Tour de France Tour de France 2024, Stage 2: Cesenatico > Bologne (Bologna), 199.2 km

[topcat]

It's time to sticky this baby.

 

[Rob5091]

It's a shame that they don't finish at the summit but instead do the dodgy descent back into town. Are we expecting a howling tailwind and a record speed up the climb?

 

[Red Rick]

As I wisely posted in the stage 1 thread, 11-12km/h head/cross wind predicted for San Luca

 

[James M]

As I wisely posted in the stage 1 thread, 11-12km/h head/cross wind predicted for San Luca

That really can hamper the action again if its that strong head wind

 

[Lequack]

It's time

 

[Blanco]

Pogacar to attack, Roglic will follow and we'll see who else of the favorites will stay with them. For the stage win, I think someone with the numbers will escape on the flat after San Luca. Maybe Pidcock...

 

[Devil's Elbow]

As I wisely posted in the stage 1 thread, 11-12km/h head/cross wind predicted for San Luca

Between the portico and the trees, I think San Luca should be sheltered enough for it not to matter much.

 

[pinkobalinko]

It's 15km from San Luca to finish, which makes a whole other game, but...
San Luca is one of the most illusive climbs for Pogačar (1xDNF, 2x2nd).
Roglič, on the other hand,...

 

[joe_papp]

Maxim Van Gils ftw

 

[Gwbert]

I hope all the other teams don’t be stupid and help UAE bring it back only for Tadej to smoke them and take the bonis

 

[Red Rick]

Between the portico and the trees, I think San Luca should be sheltered enough for it not to matter much.

True.

Should probably be a net positive in the finale for the racing given they have to go back to the city of Bologna proper.

Still, especially with more headwind than tailwind all day, it should be a pretty easy day before the final climb, so I think there's a chance for a bit of a group to cluster back together.

We had Pogacar launching from the bottom of San Vito in the Giro, but I really don't think he wanted to do that, and I don't really think he will here. All in all, I think San Luca is a bit easier than Pike last year.

 

[Medvind]

So will Carapaz try to follow when Pog attacks on San Luca? He did it in on La Redoute this year, and in Giro Dell'Emilia last year.

Got to love Carapaz, never afraid to test his limits.

 

[Jack_89]

if pogacar won't able to make the difference by digging a gap it will be a failure, however if Jonas is able to resist and not lose seconds it will be a great victory

 

[AmRacer]

if pogacar won't able to make the difference by digging a gap it will be a failure, however if Jonas is able to resist and not lose seconds it will be a great victory

San Luca is Rogla territory. And Mas too if he's in good shape.

 

[tobydawq]

As I wisely posted in the stage 1 thread, 11-12km/h head/cross wind predicted for San Luca

Pogacar's bad luck knows no bounds.

 

[Froome]

Emirates will push hard in Cote san luca, but I wouldn't be surprised if Visma will push hard during all stage until the final climbs.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Emirates will push hard in Cote san luca, but I wouldn't be surprised if Visma will push hard during all stage until the final climbs.

Why would Visma do it? Hard tempo all day long doesn't necessarily fit Van Aert, who has a good shot from a selected group today. You don't think they will apply kJ strategy to launch Vingo on San Luca, do you?

 

[RedheadDane]

DSM had some... issues before the start.

 

[James M]

Curious how the finale will go today. Will the winder play a party poper? Will a group gather together? Will anyone be able to get away?

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Curious how the finale will go today. Will the winder play a party poper? Will a group gather together? Will anyone be able to get away?

A rather small group gathering together for the final sprint is a likely scenario. Still, I'm curious how the top dogs will fare on San Luca relative to each other. I'd like to watch some interesting action i.e. Pog + Rog working together to the finish line after gaining some seconds on the top.

 

[topcat]

After the excessive hype for Stage 1, the forum aperetif for Stage 2 is rather subdued. In stage 1, apart from the Romance Bardet story, it didn't really live up to the hype. UAE got to first base but didn't consummate stage 1. We had a feel good story with Bardet taking yellow in his last tour. Unfortunately, he'll probably lose the jersey today.
Stage 2 is a sprint stage. I expect Pog to gap Rog on the hillock but it may all come back together for the finish.

 

[Froome]

Why would Visma do it? Hard tempo all day long doesn't necessarily fit Van Aert, who has a good shot from a selected group today. You don't think they will apply kJ strategy to launch Vingo on San Luca, do you?

No, but the high KJ thing is a long process.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

No, but the high KJ thing is a long process.

Like yesterday's Visma legendary pacing, right?

 

[Froome]

Like yesterday's JV legendary pacing, right?

The pace was fine even if wasn't super high on that part of the race, and in the end the stage was super hard for everybody looking at what they had to spend.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

The pace was fine even if wasn't super high on that part of the race, and in the end the stage was super hard for everybody looking at what they had to spend.

Sure they were spent, but mostly because of the heat and length, not because of very high pacing.