That was some kick! Didn't think he'd make it, but judged to perfection.
Watching the peloton - Professional Road Racing thread 2026
- Thread starter Rás Cnoic
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BlackHand
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- Western WA
The bib shorts that are almost, but not actually, white really confuse me. As does the multiple shades of orange that look like like 1 color block unless you see an up close or still view of the rider. Why use shades with so little contrast?
Yeah it's just weird.
Jeremy McCreary
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Full coverage of the UAE Tour, Stage 1 with good commentary.
www.youtube.com
One YouTube commenter said, if you want to slow pro races down for safety reasons, just put everyone on 35 mm tires, with added stability as an extra benefit.
What do you guys think of that idea? Could wider tires really reduce chain-reaction crashes in the peloton?
UAE Tour 2026 Stage 1
The desert stage. The first part (north-south direction) is about 45 km long, on wide, straight roads. After reaching Liwa, the race enters an area of very p...
www.youtube.com
One YouTube commenter said, if you want to slow pro races down for safety reasons, just put everyone on 35 mm tires, with added stability as an extra benefit.
What do you guys think of that idea? Could wider tires really reduce chain-reaction crashes in the peloton?
stompandgo
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It made no difference to me when I was racing as the material is so thin. Helmet color, absolutely.
stompandgo
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No. Tires aren't the issue. High speed isn't the issue. Braking isn't the issue. Bunching curb to curb is the issue, which happens at (relatively) low speeds, when riders are pushing and shoving to maintain position, and nobody wants to give.Full coverage of the UAE Tour, Stage 1 with good commentary.
UAE Tour 2026 Stage 1
The desert stage. The first part (north-south direction) is about 45 km long, on wide, straight roads. After reaching Liwa, the race enters an area of very p...
One YouTube commenter said, if you want to slow pro races down for safety reasons, just put everyone on 35 mm tires, with added stability as an extra benefit.
What do you guys think of that idea? Could wider tires really reduce chain-reaction crashes in the peloton?
You could see this play out when Modern Adventure set up their train right behind Ineos and Ineos shoved them off. They ended up close to the back of the pack and had to make their way back up. I saw this coming. You don't latch onto another team's leadout train without consequences.
Milan's crash was in the roundabout. Anytime there is an obstacle in the final 10km there is danger, especially when it splits the group. No split today, but still a crash at the back.
Wider tires tend to have lower rolling resistance, which should speed things up, not slow them down.
I wonder if crashes have increased last several years compared to the past? I know there has been a lot of conversation and anger about street furniture in the final 10km, usually as this is approaching built up areas, coming into towns and roundabouts traffic islands & speed bumps abound. That's probably a change since the last century, more road structure/build up now causing more hazards on the road. The worst crashes in my recent memory was the year the Tour headed to Brittany in the first week (when everyone is attacking and the peloton is extra jittery) some terrible group crashes on the windy narrow lanes.Full coverage of the UAE Tour, Stage 1 with good commentary.
UAE Tour 2026 Stage 1
The desert stage. The first part (north-south direction) is about 45 km long, on wide, straight roads. After reaching Liwa, the race enters an area of very p...
One YouTube commenter said, if you want to slow pro races down for safety reasons, just put everyone on 35 mm tires, with added stability as an extra benefit.
What do you guys think of that idea? Could wider tires really reduce chain-reaction crashes in the peloton?
stompandgo
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- Region
- USA
I don't have any stats to compare, but back in the day, riders rode steel bikes with skinny tires and no helmets, and they crashed, too. Speeds are much higher now. Riders communicate with their DS over the radio and ride as they are ordered. Domestiques get on the front and ride to their power meter, less concerned about what is around them than what is on their screen. There are so many more distractions. Crashes on straight, open stretches are caused by inattention and over aggression. That said, some races take pride in the danger aspect. The Giro seems to get more dangerous every year. Another factor is what part of the season the race is being held. Early season races are typically more dangerous than mid season. Riders need time to get in the flow in large fields and get used to riding with their team. Training camps don't have 150+ rider fields.
Remco wins the TT today, no surprise there, averaging 56km/h. Tarling was second, six seconds back, on his fabulous Pinarello Bolide. A gorgeous bike. I don't know what size chainring he used. DeBod 40 seconds back.
Remco wins the TT today, no surprise there, averaging 56km/h. Tarling was second, six seconds back, on his fabulous Pinarello Bolide. A gorgeous bike. I don't know what size chainring he used. DeBod 40 seconds back.
Del Toro caught out in worst position starting last as a head wind developed towards the end of day, wiping out his time bonuses yesterday. Got that big mountain finish tomorrow, let's see how it all shakes out.
Jeremy McCreary
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How did Milan look in the TT, after his crash?
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
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- Carlsbad, CA
Watched UAE Stage 1 last night. Amazing winning sprint by GC guy Del Toro! He seemed as surprised as everybody else.
Dust issue?
On every long view, a frightening density of particulates in the air — and these poor guys were passing huge volumes of it through their lungs the whole time.
This can't be good for their respiratory health — especially if a significant fraction of it is smaller than 10 microns.
Q1. Is this a recognized risk?
Q2. Is anyone monitoring particle composition and size?
Q3. Do any riders or teams opt out of this race due to poor air quality? (I think I would.)
Dust issue?
On every long view, a frightening density of particulates in the air — and these poor guys were passing huge volumes of it through their lungs the whole time.
This can't be good for their respiratory health — especially if a significant fraction of it is smaller than 10 microns.
Q1. Is this a recognized risk?
Q2. Is anyone monitoring particle composition and size?
Q3. Do any riders or teams opt out of this race due to poor air quality? (I think I would.)
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stompandgo
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I did not watch him race. 37th, 0:49 back.
stompandgo
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There was some commentary about the conditions. They mentioned that the morning had remnants of a "sandstorm" and that those racing later had better air.
Jeremy McCreary
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Did you get a look at that air — even at the end of Stage 1? Would you want to race in it for 4 hrs?
You're going to love the higher slopes during races like the Giro when dangerous idiots set off pink flares, the entire road filling with noxious, carcinogenic pink smoke the gasping riders have to race through.
It just shows the infrastructure and budget needed to run a top pro team these days, early in the season yet, but today there are 3 stage races in three different countries, UAE, Portugal and Spain and some teams have riders competing in all three: That's a lot of air fares and hotels and vehicle rentals!
stompandgo
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It didn't look ideal, but I tell you, air quality is probably the last thing I was concerned about on race day. There are things that you can control, and things that you can't. Of the latter group, things like moisture, humidity, wind, road conditions, pinch points, feed zones, and my competition were of much greater concern.
stompandgo
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Remco looks like he's ready to pounce.
EDIT: I guess not.
EDIT: I guess not.
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I haven't seen the highlights yet, just the top 15 finishers - Del Toro 2nd, NO REMCO in top 15, Yates all the way back in 12th minute and a half back! What happened, was it a breakaway? But with Del Toro second what happened Remco, did he blow up, or mechanical? And where is his much vaunted team to help him on the climbs, the main reason to leave Quick Step?