28-06-2021, 00:22
The previously mentioned Marc Soler finished in last place yesterday, but was riding on with two broken elbows - no rolling about on the ground for him. Needless to say he is one of the four riders to withdraw.
I managed to watch some of the live transmission today between bowling games and thoroughly enjoyed Mathieu van der Poel's message of intent. Not only is he leading the GC, he is also in front for the Mountain Goat Trophy, along with Ide Schelling. Leading the Points classification is Julian Alaphilippe ahead of the Man Of The Moment, van der Poel.
Tomorrow's stage is a fairly flat 182.9km from Lorient (not the football team) to Pontivy. The latter owes its name to St Ivy, a Scottish monk who came to evangelise Brittany. According to legend, he had a bridge built over the Blavet river, which gave its name to the town: "Pont-Ivy". There you are, I've managed to mention the Scots, so I can now relax.
Tuesday's stage from Redon to Fougeres is equally flat for the 150.4km distance and once again should be tailor-made for the out-and-out sprinters if their teams can get them in the right place at the right time for another frantic bunch finish.
Any one of the five Points contenders I mentioned in the opening post could win these two stages, with the possible exception of Sagan, who is not the best sprinter. He likes a hilly stage where he can drop some of his rivals on the tougher climbs.
I managed to watch some of the live transmission today between bowling games and thoroughly enjoyed Mathieu van der Poel's message of intent. Not only is he leading the GC, he is also in front for the Mountain Goat Trophy, along with Ide Schelling. Leading the Points classification is Julian Alaphilippe ahead of the Man Of The Moment, van der Poel.
Tomorrow's stage is a fairly flat 182.9km from Lorient (not the football team) to Pontivy. The latter owes its name to St Ivy, a Scottish monk who came to evangelise Brittany. According to legend, he had a bridge built over the Blavet river, which gave its name to the town: "Pont-Ivy". There you are, I've managed to mention the Scots, so I can now relax.
Tuesday's stage from Redon to Fougeres is equally flat for the 150.4km distance and once again should be tailor-made for the out-and-out sprinters if their teams can get them in the right place at the right time for another frantic bunch finish.
Any one of the five Points contenders I mentioned in the opening post could win these two stages, with the possible exception of Sagan, who is not the best sprinter. He likes a hilly stage where he can drop some of his rivals on the tougher climbs.
Cabbage is still good for you