:DSmileWavy

I don't mean head to head against the men but same day, similar routes.

Haven't been watching too much of the women's Tour but I will tell you guys this, once world class they will always be world class. When I was racing, and in pretty good shape, there was this tall, slender built woman name Desiree, about 25 years old. Her background was college cross country, state champ and went to the nationals. She's been doing it her whole life and switched to road riding from an injury. The boys would turn the gas on and she would hang on and I have never seen her get dropped. now in terms of pure strength, she lacks and can't do a long turn up front. I tell ya, she out climbed me all day long.

Incredible final today. 123 KM and the finish line was at the top of a Cat 1 climb. The last few hundred meters was 24% incline! Some of the riders were doing a mini traverse to get across it. Great stuff.

This just in......regarding 2024, not next year...

For the first time since 1905, the Tour de France will not finish in Paris. In 2024, racers of Le Tour will finish with a time trial in the French seaside town of Nice. Why? The Olympic Games in Paris. Despite the race being shifted a week earlier to allow riders to compete in both Le Tour and the Olympic Games, the end of the race is still only five days before the Olympic opening ceremonies, and Paris simply couldn’t host both major events so close together.

https://www.bicycling.com/racing/a42133111/tour-de-france-2024-nice-start/

That's a shame. At least allow the final day of the Tour go through the Champs Elysses

5 days from the end of Le Tour and the Olympics ... would anyone be recovered fully by then to compete?

Agree.


Depends on when the actual cycling events begin. Could be further out than 5 days.

The only thing more odd than this 2024 non-Paris finish is/was the start of The Tour in Ireland in 1998

They have done that over the years and it isn't too unusual for them to show off their sponsor's colors in a foreign land. I love to one day see the Tour start state side. I will be there.

Zat you in the green jersey, Jeff? :D

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No, I would up passed up those pesky Italians out on a Sunday ride. :D Funny you shown that because for the longest time, it was the only cycling film, movie we can get our hands on and we had to wait for it to come on TV's re-run just to see a bunch of guys on spandex, or in that case tight, black wool shorts. Noticed the different Masi bike he was riding just in those clips. Hey, still shave my legs just old Dave did in his tub.

I'da just sat on their wheel and let 'em tow me. I didn't get the nickname "Boxcar Willie" for nothing!

Lol......