lesvachesdutour

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 20: Round-up #sbstdf #lvdt #couchpeloton Image: S //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-20-round-up-5972f9a8e14a4660f74c3f01/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-20-round-up-5972f9a8e14a4660f74c3f01.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 20: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 21: Montegron > Paris Champs-Élysées

Stage 21: Montegron > Paris Champs-Élysées #lvdt #sbstdf #couchpeloton

The final stage. 103km. Flat. Should be over in a jiffy, right? Are you new? There’s the champagne, the end-of-holidays “keep in touch, yeah?” vibe… Add to this, the late start time – because everybody loves seeing the Arc de Triomphe lit up more than they love starting the week with a decent night’s sleep, right? – and it’s a tough stage for the down under Couch Peloton. No racing until well…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 19: Round-up

Stage 19: Round-up #sbstdf #lvdt #couchpeloton #cowswithguns

Image: Vegan Baker   //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-19-round-up-5972c4af8c5f6c6efcd8ee15/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-19-round-up-5972c4af8c5f6c6efcd8ee15.js?border=false[View the story “Stage 19: Round-up” on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 20: Marseilles > Marseilles

Stage 20: Marseilles > Marseilles #sbstdf #lvdt

It’s come to this. A 22.5km time trial through Marseilles with no chance of vaches. This must be why TrollDJ decided that it was now or never for Cows with Guns in stage 19. We will fight for bovine freedom… or dieeeeeee! Cows with Guns. #sbstdf #trolldj pic.twitter.com/zT3WBH5SsO — CyclingCentral (@CyclingCentral) July 21, 2017 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js In keeping with the vache-less…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 19: Embrun > Salon-de-Provence

Stage 19: Embrun > Salon-de-Provence #sbstdf #lvdt

How do we feel about a 222.5km transitional stage right now? Yeah, I thought so… In the words of the Race Guide: This is a long stage. Fatigue is also going to be a factor… Any members of the couch peloton who make it through to the end – and by through, I mean no micro-naps! – deserve a place on the podium. It’s not renowned vache-country, either. We’re more likely to spot moutons. We start in…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 17: Round-up #lvdt #sbstdf Image: Tête de la Course //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-17-round-up-59707c85bd30f60f297c97f8/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-17-round-up-59707c85bd30f60f297c97f8.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 17: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 18: Briançon > Izoard

Stage 18: Briançon > Izoard #sbstdf #lvdt

At the end of this 179.5km stage, the riders will be on the summit of the Col d’Izoard. “Legend” has it that the yellow jersey must win at Izoard, although how seriously Froome takes these Tour traditions is debatable. Particularly since this one doesn’t seem to have consequences for the yellow jersey who doesn’t win at Izoard. We were sad to see Marcel Kittel abandon during stage 17. The silver…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 16: Round-up #sbstdf #lvdt Image: hhhneil //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-16-round-up-596f17305168882b423edbb9/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-16-round-up-596f17305168882b423edbb9.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 16: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 17: La Mure > Serre-Chevalier

Stage 17: La Mure > Serre-Chevalier #lvdt #sbstdf

We have four climbs, including two HC climbs, over this 183km stage. The profile looks to be up, or down, with little opportunity for riders to relax and take in the scenery. The finish is a 28km descent into Serre-Chevalier from the summit of the Cole du Galibier. I’d imagine a few of us on the couch peloton will be watching through our fingers. The big cow/bike news of the past 24 hours has…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 16: Le Puy-en-Velay > Romans-sur-Isère

Stage 16: Le Puy-en-Velay > Romans-sur-Isère #lvdt #sbstdf

We come back from the rest day with a relatively short 165km that looks as though it will start off lumpy, with a Cat 3 followed by a Cat 4, then a descent and a set up for a sprint finish. Beware adding “false flat” to your drink card, as it is only Tuesday… As much as we love sunflowers, it’s time for a change – hopefully we’ll see some lavender. We’re still in the region of Fin Gras beef du…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 15: Round-up #lvdt #sbstdf Image: William Fotheringham //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-15-round-up-596c6e2a1472fb3a9ddc2ec6/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-15-round-up-596c6e2a1472fb3a9ddc2ec6.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 15: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 14: Round-up #lvdt #sbstdf Image: Lady McDeb //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-14-596aee5c5c38d662ae37ecfc/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-14-596aee5c5c38d662ae37ecfc.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 14: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 15: Laissac-Sévérac l'Église > Le Puy-en-Velay

Stage 15: Laissac-Sévérac l'Église > Le Puy-en-Velay #lvdt #sbstdf

Today’s 189.5km stage starts with a Cat 1 climb – the Montée de Naves d’Aubrac – which is quickly followed by the Cat 3 Côte de Vierauls. There’s a bit up up-and-down across the plateau, before a descent to Saint-Arcons-d’Allier and the climb up the Col de Peyra Taillade, a Cat 1 climb making it’s Tour debut. The final run into le Puy-en-Velay is a descent broken by the Cat 1 Côte de St-Vidal.…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 13: Round-up #sbstdf #lvdt Image: Michael Brett //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/round-up-stage-13/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/round-up-stage-13.js?border=false[View the story "Round-up: Stage 13" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 14: Blagnac > Rodez

Stage 14: Blagnac > Rodez #lvdt #sbstdf

The 181.5km route from Blagnac to Rodez looks to start gently enough however once the sprint point is passed, the profile goes from lumpy to more zig-zaggy which should keep things interesting. The French will be fired up after two victories in a row. Tony Gallopin’s name has been mentioned for this stage, as has Lilian Calmejane’s, but perhaps we should skip national pride and stick with the…

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 12: Round-up #sbstdf #lvdt Image: Graeme Oke //storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-12-round-up-5968289ee039870923ba9e26/embed?border=false//storify.com/lesvachesdutour/stage-12-round-up-5968289ee039870923ba9e26.js?border=false[View the story "Stage 12: Round-up" on Storify]

[lesvachesdutour]

Stage 13: Saint-Girons > Foix

Stage 13: Saint-Girons > Foix #lvdt #sbstdf

We have three climbs over 101km to see whether the peloton will wait for Aru if decides he wants to stop to take a selfie or grab a coffee. We can be fairly confident that the French teams will put on a good show for us today, given that it’s Bastille Day. There is likely to be a higher level of crazy amongst the roadside randoms, too, for the long weekend celebrations. Here’s hoping they are…