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Roll-up, roll-up, it's time to revive the annual tradition, Lunge's Tour threads, with a nod to Realman who started the tradition many years ago. A bit early for the first stage as I'm out early tomorrow.
First up, stage one, what's on the cards?
Like in 2013, 2014 and 2016 when Marcel Kittel on two occasions and Mark Cavendish combined the joy of winning a Tour de France stage and taking the yellow jersey, stage 1 from Noirmoutier-en-l’Île to Fontenay-le-Comte is a great opportunity for the sprinters. Out of 201km of racing, 110 are on the sea shores of Vendée. Even though a nice weather is forecasted, the breeze might create some splits in the peloton. Echelons are possible also in the Poitevin marshalls towards the end. However, it’s a stage dedicated to the sprinters.
Flat then.
And the last 5KM? Yeah, flat too.
Who's in the mix then? Normally it's off to INRNG, but as I'm early/they're late we're going off the official website:
There are many sprinters in contention, starting with Cavendish who tops the medal tally with 30 Tour de France stage wins under his belt already, followed by Kittel, 14, André Greipel, 11, and Peter Sagan, 8. Michael Matthews, Alexander Kristoff, Arnaud Démare and Dylan Groenewegen have also opened their record book while Fernando Gaviria, John Degenkolb, Magnus Cort Nielsen, Sonny Colbrelli and Timothy Dupont are on the hunt for their first ever win. A strong performance by Gaviria is particularly anticipated by the experts.
My prediction, heart says Cav, head says Groenewegen. So it'll inevitably be neither.
And to finish, as is tradition, a touch of Sagan, perhaps with a side of Cav. Lovely.
Good Man !
Cav.
Sagan for me given there is a Cat 4 Speedbump on the way into the finish 😉 Though would love to see Cav kick off his account with yellow
Would like to see Cav get it but it has been 4 days since his last crash so he is due one!
Wow, that really is flat!
It'd be nice for Cav to win, but, Gav. Possibly.
Can I just write that I am, much to the annoyance of my friends, much more excited about the Tour starting than the World Cup.
Anyway, back to cycling, Inrng have their preview up now:
The Contenders: who is the prime pick? The best thing about today’s stage is that it’s so open, we have almost all the best sprinters in the sport and yet none of them are certain picks, to advance one name is also to evoke concerns about their form. Plenty this year come with much reduced trains and this should be interesting tactically, how many teams will work to control the breakaway knowing that plenty of other squads are literally hoping to freeride on their efforts? How will sprint trains of two or three riders operate compared to the longer trains of old?
Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto-Jumbo) is the pick for consistency, he’s won stages in every stage race he’s ridden this year and can pick up in the Tour where he left off last year in Paris.
Fernando Gaviria (Quick Step) has had some wins this year but got beaten in the recent Tour de Suisse which means he’s not such a firm pick if we go on form but Quick Step are a redoubtable team and rarely finish as runners up.
Marcel Kittel (Katusha) is the pedigree pick, he’s on fewer stage wins than Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) but has won more, more recently and last year looked effortless as he’d start his sprint from well back to surge past his rivals. But he hasn’t won a sprint this year since March. Cavendish himself hasn’t won since February either and if they both have different styles they’re obvious picks.
Next come a second wave of sprinters. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) can place but winning is a big ask. André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) has been dependable but isn’t a certain pick although he’s helped by a strong lead out train. On his day Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) can unleash a very powerful sprint but he might prefer a slight gradient. The same for Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Emirates) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) might prefer and even harder finish. The outside pick is Thomas Boudat (Direct Energie), unlikely but his team are the locals.
Wide open it could appear.
I'm looking forward to this more than the football as well lunge, but not quite as much as the DH.
As for today, like most, would live to see Cav won but can't see it, so I'm going with Gaviria but it could be anyone of the list above!
Love to see Cav get I, but I can’t see past Kittel today.
Yeah, the Quick Step Bouys will be all over the Northern segments and it will be very difficult to wipe the smiles of thier faces. Such an awesome squad for the Tour to have in attendance, Prudhi should polish thier dancing shoes every morning for the privilege.
Gavi will be motivated, but... it’s Phil Gils last ride out and as I’m one of his all time fans I’d really like to see him make a 40k break on his own and wheelie over the line... doubtful I know but back the Gavi... he will be hard to beat... the first stage sets the tone of the first few days and it’ll be flat chat 100% from the off.
Heart still says Cav,but Gavi is the logical choice.
More than who is going to win the stage, I just really, REALLY hope that Cav can stay upright, get his racing legs back (even if he's just in the mix) and start to rebuild some form.
It's a really open stage this one, there's always the potential for some crosswinds off the coast to shake it up but everyone will be nervous, there's almost bound to be at least one big pile up. 🙁
Cheers, Lunge.
It's not the Tour without these threads.
Thanks Lunge
Not likely to be windy enough for chaos but finish will be into the breeze. Big fella with a decent train for me: Kittel, despite form book
Chateau, Lunge!
Roadside reports this morning are of zero wind.
Wow, the French countryside is stunning.
Gah, those pesky stupid watchfinder adverts are back.
Hope its Cav but can’t see past Groenewegen.
Thanks Lunge!
Are we placing bets on who’s race Cav ruins?
a touch of Sagan, perhaps with a side of Cav.
Reference to last year there perhaps?
Gah, those pesky stupid watchfinder adverts are back.
^ This. Hairy legs, terrible pedalling technique and horrible watches.
Great to have the tour on in the background through, Millar and Boulting talking nonsense for hours is very relaxing.
Best channel for coverage? I'm leaning towards Eurosprt as the ITV ad's are really getting on my t1ts!
it's on 5live sports extra too, but sticking with the DH this afternoon
another boring flat stage haha crazy stuff happening everywhere
Well what a first stage! Flat and boring my arse. Oh no Cav's dropped off.
Richie Porte crosses the line, over 30 seconds down on stage winner Fernando Gaviria.
Chris Froome follows, it looks like he may have lost 47 seconds.
Still no sign of Nairo Quintana.
Absolute carnage out of nowhere.From the BBC!
Going to shake up the start a bit
Edit don't try and paste an update from the BBC live coverage until somebody fixes the forum
Great start to the TDF.
Gav's super quick.
Well, I guess Gavi winning was reasonably predictable, Froome losing 45 seconds to Uran and Landa less predictable. Not what the organisers were expecting but I’d imagine they’re chuffed. Tomorrow’s flat a well so those who missed out today have a chance to go again.
I'm so glad you've decided to do this again Lunge - makes a real difference to the morning schedule - thank you!
Messy last 10k
Well, my predictions seem better here than over on the football thread.. 🤣
another boring flat stage haha crazy stuff happening everywhere
I’d like to assume that Froome realised that there was no entertainment value in the stage so told Bernal to do something. His fall wasn’t good enough, so Froome threw himself off his bike. Sacrifice 45 seconds now - look like a hero later when he goes on a 100km solo break. Brailsford will claim that it was all planned in May and that they did loads of research and found that if Sky have helpers handing water to their team, they ride better. Who knew that staying hydrated would improve performance! Then Froome will fail a urine test because he ate too many extra-strong mints and will be banned, later rescinded because they were legal extra-strong mints flown in specially from Ulan Bator.