Paris Olympics 2024 (spoilers)

Massive disappointment for Van der Poel finishing 12th

1 Like

What a Games the French are having….love to see the home country perform like that.

You know Specialized is going to plaster that shot EVERYWHERE

4 Likes

This is good content….we’ve all been there, just never had a cheering section for it!! :poop::poop:

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

3 Likes

He took too much time off after his successful spring classics season, played too much golf, and got really out of cycling shape. He never looked great during the Tour de France, struggled on the “gravel” stage, and just didn’t do enough work to be in shape for the Olympics.

Did not realize Wout crashed in the final KM’s….dude is having a tough year.

5 Likes

Harsh take.

Pretty sure his preparation was solid, fine margins, it just didn’t play out.

1 Like

I’m not so sure his preparation was solid. After his successful spring, he signed a big contract extension with Alpecin and Canyon. Then he took some time off to enjoy the spoils of his success. I’m not saying that is wrong but I am saying he didn’t do enough work to be in top condition for the Olympics. That is totally ok though because an athlete can’t be in top shape 12 months out of the year.

He didnt do enough wrong to not be in top shape either. Maybe he was, maybe not.

Very fine margins, know one can tell.

1 Like

I’m not reading too much into MvdP final placing….once Remco was gone, he probably wasn’t motivated by a medal.

His prep this year largely mirrored his prep last year for Worlds….and we all know how that turned out. But your team is smaller in the OLY vs Worlds and there are other tactical issues at play.

He made a big move with Wout that could have (and should have? ) been the winning move….will be interesting to see why it fizzled out. But tactics went Belgium’s way by having two strong favorites. Remco was able to counter that move and get away, leaving MvdP outmatched. If he had chased himself, Wout takes it. So he had to rely on Van Baarle, who couldn’t keep Remco close enough for a successful counter by MvdP.

3 Likes

How did i not know about kayak cross? Literally cyclocross in a boat. Instead of going over a barrier, you have to barrel roll under a head level bar. Well worth a watch (finals tomorrow)

5 Likes

I didn’t know either. Explains why he finished so many places back

Given my experiences the 3x I’ve been in a kayak on any sort of fast moving water, I’d have to say I’d probably be great at this sport. Zero issues rolling over on absolutely anything that has a touch of whitewater in it

2 Likes

Canadian pronunciations were killing me (do these guys not watch cycling, or do all cycling events in Canada get covered this way?), but no commercials was great. Excited for the women tomorrow.

1 Like

Good luck to Tiffany!

That 10k was the best race I’ve seen in a long time. Ethiopians made it an honest race from the gun and somehow 12 runners were in contention with a lap to go. Race of the games so far!

3 Likes

New this year for the Olympics. If you want to see it in LA in 2028, the venue is in Oklahoma City (greater LA I guess).

1 Like

I Translate: When the next group is that far behind so you stop to supporter for them :wink:

:muscle::belgium: REV!

9 Likes

I read that Remco had just seen a moto board that said 25 seconds gap, so you can imagine the panic at that point. Well done for him and I love The Pose at the end.

1 Like

Interesting situation for NED….they have Vos in the break, but they would clearly rather have Wiebbes up there (or at least another ride to help), so they are chasing the break with 40km left.