Bike Racing

[Travs]

Bologna is my favourite Italian city.

The views from the top of the medieval tower are stunning. Also a great place to watch football on a sunny evening.... that iconic ground with the tower down one side, where David Platt scored that volley against Belgium in 1990.

[Mike T]

Bologna is my favourite Italian city.

The views from the top of the medieval tower are stunning. Also a great place to watch football on a sunny evening.... that iconic ground with the tower down one side, where David Platt scored that volley against Belgium in 1990.

The porticos are lovely. The climb up the tower terrified me - my partner refused to do it. One of my main memories was the restaurant prices - so much higher than elsewhere in Italy. This was 40 years ago. We could only afford to eat in a student cafe.

I cannot find any information re the incidence of heart disease/strokes in Bologna vs elsewhere in Italy, though apparently life expectancy in Italy has come down a bit since Covid.

[anthonykay]

One of my main memories was the restaurant prices - so much higher than elsewhere in Italy. This was 40 years ago. We could only afford to eat in a student cafe.

Bologna is where I have had my most expensive ever ice cream, 10 euros (in 2013). It was at a cafe in the central square, and I hadn't looked at the price on the menu. I suppose I was paying about 3 euros for the ice cream, and the remaining 7 euros were for the view out of the cafe window.

[MattPo]

Not such an exciting day today, with a crash marred sprint finish. Tomorrow is looking promising. Those are some huge climbs, I may have to watch - its an area I like.
Ice creams were cheap in Austria which pleased my wife. We are just back from Mayerhofen. Cake was excellent too, which pleased me.

[Witton Park]

I'm a bit lost for words and a touch emotional.

Could see 10-15km out that the Astana team were up for giving Cav a shot, but they lost position a few times and even if they got him there, I wasn't sure Cav was in shape to beat Philipson and the rest.

But he was - unbelievable to watch and chuffed to bits for him - a shade cosy in the end.

Now the pressures off, I wonder how many he can win.

[Llani Boy]

Yes WP, it was fantastic to watch

My Dream Team had a mare today though

[MattPo]

I'm a bit lost for words and a touch emotional.

Could see 10-15km out that the Astana team were up for giving Cav a shot, but they lost position a few times and even if they got him there, I wasn't sure Cav was in shape to beat Philipson and the rest.

But he was - unbelievable to watch and chuffed to bits for him - a shade cosy in the end.

Now the pressures off, I wonder how many he can win.

The boy done good! Very pleased for him. Experience may have helped him, it was a brilliant sprint.

[Witton Park]

The rest day has arrived at the end of an unusual week. It just seemed an odd itinerary to me.

Great news for Cavendish.

Pog looking good, but I think he did in week 1 last year and Vingegaard come in under cooked. I just wonder if Pog is riding a little too aggressively too early.

Anyway, to the 4 teams.

1/ 2580 Points is Save the Forum - your's truly.
Pogacar, Roglic, S Yates, Gall, Pederson, Turgis, Morkov, Moscon, Campanaerts

2/ 2384 Points Guess who`s back - Oracle
Vingegaard, Evanepoel, Bernal, Carapaz, Cavendish, Gee, Van der Poel, Geschke, Kung

3/ 2373 voiture balai - Pierre Moliere (PeteS)
Pogacar, Bilbao, Rodriguez, Barguil, Philipsen, Mohoric, Wright, Gee, Matthews

4/ 1953 Blockheads Oi Oi - Llani Boy
Pogacar, Thomas, S Yates, Carapaz, Groenewegen, Cort, Healey, Van der Poel, Williams

I know I will suffer now with Pederson out. Everyone else intact.

[PeteS]

Turgis was an inspired choice but agree, Pedersen is likely to cost you a few points over the next two weeks.
Not much in it between myself and the one who should not be named on here, so hoping to make some in roads on top spot there. Pog looks like he is carrying on from where he left off in the giro but wary he may blow up in the 3rd week especially without the team support he should be getting seemingly nowhere at times.
Vingegaard also looking like he may come good later in the race so possibly not all over yet.

[Witton Park]

At the end of week 2 the standings are as set out below.

1/ 4737 voiture balai - Pierre Moliere (PeteS)

2/ 4466 Guess who`s back - Oracle

3/ 4379 Save the Forum - your's truly

4/ 3736 Blockheads Oi Oi - Llani Boy

Pete has lost Bilbao an Wright. He should be OK as his main players are still well in.

Oracle still has all 9 which might stand him in good stead come the final reckoning.

I've lost Roglic, Pederson and Morkov - not looking good

Llani is also still intact so will get me sooner or later

Llani's selection of Thomas and S Yates for GC backup has proven costly, especially considering Healy and Carapaz have done quite well for him.


Looks like last day for the sprinters today.