Zero chance. I think the van der Poel/Alaphilippe group got back to the front and Quickstep has started riding again.
JFC. Did you see that kid was nearly killed 100 yards before the crash. What is wrong with people?
Wouldn’t be Stage 1 of the Tour without some ridiculousness. Plus the fans have to make up for not being roadside last year.
Now that’s a more traditional Stage 1 crash. Doubt they’ll be waiting this time.
The Poulidor curse.
Nicely timed attack by Alaphilippe there. Didn’t think it was going to stick actually, but no one else is getting close. He could win tomorrow, too.
Roglic snags 4 bonus seconds.
Now we wait to see who lost time in that late crash.
I think he’s (Alaphilippe) going to hang on to yellow for a while as well.
If Froome didn’t have bad luck he’d have no luck at all. I wonder if he starts tomorrow.
I mean, the first two stages look like they were set up by someone who was thinking, “How can we give Julian the best chance of being in yellow for the first week?” Mission accomplished.
GC riders who’ve lost time unexpectedly:
1’49"
Superman Lopez
Buchmann
Kruijswijk
Guillarme Martin
2’16"
Ritchie Porte
3’17"
Simon Yates
5’33"
Valverde
Porte and Lopez the biggest losers. Not sure what happened with Porte - Ineos were on the left side at the front when that second crash started a bit further back on the right, so I wouldn’t have thought they’d have had anyone behind. ISN got really hammered in the crash. You’re right about Froome, he didn’t look healthy crossing the line. Michael Woods lost a ton of time too, which might be a huge blessing for him actually. He was never going to do well on GC with his supremely shitting ITT, and now he won’t be marked if he goes stage hunting. There are a few stages that look like they practically have his name written on them.
With the exception of Ritchie Porte, none of these guys were a podium threat. I think Ritchie can make that time up by not losing any more time while others do. It’s possible. Long as none of the others are seriously injured, they will be back to doing the yeoman’s work of pulling their leaders up the climbs.
Fun tour facts:
What’s with TJV blue front tires?
I appreciate anything that helps me identify the teams.
Lopez was absolutely a podium threat. Bit of an outside shot, but did have a legit shot if things broke his way. Could actually still podium but now needs even more things to break his way.
I hope Omi & Opi can recommend a good lawyer:
Most boring sprint ever.
Who is this Shelling kid? Look at him go!
Dan Martin always reminds me of young Shane MacGowan of the Pogues.
Generally not quite as drunk.
Slightly surprised no one is drilling it to bring this break back before the Mur de Bretagne. There’s GC bonus points at the summit first time through.
Jesus, this is cheek clenching.