1 00:00:06,707 --> 00:00:10,587 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,747 --> 00:00:11,787 Speaker 1: from News Talk Z'B. 3 00:00:13,307 --> 00:00:15,667 Speaker 2: One of the most iconic sporting events in the world 4 00:00:15,787 --> 00:00:18,067 Speaker 2: is the Tour de France. It starts tonight. Let's bring 5 00:00:18,107 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: in tour commentator Anthony mccross and two Weekend Sport. Anthony, 6 00:00:22,107 --> 00:00:25,147 Speaker 2: thanks for taking the time to preview the Tour de 7 00:00:25,147 --> 00:00:28,587 Speaker 2: France with us. Tade Pagacia, Jonas Vinger Guard. They've won 8 00:00:28,627 --> 00:00:32,027 Speaker 2: the last four tours between them, each of them aiming 9 00:00:32,067 --> 00:00:34,467 Speaker 2: to win a third Tour de France. So are we 10 00:00:34,507 --> 00:00:36,467 Speaker 2: looking at a two man race here? 11 00:00:37,307 --> 00:00:41,027 Speaker 3: That's an interesting question, isn't it. They have they've dominated 12 00:00:41,067 --> 00:00:43,307 Speaker 3: the Tour de France. Taddey and Jonas have won the 13 00:00:43,387 --> 00:00:47,387 Speaker 3: last four editions. But I think it's really easy for 14 00:00:47,507 --> 00:00:50,227 Speaker 3: you to be thinking this is a two horse race. 15 00:00:50,267 --> 00:00:52,307 Speaker 4: So actually is it a one horse race? 16 00:00:52,387 --> 00:00:56,747 Speaker 3: Because Taddi Pagaccia really recently dominated the Giroditalia. 17 00:00:56,867 --> 00:00:58,027 Speaker 4: He just rode away with it. 18 00:00:58,187 --> 00:01:01,987 Speaker 3: He was head and shoulders above everybody else. However, when 19 00:01:01,987 --> 00:01:03,707 Speaker 3: you look at the field of the Tour de France, 20 00:01:03,987 --> 00:01:06,667 Speaker 3: there's a lot of riders who believe that had A 21 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:11,427 Speaker 3: and Jonas are beatable now, Jonas is potentially beatable because 22 00:01:11,427 --> 00:01:14,227 Speaker 3: he's just had a huge crash a few months ago 23 00:01:14,667 --> 00:01:17,027 Speaker 3: in the Tour of the Basque Country, and there's actually 24 00:01:17,067 --> 00:01:19,707 Speaker 3: been questions over whether Yonas will actually ride the Tour 25 00:01:19,787 --> 00:01:23,867 Speaker 3: de France. But he's here and he's riding, and that's fantastic. 26 00:01:24,187 --> 00:01:27,107 Speaker 3: So we've got those two. But outside of that, there's 27 00:01:27,147 --> 00:01:29,547 Speaker 3: a number of other riders who can win this race. Yeah. 28 00:01:29,547 --> 00:01:31,427 Speaker 2: I want to get to those other riders in the 29 00:01:31,467 --> 00:01:34,067 Speaker 2: moment here today, but just don'ts finger Guard and that 30 00:01:34,307 --> 00:01:36,867 Speaker 2: crash and the fact that he is under a bit 31 00:01:36,867 --> 00:01:38,907 Speaker 2: of a cloud coming into the Tour de France. This 32 00:01:39,067 --> 00:01:41,307 Speaker 2: is not the sort of race where you can be 33 00:01:41,427 --> 00:01:44,107 Speaker 2: anything less than one hundred percent prepared, as it could 34 00:01:44,107 --> 00:01:47,347 Speaker 2: he get found out potentially the. 35 00:01:47,347 --> 00:01:50,907 Speaker 3: Tour de France. There's nowhere to hide at some point. 36 00:01:50,947 --> 00:01:53,587 Speaker 3: There's a twist in the tail for everybody, and everyone 37 00:01:53,787 --> 00:01:56,827 Speaker 3: has some sort of bad day. If you come into 38 00:01:56,867 --> 00:01:59,787 Speaker 3: the Tour de France and you aren't prepared, at some point, 39 00:01:59,787 --> 00:02:02,667 Speaker 3: you're going to be found out. And that's the massive 40 00:02:02,747 --> 00:02:07,387 Speaker 3: question mark over Yonis finger Guard. Does he have the endurance, 41 00:02:07,467 --> 00:02:10,907 Speaker 3: does he have the form? Can he compete for three weeks. 