Holy Moly...it's going to happen! I was super skeptical...didn't really think they would be able to have it. Of course, there is still a LOT that could jeopardize the race....1 or 2 guys on a team test positive...bam...that team is out. How on earth can they protect the riders? And the fans?? Seriously...Millions of them...EAGER to get out of their homes...wonder if they will do better than most Americans (and WEAR their masks)??
Anyway...I just bit the bullet and signed up (for the first time EVER) for the NBCSportsGold package. I'm going to be on work-travel from the 10th thru the 18th of Sept...if I upgraded our Satellite package, for one thing I'd be competing with Jeannie for time on the big screen (and she HATES cycling, no interest whatsoever to watch it, and worse is hearing Phil's voice). And if it was just on the DVR I'd really be stuck. With the internet package I can watch it on my phone, laptop, or desktop...so when I am on travel in the hotel I can still stay tuned. I've never sat at my computer desk for hours every day before...we shall see how it goes. Here at home I have my new PC with a 27" screen...so that's actually pretty nice. My travel laptop has a 15" screen...still much better than the 6" screen on my cell phone. But anything is better than NOTHING! And...the subscription is good until May 31st next year...so I will also get this years Vuelta (in Oct I think) along with the Spring Classics (whatever ones they actually have...that depends on how things are going with this stupid virus).
So...it's almost game time. I've seen ZERO cycling this year, nor have I even paid any attention to whatever races they have had...have to assume most of last years top guys will be in it and a threat...haven't even heard who Ineos is having as "their guy" (or "guys"). I did see that neither Froome nor Thomas are IN...that's hard to believe! But I haven't studied (or even LOOKED at) this years route...so I must gather it's a doozy. Who's left for Ineos...Bernal?? I really should read up some...I'd think Jumbo would be a serious threat..they were pretty great last year. I'd gather (if they are even riding) that Roglic, Dumolin, Landa...who else...Pinot? They would all be highly considered...How about Bardet?? He was killing it last year..the French were LOVING IT...and Porte (who is he even riding for this year? I've rooted for him several years now and got killed each time...but I think I'd still like to see him do well).
Well..I'm so NOT up on things cycling wise (as you can tell)...that's what I'm counting on all of YOU for...the knowledgeable awesome banter we get every year! I don't yet have the buzz of anticipation that I get every year...not yet anyway. Maybe I'm still in disbelief...it's been such a wonky year...no racing to speak of...no OLYMPICS...no sports of any sort until just recently. On the news in the mornings as I'm eating breakfast getting ready for work they are showing Basketball...with the cardboard cutouts of people in the seats. Smart, but still SO very odd. College football will be something like a sad shell of it's usual I'm afraid...some teams / conferences not even playing...
And so...we are almost there. Tour Time...feels odd to even say that, cuz by this time of the year MY cycling viewing is usually over and I'm pushing hard-core on my own bikes to get BACK in shape (which I am actually doing..but this year it's been work-travel that's killed me...over 90 days in hotels SO FAR this year. Thank goodness the September mission is a short one...if it were another 45 day one that would be horrible...we've had two of those already.
Gotta scoot...bed time. Can't wait to start hearing from ya'll...Tour Time is always the best time of year! Put on your Party Pants (stolen from Susie) and get ready to roll! Sure hope along with Phil they have the REST of the usual NBCSports crew...we will see soon enough (the only one mentioned on the NBCSports page was Phil).
Later Gators...Game ALMOST ON!
Hey Matt, I'm SO glad you'll be able to watch! And I'm betting the hotel's cable will include NBCSN. BTW, some of the stages will be broadcast on NBC & CNBC; the latter especially on the weekends as NBCSN broadcasts Premiere League soccer. The thing that is upsetting to me is that there will hardly be ANY night-time repeat broadcasts! The darn Stanley Cup is happening now & NBCSN is the main broadcaster! Anyhoo, it seems there will be a repeat broadcast in the afternoon on many days & some again AFTER MIDNIGHT but I want to watch at night! And BEFORE Cinderella has the leave the frickin Ball!
ReplyDeleteNBC will NOT actually be in France. Phil will commentate from London & the other guys (Bob, CVV, Horner, Paul Burmeister) will be in the US. Not sure if the US guys will be commentating from their own homes or will congregate in a 'Bubble' at NBC's CT studio. I've not read if Jensie will be included at the race or not. (I think Germans can get into France, unlike anyone from the COVID-hotzone known as the USA).
