Conclusion by the VAR: LR is correct. Valverde was in the post-La Redoute group. We're back for Romandie on... Tuesday! 🙌 Thanks for the support. 🤗 - Benji
Maaaaaan Julian did everything right this time. LBL is gonna be his MSR for Sagan. I feel a lot for Rusty Woods, I hope one day he gets a huge victory to make up for so many close calls. He's your favorite rider's favorite rider.
Underrated more from Formolo as he pulled off and Hirschi when dropped by final selection to slow roglic who had just been separated to slightly block and expand the gap then sit on him as he only had a worn out Aranburu to work with in their group of 4 and forced him back into the main group which ultimately confirmed the selection
Great recap to a great race, at least the last 50km. I feel for Woods, he is ALWAYS there but just doesn't have that extra 1% to gap them on the climb or win in a sprint. Valverde killed his own chances, first taking the front and then going from 250+ years into a headwind. Mad props to Gaudu for the podium. It was a great classics season, and your podcasts made it that much more enjoyable.
I think Valverde knows that he doesn't have the kick against someone like Alaphilippe anymore at 41, so he decided to make it a long one. Obviously it looks bad in hindsight but I thought it was a decent shot.
Yup, 40yo legs are never going to match 20yo legs in an acceleration.....had to do something. Fact that he's won 4 times, probably also means he's far more willing to go full stupid and lose, to try to win, where others want to win or best finish. He probably is of mindset.....you win or you lose trying to win, there is no second.
quite interesting from start to finish, not just the last 25 km's classics recap. until next year. loved it as usual, best time of the cycling season: most outstanding cyclist: caspar asgreen runners-up: van aert, alaphillipe, mellier best win: jasper stuyven (milano) best sprint: ballerini (omloop) best finish: amstel best race: e3 harelbeke (easily) runner-up: tour of flanders, bianche best teams: quickstep, trek, alpecin
The french media will do what they always do when there is a good young french rider, they will hype Gaudu up as the next potential tour winner and the pressure is gonna destroy him just like it did with Bardet and Pinot. Really hope to be proven wrong though, have been an absolute Gaudu stan since his Tour de Romandie win and I'm excited to see what he will be able to achieve in the future, Il Lombardia could suit him quite well i think
Yup. I'm French and you are right. They will put so much pressure on Gaudu and he will crack... hopefully he won't but the writing's on the freaking wall...
I agree with Lanterne, if Movistar rode like Ineos today they would get crucified for it. However, without Pidcock they probably never had a chance anyways
L A D O Y E N N E Officially being renamed "Climby-bois MSR" Benji still pissing himself laughing at that utter "new world" disrespect for the second greatest battle on the fields of the Ardennes. 😊😜
Agree with Benji, the final in Ans sucked hard (saint Nicolas was ok but not as chalenging as the roche aux faucons). I was so so pleased when they annouced in 2018 that the finish moved to Liège for the following edition and that the roche was the last climb. For years I enraged at how every rider waited for the final hill which was not that impressive and how the race was boring (2014 or 2016 were the perfect examples). A flat finale meant that only sprinty bois can wait for the finale and that it forced puncheurs to attack. Also as a Liégeois, it really pissed me off that the finish wasn't even in Liège for purely political reason and that it hurt the race. Glad that people are recognizing it now.
Real cycling styles: sprinter, climber, time-trialist, puncheur, GC rider. "reduced bunch sprinter" is that bloke who turns up to a LBS bunch ride, totally fresh, on a 6.8kg full race spec aero bike, singles inflated to 180psi, wearing skinsuit, sits on all day, sprints at some nebulous town's 60km/h sign, then talks up his form over three deconstructed hazelnut macchiato and biscotti. "reduced bunch sprinter" just gives average Joe an excuse to be a lazy clubby. 😜😊 ha ha ha ha....good dynamic, Benji a great addition, really good dynamic.
UAE were just the strongest team once RaF came up. Formolo's pace distanced Roglic and one Pogacar was up the road they still had Hirschi for a sprint back in the other group and Formolo as a potential attacker from that group. Roglic is just not the strongest near the end of a +250km one day race. I totally agree with Benji on the old Ans finish, kill it with fire!
I don't think that Roglič ever had to do work yesterday, he was in the 2nd group after Redoute/on the Forges when G. Hart and Vingegaard attacked.. he was always in the 2nd group while having Vingegaard in the first one and other teams chased for him. I didn't see many tactical mistakes if any, just didn't have the legs this time.
I guess it is a matter of personal opinion regarding the new finish of LBL. I have been watching LBL for over 30 years live year in and year out and for me , nothing beats the final climb of St NIcholas, the steep climb which was a final sort out and a harder finish to what we have now. Either way, great race but I prefer LBL on the previous course
Wtf, Valverde. If he is forced to lead them out, ok, it can happen, but WHY kick at 275m to go, esp. with the strong headwind? Then again, he is a Movistar rider :-D
@@seppoleonvervloet132 I'd rather believe Alejandro is suffering from dementia. They guy has won this race for the first time 15 years ago... J/k, of course, he probably got excited because he had the chance of winning his 5th LBL/being on par with The Great Eddy Merckx.
