as an avid motorsport/car fan I can tell you that if the engine is big enough for the damn thing to make it up the mountain, then the engine is good enough for engine braking down the mountain. Also, these gradients on most of the passes aren’t that hellish with most of them being in single digit gradients most of the time. As long as you’re not riding brakes all of the time, you should be fine crawling your way down.
it’s more the idea of driving a giant, top-heavy coffee cup around hairpins…on the other hand, if the coffee cup was full of coffee…
That outcome surprised me (in a good way). I agree, I think they felt Kwiato out and realized he was done - didn’t look it though! Great stuff, love stage finishes like this.
I know for myslelf, going from 40g (maybe) to 80g+ was night and day, like completely different rider. I’ve never done EPO, so I can’t compare the two.
Certainly Leclerc hires every year
https://www.e.leclerc/e/recrutement-melon-tour-de-france
Question for the experts here. I’m in Nice, and will be riding Stage 20. Will try to start at 5am as to minimize the risk of them not letting me finish.
Any recommendations?
1 Like
I’m really impressed they put sideview mirrors on that melon! 
The whole stage ? That’s a huge ride.
I did it 2 weeks ago (L’Etape du Tour).
Where will you stop to cheer the riders ? La Couillole ?
1 Like
Yes!
I guess at the end. I might not have the juice to descend and climb backwards again.
1 Like
Visma look like they’re trying to setup Jonas jumping to this group with pog in the wheel and no domestiques for an extended portion of the stage
Must think pogs main weakness right now will come from a fueling problem which is far more likely the less teammates he has around him
Feels like a moon shot but if you think you’re outclassed in form you’ve got to apply stress in other ways
Mostly love that they are trying, play to win
2 Likes
How long do you think it’ll take ?
It’s a greater challenge to do it self supported, but you’ll find water along the way in the villages I guess.
Carbs is easier, I had everything in my pockets during the race
5h is early enough that even in Nice you should not have too much problems.
Have fun !
Check the caravan schedule and make sure you are about an hour before it along the full parcour. The police will close the road and won’t let you ride your bike about 1h before the caravan.
1 Like
I guess moving time 6sh hours….the heat is going to be a factor for sure.
That’s a really good time, like top 500 on the 10+ thousands that raced it.
I finished just short of 7h, around place 1500
I remember you posted your CTL a while ago, how high is it right now ?
Fact or fiction, it was a fun read!
It has stagnated in the high 70’s for the last 6-8 weeks. I live, train and race at 8500ft, so I’m banking on some 10-15 watts higher than usual.
1 Like
Jorgenson going for the win suggests that Vingegaard knows he’s fading and is likely to lose more time today, may as well try to get a stage for the team.
edit: and there Pogi goes, gap crashing down. so much for any unexpected finish today
1 Like
Can’t believe how fast Pog is catching up. Would love to see Jorgenson get the stage but seems unlikely with Pog in pursuit 
2 Likes
Matteo just passed me and looks comfortable. Jonas does not have it
1 Like