If I wanted to 'dip my toe in' so to speak, is there a YouTube channel that has the highlights of all the big races?
ITV4 catch-up app has stuff but it's only there a short time. A week or so.
'The Tour Revisited' from Thomas' win in 2015 just finished, but unsure if another one will follow? Probably not?
The highlights of the dauphine are on there. Can't think of the other guys name commenting but with David Milliar (ex amazing British rider) they're a great combo and some great insights from David too which can really help you to understand what's going on and why certain things are happening. Even great insights when you do and he's got a good eye for catching things happening on the edge of camera or will say he spots things you don't see on screen. Although he does get riders names wrong sometimes!
Ag2R signed Jungels now.
Next year they will have GvA, Naesen and Jungels. Total focus shift from GC as per previous years as Bardet moves on.
With Naesen x2 and they also took on Harry Tanfield as a TT'er but also aiming him at the classics. Will be a good team to watch I think but I am a fan of Naesen & Jungels.
No froome or Thomas at le tour. Didn't think both would ever be dropped but obviously the numbers aren't there for either. Still looks a strong lineup for ineos looking at the form of the guys who have been picked.
Have to agree. I like Sivakov and Bernal but neither of them have much 'character' for me yet, not like G and Froome.
I can see why Froome was dropped, to be fair he's done well considering what he came back from and the huge reduction in racing as we all know the more he races the better he seems to get. But quite gutted about G, not just because he's a Welshman, but he was looking ok in the Dauphine, riding better than Froome much of the time and I think the two youngsters would benefit from a bit of an experienced guy up there with them. Kwait is there and can perform that role, particularly how well he is riding, but still feel like he's one of the troops rather than a genuine road captain. I know Rowe normally is captain, but he's never there in the high mountains... Maybe Castroviejo? He's a phenominal rider, but did seem to be struggling a little for form like Froome.
I'm not surprised they aren't going after the Dauphine but it is very odd to see that team going with one British guy.
Along with the kit and sponsor change for that stupid big car I honestly just cannot feel the same about that team for this tour. They really have lost all form of identity to what we are used to I feel.
Jumbo have simply stepped up to replace them as the cyborg super team. I place myself firmly in camp Pinot for the tour. The thought of a Frenchman in yellow, attacking everything, pulling faces and thrashing his bike about out the saddle up the alps just fills me with joy. We need that this year.
Have to agree. I quite like Ineos as a team, but once you take Froome & G out, giving Bernal and Sivakov leadership I dunno, I do feel like they miss something. Especially if they're attempting the usual Ineos/Sky tactics...
JV are too strong for that this year and the Dauphine was a good example of their own tactic used against them by a stronger team with better tactics. Really a taste of their own medicine. I wonder how long until the French are boo'ing JV from the roadside on the TDF... Probably won't as they don't have any British riders. Talk about bearing a grudge. And to think we saved them from speaking German.
Pinot has got something to prove, he's great to watch but always seems to come unstuck on a 3 week GT. He has the same luck as Froome/G, ie rubbish. Either crashes or has a bad day or 3 when it really matters. Alaphilippe is still my favourite french rider by far, I think he has to be the best thing to happen in French cycling the last couple of years? Would be really good to see him able to compete in the high mountains and into that 3rd week as he does seem to be making the change from a fantastic 1 day into more of a multi-stage GT contender well. Bardet had so much promise (still does) but never quite on that same levels as most of the GT winners when getting into that 3rd week. I do like him though, comes across as a very genuine and modest guy.
One to watch out for could be Richie Porte, with Ellisonde now there he has got a very solid team around him. Would be fantastic to see, but equally don't think they can complete with JV.
