13-07-2017, 17:58
(This post was last modified: 13-07-2017, 18:06 by ritchiebaby.
Edit Reason: Annoyance ar irrelevant censorship.
)
A much more interesting day out today, wirh a large breakaway group full of sprinters, intent on battling for intermediate sprint points, and for the first time, Steve Cummings. Michael Matthews was the man in charge, only just holding off Marcel Kittel on the line, followed by Thomas De Gendt.
On the following climb, the sprinters gradually fell behind and by the time the riders reached the only HC climb, both the breakaway and the peloton started to fall apart. First Thomas De Gendt and then Steve Cummings made decisive moves with Cummings on his own over the summit. Thanks to Team Sky's relentless pursuit, he was eventually overhauled with 8km to go. The order stayed the same for most of the remaining distance with Chris Froome being delivered at the front with 500m to ride. But for the first time, we saw a xxxx in the armour of Chris Froome, who had nothing left to give despite a perfect performance from his team.
The strongest man turned out to be Romain Bardet who won by 2 seconds from Rigoberto Uran and Fabio Aru with Mikal Landa and Louis Mentjes the closest of the rest. Chris Frroome finished 22 seconds behind, leading to a Top 4 reshuffle. Fabio Aru now leads by 6 seconds from Chris Froome, with Romain Bardet 3rd 25 seconds behind and Rigoberto Uran 4th 35 seconds behind. Thankfully for the whole Tour, we now have a race.
The second day in the Pyrenees brings a short mountain stage, 101km from Saint Giron to Foix. It still includes 3 Category 1 climbs and an early intermediate sprint. The final climb has sections of 18% and 16%, followed by a 27km downhill dash. Normally on a finish like this, I'd be backing Romain Bardet (especially on Bastille Day) and Chris Froome, but after today's battle, powers of recovery will be vital. Based on his powers of recovery and his commitment, I'd back Dan Martin for this one, but it's up for grabs for anyone.
Oh dear, I seem to have offended the Word Police!
You can't rewrite the English language because some ignoramus might be offended at the perfectly normal use of a perfectly normal word in a perfectly normal context. 
Good job I have a sense of humour.
On the following climb, the sprinters gradually fell behind and by the time the riders reached the only HC climb, both the breakaway and the peloton started to fall apart. First Thomas De Gendt and then Steve Cummings made decisive moves with Cummings on his own over the summit. Thanks to Team Sky's relentless pursuit, he was eventually overhauled with 8km to go. The order stayed the same for most of the remaining distance with Chris Froome being delivered at the front with 500m to ride. But for the first time, we saw a xxxx in the armour of Chris Froome, who had nothing left to give despite a perfect performance from his team.
The strongest man turned out to be Romain Bardet who won by 2 seconds from Rigoberto Uran and Fabio Aru with Mikal Landa and Louis Mentjes the closest of the rest. Chris Frroome finished 22 seconds behind, leading to a Top 4 reshuffle. Fabio Aru now leads by 6 seconds from Chris Froome, with Romain Bardet 3rd 25 seconds behind and Rigoberto Uran 4th 35 seconds behind. Thankfully for the whole Tour, we now have a race.
The second day in the Pyrenees brings a short mountain stage, 101km from Saint Giron to Foix. It still includes 3 Category 1 climbs and an early intermediate sprint. The final climb has sections of 18% and 16%, followed by a 27km downhill dash. Normally on a finish like this, I'd be backing Romain Bardet (especially on Bastille Day) and Chris Froome, but after today's battle, powers of recovery will be vital. Based on his powers of recovery and his commitment, I'd back Dan Martin for this one, but it's up for grabs for anyone.
Oh dear, I seem to have offended the Word Police!
You can't rewrite the English language because some ignoramus might be offended at the perfectly normal use of a perfectly normal word in a perfectly normal context. Good job I have a sense of humour.
Cabbage is still good for you