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

[Moose McKnuckles]

What if he had been in 97% form, would he then not have started?

What does that even mean?

Ask Plugge, he's the one who said it. I suspect he means that if they were not convinced Vingo could be at the level required to compete with or beat Pogacar, JV would not have started.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Yates, A.
Jorgenson
Vingegaard
Pogi
Evenepoel
Van Gils
Carapaz
Mas

Vlasov
Ciccone

Rogla
Yates, S.
Ayuso
Martin, G.
Landa
Gall

Pidcock
Grégoire
Bernal
Buitrago
Bardet
Hindley
Rodriguez
Romo
Bilbao
Almeida

Two observations:
Vlasov stronger than Roglic
Vlasov not waiting for Roglic

 

[Rob5091]

Happiest people after stage 2? Arkea and Visma (and Remco) probably.

 

[ChewbaccaDefense]

I guess you saw only what you wanted to see...

You as well.

I'm no Remco fanboy.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Yesterday he said he completely blew himself up.

If true he’s clearly not found his form but I anyway think that some major sandbagging must be happening. Go easy to setup for stage 9 and to slowly build form for the Olympics.

 

[RedheadDane]

Trying to tell this forum not to get ahead of themselves? good luck with that, LOL. Some are already looking at the Vuelta profiles!!!!

2025!

 

[Rollthedice]

Well, well, Skeletor proving another miracle of science is possible. I bet Pog is worried, the other alien from a more advanced civilisation is back. Galibier will tell us more.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Two observations:
Vlasov stronger than Roglic
Vlasov not waiting for Roglic

When ever did Roglic ask for someone to wait for him going uphill?

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

busy weekend so didn't react.. but my takes:

- Vingegaard pretty much as I expected. You know Visma is just playing everyone. Same with Van Aert, who also seems just as good as normal.
- UAE surprised me, I thought they would be way more aggresive to try and take advantage early. Especially since these are explosive stages. This could mean either Pogacar wasn't as sure about his shape either with the Covid he had, or that UAE have learned from last year and try to keep more in the tank for the toughest stages. Not sure.
- Surprising to see both days taken by breaks.
- Caparaz much better than I expected. Hope he can confirm this in real mountain stages.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

People now acting as if being red hot 2.5 months after spending 2 weeks in ICU is normal ***

with visma nothing is a surprise no

 

[danielovichdk2]

Been hearing that for years already, though.

Sure. Its also years ago he won a GT.

 

[Berniece]

Like today, on where even Carapaz caught them, on flat. Forget about this two riding away on this Tour edition.

Carapaz caught them?

 

[SHAD0W93]

Sure. Its also years ago he won a GT.

Roglic did win the Giro last year.

 

[danielovichdk2]

Roglic did win the Giro last year.

Rught there I stumbled. Was sure it was Geraint. You are absolutely right.

 

[DarkBlue]

I don't buy into the UAE hate - unless there was a stage win and bonus seconds up for grabs yesterday they knew there was little to gain from smashing that stage. It was a 6 minute effort - the true test will come when Jonas has to go deep for 40 mins + in week 3 - the lack of training and racing will bite him in week 3.

Almeida pulled for Yates in Suisse, Yates pulled for Pog y'day. Almeida is ideal for those long mountain climbs as he's able to pull at a high pace, and once Pog or Yates take over then he's able to keep plugging on and mop up the dropped GC guys - very similar mould to Kuss.

When the time comes in the high mountains they will go Sivakov -> Ayuso -> Almeida -> Yates -> Pog and Jonas will be all alone very quickly.

If they can keep Almeida or Yates up there on GC - then they can attack out of the peloton and force Jonas to stick or chase - much like the Roglic / Jonas double team on Pog a few years back.

 

[AnotherArmChair]

So am I right in thinking the following groups formed on the last ascent of San Luca, before Pog attacked

Yates, Jorgenson, Vinge, Pog, Carapaz, Evenepol, Mas were the group in front


Next - Rog and S Yates were behind a few seconds

Next yellow jersey group inc 3 Ineos, Ayuso, Almeida, Gall, Bardet, VanGils, Gall, Gregoire & Landa


I know its only a short climb but if the above is correct you would have to ask questions of Ineos, Roglic and Uae duo of A&A

 

[Netserk]

Ayuso was even strong enough to go with Simon Yates and drop Rogla and Ciccone!

