Today’s stage starts in Belgium. Has a grand tour ever visited four countries before? This edition of the Tour takes in Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and … ummm … France, of course. The day started in Binche and the route dodges back into France before hugging the Luxembourg border. At nearly 220 km it’s a long way to Longwy, a pun that was only used about 12 times in the GCN commentary…

Another wonderful unforgettable stage of the Tour de France, culminating in a blistering sprint by the Pog after nearly being jumped by the Rog.

Team of the Day

Lots of teams with the stage winner and new GC leader Pog – is he set to stay in front for the rest of the Tour? David’s ThnFatBoys have featured before (stage 1) but for Stage 6 achieved top points on a high scoring day.

Stat du Jour

Here’s a first look at the team time competition (based on the GC times of the first 3 best placed riders in each team). There was a considerable shake-up on Stage 6 with Pog fans rising and Wout fans dropping down. Cream team at this stage is Philippa’s It’s all downhill from here, unlike the parcours in the next few days. The Downhillers are headed up by Tadej, Jonas and Geraint.

Postcard from Belgium

Jeudi 7 juillet 2022 Binche

Chocolate waffles and smoutebollen for breakfast washed down by Dubbel trappist beer. Cheered for Wout van Aert driving the peloton at over 50 kph for two hours before an audacious day in the breakaway. What panache! There’s a lot of speculation about what he was doing, trying to make an easier day for his team before the mountains? Honouring the yellow jersey by putting on a show? Or in the words of Tom Pidcock “he’s just taking the p***!”

Either way it was spectacular, and even if he knew he would have to swap the yellow jumper for his green one (which he’s really like to keep) he would at least make them work very hard for it, and get a nice decorative red number to go with it on Friday. I think he just wanted to go long and win in the leader’s jersey, in the style of the immortal Belgians Bernard Hinault or Eddie Merckx.

ERRata

It has been brought to the management’s attention that there have been inaccuracies in this blog. A DS Paul M stated that the reporting was confusing, and his team not been credited with their successes. Here is a statement from the minileague organiser:

Clearly there have been some glaring inaccuracies in the media. But the matter has been referred to a full-scale enquiry and has since been escalated to the Court of Arbitration in Sport, who have found unanimously in your favour. Nevertheless, I will continue to assert that we must move on and focus on what we have achieved and I reiterate that I am committed to serving the velogames players and Getting The Tour Done. I have no intention of resigning and vow to remain in office to put this matter right.

Specifically, team LoVe have NOT lost a rider, and should have been listed amongst those basking in the glory of Wout van Aert on Stage 4. The management apologises for any offence taken, has since resigned anyway, but remains in complete command until the very end, no matter what anyone says!

Seriously though, if you notice anything else odd, it may be my slightly rusty MSExcel skills, so please speak up.