Le Tour 2023

While Jumbo tried to get him to go to a college in Holland well-known for its strengthening of athletes mental capabilities, the Jumbo Team Manager credits his partner/wife Trine with doing the necessary to make this slight lad from quiet Western Denmark believe in himself and that if a day’s racing didn’t go his way, it was not the end of the world. There were plenty of other tomorrows to come.

In the first Covid lockdown, all the Jumbo squad had to do a maximal effort on their static bikes and his was way ahead of everyone else’s. Great news for the team, although something else that Vingegaard took as a signal to heap yet more pressure on himself.

Thankfully, he realised how good he was and belonged at the top level when Roglic’s withdrawal through a crash (was that the woman with the sign in German to her grandparents?) and injury saw him as the only one to challenge Pogacar on his way to his second Tour win.

Nice folk can win.

The race has had so many twists and turns and days on and beyond the limit maybe a few will just have so little energy in the last few days, it will change dramatically as it did for Simon Yates in the Giro a few years ago.

Compelling viewing.

Compelling stuff again up the Puy de Dome. Happy for the 36/37 year old Canadian, Woods, for his stage win timed brilliantly. Pog looks like he has what it takes to get the yellow in Paris, however, Vingegaard has been weaker than him in the first week before yet stronger in the third so all to play for.

Bit of water on the descents should make like very interesting. Pidcock is a king of descending so could improve. 

Thought Cav had yesterday's stage won 200m out. Apparently his gears slipped which lost him momentum. Sundays mountain top finish could see the next installment of Vingegard v Pogacar. 

Well EO Pogacar gave you the answer to your question in pretty emphatic style. I wondered if stage 5 was a result of him not being totally fit due to injuries sustained this season but writing him off is a very dangerous mistake. 

Not only is he up against the reigning champion Vingegard but also that wonderful domestique Woet van Art who climbs like a mountain goat. We are only 6 stages in but the field has been decimated by two riders who are in a class of their own. British interest in the GC is high with the Yates twins and Pidcock in the top 10. Lets hope Cavendish can get that sprint victory today.

Vingegard proved far better than Pog on the day and maybe that theme will play through the rest of the race, although might have been an off day.

Today should be pretty good too. Trying to get to the ITV4 highlights programme unaware of the result.