Ah, a low-stakes polemic to start the Tour.

In a sense, almost everyone is a co-leader because the guy wearing the #1 dossard could flat, crash, or get sick at any time, reshuffling the team's plans.  

I think it's just giving a little love to Yates; considering it's hard to see him finishing on the podium even without Pog, Tadej would have to be pretty sick for Yates to get the green light.  

or, it could be a recognition that the way Jumbo beat Pog last year was to tag-team him on the road.  Maybe they're hoping Yates will be an outside threat lurking in good position.  Therefore, if Yates can attack, he can take pressure of Pog.  

I actually think Yates is smart enough and strong enough to finish on the podium , he’s really good at nearly 
as they say “ it’s the tour , anything can happen” to either of the outright favorites 

that said , he’s not on my fantasy team 

eloy said:

Everything that is said to the press during the race is strategic or tactical and has ZERO relationship to the truth. It could be true, but that is not at all why it was said. 

Agreed, and that's why this story about Wout van Aert leaving the tour early for his wife to give birth is BS. He just wants a good taper week before World Championships. If he drops out at all. 

Thierry Bonnaire said:

Pog is going a get a sweet contract from Ineos next year, mark my words.

Ineos only sells the Oil. UAE produces it. Ain't nobody gonna outspend UAE until we're all driving electric cars.

Plus he's on contract till 2027 with a rumored buy out clause of like 100 mil.

How about that?

Nothing to see here citizens, move along...

https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-racing/tour-de-france/the-power-numbers-at-this-years-tour-de-france-are-the-highest-in-the-modern-era-of-cycling/

Velo/Outside won't be asking any further questions.  It's not just that Lance Armstrong is a VC funder, but their vision is 'good news only.'

More Power , Isn't that good news 

Wondering what enables WVA to be a so much better climber than MVDP , I'd assume that those two riders share such similar characteristics

Mark Taylor said:

Wondering what enables WVA to be a so much better climber than MVDP , I'd assume that those two riders share such similar characteristics

I thought Wout was significantly lighter, but ... these guys are going to so fast now it might make sense to ask their pharmacists 

"I saw there were two Lottos, and they will not gamble"
--Jasper Philipsen after stage 18

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sprinters-fuming-after-tour-de-france-breakaway-prevails-on-stage-18/

Incredible. That is a The Simpsons spoofing Arnold Schwarzenegger level quip.

Lance still in yellow!

Yesterday’s TdFF Tourmalet stage was seriously gorgs & epic defined — watch it if you can

extended highlights here
https://youtu.be/FUF5c9_MNQ8

also, go find any piece of content of the riders behind not on gc — I mean, the tourmalet yesterday really was everything we love about cycling 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvTY4-gN4Ym/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvUKNWkM3q5/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvS6ZrYMaUl/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

so much stupid beauty 

Who doesn’t love Lucinda 
https://twitter.com/LidlTrek/status/1685346968145457152

She is amazing!

She too was a highlight last year at the Arkansas CX Worlds, somehow ending dancing on someone's shoulders after the pro men's race.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYfHhWM4VS/?img_index=1

Today it became apparent how much I’m going to miss Eurosport /GCN
TJ looked so uncomfortable , those suits 😂
, what kind of cycling language is that ?

I haven’t tried it yet, but a VPN with FloSports might save us all from Phil and suits (although I did sorta like CVdV on the motorcycle) 🤞

I VPN into SBS, the Australian broadcast.  It's pretty good.  Very Aussy-centric, but the announcers are solid.  There are commercials but it's free.

GregHoge said:

I VPN into SBS, the Australian broadcast.  It's pretty good.  Very Aussy-centric, but the announcers are solid.  There are commercials but it's free.

If my VPN allows me in to SBS, I'll happily do that.  I haven't tuned into their broadcasts in years, but when I was doing it regularly, their commentary team was excellent.  

I've been watching on Peacock out of sheer laziness and because Bob Roll's architecture lessons are what make me a cultured human. Phil keeps calling MVdP Adri and then getting corrected so seems like they've maintained the status quo

I’ve been noticing how much more enjoyable US commentary is in soccer and like, most other sports, compared to the Belgian or Dutch broadcaster. But man, I’m so happy to be able to listen to Renaat Schutte and José de Cauwer in cycling races. They recognize all the riders immediately, their analysis is on point and they have good banter

Can someone remind me how to do spoiler text?