I'm very disappointed that Froome AND Geraint were left off their team for the Tour! Was looking forward to some juicy DRAMA while the 3 TDF champs fought it out on the road for Big Dog team status. And also VERY disappointed that Cav was again left off his team's Tour squad but this time he said he wasn't in shape for the Tour. I've finally come to accept that Cav will not tie let alone pass Merckx's Tour stage record. Damn, that would have been SO exciting! Plus, I guess Cav's time as the sport's premiere sprinter is definitely over. I kept hoping the last 2 years he would get pass his injuries & illness & have one or two more great Tours but it seems never to be.
For the 1st time in 16 years (maybe 17 or 18), I won't have Velonews Tour Guide with me on the couch as I watch the French countryside zoom by on TV. I tried to talk myself into going to B&N to buy one, but I'm just too scared. Except for the bimonthly trips to my local grocery store at 6AM & once/week into my office (where I usually see NOONE), I go nowhere. I'm high-risk & don't want to gamble my LIFE on a TDF guide! So, I printed out ALL the stage elevation/Kilometer maps from Cyclingnews & those will just have to substitute.
At this point, I have no specific rider or team to root for. I'm guessing I'll pick someone as the Tour progresses. I do think the ASO is IDIOTIC in not altering the route! It's supposedly the hardest Tour route in YEARS & the guys are just NOT in a race-shape! In the month of races that they've had, there's be CRASHES GALORE! One guy hit & flipped over a stone bridge & appeared to fall at least 20-30 feet! It's a freakin miracle he survived!
ReplyDeleteAnd then of course, there's COVID to worry about. I had hoped they would block ALL spectators on the mountains but they are only going to ban cars & the camper-vans. Fans can walk or bike up! That is SOOOOO INSANE! Fans get within INCHES of the riders on the high passes & since the riders are going slowly in those stretches, the virus can easily be transmitted by some screaming/spitting "fans"!
Heck, one team already had to send 4 support members home yesterday for testing positive & the race hasn't even started!
I won't be shocked if the race does not make it to Paris or if it does, that only a third of the starters are there. I'm just hoping we don't see any fatalities! The combination of the extra-difficult route with the lack of prep & racing with the threat of a mortal virus seems a terrible combination!
Oh, oh & I read yesterday that Nice is now a "hot zone" as their numbers are spiking again & guess what starts there this year?!
Well, maybe now's the time I get that "old time religion" once again? :)
Gotts scoot. Happy to see you again, Barbara! :)
Well...first time ever watching on my computer w/ NBCSportsGold. It worked great! However...what feed is Phil commentating on? I tried both that were available and neither was him...supposedly he will be commentating from the US...have to say I"m NOT a fan of Germans and his partner doing todays play by play...nothing wrong with them, but they're NOT Phil and Paul (or Bobke). Still...good to have a way to watch. AND, I was able to send the app to our Amazon Fire Stick and now I can access the race on our TV! (for when Jeannie is not there...sleeping/etc). That's pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteAnd so...the first Yellow Jersey goes to Kristoff...he definitely had another gear over Sagan. And the CRASH! Right on the 3k banner! A lot of guys hit the deck...Pinot one of the GC guys...but he looked good thankfully...I'm actually rooting for him (along with about 10 other guys). He did so great last year, it would really be something for a Frenchman to win. Not saying HE is the guy I want...but he will be up at/near the very top of my short list. And nothing against Ineo, but nobody on their team will be up there on said list. The Yankees need to get beat this year. Roglic, Dumolin, Pinot, Alliphillipe (I don't think I ever spelled his name right last year either!), Porte (super longshot I know)...Don't think I left anybody out...if any of those guys were to win I'd call that pretty awesome! OK...next up, MOUNTAINS!!! Game ON!!!!
err...supposed to be Simon Gerrans commentating, not Germans...didn't catch that till it was posted. He and Sagan should NOT be commentating. But he IS super knowledgeable, can't take that away from him!
