A rare breather in this Tour de France for the ages today, before riders get on their time trial bikes for tomorrow's ITT stage.
With the top two, Vingegaard and Pogačar, separated by just 10 seconds, and both functioning at the peak of human performance and determined not to be one upped by the other, it is most likely going to come down to their individual time-trial performances.
Pogačar just became the Slovenian men's time-trial champion last month, is known for his prowess on the TT bike, but Vingegaard is no slouch himself — he was on course for the victory in last year's time trial before slowing down in the final few hundred metres to let his teammate and super-domestique Wout van Aert take the win.
But what makes the TT bikes so fast? road.cc tries to find out.
As anyone reading this blog would know, our famous road.cc motto goes something like... 'Getting on a bike does not make you a saint'.
So what if you get close-passed, but instead of a motorist, by a group of riders?
I don't usually make a point about other cyclists' riding, but I was disappointed with a group passing me in #Leicestershire this morning - they passed with a car approaching (despite the lead calling out "car coming"), and one rider in particular was *very* close to me. #cyclingpic.twitter.com/z43EuV1Lfj
— BicycleBen (@BicycleBenUK) July 16, 2023
Bicycle Ben on Twitter faced this when he was out riding in Leicestershire. "I was disappointed with a group passing me in #Leicestershire this morning - they passed with a car approaching (despite the lead calling out "car coming"), and one rider in particular was *very* close to me."
He continued: "I'm not a group rider, so this made me extremely uncomfortable and very worried about any wobble that might then lead to a collision, particularly given the oncoming vehicle. Groups, *please* don't do this and show some respect and consideration for other types of rider.
However, through a later tweet, Ben updated that he had contacted the group of cyclists and recieved an apology from them. "My point was to highlight that such situations can be intimidating for riders who are especially not used to group riding, and that has been taken on board," he said.
Do you think the group of cyclists was right in their passing? Or could they have taken a bit more care and been a little more patient?
There aren't many people who would say no to hopping on a plane and camping in a quaint French alpine village to revel in the celebrations of the biggest cycling event of the year. You'd imagine that the facilities, at least for the world's best male cyclists and some of the most elite athletes would be top-notch, right?
Unfortunately, Belgian team's Intermarché–Circus–Wanty's Dutch rider Mike Teunissen has not had the best of times at this Tour de France, and I don't mean on the bike — off his bike.
First, he was prey to one of my worst nightmares, ie. losing my baggage on a flight. Riding in a Tour de France would be stressful enough, imagine doing it with your suitcase going missing and getting stuck in Amsterdam, while you dig yourself to new levels of pain riding on the bike, in sweltering conditions with temperatures around 40 degrees, surface temperatures hitting 65 to 70 degrees.
After all that, you'd at least expect to come to a nice hotel room, get in a bath to relieve those battered calf muscles. But maybe not, unless you're in a French team.
About to leave Basque Country and believe it or not it’s wíth a suitcase🤯Almost 100 hours after arrival but better late then never I guess, completely ready from now on I guess😉@LeTour..
— Mike Teunissen (@MikeTeunissen) July 3, 2023
> Tour de France pro slams "ridiculous" airline as suitcase still in Amsterdam
Before yesterday's cruel Mont-Blancsummit finish stage, Teunissen, who wore the yellow jersey in 2019 riding for Jumbo Visma, has spoken out against the organisers for favouring French teams in the peloton when it came to offering good hotels and rooms.
Speaking to Dutch media NOS, the rider from the Belgian team's squad said: "I am fine, but the biggest crunch I got in the evening after a two-hour bus ride in some three-star, two-by-two room. I didn't even have space to open my suitcase. It was 40 degrees, no air conditioning. That's when it got a little hard."
"I certainly don't want to start comparing myself to Champions League soccer players, but it's incredible. This is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Look at what places they send us. Tennis players at Wimbledon or soccer players in the Champions League: if they ever end up in these places, they'll turn around immediately."
"Our team got a very bad draw and French teams never get a bad draw."
