Tour De France 2019

ewal

Another superb ride from Alaphilippe. Showed patience waiting for Thomas to crack. Great to see the natural order upset.

Early days though. I'm sure Ineos will fight back at some point. Might be for Bernal though.

guitars4you

Before Wiggins won, I recall a previous winner (think it was Indurain) say 'find me a good time trialist and I'll show you a Tour De France winner' - maybe Alaphilppe's name is on it this year

I don't see how Ineos can win now by just riding from the front and waiting for riders to drop of the back - I think Benal or Thomas has to attack, like Froome did in Italy last year

BigLicks67

I think Thomas needs to survive today, if he can get to the Alps without cracking he may find JA weakening in the third week.
I thought Movistar's tactics a bit odd dropping their own man?

thermionic

Superb day of racing today.

ewal

Yep. Think Pinot might end up winning

fandango

I've been slow getting into this year's Tour. Now I'm back into it and as hooked as ever.

Great to see Thomas claw back some time today. I thought he was just going to shadow Alaphilippe, but that stretch at the end showed he's still got the desire to win. There's a right time and a wrong time to take the yellow. Thomas did enough to keep himself ahead of the chasing pack, but not too much to bring the pressure on Ineos too soon. Bernal could be the fly in the ointment.

Most surprising (to me) is that Valverde still in the mix being only 5 minutes behind. 

guitars4you

Wow - Just seen the hi-light show - We thought it could well be an open race before it started - Now 5/6 within around 2 mins of Alaphillipe - Can't see how he can defend his yellow jersey and cover so many different potential attacks - Good to see Gee looked better today and pulled back some time

3/4 great days still to come in the 'hills'

littlegreenman

So, I just got back from Stage 14. Have to say, Skoda do look after their guests very well.

Yep, I got a Green Jersey, signed by Petr Sagan!!!

littlegreenman

Quite the most incredible couple of days!

guitars4you

Some great pics there - Thanks for posting - Looks like you had a good couple of days 

sev112

Fab pics - what’s your story ?

CHRISB50

Great pics @littlegreenman thanks for posting.

What was the temperature like up there? Still boiling hot?

littlegreenman

sev112 said:

Fab pics - what’s your story ?

Won a competition! Flights, hotels, all area access VIP passes, a personal Skoda driver in the custom painted Superb (Tim Harris - British Road Race National champ '89), helicopter ride over the peloton and full ASO VIP hospitality near the finish. Also did a ride in the morning with Andy Schleck, full Skoda kit provided (which we could keep) and Trek Emonda SL6 Disc bikes (which we couldn't, lol )

CHRISB50 said:

Great pics @littlegreenman thanks for posting.

What was the temperature like up there? Still boiling hot?

Yep, about 28 degrees!

NorthernGooner

Luke Rowe chucked off the tour for sweet FA!  Bloody French! This stinks. 

guitars4you

NorthernGooner said:

Luke Rowe chucked off the tour for sweet FA!  Bloody French! This stinks. 

I saw the hi-lights of today on Sky and it showed them both 'with hand bags' but nothing more, so it must have happened earlier - What I don't know, so surprised to see this later on the BBC site

joneve

NorthernGooner said:

Luke Rowe chucked off the tour for sweet FA!  Bloody French! This stinks. 

From the video we could see, looks like a whole load of nothing. Cynic in me says they’re trying to protect Alaphilippe. 

Hopefully the appeal for both teams is successful. 

crunchman

Pinot has abandoned!

That changes everything.

Uran is up the road in the breakaway, and only 5 minutes down on GC.  Anything could happen.

rolls1392

Stage now cancelled due to snow or ice.
Crazy day

guitars4you

Hail Bernal - Could be a headline in the national press 

Seen the pics - hard to believe - But can still ski in the glaciers in Aug around Tignes

crunchman

crunchman said:

Pinot has abandoned!

That changes everything.

Uran is up the road in the breakaway, and only 5 minutes down on GC.  Anything could happen.

When I said anything could happen, I didn't expect that!