TDF 2020 - Stage 5: Gap - Privas 183km *Spoilers*

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Comments

  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 72,244
    edited September 2020
    Ah the conundrum of flat stages.

    What would you guys do if you were ASO?

    Just leave it as it is?

    Fewer flat stages?

    Off the top of my had I'd be tempted to not show *all* the stages from the gun but only the stages where they expect some action.

    Then again, if this was an echelon stage we'd be tearing our (metaphorical)...hair out about them not showing. it.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137
    It might have been nice if they'd stopped for lunch and enjoyed the scenery
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    It's a odd tour . A lot of riders don't know
    where they are at yet ...feel under raced . Would not read too much into this
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,217

    Ah the conundrum of flat stages.

    What would you guys do if you were ASO?

    Just leave it as it is?

    Fewer flat stages?

    Off the top of my had I'd be tempted to not show *all* the stages from the gun but only the stages where they expect some action.

    Then again, if this was an echelon stage we'd be tearing our (metaphorical)...hair out about them not showing. it.

    To be honest you could devise any route and it will ultimately be up to the peloton whether it is exciting or not. Millar was saying earlier that it often just feels that the peloton makes an unspoken decision to take it easy. Some of the most exciting stages on paper are often duds whereas you can get a fantastic day's racing on what looks like a dead cert transition stage for the break.
  • Ah the conundrum of flat stages.

    What would you guys do if you were ASO?

    Just leave it as it is?

    Fewer flat stages?

    Off the top of my had I'd be tempted to not show *all* the stages from the gun but only the stages where they expect some action.

    Then again, if this was an echelon stage we'd be tearing our (metaphorical)...hair out about them not showing. it.

    I like to have a faux moan but really I don't mind just having it in the background and listen to the excellent IT4 coverage. I've already found out from Pete Kennaugh that Froome is powered by Nougat! Give that a try...
  • Ah the conundrum of flat stages.

    What would you guys do if you were ASO?

    Just leave it as it is?

    Fewer flat stages?

    Off the top of my had I'd be tempted to not show *all* the stages from the gun but only the stages where they expect some action.

    Then again, if this was an echelon stage we'd be tearing our (metaphorical)...hair out about them not showing. it.

    Turn it on its head and dont show the stage to the riders. Just tell them it starts here and goes there. Dont show them the route.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Lol.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • It's fine as it is. Look at those roofs. And the day's not over yet.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Where in this tour are bed and breakfast going to make a mark.. ?
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • TheBigBean
    TheBigBean Posts: 20,511
    edited September 2020

    Ah the conundrum of flat stages.

    What would you guys do if you were ASO?

    Just leave it as it is?

    Fewer flat stages?

    Off the top of my had I'd be tempted to not show *all* the stages from the gun but only the stages where they expect some action.

    Then again, if this was an echelon stage we'd be tearing our (metaphorical)...hair out about them not showing. it.

    Normally someone wants the publicity of being in a break.

    Otherwise, I would have the panache jersey, so there is something to win by trying. And scrap the intermediate sprint.
  • Where in this tour are bed and breakfast going to make a mark.. ?

    Pacher did OK yesterday.
  • And Rolland launched his attack yesterday.
  • RichN95.
    RichN95. Posts: 27,137



    Turn it on its head and dont show the stage to the riders. Just tell them it starts here and goes there. Dont show them the route.

    The section where they realise they're in the lion enclosure at a safari park will be the best bit
    Twitter: @RichN95
  • It's fine as it is. Look at those roofs. And the day's not over yet.

    I am on a touring holidays around some of my favourite areas of France, as there's no chance of watching an actual race.

    180kms rolling out of the neutral zone.
    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,217
    Days like this are fine, you don't expect much of them and can just have the TV on in the background while working, maybe enjoy the scenery for a bit. If something unexpected happens then it's a bonus. OK, we haven't got the customary break today but there's very rarely any 'will they, won't they' excitement as they are so closely controlled so it's not really any different.

    It's when nothing happens on the so called decisive stages I get a bit fed up.
  • alan_a
    alan_a Posts: 1,546
    Nice long range view of Ventoux earlier.

    Great wee chat with Vassuer on ITV.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Pross said:

    Days like this are fine, you don't expect much of them and can just have the TV on in the background while working, maybe enjoy the scenery for a bit. If something unexpected happens then it's a bonus. OK, we haven't got the customary break today but there's very rarely any 'will they, won't they' excitement as they are so closely controlled so it's not really any different.

    It's when nothing happens on the so called decisive stages I get a bit fed up.

    I'll +1 that
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • Sorry guys, did my best. Went out for the shopping. Still didn't conjure anything remotely interesting up it seems
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,217
    Other than the necessary evil of advert breaks ITV have got this coverage nailed. Makes you wonder why a certain specialist sports channel manages to make such a mess of it at times.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Windmills dead no wind
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,217
    Turbines suggesting the hopes of echelons are to be dashed.
  • Pross said:

    Turbines suggesting the hopes of echelons are to be dashed.

    Well obviously there's no wind, they haven't turned them on yet... ;)
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format
  • Last year's stage 7 with a pair of breakaway riders given 5 minutes for most of the 230km was less interesting than this. That day the intermediate sprint was after 200k.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 40,217
    It would be a lot worse if we were on pan flat industrial roads around Calais, at least this stage is scenic.
  • Mad_Malx
    Mad_Malx Posts: 4,993
    alan_a said:



    Great wee chat with Vassuer on ITV.

    He came across really genuine and was pleased to talk. No bluster or hyperbole, just a realistic, but positive and cheerful assessment.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Cedric wasnt needle shy .... Wore the jersey in 96 or 97 ...97
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • RichN95. said:



    Turn it on its head and dont show the stage to the riders. Just tell them it starts here and goes there. Dont show them the route.

    The section where they realise they're in the lion enclosure at a safari park will be the best bit
    or the bridge at mostar
  • Pross said:

    Turbines suggesting the hopes of echelons are to be dashed.

    Well obviously there's no wind, they haven't turned them on yet... ;)
    let them ride between the blades like crazy-golf
  • Both sides trying to add to the misery by talking this up at Autumn.
    Sunny, clear and 25C the past two days have been perfect to showcase the route.

    Besides, they'll soon be eating their words.







    "Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 16,646
    Letour it's a knockout edition
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm