08-07-2019, 21:32
After missing last year's TdF, being on holiday in Italy, I'm in danger of missing most of this year's thanks to my granddaughters and bowling! This is the first day I've managed to follow and there are a few familiar faces popping up at the top of the various rankings.
Julian Alaphillippe wears the Yellow Jersey after Stage 3 and I expect him to be on the podium in Paris, although not on the top of it. My tips to be there also would be Richie Porte (if he manages to make the third week!) and Thibault Pinot. Geraint Thomas should be there or thereabouts too, as well as Michael Matthews and Greg van Avermaet.
I'm sure the Green Jersey will be fiercely contested, with Peter Sagan the favourite, and Michael Matthews the closest to him. Elia Viviani, on his day, could take points away from both of them.
The Polka Dot Jersey will also be fiercely fought and my picks would be van Avermaet and Alaphillippe in a close finish, although both might be seduced by the bigger picture of an overall win.
For me the Youth Rider is a shoe-in for Egan Bernal, who will benefit from the dependable support of Team Ineos (formerly Team Sky).
The Team of the Tour will probably be Team Ineos, with Team Jumbo-Visma a real threat. EF Education First will also put up a solid showing.
Those picks could quite easily be total rubbish, given the topsy-turvy nature of the TdF. Feel free to add your own thoughts along the way. I'll not be back on until the weekend, assuming all other commitments allow me to.
The race is featured on ITV4 with live coverage in the afternoon and highlights at 7pm. https://www.letour.fr/en/the-race/useful-information is the place to go for detailed classifications, stage information, riders, etc.
Julian Alaphillippe wears the Yellow Jersey after Stage 3 and I expect him to be on the podium in Paris, although not on the top of it. My tips to be there also would be Richie Porte (if he manages to make the third week!) and Thibault Pinot. Geraint Thomas should be there or thereabouts too, as well as Michael Matthews and Greg van Avermaet.
I'm sure the Green Jersey will be fiercely contested, with Peter Sagan the favourite, and Michael Matthews the closest to him. Elia Viviani, on his day, could take points away from both of them.
The Polka Dot Jersey will also be fiercely fought and my picks would be van Avermaet and Alaphillippe in a close finish, although both might be seduced by the bigger picture of an overall win.
For me the Youth Rider is a shoe-in for Egan Bernal, who will benefit from the dependable support of Team Ineos (formerly Team Sky).
The Team of the Tour will probably be Team Ineos, with Team Jumbo-Visma a real threat. EF Education First will also put up a solid showing.
Those picks could quite easily be total rubbish, given the topsy-turvy nature of the TdF. Feel free to add your own thoughts along the way. I'll not be back on until the weekend, assuming all other commitments allow me to.
The race is featured on ITV4 with live coverage in the afternoon and highlights at 7pm. https://www.letour.fr/en/the-race/useful-information is the place to go for detailed classifications, stage information, riders, etc.
Cabbage is still good for you
![[Image: 2ZJuVRk.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/2ZJuVRk.gif)
Stage 10 heading towards the south of France is on the day after the Finals.