42 00:02:10,947 --> 00:02:15,147 Speaker 3: Now we know on normal circumstances, Jonas can but canny 43 00:02:15,187 --> 00:02:20,067 Speaker 3: this time because Taday has been superb all season and 44 00:02:20,147 --> 00:02:23,307 Speaker 3: I'm sure at some point Yonas could be found out, 45 00:02:23,547 --> 00:02:26,507 Speaker 3: and actually wonder whether it could be in the early stages, 46 00:02:26,867 --> 00:02:29,147 Speaker 3: because as we ride into the race, Yonas will probably 47 00:02:29,147 --> 00:02:32,267 Speaker 3: get better and better. But the early stages of this 48 00:02:32,387 --> 00:02:35,907 Speaker 3: year's Tour de France are brutal. We start in Florence. 49 00:02:36,547 --> 00:02:40,827 Speaker 3: The first few days are intermediate mountain stages. We go 50 00:02:40,947 --> 00:02:44,307 Speaker 3: to the Glibrier on day four in the mountains, so 51 00:02:44,387 --> 00:02:46,987 Speaker 3: if you're not on form, you will be found out. 52 00:02:47,027 --> 00:02:50,387 Speaker 3: And I am sure Taday's team is going to do 53 00:02:50,587 --> 00:02:54,187 Speaker 3: everything they can to question Yonas over the first few 54 00:02:54,267 --> 00:02:57,707 Speaker 3: days and get rid of him potentially, and then we 55 00:02:57,787 --> 00:03:00,987 Speaker 3: might see another rider in the Visa Lisa Bike team 56 00:03:01,067 --> 00:03:04,467 Speaker 3: emerge as a possible leader of that squad. But I 57 00:03:04,587 --> 00:03:08,227 Speaker 3: do hope that Yonas is on top form, that we 58 00:03:08,307 --> 00:03:11,307 Speaker 3: have an amazing battle and we have the usual twists 59 00:03:11,307 --> 00:03:12,547 Speaker 3: and turns of the three weeks. 60 00:03:12,627 --> 00:03:14,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, I promise. I do want to talk about the 61 00:03:14,627 --> 00:03:17,307 Speaker 2: other riders. But just before we leave these two Regard 62 00:03:17,347 --> 00:03:20,787 Speaker 2: Chat and Vingergard, are we looking at one of cycling's 63 00:03:20,787 --> 00:03:24,147 Speaker 2: all time great rivalries already or or a bet or 64 00:03:24,187 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 2: that is shaping to be so. 65 00:03:26,827 --> 00:03:27,467 Speaker 4: I think it is. 66 00:03:27,867 --> 00:03:30,907 Speaker 3: What I think is fantastic about this rivalry, though, is 67 00:03:30,947 --> 00:03:35,067 Speaker 3: that they are they do really respect each other, which 68 00:03:35,107 --> 00:03:37,507 Speaker 3: I think is a fantastic rivalry. It's not like this 69 00:03:37,747 --> 00:03:41,067 Speaker 3: really brutal rivalry where they really hate each other and 70 00:03:41,107 --> 00:03:43,787 Speaker 3: they want to just beat each other every day. There 71 00:03:43,907 --> 00:03:48,347 Speaker 3: is respect there, and they do race each other very 72 00:03:48,467 --> 00:03:52,427 Speaker 3: very hard on the climbs. The attacks they do are fantastic. 73 00:03:52,827 --> 00:03:57,107 Speaker 3: We've seen amazing moments actually of respect. You remember a 74 00:03:57,147 --> 00:03:59,227 Speaker 3: couple of years ago when they shook hands on the 75 00:03:59,267 --> 00:04:02,187 Speaker 3: descent because they realized they were racing each other so hard, 76 00:04:02,427 --> 00:04:04,187 Speaker 3: potentially they were going to crash each other. 