2025 Vuelta a Espana

[stompandgo]

I'm just back from a four day stage race in VT, where I was with the Juniors (ages 15-18) for the road race stages. A local Junior development team won GC. EF Education did not dominate as expected, partly because Enzo Hincapie was selected for Worlds. Several other Canadian Junior teams placed top ten. I have a day off today for rest, and I need it.

As for Ayuso, this is a very sad situation for both parties. It was inevitable, though. You can't keep a team with three legitimate team leaders together when only one is selected by team management to win. Ayuso had his reasons, and I'd like to know more, but not now. He needs to stay in this race. One more comment and he's out. I'd like to also hear UAE team management's side, but that might be tough to do. Their mealy mouth statement today was expected, but a joke.

Great racing so far today.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Just watched the last KMs of the 1st stage of the tour of Britain. Pretty good line up this year, Remco back on the bike. Alaphilippe, Brennan, Bilbao, Oscar Onley plus it's Geraint's last ever race before he retires.

 

[stompandgo]

Can you start a new thread for it? I don't know who is covering it in the USA, so updates would be nice.

 

[stompandgo]

Watching Jonas smile so much during his interview just made my day.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Can you start a new thread for it? I don't know who is covering it in the USA, so updates would be nice.

will do.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

This business with Ayuso and UAE is getting pretty ugly. Does this kind of public drama happen often in pro cycling?

 

[stompandgo]

Yes. Especially towards the end of the season. The UCI has rules about rider contracts, teams, contract changes, minimum pay, etc. Silly season usually opens up after the Tour de France.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

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This business with Ayuso and UAE is getting pretty ugly. Does this kind of public drama happen often in pro cycling?

Oh yes! Way back in 1987 Stephen Roche rode for an Italian team (Carrera) in that year's Giro & the team picked their Italian star rider (and 86 Giro winner) as team leader, famous playboy Roberto Visentini. Little love between both and Roche felt he was the better rider so disobeyed team orders and rode against Visentini. Fireworks ensued! Tifosi attacking Roche on the mountain, punching him, throwing piss at him, the team riding against him. rider betrayals, team management threats to send riders home! This story had it all. Here's a great article about the battle:

Not a betrayal, just business: Visentini, Roche and the 1987 Giro d'Italia

'Why would I go to a Carrera party? To see the guys who made me lose the race?'

www.cyclingnews.com

If a team has 2 hotshots, like in Formula 1 it can be very hard to manage. But great entertainment.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

o

Oh yes! Way back in 1987 Stephen Roche rode for an Italian team (Carrera) in that year's Giro & the team picked their Italian star rider (and 86 Giro winner) as team leader, famous playboy Roberto Visentini. Little love between both and Roche felt he was the better rider so disobeyed team orders and rode against Visentini. Fireworks ensued! Tifosi attacking Roche on the mountain, punching him, throwing piss at him, the team riding against him. rider betrayals, team management threats to send riders home! This story had it all. Here's a great article about the battle:

Not a betrayal, just business: Visentini, Roche and the 1987 Giro d'Italia

'Why would I go to a Carrera party? To see the guys who made me lose the race?'

www.cyclingnews.com

If a team has 2 hotshots, like in Formula 1 it can be very hard to manage. But great entertainment.

Wow, I think there's a telenovela episode about that.