Not the most favourable look, huh? But are we even surprised that cycling races don't have the best amenities for its riders? What would you expect if a small French village was to host 176 athletes and then the entire entourage — mechanics, physicians, strategy team, that's like hosting an entire sporting event, for which the towns just don't have enough funds for.
I mean, remember two months ago when Geraint Thomas showed us off his decadent and glamorous washroom at Giro d'Italia?
If not, go ahead and click the link below, but PLEASE don't if you're in the middle of eating or plan to in the next few hours. Or just if you're pukish or squeamish in general. As we have already warned, road.cc will not accept liability for you throwing up at your desk...
> G shows off super glamorous pro cycling hotels... hideously grim toilets and all
Pics or didn't happen
— Cycling out of context (@OutOfCycling) July 16, 2023
Not much going on in today's rest day. Maybe the riders are finally taking a breather before tomorrow's all-important maillot jaune-deciding time-trial?
The crazy Tour, the Scottish World Championships, and then the Vueltas in late August and finishing in mid-September. The cycling calendar is stacked, but if you want a challenge for yourself, we've got a little something for you. Maybe not little.
The Bath Beast is an "epic new cycling sportive" organised by Julian House in Bath, with all funds raised going to improve the living conditions of the homeless in the city. The event will take cyclists through an exhilarating challenge through the stunning landscapes and the picturesque surroundings of Somerset and Wiltshire.
The event takes place on Sunday 17th September and features three routes. The 100-mile (160km) and 70-mile (112km) distances are both designed to challenge the most dedicated of riders and the 25-mile (40km) route will provide a fantastic opportunity for cyclists wanting to discover the hills around Bath.
All three routes start and finish at the Bath Racecourse, with finish featuring an epic climb.
Event fundraiser for Julian House, Rachel Avent, said: "Julian House have wanted to organise a cycling event for some time and teaming up with the Bike Workshop and Pulse Events now makes this possible. The route is longer and tougher than a lot of bike events out there and being one of the last events in the cycling Sportive season means there’s time to train and take on this challenge whilst raising money for Julian House too."
Chris Quenon, Social Enterprise Manager for Julian House Bike Workshop added "The best cycling events are ones where you can challenge yourself and in doing so benefit communities around you. It's a win win situation - although it's not a race! The Bath Beast is a great opportunity for Julian House to have its own charity bike ride, hopefully it will inspire many riders to take part and in doing so learn how involved the charity is across the Southwest."
With three feed stations along the way, riders will receive a finishers medal with food and refreshments available when they arrive back at the Bath Racecourse.
Early bird tickets are available now from £30.00 and the event is open to cyclists aged 13 and over. Participants are also encouraged to raise sponsorship so that Julian House can support more people who have fallen into difficult circumstances, be that as victims of domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, family breakdown or addiction.
Sure, we might have gone an odd week or two without him, but what even is a road.cc live blog without our regular guest making an appearance?
Surely I couldn't have done better there?!
Maybe Look could have, because Cofidis' Bryan Coquard, third in the points classification wouldn't be looking at them very happily after his bike's handlebar looked to break into two, as onlookers were left surprised, continuing to look at the bizarre event unfolding in front of their eyes.
Bryan Coquard change de vélo à l'arrière : son cintre était cassé et le coureur de la Cofidis a joué les équilibristes dans la descente en attendant le dépannage. Toujours un retard de 8 minutes pour le peloton à 80km. #TDF2023pic.twitter.com/jRCBcn3ehw
— Le Gruppetto (@LeGruppetto) July 16, 2023
I'll stop...
Coquard somehow, almost magically, managed to keep it together as he grabbed the fracture on the handlebar and held on for dear life, waiting for his team car to supply him with another bike. Fortunately, no major damage occurred.
😬 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 no ha tenido demasiada suerte...
🚴♂️ El manillar del francés del Cofidis se ha roto en plena carrera#TDF2023#TourEurosportpic.twitter.com/VrJfFu74TD
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 16, 2023
But that wasn't the only mishap to befall Look bikes. On Saturday's stage, there was another instance where a Cofidis rider suffered a scary-looking high-speed wobble while going over 100km/hr at a descent.
