Paris - Nice highlights.

[mjr]

My wife’s vpn is Proton, which advertises watching tv anywhere. They’re not exactly a shady outfit.

Except for their CEO's support of the US Republican Party!

But more seriously, you might want to check their FAQ on https://protonvpn.com/streaming which implies that using it to watch SBS's Australia-only shows isn't legal, unless you're normally resident in Australia. Proton also lists "Infringing upon or violating the intellectual property rights of the Company or a third party" in their terms as unauthorized use, and I suspect Warner Bros would say this is infringing on the exclusive UK rights they've spent quite a bit of time and money amassing, so your wife's account can be restricted, suspended or terminated if anyone notices.

So far, it seems that it's not happening much, but I'd be aware it could and think about how you'd deal with any potential difficulties account suspension could cause you or your wife. I suspect we won't see it happen in 2025, at least not until after the last free-to-air Tour de France, but once TdF and Paris-Nice highlights are TNT-only, the heavies may start working people over.

[Jezrant]

Crikey, I’m sure my wife did not know about the Proton CEO endorsing Trump and won’t be pleased about that at all. Thanks for the other info too. I doubt though the number of Discovery Plus UK cancellations and increase in vpn use in the UK to access SBS or whatever broadcaster to watch cycle racing barely registers in WB’s accounts.

[Jezrant]

Ah, the good old Race to the Sun. Saturday's finish should be fun.

[mjr]

Ah, the good old Race to the Sun. Saturday's finish should be fun.

Remember, it's the race to the sun, not the race in sunshine! Ice on the road is not that unusual for it.

[Jezrant]

Paris - Nice has always been a sort of harbinger of the spring as well as the start of the racing season in France. It's one of the things I've always liked about the race as they cross the country from the cold dreary flat North to the normally sunnier warmer and hillier South. I can remember editions where they've ridden past almond groves in bloom in Provence after a stage or two in freezing rain. Magic! That's the way it's been traditionally seen in France (and probably by the riders too).

[cycleruk]

Interesting stage today. Very glad I'm not a bike racer..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUC9wzZvPC4

[Jezrant]

dismal weather. they've dropped a couple of cols and shortened the stage today. sorry to see Vingegaard abandon. seems such a likeable chap.