Looking at the points, that was pretty much as expected, but it certainly doesn't look nice. And it should be the only time we line up with such a weak team for the biggest race.
Great to see old Bennati win another Tour stage. I still owe this guy so much.
Santander really struggling under the pressure to make an impact in the first half of the race while Phinney was just unreal, even though expectedly so.
Demare is really getting well through the pile of hard stages, something he needs to gain much experience about here as the next time he'll come back, he will be a maxed rider with quite some expectations on his shoulder already.
Into week 3 and Santander is still massively underperforming to the point that they should be sure to be among the relegation places in the end? (I know they'll disband but it's about how many PT teams join PCT after all)
I really hope the later sprint stages in GTs work out different by the time we need the AI to help us with them, it'll be difficult to find a good lineup otherwise so that there's enough support and enough interest in chasing from our side.
Back to the last mountains and Schleck really got things going! A great TdF win for him after hard fights with Pluchkin and Spilak.
Also wow, that stage 20! Fog? Amazing pictures there.
But the biggest news of course is that Demare made it through! More than 10 minutes gap to the time limit on that crucial stage and even though he JUST lacked a tiny bit of energy to get a freaking PODIUM on the CHAMPS, I'm very very impressed with his ride.
Certainly he had to help Spilak here and there, so if we indeed return with a team fully built around him or at least with him as a clear leader for the flatter stuff that has no relay duties in any stages, he will be a force to reckon for those later stages and hopefully for green one day as well. Thanks again Festina for loaning him in, he gained more than just xp points and I gained a lot of info too.
Last but not least again congrats to Vesuvio, commiserations to Santander if anyone was here to accept them, and thanks for the stunning reports roturn!
