The French may be the most creative people on earth. You see it in their art, architecture, their food, their fashion, and their Tour de France. Variety is the spice of life.
I agree with what Lance said about Roglic, he has to just play it cool. Get a high fitness level beforehand, play it cool until that crazy Plateau de Beille stage and the stages after that, and strike there. He's my favorite and I'm cheering for him, but the others I like too and the big battle between the 4 big stars oughta be amazing. And I also think that it's actually good that the big monument climbs aren't there every year, but every few years or so. Then they're more anticipated. If they were there every year then it could become more normal and less mythical?
Great video. I really loved it. Curious about something, please. Why can't/don't they have a stage race cycling event at the Olympics? a 3-day, 5-day, 7-day event? It would be pretty great to have something like that.
I just hope that after the first "hard" stage, the leader doesn't go into defense mode for the entire rest of the race. I do like to see the actual race happen more than once over 3 weeks.
I have to say that I don’t hate them putting gravel in. Winning the TDF has always required some luck along the way and this just means you have to have a complete set of skills to win. Maybe they do have to look at what support will be available in the event of punctures or maybe the teams have to look at using tyre liners or other technology to reduce the risk of losing time on that stage. Adapt and use it your advantage
Disagree. I don't want to see someone ultimately win solely because a rival had an inopportune mechanical that cost them time that couldn't be recouped in the stage. Yes, luck is always involved, but the gravel increases the reliance on it, not skill or training.
And they need to set up bikes that can work with gravel. Previous decades were on roads that weren't far from gravel. The big thing is smooth roads can be three gears easier than heavy roads - different pedal style. It adds variety and requires teams and individuals to cope with variety. Fit heavier, puncture proof tyres and heavier duty parts to cope with gravel
Put the gravel portion in perspective. It's only 32 kilometers (20 miles) out of 3,492 km (2,170 miles). Gravel and pavé were what the Tour riders raced on years ago.
Well exactly. Lets also not forget that paved roads have not always been used. A few decades ago they were racing on gravel lot. Look at some pictures from the 60s.
Flanders isnt a bucket list item for Pogacar. Pog is also focused on piling up monument victories. Hes the only GT rider in the highest level who can. So that was an ignorant comment
Disagree with the crew, I hope Pog does do Flanders and the other classics. If his only goal was the tour I think he would be leaving a lot on the table.
I really don't see any of the big GC contenders actually pushing hard on the gravel especially with rest day following and knowing all that lies ahead. It's far too risky. Probably no change in placement of top contenders at the end of that day. Not racing just trying to survive. Kinda ridiculous. It will be super fun to watch for other riders, just not the big boys.
@@Fieldracing yeah, you’re right. Skip the dangers of corners, mtn descents, field sprints, and incessant mass pile-ups. Just put ‘em on machines and measure output. Or, maybe a spin class with a winner? It’s all a carnival. Always has been. It was created and continues as a novelty and oddity. You know, kinda like a carnival. I was an American racer who did not particularly enjoy the carnival aspect of incessant crits. But what to do? Do not participate in something because you don’t like some aspect of it? If you’re wise enough, you’ll accept it because you’ve learned that, soon enough, it’ll change.
The problem is if a a couple of top 2 or 3 riders have mechanicals that can't be fixed quickly because mechanics are miles behind. Rest of the race for yellow jersey becomes a dull event for also-rans. Suspect the top teams will come to agreement to take it easy - win for breakaway by stage chasing team (Ineos?)
Can't agree with Johan about the gravel stage! Yes it is hard and unpredictable but it's amazing for fans and sponsors! I still remember giro 2010 stage on whiteroads that Cadel won or the mini Roubaix stage of the tour that Nibali rode like a savage wearing yellow dropping the rest of the GC guys, I believe more people watched that stage than all the others put together!
What about Sepp Kuss? He's not trying for the Giro, which I think he could win. Instead he'll ride in support of Vino in the Tour and then defend at the Vuelta. Just saying, we need an American to win the Giro, and be the first since Andy.
