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Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by NoelBlakeFanClub <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=NoelBlakeFanClub' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 3:13 pm

When a domestique gives 100% to help his team leader up a mountain, looks strong, finishes his stint, gives way - and then completely blows up, barely able to pedal..?

The poor bastards still have 50km+ to go in today's stage and one guy pretty much ground to a halt on the climb just now...(and they're not even on the Hautacam yet)

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by efcman4ever <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=efcman4ever' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 4:18 pm, in reply to "Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

they arent arsed about time, just the time cut so they can recover in the saddle in a really low gear and then cruise to the finish. they arent racing once they have done their job so it will be pretty easy for them you would think.

just shows how incredible the protected riders are that they are at 80% when their windshield is flat out.

they go up those climbs that quickly that aerodynamics does play a part. i did col d'aspin in 2015 in the morning before the tour went up it in the afternoon. i was pretty fit back then. just looked on strava and it took me 1 hour 7. the KoM (Thibaut Pinot) is 27 minutes.

the speed these lads ride uphill is ridiculous.

my arse was in tatters because i was just sat down on the saddle in a really low gear spinning up for over an hour. im guessing thats what the domestiques do once they are spat out the back. although it will be easy to them once they are in a low enough gear.

How can you tell if someone is a Kopite? If the hat, scarf, T shirt or tattoo isn't enough of a clue, they will have told you within two sentences. Basically, it's a cult.

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by Winston_Legthigh <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Winston_Legthigh' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 6:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

I did Sa Calobra in over an hour in March and the KOM is tom Pidcock in about 20 minutes. He went up a 10km climb at a similar speed to me on the flat. They are mutants.

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by efcman4ever <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=efcman4ever' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 7:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

I do quite a bit on zwift so I can see my power output on the screen.

Absolutely shite this year as haven't been riding much. Struggling holding 200 watts for any length of time.

The pros can hold 400+ for an hour. And weigh about 10 stone. Think I managed my col at 250 watts and 14 stone. They are incredible athletes.

How can you tell if someone is a Kopite? If the hat, scarf, T shirt or tattoo isn't enough of a clue, they will have told you within two sentences. Basically, it's a cult.

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by Dirk Hoffman <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Dirk+Hoffman' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 4:54 pm, in reply to "Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

it's like that golf thread before, the gulf between mere mortals and the professionals is huge.

The only survivor of the National People's Gang.

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by Spart <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Spart' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 6:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

On a nit completely unrelated note, I head last week during Wimbledon that or elite tennis player only had to be 3% more effective than his elite opponent to completely dominate the match.

Re: Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)

Posted by Yogi_Clementine <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/everton-forum/info/user=Yogi_Clementine' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 17, 2025, 3:22 pm, in reply to "Tour de France phenomenon that always blows my mind (no spoilers)"

Full gas. Guessing they must be so finely tuned to empty the tank and know when its coming
"Zut alors, she eez gooing to blow, capitan"

Formerly yogiclementine

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