I originally thought I was going to try to post after every stage, then I decided that might be a bit much considering things (and how VERY quickly I fell behind in that endeavor).
But SO FAR, I'm excited because it's an amazing race! So much going on, so much to cheer for, and boy howdy are the guys going thru a bit of Hell out on the road! (I heard it hit 107F out on the road today, that's INSANE!)
First off, here are some more thoughts on Stage 1 before I move on. After what I believe was the most exciting TTT I've ever seen (THANK YOU to the organization for adopting the new rules) I admit that I'm a fan! As the 2nd to last rider, Visma's Vingago won the day AND the Yellow Jersey, and along with that his team taking the top Team spot (I have to admit that it's maybe a bit weird to have the entire teams position in the Team standings dependent on the 1st guy from each team across the line, rather than the time of the 4th rider from each team across the line). But I get it, really it's not really any stranger than choosing the 4th guy across the line for the teams time in the prior rules...why not the 3rd, or 2nd, or 5th/6th?
The old rules punished any GC rider who was on a team that isn't a top contender and is supporting sprinters or stage hunters, as that team will likely not have 8 guys (or even 4) who can TT well, and will add significant time to that GC 'hopeful' no matter how good he is in ITT"s. Only the top teams bring enough guys to do a really good TTT. This new format rewards (and punishes) each rider based on their own time just like any TT in the pro peleton. That's fair, and that most TTT's are shorter than some of the really LONG ITT's they throw out there sometimes, it's more than fair. That it's on Stage 1 I really love, it's the perfect place to do a GC sorting right from the get-go. And sure, teams that have several good TT'ers will do better than those with less, but the GC guy can break away anytime he wants from a team who's dragging him down and go get his own time. It's almost like a sprint-stage leadout, except it's for the GC guy and from a LONG ways out.
So, on to Stage 2. Vingo in Yellow, Pogo in Polka dots (pretty rare we've seen THAT), What did they call it, a 'Hilly' stage, that's right. Tho when France is smack dab in the middle of a heat-wave, I think Hilly becomes pretty difficult, ESPECIALLY when UAE moves to the front (Vismo had been riding tempo all day as holders of the Yellow jersey). They put Brandon McNulty on the front and he just destroyed the Peleton, knocking it down to about 30 riders by the time he pulled off after the end of the 1st finishing circuit (it was impressive)! UAE still totally controlling the group, all that's left are basically a who's who of GC Contenders (pretty much the Top 10 in the GC Standings). With Del Toro on the front and about 700m to go to the finish (climbing all the way) he accelerates, Pogo on his wheel, Vingo behind him with Remco and the other GC guys hanging on. As they near the top a gap opens behind Pogo who is now on IDT's side holding pace and looking back, watching to see if anybody from the group can challenge for the line). Remco has passed Vingo and they both valiantly try to close the gap but can't. Pogo does NOT sprint around for the win like he normally would (obviously capable of it) and as they are coming to the line he's got his hand on IDT's shoulder urging him on, and as they cross the line IDT does a "George Hincape wins the Stage" thing!
I vividly recall when Big George won the Queen Stage several years (during Lances rampage of 7 Tour Wins), and amazingly enough, it was his FIRST Tour Stage win EVER! When he crossed the line he saw all zeros on the clock for the first time in his Tour career...he sat up and held his hands over his face in pure astonishment...it was a fantastic moment, and IDT did just that same thing! (only he did it in his very first Tour on day 2). And Pogo seemed even happier for IDT's win that he was! Hugs, teammates and competitors coming to congratulate him, and then Pogo PICKED HIM UP in a crazy man-hug thing, and held him a few feet in the air! I've certainly never seen THAT before in cycling! I was just waiting for the entire Team to get him on their shoulders and start parading around the finish line, chanting "RUDY, RUDY, RUDY"! (if you've never seen the movie Rudy then you've really missed something that you need to rectify this very instant).
So Pogo GIFTS a stage win on DAY 2! (granted it was one of his own guys, and actually IDT is wearing the jersey-number 2 btw, making him the top 'Lieutenant' on the Tour team...not bad at 22 years old!). The boyz in the booth(s) and CVV were astounded, they'd never seen anything like that before either! Lots of discussion about it, but if nothing else, it's a gauntlet thrown in Vingo's face declaring that HE is so freaking STRONG and CONFIDENT (and his team is SO GOOD) that he can already give away Stage Wins (and don't forget the time bonus, there was 10 seconds for 1st and 6 seconds for 2nd and 4 seconds for 3rd, and with Remco passing Vingo before the line, HE took the 4 seconds over Vingo)! So Pogo gained 6 seconds back on Vingo's lead of 16 seconds from Stage 1 and was 2nd on the Stage, and honestly I don't recall EVER seeing him SO HAPPY! It was actually a really great moment!! (and just think to the future, whatever number of Stage Wins Pogo has when he finally retires...that number means something...I think Eddy Meryx has 55? Will Pogo beat that? What if he comes up short by ONE?) Obviously none of that nonsense was going thru his mind when he did that, and I personally think it was AWESOME! To both IDT and the ENTIRE TEAM! Boy, they'd ride thru gunfire for him after that! OK, that's all on Stage 2.
No comments:
Post a Comment