That was indeed grim. At least he maintained consciousness.
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Vuelta a Espaņa & Tour of Britain 2018
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Lively start to today's Tour of Britain stage in what looks a bright but chilly day in the Lakes. The peloton got split in the winds coming off Morecambe Bay which Hayles variously described as being headwind, crosswind, cross-head and tailwind. Alaphilippe got three seconds back on Roglic at the intermediate sprint then both came down in a crash, not sure how that happened. Neither seems to be badly hurt as they got back riding and their teams are on the front. Now there's a break gone featuring Martin, Kiriyenka, Shaw and Connor Swift as they hit the hills.
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The earlier climbs turned out to be too far from the finish for anyone to try a serious move (how often have we said that in this race?) so it came down to a real mano a mano fight up Whinlatter. Jungels set a searing pace in the first k, Alaphilippe made his move and was followed by Roglic and Hugh Carthy. Roglic cracked with 2k left, Wout Poels dragged himself across to the front, wheelsucked for a bit then eventually jumped away to win the stage. Alaphilippe was a second behind and he'll be in the race lead now. Not seen any formal results but that should be enough for him to secure the overall given that its a pair of flat stages this weekend. Tom Pidcock was frequently visible and took an excellent sixth.
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Just watched yesterday's Vuelta highlights. I see they're into that phase of the race where they use silly summit finishes that are ramp tests rather than actual racing.
Raining up here for the Tour of Britain, would think there'll be a fair few abandons today. Probably including Froome.
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Originally posted by longeared View PostRaining up here for the Tour of Britain, would think there'll be a fair few abandons today. Probably including Froome.
I like the harsh summit finishes, they reward patience and a cool head.
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Went to the Tour of Britain myself today, saw the race come through Clumber Park. Was surprised by the crowd size (or lack thereof), there were no more than when the race came through the same location last year and that was midweek. Suspect the rain might have put a few off and enjoyed the true British spunk of those carrying on regardless, there was a huge group of folk having a gathering under three gazebos.
Stannard led the break through then about six minutes later the peloton passed and the race was on, the field was strung out, ONE had a rider on the front, a couple of Mitcheltons, a Direct Energie then all of Quick Step (Alaphilippe annoyingly having a team cape on so not identifiable) and then they came through with all the teams clustered together, Sky, Sunweb, Movistar, LottoNL. Greipel was looking at his team mates and wanted to be moved up.
Got this photo of Chavanel and Poels in conversation with Thomas behind them. I am aware the quality of neither the photo nor the experience is anywhere near the last time anyone posted their own image of Thomas on here.
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Probably won't decide till the last minute whether to go. I know that's a luxury, but my idea of attending a bike race always involves perching on a large rock about 30 feet above a wooded sun-dappled Italian climb rather than standing on Aldwych under grey skies drawing stares for being the loudest person present like when I went down to stage 3 of the 2014 Tour.
For clarification, I wouldn't boo any rider, except possibly Moscon. They flog their guts out to provide me near endless entertainment I pay nought pence for, and if I go I will be enthusiastically cheering and applauding the lot.
That's a cool photo, thanks for posting.
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