STOP THE BLOG STOP THE BLOG STOP THE BLOG STOP THE BLOG
It is a shame that we shall not see the Tour of Britain visit the Isle of Wight after all, but it’s understandable, I guess. Different sports seem to have taken different decisions regarding what would be respectful in the days following the passing of HM Queen. Whatever one feels about the Monarchy (and I’m not much of a fan) it does feel like something has shifted – even the most ardent republicans might remember what they were doing when they heard the news. But what I didn’t understand in the statement from the Tour of Britain was that they didn’t want to divert the police resources!? Are we expecting law and order to break down? Or perhaps they need all the metal barriers to keep the crowds in check? There was a dignified tribute featuring all the British riders in the Vuelta at the start of Stage 19.
This velogames minileague blog will continue as long as the race does, but in keeping with the BBC, I am writing in a slow solemn voice in black ink, and I hope we can all respectively not have any fun, OK?
Now back to yesterday’s stage…
When is a peloton not a peloton?
When nearly 50 riders make the breakaway and are 9 minutes ahead of a group of GC leaders, then the road rears up and everyone attacks everyone else – that’s when bike racing is surely the best sporting spectacle in the world! There were riders dragging their injured teammates up the mountain; there were breakaway riders called back to help their leaders try to take an advantage. And in the end a thrilling mountain-top sprint to break the heart of Robert Gesink whom many neutrals were willing to hold his solo effort to the line. At least he got the consolation Crackerjack Pencil Combativity Award.
Polkadots down
Oh no! Jay Vine, leader in the KOM classification, was one of several riders involved in a crash early on Stage 18 and had to abandon. With two stage victories and wearing the blue polkadot jersey for 10 days, he had done so much hard work to accumulate those King of the Mountain points, so it’s a real shame to see him depart in an ambulance. Sorry too to Philippa that it’s one fewer for It’s all downhill from here who are now down to five, but at least to get to keep the maillot polkadotto as it passes to Richard Carapaz.
Team of the Day
It’s the porridge again! DS McDr J must have given the five remaining riders a rousing speech on the bus, because they scored strongly with Remco (1st), Jai (4th) and João (10th). The stage win was shared by the other Evenepoelistas – posiblemente el último, Velo Espana and Dream Catcher.
On the prizes chart, the teams who selected Richard Carapaz now show a smattering of blue dots for the KOM. That keeps Dave’s Dream Catcher even further ahead.
In the mini-league rankings, Just eat the dam porridge gains a place; Team Ciclominaccia gains two places; and Velo Espana gains three, to take them back on the podium.
