Tour De France 2024 Stage 8: Semur-en-Auxois – Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, 183.4k

Page 2 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
It's a possible scenario. But let's hope none of the favorits have a flat. That would be disastrous for the victim.
Pogacar can just say to Van der Poel he wont show up to the Flandern next year if you ride for me today, if that was the case Van der Poel can already win the flandern next year on tomorrow stage :tearsofjoy:
JK tomorrow stage gonne have a lot of random things happening with flats which are unpredictable can happen to anyone.
 
Last edited:
I just don't see Lotto and Intermarché being able to control this. No Trek with Pedersen out, Alpecin will try to get Van der Poel in the break I assume, Cofidis never helps, ... I think - given the weather also - that the break takes this one
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan
No hope. There are at least 6 or 7 teams who will ride for a sprint finish.

Tell me who those 6 or 7 are?

Lotto and Intermarché yes. Trek obviously not anymore. Doubt Alpecin chooses a sprint with Philipsen over Van der Poel in the break in a stage like this. The only other teams that maybe could help are Cofidis for Coquard but it's Cofidis we're talking about and Jayco for Groenewegen.
 
To be fair, the post was made before the unfortunate news regarding Pedersen.

Everyone knew Pedersen wans't fit tho, regardless if he was starting or not doubt they were gonna try to control this after his crash. I expected them to send Stuyven up the road here. It's still max. like 3, probably only 2 (Lotto and Intermarché) that are thinking of really wanting to control this. and i think it might even be dumb for them to even try. Send Bini and De Lie in the break even, why not.
 
Wouldn’t MVDP save strength for tomorrow?

Don't see why he would, this stage suits him as much as tomorrow if he gets in the break. If he doesn"t make the break he goes into saving mode yes.

A lot of crosswind, rain, hilly all day, ... that just doesn't scream "controllable" to me AT ALL. Guys like Bettiol, Mohoric, Stuyven, Wright, etc. are in the Tour for days like this and there aren't a lot of them (mostly mountain stage or basically completely flat).
 
it sucks cause Mads is of course way too good to battle for minor placements for a meaningless jersey, not like he can't win stages from breaks or on tougher finishes. he has always said sprints are a secondary thing, he knows he can't beat sprinters anyway, and that he's always being careful and not taking chances. that's why he's always launching from the front. also I think this Gibbons guy don't know what he's doing in these finishes and that contributed to why Mads was so far back wednesday, not sure about that part though
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zoetemelk-fan
This is one of the clear "could have been" stages for Pedersen. Haven't heard words directly from him on why he cracks up his leadout trains wheels. It's not that he is not strong, just seems to be out of focus in the sprint. And now the crash a couple of days ago. A normal functional Lidl train and just an on-par Pedersen and I would've ruled him as clear favourite.

So, if it ends up in another sprint final this one is pure Philipsen proper.

But I think the stage design is for a larger breakaway of stronger riders.
I'm rooting for Mohoric today.

Edit: Just catched up on Pedersens DNS this moment. This is even worse than I thought.
However, I don't think he would've got what he came here for anyway. And pre Tour read that he was not that interested in a green jersey though it was most likely that he would wear it in Paris with this years stage design in mind. But, oh well, I think he will get over it and scorch the earth as soon he is back fit.
 
Last edited:
Tell me who those 6 or 7 are?

Lotto and Intermarché yes. Trek obviously not anymore. Doubt Alpecin chooses a sprint with Philipsen over Van der Poel in the break in a stage like this. The only other teams that maybe could help are Cofidis for Coquard but it's Cofidis we're talking about and Jayco for Groenewegen.
EF for Van Den Berg would be my guess
 
I'm sorry but first week flat stage going to the breakaway when it's gonna be fast and nervous thanks to the wind with a headwind in the finale is just zero chance

This ain't a regular "flat" stage. Very possible that a very strong break goes clear on those 3 first tricky hills. You are correct that the wind makes the peloton go faster than normal no matter what tho.

I would've had a different opinion if fit Pedersen was here, I just don't see Lotto and Intermarché being strong enough to control. Maybe if Alpecin actually goes for Philipsen and helps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zoetemelk-fan
Would be stupid given how many good riders they have for a break. Van den Berg isn't beating De Lie, Girmay, Philipsen, etc.
It's EF so stupid is a fair assumption. But basically at the Giro Vaughters was saying their team would be based around Healy / Van Den Berg and said they were looking at a few specific stages for the latter. In which case today would surely be one of them. I actually think he would have a decent chance given that those you mention have been competing every day whereas VdB has been keeping his powder dry