77 00:04:04,787 --> 00:04:08,787 Speaker 4: So it's kind of a beautiful rivalry in some ways. 78 00:04:10,027 --> 00:04:13,427 Speaker 3: But it's also one of those rivalries that at top 79 00:04:13,507 --> 00:04:14,507 Speaker 3: of mountains, we're on. 80 00:04:14,467 --> 00:04:15,587 Speaker 4: The edge of our seats. 81 00:04:16,307 --> 00:04:19,227 Speaker 3: We can't wait for that duel between the two of 82 00:04:19,267 --> 00:04:21,707 Speaker 3: them at top of a mountain where they just don't 83 00:04:21,747 --> 00:04:24,867 Speaker 3: give an inch. They want to beat each other and 84 00:04:24,947 --> 00:04:28,227 Speaker 3: they just will not let the other one win. I 85 00:04:28,267 --> 00:04:32,027 Speaker 3: think it's a true sporting rivalry. It's fantastic to watch. 86 00:04:32,147 --> 00:04:34,067 Speaker 2: Yeah, first and adding stuff. All right, let's look at 87 00:04:34,067 --> 00:04:36,267 Speaker 2: some of the others, Anthony, who are the other riders 88 00:04:36,707 --> 00:04:41,427 Speaker 2: to watch in terms of possible overall Tour de France winners. 89 00:04:43,067 --> 00:04:46,387 Speaker 3: In particular, I think Primus Rogolitch is probably for me 90 00:04:46,947 --> 00:04:50,507 Speaker 3: the third favorite of this year's race, because he looks 91 00:04:50,547 --> 00:04:52,427 Speaker 3: all ready to have come out the crash in the 92 00:04:52,467 --> 00:04:59,707 Speaker 3: Basque Country, not unscathed, but relatively unscathed. He's just won 93 00:04:59,747 --> 00:05:02,467 Speaker 3: the Criteria de Dophine, which is one of those build 94 00:05:02,507 --> 00:05:05,587 Speaker 3: up races for the Tour de France. He looked superb. 95 00:05:05,627 --> 00:05:09,387 Speaker 3: There another couple of crashes. Primos tends to crash a lot. 96 00:05:09,667 --> 00:05:11,587 Speaker 3: Let's hope he doesn't crash too much in the tour. 97 00:05:12,187 --> 00:05:15,707 Speaker 3: He's already won three tours Tours of Spain love Welters, 98 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:18,507 Speaker 3: He's already won the Giro Italia. He's finished on the 99 00:05:18,507 --> 00:05:20,507 Speaker 3: podium of the Tour de France. He wants to win 100 00:05:20,587 --> 00:05:22,107 Speaker 3: the tour. This is the one that. 101 00:05:22,027 --> 00:05:22,787 Speaker 4: He really needs. 102 00:05:23,427 --> 00:05:26,267 Speaker 3: I think Primos is probably your third favorite and the 103 00:05:26,387 --> 00:05:31,467 Speaker 3: rider who we will see battle with Paddy and Jonas Remco. 104 00:05:32,227 --> 00:05:35,267 Speaker 3: He was questioned in a Dauphine and he kept saying 105 00:05:36,267 --> 00:05:39,547 Speaker 3: I'm not ready yet. He really did suffer after that 106 00:05:39,627 --> 00:05:42,827 Speaker 3: crash in the Basque country. He didn't look ready in 107 00:05:43,587 --> 00:05:45,427 Speaker 3: the dauphin E. I was there. 108 00:05:45,587 --> 00:05:48,507 Speaker 4: It was what two and a bit weeks ago. Three 109 00:05:48,547 --> 00:05:49,467 Speaker 4: weeks to the tour. 110 00:05:49,827 --> 00:05:52,867 Speaker 3: He's had time to go back to altitude to train again. 111 00:05:53,667 --> 00:05:58,027 Speaker 3: I hope Remco's ready because Remco with Primos, with Jonas 112 00:05:58,027 --> 00:06:03,387 Speaker 3: with Tadde is an incredible duel over three weeks, and 113 00:06:03,467 --> 00:06:06,907 Speaker 3: the Belgian fans really believe in him win the tour 114 00:06:06,947 --> 00:06:08,707 Speaker 3: because he's already won a Grand Tour. He's one of 115 00:06:08,747 --> 00:06:11,667 Speaker 3: the welter It's going to be exciting if he's really 116 00:06:11,707 --> 00:06:12,747 Speaker 3: there and he's recovered. 