Tour de France Tour de France 2024, Stage 1: Florence (Firenze) - Rimini, 206.0k

[ice&fire]

Vingo and Froome won't be dropped on stage 1 but I don't think either will win the sprint.

I heard Froome dropped before the start of stage 1, but what do I know...

 

[Amazinmets87]

Reduced sprint, sure. However I'd be stunned if it were 50-60 riders strong. I'd say 20-25.

 

[SafeBet]

Bettiol said he expects a bunch sprint (100 riders) so he'll probably attack from far and win solo.

 

[search]

The heat may be an issue for some, with up to 36°C on the forecast.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The heat may be an issue for some, with up to 36°C on the forecast.

Wow, indeed! Teddy not liking this.

 

[Berniece]

Wow, indeed! Teddy not liking this.

Didn't he do heat training?

 

[Miha81]

Wow, indeed! Teddy not liking this.

I bet he will like the weather forecast from Monday to the 1st week rest day as temperatures should drop considerably looking at the weather forecast models.
There are also some rain showers expected

But I think weather should not be an issue if he is on form. Maybe only on hardest mountain stages.

 

[Ulle97]

This could be a Remco raid!!

 

[Miha81]

This could be a Remco raid!!

Based on this it could also be double raid. Always wanted to see how much damage Pogi Remco duo working together would bring to the peloton.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1805876642612461866

View: https://x.com/Domestique___/status/1805876642612461866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1805876642612461866%7Ctwgr%5E798bbaa7b39b8adad6f13c1430118c4cbfc9664d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.cyclingnews.com%2Fthreads%2Ftadej-pogaC48Dar-discussion-thread.34270%2Fpage-631

 

[Nick2413]

Based on this it could also be double raid. Always wanted to see how much damage Pogi Remco duo working together would bring to the peloton.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1805876642612461866

View: https://x.com/Domestique___/status/1805876642612461866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1805876642612461866%7Ctwgr%5E798bbaa7b39b8adad6f13c1430118c4cbfc9664d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.cyclingnews.com%2Fthreads%2Ftadej-pogaC48Dar-discussion-thread.34270%2Fpage-631

If that’s the case then might as well go for the triple if he just gets better and better each GT.

 

[shadowrider]

Most overhyped stage in the history of cycling?
I‘m ready to be disappointed.

It will depend of Pogacar and his team. Pogacar has to make the difference the first days. So, during the first tough stage and/or the Galibierstage on stage 4.

I am convinced that if UAE maintains a hellish pace from the first climb until deep into the final, most riders will have to drop out. Also most of the (better) teammates of the topteams and some leaders of the smaller teams. Because it's the first day of racing, on a demanding course, in the heat, we could even see topriders get dropped. The plan would be that Pogacar would finish it on the final climb. With only a few topriders and one or two domestiques left, there would hardly be a chase during the last flat km.
BUT, to achieve that, not only the minor teammates of Pogacar will have to ride a team TT, but also Ayuso, Adam Yates, Almeida.... I'm not sure Pogacar wants to take risks, destroying also his best teammates. Also because the three mentioned have to be able to compete for the podium, if something happens with Pogacar (crash, fade away....) later during the Tour.

 

[Barkintheeye]

I think this is a great opener. Always lovely to see riding on Italian undulating road with a finish on the beautiful Adriatic coast. It would have been nice with the course taking the detour over Carpegna and Cippo would clearly have disposed of much (all) of the sprinters but I guess those roads were deemed either too tough or too narrow to be included.

 

[Squire]

Pog vs Van Aert vs Matthews vs Van Gils in a sprint.

If teams don't want Philipsen there, they can make sure of that, I think.

 

[Potomac]

Healy, Bettiol, Powless...EF will see to it that sprinters are out of the equation at the end this stage.
And they can't be the only team willing to do it.

 

[Unterlenkerfahrend]

LBL merchants Pog and Remco should attack here and work together. If not I'll declare both as washed.

 

[Lequack]

G is coming

https://twitter.com/x/status/1805957127313281386

View: https://x.com/GeraintThomas86/status/1805957127313281386

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Didn't he do heat training?

I think he did. I mean, one day in such heat shouldn't be a problem (it may temper him a bit) but prolonged heat waves could have a negative effect. It will be better after the weekend and Galibier stage will be much cooler and maybe with rain.

 

[Nick2413]

I think he did. I mean, one day in such heat shouldn't be a problem (it may temper him a bit) but prolonged heat waves could have a negative effect. It will be better after the weekend and Galibier stage will be much cooler and maybe with rain.

The main thing with the heat is it adds an extra variable. Hopefully the 3rd week will be hot and can spice things up. I also think it’s reasonable to say heat isn’t Pogacar’s ideal environment relative to certain other riders.

 

[Kaptain Kool]

Think it will be 40+ rider sprint will at least 4 of these 6 making it to finish: BP, De Lie, Matthews, Cort, Aranburu, Grmay. And that's just from a quick 10 second glance at the start list.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

G is coming

https://twitter.com/x/status/1805957127313281386

View: https://x.com/GeraintThomas86/status/1805957127313281386

Goddamn, for a split second i thought it was Rohan Dennis behind the wheel.

 

[Netserk]

Section between 120 km and 180 km is very intense. 22 km uphill, 1500 m of elevation gain. UAE will set a strong pace there but how strong? Reducing the group will be the goal IMO, not Pog's attack (as the last climb is not good to attack and the distance to the finish is long) but if one of the contenders shows some weakness then they have the horse power to TTT to the line and put more time into the weak rival. Finish from some small/medium sized group: maybe Pogi and Van Aert will be favourites.

With Wellens, Soler and Sivakov, UAE can keep a very high pace from Barbotto. I think they will drill it until Montemaggio and then attack first with Ayuso and Yates. Pogi can then counter or bridge up to them, depending on how others react.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Think it will be 40+ rider sprint will at least 4 of these 6 making it to finish: BP, De Lie, Matthews, Cort, Aranburu, Grmay. And that's just from a quick 10 second glance at the start list.

I very much doubt that Baptiste Planckaert will be there at the end, for multiple reasons.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

With Wellens, Soler and Sivakov, UAE can keep a very high pace from Barbotto. I think they will drill it until Montemaggio and then attack first with Ayuso and Yates. Pogi can then counter or bridge up to them, depending on how others react.

Yup, UAE has more cards to play, especially early on so Yates' attack (like last year but on the climb this time) or another super-dom's move is plausible. The distance to the finish will make it hard for them though (Pog will wait in reserve for sprint).

 

[Netserk]

Yup, UAE has more cards to play, especially early on so Yates' attack (like last year but on the climb this time) or another super-dom's move is plausible. The distance to the finish will make it hard for them though.

Sure, but I don't think they will hang out to dry on their own. Others will react instantly, I'm sure. But if they don't and Yates gets a gap of ~10", Pogi can bridge up to him and have Yates bury himself. I think they have to attack and see how others respond before the last climb. Just pacing steadily won't catch anyone out.

 

[red_flanders]

All I know is I'm about as pumped for the start of this Tour as I've been in a long time. I think this stage will be super interesting, I actually love how it's ambiguous and could go a dozen different ways. Adds to the excitement for me.