Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 08/19/2020 02:51 PM |
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We can start with the huge news that INEOS is leaving off BOTH Froome and Thomas for their Tour team. Gotta say, I didn't see that coming. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 08/19/2020 03:08 PM |
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They are pencilled in for the later GTs. Froome especially still has a long way to go on his comeback attempt. I’m impressed he’s come this far, his injuries were so severe.
I doubt Jumbo will as dominant as they have been, but are loaded with talent.
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/19/2020 03:42 PM |
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An Amador for Froome switch is a no brainer. As Froome already said he’s simply not ready physically. Anyone who followed Ain and Dauphine could see this coming from a mile away. The only reason to bring Froome would have been sentimental value but we know Brailsford isn't very sentimental.
Carapaz versus Thomas is less clear cut. Arguably Thomas might have ridden himself in good form and the same task will be before Carapaz as he was only building for Giro and things were a mixed bag for him in Poland. He won a stage but then crashed. A bit of a gamble maybe but Ineos will know the numbers. Too bad he crashed otherwise Poland performance might have been more telling in matchup vs Evenepoel. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/21/2020 01:50 PM |
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The Covid rules of engagement are published.
Based on team positives over past weeks and much bigger tour entourage I’d guess we could see 2 to 4 teams forced to exit under these rules. No provision to cancel tour as whole is interesting I guess the show must go on. |
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 08/27/2020 09:53 PM |
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So Lotto Soudal sent home 2 staffers and roommates for non-negatives. Being staff, this doesn't affect the riders' status.
I'm interested to see how staff and riders play out being considered "separate bubbles? I saw soigneurs mentioned specifically in one mention of the staffs as opposed to the riders. So I presume they are going to do their massages "safely"? How long is that going to last? To keep the riders safe and the Tour moving, shouldn't the word go out that massages are to be virtual or Zoom?
I hope this works but I keep having the feeling this is just a pipe dream.
Ben |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 08/28/2020 06:15 AM |
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| The fans are the biggest issue. Crowded together. Shouting close to the riders. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 08/28/2020 09:59 AM |
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The fans are the biggest issue. Crowded together. Shouting close to the riders.
Yup. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/28/2020 10:14 AM |
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Not sure. So far in races I’ve seen there haven’t been too many fans. That finish climb in Strada was eerily quiet. But this is Tour so who knows.
Hotels would seem like a bigger risk factor. At least here in BC they’ve been linked to a number of outbreaks. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 08/28/2020 10:26 AM |
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From what I understand, teams will be sequestered in entire wings / hotels, with dedicated team staff helping them out and quarantined eating areas. Hopefully that will be enough....
I was extremely skeptical of the Tour finishing, rating it as close to 0% they would finish. After the Dauphine, I am more optimistic, but would still rate it as a 50/50 chance of a finish. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/28/2020 10:41 AM |
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| It seems they are intent on finishing so I’d rate it at close to 100%. The protocol seems aimed at booting teams not halting race itself. The Lotto Soudal example perhaps shows that it’s support staff who are perhaps biggest risk factor the sequestering notwithstanding. They are most liable to have outside contact. If they stuck to original protocol (which never made sense because of false positives- see Bora) then LS would already have been booted. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 08/28/2020 07:25 PM |
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| If what I saw on the Dauphine is repeated over 21 days, spectator to rider transmission is very likely.
Maybe boring TTs are just what the doctor ordered this year. |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/28/2020 08:04 PM |
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And two strikes is back. This should be interesting.
https://www.velonews.com/events/tour-de-france/stricter-two-strikes-policy-returns-to-the-tour-de-france-after-government-decision/ |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 08/28/2020 08:20 PM |
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| Viviani for the win tomorrow. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 08/28/2020 08:48 PM |
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| I’d say Bennett or Sagan. Maybe van Aert. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 08/28/2020 09:44 PM |
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| Bennet is a good call. Was considering Ewan, but he seems to be one of those sprinters that needs a few stages to find his top speed. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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