@@denisesayer9225 Well it was'nt a once in a lifetime thing. Stage 20 in 2022 Jonas let up at the end and coasted in to give WVA the victory, had he gone full gas on the last climb, he would have put 30 seconds into Poggy. Fact is, Jonas is just the best GT-rider in the world ATM, and the 2024 parkour fits him even better than the last 2!
basically carbon copy start to last year, but then puy marie tourmalet galibier turini coulliole and lemond fignon finish. so idk what lance means about no iconic climbs
The only superstar GC guy that will be somewhat looking forward to the gravel stage will be Pogacar. He's got the ability to go with the classics guys and gain a good chunk of time on Vingegaard, Roglic and Evenepoel. 2 outsiders that will are Pidcock and Rodriguez, both have done well or won Strade Bianchi and Ineos have history of doing well on GT gravel stages. I can't wait for it and the whole Tour. It strikes a decent balance between Pogacar and Vingegaard. Although the backloaded race will suit Vingegaard.
Jonas will be fine on gravel - many of the backroads in Denmark are gravel and growing up in Danish cycling you learn to ride it often and in wet weather too
yeah when he said that i pictured him actually prayin; made my day (i'm easily entertained these days). remember: prayer is only ridiculous when you think about it 🤟
I've not been impressed with the TdF parcours in quite some time. I miss having a prologue to start the race - which was equal parts ceremonial and competitive and was good at sorting the field out, a Team Time Trial and at least one long individual TT. A true TdF tests riders in all cycling disciplines - including flat, sprinter stages, hilly, rolleur stages, in addition to your traditional high mountain stages. The parcours the past several years has been about throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks. I don't care for it and would like to see a return to tradition.
The route is not right it misses about 500km also far too many uber steep hill top finishes. Its a race to find out who is the best climber on earth period. TDF used to have 2x50km long ITT
@@glywnniswells9480 Yep, the race hasn't been about determining who the best all-around cyclist is since the Froome - Contador era. I remember the year Cancellara was in yellow for like 10 days because that year's route had a prologue and either a long individual TT or Team TT and puncheur stages that allowed him to remain in the leaders jersey for an extended period of time. I think it wasn't until the second big mountain stage that he actually gave up the yellow jersey. But it was great seeing him hold on to it for as long as he did. He even won one or two sprint stages that Tour by attacking from far out.
Albert Withen Philipsen good luck Pogacar and Vingegaard.its the new🎉eddi mercx.all The Big teams want him and he is only 17.if he goes to The tour de France Next Year pogi and Jonas will Have a Big problem
I say again albert philipsen.i from Denmark 🇩🇰 and hope jonas Win but albert philipsen is the New Eddi merx.if he fo to the Tour at only 17 Jonas and pogi coud be very worried.i only say
I don’t care about the riders stress, I don’t care how steep the climbs or how dangerous the descents. I don’t give a rats ass how long it takes to get a spare bike because I’m not riding the damn race I’m watching it. I want some bad ass entertainment, I want elbows, blows and UFC ground and pound action. If you’re too big a wimp to do the race then bow out it’s an entertainment sport because that’s what pays the bills. Man up boys and girls or give it up.
Can't wait for July 2024 for the battle to begin.
june 29.
@user-xq6zt5ho7d ahahhahha
I won the Gran Fondo Hincapie and I would have like to meet Lance , I hope to see you next year in Greenville!
I was suprised by the underwater stage.
They dug deep to come up with that one.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
It starts early 29 June and does not go to Paris both of these because of the Olympics
2025 there will prob be a stage in space
Zombie stage too
The French may be the most creative people on earth. You see it in their art, architecture, their food, their fashion, and their Tour de France.
Variety is the spice of life.
In the 2008 tour it went over the Bonnette. I was on the roadaide when George crashed on the descent. Massive climb
I climbed Galibier and Bonette in 2018. Both were really hard, but Bonette went on and on. Brutal.
