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

[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.

 

[James M]

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 agree I just found it funny. It was some wheelsucking to some degree but totally justified with reason like you say, I dont think any fans look for reason to dislike Vingegaard it wasnt only him it was Carapaz and him they went on about. He race like he race nothing to do with the fans thats up to him I saw he even took pulls my point was only the portrait on twitter if Carapaz and Vingegaard was in a breakaway together they would both stop haha. Social medie is wild

 

[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.

 

[Medvind]

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.

You are on to something here, I wrote about it in another thread. If Pog has 45s to Vinge ahead of the 3rd week, how is Vinge suppose to gain time on Pog? Jumbo LAB is not as strong as last year, so I doubt they can push the pace as high the did last year to tire Pog out. Remeber the La Loze stage where they set a brutal pace right from the go. Can they do that this year also? And is Vinge prepared enough for it (considering he only trained 6 weeks before the tour)?

 

[Escarabajo]

I will rank the surprises in the following order (IMHO):

1- Jonas response to Pogacar's attack: I still expect him to falter in the long run game. But by no means was expecting this strong performance in Pogi's terrain.
2- Roglic's performance: This is his terrain, he has to be the big loser. Hopefully he will get better but it is not looking good.
3- Carapaz performance: Injuries, lack of racing and not recent top performances led me to believe that His fitness was lower. just like Jonas, I expect him to falter in the long run game. But having him in the fight is refreshing.
4- Remco's performance: These type of climbs really suit his abilities, but by no means I didn't have him this good. A lot of noise in the media about his loss of weight and confirmed by several reporters. It is very nice to have him this competitive, however quick big losses of weight sometimes come at a power cost. however, having here fighting for yellow this early is very nice.

My main concerns still remain:
1- How do Pogi handle the double
2- Jonas 3 week performance
3- Remco's high mountains performance
4- Carapaz 3 week performance.
5- UAE Team performance

I think the UAE made a mistake with the team they selected. Reminds me of those soccer teams in the 90's that were full of stars but all wanted to shine on their own. Horrible. Hopefully someone puts order in the team. Adam really good for Pogi. Ayuso and Almeida, I don't know. Soler needs to get better also.