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#31
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: Talossan Cycling Associati...
Last post by Glüc - July 13, 2026, 02:38:11 PMStage 9 » Malemort › Ussel
The stage was shortened yesterday because of the extreme heat. A short stage usually means a lot of activity however, and the hilly terrain favoured attackers, so everyone wanted to be the in the break, thinking an attack would likely be succesful. It would take a long time before a definite break was formed, eventually including Van der Poel (REX/VFL), T.H. Johannessen (GHS/VFL), Pidcock (REX/EVC), Baudin (GHS/CHX), and a couple others. Only these four reached the finish before the peloton, where some riders never quite gave up the fight and made it a close race until the very end. Van der Poel won the sprint, followed by Johannessen and Pidcock.
A much reduced peloton finished only 6 seconds behind the quartet with Pedersen (MMM/REX/EVC) finishing in 6th place overall. The only rider from the top 10 GC not to be present in the peloton and dropping out of contention for top 10 was Vacek.
It was a big score for Els Talossaes Rexhital, who take over the lead from the Menceis in the standing.
Standings after stage 9:
Today is a much needed restday. Tomorrow, we will go into the Massif Central for a stage with a lot of vertical meters spread out over many climbs. A day for the more punchy climbers and gc guys, with Pogacar realistically being the big favourite.
The stage was shortened yesterday because of the extreme heat. A short stage usually means a lot of activity however, and the hilly terrain favoured attackers, so everyone wanted to be the in the break, thinking an attack would likely be succesful. It would take a long time before a definite break was formed, eventually including Van der Poel (REX/VFL), T.H. Johannessen (GHS/VFL), Pidcock (REX/EVC), Baudin (GHS/CHX), and a couple others. Only these four reached the finish before the peloton, where some riders never quite gave up the fight and made it a close race until the very end. Van der Poel won the sprint, followed by Johannessen and Pidcock.
A much reduced peloton finished only 6 seconds behind the quartet with Pedersen (MMM/REX/EVC) finishing in 6th place overall. The only rider from the top 10 GC not to be present in the peloton and dropping out of contention for top 10 was Vacek.
It was a big score for Els Talossaes Rexhital, who take over the lead from the Menceis in the standing.
Standings after stage 9:
| Pos | ± | Team | Pts Ove | Pts Today | |
| 1st | (+1) |  | Els Talossaes Rexhital (REX) | 4063 | +777 |
| 2nd | (-1) |  | Maritiimi-Maxhestic Mençeis (MMM) | 3784 | +416 |
| 3rd | (+1) |  | Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS) | 3711 | +583 |
| 4th | (-1) | | Cyclohexane (CHX) | 3683 | +398 |
| 5th | (+1) |  | Velociposse Florencia (VFL) | 3633 | +681 |
| 6th | (-1) | | Esqipă Velocostă (EVC) | 3554 | +505 |
| 7th | (=) |  | Cézembre Caçeirs dals Mailintzarăs (BDC) | 2742 | +160 |
| 8th | (=) | | Cézembre Fieschā (CFA) | 2504 | +206 |
| 9th | (=) | | Naziun Cjovani (CJO) | 2090 | +170 |
Today is a much needed restday. Tomorrow, we will go into the Massif Central for a stage with a lot of vertical meters spread out over many climbs. A day for the more punchy climbers and gc guys, with Pogacar realistically being the big favourite.
#32
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: Talossan Cycling Associati...
Last post by Glüc - July 13, 2026, 02:22:50 PMQuote from: Baron Alexandreu Davinescu on July 13, 2026, 10:43:57 AMThe heat is absurd... I saw a story on it and how everyone is basically swaddling themselves in ice when they're not competing.
Yeah it's wild. I get nauseous just thinking about having to physical exercise for more than 10 minutes at 40C, and these guys just do 150-200 km of cycling at high speed in those temperatures day after day. How do they even think about stagewins or classifications? I'd only be concerned with not actually dying...
#33
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: [TMT20] 2026 Talossan Musi...