A shame he didn't have the legs to pull for Pogi though.

He even started the second ascent in front of Yates.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

So am I right in thinking the following groups formed on the last ascent of San Luca, before Pog attacked

Yates, Jorgenson, Vinge, Pog, Carapaz, Evenepol, Mas were the group in front


Next - Rog and S Yates were behind a few seconds

Next yellow jersey group inc 3 Ineos, Ayuso, Almeida, Gall, Bardet, VanGils, Gall, Gregoire & Landa


I know its only a short climb but if the above is correct you would have to ask questions of Ineos, Roglic and Uae duo of A&A

Van Gils was in the group with Evenepoel, Jorgensen... Until Evenepoel rode away. I assume, Evenepoel picked up Carapaz along the way. Carapaz does try to react when Pogacar and Vingegaard attack and gaps the others.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

If true he’s clearly not found his form but I anyway think that some major sandbagging must be happening. Go easy to setup for stage 9 and to slowly build form for the Olympics.

No, he doesn't respond to heat that well.

 

[Blanco]

I saw on social media twitter yesterday people making fun of vingegaard and Carapaz that both just wheelsuck and if they ever was in a break together who would pull sorta thing, was wild

Yeah, hillarious stuff..

 

[Boehmand]

Yeah, hillarious stuff..

The hilarious thing is people not noticing Pogacar trying to drop Vingegaard a couple of times, after he had taken a pull - Vingegaard also said a post-stage interview that he was selective about where he pulled, because he knew Pogacar would keep trying to attack him.

It's just Pogacar fans trying to look for any excuse to dislike Vingegaard.

 

[Barkintheeye]

The hilarious thing is people not noticing Pogacar trying to drop Vingegaard a couple of times, after he had taken a pull - Vingegaard also said a post-stage interview that he was selective about where he pulled, because he knew Pogacar would keep trying to attack him.

It's just Pogacar fans trying to look for any excuse to dislike Vingegaard.

Pog needs to find other ways to break Vingo. I think it must've been slightly frustrating for him to find Vingo glued to his wheel despite some massive watt-bombs. Possibly not what Pog had expected and surely not something he liked.

 

[Blanco]

The hilarious thing is people not noticing Pogacar trying to drop Vingegaard a couple of times, after he had taken a pull - Vingegaard also said a post-stage interview that he was selective about where he pulled, because he knew Pogacar would keep trying to attack him.

It's just Pogacar fans trying to look for any excuse to dislike Vingegaard.

I'm very, very far from Pogacar fan.
And I agree with you.
And when I hear the word "wheelsucking", it makes me puke.

 

[Medvind]

Pog needs to find other ways to break Vingo. I think it must've been slightly frustrating for him to find Vingo glued to his wheel despite some massive watt-bombs. Possibly not what Pog had expected and surely not something he liked.

Maybe he should not try to break Vinge at all, it might cost too much energy in the long run. Maybe instead try take time on the first itt and go for bonus seconds to get into the lead, and then force Vinge to try to drop him. Sure, he should try on stage 4 because it's still a bit of unknown how strong Vinge is, but if it turns out that dropping Vinge is really hard maybe then dial down the attacks and ride more smart. Maybe not as fun to watch, but in the end it's about winning the tour.

 

[Barkintheeye]

Maybe he should not try to break Vinge at all, it might cost too much energy in the long run. Maybe instead try take time on the first itt and go for bonus seconds to get into the lead, and then force Vinge to try to drop him. Sure, he should try on stage 4 because it's still a bit of unknown how strong Vinge is, but if it turns out that dropping Vinge is really hard maybe then dial down the attacks and ride more smart. Maybe not as fun to watch, but in the end it's about winning the tour.

Patience is most likely a winning virtue but not something that Pog has in abundance. It will be fun to watch if he can control himself. Vingo looked like he wouldn't roll over without putting up a serious fight. There is some prestige going on here... Who's the greatest GT-rider of the 20's?!


Team-wise do we think Visma really is as strong in high mountains as UAE? Can WVA, TB and MJ really assist Vingo when he needs? I would hope so but on paper UAE riders looks better suited.