Tour de France Tour de France 2021, Stage 7: Vierzon – Le Creusot, 249.1 km

[Barnacle Bill]

Really hope the likes of Ineos don't cave and pull at some point, no matter how big the gap becomes. Pog's TT was so dominant a lot of GC contenders had to throw plan A out the window, perfect setup for this situation.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I suppose UAE's destiny during the coming days will depend on the Yellow jersey.
If MVdP keeps it they'll be under pressure again. With WVA in the jersey not that much.
JVT should maybe think about that.

What's the reasoning behind this?

 

[MrTea1976]

I wish LRP was in the break.

 

[Rollthedice]

Time for the Nibali in yellow hype to start?

 

[sir fly]

What's the reasoning behind this?

JVT has a GC contender, Alpecin-Fenix not.
Will be easier for UAE to let a GC team control the affairs than have a situation like today day in day out.

 

[spalco]

Is there any wind at all today? The peloton as stretched out as this for hours could be vulnerable to splits.

 

[Arnout]

Good to see this action during a long stage. It might help (probably not though) in stopping the criticism on long stages for once.

 

[glassmoon]

Why are Direct Energie helping pull?

Most likely a punishment by DS for missing the break... Latour is high in GC but I don't think anybody actually gives a *** about that.

 

[Poursuivant]

Would have been ideal to see an Ineos GC rider and Vingegaard in there

 

[Ricco']

Good to see this action during a long stage. It might help (probably not though) in stopping the criticism on long stages for once.

It's ASO.

From now on we will have multiple 250k hilly stages every year.

Ok, even I have troubles believing that.

 

[Breezy1985]

 

[canarydan23]

Is there any wind at all today? The peloton as stretched out as this for hours could be vulnerable to splits.

Nothing forecast whatsoever sadly. Max of 5mph.

 

[jarvo]

be interesting to see if Pog or his team remember to fuel properly etc today, he's never really had to pull on the front in a GT before, let alone on a 250km stage

 

[Skalman]

Is there any wind at all today? The peloton as stretched out as this for hours could be vulnerable to splits.

Headwind predicted for most of the day

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This break is actually more dangerous because of the soft mountain stages. Less opportunity to pull back major time on the better climbers in this group as a result.

 

[Earns1985]

Nothing forecast whatsoever sadly. Max of 5mph.

Even without wind, the stage is exciting today. Crosswind would be even better for UAE, because not only them, but also the others in the peleton couldn´t sit up..

 

[Skalman]

Soon 5 minutes, hard to think anything else then that someone from the break takes it

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

4"35'

 

[Ilmaestro99]

What a move, very enjoyable stage. Vincenzo giving a masterclass in racing.

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

So which teams do we worry will inevitably panic at some point and help UAE for random reasons?
DQS after the intermediate sprint because of JA? (Although they have Asgreen in the break so might be satisfied with his chances)
Astana because of Lutsenko and Fugelsang?
Movistar pulling a Movistar to protect Mas Top 10?

Ironically I worry the least about Ineos, who apart from UAE have the most to lose, because they're sly and ballsy enough to poker on UAE destroying themselve and letting Pogacar hung out to dry.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

I felt that others would throw a kitchen sink at Pogacar but not necessarily today! Expecially the time lost to Van Aert (who can climb & tt, is high in the GC and is Roglic's teammate) and Nibali will make the situation difficult for Pog.

 

[glassmoon]

Looks stable at 4:30... I hoped for something closer to 10

 

[canarydan23]

Even without wind, the stage is exciting today. Crosswind would be even better for UAE, because not only them, but also the others in the peleton couldn´t sit up..

Yep, did not expect it this morning. I was hoping to at least get some work done before the excitement started in a couple of hours. Not looking likely now!

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Nib's reported by cycling news this morning:

A victory by Italy against Belgium in the UEFA European Football Championships could be a good omen for Nibali as the Alps and then the more open racing across the south of France near.
“I’ve got to defend Italian pride in the Tour and in our team during the match," Nibali said. "I’m sharing a room with Ed Theuns who is naturally cheering for Belgium. We’ve already started teasing each other about the match.
"I’ve heard there could be a joint Belgian attack during stage 7. There aren’t many Italians in the Tour so we can only hope that one of us gets in the break and then puts it in the back of the net.”

 

[The pet snake of Froome]

What a move, very enjoyable stage. Vincenzo giving a masterclass in racing.

Lol calm down