I think the route looks sick. Looking forward to watching it
I like George's wine cellar!
21:00
Don’t know about gravel bikes, but a lot of riders have used cx bikes in Roubaix and perhaps other spring classics
Man, George is a wino! Nice collection bro!! 👍❤️👍
But the Johan backdrop .... living the dreamy!
Who says crime doesn't pay. Get on it kids. Dope up.
I agree with what Lance said about Roglic, he has to just play it cool. Get a high fitness level beforehand, play it cool until that crazy Plateau de Beille stage and the stages after that, and strike there. He's my favorite and I'm cheering for him, but the others I like too and the big battle between the 4 big stars oughta be amazing.
And I also think that it's actually good that the big monument climbs aren't there every year, but every few years or so. Then they're more anticipated. If they were there every year then it could become more normal and less mythical?
For the first time, I'm pretty much equally supportive of all the favorites.
Agree
Great show guys
Gravel is not the new hip thing in cycling. It's old the old thing cycling being brought back.
true dat
Great video. I really loved it. Curious about something, please. Why can't/don't they have a stage race cycling event at the Olympics? a 3-day, 5-day, 7-day event? It would be pretty great to have something like that.
Looks like the TdF starts a week earlier, on 6/29, and doesn't finish in Paris because of the Olympics being there and starting July 26.
TDF starts in June this year (24th I think)
29th
29th in Firenza
I just hope that after the first "hard" stage, the leader doesn't go into defense mode for the entire rest of the race. I do like to see the actual race happen more than once over 3 weeks.
Or for the runner up to crack like a fragile egg once the pressure gets applied.
I have to say that I don’t hate them putting gravel in. Winning the TDF has always required some luck along the way and this just means you have to have a complete set of skills to win. Maybe they do have to look at what support will be available in the event of punctures or maybe the teams have to look at using tyre liners or other technology to reduce the risk of losing time on that stage. Adapt and use it your advantage
Yup. Tdf is supposed to be hard to,finish. Since the beginning.
Disagree. I don't want to see someone ultimately win solely because a rival had an inopportune mechanical that cost them time that couldn't be recouped in the stage. Yes, luck is always involved, but the gravel increases the reliance on it, not skill or training.
And they need to set up bikes that can work with gravel. Previous decades were on roads that weren't far from gravel. The big thing is smooth roads can be three gears easier than heavy roads - different pedal style. It adds variety and requires teams and individuals to cope with variety. Fit heavier, puncture proof tyres and heavier duty parts to cope with gravel
Put the gravel portion in perspective. It's only 32 kilometers (20 miles) out of 3,492 km (2,170 miles). Gravel and pavé were what the Tour riders raced on years ago.
Well exactly. Lets also not forget that paved roads have not always been used. A few decades ago they were racing on gravel lot. Look at some pictures from the 60s.
If riders can't handle 32km of off-road, they don't deserve to win a GT......It should be an 'all round' test of a rider, not who is the best climber.
And, going a long way back, they had to do their own repairs and puncture fixes. Hey... ban support cars!
Looking forward to the womens tdf episode and the airstream update!
Cav!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🚴
I’m the first view !!!
Love you guy !!
Long time lurker
First time 1st post
almost got it bro
Probably the only episode where Lance wasn't nasty to George
Any news on Riley Sheehan? Did he get a WT contract?
how come i feel like crying with lance???
Flanders isnt a bucket list item for Pogacar. Pog is also focused on piling up monument victories. Hes the only GT rider in the highest level who can. So that was an ignorant comment
Disagree with the crew, I hope Pog does do Flanders and the other classics. If his only goal was the tour I think he would be leaving a lot on the table.
He could still lose it Vinhegard is rediculous on long big climbing days
I really don't see any of the big GC contenders actually pushing hard on the gravel especially with rest day following and knowing all that lies ahead. It's far too risky. Probably no change in placement of top contenders at the end of that day. Not racing just trying to survive. Kinda ridiculous. It will be super fun to watch for other riders, just not the big boys.