ReplyDeleteAhhh....today the NBCSports Feed link has the entire commentary team, HOORAY!!! It's JULY!!! And once again, watching the race with "the boys" commentating...(tho I'm seriously missing Paul's describing the French landscape once again) it reignites my "dream" of being in France with a rental RV (a very small one) following the race day by day, with my bike, riding parts of every stage, making new friends on the road camping every night...I'd say that's my top bucket-list-lotto win dream. I have the same dream every July. OK...back to the race!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't been paying much attention to the racing either, other than the random emails that I get from EF. I was shocked-not shocked about the Ineos team - not so much Froome (since I think that relationship is done & dusted) but definitely about Geraint - 2nd place finisher last year and important to the overall win!
ReplyDeleteI had to go to wikipedia to see what teams are there, and who is on what team - there was a lot of changing round it seems! One thing hasn't changed - Valverde will be there, and team leader (I think) of Movistar. I wonder how he will do - he is getting long in the tooth for a pro cyclist but has always been so consistent (good "medical care" I assume...)
Since last year I got a larger TV (43") and am really enjoying the clarity of the HD pictures - the landscape is so much more immediate! Lovely!
I signed up for NBCSportsGold too, when I do the math it really isn't much for what you get. I have been thinking also about FuboTV, since now they allow one to sign up for the cycling package without having to have the base subscription.
Since I got the Gold, I did catch up with the Dauphinais -- did you see that American Sep Kuss won the last stage in decisive fashion? He rides for Jumbo Visma. He seems to be quite talented (he was getting some attention last year too) so I hope that he doesn't start to feel the pressure of being the "next great American hope".
Yesterday's tour stage was, as we seem to have nearly every year, ridiculous with so many injuries from crashes - I am glad that the riders finely took things into their own hands and neutralized a lot of the stage.
I've not got a favorite either, although I would be happy to see a Frenchman win - a Frenchman on a Dutch team even better - and nearly any team but Ineos - I always like to see EF do well (but they seem to have SUCH bad luck with crashes and not quite a strong enough team).
I haven't seen or heard anything about Jensie being part of the tour broadcast team. They have the newly retired guy on the motorbike (who was it last year, Schlanger?). I am glad to see VdV and Horner back (I always enjoyed Horner's, umm, expressiveness when he was riding) and Bobke seems to be firmly seated in Paul's place now.
I can't figure why you got Gerrans as the commentator yesterday, it was the full team for me! I've tapped into an Australian feed before, but it was Robbie McEwan (who I really like as a commentator!)
Exciting finish today, wow! Way to go Alliphillipe! I really should look up his name and write it on a sticky...hope to be saying his name a lot this year! Can't take anything away from Adam Yates...he got up to the front and gave it a real shot. Glad there weren't so many crashes today...yesterday was horrible! Degenkolb abandoned!! Kwiatkowski (sp?) didn't even start...that's 2 pretty tough classics riders out. Dumolin hit the deck today, but didn't appear bad..he mostly rolled it out...just a moments inattention close to the finish on the climb, lucky for him. Anyway, HOORAY!! It was so great to have the boys back...Phil and Bobke...thousands of miles apart (Phil in London, Bobke I'm not even sure where), and then Paul, Christian and Chris somewhere else (didn't hear much from them tho...just bits here and there..but still glad they are part of it). And as you said Rae, nothing from Jensie...wonder what's up, maybe they'll say something. OK...it's 1pm and I finally finished the stage..gotta get busy, lots to do today (Sunday/chores day). Later gators, and Viva le France!!!
ReplyDeleteOoof, Saturday was rough but it COULD have been worse if the riders hadn't taken it upon themselves to neutralize on the final mt. And wow, Astana - rarely do you see KARMA in action that quick but they were "asking for it".
ReplyDeleteAnd yesterday - such a shock to see 2 CAT 1 mts on a Tour Stage 2! At the start of the day, I'd thought a GC guy would probably win the stage but it seems those teams were "keeping their powder dry" for later in this ridiculously hard Tour. (Take THAT, ASO course designer!) I'm happy that "Alaphil" (my name for him, real one just too long! ;) won, especially since he just lost his father in June. I thought maybe Sagan had eyed this stage early on but he didn't seem much a factor at the end.
Paul, CVV & Horner are together, broadcasting from NBC's Stamford, CT studios. In fact, I think they are using the NHL set for the Stanley Cup coverage, just different digital graphics. I'm guessing Bobke is doing his commentating from his home in Durango, CO. Jensie is not working for NBC, but for Eurosport this TDF! I don't know if he is at the race or working for them remotely. Can any of you hear/see Eurosport's coverage? I really miss the levity that Jensie brings.
