15-07-2019, 01:00
Back on live TV watch this weekend, but most of next week is probably out for me. At least Saturday's race was the real thing, a solo triumph, a spirited chase for 2nd and 3rd with a bunch finish for most of the GC players.
As for today, boredom was the big winner with a large breakaway allowed to build up a lead of well over 10 minutes, resulting in an impressive victory by Daryl Impey over Tiesj Benoot with the rest of the breakaway coming in up to 7 minutes behind. We had to wait almost another 10 minutes for the peleton bothering to turn up - it was such a nice day for a spin, they probably stopped for a cup of coffee and a cake in one of the towns! For a few brief moments, I thought an attempted break-out from the peleton by Romain Bardet and Richie Porte might shake up the GC placings but they were soon reeled back in.
Not much change in the overall rankings with Alaphillippe holding a 23 second lead over Ciccone and a 53 second lead over Pinot. Peter Sagan still wears the Grren Jersey with a healthy lead, with Lotto-Soudal's Tim Wellens and Thomas de Ghent vying for the Polka Dot Jersey. I'm sure they'll both win stages in the next couple of weeks, but they'll be taking turn about to attack. Ciccone still holds the White Jersey for the Youths and Trek-Segafredo hold a narrow lead over Movistar in the Team Event. Everyone else is over 15 minutes behind, but there's a long way to go yet.
Tomorrow sees a reasonably flat stage in the hills that should suit just about everyone - a committed breakaway shouldn't be allowed to get too far in front, a strong sprinter might still be there for a flat run to the finish. A climber might get a minute or so's advantage, but I doubt the sprint teams will allow that. For me, take your pick from a number of sprinters for the stage win - Sagan, Viviani, Kristoff, Colbrelli, Ewan - the possibilities are endless.
As for today, boredom was the big winner with a large breakaway allowed to build up a lead of well over 10 minutes, resulting in an impressive victory by Daryl Impey over Tiesj Benoot with the rest of the breakaway coming in up to 7 minutes behind. We had to wait almost another 10 minutes for the peleton bothering to turn up - it was such a nice day for a spin, they probably stopped for a cup of coffee and a cake in one of the towns! For a few brief moments, I thought an attempted break-out from the peleton by Romain Bardet and Richie Porte might shake up the GC placings but they were soon reeled back in.
Not much change in the overall rankings with Alaphillippe holding a 23 second lead over Ciccone and a 53 second lead over Pinot. Peter Sagan still wears the Grren Jersey with a healthy lead, with Lotto-Soudal's Tim Wellens and Thomas de Ghent vying for the Polka Dot Jersey. I'm sure they'll both win stages in the next couple of weeks, but they'll be taking turn about to attack. Ciccone still holds the White Jersey for the Youths and Trek-Segafredo hold a narrow lead over Movistar in the Team Event. Everyone else is over 15 minutes behind, but there's a long way to go yet.
Tomorrow sees a reasonably flat stage in the hills that should suit just about everyone - a committed breakaway shouldn't be allowed to get too far in front, a strong sprinter might still be there for a flat run to the finish. A climber might get a minute or so's advantage, but I doubt the sprint teams will allow that. For me, take your pick from a number of sprinters for the stage win - Sagan, Viviani, Kristoff, Colbrelli, Ewan - the possibilities are endless.
Cabbage is still good for you