Pogacar will push because he has had big success on gravel. He knows Jonas lacks those skills so he can pressure Jonas into mistakes
do you think Cave can do it in Rimini?
No.
JB, what Airstream do you have? We have a 25' FC.
2009 international ccd 28"
Gravel may be a nightmare for the riders, mechanics, and support. For spectators, we’ll be on the edge of our seats, loving every second.
@@Fieldracing yeah, you’re right. Skip the dangers of corners, mtn descents, field sprints, and incessant mass pile-ups. Just put ‘em on machines and measure output. Or, maybe a spin class with a winner?
It’s all a carnival. Always has been. It was created and continues as a novelty and oddity. You know, kinda like a carnival.
I was an American racer who did not particularly enjoy the carnival aspect of incessant crits. But what to do? Do not participate in something because you don’t like some aspect of it?
If you’re wise enough, you’ll accept it because you’ve learned that, soon enough, it’ll change.
The problem is if a a couple of top 2 or 3 riders have mechanicals that can't be fixed quickly because mechanics are miles behind. Rest of the race for yellow jersey becomes a dull event for also-rans. Suspect the top teams will come to agreement to take it easy - win for breakaway by stage chasing team (Ineos?)
I'm on my bike 6 hours a day. What are you on? Lance Armstrong
it would be epic if this would be Roglič Tour...
Tour De France 2024 starts june 29. - not july 7.
Hey JB is losing weight, ozempic ?
hard work actually, although I'd take it if I could get it
George needs a quality mic
Can't agree with Johan about the gravel stage! Yes it is hard and unpredictable but it's amazing for fans and sponsors! I still remember giro 2010 stage on whiteroads that Cadel won or the mini Roubaix stage of the tour that Nibali rode like a savage wearing yellow dropping the rest of the GC guys, I believe more people watched that stage than all the others put together!
19:50 "The time it will take to get a spare". Well, let them use rim brakes.
Great help when having a puncture...??? Try out cycling one day, its great exercise and gravel is fun.
No Champs is very disappointing. The end of the tour is bittersweet, my favorite time of year. Without the champs I'll have no closure
Olympic games in Paris next year
There's loads of great cycle racing after the Tour.......try watching it.
@@sylvettetachet4761 Plus Olympic cycling races as well in and around Paris.
What about Sepp Kuss? He's not trying for the Giro, which I think he could win. Instead he'll ride in support of Vino in the Tour and then defend at the Vuelta. Just saying, we need an American to win the Giro, and be the first since Andy.
I think it'll be close untill stage 19... then it's game over! Vingegaard wins by 5 minutes!
:DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Possibly, but last year's TT performance may have been a once in a life time thing and Pog is going to be training for it!
@@denisesayer9225 Well it was'nt a once in a lifetime thing. Stage 20 in 2022 Jonas let up at the end and coasted in to give WVA the victory, had he gone full gas on the last climb, he would have put 30 seconds into Poggy.
Fact is, Jonas is just the best GT-rider in the world ATM, and the 2024 parkour fits him even better than the last 2!
Yup. Until,the rest of the peloton gets what tjv is on its tjv all the way.
@@nonfictiononelooks like it took Jonás to show up for whatever tjv is serving for it to work 😂. Jonas is just the superior GT rider.
Hey George, obviously you like wine and have a nice cellar, how about doing a podcast about what you are drinking?
basically carbon copy start to last year, but then puy marie tourmalet galibier turini coulliole and lemond fignon finish. so idk what lance means about no iconic climbs
The only superstar GC guy that will be somewhat looking forward to the gravel stage will be Pogacar. He's got the ability to go with the classics guys and gain a good chunk of time on Vingegaard, Roglic and Evenepoel. 2 outsiders that will are Pidcock and Rodriguez, both have done well or won Strade Bianchi and Ineos have history of doing well on GT gravel stages.
