Cancelled stages, windswept stages, heroic stages, solo stages, sprint stages – we’ve got you covered. Grab a coffee and croissant and dive right in.
Dubai Tour Stage 4: Dubai to Hatta Dam, 109km
High winds caused the cancellation of the traditional balls-to-the-wall charge to the summit of the Hatta Dam. With this decisive stage out of the reckoning, it’s hard to see anyone taking the leader’s jersey from Marcel Kittel (Quick Step Floors) on the final stage.
It’s easy to see why the extreme weather protocol was invoked… at the very least the riders were saved from further scarification #phew
The Mighty Degs leading the charge for shelter…
Those Quicksteppers are always larking about. Here’s Julian Alaphilippe making sure Mr Jungels stays in peak condition for another day leading the peloton for kilometre after kilometre…
Full report at Cycling News.
Race Website Race Twitter #DubaiTour
Jayco Herald Sun Tour Stage 2: Mount Beauty to Beechworth, 165.6km
Luke Rowe promised aggressive racing from Team Sky in a pre-stage interview and that’s EXACTLY what he delivered. The Welshman, part of a 10 man breakaway, attacked on the final climb and soloed away to take his first victory since 2012. Conor Dunne (AquaBlue) was impressive in second with UnitedHealthcare’s Tanner Putt placing third. There was drama as race leader Damien Howson (Orica-Scott) punctured just as the racing was ON. The Aussie team did a spectacular job getting him back to the Chris Froome (Sky) group and he retains his leader’s jersey.
60 minutes of highlights, the yellow jersey action starts at about 30 minutes…
Shhh! This little guy rode his heart out for a team mate today…
Luke Rowe always has time for his fans…
Full report at Cycling News.
Race Website Race Twitter #SunTour
Etoile de Bessèges Stage 3: Bessèges to Bessèges, 152.6km
A large breakaway went up the road on the queen stage and were never seen by the peloton again. Direct Energie’s Lilian Calmejane grabbed the race by the scruff of the neck and stormed his way to the overall lead via a panachetastic solo victory. Danish neopro Mads Wurtz (Katusha-Alpecin) claimed second step on the podium (you can imagine Midge’s joy), with Mauro Finetto (Delko Marseilles Provence) in third. Calmejane holds +17secs on Wurtz with Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal) at +18secs.
Short highlights from France 3 here (race news starts at 1:50 mins)
One of the things I love about this race is Radio Etoile. It’s a surreal mix of live race updates, classic euro rock, and as the race action reaches a climax, legendary race announcer Daniel Mangeas accompanied by accordion music. It really doesn’t get any more French! Give it a try – it’s all on the race website.
Lilian Calmejane his trophy and the accordion player…
Full report at Cycling News.
Race Website Race Twitter #EtoiledeBesseges
Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana Stage 3: Canals to Riba-Roja de Túria, 161km
What was that flash of red and white outside VeloVoices Towers? Why it’s Midge hanging out the Danish bunting. YES it was joy unbounded as Orica-Scott’s Danish dynamite Magnus Cort powered his way to the finish line in ‘Mighty Degs style’ for his first win of the 2017. The Dane accelerated from a long way out and maintained enough strength and speed to keep French sprinting Princes Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) on the second and third steps of the podium. Race leader Greg van Avermaet was shepherded safely through another windswept day by his BMC team.
Video set to start with 6km to go…
Magnus Cort starting this season in the same fashion as he finished 2016. Podiums and #CapsnotHats…
GVA is not for cracking #dontcrackunderpressure…
Full report at Cycling News.
Race Website Race Twitter #VCV2017
Header image: Luke Rowe from Sun Herald Tour facebook site