Tour de France 2023

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The official guide to the TdF has hit the shelves today (in the UK anyway) a day ahead of the official publication day. So let's open up discussion.

At least the weather should be better than the Giro so far this year. We won't know the actual riders for each team until a few days before the start on 1st July but does anyone have money on Cav getting a stage win at what will probably be his last chance? I live near a horse racing town which has a betting-shop on every street, six on the High Street alone, so I will be checking the odds they are offering tomorrow.

And please remember OF has members who follow the race in real time (*), so if you have to play catch-up don't read this thread because there will be spoilers.


* It's one of the benefits of being retired 馃憤
 
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Cav wasn't picked last year, will he be picked this year? How has he done this year?
 
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Cav wasn't picked last year, will he be picked this year? How has he done this year?
He had his chance on the last stage into Paris with Patric Laferv猫's team he couldn鈥檛 do it.
A glittering career is fading rapidly, maybe two seasons too long.
Sad but it happens to everyone.
 
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Cav wasn't picked last year, will he be picked this year? How has he done this year?
Last year was with a different team who had already signed a good sprinter, Astana-Qazaqstan this year have new signings such as Cees Bol who is a TdF stage winner himself as lead-out man. Although when Mark is in top form he'll happily use other team's riders as his lead-out. He has had some crashes this year, but mainly because he's at the front fighting for the win. Astana will back him because he's their best chance for a stage win and they have no chance in GC or Mountains. It would be wonderful publicity for them.
 
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My cousin touched down in Bilbao to start his ride in 2 days. So far these are his only pictures.
If he shares anything interesting, I'll post it for those who are interested...

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3rd etappe : I did already le Col du Tourmalet.... you need good brakes on the eastern part!
It s not a real "col" : not crossing the Pyrenees...usually they climb the Aspin after (arrival there).
Not many and difficult etappes in the (Western) Alpes in 2023.
 
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The Pays Basque area of Spain and France is just spectacular. Bilbao is a great city. Jealous!

I have never taken my bike over to Europe to ride stage routes or impressive climbs like Tourmalet or Mont Ventoux. We've only been to the Tour once to catch Pyrenees stages; in 2003, we arrived in Pau just in time to hear a shrieking radio announcer describe an incident involving a musette bag taking down a douche bag.

Speaking of a certain, um, cycling personality, his unceremonious exit from the sport also signaled the demise of guaranteed TV coverage, especially here in Canada. And now that IPT has named their roster for 2023, it would be nice to watch them on the big screen rather than my iPad/iMac (yes, yes, time to splurge for the smart TV). As mentioned previously, I now go the VPN route as I refuse to pay extortionary rates to watch my favourite sporting event.
 
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Mont Ventoux is crowded by Netherland bikers 馃榿. And windy. And overrated.
Take your bike to Europe and start at Jausiers to the spectacular Col de la Bonette. 2800m . Descending (back) to Jausiers was for me the best downhill you can find (world wide?) : nearly without using brakes. Great landscape!
Even I live here in F: I am no longer interested watching TdF
 
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We're off!

Good result for a pair of Brits today 馃憤 馃憤
 
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That was a terrific and explosive stage. Congrats to Hindley - not to mention Vingegaard!

It was especially great for us during the first 90 minutes as they raced the same route we watched live back in 2003.
 
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Today was just what we watch it for. If you can catch highlights do.
 
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Anyone know who is covering it on television in the States?
 
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If you don;t have it already, you'll have to sign up for a membership for probably $10 a month.
I keep it around for the car and cycling racing primarily lol.
 
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The Aussie feed (SBS on demand) is awesome. No sign up fee, just registration. I use the Surfshark VPN as I鈥檓 in Canada. It鈥檚 cheap (US$15 +/-) and you can trial it for a month and cancel with refund. I always pay since I take full advantage. You can replay every stage in full whenever you wish.
Edited:
 
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If you don;t have it already, you'll have to sign up for a membership for probably $10 a month.
I keep it around for the car and cycling racing primarily lol.
I pay $5/mo for my Peacock subscription.