⏱️ The only time-trial of the 💛#TDF2023. 22km against the clock, and against the Côte de Domancy at the end. ⏱️ Le seul contre-la-montre de ce 💛#TDF2023. 22 kms contre la montre, et contre la Côte de Domancy à la fin.
"The suspense is building with no sign of weakness on either side" - Philippa York on how Tour de France can be decided, Sepp Kuss and Wout van Aert's role
CyclingTuesday, 18 July 2023 at 12:31
The Tour de France seems like it has been a two week-long climax, and it shows no signs of stopping. Ahead of the race's sole time-trial and queen stage, the overall classification could finally be decided on the upcoming 36 hours.
"The suspense is building with no sign of weakness on either side. Ten seconds is neither here nor there, and both riders know it. One mistake, one moment of hesitation or lapse of attention, and the other rider will pounce," Philippa York said in a column for Cyclingnews. She argues that the race is unlikely to be decided on the riders' pure talent, but instead in the little details and decisions taken in the moment. "We couldn’t have hoped for a better race."
So far both UAE Team Emirates and Jumbo-Visma have had days where they forced the pace or put in extensive effort all day long to try and bring benefits, but bringing no results. Ironically, both teams - Vingegaard on stage 5, Pogacar on stages 6 and 9 - have taken the most time in days where their teams didn't put in the work in the head of the peloton to create differences.
Sepp Kuss, who has already been key support for Primoz Roglic at the Giro d'Italia, is proving once again incredible support here, and his form sees him up to sixth in the overall classification already at this point. "The American’s role has so far been more defensive as Jumbo-Visma assume a defensive position faced with Pogačar’s aggression. That is not necessarily going to be the case in the final week. "
On Wout van Aert, York argues that it is understandable the tension and chase for stage wins that has been taking place over the past two weeks: "He’s noticeably been given some freedom from team duties in an attempt to win a stage, but he hasn’t been able to do it. It’s partly down to his reputation."
"Which makes any riders with him in the escape reluctant to do even half as much work as him, but there’s also a sense that he’s taking the Jumbo versus UAE physical and mental sparring a little too personally. While Vingegaard has his emotions under control, the former green jersey is showing signs of frustration. It’s perfectly understandable – even Cofidis have two stage wins while he has yet to win."
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- Some things sound crazy until they aren't, what if he's actually right? 🤷vappaxbipmv23-12-2024
- Why make a comment to state the obvious? Of course MvdP is much better at CX than Pogacar, does anyone doubt that But that wasn't his pointvappaxbipmv23-12-2024
- If you look at road alone obvi Pogacar is the better rider. But maybe MVDP is the better overall rider since he can win in three plus disciplines?mobk23-12-2024
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UltimateOpportunist23-12-2024 - If you look at the major races they’ve both been in, van der Poel had the early edge as lately Pogacar has had the advantage. It’s all on procyclingstats.RidesHills23-12-2024
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