Recent content by MagliaNera

Nice uphill wheelie

You're absolutely right, the weakness of the 2019 GC field (maybe the worst of the last decade?) played in Alaphilippe's favor, as did the cancellation of the queen stage. But this year we also have a bit of a special situation with (likely) two races within the race - the top 2 fighting for the...

Buchmann lost another 6 minutes on the main top 10 contenders yesterday. Of course that was not at all his terrain, but it's very hard to imagine him sneaking into the top 10 in GC at this point. 10 minutes to 10th place is a lot and I don't expect too many guys ahead of him to completely crack...

In other words: can Ben Healy become the 2019 Alaphilippe of 2025?

Is it crazy to think that Visma could top 10 this TT with five riders on a good day? (Vingegaard, Jorgenson, Van Aert, Affini, Campenaerts). Will surely make for some interesting racing next year after they'll have smashed the stage 1 TTT. Really bad luck that the two best TT specialists...

Vauquelin after stage 3: "Tomorrow there's a chance to make a move. It's a course that suits me. (...) Of course, the Maillot Jaune is on my mind. I don't know if I'll be marked, but they know I'm not aiming for the overall classification. However, it would be great to wear it for the stage in...

Or Intermarché

With so many punchy riders having lost time on GC already, one would hope that this ends up being one for the break... But with the way it's been raced so far, the fight for minor stage placings for UCI points and the headwind my hopes are essentially zero (also the lack of significant climbs...

A wild Buchmann appearing in the top 10, showing that young biathlon guy who the German GC #1 is.

On QuickStep he would at least be allowed to do his own flooring

I am quite sure they had echelons in mind when they designed the last part of the stage (quite exposed to wind from the west), but the early forecast indicates that the wind will mainly come from the north. Maybe there will be some splits in the first half, but probably 100-ish km to go is far...

Pogacar: "We could expect Jonas to attack after what we saw in the Critérium du Dauphiné, and it’s nice to see him do it. He made us suffer."

Agreed, but Hirschi was also in the group, why didn't he lead him out? Anyway the top 2 looked too strong today regardless of tactics.

Commentary on Dutch TV: "We have the stars... and Grégoire"

Nys now in group 2... Not looking good