Tour de France Tour de France 2024, Stage 18, Gap - Barcelonnette, 179.5k

[RobertCrawley]

Bini

Looks like the stitches on his knee are bothering him today.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

Why was Mathieu whining about not having stages he could contest, and then decide to not get in the break on a stage he could contest?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Well, the breakaway can collect 20 points on Vars and 40 on Bonette tomorrow and after that you‘d have a good chance on Stage 20. What they‘re doing today is a waste of energy, though.

Finishing 3rd in the KOM is worth 110 UCI points. Carapaz could have been better closer to the jersey, if Healy and him hadn't stolen points from each other throughout the race.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Good morning, chaps!

Breakaway day! Time for more Jonathan Vaughters four-dimensional thinking. Look for "The Miner" Ben Healy to take the stage today.

Good morning, RC!

For some reason I thought today was a TT, so am surprised that's not what they are doing. Hopefully the scenery will deliver.

 

[RobertCrawley]

Beautiful country.

 

[noob]

Beautiful country.

Insanely lovely day!

 

[jono]

Say what you will about breakaway days, but they sure are boring!

 

[RobertCrawley]

Bling takes the intermediate sprint for a few Swiss francs. Will have a better post-Tour party.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Why was Mathieu whining about not having stages he could contest, and then decide to not get in the break on a stage he could contest?

Only logical explanation is that he's lacking legs tbh. I had him in a head to head against Cort with a decent amount of money at 1.83, so extremely disappointing performance today. I guess its just a 50/50 now

 

[skippo12]

Degenkolb looked like he was ready to step into the car. Nothing but suffering left for guys like him.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

Even if they can save Sivakov and Soler today, Visma will have to bail out Pog if the GC guys want to be the first at Bonette tomorrow

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

German ES commentary muted itself just as Jens was talking about some event for kids. No love for the little ones.

 

[jono]

Is there any chance of any GC action later in the stage? Otherwise might be time to turn off!

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

For some reason I thought today was a TT,

Serious drafting going on right there, all gathered behind 2-3 riders having a go.

Wonder what the UCI would say

Spoiler

(if they had eyes)

 

[RedheadDane]

Even if they can save Sivakov and Soler today, Visma will have to bail out Pog if the GC guys want to be the first at Bonette tomorrow

That seems unlikely...

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Lovely bridge and clear water they passed a bit ago, however, I did not see any trout like Phil Liggett allegedly did. (I kept replaying that part too because I used to do some trout fishing... where did Phil see the trout?)

 

[RobertCrawley]

Is there any chance of any GC action later in the stage? Otherwise might be time to turn off!

Tadej will sprint in front of Jonas again. Always a little exciting.

 

[search]

German ES commentary muted itself just as Jens was talking about some event for kids. No love for the little ones.

the were probably afraid of him talking about Georg "strong as a bull" Zimmermann's way to victory again.

But hey, little Louis only needs to pace full gas on the climb, and Schorsch can go for a 30k solo then.

 

[Didinho]

Lazkanooo again.

 

[RobertCrawley]

Lovely bridge and clear water they passed a bit ago, however, I did not see any trout like Phil Liggett allegedly did. (I kept replaying that part too because I used to do some trout fishing... where did Phil see the trout?)

Didn't see either.

 

[Potomac]

we need the exact km remaining of the shot so we can all go back and look for trout.

 

[Zoetemelk-fan]

Oh nice with at least some 15% (between work) watching finally some good old slow-flow TV.
But hits me I got the route wrong. Thought they after Col du Manse (I think from the side Rolf Sørensen in 1996 made it almost to Gap, right?) they would head down riding along side the lake. But just discovered they are about to climb "Col Appolinaris".
Personally familiar to the downhill slopes entering the bridge to Savines-le-Lac is quite hairy, so maybe some Pogi instincts shoe yet again?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Lazkanooo again.

I'd rather see him win the stage. However he seems to no longer be in his absolute peak shape, so betting on Aranburu and Mühlberger is probably closer to tactical perfection.

 

[Slavique Nuke]

That seems unlikely...

I think they are still trying to win and they have no choice but to go hard all day tomorrow.

 

[RedheadDane]

I think they are still trying to win and they have no choice but to go hard all day tomorrow.

I don't think they'll be doing it to bail out Pog...