Tour '25

[Jeremy McCreary]

Watch the interview. Then watch the interview with Matteo, who also gave everything he had and it wasn't enough. If you can't see the difference, let's discuss it.

Sorry, watched both interviews and still not sure what triggered you. Matteo was clearly wiped, Sepp less so. Should Sepp have done more?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

TT bike and gear didn't help the Dane. Photo: Szymon Gruchalski Cycling.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Wouldn't it be fun to get a job at the TdF? Probably very hard to land a spot doing anything. Best bet: Apply to be a wee watcher.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Evenepoel abandonned?? Don't recall a crash. Is he ill?

What are those candy bar-sized black thingies sticking down and out from behind their saddles? Radio transponders?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Three things:

1. Really liking the ITV coverage I'm seeing on YouTube. Routinely getting the best interviews out of the riders — I think by routinely asking more thoughtful and more respectful questions and leaving the zingers and blatantly sensational fluff to their competitors. Good on ITV!

2. Looking back at the pattern of uncharacteristically bad performances from more than a few strong riders over recent stages, starting to think we may be seeing a virus at work — especially in the Vizma bus.

Think what it would take to make a fighter — and podium contender — like Evenepoel pull out.

3. They need many more barriers. The fans are getting too close, too wild, too unpredictable. And the smoke flares should be banned outright. The riders deserve to be cheered, and some say they like it, but not at such dangerously close range.

 

[BlackHand]

They need many more barriers. The fans are getting too close, too wild, too unpredictable. And the smoke flares should be banned outright. The riders deserve to be cheered, and some say they like it, but not at such dangerously close range

Absolutely. The Uno-X rider in the break could have gone down when a flag got tangled in his bike.

And on the penultimate climb, the Ineos team car was stuck behind the chase group and struck a spectator who was in the middle of the road looking through his phone screen! The driver got fined and a yellow card - but was in a tough spot, they had a solo rider leading the stage and starting an unsupported treacherous descent. Of course they are going to be on the heels of the chase group and looking for an opening to get around in the last 200m before the chasers summit. Notice the car is straddling the center line and it's hard to see but there is a moto to his left.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Absolutely. The Uno-X rider in the break could have gone down when a flag got tangled in his bike.

And on the penultimate climb, the Ineos team car was stuck behind the chase group and struck a spectator who was in the middle of the road looking through his phone screen! The driver got fined and a yellow card - but was in a tough spot, they had a solo rider leading the stage and starting an unsupported treacherous descent. Of course they are going to be on the heels of the chase group and looking for an opening to get around in the last 200m before the chasers summit. Notice the car is straddling the center line and it's hard to see but there is a moto to his left.

View attachment 197020

Wow, didn't even know about those incidents! Hate to admit that I'd love to see more consequences for the worst fan behavior, official or otherwise.

When Tadej was on Jonas' wheel in the thick of the crowd ~2 km from today's finish, he couldn't have attacked if he'd wanted to. The crowd had them locked in single file. Fans shouldn't be limiting the riders' strategy options.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

From a major TdF sponsor...

Opinion: This Is What We Should Do With the Reckless Spectators at the Tour

It’s important to remember, in case we have forgotten the many bad crashes in this year’s rain-drenched Giro d’Italia and the death of Gino Mäder in the

www.welovecycling.com

Amen.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Three things:

1. Really liking the ITV coverage I'm seeing on YouTube. Routinely getting the best interviews out of the riders — I think by routinely asking more thoughtful and more respectful questions and leaving the zingers and blatantly sensational fluff to their competitors. Good on ITV!

2. Looking back at the pattern of uncharacteristically bad performances from more than a few strong riders over recent stages, starting to think we may be seeing a virus at work — especially in the Vizma bus.

Think what it would take to make a fighter — and podium contender — like Evenepoel pull out.

3. They need many more barriers. The fans are getting too close, too wild, too unpredictable. And the smoke flares should be banned outright. The riders deserve to be cheered, and some say they like it, but not at such dangerously close range.

Don't get too fond of the ITV coverage. This is the last year after Discovery killed it. They are good because they've been doing it for 25 years. You are only seeing the YT side show: they broadcast every stage live every day and have an evening highlights show as well, all free in U.K. on the telly. All gone soon. U.K. Cycling fans are in mourning.