I may be the only one watching but I want to discuss!
I am so excited to watch Mark Cavendish (aka my cycling boyfriend). I've been cheering for him for years and was so crushed when he crashed in the first stage a few years ago and missed out on one of his only chances to ever wear yellow. I can't believe they weren't even going to have him race and now here he is, getting close to the record. If I was him, I would be insufferable right about now! With 3-4 flats left, I expect him to make it. It would be great if it happens on the Champs-Élysées.
We're big cyclocross fans and were really enjoyed seeing MVDP in yellow at the start. His domination of cross gets old but we enjoyed watching him make it look easy for the first few stages at least. I missed the stage where he cracked. I was checking the GC on my phone and couldn't believe it when he was suddenly out of the top 10. Disappointed Wout is so far down now too. MH and I joked that they were conspiring to get him in the yellow when MVDP went to prep for the Olympics but I guess not!
Also really disappointed for Roglic. After what happened last year, we wanted him to win.
MH has switched to rooting for O'Connor but I think Pogacar is going to take it again.
I love that you started this thread. I so enjoy the tour every year and as many other races as we can fit in.
Cav getting back to the tour and winning is awesome. I love that he is emotional and excited and so thankful to the team. It is great to watch. I noted a few stages ago that it is cool to see him ride on the front for Alaphilippe and then Alaphilippe be part of his leadout. I am sad that Sagan is not doing better in the sprints. I wonder if he is just worn out from the Giro?
It is fun to watch a tour that Ineos is not dominating. They are a great team, but each stage has been more interesting with other teams winning and leading.
I imagine Pogacar will win again, unless weather or injury have an impact. I was rooting for Roglic and I always want to Alaphilippe to win, but I know that is unlikely.
I've not a huge fan but interuptiong to say that I just read 'Sprinting through no man's land' about the 1919 Tour de France and that was fascinating!!
jamaicam I'll have to get that for MH if he hasn't already read it yet.
You might be interested to know that last year (well, most years) the only Black rider in the Tour was from the Caribbean. Guadeloupe specifically, which is a place we absolutely love.
I'd just like to say that after watching the GCN recaps of all 14 stages yesterday, I am FINALLY caught up, aaaaand forgot to to turn it on today until it was over. Now to watch another recap. darn it.
Also just made plans for a family event for sunday brunch with #1 criteria for location being that there's TVs we can watch from the patio. LOL
I thought about inviting people over Sunday but I generally find the last day so anticlimactic. Every year I ask MH whether someone would try to steal away the lead and every year he says no lol. The second to last stage being a time trial is also generally boring but since it lead to such a big upset last year that might no longer be the case.
At least this year we can be excited to see whether Cavendish wins the stage in Paris!
I thought about inviting people over Sunday but I generally find the last day so anticlimactic. Every year I ask MH whether someone would try to steal away the lead and every year he says no lol. The second to last stage being a time trial is also generally boring but since it lead to such a big upset last year that might no longer be the case.
At least this year we can be excited to see whether Cavendish wins the stage in Paris!
oh right! jeez. I knew that! ok, tomorrow!!! I'M GOIGN TO REMEMBER TO TURN IT ON IN THE MORNING.
it's such an easy thing to have playing in the background while I work.
I managed to spin a full pound of wool during the Tour de Fleece! Four 4 oz braids. Half of it is plied into two-ply yarn, the other half is still on the bobbin and in need of plying.
I only missed one day of spinning thru the whole Tour, too. Go me!