And I'm with you, Rae - I don't have a fave yet but want ANYONE OTHER THAN INEOS to win! Bernal seems a nice, talented kid but I'm SICK of that team! I wanted Froome & Geraint there mostly for the DRAMA & not for that team to win again. I do hope Froome can truly recover from last year's horrific crash & can get himself into tiptop shape for next year when he goes AGAINST Ineos.
VERY sad to see Martinez of EF crash yesterday & now out of GC contention. I guess we'll see on Tuesday's Stage 4, which GC guys are really going to factor in the podium as it's an uphill finish on a CAT 1 mt. I dunno, but having all these mt & semi-mt stages so dang early is NOT a choice I would make. I like seeing all the other guys go for the win & YJ until mid-2nd week when the mts usually start setting the top 15.
So far, two of the scheduled repeat showings at night or afternoon of Tour stages were NOT actually broadcast. &#@%$^$% There is supposed to be a 3pm repeat broadcast of tomorrow's stage & I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I don't follow NHL at all so does anyone know how far along their Playoffs are?
We should just start calling Alliphilliplippe "Al"...
ReplyDeleteSeems rather crazy to have all these mtns so soon...but this route was released LAST Oct...so the organizers didn't have any clue what was waiting behind door #3...Hello Covid-19! Maybe they should have a 'backup' Tour in case of emergency they unleash that makes it more reasonable for a less than optimum peleton...not sure how that plays out with host cities and permits and such over there...maybe it's all scheduled far in advance for that reason. And agree it was tough to see Martinez wave goodbye to his GC chances...I guess it's that way every year, the ol' saying "you can't win the Tour today, but you can lose it"....that rings true on every stage if you are a GC hopefull. Flat time in the wrong spot and goodbye podium.
So Jensie jumped ship...maybe it was a last minute thing being as he lives in Europe...no idea...tho sad to NOT hear his banter with the guys. He speaks a number of languages, so maybe he's a natural at Eurosport...I'd think he'd be a great catch for them...all the cycling world LOVES Jensie! On a different note, I heard (read) that if any 2 riders on a team test positive that team would be tossed out...at what point do they end the entire Tour? I did hear that if they make it thru 10 stages and it's ended then the leader is the winner...if it were to be shut down before that there is no winner. I just wonder how many teams/riders need to test positive to end the race? I did hear in commentary that a LOT of riders are concerned that the race won't make Paris...if that is a genuine fear, then tactics will change accordingly...such as last year...Al had the lead for like 15 stages if I recall, right up to 19 I think?? Normally top GC teams are hesitant to take the yellow too early due to the work load it entails...but with a threat of an early ending to the race, I'd think you take it as soon as possible and then let the chips fall where they may. It would be crazy to have one of those stages where somebody obviously NOT a GC guy gets yellow from a breakaway win, and then suddenly it's over a day later due to Covid...it could actually happen...wouldn't THAT be something? Anyway, gotta scoot...I have to say the NBCSportsGold thing is pretty cool...I can watch the race at home on my desktop PC, my travel laptop, my phone, OR the TV (was able to send the NBCSN app to my Amazon Fire stick, and thru that it's just like watching Amazon prime or Hulu or any other internet video source)...and here at work this morning I was able to watch it on my phone (for a bit, then we got busy). Gosh, I should have been getting this EVERY YEAR! when I up the satellite subscription I ONLY get the one race...but w/ the gold package it's good for a year (ends May 31st next year). And the video quality on my TV was very near HD...I was surprised! It was clearer on my 45" screen than on my desktop 27" screen!
Er...stupid auto correct..."Flat TIRE in the wrong spot" and goodbye podium...
ReplyDeleteWasn't able to watch ALL the stage...had to do some strategic FF'ing (I rode the MTB today, and then we had Sophies birthday..she turned 6 today, and Jeannie made her a Liverwurst cake (basically a blob of liverwurst with a candle...both monsters get some tonight and another night or 2 as a 'treat'). It was just one thing after another and FINALLY I could sit and watch what I could of the stage. Not sure what was up w/ Kristof today...he didn't try at the midpoint sprint, nor was he anywhere CLOSE on the final. And so Peter gets the Green...and likely will hold it all the way to Paris. Yesterday during the broadcast a fun point was brought up...how many days in all of Sagan's Tours that he wore the normal team 'kit'...the answer: 5. Every other day for most of 8 Tours (he was ejected the one year after his argy bargy w/ Cav) he's been in the World Champion jersey, his National Champion jersey, or Green. Isn't THAT something...and that 5 days counted yesterday...today makes it 6 and now he's back in Green. OK...bed time...Viva le Tour!
