Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 3: Lorient - Pontivy, 183.9 km

[HelloDolly]

I‘d forgotten that goat’s anus ever existed until you reminded me.

You are very welcome !

 

[JosefK]

Carapaz quietly laughing inside.

 

[Pinot's goat]

I really hope G isn't too banged up. He came into this race in good shape with parcours that are good for him, helping to keep the whole thing from being a ceremonial procession for the two big favorites.

I think people were reading too much into G's performance on Bretagne yesterday. G was never going to hang with PogRog on a murito finish.

I hope not but it might be moot now.

There were 25 riders in that big group ahead, Thomas being dropped had nothing to do with holding Pogacar/Roglic's wheel. Even Kruijswijk made that group and Thomas is more punchier.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Ineos changing tactics to bowling.

 

[HelloDolly]

It would be fine if he didn't stay with PogRog (only Keldermerckx managed) but he didn't stay with 20 other people that were 15s in front of him. 15s on Bretagne is quite a big chunk of time. I don't think it's a sign of good shape. Also, Roglic is at least comparable with GT in TT if not slightly better and this season GT didn't show that he can stay with him in the mountains. I still believe it's a PogRog procession unless they will do a NibRog and let someone like Gaudu or Uran (Fuglsang?) too much time.

I am convinced that the only thing that can oust the Solvenians is Carapaz in a long one aided by a Colombian cartel of Uran, Quintana & Chaves

 

[MartinGT]

Carapaz quietly laughing inside.

The way the others dropped back for Thomas showed who is leader IMO.

 

[MartinGT]

Ineos changing tactics to bowling.

'Here we are at the Crown Green Bowls championship, OH oh oh my word. Welshman Thomas has dropped the ball and his foot and fallen over and taken out Doris and Phillis!'

 

[Pinot's goat]

It would be fine if he didn't stay with PogRog (only Keldermerckx managed) but he didn't stay with 20 other people that were 15s in front of him. 15s on Bretagne is quite a big chunk of time. I don't think it's a sign of good shape. Also, Roglic is at least comparable with GT in TT if not slightly better and this season GT didn't show that he can stay with him in the mountains. I still believe it's a PogRog procession unless they will do a NibRog and let someone like Gaudu or Uran (Fuglsang?) too much time.

You were going well until mentioning Fuglsang. Although I think it is slightly overblown how far the Slovenians are ahead on the climbs, they were frequently matched or only just dropped guys like Landa, Mas, Lopez, Porte etc.

 

[Escarabajo]

I really hope G isn't too banged up. He came into this race in good shape with parcours that are good for him, helping to keep the whole thing from being a ceremonial procession for the two big favorites.

I think people were reading too much into G's performance on Bretagne yesterday. G was never going to hang with PogRog on a murito finish.

I hope not but it might be moot now.

I don't think people were worried about that, but about hanging to the other 22 riders at the finish.

 

[gregrowlerson]

I am convinced that the only thing that can oust the Solvenians is Carapaz in a long one aided by a Colombian cartel of Uran, Quintana & Chaves

Why would they help Carapaz?

Just thinking that neighbouring countries often seem to be enemies rather than friends.

 

[ontheroad]

I really hope G isn't too banged up. He came into this race in good shape with parcours that are good for him, helping to keep the whole thing from being a ceremonial procession for the two big favorites.

I think people were reading too much into G's performance on Bretagne yesterday. G was never going to hang with PogRog on a murito finish.

I hope not but it might be moot now.

Or perhaps the years are just starting to catch up with him. At 35 years of age, there can't have been too many older winners of the tour. Irrespective of how he is feeling after the crash, I don't think there was any way he could have beaten Pog or Rog barring some good luck. Instead he has now had the opposite, bad luck.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

The way the others dropped back for Thomas showed who is leader IMO.

No, it showed who ONE of the leaders is...... and that it wasn't a hard choice, because everyone knew they would catch up easily.

Much harder choice if the racing was hard at the moment.

 

[railxmig]

You were going well until mentioning Fuglsang. Although I think it is slightly overblown how far the Slovenians are ahead on the climbs, they were frequently matched or only just dropped guys like Landa, Mas, Lopez, Porte etc.