117 00:06:13,187 --> 00:06:15,187 Speaker 2: Let's look at the race route there in the twenty 118 00:06:15,227 --> 00:06:20,627 Speaker 2: twenty four tour features seven mountain stages, including four summit finishers. 119 00:06:21,067 --> 00:06:22,987 Speaker 2: How much is that going to suit the climbers in 120 00:06:23,067 --> 00:06:24,827 Speaker 2: terms of overall finishing position. 121 00:06:26,347 --> 00:06:29,547 Speaker 3: Well, when we look at the stages, the mountain stages, 122 00:06:29,627 --> 00:06:32,187 Speaker 3: of course are critical and you've got to be on 123 00:06:32,307 --> 00:06:35,067 Speaker 3: fom those days. But there's a couple of other stages 124 00:06:35,107 --> 00:06:39,227 Speaker 3: I'd highlight which are really important. There's a gravel stage 125 00:06:39,507 --> 00:06:42,867 Speaker 3: in this year's race that gravel day comes on day 126 00:06:42,947 --> 00:06:47,347 Speaker 3: number nine. That's the day when you get that normal term, 127 00:06:47,427 --> 00:06:50,587 Speaker 3: the famous term. You can't win the Tour de France 128 00:06:50,627 --> 00:06:52,947 Speaker 3: that day, but you can certainly lose it. And there 129 00:06:52,987 --> 00:06:57,427 Speaker 3: are fourteen sectors of gravel roads on DA number nine, 130 00:06:57,867 --> 00:07:00,707 Speaker 3: and I think that because that's a really critical day 131 00:07:00,707 --> 00:07:02,867 Speaker 3: for this year's race, because if you have bad luck, 132 00:07:03,107 --> 00:07:06,787 Speaker 3: you'll lose minutes, you'll be way behind. You've got to 133 00:07:06,827 --> 00:07:09,947 Speaker 3: be in touch in the mountains. That's without doubt. There's 134 00:07:09,987 --> 00:07:13,267 Speaker 3: fifty three thousand meters of climbing in this year's race. 135 00:07:14,107 --> 00:07:17,267 Speaker 3: And you've also got a couple of individual time trials, 136 00:07:17,667 --> 00:07:20,547 Speaker 3: notably one on the final day, so if the race 137 00:07:20,627 --> 00:07:24,067 Speaker 3: is still really close, we have a time troll on 138 00:07:24,107 --> 00:07:26,787 Speaker 3: the last day. And I always think back to nineteen 139 00:07:26,827 --> 00:07:30,467 Speaker 3: eighty nine on the Shawn Zalise when Greg Lamond famously 140 00:07:30,507 --> 00:07:33,107 Speaker 3: beat Lauren Fignon to steal the Tour de France on 141 00:07:33,147 --> 00:07:36,347 Speaker 3: the last day and win it by eight seconds. Are 142 00:07:36,347 --> 00:07:37,427 Speaker 3: we going to get the same again? 143 00:07:37,507 --> 00:07:38,027 Speaker 4: That could be. 144 00:07:37,987 --> 00:07:41,787 Speaker 2: Exciting, absolutely, and it's because we don't have the traditional 145 00:07:42,427 --> 00:07:45,267 Speaker 2: what has become a ceremonial precision for the most part, 146 00:07:45,307 --> 00:07:47,867 Speaker 2: and to paeris on the final day down the Shampsalise 147 00:07:48,027 --> 00:07:50,947 Speaker 2: to the tree Off. Because of course the tour is 148 00:07:50,987 --> 00:07:53,307 Speaker 2: so close to the Paris Olympic game. So instead, as 149 00:07:53,347 --> 00:07:56,787 Speaker 2: you've mentioned, Anthony, we've got an individual time trial from 150 00:07:57,107 --> 00:08:00,627 Speaker 2: Monaco to Nice to finish things up on the final day. 151 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:05,147 Speaker 2: How much will that possibly change things on that final day? 152 00:08:05,187 --> 00:08:08,067 Speaker 3: You've got thirty three seven kilometers of time dry, it's 153 00:08:08,107 --> 00:08:11,227 Speaker 3: a long way. Maybe it won't shake up the first 154 00:08:11,267 --> 00:08:13,787 Speaker 3: and second because that might be decided by then. But 155 00:08:13,907 --> 00:08:17,707 Speaker 3: if if there's a minute between each rider, then we've 156 00:08:17,707 --> 00:08:19,947 Speaker 3: got a big battle in our hands on the final day. 157 00:08:20,587 --> 00:08:24,067 Speaker 3: But it will certainly shape the top six. You'll see 158 00:08:24,107 --> 00:08:27,547 Speaker 3: some movement, no doubt on that final day. But I'm 159 00:08:27,587 --> 00:08:31,027 Speaker 3: sure that the Tour de France organizers, so the race 160 00:08:31,067 --> 00:08:35,667 Speaker 3: directors Christian Prudom and Tierry Guveno, I'm sure that they're thinking, 161 00:08:35,707 --> 00:08:39,987 Speaker 3: come on, let's have one minute between two riders. Final day, 162 00:08:40,187 --> 00:08:43,747 Speaker 3: big battle. Everybody's on the edge of their seats. Everybody 163 00:08:43,747 --> 00:08:45,067 Speaker 3: wants to know who's going to win, and. 164 00:08:45,347 --> 00:08:47,907 Speaker 4: I hope that's the case. I that's the case. Yeah, 165 00:08:48,227 --> 00:08:48,907 Speaker 4: I think we all do. 166 00:08:49,027 --> 00:08:51,147 Speaker 2: I think they'll have an exciting way to finish all 167 00:08:51,147 --> 00:08:53,027 Speaker 2: the tour at the start though, for the first time 168 00:08:53,627 --> 00:08:57,307 Speaker 2: we begin in Italy, marking one hundred years since Ortavio 169 00:08:57,547 --> 00:09:02,027 Speaker 2: Bottacia became the first Italian winner of this race. How 170 00:09:02,027 --> 00:09:05,147 Speaker 2: will they change things starting in Italy or other cyclists now? 171 00:09:05,307 --> 00:09:07,987 Speaker 2: Cyclists now just used to sort of going with it 172 00:09:08,027 --> 00:09:09,547 Speaker 2: old That's. 173 00:09:09,427 --> 00:09:15,067 Speaker 3: Very true, but let's remember that Italy is passionate about 174 00:09:15,107 --> 00:09:20,587 Speaker 3: bike racing. The geroed Italia is steeped in the history 175 00:09:20,627 --> 00:09:25,227 Speaker 3: of the Italian people for all sorts of reasons. And 176 00:09:25,267 --> 00:09:27,907 Speaker 3: it's interesting that I was at the gioed Italian in 177 00:09:27,987 --> 00:09:30,547 Speaker 3: May and I didn't think the Tourder France would have 178 00:09:30,827 --> 00:09:35,067 Speaker 3: much impact in Italy, but it's really captured the imagination 179 00:09:35,147 --> 00:09:38,147 Speaker 3: of the Italian people, and so many people are saying 180 00:09:38,227 --> 00:09:41,067 Speaker 3: it's amazing that Tourder France is here and that we 181 00:09:41,187 --> 00:09:43,427 Speaker 3: want to be part of it. I think the crowds 182 00:09:43,467 --> 00:09:46,507 Speaker 3: are going to be huge. I think the impact of 183 00:09:46,547 --> 00:09:48,707 Speaker 3: the race is going to be pretty special, because, as 184 00:09:48,707 --> 00:09:52,947 Speaker 3: I mentioned before, the early stages of this race in 185 00:09:53,107 --> 00:09:58,107 Speaker 3: Italy are incredibly hard. You've got Day two, which is 186 00:09:59,107 --> 00:10:02,827 Speaker 3: around Bologna, and you've got a famous climb of San Luca, 187 00:10:02,907 --> 00:10:05,267 Speaker 3: which is a really tough climb and also on that 188 00:10:05,347 --> 00:10:08,467 Speaker 3: day a climate Julian Ala Phelippe famously won the World 189 00:10:08,547 --> 00:10:12,627 Speaker 3: Championships on in twenty twenty. Everyone knows those roads, they 190 00:10:12,667 --> 00:10:14,987 Speaker 3: know how tricky they are. They know that if you're 191 00:10:15,027 --> 00:10:17,347 Speaker 3: a race favorite, you need to be at the front 192 00:10:17,387 --> 00:10:19,947 Speaker 3: that day. So I think they'll really shape what's going 193 00:10:20,027 --> 00:10:23,347 Speaker 3: to be quite a dynamic race this year in the tour. 194 00:10:23,547 --> 00:10:26,827 Speaker 3: But I think we're going to see huge, huge crowds. 