Posts from — July 2019

The Tour was barely over when plumbing raised its soggy head and began to occupy all available time. Then, somewhere in the third toilet reconstruction, the washing machine died. Okay, so it was a relic that was happily cleaning clothes when Neal Armstrong was walking on the Moon, it could have at least emptied the water before it gave up agitating for buzzing. 🙁

[Hint: The easiest way to empty a full washer is with a garden hose. One end in the washer and you start the siphon with a wet/dry vac on the other end. Better than a mouthful of soapy water or collapsing from the strain of sucking on the hose.]

Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées

Distance: 128 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with two climbs and a sprint race finish.

• Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse 34 km (cat 4: 1.3km @ 6.1%)
• Côte de Châteaufort 38 km (cat 4: 0.9km @ 4.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 89.5 km, Paris – Haut des Champs-Élysées

The final 56 kilometers of the race are 8 circuits of a 7 kilometer oval on the Champs-Élysées. This is strictly for the serious sprinters looking for the glory of a Paris stage win. The General Classification riders would be wise to leave the inside track to the sprinters to avoid a crash.

Caleb Ewan takes his third stage win on the final stage. Egan Bernal took the Yellow, White, and was only 8 points shy of taking the Polka Dots away from Romain Bardet. Peter Sagan took his seventh Green Jersey.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 82h 57′ 00″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 316 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 1

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 161 )
Super Combative: Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]
La Lanterne Rouge: Sebastian Langeveld ( Ned – EF1 – 095 ) + 04h 34′ 23″ Φ

Final Standings below the fold
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Albertville > Val Thorens

Distance: 59.5 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with one climb and a summit finish.

• Val Thorens 59.5 km (HC: 33.4km @ 5.4%)

Because of weather and road conditions on the original route of the stage, the Category 1 climb over the Cormet de Roseland was eliminated which reduced the stage by 71 kilometers.

If nothing major occurs tomorrow,Egan Bernal will take home both the Yellow and White Jerseys. Geraint Thomas has moved up to second place as Julian Alaphilippe dropped to fifth. Peter Sagan is set to win his seventh Green Jersey and Romain Bardet remains 8 points of ahead of Egan Bernal for the Polka Dots.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 79h 52′ 52″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
David Gaudu ( Fra – GFC – 053 ) [White] 13

Stage winner: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – TBM – 041 )
Combative: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – TBM – 041 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Complete Listing below the fold
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Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes Col de l’Iseran

Distance: 126.5 89 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with five four climbs and a sprint summit finish.

• Côte de Saint-André 25 km (cat 3: 3.1km @ 6.8%)
• Montée d’Aussois 38 km (cat 2: 6.5km @ 6.2%)
• Col de la Madeleine 63.5 km (cat 3: 3.9km @ 5.6%)
• Col de l’Iseran-Souvenir Henri Desgrange 89 km (HC: 12.9km @ 7.5%)
• Montée de Tignes 124.5 km (cat 1: 7.4km @ 7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 68.5 km, Bessans.

Lots of Polka Dot points on this stage and €5,000 for the first to the summit of Col de l’Iseran

When Egan Bernal arrived atop the Col de l’Iseran he got Polka Dot points, €5,000, and, it would turn out, the Yellow Jersey. A powerful thunderstorm with hail and intense rain roared through the valley between Col de l’Iseran and Montée de Tignes leaving hailstones on the roads and causing mudslides. The only vehicles moving were front loaders, so the race officials stopped the race. Race times were calculated to the summit of Col de l’Iseran and no stage winner or Red Number rider were declared.

Bernal qualifies for both the Yellow and the White jerseys, but the White will be worn by the second place young rider, David Gaudu. Thibaut Pinot, who was a main competitor for the Yellow Jersey had to withdraw due to a leg muscle strain or tear.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 78h 00′ 42″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
David Gaudu ( Fra – GFC – 053 ) [White] 13

Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Embrun > Valloire

Distance: 208 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with four climbs and a downhill sprint finish.

• Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées 13 km (cat 3: 3.9km @ 5.2%)
• Col de Vars 82.5 km (cat 1: 9.3km @ 7.5%)
• Col d’Izoard 133 km (HC: 14.1km @ 7.3%)
• Col du Galibier 189 km (HC: 23km @ 5.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 45 km, Les Thuiles.

Lots of Polka Dot points on this stage.

Nairo Quintana’s childhood in the Andes becomes obvious in the Alps as he takes his first stage win in this Tour. The same training allowed Egan Bernal to leap over Geraint Thomas into second place by reducing his GC deficit by 32 seconds. Bernal has a lock on White and could get Yellow if he hangs in the breakaways.

Romain Bardet is 12 points ahead of Tim Wellens in the King of the Mountains.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 75h 18′ 49″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Nairo Quintana ( Col – MOV – 061 )
Combative: Greg Van Avermaet ( Bel – CCC – 111 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Pont du Gard > Gap

Distance: 200 kilometers.

A “Hilly” stage with two categorized climbs and a downhill sprint finish.

• Côte de la Rochette-du-Buis 104.5 km (cat 4: 5.2km @ 5.4%)
• Col de la Sentinelle 191.5 km (cat 3: 11.4km @ 7.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 62 km, Vaison-la-Romaine which is under an Excessive Heat Warning for triple digit Fahrenheit air temperatures.

This was the last stage for the sprinters to show their abilities before the Tour hits the Alps for three days of climbing. The Peloton was on cruise control saving its energy for the mountains. Matteo Trentin won the stage and the Red Numbers with his attack on the final climb leaving everyone else a half minute behind.

The air was not the only thing that was hot today. Luke Rowe and Tony Martin were removed from the race for a minor dust up that didn’t even involve punches being thrown.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 69h 39′ 16″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 )
Combative: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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If you’re keeping count, Tropical Depression Three formed off the Atlantic Coast of Florida at 4 PM CDT yesterday and became a remnant low at 10 AM CDT today. There is moderate to high wind shear along the coast at the moment that is keeping storm formation down.

Nîmes > Nîmes

Distance: 177 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage, except for the category 4 climb, and a sprint finish.

• Côte de Saint-Jean-du-Pin 96 km (cat 4: 1.8km @ 4.2%)

The intermediate sprint is at 93.5 km, Vallérargues.

Caleb Ewan won his second stage on a stage that is best described as hot… HOT! With air temperatures at least in the upper 90s, people on bicycles really should find some shade and park them. Ewan is Australian, so he’s familiar with hot and he said he wasn’t feeling 100% in the temperatures. He joins Alaphilippe and Yates as a double stage winner in the second half of the Tour.

The General Classification has stayed stagnant for some time, but the race is now headed to the Alps, and mountains have a way of changing things. The sprinters will have to hang on until the final stage for another chance at glory.

Note: A quick weather check shows that tomorrow’s stage will be in an area with an “Excessive heat alert”. Not ideal circumstances for a bicycle race.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 64h 57′ 30″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 161 )
Combative: Alexis Gougeard ( Fra – ALM – 036 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Limoux > Foix Prat d’Albis

Distance: 185 kilometers.

Another “mountain” stage, again with real mountains and a summit finish.

• Col de Montségur 60.5 km (cat 2: 6.8km @ 6%)
• Port de Lers 120.5 km (cat 1: 11.4km @ 7.8%)
• Mur de Péguère 147 km (cat 1: 9.3km @ 7.9%)
• Foix Prat d’Albis 185 km (cat 1: 11.8km @ 6.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 93.5 km, Tarascon-sur-Ariège.

Simon Yates won his second stage, but Thibaut Pinot and Geraint Thomas won the most in this stage. Pinot more than made up for the time he lost when a crosswind caused the peloton to split on Stage 10 and Thomas regained the time he lost in the individual time trial. With the race headed to the Alps, Pinot is looking good for the Polka Dot and/or the Yellow. Bernal is now 12 minutes 24 seconds ahead of his nearest rival for the White, and Sagan is 94 points ahead for the Green. Wellens is only 14 points ahead of Pinot for King of the Mountains.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 61h 00′ 22″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 284 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Simon Yates ( GBr – MTS – 108 )
Combative: Mikel Landa Meana ( Spa – MOV – 065 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Tarbes > Tourmalet Barèges

Distance: 117.5 kilometers.

