RussB

I think the women's 800m is going to be Phoebe taking it out at crazy pace, Reekie trying to hang on and the rest not being able to stay with the pace and then the final 100m will be pain central. I'm very excited to see what Phoebe can do, a low 1m 57 would appear to be very possible. Matt running the 200m is also interesting, I have no idea where he will finish [in GB it's a very open event this year]. Men's 1500m behind Jake is going to be fascinating as is the 800m with Kerr working on speed. Very competitive middle distance events.

I’d expect a good win for Charlie Dobson for the win in the 400 with Toby Harries my surprise podium. Phoebe Gill to shock Reekie and claim the 800m title. Neita v Dina in the 200m will be a great battle, I’m edging Dina to take it. other than that I agree with most of these predictions. Possibly Hinchliffe to beat Azu in the 100m.

This is what I had assumed was the case, it hadn’t even crossed my mind that Vernon wouldn’t be eligible. Do we know when it’s declared which athlete’s are entered into which events? As explained earlier, I can see a stronger argument for Neah riding all 3 events given the schedule looks kinder on the female side.

That’s kind of where I am with it tbh. Reekie has a chance of bronze if she doesn’t try and follow the big 2. If she goes all out for gold I’d worry she dies on the home straight out of the medals

Ok now I’m really confused about the Madison. if vernon can’t go, who is the duo going to be? Hayter will be doing so much if they want him to do the Madison and the Omnium. Feels like we have kind of just left it as an afterthought. this is why I’m baffled about the Tarling move, he could have been your number 5 in the TP if you really didn’t think he makes the team faster, he could ride in the rounds and not the final, then ride the Madison? Unless im missing something..

Regardless of times (which are track and time of year dependent), it would be a very tough argument to suggest Tarling isn't the biggest engine that team GB have at this moment in time. The team is still strong and will challenge Italy and Denmark (hopefully), but I do think his power would be a difference maker, and they go faster in Paris with him. Maybe management feel the squad don't need him to win Gold. He also elevates the Madison chances, as the best teams combine a workhorse with a sprinter. Vernon seems to be the most likely "sprinter" within the squad and combining with Josh would have made a strong combination. Hopefully Wood & Vernon are going so well alongside the other endurance boys that this explains the decision.

Athing Mu has failed to make the US team for Paris after falling in the 800m trials. I must admit I'm a bit disappointed not to see the battle with Keely and Mora.. but positive news for the Brits' medal hopes.

As always the men’s road race could go absolutely anywhere. What you say makes sense, have those 2 sitting for as long as possible and hope they are close enough to the action at the end ps. I wonder if MVdP is avoiding the MTB as a slight hangover from Tokyo and not feeling confident he can take down Pidcock. I might be over thinking it and he is doing it to purely focus all energy on the road race but I felt the race did leave him a little bruised, both physically and psychologically last time.

I’m not sure I understand why Tarling isn’t doubling up on the track. He looked great in the team pursuit and was really making the team look like gold medal contenders. There were also indications he wanted to be considered for the Madison. The road race is going to be far tougher for GB to achieve success so I’m scratching my head why our biggest engine has been allocated here. by guesswork Hayter will ride the Omnium and then the Madison pairing will be… Vernon and Wood? The men’s ITT is on the 27th July so they will all be fully rested. Also surprised there is no inclusion of the Yates brothers, not sure what the team tactics are with that squad. Who are we setting it up for?

I wanted to check with the members of the club who are going to be out there whether there was any appetite for an easy way to discuss ticket requirements etc. I have a few spare tickets that I doubt will resell on the platform, and instead of dragging my partner along to every single sport, I'd be happy to transfer to members of this group who perhaps weren't able to get the tickets they wanted. This then extends to general meet ups / drinks etc while in Paris enjoying the games. Thanks everyone for the active discussions on the forums, and especially those that provide the more detailed analyses than my lazy self is aware of!

As expected its GB vs RSA for the final later. Going to require a real team performance to pull this out.

I imagine I'd have a very similar experience if I tried to get into breaking

GBR played really well and were able to shut it down in the 2nd half to save some energy. Which will be crucial for the final if they make it

showing my age here but what is Yuf? GB smashing Tonga in 7s to continue their hopes to the semi finals.

that's precisely the one. Looks like he might be Skye's guardian on a field trip

some heroes don't wear capes.

They will have to survive two tough matches and IF they do will need to bring their best to the final dance. Last chance, so gotta leave it all out there and hope it’s enough. GB seem to be right on the cusp of so many quotas this week.

Slight issue is South Africa are still in. Got to best Tonga in QF and then see what happens

Boom boom boom 💥!!! Progress isn’t linear, keeping everything crossed she delivers in Paris

Thanks for the detailed update ! I’m not that familiar with these sports but useful to be kept up to date with the battle for final quotas

That is fair, all squads should improve to some degree on the focus on the track for Paris (some more than others), and should be a very interesting battle in Paris. I'll certainly hold my hands up if Italy win the gold convincingly.

made me chuckle but don't appreciate the shade being thrown at our ladies 4x100m relay (which for the record I think will do relatively well and are on an upward curve)!

In what you attach, Italy got beaten by a GBR team with Roberts in for Neah. So yes the big 2 are ahead of Italy as things stand, I really don't think that is controversial as an opinion. Without Katie, GBR in my mind are definitely 3rd.. again which I think is a very reasonable position to take. If i was to be pushed on chances for Gold I'd split it as roughly 70/25/5 (NZ/It/GB), so chances for sure (25%) but to me that makes NZ strong fav.

I agree the World's is a better indicator, which was added to my post (early sub). Nation's Cup are less instructive but still a useful indicator for form. We have not seen anything from the Italians this year ...yet. Nor am I saying the gap is going to be anywhere near 6 seconds, all I'm saying is that it is difficult based on all the data we have about who should be considered the "favourite", I don't see the argument that it is Italy over NZ. Now GB with Archibald would be a different proposition, I may give the edge to GBR but I think it would be very close. Without Katie, I think we are probably looking at being in the bronze medal match although we thankfully don't have a notable dropoff between our 4th and 5th riders (Morris / Knight).