195 00:10:27,187 --> 00:10:31,067 Speaker 2: How important Anthony too success on the Tour de France's 196 00:10:31,547 --> 00:10:35,347 Speaker 2: staying out of trouble and avoiding potential creatures. 197 00:10:36,547 --> 00:10:40,307 Speaker 3: You have to have your team around about you all 198 00:10:40,307 --> 00:10:41,587 Speaker 3: the time in the tourder France. 199 00:10:41,627 --> 00:10:43,267 Speaker 4: They've got to keep you out of trouble. 200 00:10:43,547 --> 00:10:46,347 Speaker 3: On tricky days like day two in the tour, you 201 00:10:46,547 --> 00:10:49,987 Speaker 3: need to be at the front. But the problem in 202 00:10:49,987 --> 00:10:52,947 Speaker 3: the tourder France is that you've got all of these 203 00:10:52,987 --> 00:10:56,307 Speaker 3: teams twenty two teams, one hundred and seventy six riders 204 00:10:56,587 --> 00:10:59,547 Speaker 3: with their sports directors in their ear all telling them 205 00:11:00,067 --> 00:11:03,667 Speaker 3: be near the front. So it's always very very tricky 206 00:11:03,747 --> 00:11:06,067 Speaker 3: as far as riders coming to the front in this 207 00:11:06,667 --> 00:11:07,827 Speaker 3: battle for position. 208 00:11:08,907 --> 00:11:11,307 Speaker 4: But the teams of Taday. 209 00:11:11,027 --> 00:11:15,027 Speaker 3: Of Jonas Primus Roglitch of Remco Vnopol. They need to 210 00:11:15,067 --> 00:11:17,147 Speaker 3: be right on their game on day one of this 211 00:11:17,267 --> 00:11:19,347 Speaker 3: Tour de France. Keep them at the front, keep them 212 00:11:19,347 --> 00:11:23,987 Speaker 3: out of trouble, don't get involved in crashes because we 213 00:11:24,027 --> 00:11:26,227 Speaker 3: want to see the battle in the third week of 214 00:11:26,267 --> 00:11:29,387 Speaker 3: those big name riders. We don't want to lose a 215 00:11:29,427 --> 00:11:31,067 Speaker 3: big favorite earlier on in the tour. 216 00:11:31,507 --> 00:11:34,347 Speaker 2: I just want to touch on Sir Mark Cavendish the 217 00:11:34,427 --> 00:11:37,507 Speaker 2: first even night to race the Grand Tour. As fifteenth 218 00:11:37,947 --> 00:11:42,027 Speaker 2: and final tour. It's been confirmed that he will definitely participate. 219 00:11:42,747 --> 00:11:46,107 Speaker 2: Has he got one last stage one lift in them? 220 00:11:47,347 --> 00:11:50,227 Speaker 3: What a year this would be If Mark Cavendish could 221 00:11:50,227 --> 00:11:54,147 Speaker 3: win race number thirty five, stage win thirty five in 222 00:11:54,187 --> 00:11:57,187 Speaker 3: the Tour de France, it would cap everything off for 223 00:11:57,307 --> 00:12:00,867 Speaker 3: Mark Cavendish. Last year, of course, he ended up on 224 00:12:00,907 --> 00:12:02,867 Speaker 3: the deck in a massive crash. 225 00:12:02,947 --> 00:12:04,547 Speaker 4: He was taken out the Tour of France. 226 00:12:04,907 --> 00:12:07,547 Speaker 3: We had that image of him sitting in the back 227 00:12:07,587 --> 00:12:13,427 Speaker 3: of a van, dream over raceover Tour de France. Career finished. 