The only reason that I could see why Astana put Aranburu on the front early would be if he was potentially on an off day or was feeling slightly under the weather, but if that wasn’t the case then that’s a braindead move from Astana
Shut the door does not equal chop/deviate. So, no, not like last year. I mean, Alaphilippe came around 3 on the right (left on screen) then moved back to the left. He didn't force Pogačar to go an extra 2 meters around him to win. And Pogačar drafted Alaphilippe all that time, too.
So, your proposal is that Julien become some anti fair play champion, which win because block other riders path? If he would do that he would be penalised again, and it would aldo take time so other would win.
@@kelldub78 The only thing he could've done to prevent Pogačar from winning was to shut him towards the barriers. Tadej was already coming around. Ala then drove straight down the center line. Please watch the overhead shot. Shutting Pogačar towards the barriers was a quick and sure-fire DQ.
Valverde might as well have let the chasing group catch them. If starting the sprint from the front gives zero chance of winning, then why not bring some chaos to the final?
I don't think Ineos know which of the riders had the best chance - all great riders but no stand out team leader. At various points almost all of the Team appeared to be working without too much of an idea of who for. Given Tao's performance perhaps a bit of a waste though maybe if you another team with numbers in that split it might have worked out better.
Conclusion by the VAR: LR is correct. Valverde was in the post-La Redoute group. We're back for Romandie on... Tuesday! 🙌
Thanks for the support. 🤗
- Benji
Benji, I am looking forward to the giro preview for the hot takes ;-)
LR creating bike sounds, that's why we watch these
Currently working on heat-warped discs chatter after a descent and acceleration/attack swish-swish-swish-swish of the high pressure tyres.
Might be the loudest I've ever shouted at the TV today during the final sprint
Gutted for my boi Alaphilippe. RIP Aranburu's hopes and dreams
lol same
i was eating my nales
I love Alaphilippe. 😍
The fact that you had to say that alaphilippe didn't chop him made me laugh a lot! As always great breakdown thank you
Maaaaaan Julian did everything right this time. LBL is gonna be his MSR for Sagan. I feel a lot for Rusty Woods, I hope one day he gets a huge victory to make up for so many close calls. He's your favorite rider's favorite rider.
Woods was a giant today, shame he just couldn't produce a sprint
Underrated more from Formolo as he pulled off and Hirschi when dropped by final selection to slow roglic who had just been separated to slightly block and expand the gap then sit on him as he only had a worn out Aranburu to work with in their group of 4 and forced him back into the main group which ultimately confirmed the selection
UAE were fantastic overall. They had multiples in almost every split
Great recap to a great race, at least the last 50km. I feel for Woods, he is ALWAYS there but just doesn't have that extra 1% to gap them on the climb or win in a sprint. Valverde killed his own chances, first taking the front and then going from 250+ years into a headwind. Mad props to Gaudu for the podium. It was a great classics season, and your podcasts made it that much more enjoyable.
I think Valverde knows that he doesn't have the kick against someone like Alaphilippe anymore at 41, so he decided to make it a long one. Obviously it looks bad in hindsight but I thought it was a decent shot.
Yup, 40yo legs are never going to match 20yo legs in an acceleration.....had to do something.
Fact that he's won 4 times, probably also means he's far more willing to go full stupid and lose, to try to win, where others want to win or best finish. He probably is of mindset.....you win or you lose trying to win, there is no second.
quite interesting from start to finish, not just the last 25 km's
classics recap. until next year. loved it as usual, best time of the cycling season:
most outstanding cyclist: caspar asgreen
runners-up: van aert, alaphillipe, mellier
best win: jasper stuyven (milano)
best sprint: ballerini (omloop)
best finish: amstel
best race: e3 harelbeke (easily)
runner-up: tour of flanders, bianche
best teams: quickstep, trek, alpecin
The french media will do what they always do when there is a good young french rider, they will hype Gaudu up as the next potential tour winner and the pressure is gonna destroy him just like it did with Bardet and Pinot. Really hope to be proven wrong though, have been an absolute Gaudu stan since his Tour de Romandie win and I'm excited to see what he will be able to achieve in the future, Il Lombardia could suit him quite well i think
The pressure must be so full on - Landa talks about it in the Movistar documentary on Netflix, it sounds so toxic
Yup. I'm French and you are right. They will put so much pressure on Gaudu and he will crack... hopefully he won't but the writing's on the freaking wall...
Would it be better for him to not ride in a french team?
@@1312lars I don't think so... He's French, he's plagued ;)
Gaudu should go out of the french team
At least Alaphilippe didn’t sit up this time
11:11 LR starts beatboxing and rapping some Run DMC
Lanterne Rouge getting a mention on SBS coverage regarding Vollering chucking her bidon.
LR now known as......THE SOURCE
@@dominicmcnamara or THE SAUCE :-D
Awesome as always - thanks guys!
I agree with Lanterne, if Movistar rode like Ineos today they would get crucified for it. However, without Pidcock they probably never had a chance anyways
I also can't get enough of "spend his bikkies".
