Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.If there are cobbles in the Tour next year, then Wout van Aert will become a real asset for Roglic.
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Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.If there are cobbles in the Tour next year, then Wout van Aert will become a real asset for Roglic.
Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.
Yeah, most of the smaller climbers were pretty beat up/sore from the cobbles. That's probably the main reason why it looked like a mid 90ies Tour with the TTers/bigger rouleurs dropping all the pure climbers uphill.Also curious when the cobbled stage would be in relation to mountain stages. I think in 2018 it really helped the rouleurs in the mountains in the Alps as well.
I think the stage before is also a big reason Pogacar destroyed the rest on Romme/Colombiere so bad. And probably the others were more looking to hit their highest level in the 3rd week.Yeah, most of the smaller climbers were pretty beat up/sore from the cobbles. That's probably the main reason why it looked like a mid 90ies Tour with the TTers/bigger rouleurs dropping all the pure climbers uphill.
1 month to go until the presentation.
Cobbled stage=Crash Fiesta and 50 % of the contenders will be gone. I like the action but I prefer that everyone will be fully fit when the real GC stages begin.
Only semi true.Both Roglic and Van Aert have a tendency to let too many non Jumbo riders between them.
I don't recall any GC rider crashing out of contention in 2018, I think Landa was the most notable crash (back pain??) but that was because he was dumb and rode over a drain.
Edit: I think someone mentioned it above, maybe a pothole but not because of cobbles.
Cobbled stage=Crash Fiesta and 50 % of the contenders will be gone. I like the action but I prefer that everyone will be fully fit when the real GC stages begin.
what "real GC stages"??
If true, ASO finally realized how human the last tours have been.Alpe d'huez, col du granon, hautacam, plateau de beille, cobbles, ih this rumours are true, it will be a hard tour.
If true, they think all they need is HC finishes and never to try with routes ever again.If true, ASO finally realized how human the last tours have been.
@gregrowlerson hello button my old friendOne rumour I am starting to see appear is Peyragudes
I'd be okay with Peyragudes if they climbed it from the west. They haven't climbed Col d'Azet from the west in several decades IIRC. wouldn't mind seeing that combo, but the chances are of course slim to none.Some updated info Plateau de Beille finish now looking unlikely. which could mean a finish at Plateau de Bonascre (Ax 3 Domaines) or eslewhere in the Pyrenees. One rumour I am starting to see appear is Peyragudes, which I am in two minds about. I like the finish (especially since Bardet won there) but 3 climbs of the Peyresourde in 3 years seems excessive, and I would much rather a finish in Luchon after the Port de Bales or even if it becomes feasible with road works a return to Superbagneres. Oh and Lourdes/ Hautacam stage looking very likely now, we just aren't sure which it will be.
They did Azet-west in the 2016 Luchon stage, FYI.I'd be okay with Peyragudes if they climbed it from the west. They haven't climbed Col d'Azet from the west in several decades IIRC. wouldn't mind seeing that combo, but the chances are of course slim to none.
Peyragudes now confirmed by France Bleu. Moreover, the Stage 20 TT will be between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, in the Lot department as previously rumoured.@gregrowlerson hello button my old friend
It will be a long itt?Peyragudes now confirmed by France Bleu. Moreover, the Stage 20 TT will be between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour, in the Lot department as previously rumoured.
The shortest route between the two towns is ~30k. That's the distance that's being hunted at, but it's also rumoured they will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, which adds another ~10k. In any case it will be a rolling TT.It will be a long itt?
40 km it's some acceptable distance. The tour will have a lot of mountain, so, it's important a long itt.The shortest route between the two towns is ~30k. That's the distance that's being hunted at, but it's also rumoured they will pass by the Gouffre de Padirac, which adds another ~10k. In any case it will be a rolling TT.