Some Highlights and Lowlights from TDF 2021 (may contain spoilers)

[Arrowfoot]

Some observations

• Year for domestiques to shine as 3 crashes in the early stages took off out some stars, some teams and threw out the playbook.
• Jumbo Visma despite its loss of team members including serious GC contender Roglic saw Vingegaard, Kuss and van Aert shines
• Mathieu van der Poel casual demeanour, while winning a stage, wearing yellow and doing lead-outs.
• Ineos despite an excellent showing this year, failed miserably across the board
• Pogcar's body shape and form - fleshed did indicate that you need muscle and endurance and not just weenie weight.
• Rise of the roulers across the team
• End of a journey for one of TDF's outstanding stars - Froome and another TDF icon - Gripel
• Cav took grabbed his chances with both hands when Ewan, Bennet and Ackerman's absence.
• Alpecin-Fenix, a TDF invite delivered an exceptional bonus to their sponsors.
• Rise of the Danes led by Vingegaard
• Ben O'Connor unexpected Alpine climb and stage 9 win
• Dominant non cycling TDF 2021 personality - Patrick Lefevere

Outstanding Highlight :

1. Cav kept us riveted from the day his late inclusion was announced until the very end
2. Pogcar spectacular decimation of his GC rivals in stage 8 in the rain soaked Alps.
3. van Aert taking high-mountain, time trail and sprint with iconic Mt Ventoux being the most spectacular

Lowlight

1. The girl with signboard
2. Ineos with the highest budget and sponsorship

 

[Cathryn]

I'd agree with that and add my tuppence worth.

Highlights:
* The visible emotions of stage winners. It was so clear how much it meant to them - van de Poel, Cav and others all sobbed and I did too.
* Cav cav cav cav cav cav
* Cav's exuberant over-hugging of Alaphilippe made me laugh.
* Orla & co's commentary on GCN+ - really enjoyed it.

Lowlights:
* The shadow of suspicion over Bahrain Victorious really put a dampener on my TdF.

 

[Arrowfoot]

Lowlights:
* The shadow of suspicion over Bahrain Victorious really put a dampener on my TdF.

Yeah, a damper, hopefully it comes to a dead end.