

P.S. Stage 2 should give more definite answers, regarding that.

Everyone looked miserable yesterday

 

[tobydawq]

I'm sure Gallopin will do a lot of pacing for them.

He is Thomas' rugby buddy after all.

 

[Gigs_98]

He is Thomas' rugby buddy after all.

It's funny how that story is still burned into our brains

 

[BlueRoads]

So...

Alaphilippe is a very serious contender if he's not affected by yesterday.
Higuita should be doing very well here, too, if he's in shape, which is not entirely clear to me by now.
Pogacar is a possibility.

Then there's Roglic himself, who should be interested in the bonus seconds and who's quite well equipped for this stage.

Also I can imagine a scenario where van Aert helps Roglic until the final climb, Roglic takes the bonus seconds, and van Aert then goes on for the win.

Lopez could try to take his chances here and do very well on the Chemins, but I don't really see him winning the stage.

Could it be Schachmann has healed enough to do something here?

Ah, no... I don't dare to predict this stage.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

A day fir the break I think. Polkadot hunters and breakaway specialists. Schär, de Gendt, Edet etc. And of course five-six French riders from B&B, Direct Energie, Cofidis, FDJ.

 

[RedheadDane]

A day fir the break I think. Polkadot hunters and breakaway specialists. Schär, de Gendt, Edet etc. And of course five-six French riders from B&B, Direct Energie, Cofidis, FDJ.

I suspect FDJ will be a little bit too busy licking their wounds for any of that sort.

 

[tobydawq]

I suspect FDJ will be a little bit too busy licking their wounds for any of that sort.

Also, with Pinot, they won't be doing break-aways unless they want to play tactical shenanigans.

 

[Vino's Mum]

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[Orbit501]

A day fir the break I think. Polkadot hunters and breakaway specialists. Schär, de Gendt, Edet etc. And of course five-six French riders from B&B, Direct Energie, Cofidis, FDJ.

Agreed. De Gendt conveniently lost 11 minutes yesterday, as did Cousin. So them two will almost certainly be aiming to be in the break I would have thought. De Marchi is in great form. I'd love him to go in it and grab a stage win, although maybe Schar goes again or Geschke. CCC certainly need to do something to address their absence of any results since the return from lockdown. Pacher could go well here too and may want to target the KoM jersey?

 

[Red Rick]

I just have no idea where Alaphilippes climbing is right now. I see a lot of pundits saying Van Aert and Alaphilippe, but that would require quite a big group after Turini.

Sadly I'm starting to expect a group of 50+ over Turini with nobody pushing it. Will be interesting to compare the climbing time to 2019 PN. My guess is they'll do both Colmiane and Turini in 45 minutes.

 

[johnymax]

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Doubt it. He was involved in a crash yesterday.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

I just have no idea where Alaphilippes climbing is right now. I see a lot of pundits saying Van Aert and Alaphilippe, but that would require quite a big group after Turini.

Sadly I'm starting to expect a group of 50+ over Turini with nobody pushing it. Will be interesting to compare the climbing time to 2019 PN. My guess is they'll do both Colmiane and Turini in 45 minutes.

All the climbs seem to be roughly the same direction (headed east) and therefore strong tailwind looking at the forecast

 

[Red Rick]

All the climbs seem to be roughly the same direction (headed east) and therefore strong tailwind looking at the forecast

Might encourage some aggressive racing

 

[Rollthedice]

Bahrain in trouble. After the abandon of Rafa Valls, Poels doesn't feel too good either, broken rib and lung problems.

 

[Red Rick]

Bahrain in trouble. After the abandon of Rafa Valls, Poels doesn't feel too good either, broken rib and lung problems.

Not looking good for mythical 3rd week Poels.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Not looking good for mythical 3rd week Poels.

It will be pretty mythical if he performs like a super domestique with a broken rib.

 

[TomLPC]

Just looking at the body language of Pinot and Madiot.

Like the guy but you'd think there had been a death in the family

 

[bob.a.feet]

Yellow shorts for Kristoff. Very mid-2000s.

 

[Red Rick]

Yellow shorts for Kristoff. Very mid-2000s.

Likely only day in his career he has yellow. Better make it count.

 

[TomLPC]

Like the yellow shorts, also rocking the trimmed bottom and the cycling hat at the start, an awesome retro look.

 

[Red Rick]

Imma call it Kristoff to go in breakaway

 

[Pricey_sky]

Sagan looking to go in the break with Trentin.

Gaudu in trouble already.

 

[Rollthedice]

Gaudu already problems, apparently health.