I've never before seen what Wout van Aert just did. Incredible.
Pogacar looks good here. Think it'll be tough for Vingegaard to beat him.
Pogacar looks good here. Think it'll be tough for Vingegaard to beat him.
Pro Cycling 2023
- Thread starter Suedesi
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Tadej's hair sticking out of his helmet isn't very aero.
He looks like Cartman in that paralympics episode.
These motorbikes have cost him massively.
fecking idiots on those motorbikes.
Tbf they were only repelling the crowd. The need to have barriers that close to the top.
Rodriguez went like a flash from the first hairpin 
Where the fck did Rodriguez come from?
Last I checked on the climb he was like a minute behind.....
Last I checked on the climb he was like a minute behind.....
Vingegaard putting a huge second into Pogacar over the stage!
So Jonas gains a second - fecking motorbikes....
Where the fck did Rodriguez come from?
Last I checked on the climb he was like a minute behind.....
Once Vingegaard closed Pogacar they both sat up, which allowed Rodriguez to get back.
Great stage, thought Vingegaard played it well there.
UAE should have tried to get Yates second, Pogi third.
Thought I did well to get Pogacar @ 3 halfway through the final climb
Pogacar second, Yates third would be even better
Ha - Given Pogi couldn't shake off Jonas, that scenario is less likely
great stage, they're hitting 90+ kmh on the descents, truly squeaky bum time
Important moral win for Vingegaard to close the gap. He needs to ride it differently tomorrow. If he just waits until a late Pogi attack, he'll lose time again. If they both ride tempo from the bottom, I'm not convinced Pogi is stronger.
Jumbo - moto takes the win.
Shambles, someone's head needs to roll.
If the tour gets decided by less then 6 sec
Shambles, someone's head needs to roll.
If the tour gets decided by less then 6 sec
Jumbo planned to put minutes into Pog. Not a chance.
This was a Vingegard stage apparently. Didn’t look like it. No moto, Pog wins stage, takes all bonuses. And seconds over and above perhaps.
Oh well, keeps it interesting
Because of that attack with 400 metres to the top? Wouldn't have made a difference, left it too late.Jumbo - moto takes the win.
Shambles, someone's head needs to roll.
If the tour gets decided by less then 6 sec
Would do you mean? Pogacar would have gotten the top of mountain bonus seconds -> +6 second swing
Oh, the bonus seconds, of course, you're right, he would have probably taken those. He's well on his way to winning the Tour on bonus seconds anyway.
Yeah, pretty clear that if it's on Pogacar's terms, he wins that sprint over the top which is a 6 second swing. You could probably also argue that Rodriguez would not have caught them, and Pogacar would take the stage with Jonas coming second, which would be another 2 second swing in Pogacar's favor, but that's a bit more academic.
Not a great day for Jumbo-Visma, I'd say. They spent the entire day pacing with the team without being able to make it tough enough for Pogacar - he's just too strong. This year UAE has a team that's at least as strong in the mountains.
It's crazy how evenly matched they are. Jonas is very coolheaded in how he defends Pogacar. Just defend for a bit on the initial kick, and then slowly catch up over the remaining climb. He doesn't explode.
Not a great day for Jumbo-Visma, I'd say. They spent the entire day pacing with the team without being able to make it tough enough for Pogacar - he's just too strong. This year UAE has a team that's at least as strong in the mountains.
It's crazy how evenly matched they are. Jonas is very coolheaded in how he defends Pogacar. Just defend for a bit on the initial kick, and then slowly catch up over the remaining climb. He doesn't explode.
Yeah super fair analysis. I love Pogi, but Jonas has been amazing.
What a fantastic tour ~2,500 km where #1 and #2 only separated by 10 seconds
But he needs to turn the tables and get on the front foot. He's too much in the defence at the moment, which will inevitably result in Pogacar outsprinting him on the last kilometre and taking enough time to win (unless Vingegaard can win the ITT with a significant margin). I was disappointed that he didn't try a counterattack immediately after catching Pogi today. Also thought Jumbo-Visma gave away the initiative by not attacking early on the final climb after all their hard work.
On a separate note, glad Remco will be back for Vuelta
Curious to see if he can be in the mix next year for the Tour
Curious to see if he can be in the mix next year for the Tour
I agree, I kind of thought that he would do the counter-attack after catching up, but I guess he just didn't feel like he had the legs. I'm sure he is aware that he will need another chunk of time somewhere before Paris. Basically, the Tour will be decided over the next three stages and stage 20. There's a very real chance that this ends up with a gap of less than 15'' or that Pogacar's wins it on his net bonus second advantage (or both). While Vingegaard is in the lead he also needs to show some aggression soon, because his lead is so flimsy - especially against a stronger finisher.
Tomorrow is on paper another good chance for Vingegaard to take some seconds on the last long climb, but Pogacar clearly has the upper hand, so I'd be surprised if he is able to do it.
Agree with everything, I don't think Vingegaard will distance Pogi again. The big joker is the ITT where Pogacar's acceleration won't matter. I honestly have no idea as to who will win that one. At the moment it looks like the decisive stage – but then again, wouldn't be shocked to see Vingegaard finally break on Wednesday and lose a minute or two.
In last years hilly TT, Vingegaard beat Pogacar by 8'', but he did sit up towards the end, so it probably could have been a bit more than that. This years stage is almost half the length though, so less of a chance to make a gap. I'm gonna guess they will be within 10'' of each other.
another early large crash today, this time because some spectator tries to film and hits a jumbo rider with his arm
Unforgivable stuff. People are such idiots. I’d be in favor for large fines for those responsible.
Could literally decide the race. Both Vingegaard and Pogacar escaped narrowly.
The fans will never learn. Time to hold the tour behind closed doors.
For sure, already in combination with the lack of barriers and the motorbikes at the top yesterday. Just hope none of them have to abandon because of today
For sure in favor of massive fines, I know the dude probably feels like shit right now, but feck him and his fecking selfies. Modern me-me-me culture sucks
Finally Wout van Aerts day?
Edit: Guess not.
Edit: Guess not.
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Feels like today could have been a missed chance for Vingegaard, could have dropped Pogacar, but then again so hard to see if its mind games or not
Vingegaard seems just too strong, he’s like a tick. Pogacar can get some distance with sprints but not enough. TT will be decisive I guess.
The way things are going, that ITT on Tuesday is going to be so massive. If Jonas can defend or slightly add to his gap on that, Pogacar will soon begin to run out of stages to claim the yellow. Also, the onus is going to be on UAE to keep the pace, because these breakaway victories are hurting Pogacar's chances, as they take away his bonus seconds. This was the most convincing defense we've seen from Jonas, and it looks like he will be able to do that on the remaining two mountain stages as well.
I'd love to see a counter-attack from Jonas after he closes Pogacar's initial attacks, but I guess he just doesn't think it's worth the risk.
I'd love to see a counter-attack from Jonas after he closes Pogacar's initial attacks, but I guess he just doesn't think it's worth the risk.