Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 2: Perros-Guirec - Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan, 183.5 km

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Jan 18, 2020
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Look for MVDP to blow everyone up tomorrow like only he can. Thinking he had one of those flat days he occassionally has (in addition to the poor positioning) and then typically comes back the very next day with a vengeance.
 
Aug 13, 2010
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You might want to tell that to MvDP and the rest of the favorites. Let's be fair, JA dusted them all, so there is no reason to think that has not peaked for the TdF.
 
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Jun 25, 2015
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He finished 5th in 2019 because the last 2 mountain stages got shortened. Otherwise, Alaphilippe likely finishes outside the top 10. Good luck with that happening again!
I agree, except that a number of top 10 riders shipped gobs of time yesterday, and he's said pretty clearly that he wants to go for GC at some point.

I think, though, that the double Ventoux (Venteaux?) stage will be a bit too much for him.
 
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Feb 20, 2012
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In theory Alaphilippe should be the favorite after today but my gut feeling tells me that he will be too confident and attack early again but in this case too early so he'll get caught. I think Roglic has a good chance of winning.
If he has legs like yesterday I don't think attacking early would stop him from winning. Basically it's a very similar climb but with a km of 2% less.

Positioning should be affect everyone once again, but I think that part of the equation should be simpler with half the peloton getting dropped on the first ascent of Mur de Bretagne

I just briefly rewatched the 2011 stage, the peloton coming off a different direction on to the climb should make it much harder than back then.
 
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Sep 11, 2016
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Why would he opt for a potential top 15 GC over back-to-back stage wins?

He wouldn't, that's what I mean. It was mentioned on here that the course was perfect for Ala to go for GC. He isn't the GC type. A good few days in yellow and a few stage wins and his Tour is complete.
 
Apr 15, 2014
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Look for MVDP to blow everyone up tomorrow like only he can. Thinking he had one of those flat days he occassionally has (in addition to the poor positioning) and then typically comes back the very next day with a vengeance.
"Like only he can" - you mean you haven't watched yesterday's stage? Or the Worlds?
 
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Aug 6, 2010
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Porte to win on Evans' ten year anniversary.

Unlikely, but if he attacks at the bottom he may be given some leeway as far as the gc is concerned.
 
Jul 7, 2013
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IMO this time it will be more difficult for Ala as others know how strong he is. The first km of Mur is so steep, maybe Pog&Rog will be able to match Ala there. IMO one of these 3 will win.
 
May 29, 2019
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Based on Alaphilippe form i would say reduced in numbers finish and best of the best from the punch department. Slovenians likely being there.
 
May 4, 2011
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IMO this time it will be more difficult for Ala as others know how strong he is. The first km of Mur is so steep, maybe Pog&Rog will be able to match Ala there. IMO one of these 3 will win.
Alaphilippe can drop them all when the road flattens out a bit, so there's no rush. Can attack within the final km, IMO
 
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May 29, 2019
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Alaphilippe has as good chance as any but in my opinion he will have a bit harder time today to take the win.
 
May 4, 2011
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Alaphilippe has bouts of insomnia, if I'm not mistaken. Don't necessarily expect him to be as dominant today, but if he has the same legs it's a race for second.
 
Mar 13, 2009
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If Alaphilippe is anywhere near yesterdays form the winner is already known. However if he doubts too long on the steep part or has lesser day then a whole range of riders come into play.
VDP doesn't seem as good as in Suisse, so is not a certain backup either. And they start the climb with lower speed as well which might bring all the GC men into play too
 
May 10, 2013
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He finished 5th in 2019 because the last 2 mountain stages got shortened. Otherwise, Alaphilippe likely finishes outside the top 10. Good luck with that happening again!
In 2019 he was still the GC leader after stage 18, this year we don't even have any mountains past stage 18! :p

Surely shortening the mountain stages helped him back then but if he was able to be a real GC threat so late in the race, there's no reason why he couldn't last a little bit longer on another attempt. He's not the favourite, of course, he is not a natural climber. But no 2 races are identical and I would say nobody who was able to wear yellow after 18 stages can be definetely written off as a GC threat in GTs.
 
May 25, 2018
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I doubt we see a break win, but there's far more intrigue now. Other than Woods are there any marque or even second tier riders who've lost sufficient time?

Martin and Bala although I think Balas time is up maybe.
I dont think we will see a real break make it but I think the 5+ guys will try go on the last few climbs
 
Aug 5, 2009
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Wouldn't mind seeing someone like Woods win this one if he's not banged up like many others. Roglic should also like this type of finish. I guess Ala also has a chance for a double. Not really a finish for the Ineos riders.
 
May 3, 2015
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He finished 5th in 2019 because the last 2 mountain stages got shortened. Otherwise, Alaphilippe likely finishes outside the top 10. Good luck with that happening again!
Doubt it. On the Tignes stage they cancelled a downhill and like 5km of not too hard climbing and on the next day a 1st and 2nd category but kept the HC finish. Since he never exploded at any point where should he have lost 9 minutes to Porte (11th)?
 
May 3, 2015
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Wouldn't mind seeing someone like Woods win this one if he's not banged up like many others. Roglic should also like this type of finish. I guess Ala also has a chance for a double. Not really a finish for the Ineos riders.
Were Carapaz' issues with the chain confirmed or is he set to lose some more seconds today?
 

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