Tour de France

[Wilbro]

Did anyone spot the motos involved in blocking Pogacar? I hope it wasn't Thomas

[Blaze]

From France TV infos :
Les motos exclues pour la 15e étape :
L'un de ces véhicules transportait un photographe de presse. Sur l'autre, figurait un caméraman en charge de filmer le signal international de la course – produit par France Télévisions – garantissant la retransmission du Tour de France dans le monde entier. Les personnes impliquées – pilote et passagers – ont été exclues pour la 15e étape, dimanche, et ont écopé d'une amende de 500 francs suisses.

So no, Wilbro, fortunately it wasn't Thomas !!! His "pilot" is far too experienced to commit such a sin. That said, the spectators seem to crowd the piste so much, making it almost impossible for an overtake.

[Wilbro]

Yes, if the crowds were further back it would give more room. However the moto teams should have been aware, especially near the top of the climb, that they could expect a break and be further forward. Lack of professionalism.

[rabbit]

Something is going to have to be done regarding the crowds at the summits. Spectators are now patting and sometimes even pushing riders. As well as the idiots who run alongside.It is very unfair to the riders. It has gone too far and someone is going to get hurt.

[tagh]

Instead of motorbikes would it not make sense to put an official car ahead of the leading riders to force the crowds back whilst they pass?

[Blaze]

Only if it was electric because the fumes would be unpleasant, particularly at slow speed. But yes, good idea though they may well have already dismissed it for reasons of their own ....

[tagh]

I see that some in the French press are complaining that the two leaders are performing too well for it to be ‘natural’. Nothing surprising in this as French riders have generally not been performing that well so far.
There was surprise when the steepest stages in the Pyrenees were climber in record times well ahead of previous records. But the critics are forgetting that equipment, fitness and diet have improved vastly since the days of Hinault etc.
Sad that they cannot give credit where it is due.

[L Austin France]

Instead of motorbikes would it not make sense to put an official car ahead of the leading riders to force the crowds back whilst they pass?

I'd love to see that & wonder how long before dozy spectators are squashed &/or the car hemmed in bringing the race to a halt.
Maybe it would work if they put cow catcher blades on the car to swipe errant spectators back where they belong.

[Wilbro]

Yes l had similar thoughts LAF but in my case I was thinking of a snowplough

[Blaze]

It's not that the French aren't producing good riders, but that other countries are producing better ones and France needs some young up and coming talent.
Thibault Pinot, Bryan Coquard, Warren Barguil, Roman Bardet, Christophe Laporte etc are all 30+ and Vingegaard and Pogacar are 26 and 24 respectively. They've reached a higher level at a younger age ....

The French press will always complain and try to throw suspicion on anyone doing particularly well, be it "performance enhancers" or as in Chris Froome's case, "mechanical doping".
I can't imagine them doing the same if it were a French rider doing so well. At least the two leaders are different nationalties and from different teams.