I think is a fun thing to watch. Never virtual cycling is going to substitute cycling (either riding or watching). But I like to be able to watch the pros have fun on Zwift 

The Zwift teamwork is going to be really interesting....especially breakaways! Having your teammates on trainers right next to you has its advantages & i hope the broadcasters allow for some access to team communication during the races.

Anyone watching the virtual tour? https://www.zwift.com/video/vtdf-live last 2km for the women's race.

I'm honestly surprised how interesting and exciting watching a zwift race can be.

I guess my lizard brain responds really well to approximations - sort of like pareidolia - my heart rate went up and I got goosebumps watching the sprint. Fun stuff!

Men's race next...

I've been watching on and off but I agree. I had the races on this morning while doing the dishes and the commentary felt like IRL racing.  

Watching it too. Can’t wait for the real thing though...

Dear zod what a mess for stage 1.

https://youtu.be/DolI_GRcc3M

that botched wheel change for JA ! Mamma don’t let your boys race disk wheels

10:25 and 12:25 in that video for two vastly different versions of the same slight error.

the Lopez crash is crazy town -- how slippery was that course!

the Women's race was fun, and while it saw some rain, it was before things got slippery. Strategically I am not sure about Van Vleuten ride on the second climb, Longo Borghini was the most perfect teammate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzW19HTFSSU

apparently one of the floats was shooting soap bubbles?!?

yup, I read this as well, i’m sure it helped make it all sliiiiiipppery

The instant karma from the Lopez crash was probably the fastest I’ve ever seen karma do her thing. 

How are y'all watching this thing? I can't imagine the $50+ for NBC Sports Gold Cycling is at all worth it..

Nathaniel Picard Busky said:

How are y'all watching this thing? I can't imagine the $50+ for NBC Sports Gold Cycling is at all worth it..

I watch the cheap announcer version.  Much preferred to having to listen to Liggett (way past his sell-by date) and Roll (sad clown) and whomever else they stick on. 

Rough day for Alaphilippe, but curious to know Mitchelton-Scott's gameplan since they came into the race more interested in stage hunting than GC

Matt Budofsky said:

Rough day for Alaphilippe, but curious to know Mitchelton-Scott's gameplan since they came into the race more interested in stage hunting than GC

Funny thing is that I saw the feed happen, noticed it was under the 20k limit and thought that maybe they weren't enforcing that rule anymore.  Bad on Ala's team for setting up their soigneur there.

I think they're going to ride to defend it tomorrow.  It's an uphill finish after a Category 1 climb.  Maybe they'll send Chaves out early so they don't have to control the peloton, but two days in yellow would be a great bonus in their search for sponsors.  

What a fucking joke. The older I get the more absurd these race juries seem to me. I wish Yates had the stones (or the leverage - will they kick him out?) to refuse to wear it.

Professional cycling team + your dude is wearing yellow + this isn't your first rodeo + longstanding rule = they screwed up. Like this is organized professional sport, learn and exploit the rules to your advantage and don't get caught breaking them.

In order of blame/responsibility: DS, soigneur, ALP

But also what a crap rule.

Exactly; not anyone's first rodeo. On an unusually quiet day did he gain anything from it? Did anyone else lose from it?

In a sport where the rules are enforced based on (checks notes) random chicken pecking the choice to enforce this one (as opposed to say, sock length) on this day in a case where it causes a change in leader's jersey is - as the academics might say - a "total bag of semi liquified steaming horse shit."

I'm of two minds on this.

On the one hand, it seems ridiculously small.

On the other, the rule seems aimed at big teams that can have countless soigneur spaced out along the course, which would be a definite advantage on hot days, particularly hot days in the mountains. 

We knew the rules.  D-QS definitely had a brain fart.  

I think that's the point - they don't enforce the rule when it doesn't matter or noone gives a flying fudge even if they do. There are no stakes involved. They *especially* enforce the rule when it *especially* matters - similar to video reviews on touchdowns or buzzer beaters - because the stakes are so high.

Also I'm quite aware that causing controversy might also be the point. After all, spectacle in sport is what sells and gets fans and casual followers to be more invested in the story.

totally understand everyone's point, specially interesting as the first week seemed specially for Alaphilippe (new French superstar) to grab the Jersey. 20 seconds is oh so many seconds for Alaphilippe.

But ultimately, have to agree with the ruling, it is unfortunate that it was enforced on the Leader of the race, I mean could a domestique have grabbed the bottle and then pass it on? If you don't enforce this, then on a mega stage QS has a soigner in the last 3 km of a climb or whatever.

Jules, on your comment about Yates, they could have made an excuse, like we went to the hotel, but I am pretty sure he would not be allowed to start if he did not show up for the podium. 

I think even in 2003 in Armstrong mega height, he tried not to wear the jersey after Zabrieske crashed and lost it. Armstrong was told he would leave the race if he didn't wear it.

 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZg4Q1TgbI

^if I remember right he started the race in one jersey and then changed before the neutral rollout was complete - or was that when he was on Astana?

in 2010 there was an awesome moment when sponsored by Radio Shack, Armstrong's team started with a Black jersey on the last stage to Paris, it was expected to be Armstrong last stage ever. They were allowed to start, but during the stage, which is ceremonial until they get to Paris, they were told they would be disqualified if they didn't wear the approved jersey. 

The pictures of the whole team, sitting curbside on the road, removing numbers from those black jerseys and pinning them to the older jerseys, while Lance was all pissed off, were very funny.

What’s the fuss , it was a boring stage apart from the legend WVA
great story , and that’s what I want from sport 
i get the point that what impact did it have on the stage , but he was clearly really thirsty
it didn’t impact the stage outcome because he got the bottle , I remember Frome taking a gel , Porte taking a wheel
all had implications 
I bet ALP goes real hard on the finish tomorrow🤞 

I specifically paid for whatever US cable channel  that 2010 tour was on and TiVo'ed it so I wouldn't miss anything while at work and I can't remember that at all. They totally ripped me off!

Mark Taylor said:

I bet ALP goes real hard on the finish tomorrow🤞 

I think this is the benefit to everyone.

Mitchelton-Scott will ride to keep yellow.  D-QS will ride to regain yellow.  Jumbo-Visma will ride to crush Ineos.  Ineos will wait to see if they can blitz Jumbo late.  Pinot is regaining form.  Martin has the taste of attacking.  

Because it's a mountain stage with points late, Sagan and Cosnefroy will be riding to get into the break, so should all the teams that have gotten nothing out of this year's tour.  Like CCC.  Chaves will ride for the break to support Yates.  

I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure the summit of the last KoM hill will have a time bonus, too.

I think tomorrow will be an excellent stage.  

It will make up for today's yawner.