Grassmarket

Sprinters getting back on between climbs.

Two short sharp climbs today with 30-25k to go, sprinters already getting gapped on the first one. Sagan up with the lead group though.

They’ve shuffled the Athletics schedule to make it more likely that big names would compete. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-8845745/World-champions-Dina-Asher-Smith-Katarina-Johnson-Thompson-set-compete-Birmingham-2022.html

Actually he’d the Democratic nominee because the Dems used COVID as an excuse to cheat Bernie Sanders out of the win he’d earned on votes cast.

TV information for the World Half Marathon Champs in Gdynia tomorrow. Live on TV in some of the major countries. On YT in others. https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-half-marathon-championships/news/how-to-follow-world-half-marathon-championshi1

Long battle at the front between Narvaez & Padun , trying to get back to the lead group after losing time for a bike change. Padun got it down to 9 secs, but had to surrender. Looks another stage for Ineos. No action from the GC group.

And on the next climb. Get that man a COVID test!

It’s a weird experience travelling through Los Angeles by bus. There’s 3-4 stops where all the shops, and everyone who gets on & off are Armenian, followed by 3-4 stops of Thailand, 3-4 stops of Guatemala etc etc.

In the Giro the mid-race sprints are a separate competition.

Demare once again kicks sand in everyone else’s faces.

So you’re saying you don’t like lightweight rowing?

Peloton definitely think this is not going much further - all action now. Little-known Slovenian Slovakian Giro debutant Peter Sagan chasing a breakaway win. !!! Fuglsang the big loser, loses lots of time after a late puncture & bike change.

Looks like the peloton have not given this one up. Lots of short steep climbs to come. 36k to go.

Not wanting to deal in national stereotypes but..... Let’s just say that over the last six weeks we’ve seen a lot more, shall we say, self-discipline from French & Belgian fans.

All of a sudden the breakaway has five minutes, so pick your winner. 70k to go.

Oh well, if a TV comedian says so then it’s case closed, I guess.

Is it possible they sent a delegation but no athletes took part in any event, for whatever reason?

That’s leftists for you - they all think he’s a racist, imperialist genocidaire, but still take the day off on his holiday.

Nobody - I mean literally nobody, zero people - turned up for a Biden/Harris/Cindy McCain campaign event in Arizona today.

It’s second season syndrome, happens in every sport. When you’re in your first season you achieve a lot because the opposition is never focussed on you. In your second season, everyone knows you’re dangerous & so they guard you out of contention.

Belgian TV coverage after the final just ridiculous - cameras straight to 8th place van Aerts, nothing for the actual winner.

Big climbing day today, but it’s cold & wet so nobody much interested in the GC race so far. 30k to go, looks like it is starting to happen now. And...nothing happened. Looks like a breakaway day, then. 4 mins & 15k to go. Castroviejo & Ruben Guerreiro going for the win from the break. Action at last from the peloton. Guerreiro gets the win! First World Tour win. Bust-up in the last 1k for the overall, but Almeida keeps the Pink.

Off we go in Hengelo & we have a mess-up with the time for Faith Kipyegon’s 1000m WR attempt....the magic disco lights said No Record though. Weather pretty cold and driving rain, so anyone who gets a PB will be doing well. Irish guy Brian Fay gets a PB, this is like Mallorca for him. Next up, Sifan Hassan goes in the 10000m. Said to be a WR attempt.....30:12 is Dutch record, perhaps more realistic. WR pace at 3000m...Laura Weightman doing a great job pacing. Sifan goes solo with just under 7000m to go Sifan well up on the lights....is up at the 5000m mark! Nah, has gone out too fast, is falling off her lap times. Target now would be Paula Radcliffe’s ER at 30:01. Final time 29:36.67, new ER & 4th fastest on the all-time list, very remarkable in the circumstances.

Looks like a breakaway day in the Giro - 10 minutes up with 34km to go. First bid for the win - Alex Dowsett goes off solo. He’s a TT specialist so.... Looking very good for Dowsett now, 30 secs & 6.5km to go. Textbook 1-2 for Israel Startup Nation, sent Brändle down the road first, when he got caught Dowsett attacked, get their first ever Grand Tour win!

Bit if excitement now!