Bike Racing

[PeteS]

Yes, that monument is all about that final climb and descent. (Nothing to do with the nigh 300km before hand!) Who could argue that it is not integral to the sport. The downward section is hazardous but probably not to the degree of some Alpine climbs?
You could say it was due to being near the end of the stage and I would agree that just incites those of that disposition to have a go but remember Pidcock's descent from the climb prior to Alp D'Huez?

[Graham Breeze]

Yes, that monument is all about that final climb and descent. (Nothing to do with the nigh 300km before hand!) Who could argue that it is not integral to the sport. The downward section is hazardous but probably not to the degree of some Alpine climbs?
You could say it was due to being near the end of the stage and I would agree that just incites those of that disposition to have a go but remember Pidcock's descent from the climb prior to Alp D'Huez?

Pidcock can descend well - for a Leeds lad - butfter the descent to Allemand there is a long flat road to Bourg d'Oisans before the climb up the Alpe. It isn't as though Pidcock had the finish in view that would tempt him to go crazy.

For years I holidayed in Bourg d'Oisans and rode and ran up and down the Alpe dozens of times. The last time I watched the Tour (in France) was one day in Bourg. I watched the peloton ride past and Armstrong was holding forth and I turned away and thought "I don't want to do this any more". Of course I watched the Tour when it came to Yorkshire but by then Armstrong had been exposed.

Incidentally Peter Cossins (who wrote Alpe d'Huez. Cycling's Greatest Climb)once lived in the same road as me in Ilkley - in a rather splendid house.

[Witton Park]

That descent has been used in previous Tours.

Interestingly:

Fury as cyclist killed at "dangerous" Swiss race

The D Telegraph 6 pictures 1 1/2 pages

Mader, 26, dies after crashing into ravine at Tour de Suisse

The Times, one picture of Mader, less than 1/4 page.

Compare and contrast?

The DT is technically bankrupt and is now owned by its bankers so is desperate for sales.

It shows.

I agree Graham. I was not reading the DT much, so rang to cancel a few months ago when they announced around £12.99 a month subs, a large increase from a discounted rate I'd been on. I've been given a £29 a year rate.

I still don't read much, so will probably not renew. Readers letters can be the most interesting part.

I hadn't seen the Mader piece, because I tend not to check cycling news as the sport coverage online is poor.

They had a couple of pieces on the Giro, but nothing on the Dauphine and only 2 articlees on cycling so far in June.

The legacy media is pretty poor to be honest and I have tried the Times in the past and given up to that as well.

[Graham Breeze]

I still don't read much, so will probably not renew. Readers letters can be the most interesting part.

Well since I have had two letters published in the last month - I must agree.

[molehill]

I best pay more attention to the readers letters page in the DT, see if I recognise any names.....

[Witton Park]

If anyone fancies I've set up a Mini-League for us on Velogames.

League Name: FRA Forum
League Code: 11375659

It's with the TdF in mind, but can also use it for other events as they come along.

https://www.velogames.com/

entry deadline of 12:30 CEST (Central European Summer Time) on Saturday 1st July 2023. That is 11:30 in the UK

[PeteS]

I'm in. Team name is voiture balai

[Witton Park]

I'm in. Team name is voiture balai

well the worst I can come is 2nd

[Marco]

I haven't had chance to look at it in any detail, and I don't even know who's riding - let alone what their current form is like

[mr brightside]

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