TDFrance 2023!
Well they’re off again, fingers crossed the race can get to the finish, given the horrible situation in France at the moment. Ineos aren’t really expecting great things this year, but I am going to be following a few Brits riding for different teams. Mark Cavendish obviously, it’s his last Tour, so fingers crossed he can get the one win he needs to become the top stage winner. Fred Wright, newly crowned British Road Race champion, always ready to head off on a break. The two Yates brothers, riding for different teams, and wonderful Tom Pidcock. Hope they all get to the finish safely uninjured, and with something to show for the tremendous efforts and dedication this race demands. 🚴🚵♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴😁
Comments
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Another good day all round and Adam still in Yellow, which he should keep for a couple more at least. What a start to this year's TdF!!
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Yes, a superb start for the Brits in the race. Tom Pidcock third today as well.
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But of a change today at the top, with a surprising new Yellow Jersey wearer, but didn't he do well!! It will be interesting what happens tomorrow with the second mountain stage.
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Indeed, he was flying. Going to be interesting seeing what is thrown up in next couple of weeks. Vinegaard was certainly flying as well.
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Another exceptional performance yesterday, and then oh so near today for Cav. Hope he gets another chance to break the record, as he certainly looks up for it.
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Yes, brilliant ride, and didn’t he power away from field. Such bad luck right at the very end. Fingers and toes crossed for him.
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I’m afraid I know nothing about cycling but enjoy the T de F - mainly to look at the areas and beautiful villages, some of which we know from our many visits to France over the years. As an aside what amazing road surfaces compared to UK!!!!
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OH well, I wrote too soon. So sad to see Cav crash out his last tour. Hoped that he recovers sufficiently to do a few more races before the season is out.
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Absolutely awful for him, such an innocuous little incident, yet dream shattering for him. He came so close the day before, everyone seemed upset for him, even his sprinting rivals.
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Terrible news re Mark Cavendish and they say today that he even lost a pin in his shoulder that he had put in the last time of same injury. The start today we have been there about 4 years ago but want to go to the final place Puy de Dome and go on the train to the top been near to it but could not see it.
Just fed up with adverts so sound goes off as watching live, as too hot outside 32C now!!
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As an aside what amazing road surfaces compared to UK!!!!
That made me smile Heddlo. You always knew where the Tour had been recently if you came across an immaculate road surface.
I did wonder last year when we were touring Netherlands if the wonderful state of roads was down to pressure from cyclists as everyone has at least 1 bike.
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Great finish today gosh Mike Woods can certainly speed ride going up the Puy de Dome,
Lovely scenery today and need to see some different areas so may be a break in the Limousin next year.
The American certainly led for a long way and even got pipped by other cyclists at the line such a shame, a cyclist to watch in the future.
We have the Womens tour coming close to us on 26th from Cahors to Rodez so may go and watch them at a local point not too far to go from home.
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It looks as if Cav might get a chance to break the record after all, as Astana are saying that if he is fit enough to race next year they will include him in their squad for the 2024 TdF.
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Yes, I saw that Nellie. Vinokourov did something similar himself back in 2012, he had a badly broken femur, but fought back to fitness and ended up winning the Gold Medal one of the cycling races, can’t recall which. Not my favourite rider Vinokourov, won’t say any more🙁
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By coincidence, talking of Vinokourov, I got Seven Deadly Sins by David Walsh today at 99p on Kindle, the story of his investigations into Lance Armstrong!
I see that Cav is on the long list for the UK team for the Road World Championships in Glasgow in August, as are GT and Tom Pidcock, and in the Junior squad Brad's son Ben
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There are some interesting documentaries around LA. And other villains!
Fabulous day’s racing today, chess on wheels. We have watched most of it live given our weather here. Phew, nail biting.
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Two stage wins on the trot for Ineos, both of them unexpected and quite frankly exceptionally their own different ways, too. It certainly is an interesting and exciting contest for the Yellow Jersey, and should continue in the same way tomorrow.
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We watched the last two days live, you cringe at what some of the crowds get up to at times. Interestingly, Peter Kennaugh (ex Sky Pro) was saying there’s a real drink culture taking hold now in some areas. Go to watch early, get drunk, do something stupid as bike riders go through. I think it was in Giro where they had roadside stewards hauling the idiots running alongside out of the way at times.
Such a shame yesterday for James Shaw, he was having a really good tour, then bang, down he went. Adam Yeats is looking very strong, doing a great job for Pogacar. So pleased for Wout Poels as well, he used to haul Chris Froome onwards to victory, great to see him finally take a stage for himself👏👏
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Another really interesting stage today, and pleased to see both Adam Yates and Carlos Rodriguez doing so well. It may result in another separate battle for the third podium position.
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Yes it looks as if there is going to a real battle over the next couple of days for that third spot.
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Oops somebody didn’t check the photo against the headline. MB is behind the photographer.😂
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Pogacar won’t give in, but it’s hard to see just how he can dislodge Vinegaard now. Stunning performance from him, but Pog’s effort would normally have beaten everyone. Battle for third place is going to be very interesting. I’m not sure how many riders Ineos still have in race, think they might have lost at least a couple🤔
Have enjoyed the guest presenters that have been on. Cadel Evans looked well, as did Marcel Kittel. Good insights from Ellen van Dijk as well, she has been excellent. Might try and catch some Eurosport cover as well, as they have Jens Voigt on a motorbike following. We always enjoy Sean Kelly……
Deadpan voice…..”oh that was incredibly exciting” 😁
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Yes, both Yates brothers rode a brilliant race. It isn’t half nerve wracking though watching the descents.
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I thought that Kasper Asgreen was going to win his second consecutive stage today, but not quite to be, missing out by a tyre's width. Good to see two successive breakaways making it to the line before the following pack. Tomorrow could be interesting, especially in the race for third place.
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Think the Yates household would agree.
