Tour de France Tour de France 2022: Stage 18 (Lourdes – Hautacam, 143.2k)

[tobydawq]

I was talking about him claiming to drop down to a threshold of about 320 watts in the off-season before building back up to 500 or whatever.

Ah, okay, I have never heard that.

 

[Eclipse]

Meintjes won't make it into the break on this climb, bit of an awkward spot for him to be in.

Perhaps the idea is to give himself a buffer before the inevitable bombs start dropping and then hope he latches onto the back of a train that can help him sneak a couple of minutes.

 

[Didinho]

FdJeux still with 6 man

 

[roundabout]

Geniets has recovered quickly from whatever was bothering him yesterday

 

[bob.a.feet]

Under 70km to go, surely it's time for McCrunchy-Nuts to lay down the law?

 

[Eclipse]

UAE 100% need WVA back in the fold before Spandelles gets serious

 

[Volderke]

Meintjes trying to drop his companion just before the descent. Not very smart…

 

[SafeBet]

So Groupama has 2 riders in the break and all of the other 6 riders in the peloton? I'm impressed.

 

[Didinho]

UAE 100% need WVA back in the fold before Spandelles gets serious

Or they just fly by him on the climb, he wouldn't be much of help there I think. But if he gets to the top before, everything will be done on Hautacam

 

[Gigs_98]

Tbh If Pog wants to win I think he should just send it over the top of the Aubisque. He has to attack at a point where Vingegaard doesn't expect it and isn't immediately on his wheel. It's very unlikely he can pull off a solo from here but I don't think he'll end this tour in yellow with conventional tactics.

That said, it's perfectly understandable if he doesn't attack so early.

 

[RedheadDane]

So, "Groupe Maillot Jaune" is not "Peloton".

 

[ice&fire]

Can we have more heli shots? Aubisque is one of the most scenic cols in the Pyrenees and we're shown pictures of Meintjes!

 

[ontheroad]

Van Aert to pull a wheelie on top of Aubisque!

 

[SarahtheDane]

UAE 100% need WVA back in the fold before Spandelles gets serious

Guess we'll see the UAE train soon then. Oh wait.

 

[Salvarani]

Meintjes trying to drop his companion just before the descent. Not very smart…

I think it is smart to make a push in last km to try and get closer to the group ahead. Before the descent starts...

 

[Salvarani]

Pinot has a small chance also for the KOM.

 

[Didinho]

Pinot in the running for the KOM jersey

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Beautiful scenery right now as they are climbing Col d'Aubisque. (If you can ignore all the spectators.)

 

[tobydawq]

Wout being very generous there, only taking third. The KOM jersey is still a mathematical possibility for him, but hopefully, he cannot win today.

 

[Volderke]

Can we have more heli shots? Aubisque is one of the most scenic cols in the Pyrenees and we're shown pictures of Meintjes!

They heard you (for 5 seconds).
Very scenic indeed!

 

[Nick2413]

Is there any chance Pog attacks on the first descent after this small climb?

 

[tobydawq]

Bjerg has been dropped by Zeits and Van Keirsbulck and is now on his own, 12 minutes down. Boy, was there a price to be paid for yesterday's effort!

 

[spalco]

Finally getting the heli out.

 

[Volderke]

I think it is smart to make a push in last km to try and get closer to the group ahead. Before the descent starts...

He has 20K of descent, the Astana guy he dropped would have been a better companion. Hamilton wont work.

 

[Bonimenier]

Bjerg has been dropped by Zeits and Van Keirsbulck and is now on his own, 12 minutes down. Boy, was there a price to be paid for yesterday's effort!

At this rate if Pog manages to win the Tour, the team photo on stage 21 will be a photo of 2 riders.