ReplyDeleteWasn't Caleb Ewan's sprint AWESOME?! He seemed to come out of nowhere & zoomed past everyone else like they were "standing still"! Reminded me of Cav at his prime; seeming to have a gear noone else has.
ReplyDeleteThe past 2 days have been TORTURE & I guess most days of this Tour will be for me as I can only watch the 1st hour or so LIVE &there've been NO nighttime repeat broadcasts. My work space leaves my back to the TV so I can only HEAR Phil & Bobke but just barely as I have to keep the sound low for when I get work calls. I did push around my chair (no wheels) for the last 1K yesterday & the last 5K today but didn't really get to see much of anything else. I plan to take some "vacation hours" for some of the pivotal mt stages but that won't start until next week.
Has there been an SUNFLOWER shots yet? I will be SO upset if I miss them, if those flowers are even still in bloom in September.
And I found out yesterday that in addition to whatever Jensie is doing for Eurosport, he's also participating in one of Velonews' podcasts, at least for the 1st 9 days. Also, he's NOT in France but in Germany. Maybe he decided it would be to risky for his large family to expose himself to the virus?
And I didn't realize until yesterday that the fear the Tour will end early is not just my crazy worrying but also felt by the teams. Too many positives in the peloton will end it all. I haven't heard of any positives since the race began but I don't know how many riders/staff they test each day. I believe they will test EVERYONE on the 1st Rest Day & that will determine much.
And the ASO changed stages last year because of the rain/roads so they COULD do it again. At least barring cars & campervans have cut down on the number & craziness on the mts, but we haven't really gotten to a "real mt stage" yet so I guess we'll see next week. And thankfully, it looks like MOST of the spectators are obeying the command to wear a mask.
And even though Sagan is in green right now, I don't think he is quite riding like himself. Maybe he's a bit under the weather or the lack of training & racing has really hurt his form but unless his form takes a turn for the better fairly soon, I think he may not actually be in Green in Paris! Was he involved in any of the crashes on Saturday?
Hey Susie...yes, Caleb totally reminded me of Cav in his 'early' days...he just flat out flew to the line, how refreshing...seems like such a nice kid! I remember it was just a few years ago when he was on a domestic team riding in the Tour of Colorado (US Pro Championship I think they called it) and he won a few stages, and I was thinking to myself "wow...this kid is going to Europe soon!") and here he is, beating the best in the world! I agree Sagan isn't at what I'd call his "peak" fitness...but it's been a very strange year, so maybe he will just ride himself to that point at the Tour...he sure won't stop trying, that's for sure. Sorry you can't get all of the stages...I'm really jazzed at the internet version (NBCSportsGold) that I finally tried out this year...sheesh, totally should have done this years ago! I had no idea I could get it on my TV as well as my computers and phone). I will be working a lot of 12's coming up on our mission (the 10th thru the 22nd) but I can still zoom thru the stage videos on my computer much easier and faster than doing it on my TV via the satellite like in years past...and I can go back and re-watch any stage any time I want. Today I printed out sheets on all the stages that are hills or mountains...there's a LOT of them! Anyway, I sure hope all the riders (and team support members) can keep themselves virus free so they can go all the way to Paris...but I'm not overly optimistic that can/will happen. And I'm totally missing Pauls color commentary on the countryside...Bobke is doing great, but he's no Paul. P&P were just such a great team...impossible shoes to fill. But Bobke is certainly my top choice to be where he's at w/ Phil...they seem to do well together.
ReplyDeleteWow, a great finish to the stage today...they were FLYING up that final climb! And how about Sep Kuss!! He took over as the last man for Roglic and really kept the pace...that kid is going to go places!! Wasn't he just in a domestic team last year?? Or was it the year before that...can't remember. And Roglic..he really put the hammer down in the sprint for the line...nobody had a chance. We shall see how things go in the real mountains tho. But no doubt Jumbo Visma has a great team worthy of supporting a GC win. I think Ineos has their work cut out for them this year. At least I hope so. And Al still holds yellow. Not sure if Sagan will get Green or not..he is tied with Bennett...haven't heard how the math works out. Time for bed...Stage 4 is in the books. Ahhhh...Tour time...life is good (if not crazy).
