For those interested… big TdF fan, follow Visma, particularly the American riders Kuss and Jorgenson. Nervy first stage, glad Visma stayed clear of the madness. Crosswinds broke the peloton into two distinct echelons in the final miles. Impressed that Jorgenson finished seventh in a bunch sprint.
-
Last edited by Helix; 07-06-2025, 08:57 AM. -
You have no idea how long I’ve waited for someone around here to care about this.
Jorgenson looked great, but you know everyone is cursing under their breath with the two titans sitting right there at 18th and 20th after day one. -
No doubt. Pogi and Jonas rode hard to stay out of trouble and benefited from the crosswind splitting the peleton in the last 20k or so. As a Visma fan, I'm really hoping that Kuss will find his 2023 form. If so, he, Yates and Jorgenson could be real difference makers in the Alps and Pyrenees.
Still, it's gonna take a break or two, and perhaps a bad tactical mistake by UAE to derail Pogi's ride for four. Guy's class all the way.Comment
-
Just wanted to tune in here. I haven’t followed the sport closely in several years but my goodness, how bad is the pea**************** stream? Where are you all watching the main international stream?Comment
-
BRUH. Until a couple years ago you could rely on Hulu. Woke up every morning and tuned in live without issue. Now? Have to subscribe to friggin’ Pea**************** for a month, then suffer through whatever it is that they call coverage.
God. I thought I was the only one.Comment
-
You’re not the only one. It’s a joke of a broadcast. I couldn’t keep track of what was going on, so I just turned it off and watched the highlights posted to YouTube an hour later.
There has to be a workaround but unfortunately I’m locked into the Apple ecosystem and they don’t really let any shenanigans happen with VPNs and third party apps on the Apple tv. I might have to go old school and breakout the laptop to tv hdmi tomorrow morning.
Comment
-
Hulu was alright. I may break down and buy the premium version of Pea**************** since I like to record in the morning, then watch in the afternoon, early evening. Yesterday, I couldn’t fast forward through the commercials like I used to.
As long as I can hear Liggett’s voice… yes I know, it’s pathetic.
I’ll check back here around seven this evening to avoid spoilers 😎Comment
-
NBC looks like they're having a highlight show on the weekends. There's one today at 4pm. You can't have a TDF broadcast without the great Phil Liggett.Comment
-
No quarter given today, again. I can remember when the GC riders would bide their time in the opening week or so. Now, it's full gas, full time.
Happy to see van der Poel win today over a charging Pogi.
Putting my Visma hat on, I think they're saving Yates and Kuss for the mountain stages. Jorgenson continues to impress, might be Wout Van Aert v.2. Had more today than he showed. Pacey, a puncheur and a climber who can ascend with just about anybody not named Jonas or Pogi.Comment
-
Jonas and Tadej are just going to hold off I think until the mountain stages. Stay out of trouble and then try to take control of the GC. Haven't looked at the full TDF route but is there a mountain time trial? Loved it when they had mountain time trials like going up Alpe D'Huez.Comment
-
Ripper today. Thoroughly impressed with Campenaerts' gutty ride for Visma over the final 10k. Glad to see Jonas stay on equal terms with Pogi (who pipped him at the line), particularly since Yates and Kuss continue to ride with relative ease. Surely they've been told to stay safe and save their legs for weeks two and three, and the highest peaks. I think Visma have assembled a *slightly* better squad for this tour compared to UAE. Truthfully?
Pogi scares the ever living daylights out of me.
Comment
-
Pogi is unreal. I find it hard to believe he’s clean. Reminds me a lot of watching the early 2000’s cycling when certain guys would just ride away from world class cyclist. I hate to be like that but it just doesn’t look natural.Comment
-
Like others I find it hard to believe that Pogi is clean. Maybe he is. But I have doubts.Comment
-
Yeah, I’m there with you. My rooting interests are Visma and (not mentioned) EF Education. Though I’m critical of Jonas for being a little too cautious (I never believed he would actually sacrifice second to go all out for yellow), everything I read is that he is producing his best power numbers ever. And to see Pogi effortlessly and routinely ride away is stunning.
Watching the high speed spill Pogi took the day before the first big Pyrenees stage, I thought selfishly that it might level the playing field a bit. Spills are a part of the game. Yet the guy bounced back the next day and just went nuts on the climbs. What stands out for me is that he NEVER seems to have a bad day. I know nutrition and training are leaps and bounds ahead of what they used to be, but sheesh.
These guys are gifted endurance and power-to-weight monsters -- Ben Healy is a madman -- but when one guy can just ride anyone off his wheel and hardly come out of the saddle, it does, sadly, feel a little Armstrong-esque.
On to the Spanish Grand Tour, which I believe will be Pogi-free.Comment
Comment