Last post by Sir Lüc - July 13, 2026, 10:53:47 AMGROUP 1
3. Foo Fighters - Walk
2. Talk Talk - Such a Shame
1. Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
HM: Dave Brubeck - Take Five
GROUP 2
3. Renato Zero - Triangolo
2. Toto - Hold the Line
1. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
HM: Stromae - Papaoutai
3. Foo Fighters - Walk
2. Talk Talk - Such a Shame
1. Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
HM: Dave Brubeck - Take Five
GROUP 2
3. Renato Zero - Triangolo
2. Toto - Hold the Line
1. Metallica - Nothing Else Matters
HM: Stromae - Papaoutai
#34
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: Talossan Cycling Associati...
Last post by Baron Alexandreu Davinescu - July 13, 2026, 10:43:57 AMThe heat is absurd... I saw a story on it and how everyone is basically swaddling themselves in ice when they're not competing.
#35
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: [TMT20] 2026 Talossan Musi...
Last post by Breneir Tzaracomprada - July 13, 2026, 10:40:22 AMGROUP 1
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (3)
Dave Brubeck - Take Five (2)
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (1)
GROUP 2
Johnny Cash - Hurt (3)
Tom Waits - Step Right Up (2)
MGMT - Boogie Down (1)
Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire (3)
Dave Brubeck - Take Five (2)
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now (1)
GROUP 2
Johnny Cash - Hurt (3)
Tom Waits - Step Right Up (2)
MGMT - Boogie Down (1)
#36
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: [TMT20] 2026 Talossan Musi...
Last post by þerxh Sant-Enogat - July 13, 2026, 09:59:56 AMGROUP 1
3- Talk Talk - Such a Shame
2- Dave Brubeck - Take Five
1- Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
GROUP 2
3- Johnny Cash - Hurt
2- Stromae - Papaoutai
1- Toto - Hold the Line
3- Talk Talk - Such a Shame
2- Dave Brubeck - Take Five
1- Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
GROUP 2
3- Johnny Cash - Hurt
2- Stromae - Papaoutai
1- Toto - Hold the Line
#37
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: Talossan Cycling Associati...
Last post by Sir Lüc - July 13, 2026, 09:33:13 AMThe unlucky ones
BDC (actually one position higher currently): Where to start. The only team going for both Pogacar and Vingegaard, which usually is a good call, but is extraordinarily expensive this time around, and would require everything else going right. Sadly hardly anything is, with Carapaz out of GC, Uijtdebroeks having to withdraw with an illness, and Kooij doing too little as already mentioned. None of their four 4 credit unclassed riders delivering any miracles so far either, which isn't really going to make the difference on its own anyway.
CJO: Features the other abandon so far, sprinter Arnaud de Lie - speaking of which, it's a miracle we haven't had more riders quit given the unbearable heat. In Cjovani's case, though, this has made them toothless in a week where 3/9 stages went to a bunch sprint. It didn't help of course that both Carapaz and Arensman are out of GC top 10 contention already. It's a team that had potential, but most riders haven't shown it yet, including for instance usually exciting stagehunter Ben Healy.
BDC (actually one position higher currently): Where to start. The only team going for both Pogacar and Vingegaard, which usually is a good call, but is extraordinarily expensive this time around, and would require everything else going right. Sadly hardly anything is, with Carapaz out of GC, Uijtdebroeks having to withdraw with an illness, and Kooij doing too little as already mentioned. None of their four 4 credit unclassed riders delivering any miracles so far either, which isn't really going to make the difference on its own anyway.
CJO: Features the other abandon so far, sprinter Arnaud de Lie - speaking of which, it's a miracle we haven't had more riders quit given the unbearable heat. In Cjovani's case, though, this has made them toothless in a week where 3/9 stages went to a bunch sprint. It didn't help of course that both Carapaz and Arensman are out of GC top 10 contention already. It's a team that had potential, but most riders haven't shown it yet, including for instance usually exciting stagehunter Ben Healy.
#38
La Peiradă/The Landing Pier / Re: Application sent
Last post by Danihel Txechescu - July 13, 2026, 09:24:57 AMQuote from: Tric'hard Lenxheir on July 13, 2026, 08:41:39 AMGlad to be back, I am seriously considering a full return but probably staying out of politics [...]