ReplyDeleteRoglic was impressive! I didn't get to see much of yesterday's (Wed) stage as I was in the office but I saw the last 35 minutes of the afternoon repeat broadcast. (Yes, at least for the past 2 days, there actually were 2 hour repeat edited broadcasts in the afternoons!) If I heard correctly, there were NO breakaways at all? Weird. And wow, Alaphil losing the YJ on a "feeding out of bounds" penalty. I'm guessing he & his team are prettee pissed but I like when the YJ changes hands (er, bodies) frequently.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm catching up on Lance & George's Tour pod/video casts & they also think Sagan is looking subpar. I hope he can get into form as the stages continue & be the Sagan we usually see.
Hey, how can Jumbo afford all those guys? And does it shock anyone else that Dumoulin is on the same team as another CG contender? He wasn't exactly a team player on his last team so to see him sharing the limelight &/or success is a big surprise.
Finally, I didn't know Ineos kits until yesterday! SO different! And I still haven't seen Quintana. What does his team kit look like?
BTW, it took me 3 tries to get the above post to comment. This happens periodically. This time I coped it to my desktop 1st, then when it wouldn't post, I exited IA & came back in & the 3rd try worked. Anyone else have this issue?
ReplyDeleteHey Susie, hadn't heard about Al losing yellow due to a technicality...wow! Did they penalize him time or how did they do it? Agree Sagan isn't (for now) the Sagan of old...wonder if this is the ever impending decline of fitness (such as Cav's) or just his current fitness state due to the pandemic. We shall see soon enough...was very surprised he lost the Green. But he won't stop fighting for it, that we know. I have been wondering how Jumbo can afford their team too...they have the 'other' Yankees, much to Ineos's displeasure. It should be quite a fight this year, at least I hope it is. Ineo's kit is black...or a very dark gray..pretty easy to pick out of the mix. Jumbo's kit makes finding the YJ very difficult...I'd think that wouldn't be allowed...from an aerial shot they look very similar. And Quintana is there, somewhere...tho I personally haven't seen him (or Valverde), and I don't recall anybody even mentioning Q thus far...he's sunk that low. I've heard the guys mention V...I think when Ineos was on the front yesterday at about 5k to go they said that Ineos was there keeping V safe...no mention of Q at all. gotta get back to work...taking tomorrow off so have a 4 day weekend. Then next week on Thurs we fly north (work)...be gone till the 22nd. My 2020 cycling comeback takes yet another break...this time for only 12 days...got a lot of nights in hotels already this year. Thankfully this is our last trip this year, and so far none planned next year.
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching Stage 6...not a bad way to finish...a mountain-top time-bonus followed by MORE climbing to the actual finish. It was fun watching the young American Powless riding in his first Tour in the break all day, and it LOOKED like he was one of if not the strongest towards the end, but he burned too many matches with his attacks and Lutsenko the seasoned veteran waited him out and dropped him for the win. All in all a huge day for Powless nevertheless...rubbing shoulders with an Olympic champion Greg Van Avarmat, Nicolas Roache, can't remember who else...but still, not too shabby for the youngster, and a nice 24th birthday present. OK...bed time..taking tomorrow (Friday) off and going for a ride.
ReplyDeleteSorry I’m late coming to the party, guys! Busy, working from home, but I do have a TV in my home office - which makes me miss the old OLN/VS days when they showed the Tour basically all day!
ReplyDeleteSusie, a few notes for you: I did brave the B&N trip and got my Velonews - I was one of 2 customers in the whole store. You’re not missing much. It has been getting slimmer over the past few years, and this year it’s skinny as hell. And they don’t have those nice yellow stage profiles - they’re boring and not nearly as helpful. Add to that, I don’t know when they did the “Predictions” and the team rosters, but they’re half full of guys who are not riding. I use the Tour Tracker App on my iPad/phone to follow the riders and the stages.
As for sunflowers, they are still blooming here in Phila, but who knows? I think, though, that those beautiful sunflower fields tend to be in the north of France, which we will not be enjoying this year.
The scenery has not disappointed so far this year, though. So gorgeous. THe helicopter views are stunning.
I go to Cylcing Tips every day and pull off some photos (I use them as the wallpaper on my laptop at work) - they have Gruber and someone else, who get incredible and creative shots.
Allez!
