Tour de France 2026 ***Spoilers***

[Big John]

Are they closely enough matched that if Pog performs slightly below his best then his close rival may be victorious? Or is Pog so good that even a slightly below par performance still won't give the opposition a chance to win?

 

[Jameshow]

Are they closely enough matched that if Pog performs slightly below his best then his close rival may be victorious? Or is Pog so good that even a slightly below par performance still won't give the opposition a chance to win?

Pog will win I'm sure.

 

[Pblakeney]

Are they closely enough matched that if Pog performs slightly below his best then his close rival may be victorious? Or is Pog so good that even a slightly below par performance still won't give the opposition a chance to win?

It used to be claimed that Pog didn't like the heat or high altitude, and that he toiled in the 3rd week.
Not saying that is going to be the case this year but gives a glimmer of hope.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I'd love it to be a close fight, but Vin hasn't been Pog's equal since his big crash. Vin is getting closer though.

 

[NorthernSky]

yeah would be nice to see this go close or something other than the foregone conclusion we all assume

 

[matticus]

I'd love it to be a close fight, but Vin hasn't been Pog's equal since his big crash. Vin is getting closer though.

This is the other aspect: I'm currently keen to buy the positive spin that he is still recovering from the crash, so should be better than 12 months ago.

 

[Milzy]

The Danish anchovy held back in the Giro. The UAE team is starting to shed good team mates. It will be closer than you think & in 2027 it will be Paul Sexy beating them both.
Good day.

 

[rich p]

We live in hope. Given that Vinnie didn't have to bust a gut, and was under the weather early doors, it's possible that he may get closer to Pog this year. I wouldn't back him for the win though unless illness or injury play a part.
I'm not expecting Seixas to feature in battle for yellow this year...
... but in 1995, I also predicted that Internet shopping would never take off.
And that Spurs would win the Premier in my lifetime...

 

[mididoctors]

Unusual parcours this year

 

[phreak]

Giro post-mortem:
I don't dispute Pog as favourite. But ...

... is there a sliver of light for Jonas fans in that; given their different Spring campaigns, maybe Pog is overcooked, and Jonas is just coming to the boil nicely?

(and JV really didn't seem to exert himself much in cruising to that win.)

Vingegaard has raced 36 days to Pogacar's 11 (and 5,662km to 2,149km) so whatever else, I don't think we can say that Pogacar is overcooked.

It's interesting though as it's not just Vingegaard that will be doubling up. It seems likely that Kuss and Campanaarts will also ride the Tour, so only really Jorgensen of the key mountain support who will be fresh.

 

[Aravis]

Last time Poggy rode a GT he looked as though he didn't want to be there. Anyone remember that?

 

[misforturob]

Last time Poggy rode a GT he looked as though he didn't want to be there. Anyone remember that?

Eventually we found out that was because of a knee injury though

 

[Pblakeney]

Last time Poggy rode a GT he looked as though he didn't want to be there. Anyone remember that?

I remember commenting on that thinking that he was fed up of the corporate BS in Le Tour but I wasn't aware of the knee injury.
Not long till we find out but I don't think his racing instincts have left him.

 

[matticus]

Vingegaard has raced 36 days to Pogacar's 11 (and 5,662km to 2,149km) so whatever else, I don't think we can say that Pogacar is overcooked.

Yes, fair point. But my "angle" was that his Spring campaign was super-intense, whereas perhaps JV has had lots of easy days out in the bunch. Also the pros often say that "double-peaking" is hard, so maybe JV is ramping up at just the right time.
Maybe!

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Unusual parcours this year

Yes and not in a good way.