I can't wait for it and the whole Tour. It strikes a decent balance between Pogacar and Vingegaard. Although the backloaded race will suit Vingegaard.
Jonas will be fine on gravel - many of the backroads in Denmark are gravel and growing up in Danish cycling you learn to ride it often and in wet weather too
Can I get Jai Hindley's autograph please?
Dont say Thoughts and Prayers, Lance. People hate that. Vive Le Tour
yeah when he said that i pictured him actually prayin; made my day (i'm easily entertained these days). remember: prayer is only ridiculous when you think about it 🤟
Some people hate it. Some people love it. Some people don’t care either way.
Lot’s of races & miles before TdF…
cav won all those sprints and the green jersey in '21 cause all the competition wasn't there....not this year
I've not been impressed with the TdF parcours in quite some time. I miss having a prologue to start the race - which was equal parts ceremonial and competitive and was good at sorting the field out, a Team Time Trial and at least one long individual TT. A true TdF tests riders in all cycling disciplines - including flat, sprinter stages, hilly, rolleur stages, in addition to your traditional high mountain stages. The parcours the past several years has been about throwing shit at the wall and seeing what sticks. I don't care for it and would like to see a return to tradition.
Two last TdF's were legendary spectacles - what more do you want?
The route is not right it misses about 500km also far too many uber steep hill top finishes. Its a race to find out who is the best climber on earth period. TDF used to have 2x50km long ITT
@@glywnniswells9480 Yep, the race hasn't been about determining who the best all-around cyclist is since the Froome - Contador era. I remember the year Cancellara was in yellow for like 10 days because that year's route had a prologue and either a long individual TT or Team TT and puncheur stages that allowed him to remain in the leaders jersey for an extended period of time. I think it wasn't until the second big mountain stage that he actually gave up the yellow jersey. But it was great seeing him hold on to it for as long as he did. He even won one or two sprint stages that Tour by attacking from far out.
@@glywnniswells9480Yeah, this should be a given in every tour.
Teams are going to not prepare for gravel, get flats, then complain
Don't think so.
Hey, Lance, what about all those cancer sufferers you lied to?
I want to see a GRAVEL Tour De France
NEVER.
First
The course looks disappointing, doesn't look very hard.
That's not true at all.
Albert Withen Philipsen good luck Pogacar and Vingegaard.its the new🎉eddi mercx.all The Big teams want him and he is only 17.if he goes to The tour de France Next Year pogi and Jonas will Have a Big problem
I say again albert philipsen.i from Denmark 🇩🇰 and hope jonas Win but albert philipsen is the New Eddi merx.if he fo to the Tour at only 17 Jonas and pogi coud be very worried.i only say
They threw in the gravel to give Tadej a better chance versus Jonas. Jonas is not a great bike handler, as displayed on the cobbles in 2022.
Fee Palestine ❤
The new tdf route is not good its Vingo for the win maybe Roglic 2nd game over already
Vin won't win.
I thinkg Pogacar will skip TDF next year.
Pogi will race Giro, TdF and Olympic games road race in 2024! And probably will win all 3 races too, like it or not...
lol@@GravesenLFC
nooooo I hope not
@@GravesenLFC your judgment is right
Hopefully The Durango Kid gets another crack at winning 😉🙌
I don’t care about the riders stress, I don’t care how steep the climbs or how dangerous the descents. I don’t give a rats ass how long it takes to get a spare bike because I’m not riding the damn race I’m watching it. I want some bad ass entertainment, I want elbows, blows and UFC ground and pound action.
If you’re too big a wimp to do the race then bow out it’s an entertainment sport because that’s what pays the bills. Man up boys and girls or give it up.
Pogacar at full strength will never lose to Vingegaard mano a mano.
Vingegaard has no bike handling skills. I expect him to lose 5 munutes on gravel, at least
huh?
Delusional much? Lol
did you miss the ITT in last years tour? very technical and probably one of the best performances ever seen. control ur spasm fanboi
In 30km? Keep dreaming.
GO TADEJ