Tour de France 2019 **SPOILERS**

[Dogtrousers]

That should confuse carlton Kirby …..

He won't be alone.

 

[ColinJ]

Dear Cycling Weekly,

Every year you give readers your Tour de France race guide booklet, and every year you fail to include stage elevation profiles...

PLEASE SHOW US THE CLIMBS!

 

[Adam4868]

That should confuse carlton Kirby …..

Easiest way to tell the difference between them.....Adam does more erm,s and Simon does more ahhs.
I think ?

 

[mjr]

Easiest way to tell the difference between them.....Adam does more erm,s and Simon does more ahhs.
I think ?

Adam has a small chin scar since the attack of the flame rouge. Good luck spotting that in race pictures!

 

[brommers]

I think that the Yellow Jersey could change several times in the first week.
Stage 1 is a classics style stage and could be won by a specialist classics rider or a sprinter, then there is the TTT, some breakaway chances and a tough stage 6 where the GC could start to unfold.

 

[rich p]

I think that the Yellow Jersey could change several times in the first week.
Stage 1 is a classics style stage and could be won by a specialist classics rider or a sprinter, then there is the TTT, some breakaway chances and a tough stage 6 where the GC could start to unfold.

It's looking like a better route than the Giro on paper.
Not sure about tarmac.....but here's hoping

 

[Foghat]

It's looking like a better route than the Giro

Eminently better as it goes down the valley right below the ski station apartment I've been staying at just outside Bourg St Maurice for the past few years. Which is the day it traverses what's my favourite Alpine climb and one I've done numerous times, the Cormet de Roselend.

Now to decide where to watch it:

• on the western ascent from Beaufort - 2-hour ride over the Cormet to get there, then slow/delayed descent/escape back to Bourg after the race, due to crowds etc.
• on the blindingly fast (especially if westerly wind) top section of the descent, to see what 60mph looks /sounds like from the spectator's point of view - again, slow descent/escape.
• at Bruyneel corner lower down the descent, standing by ready to haul out anyone who goes down the ravine he did (ref. OLD POST) - slowish escape/descent.
• on the valley road where the race goes past the bottom of the 7-mile climb to the apartment (how many times have I done that climb, which needs ascending at the end of every (usually gruelling) ride?!) - easy escape after it's gone by.
• from a café in Bourg - relaxed, easy option.
  
• somewhere else.

The day before, it's going over the Col de L'Iseran before descending through Val d'Isere and then turning to climb up to Tignes. So that'll be a monster ride from the apartment to get to a decent vantage point, and a late, knackered finish. Hopefully the road up to Val d'Isere from Bourg will be closed to motor traffic for some of its length - or maybe a day for a drive/ride combination.

And the day before that it's a 2-3 hour drive and then 2-hour bike ride over the Col du Telegraphe to watch it somewhere on the Galibier descent, or in Valloire.

Pleasant conundrums to have.....

 

[Foghat]

Easiest way to tell the difference between them.....Adam does more erm,s and Simon does more ahhs.
I think ?

Err...yeah.

 

[roadrash]

Err...yeah.

for sure !!!

 

[Crackle]

No velogames for the fantasy league so where should we go?

https://www.velogames.com/

 

[rich p]

No velogames for the fantasy league so where should we go?

https://www.velogames.com/

I read elsewhere that the road.cc one has a purist/no transfer option.
I'd go along with that one but cba to change selections every day.

 

[Adam4868]

I read elsewhere that the road.cc one has a purist/no transfer option.
I'd go along with that one but cba to change selections every day.

Just had a quick look at that,I think you can change your riders if you want ? Not that I know anything,the simpler the better for me.
Id prefer to just pick 8 riders and sit back and watch them fail as usual.

 

[rich p]

Just had a quick look at that,I think you can change your riders if you want ? Not that I know anything,the simpler the better for me.
Id prefer to just pick 8 riders and sit back and watch them fail as usual.

Moi aussi!

 

[brommers]

road.cc has the 'Purist' where you pick your team for the whole race and 'Standard' where you can change the team throughout the race. You can do both.

 

[Adam4868]

I'll vote with the 'purist' makes it sound special aswell.
I'm sure all will agree.....