Sport Cycling: The Classics - Handlebars, saddle sores and which Chateau is that?

[Ticky009]

Stage 2: Sunday, July 2 – Vitoria-Gasteiz to San Sebastian, 209km​

The tour now heads to the popular seaside resort of San Sebastian. The day may end on the coast but it's not a flat ride: there are 5 climbs on stage 2. More straightforward but still hillier than most early Tour stages, with the Alto de Jaizkibel 16km from the finish; this 8km drag is well known to cycling fans as the key point in the San Sebastián Classic

 

[The King!]

white jersey already over

 

[Ticky009]

Stage 3, Monday 3 July: Amorebieta-Bayonne, 187.4km​

We're still in Spain for this leg of le Tour and we're in Basque country. In what's been referred to as the hardest start in 20 years we're about the hit some sprinting territory. There are several nasty little climbs but they come early in the stage and the run-out is downhill. So it’s bunch sprint time, which means British eyes will be on Mark Cavendish, although the chances are it will be last year’s sprint star, Fabio Jakobsen, in the spotlight.

 

[Ticky009]

 

[Ticky009]

Nice article about how all the Aussie riders caught up at the start of the race.

In the moments before the Tour de France started, the Aussie contingent took a chance to capture a moment in history

As the world's best cyclists prepared to take on a gruelling stage one in the Tour de France, Australia's contingent saw a chance to show some patriotism.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Mister B]

Interesting stage last night with the controversy of a move off the line. Thought the run in to the final was bordering on dangerous.

 

[The King!]

no breakaway

 

[Mister B]

no breakaway

are to say after a tough opening, the teams are going to treat this as a pseudo rest day with a sprint in the last 40kms.

 

[Dan87]

Jai Hindley in the breakaway and a juicy stage

Good content!

 

[Mister B]

Jai Hindley in the breakaway and a juicy stage

Good content!

Still holding on to close to 3 minutes. Unbelievable decision that could be a complete master stroke. Also gives him a bit of a breather should he have an off day.

 

[Dan87]

Still holding on to close to 3 minutes. Unbelievable decision that could be a complete master stroke. Also gives him a bit of a breather should he have an off day.

It's shaken out beautifully for him

Could be a classic stage

 

[Mister B]

It's shaken out beautifully for him

Could be a classic stage

Gap coming down now. Jumbo relying heavily on UAE to do all the work. Would love to see UAE to call their bluff.

 

[Dan87]

Gap coming down now. Jumbo relying heavily on UAE to do all the work. Would love to see UAE to call their bluff.

Jumbo going to throw a punch for sure

 

[Mister B]

Jumbo going to throw a punch for sure

And Hindley goes whack.

 

[Dan87]

COME ON JAI

 

[Dan87]

Oh Pogacar gotta get in the hurt locker

 

[Dan87]

Vingegaard beast mode

 

[Mister B]

Straight up time trial now. This is an insane stage.

 

[Dan87]

Oh gosh imagine this is the stage you decided to skip for sleep

 

[Mister B]

Jesus. Pog has really blown up. Both Yates boys couldn’t get anywhere near it either.

 

[Mister B]

Oh gosh imagine this is the stage you decided to skip for sleep

I thought about it. Have to be up early. Taking the nephews on Puffing Billy in the morning then footy tonight. Going to be a loooong day.

 

[Dan87]

Vingegaard is demolishing this time gap my gosh

 

[Mister B]

Vingegaard is demolishing this time gap my gosh

Hindley holding it around 55 on the decent. Impressive from both.

 

[Dan87]

Hindley holding it around 55 on the decent. Impressive from both.

Gotta love it when a stage like this just turns up out of the blue

So good

Vingegaard cranky

 

[Mister B]

Vingegaard gunna get pissy now no one is going to work with him. This could be good for Jai.