As I write this, the Tour de France is doing a special Stage 3 due to a nearby large wildfire. The public was asked not to watch from the roadside.
They're getting into the last couple of climbs in the Pyrenees right now.
Anything can happen, but what's still most likely to happen is that Pogacar will win it again.
(Yes, I'm back. More on that later. Lots to post.)
Well, maybe a little more than halfway, actually. Stunning surprises on the women's side, with Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Rybakina all knocked out. So, is this Jessica Pegula's year? Maybe. Gauff has weaknesses, everybody knows that, and Pegula is smart enough to exploit them.
Still, I think it's Naomi Osaka's comeback that's going to capture the headlines and the title. Great to see Jasmine Paolini still playing (like she is right now), but I don't see her winning on grass. I wouldn't mind being wrong about that.
On the men's side, as long as Sinner is playing, nobody else is. Taylor Fritz could make it through to the final, but I'm afraid Sinner is to Fritz what Federer was to Andy Roddick, i.e., unbeatable.
Now on to the Tour de France.