228 00:12:14,027 --> 00:12:16,227 Speaker 3: But he just couldn't let it go, could he. He 229 00:12:16,307 --> 00:12:19,307 Speaker 3: had to come back. So Cavendish is on the start line. 230 00:12:19,467 --> 00:12:22,187 Speaker 3: They've built a new lead out train round about him. 231 00:12:22,787 --> 00:12:25,707 Speaker 3: He's up against some of the well the fastest sprinters 232 00:12:25,747 --> 00:12:30,067 Speaker 3: in the world. Yes, we're Phillips and Dylan Groenevegan, Fernando Gaberia, 233 00:12:30,267 --> 00:12:34,067 Speaker 3: Sam Bennett. All of them would say we'd love to 234 00:12:34,107 --> 00:12:38,987 Speaker 3: see cav win Stage number thirty five, but not as 235 00:12:39,027 --> 00:12:41,267 Speaker 3: far as I'm concerned, because I'm going to beat him. 236 00:12:42,507 --> 00:12:45,147 Speaker 3: As long as I win some stages, I'm fine. Can 237 00:12:45,147 --> 00:12:47,987 Speaker 3: he do it? I really do think Cavendish can win 238 00:12:48,067 --> 00:12:51,787 Speaker 3: stage thirty five, and what a legendary win it would be. 239 00:12:52,267 --> 00:12:54,987 Speaker 3: He's just been knighted actually in the UK, so he's 240 00:12:54,987 --> 00:12:58,267 Speaker 3: now Sir Mark Cavendish, so he might as well arise 241 00:12:58,307 --> 00:12:59,187 Speaker 3: in a to France. 242 00:12:59,267 --> 00:13:03,747 Speaker 2: Aha, I love it or your analysis has been incisive, 243 00:13:03,787 --> 00:13:06,107 Speaker 2: spot on, but I'm going to need you to to 244 00:13:06,147 --> 00:13:08,987 Speaker 2: go pick now. Who is your pick to win the 245 00:13:09,027 --> 00:13:10,427 Speaker 2: Tour de France twenty twenty four. 246 00:13:11,867 --> 00:13:15,587 Speaker 3: It's very easy, who isn't it to pick Padde Bagatcha, 247 00:13:15,787 --> 00:13:17,707 Speaker 3: But I don't think you can look past him. 248 00:13:17,947 --> 00:13:18,307 Speaker 4: I didn't. 249 00:13:18,347 --> 00:13:22,427 Speaker 3: Paddy Pagacha this year has got everything right, the team right, 250 00:13:22,747 --> 00:13:27,387 Speaker 3: the preparation right, the Jiro was incredible. I'd love him 251 00:13:27,427 --> 00:13:30,307 Speaker 3: to win the Giro Detalia and the Tour de France 252 00:13:30,347 --> 00:13:32,547 Speaker 3: in the same year, because then he could go on 253 00:13:32,587 --> 00:13:35,387 Speaker 3: and win the World Championships and the last person to 254 00:13:35,427 --> 00:13:39,387 Speaker 3: do that was Steven Roach, whose son is sitting alongside 255 00:13:39,427 --> 00:13:40,787 Speaker 3: me in the commentary booth. 256 00:13:41,147 --> 00:13:45,067 Speaker 2: Amazing, Anthony, It's been so good to get your preview 257 00:13:45,107 --> 00:13:48,467 Speaker 2: of what is an iconic sporting event and one which 258 00:13:48,467 --> 00:13:50,907 Speaker 2: has watched the world over, including here in New Zealand. 259 00:13:51,067 --> 00:13:54,147 Speaker 2: Really appreciate you taking the time, have a great month ahead, 260 00:13:54,747 --> 00:13:57,187 Speaker 2: and again thanks for joining us across New Zealand. 261 00:13:57,667 --> 00:14:00,547 Speaker 3: Thanks very much for taking the time and enjoy the 262 00:14:00,627 --> 00:14:02,467 Speaker 3: Tour de France because this year is going to be 263 00:14:02,467 --> 00:14:03,187 Speaker 3: pretty special. 264 00:14:03,267 --> 00:14:05,987 Speaker 2: Thank you, no, thank you, Anthony Anthony Mcross on their 265 00:14:06,027 --> 00:14:08,627 Speaker 2: tour momentator for the Tour de France, which is underway 266 00:14:08,667 --> 00:14:11,787 Speaker 2: in Italy tonight just on ten o'clock New Zealand time. 267 00:14:12,067 --> 00:14:14,107 Speaker 2: They'll get underway. We'll follow it right through the next 268 00:14:14,147 --> 00:14:16,627 Speaker 2: month or so and check in with all of the 269 00:14:16,707 --> 00:14:17,507 Speaker 2: updates you'll need. 270 00:14:18,107 --> 00:14:21,267 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 271 00:14:21,387 --> 00:14:24,667 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 272 00:14:24,707 --> 00:14:26,267 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.