Official 2023 Tour de France Thread

Dopacar will be doing just under 500 watts average tomorrow in the 22.4 km time trial. It's beyond ridiculous that this is what we get after Lance.

On a properly calibrated power meter. Not speculative bologna. Pog will average somewhere around 420 watts tomorrow/today (I don't know his actual 3rd week grand tour weight).

You guys think Sep Kuss (just a notch below the level of Vingo/Pog) is doping, lmao. You think Geraint Thomas is doping, lmao. No one can come close to the record times on climbs like Alpe D'huez on bikes/wheels/equipment that are FO$%ING rocketships compared to the slagheap sleds they were riding 25 years ago.

420 watts average for the TT tomorrow would be far too low compared to the numbers we've seen Dopacar do. We know that Dopacar's FTP is north of 7 W/kg at the end of long stages with multiple mountains ridden hard before the finish. In a rested state for the TT, Dopacar will likely be averaging 7.5 W/kg. With an estimated weight of 65 kg that means he will output 486 watts average.

The rest day is a double-edged sword. Though with low altitude and getting (if) your prep right the previous 48 hours, Yes we will see some impressive power outputs.

His one hour power, the definition of FTP, is nowhere near 7 w/kg.

Just for a good laugh look up the all-time top 200 Alpe D'huez times.

Lol.

All the top riders are using, same as other sports, probably even more so.

A few years ago a former great commented that the modern Tour would be impossible clean. At the level of the top riders, I absolutely agree.

I have done a bunch of it. I know guys who do the étape, and do well. I have known actual bike racers. I know people who have been involved in the Tour for many decades. I know the routes. I know the conditions. I know the race.

At the top, there is absolutely no question. Everybody understands this. It is more of a spectacle than a race. Maybe this is what track will become. SO MUCH is invested in the Tour effort, it is insane. Like when Bolt WAS the Olympics. It is what it is. It is about money, livelihoods, showmanship, entertainment.

As long as guys don’t die on the course, it will continue. As a feat of human endurance, it is ridiculous.

Want to talk clean athletes? How about Katie Grimes in the 10k open water. Now SHE is amazing. Just a kid. HUGE!💪

It's not big or clever to add a terrible pun into a rider's name.

Whoa...asked and answered!

Jonance Vingestrong

Now that was spectacular.

Wow, Vingegaard simply destroyed everyone in the time trial.

Well at this point, Lance is jealous.

Impressive effort.

1’38” on Pog

2’51” on Van Aert

Did he take a shortcut? Sheesh!!!!

That might be the most doped performance I have seen in my life. Rivals Komen’s 3000 record, Lance’s ITT on Alpe D’Huez in 2004, and the Landis stage in 2006.

I think Vingedope just did over 500 watts average for the TT to blow away Dopacar like that. Likely paid a bribe to the anti-doping to look the other way.

Fixed

Was that the greatest TT performance ever?

As far as i can remember, yes. Pogacar in 2020 was shocking but something seen in Lance's era. This something else.

Didn´t you just ask ARMSTRONGLIVS to stop destroying all the running threads?

If you think everyone is doping what is the difference?