Another “mountain” stage, this time real mountains with a summit finish. The first to the summit gets the “Souvenir Jacques Goddet” prize, €5,000. Alaphilippe won it last year.

• Côte de Labatmale 18 km (cat 4: 1.4km @ 6.7%)
• Col du Soulor 60.5 km (cat 1: 11.9km @ 7.8%)
• Tourmalet 117.5 km (Hors Catégorie: 19km @ 7.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 86 km, Pierrefitte-Nestalas.

Thibaut Pinot won the stage and the €5K. Movistar moved back into first among the teams. Egan Bernal is back in the White Jersey. Julian Alaphilippe is still in Yellow and gained 36 seconds over Geraint Thomas. Alaphilippe might be the first French winner of the Tour in 34 years.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 56h 11′ 29″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 284 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 4

Stage winner: Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – GFC – 051 )
Combative: Elie Gesbert ( Fra – PCB – 214 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Apollo 11

Commander:

Neil A. Armstrong

Pilot: Columbia Command Module

Michael Collins, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

Pilot: Eagle Lunar Module

Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., Colonel, USAF

Launched: 16 July 1969 UT 13:32:00 (08:32:00 CDT)

Landed on Moon: 20 July 1969 UT 20:17:40 (15:17:40 CDT)

Landing Site: Mare Tranquillitatis – Sea of Tranquility (0.67 N, 23.47 E)

Returned to Earth: 24 July 1969 UT 16:50:35 (11:50:35 CDT)

It has been fifty years since a human first set foot on another natural body in the solar system and we have digressed to the point that we can’t duplicate that feat.

Pau > Pau

Distance: 27.2 kilometers.

Individual time trial with the potential of changing the General Classification standings. It is also the 100th anniversary of the Yellow Jersey, so this one will be special.

Julian Alaphilippe gained 14 seconds on Geraint Thomas and became the only rider so far to win two stages, having already won Stage 3.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 53h 02′ 35″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 277 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 54 points
Enric Mas ( Spa – DQT – 025 ) [White] 6

Stage winner: Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 )
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Complete Standings below the fold
[Read more →]

Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Distance: 209.5 kilometers.

Officially a “mountain” stage:

• Côte de Montoulieu-Saint-Bernard 62.5 km (cat 4: 1.7km @ 5.2%)
• Col de Peyresourde 146 km (cat 1: 13.2km @ 7%)
• Hourquette d’Ancizan 179 km (cat 1: 9.9km @ 7.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 130.5 km, Bagnères-de-Luchon. There is a 1,000 meter drop over 30 kilometers to the finish after the final summit. A real test of brakes and courage/stupidity.

The Tour is in the Pyrenees and Simon Yates continues the pattern of a unique winner at every stage. With the two Category 1 climbs the General Classification riders stayed safe and fresh for tomorrow’s individual time trials. This led to little effort to reel in the 40+ riders of the breakaway. The peloton showed up 9 minutes and 35 seconds after Simon Yates crossed the line.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 52h 26′ 09″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 277 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 54 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Simon Yates ( GBr – MTS – 108 )
Combative: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]

Albi > Toulouse

Distance: 167 kilometers.

Officially a “flat” stage, so ignore the categorized climbs:

• Côte de Tonnac 32 km (cat 3: 3.6km @ 4.9%)
• Côte de Castelnau-de-Montmiral 77 km (cat 4: 2.5km @ 3.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 87 km, Gaillac, and it’s rolling hills to the finish.

No one has won two stages in this Tour. There have been ten different stage winners to this point and the trend will probably continue as we are approaching the major mountain stages.

The route on this stage took the peloton from four-lane to high crowned, single lanes in the country. There were traffic circles and concrete medians to catch the inattentive. I understand “it’s traditional”, but the Iditarod does a better job of marking the route. In the midst of this they add official team cars and media motorcycles to annoy the riders.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 47h 18′ 41″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 257 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 43 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 161 )
Combative: Aime De Gendt ( Bel – WGB – 193 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
[Read more →]