Watching the peloton - Professional Road Racing thread 2026

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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
I thought that the major crash point would have been the U-turn on the cobbles, but riders rode it smartly, knowing that there was more road ahead. There's no excuse for the final turn 150m from the line. First off, there should be no line inside of 200m, but organizers violate that regulation all the time. Which is OK, if the turn is safe. Broken cobbles and missing cobbles around a manhole in the middle of the racing line, that's not safe. Part of the reason Magnier got 3rd was that other riders backed off.

Sean Kelly, a very successful UWT sprinter in his own right, was pretty vocal about the danger, especially with rain in the forecast. He advocated for a full neutralization, not just the 5km GC. After it was over, he expressed that RCS was going to hear about this from the DS's.
 
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Today is the big one, Formia to Blockhaus. 240km, about half of it is uphill. There's a Category 2 climb at 166km, then rolling terrain at elevation, a very long descent, and then the Category 1 Blockhaus. 1150m of elevation in 14km, 8.4% average, but much steeper in sections. Coverage has shown rain coming soon, 5 degrees C and hail at the summit. Unfortunately, I have to work, so I will watch what I can.
 
Yep watching, as they approach the Blockhaus.

Also longest stage since 2021 so long drag, wet windy weather and the wall of the Blockhaus to finish on... rubs hands in gleeful anticipation as he sips a nice cup of tea, all comfortable and warm indoors!
 
Nico Denz started today? Very surprised he passed concussion protocol.

Was tired yesterday at work after staying up until 2am watching the incredible stage 5 :)

Signing off this thread for the next 14 hrs, so I can see the stage 7 final climb with fresh eyes tonight
 
4.4km from top he breaks clear. Pelizzari held on for a long time, but it was inevitable. Felix Gall pacing himself worked very well just 13 secs behind.
So questions at the end; did Jonas ease off or did the Pelizzari battle take more out of him? Very long stage, could have been drained, but it gave Gall a chance to catch him. For the rest it was simply who would lose contact and when? Visma did a great job. Every time I see Kuss doing such a heroic job I wonder what he would have been like as GC contender in another team? But he always seems happy as lieutenant. The aussies did well. at one point there was 4 in that leading group before Jonas attacked! Bernal suffered but hitched a ride, Enric Mas didn't get back. Should be Jonas's to lose now but long way to go and good to see if he weakened today or not. Keeps it interesting. Amazing road up that mountain. Spectacular.
 
Interesting for Bora - only Pelizzari could keep with Jonas, Hindley dropped, but both finish together about a minute back. Hindley gets the bonus seconds so he's ahead (third) on GC. No clarification of a team leader but if they work together have a better chance against the powerhouse of Visma.
 
Sill waiting to see the final GC standings after S7 as I leave for an appointment.

How much longer is Eulalio likely to hold onto the pink jersey given today's result? I think Jonas took about 2 minutes out of him today.
 
Jeremy McCreary said:
Sill waiting to see the final GC standings after S7 as I leave for an appointment.

How much longer is Eulalio likely to hold onto the pink jersey given today's result? I think Jonas took about 2 minutes out of him today.
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Tomorrow should be ok, Sunday is another mountain top finish. If he can hang on there he has it past the rest day and then it's the TT. So big incentive to climb hard! Did great today.
 
GC after Stage 7,

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Gall had quite a ride today, leaving him only 17 sec behind Jonas. Tomorrow should be interesting.
 
My take is nothing changes until after Stage 10, the ITT. Stage 9 is where Jonas will gain back enough time to take the lead on Stage 10. He is still 3+ minutes down and doesn't even have the jersey yet. Let's not Pogify him.

The boss and I have a bet on Jonas' GC winning margin. He says Jonas will win by more than 15 minutes. I say no.

There are some absolute monster stages coming up, especially in the Dolomites. Stage 14, three Cat 1's and a Cat 2. Stage 16, Cat 1 finish. Stage 19, a Cat 1 followed by three Cat 2's at elevation. Stage 20, a Cat 3 followed by a Cat 1 twice.
 
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Not the biggest or steepest mountain stage but that created some big GC changes! Pellizzari had a bad day and was dropped even before the mountain ramped up to the steep sections. Felix Gall and Jonas only 2 to look competitive, even if Jonas - to me - still looking comfortable. And a storming ride by Eulalio, not just keeping the pink but finishing ahead of big climbers like Derek Gee, Hindley, O'Connor. In fact O'Connor, Bernal and Pellizzari all well back on the stage. Lot of bad days for GC hopefuls.

The young Visma Italian rider Piganzoli (23) finished third on the stage as well!

End of week one. Rest day tomorrow. Lot of team talk before the only TT in the race on Tuesday. Eulalio 2:24 ahead. The TT is 42km and dead flat. Not sure what the weather forcast is yet.
 
Thinking through how I'd pace myself in a 26 mi TT. Can't be an easy thing to figure out. You have to plan to finish in the red and fly as close to the red as you dare every mile before that.

Must take a lot of training to know your body and the demands of that particular distance well enough to get it right. Hats off to TT riders.

As for my own pacing, lack the experience to have any clue. And unlike the pros, I'd have the added challenge of figuring out where the coffee stop will do the least damage to my overall time.
;^}
 
Jeremy McCreary said:
Thinking through how I'd pace myself in a 26 mi TT. Can't be an easy thing to figure out. You have to plan to finish in the red and fly as close to the red as you dare every mile before that.

Must take a lot of training to know your body and the demands of that particular distance well enough to get it right. Hats off to TT riders.

As for my own pacing, lack the experience to have any clue. And unlike the pros, I'd have the added challenge of figuring out where the coffee stop will do the least damage to my overall time.
;^}
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I was absolutely terrible at TTs. Couldn't concentrate at all, mind kept drifting. Often passed by the rider behind who'd set out 2 mins or more behind. It's a fascinating discipline. If it's wet Tuesday can change everything.
 
Rás Cnoic said:
I was absolutely terrible at TTs. Couldn't concentrate at all, mind kept drifting. Often passed by the rider behind who'd set out 2 mins or more behind. It's a fascinating discipline. If it's wet Tuesday can change everything.
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What's on Tuesday?

We're on a car trip now without HBO Max access. Looking forward to a break from Giro-seeking behavior on tomorrow's rest day.
 
There's something very satisfying about riding fast on dirt. Hard to describe, but this video gives a hint of the feeling. Good to see Wout enjoying himself before the TdF.

 
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