A source close to the investigation tells AFP that a search against riders from the team Arkea-Samsic, which during the Tour was led by Nairo Quintana, has been carried out.
That makes sense. Appreciate the analysis.
Nice discussion, I am amazed at the amount of time saved by swapping bikes.
Chas
A TT bike (or a Tri bike for that matter) is really good in flat, straight speed, but there’s two reasons for the time savings in this TT; first, the gradient, the steeper it is, the slower you go and the better a road bike will handle/climb; second, geometry of a TT bike is not conducive to climbing. In rolling terrain or power climbs, a TT bike will do just fine (it’s typically stiffer than a road bike and will transmit power to the wheel really well), but once you start getting above 6-8% grades, you start to really lose time.
What does surprise me a bit is that Carapaz waited until the climb to change bike… he could’ve done so a K or so out and then hit the climb at full speed. In this case, I’m not sure that would’ve been enough. Pogacar was just so incredibly strong on this day.
I just caught Stage 11 (2021 Tour). Crazy twice up Mont Ventoux!
Horrible crashes this year.
It looks like the entire race is in France - as it should be. 
Today’s stage ended in Andorra. . . . And was won by an American rider! 
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And Andorra is definitely not part of France. 
Bummer.
Andorra is unquestionably not France.
A quick look at the route when it was briefly shown on TV was apparently not enough for me to accurately review the route.
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Sep Kuss from Durango wins Stage 15 Andorra…
Durango anywhere near Boulder?
Congrats Sep Kuss !!
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Durango is maybe 6 hrs south west from Boulder. I’ve spent time there both mtn biking and hiking. Also been through there many times on Road Trips. Durango also has Ft Lewis College……originally an “Indian School” where Native Americans could attend higher education for no cost……it still is. I used to recruit for IBM at Ft Lewis……good memories. Sepp Kuss is good Colorado stock.
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We’ve followed it every year since LeMond’s first ride. This year’s has been more interesting than some of the recent editions. We watched every minute of yesterday’s stage to Andorra. So exciting, lots of suspense in the KOM standings, and what a great solo flyer for the win by Kuss.
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Tour break day…Rest day 
I watch every day, though the live broadcast is at 1 am local time, so I watch the replays or highlights.
I think it would far more interesting if they banned all radio contact with the riders. And did away with support cars entirely. Just bikes, riders, and the road. If they get a flat, no replacement bike at the ready, instead they have to fix the flat themselves or with their on bike teammates. And no taking a teammates bike! Same with all mechanical issues. Let mechanic skill be as important as endurance ability.
I’d prefer there be no way for the riders to calculate using modern technology how far behind they are, and how fast they must go to catch so and so. So let’s do away with all on bike computers/ cell contact, just a speedometer. I find it boring that the yellow jersey crowd hang out together all day, at a rather leisurely pace, relatively speaking, with a few minor attacks that are quickly quelled while, like yesterday in Andorra, a group of non yellow jersey folks battled it out for the stage win.
It would be more interesting if when there’s a break away, that the peloton have no idea how far out in front they break away is, 5 minutes ahead, 20 minutes ahead, leave it a mystery. If the peloton wants to know how far behind they are, then ride up there and see. I roll my eyes at the whole process of the peloton electronically knowing how far behind they are and at precisely what pace they need to go to catch up, and when, ughhh!
The whole thing is far too cushy. Of course there would be nourishment stations along with way, and medical care. But otherwise, let them battle it out more 1903 style!
Cigarettes and whiskey at rest stops too!
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I have the same reaction to NASCAR’s use of spotters telling the drivers everything which is happening on the track. For me, this is part of the driver’s job.
I do not have a problem with replacement bikes. I am interested in the riding, not who is fortunate enough not to have a break down.
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@Elk the problem with having support cars involved is that even if they did away with radio and on bike cell connections, the support cars can still help the riders “cheat” by giving them race updates. Such updates could be provided during bike exchanges. I feel all these technological connections and calculations have substantially altered the race and diminished the role of actual cycling. Hey, if the bike breaks down and a rider loses his position, so what? It would add a very interesting dramatic component. As it is, 98% of the riders are mostly irrelevant anyway.
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Great idea. Hookers too!
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Hookers and blow are for after the race.
Wonder how many of them are on the juice?