> LOOK what we've spotted! Check out the new Team Cofidis Look road bike
The French team, which was without a victory for 15 years, has finally managed to snag not just one, but two wins at this year's Tour de France. However, their recent troubles with their bike supplier won't leave them impressed.
Our tech team is currently looking more into what exactly happened and what's going on with the Look bikes, but I think they've got some of the best-looking bikes in the peloton, and with Cofidis' resurgence (they've got more wins than Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step), they better get their business sorted.
If looks could win, Look is a winner in my books. Just, don't crook please.
The man who revolutionised the beautiful game, went toe-to-toe against the best manager football has ever seen (in my completely unbiased view), and achieved a feat in English football that no one has ever managed to replicate, is in love with the Tour too.
But looking at it another way, who would've thought a French man who devoted his life to sports wouldn't be in love with one of the biggest sporting events in France?
Spotted in the Alpine commune of Les Gets before the départ of yesterday's glorious stage with five-time winner Bernard Hinault, whose victory in 1985 remains the last time a Frenchman won the Tour, Arsène Wenger was asked by ITV what was he doing there?
"Because I'm French!" he remarked.
We caught up with legendary manager Arsene Wenger at the Tour de France to chat cycling, Declan Rice and Arsenal's chances in the Premier League this season 🎙 pic.twitter.com/EDpN2kfkSI
— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 16, 2023
He then got to sit in the race director's car at the front of the peloton. Wenger also told Eurosport: "I'm a close friend of Christian Prudhomme, he invited me here, and I want to see if it's like the dressing room of a football team!
"I want to see how the race is working from the inside, and I've been given the opportunity and I don't want to miss it."
David Walsh from the Sunday Times, also at the race, asked Wenger if he's a fan, to which he replied: "In my childhood I saw the Tour de France in my village [Duttlenheim in Alsace] so you can never forget this.
"It’s a World Cup every year, that’s what it is. The dream of every cyclist is to win the Tour de France, that is why we are all interested in the Tour. As well, it is a sporting event people don’t have to pay to watch."
> Arsène Wenger says football needs blood testing to catch the doping cheats
Any differences between cycling and football, Le Professeur?
"When you play football you think it is hard, you think we suffer too much,” he said. "Then you watch the cyclists in the Tour and you think we are nothing. So we [footballers] have to push ourselves a bit more. What the cyclists do is encouragement for other athletes to push themselves more."
He had time to assess this year's Tour too. "I have watched it, of course. Two exceptional champions and everyone wondering who will give in. It is an exceptional fight," he said.
Wenger added: "They are above everybody and have separated themselves from everyone else. So you have two Tours this year, Pogačar and Vingegaard fighting for victory, the rest fighting for third place."
"I'm not good enough to give a prediction on Pogačar vs Vingegaard. Even the experts do not know"@friebos spoke to Arsène Wenger this morning, who will be watching stage 15 with Christian Prudhomme from the race director's car 💛#TDF2023#ITVCyclingpic.twitter.com/CKbYUgP4fD
— ITV Cycling (@itvcycling) July 16, 2023
He also said that he believes Arsenal will win the Premier League this year, so maybe I won't go around asking him for Tour predictions... (This statement is once again, based on your live blog host's completely unbiased perspective)
Well, I hope Wenger would be glad to know that the Arsenal squad has been cycling to work lately...
How do I even begin to sum up THAT weekend at the Tour? Attacks, crashes, motorbike drama, more attacks... it had it all, and then some more.
Thankfully, Ryan has put together this fantastic recap of the entire last week to get you guys jogging your memory on this rest day.
Some more Alpine highlights from the weekend...
> Selfie-taking spectator causes huge crash at Tour de France
> Tour de France stage neutralised after mass crash in opening kilometres
Believe it or not, on a weekend with as crazy racing as that, we still had more news for you...