I still have a weird tingling (as Nibali likes to call them) "sensations" about Gaudu. He was going really well in spring but then i think he had a crash? Judging by results he may be at least close to his previous shape. He may be a potential dark horse.

I threw Fuglsang's name out to the wind because of what i call the Landa-Porte law. I heard he's not riding for GC and he's still on his bike while the usuall suspects (GT, Gesink, Martin, Soler) already tasted the pavement (Porte did not, but he shipped tons of time). It's not about if someone's able to hang with PogRog but more on how well matched PogRog are and if they will overlook a nonobvious underdog while analysing their own eye iris' texture.

 

[spalco]

I am convinced that the only thing that can oust the Solvenians is Carapaz in a long one aided by a Colombian cartel of Uran, Quintana & Chaves

That would be amazing to see, however I don't think they would appreciate calling it a "cartel".

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Or perhaps the years are just starting to catch up with him. At 35 years of age, there can't have been too many older winners of the tour. Irrespective of how he is feeling after the crash, I don't think there was any way he could have beaten Pog or Rog barring some good luck. Instead he has now had the opposite, bad luck.

There's only 1 rider who won the tour that was older than GT's current age. And that was 99 years ago!
That's why I'm surprised so many view him as the third favorite. If an all-time great like Lance Armstrong couldn't do it post-35, people really think a guy with 2 GT top 10's in his whole career will?

 

[HelloDolly]

That would be amazing to see, however I don't think they would appreciate calling it a "cartel".

I was being a bit tongue in cheek

But a long range attack in the mountains is the only way I can see anyone upsetting the Slovenians
Carapaz with some Colombians are the only riders who could possible deliver this
They may not intentionally work together but it could be an outcome
Dont forget the Colombians helped Carapaz to get tot Europe during Covid

 

[The pet snake of Froome]

Why would they help Carapaz?

Just thinking that neighbouring countries often seem to be enemies rather than friends.

Ineos will pay the Colombians some of the queens finest pounds

 

[DoYouEvenRideBruh]

There's only 1 rider who won the tour that was older than GT's current age. And that was 99 years ago!
That's why I'm surprised so many view him as the third favorite. If an all-time great like Lance Armstrong couldn't do it post-35, people really think a guy with 2 GT top 10's in his whole career will?

True, but Thomas is somewhat of a late bloomer. Some dudes just have longer careers, just take a look at Grandpa Valverde. After all Thomas was second at Dauphiné, just after Porte, and isn't Porte around the same age?

 

[solo80k]

True, but Thomas is somewhat of a late bloomer. Some dudes just have longer careers, just take a look at Grandpa Valverde. After all Thomas was second at Dauphiné, just after Porte, and isn't Porte around the same age?

Thomas will find his inner Horner you mean?

 

[BlueRoads]

Go Ide...

 

[perico]

True, but Thomas is somewhat of a late bloomer. Some dudes just have longer careers, just take a look at Grandpa Valverde. After all Thomas was second at Dauphiné, just after Porte, and isn't Porte around the same age?

Valverde isn’t the norm. He’s an extreme example and hasn’t seriously considered for anything other than a place on a GT podium in 7 years. He’s podiumed at La Vuelta a few times since 2015, but never looked like a threat to win. His greatest achievements over the past 5-6 years are his stages, classics, and World Championship.

That’s not to diminish anything he’s accomplished, he’s one of the greatest ever.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Come on Showman Schelling, give us a wheelie across the line!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

No Perez today to give Ide a run for his money...

 

[Broccolidwarf]

Come on Showman Schelling, give us a wheelie across the line!

Oh well, guess well have to make do with a wink at the camera - you tease

 

[Big Doopie]

I still have a weird tingling (as Nibali likes to call them) "sensations" about Gaudu. He was going really well in spring but then i think he had a crash? Judging by results he may be at least close to his previous shape. He may be a potential dark horse.

agreed.

i was always thinking he might top five, but concerned about the amount of time he will ship in the ITTs.

however, a few favorites have dropped or are dropping and he appears to have improved his TT a bit (according to dauphine).

a clear ride might get him into the top five.