Just realized I didn’t mention how much I’m enjoying the racing this year. Loved seeing our young lad Nielson Powless come 4th yesterday! I’m really enjoying his interviews too - he’s personable and adorable.
ReplyDeleteQuintana rides so tucked in - and he is so small - that he’s easy to miss. Hope we see more of him in the Pyrenees. He’s in red.
ReplyDeletePhil & Bob had a thing going in the first few days, with one of them saying INEOS was in black and the other insisting it is navy. I forget who was on which side, but the kit is navy, but very dark. Bora has the best look this year, IMO.
Hi Barbara! Thanks for the update on Velonews Tour Guide - I can stop feeling sorry for myself now. :) And yes, it's been getting thinner & thinner the past 4 years or so! I did print out all the "elevation maps" of all the Stages from cyclingnews & as I usually do in the Tour Guide, I'm writing up info about each stage on each page : the weather, the winner, what kind of win (sprint, breakaway, etc) & any big actions such as crashes, crash-outs, who lost a ton of time, who was awesome, anything weird, etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I know anything about yesterday's winner : Lutschenko (sp?). But there are a LOT of guys I don't know since we can see so little cycling these days on TV. In fact, the past 3 years have been slim TV viewing except the Tour & taped daily coverage of the Vuelta (which I've thoroughly enjoyed the past 2 years).
But hey, Matt - now that you have that Gold package thing, you'll be able to see the Vuelta too this year if NBC carries it! Will you be able to see the Giro too even if NBC is not the TV broadcaster? I don't know who has the TV rights to the Giro this year but it wasn't NBC the past few years.
******SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT! For Friday Stage 7********
Since I probably won't be able to comment again until Tuesday, I wanted to comment about today's stage. I only got to see the 1st hour & then hear some of Phil & Bobke & then see the final 5k but WOW, did NOT expect what transpired! I thought it would be a fairly non-consequential stage as the weekend will be brutal. Well, Sagan & his team shot up the 1st mt with the apparent intention to shed all the sprinters & they mostly succeeded! And then in the last 3rd, there were some winds I think which led to even more splintering of the peloton so that by the last 20K or so, the peloton was split into quarters; about 40 guys in each group! MOST but not all of the GC guys were in the front group with Sagan & Bora. Sagan got 2nd & 17 points in the Intermed Sprint & since Sam Bennett had been left FAR behind, he was "virtually" back in Green! I thought Sagan either had been sandbagging all of us OR that he'd ridden into form but then at the final sprint, he didn't even finish in the top 10! I don't know if he was cut off or what happened but another day where Sagan was not much of a factor at the Finish.
And damn, I wish this was one of those years where the 1st Rest Day gets delayed till Tuesday as I could have watched the whole stage LIVE on Monday, if only there'd been one!
Anyhoo, going by Comcast's onscreen TV Guide, today's stage will be rebroadcast at 8PM. Of course, that 'Guide" has been wrong several times this week so I'll cross my fingers.
Have a great & SAFE Labor Day weekend, everyone & have fun watching the Tour Sat 7 Sun! Even though there's no summit finishes, there are some BIG MTS on each stage! Whoo-hooo!
An awesome day of racing!!! Gosh...can't remember the last stage that was this exciting...Bora really put the hammer down right away and crushed all the sprinters, and after the intermediate sprint they had help keeping Bennets group crushed, and the rest of the sprinters were even further back. I guess nobody told Wout that he's not a sprinter...that's TWO for him! And boy, not sure but I think Sagan was boxed in...which he shouldn't have been, he knows better...but it's such a dynamic thing that reading it is impossible, as it changes by the second. He was so far back I couldn't even find him...I think they said 13th! I'd have thought he would be top 5 with all the sprinters out. But he got Green, and never has there been a more TEAM EFFORT to reclaim that jersey that I'm aware of. It was evil genius planning and execution for sure! It's been a really fun first week, that's for sure! I took today off (might as well have a 4 day weekend, we fly next Thursday and will be gone till the 18th, and then working 12 hour shifts for the next 4 days...so not going to have a lot of viewing time I'm afraid. At least w/ the NBCGold I can just swoop ahead and leap anywhere I want in the video feed (it's exactly like a YouTube video). Slipped in a nice ride this morning, hope to do another tomorrow, take Sunday off (MY rest day) and then a big ride on Monday. OK....later gators! Have a great Holiday weekend!
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