Benji, Mikkel Raim just won final stage and GC of Belgrade Banjaluka ;-)
Benji had Mikkel on his channel after he signed with Mazowsze Serce Polski, a team Benji has been playing PCM with :-)
Aranburu winning all 5 monuments next year according to Benji!
"What's the go too for David Gaudu?" I see what you did there ;)
L A D O Y E N N E
Officially being renamed "Climby-bois MSR"
Benji still pissing himself laughing at that utter "new world" disrespect for the second greatest battle on the fields of the Ardennes. 😊😜
Notifications on
Agree with Benji, the final in Ans sucked hard (saint Nicolas was ok but not as chalenging as the roche aux faucons). I was so so pleased when they annouced in 2018 that the finish moved to Liège for the following edition and that the roche was the last climb. For years I enraged at how every rider waited for the final hill which was not that impressive and how the race was boring (2014 or 2016 were the perfect examples). A flat finale meant that only sprinty bois can wait for the finale and that it forced puncheurs to attack.
Also as a Liégeois, it really pissed me off that the finish wasn't even in Liège for purely political reason and that it hurt the race. Glad that people are recognizing it now.
Not criticizing Ineos cause this was the only way they could have a chance to win, you can usually copy paste to Movistar's position in races.
Real cycling styles: sprinter, climber, time-trialist, puncheur, GC rider.
"reduced bunch sprinter" is that bloke who turns up to a LBS bunch ride, totally fresh, on a 6.8kg full race spec aero bike, singles inflated to 180psi, wearing skinsuit, sits on all day, sprints at some nebulous town's 60km/h sign, then talks up his form over three deconstructed hazelnut macchiato and biscotti.
"reduced bunch sprinter" just gives average Joe an excuse to be a lazy clubby. 😜😊
ha ha ha ha....good dynamic, Benji a great addition, really good dynamic.
UAE were just the strongest team once RaF came up. Formolo's pace distanced Roglic and one Pogacar was up the road they still had Hirschi for a sprint back in the other group and Formolo as a potential attacker from that group. Roglic is just not the strongest near the end of a +250km one day race.
I totally agree with Benji on the old Ans finish, kill it with fire!
I don't think that Roglič ever had to do work yesterday, he was in the 2nd group after Redoute/on the Forges when G. Hart and Vingegaard attacked.. he was always in the 2nd group while having Vingegaard in the first one and other teams chased for him. I didn't see many tactical mistakes if any, just didn't have the legs this time.
I guess it is a matter of personal opinion regarding the new finish of LBL. I have been watching LBL for over 30 years live year in and year out and for me , nothing beats the final climb of St NIcholas, the steep climb which was a final sort out and a harder finish to what we have now. Either way, great race but I prefer LBL on the previous course
Wtf, Valverde. If he is forced to lead them out, ok, it can happen, but WHY kick at 275m to go, esp. with the strong headwind? Then again, he is a Movistar rider :-D
It's just a beginner mistake made by a young rider, he will unlearn this quickly
@@seppoleonvervloet132 I'd rather believe Alejandro is suffering from dementia. They guy has won this race for the first time 15 years ago... J/k, of course, he probably got excited because he had the chance of winning his 5th LBL/being on par with The Great Eddy Merckx.
Valverde is 41, he doesn't have an explosive short sprint, he is forced to make the sprint long
The only reason that I could see why Astana put Aranburu on the front early would be if he was potentially on an off day or was feeling slightly under the weather, but if that wasn’t the case then that’s a braindead move from Astana
Woods buried himself while Valverde thinking at the back which position should he take at sprint
Alaphilippe BLEW it in the sprint!
Why didn't he keep his line once he came round Valverde and shut the door on Pogačar? Oooooof...
You mean shut the door like last year? That was brilliant! Perhaps this time he decided to win by being faster.
Shut the door does not equal chop/deviate. So, no, not like last year.
I mean, Alaphilippe came around 3 on the right (left on screen) then moved back to the left. He didn't force Pogačar to go an extra 2 meters around him to win. And Pogačar drafted Alaphilippe all that time, too.
So, your proposal is that Julien become some anti fair play champion, which win because block other riders path?
If he would do that he would be penalised again, and it would aldo take time so other would win.
I said what I said. If you don't understand 🤷♂️
@@kelldub78 The only thing he could've done to prevent Pogačar from winning was to shut him towards the barriers. Tadej was already coming around. Ala then drove straight down the center line. Please watch the overhead shot. Shutting Pogačar towards the barriers was a quick and sure-fire DQ.
Valverde might as well have let the chasing group catch them. If starting the sprint from the front gives zero chance of winning, then why not bring some chaos to the final?
No cycling tomorrow, what are we going to do.
I don't think Ineos know which of the riders had the best chance - all great riders but no stand out team leader. At various points almost all of the Team appeared to be working without too much of an idea of who for. Given Tao's performance perhaps a bit of a waste though maybe if you another team with numbers in that split it might have worked out better.
He wasn’t in the group