Watching the peloton - Professional Road Racing thread 2026

[stompandgo]

Finishes like today are why the Giro gets a bad rap as pushing the limit of safety. The organizer deserves all the criticism that they may get. It was shocking that more riders didn't get involved in the crash. Fortunately, it looks like most got away unscathed.

That said, watch Paul Magnier. He gets caught behind a Unibet rider. Unclips, hops over the downed rider, clips back in, ships his chain back on while moving, and ends up third. Outstanding. Also props to Unibet for driving that finish from 5km out. If their leadout man didn't crash, they would have had a great chance at the win.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

My thoughts exactly. What a terrible last km of that course. Damn it Uni bet rockets were on fire, it was lining up for a spectacular sprint. If I was a sprinter I would be furious. They get few enough stages as it is. Stupid decision to use that cobbled corner at the finish.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Agree with you guys and Milan: The organizers put the riders and their efforts to get into position at unnecessary risk. Disappointingly, while somewhat sympathetic, the TNT commentators back in the studio — especially Orla, and even Matt — thought in the end that that's the price of cycling entertainment.

Well, I would have been vastly MORE entertained by a sprint finish WITHOUT that avoidable final crash.