Le Tour 2019 “Now with spoilers”

What you no likey Bobke?

I do, I just have issues FF through the endless NASCRAP commercial breaks.
I actually prefer the commercial version, because I can understand Phil and Bobke. These two guys on the Ad-free I have almost no idea what they are on about.

The Terry Bradshaw of bicycle racing announcers?

It took three years.

The first chink in the armour. He now seems to have lost Mas as support. I don't think he can keep it going on his own. Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be killer-stages. It'll go all the way to Saturday. What a great TdF!

Wow. Really cool to see them all on the Pont du Gard. We'll probably see some great shots of those few seconds.

Kind of a yawner stage today. Waiting patiently for the mountain stages. Should be exciting!!!

I was wrangling our grandson a bit so my attention was spotty. The weather is hot, the fans are keeping us cool in the livingroom so I may rewatch some of the feed. I'm tired too. Rode 58 miles in the 90+ degree heat.

Chapeau Quintana.

Chapeau Alaphilippe.

I caught the last 30 km. Slept in after a hard ride yesterday.
I'll watch rebroadcast later this evening. FF a to the highlights.

It looks as if he has zero team support, the other day he had to drop back and get a water bottle. Weird.

That descent was awesome. Probably too dangerous, but they should have more late-stage descending finishes like that, where people are really trying to extend or close the time gaps. Gives a way for talented descenders to get some recognition/time, too. It's as critical a skill as climbing. And, to be honest, the risk/thrill/skill/reward makes for great TV.

Unbelievable, I cannot remember someone holding on to yellow with virtually no support in a very long time. At least since the "super team, with big money" era started. This is not a one or two day breakaway on your own. This is dogged determination. Good on ya kid, hope you keep it to the end!

They rode down there faster than I did on my GS a few years back. Scary!

Sadly I think the lack of support and that he’s not an A level climber (A- maybe but more B+) will be Alaphalippe’s undoing. Especially now, fatigued, he can’t go with the attacks. I love his dogged determination and sheer joy on the podium. I’m a fan.

Sadly, I think the autobots from the super team will take it.

Do they ever actually race on the final stage or is that gauche?

Yeah kind of sad to see Alaphilippe do it all alone. Would love to see a Frenchman finally win the TDF but it might be a bit too much. But I’m hoping some of that yellow jersey magic will pull him thru these next 2 mountain stages.

Oh man. Pinot's out. In tears. Some kind of leg issue. Expectations of a podium finish...poof.


eta: Reporting a muscle tear. Out of the blue. Bummer.

I heard 48 hours to go before the end of the Tour. That's gotta hurt.

My 1000 appointment disappeared from my schedule today. I've got nowhere to be till noon.

M

One thing I think needs to be recognized is Wellens in the KoM polka dots. He rode a great race to be on the podium for so many days. Very smart.

Not looking good for Alaphalippe now--- that one/two punch of ineos (?) Sky is just too hard for even the very best.

The dual front wheeled support bikes- what bikes are those?
Also what is the role of the Ag2r liveried bikes? I know they aren't support for the team--have a role in the race support but I don't know what.