Tour de France Tour de France 2024, Stage 9: Troyes > Troyes, 199.0 km

[Tim Cahill]

Front group have probably expended far too much trying to keep the peloton at bay, I expect a second move from Van Der Poel/WVA/Pidcock coming on the first sector.

 

[RobertCrawley]

If he says so it must be so. I had no idea he was still active commentating. How old is he by now?

I hope Liggett keeps going for years. He's the voice of my summers.

 

[AmRacer]

Any GC team in the breakaway group?

 

[Kazistuta]

We have big four GC contenders entering this stage in a rather good position for the overall. If any of them gets a Dear John type of letter, before the finish line, i don't know on how that could be considered a positive outcome for this race, race as an overall.

I wasn't saying there was something wrong in fearing a GC candidate strikes out due to misfortune today, just trying to explain why so many expresses negative thoughts about todays stage. I would definitely like all of GC top5 to stay in contention and getting equal time today, but I'd like them to race for it. If someone is not good enough on gravel, then so be it.

Exactly. Some just don't get it, that this is GT racing, not one day race intended for specialists. Majority of GT leaders have nothing to do with gravel, hence saying their skill on gravel will be tested. What skill? GT leaders spend majority of their training at some altitude camp, on roads, gravel finishing their GT campaign is hence kinda stupid.

So GT racing is just about mountains and TT's then? Last I checked they were meant to test endurance, versatility, perseverance and even team tactics. Gravel as a gimmick do test these aspects.

And how many times do they lose the chances to get what they came for because of that?

A lot of times actually. Several sprinters won't finish the Tour due to the difficulty in mountain racing.

 

[Samamba]

Gonna be a lot of tired legs already before the first gravel sector.

 

[Tim Cahill]

UAE gotta get to the front now because Visma look good, Pogacar about P40

 

[RobertCrawley]

Gonna be a lot of tired legs already before the first gravel sector.

Everyone is trying to stay safe up front, but not everyone can be there. It's definitely speeded up the day.

 

[Samamba]

This could be it. Big group now.

Possibly too big to start riding together tho. Van der Poel also jumping

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Carapaz on the move?

 

[Netserk]

Van der Poel takes last spot on the bus!

 

[scribers]

Carapaz marching back to the podium!

 

[Salvarani]

This might be carnage

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Let's hope Almeida waits for Evenepoel this time.

 

[RobertCrawley]

EF is criticized for their nuttiness, but at least they are trying things, instead of sitting on a couch in the middle of the peloton.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Gap is 7 seconds with DSM chasing, think this will be it

 

[RobertCrawley]

Echelons!!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This would have been a beautiful road for echelons, shame there isn't more wind.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Incredible sweeping overhead shot, would be nice to get a breakdown of the riders though because I can't see ***

 

[snipeheem]

Terrible position for Pogi atm

 

[Tim Cahill]

GC pissing contest has started at the front

 

[QueenStagiaire]

UAE now blocking the road so Pogačar can‘t move up

 

[Netserk]

A tense moment before the explosion.

 

[CyclistAbi]

So GT racing is just about mountains and TT's then?

As far as i am concerned it's certainly not about gravel.

 

[scribers]

I’m not going to be satisfied unless there are bodies everywhere

 

[Gigs_98]

Haven't thought about this but Gall absolutely seems like the kind of rider to lose 5 minutes today.