Oh, I can relate.
Sincerely,
Ex-MC member.
#39
La Peiradă/The Landing Pier / Re: Application sent
Last post by King Txec - July 13, 2026, 09:17:08 AMQuote from: Tric'hard Lenxheir on July 13, 2026, 08:22:10 AMI sent an application for the landing pier to sort of test the waters and see if I want to return to full citizenship.
I hope you do come back. I have enjoyed our interactions over the years.
-Txec R
#40
L'Óspileu/The Chat Room / Re: Talossan Cycling Associati...
Last post by Sir Lüc - July 13, 2026, 09:16:45 AMThe outsiders/midpack contenders
VFL: The second of three teams without Pogacar, it nevertheless holds the current 2nd, 3rd and 4th riders in GC, which would justify the gamble. Though the other riders have to start doing better for them to have a chance, with Philipsen so far winless and outscored by three cheaper or equal sprinters, van der Poel fresh off a stage win but a long way from 100 ppc still, and the other three unclassed riders mum. In particular, Abrahamsen hasn't featured at all so far, but hopefully we'll see the Norwegian get some breakaway action soon.
EVC: The final team without Pogacar, it does have a trio of GC riders in the top 5, plus the already mentioned Pedersen, but Jorgenson being low in the Vingegaard helper pecking order is not helping his points tally - an expensive miss given he is 10 credits. Pidcock had an okay first week with a third place yesterday, and is still just outside the top 10 in GC, meaning he has a shot at 100 ppc, unlike, IMO, van der Poel. As with VFL, Abrahamsen might come alive later, but Bittner, a sprinter wildcard pick, will probably not be worth it with the few sprint opportunities left.
CFA (actually one position lower currently): A very interesting team on account of holding Paul Seixas, young French talent at his first TCAT edition. Fieschă at the moment is hampered by their unclasseds and climbers not doing much so far - both are understandable, given climbers haven't had many chances and picking unclasseds is usually a lottery. I wouldn't read too much into Bauhaus scoring little so far - this edition was never going to be about costly sprinters scoring 2000 points - but the credits saved here really need to be worth it elsewhere. Final position will heavily depend on whether the expensive Seixas, an unique pick, can do even better than his current 6th place in GC, and whether at the very least Rubio and Paret-Peintre will get a few top tens in the mountains.
VFL: The second of three teams without Pogacar, it nevertheless holds the current 2nd, 3rd and 4th riders in GC, which would justify the gamble. Though the other riders have to start doing better for them to have a chance, with Philipsen so far winless and outscored by three cheaper or equal sprinters, van der Poel fresh off a stage win but a long way from 100 ppc still, and the other three unclassed riders mum. In particular, Abrahamsen hasn't featured at all so far, but hopefully we'll see the Norwegian get some breakaway action soon.
EVC: The final team without Pogacar, it does have a trio of GC riders in the top 5, plus the already mentioned Pedersen, but Jorgenson being low in the Vingegaard helper pecking order is not helping his points tally - an expensive miss given he is 10 credits. Pidcock had an okay first week with a third place yesterday, and is still just outside the top 10 in GC, meaning he has a shot at 100 ppc, unlike, IMO, van der Poel. As with VFL, Abrahamsen might come alive later, but Bittner, a sprinter wildcard pick, will probably not be worth it with the few sprint opportunities left.
CFA (actually one position lower currently): A very interesting team on account of holding Paul Seixas, young French talent at his first TCAT edition. Fieschă at the moment is hampered by their unclasseds and climbers not doing much so far - both are understandable, given climbers haven't had many chances and picking unclasseds is usually a lottery. I wouldn't read too much into Bauhaus scoring little so far - this edition was never going to be about costly sprinters scoring 2000 points - but the credits saved here really need to be worth it elsewhere. Final position will heavily depend on whether the expensive Seixas, an unique pick, can do even better than his current 6th place in GC, and whether at the very least Rubio and Paret-Peintre will get a few top tens in the mountains.