Competitive Cycling

[Thenop]

Well done Pidcock indeed, but was gutted seeing MvdP fall. He was mainly mad at himself, blaming himself for making a mistake. In the end it was just too much, which is understandble.

Outstanding performance for Puck again, bronze in her first WC. Well done and we'll be hearing from her...

[Nickslikk2112]

Missed out on Puck coming third. I like Puck, followed her battles with Fem van Emple in the Cyclo Cross season, she can bunny hop better than the men!

[Nickslikk2112]

Another great afternoon in Glasgow, who'd have thought it?

Well done Lotte

[Thenop]

Yes it was an exciting race. Lotte was clearly the strongest and most clever today.
Demi Vollering looked extremely powerful getting back time and time again. Getting over the line 2nd must have felt like winning
Van Vleuten very unlucky, material breakdown twice! Right in the finale at 14 before the end.

[Nickslikk2112]

Another great weekend of cycling in Glasgow, glad we made the decision to return, couldn't quite hit the heights of the previous week, but wouldn't have missed it anyway.

Got to Montrose Street this week and there was barely anybody there. We could have had our choice of where to stand, but chose a place just after the crest of the climb on the opposite side of the road to last week - we knew it would keep the sun longer.

Last week the top of the hill was overwhelmed by Belgians and Danes. This week there was a Gazebo full of Dutch Men. A very entertaining Gazebo full of Dutchmen. The Wijbosche Wielervrienden who also had an exceedingly large banner spread out at one side of the road. A loud hailer too, through which they could play Police siren noises and shout "GO, GO, GO!" at passing cyclists.



We also met an American lady from New York who'd come over to watch, it's nice to chat to people who know the names of cyclists and spend all their time watching GCN+

The race was a very similar pattern to the men's - except with a Belgian victory - and Lotte Kopecky looks much slighter than she does on the telly. Most of the female riders also look about 12 years old, maybe it's just my age.

I was very happy to see Paris-Roubaix winner Ali "Action" Jackson going by, I like Ali, she's nuts (check out her "I WON A ROCK" video if you can find it. She also showed that the riders can hear you shouting at them as she turned to look at me when I shouted "COME ON ALI!" at her, I think she looked because it was obvious her main fan-club was further down the road. On one lap they gave her a box with doughnuts in and she rode off eating them!



Over too soon though, we had a walk down to the finish area and lots of riders were on their way back to team buses, including Ali Jackson, so I told her "Well Done". There was also a tiny young kiwi lass who looked about ten.

Still, well done Lotte:



Next years Road Worlds are in Zurich, I know we can be there in a day by train, think I'll wait for route details first and I'm also thinking of doing the final TdF stage in Nice. Decisions, decisions...

[Thenop]

Team TT to kick off the Vuelta tonight. Curious to see what Roglic can do. Can he win it or will Evenepoel be able to take it?
Thomas usually peaks only once a year and did so in the Giro.
Don't see Vingegaard win it after the Tour but we'll see what happens.

Ayuso, Mas and Carthy are outsiders for me.

[Nickslikk2112]

It was a bit wet! Remco was unhappy - diddums - and Vingegaard punctured. Such fun. Shame one of DSM's young Brits couldn't have claimed the Maillot Rojo, bu maybe tomorrow.

I think Roglic is the man to beat, so long as he doesn't crash. I'd be happy to see Geraint come top 5. Sounds like tomorrow will be wet too.

I've still got to catch up on the Tour de l'Avenir. Renewi Tour, Deutschland Tour and women's Tour of Scandinavia.

[Thenop]

You and me both, the catching up bit. Actually watching the WC athletics in Budapest where out miracle runner Hassan won a silver medal again.

Vuelta typical Spanish unorganized, almost Giro like. No one thought of the fact it would be darker as the evening progresses    of course Evenepoel was grumpy, mind you, he is at his best when antagonized. Agree on Roglic, he just about won everything he competed in this year.

[Nickslikk2112]

Just seen that Laurens de Plus didn't finish, that's a big mountain domestique lost for Ineos. But Geraint won't win anyway.

Almost forgot the Athletics...

[Thenop]

Rain. Everywhere.
My team won 6-1 but the game was suspended for an hour due to rain and lightning. Max Verstappen won the GP in Holland, but the race was suspended due to rain.
The riders in the Vuelta just got on with it, but it was a bit of a mess.

[Nickslikk2112]

Bit of a damp squib really. Not as wet as predicted. Pity young Oscar Onley is out with a broken collarbone.

[Thenop]

Well done Remco, but what a mess at the finish.
The big 3, well maybe 4 with Ayuso taking the first 4 places. Quite the undertaking for a 3rd stage. Happy to see Kelderman in the first group. Hopefully he'll get a chance this Vuelta to show himself.
Bad day for G. Hope he gets his game together, I like his style.

[Nickslikk2112]

Poor old Remco. Yes the finish was congested, but he was too intent on celebrating.

Having said that G would do well with a top 5, a top 10 might be good for him. He didn't seem to up to speed in the Tour of Poland a couple of weeks back, he was more up for it in the Tour of the Alps before the Giro although there he was holding back. Still, there's a long way to go and I'm sure the organisers will find many more ways to feck things up...

[Thenop]

Milano thinking he would make that... Groves had probably prepared a bit better 
Nice win, but what a shame about the crash 5k before the finish. And vd Berg crashing in the last 500 meters, had hoped to see him try winning the sprint.

[Nickslikk2112]

Yes, an exciting sprint today, didn't think Groves would get there. Sounds as if Bryan Coquard has broken his collarbone and I can't believe Buitrago came in 2'22" down, he was rolling on the floor longer than that!

Rinse and repeat tomorrow.