Tour de France 2026 ***Spoilers***

[No Ta Doctor]

True Champion TM

Heavyweight

 

[Pross]

Tim WEllens, of course.
Just slipped in with a little over a miniute to spare
View attachment 815968

That's either some exceptional taking it easy before a couple of very hard stages, or absolutely grovelling over the line ready for an absolute battering tomorrow

What is it with UAE, they're even attacking the Lanterne Rouge competition now. Can't they leave anything for the other teams to contest?

 

[Pross]

Some time cut coefficients and info.... just in case it becomes something of interest...
View attachment 815959

View attachment 815960

Today's was coefficient 3 - there are no coefficient 4 stages left

View attachment 815961

Today's winning speed was 41.72 km/h, so time cut is 17%, which gives a cut of 44:17 when applied to the 4:26:21 finish time

(I didn't actually make the calculation, just copied it from the countdown ticker on the offical site...)

So if they rode at 36.1km/h average the cut off will be around 40.5 minutes tomorrow and 54 minutes on Stage 20. Tomorrow has a long flattish section between the second and third KOM which may help if the autobus but it will be tough for any lone riders dropped early. Stage 20 looks like a generous chunk of time assuming they don't race the Croix De Fer but doesn't give any respite for non-climbers

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Whilst I was mainly joking, it's still the same in as much as both he and Pog have taken every opportunity to win the respective jerseys.

I suppose it is different though as the equivalent would be Pog going into breaks to pick up intermediate time bonuses and then hoping to minimise any time losses at the end of the stage

[Makes note on naughty list]*


Well Roglic was always disliked for negative racing to pick up the time bonuses at the finish, but at least that left it open to getting mugged by someone who could actually take a chunk of time in the final TT....

But there's really very little comparison possible with the GC and a completely artificial extra competition weighted toward sprinters.







*This list is much, much worse to be on that UAE's list. People on this list have been made to suffer extreme sarcasm and very, very cutting remarks. Trust me, it's devastating.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

So if they rode at 36.1km/h average the cut off will be around 40.5 minutes tomorrow and 54 minutes on Stage 20. Tomorrow has a long flattish section between the second and third KOM which may help if the autobus but it will be tough for any lone riders dropped early. Stage 20 looks like a generous chunk of time assuming they don't race the Croix De Fer but doesn't give any respite for non-climbers

It's going to be tough on Saturday for anyone trying that last section after Col de Sarenne alone

 

[Dogtrousers]

Richie sneaks into the top 10.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

 

[Blazing Saddles]

What is it with UAE, they're even attacking the Lanterne Rouge competition now. Can't they leave anything for the other teams to contest?

They are looking dodgy as a week old fish pie for the team competition now.

 

[mididoctors]

Stage 19 Gap>Alpe d'Huez 127.9 km ​

​

Short and violent. Built for UAE to control and deliver pog to a record breaking ascent.

But UAE are buggered. Red bull may do it for him I guess. Something odd may happen . Decathlon have to make a go at the podium . Defend 4th?

We all know the finish Rollout 14:00 CEST

If mads gets the intermediate it's a truly strange world

 

[misforturob]

Is everyone enjoying the discourse about Pog's black shorts?

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Another glorious day forecast, but the bad news is that there may be some rain about tomorrow. Hopefully it will clear before too much of the stage is covered and it will finish before the heavier rain arrives in the evening.

 

[rich p]

Is everyone enjoying the discourse about Pog's black shorts?

Should have borrowed some of the old AG2R shorts...

 

[Dorset Boy]

Sounds like more than a handful of riders are concerned about the crowds on the Alpe and what stupid actions they may enact.
Fingers crossed the tour isn't decided by a drunken or drugged up spectator.

Also hope the UAE sickness bug hasn't spread any further.

 

[phreak]

Sounds like more than a handful of riders are concerned about the crowds on the Alpe and what stupid actions they may enact.
Fingers crossed the tour isn't decided by a drunken or drugged up spectator.

Also hope the UAE sickness bug hasn't spread any further.

Testing the fans at 2am this morning.

 

[T4tomo]

todays stage (and the rest) is live on SC4 (via I-player) for anyone with a liking for Welsh commentary