docking Uran 20 seconds = garbage. maybe some official favoritism involved? To dig up the recent past, Demare acted more dangerously in that sprint than Sagan (hot topic, I know) : Demare wins, Sagan gets kicked out. Bardet and Uran both take late feeds and Uran gets penalized but not the french stagewinner, once again.... I jest... but seriously.... garbage... fire.

^ huh ... I only watched the last 10kms, which was awesome, didn't know of the above nonsense ... are the UCI and NCAA the same governing bodies?

Romain Bardet winning ride in Strava (no power, so not very interesting)
https://www.strava.com/activities/1082104805/overview

BOOM sha- lock-ah
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-reverses-time-penalties-for-uran-and-bennett/

you're welcome
https://gifs.com/gif/rigoberto-uran-mick-jagger-1jXq5o

you wanna see the galibier. grenades are being thrown all over. 

Thomas De Gendt spent 1,280 kilometers off the front at the Tour de France.  The entire race was 3,540km long.

mugwump said:

Thomas De Gendt spent 1,280 kilometers off the front at the Tour de France.  The entire race was 3,540km long.

I guess he's the last one to get mugged by the race jury this year?

Most combative is voted by the press, not the race jury.

Barguil was super aggressive, but it is a matter of opinion if anyone was more aggressive. Bardet actually attacked the race -- for the first time in years -- Contador also got the award multiple days as he went hardcore for a couple of stages, De Gent, Chavanell, Vouckler, etc... all deserving of mention. 

Press voted, Barguil is who they voted for.

Good point re: press vs jury. Spending a third of the race in breakaways is no joke. Seems like a shame there isn't an appropriate recognition for that.

Jules said:

Good point re: press vs jury. Spending a third of the race in breakaways is no joke. Seems like a shame there isn't an appropriate recognition for that.

Seems a shame , that the jury wasn't international press

@JohnMalcolmson

Surprised you weren't hooting about this.  



http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11894258

I am mega slow. Rigoberto is super fast. That is all.

Stage 19-20 Power Analysis: Rigoberto Urán’s Road to Glory

https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/stage-19-20-power-analysis-rigoberto-urans-road-glory

mugwump said:

@JohnMalcolmson

Surprised you weren't hooting about this.  



http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11894258

Staunch man that Patty. 

Eight man teams in 2018!

Jules said:

Eight man teams in 2018!

And a 65km stage in the Pyrenees!!

Is it just me or does the soap opera that is pro cycling seem to repeat itself. Has the 2nd fiddle rider who is on the fence about leaving for their own "leadership opportunity" who then declares unilaterally that he's a "co-lead" to the established winner ever not had their ass handed to them?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/thomas-for-everyones-sake-i-hope-froomes-case-is-sorted-soon/

@Jules
pretty much agree , but it sounds like you don’t enjoy the “ soap opera “ of proclycling
.heroes & villains, hierarchy fights, skullduggery, politics , payoffs ,
come on , that to me is also what makes it so compelling to follow

I enjoy the soap opera I just wish they would evolve the plot a bit. 

Old White Guy from ASO/UCI/USADA blowhard rambles on about how he has an opinion and the rules are somehow secondary "chores" that must be obeyed. Add in some misdirection about how the drug doesn't enhance performance as if masking wasn't a thing.

Wait! We'll relegate a star sprinter or have a moto/pace car take out the lead group...

Now lets ramble about radios... but first! How about about some new tech that we can grumble about like

aerobars
disk brakes
aero skinsuits
saddle nose lengths

Vive la Telenova!

pro cycling needs new script writers. Maybe we can borrow some from WWE for the tour this year. 

Tired script ideas:

* support vehicles taking out leaders
* "co-leader" role is just "I'm going to finish at least 10 minutes down on a crucial stage."
* relegating a sprinter for getting a tow up the mountain or sprinting with elbows out
* every Frenchman trying and failing to win on Bastille Day

Some new script ideas:

* More running with bikes
* French riders all strike on Bastille day 
* Critical non-mountain, non-TT stage that impacts GC for seemingly super prepared team. 
* No suspected/confirmed dopers on the final podium.
* non-ugly TT bikes (ok this one is a long shot I know, but a boy can dream).

So many lol's Dan!

There is nothing more iconically French than trying and failing to win a stage on Bastille day...

(except perhaps having the highest placed non-doper on GC)

I’ve following pro cycling for nearly 40 years 
every year I’m giddy for the spring classics , get immersed in the grand tours and start thinking about cross after Lombardy 
script seems pretty good to me 
agree that some of the journalism is pretty lazy 

I don't think it's possible to be a cycling fan and not follow the TDF. That said, it's my least favorite.

If the reasoning behind going to teams of 8 was fewer crashes, then the past two days seem to blow a hole through that argument 

It always seems bad in the first week.

badass.

Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on at 27 seconds?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GaXA-1um-k&feature=player_embedded