Teams & Riders Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is the first - and only - Cille

[RedheadDane]

I've been waiting for an excuse to make this thread, and I figured a second place in FW is a good an excuse as any.

Right, so often it's declared that Rider [X] is the new Rider [Y]. However, in this case I'll say; there can only be one! So, this is a thread dedicated to everyone's favourite Danish crazy firecracker!

 

[Wvv]

One part of my brain yells 'MARRY HER', the other is affraid she might be too exhausting.
I love her nonetheless.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is the best thing in the sport of cycling right now, and I'm willing to fight for my beliefs.

 

[jsem94]

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is the best thing in the sport of cycling right now, and I'm willing to fight for my beliefs.

You can count me as your first recruit, LS.

 

[42x16ss]

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig is the best thing in the sport of cycling right now, and I'm willing to fight for my beliefs.

Her exuberance is contagious, I've not seen many pros with such a love for the sport.

 

[Savant12]

I do love her energy. A fantastic bike rider, too.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Is it me, or does she actually look better (as in "prettier") with a helmet on her head, than without? Also amazing that it seems like there hasn't been taken a picture of her, ever, where she isn't laughing.

 

[gregrowlerson]

Any interview after her second place yesterday?

 

[Jungle Cycle]

hammer down!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311311775397183488

View: https://twitter.com/vegpedaller/status/1311311775397183488

 

[Dk one]

Any interview after her second place yesterday?

I saw an UCI interview being done so maybe in the highlights of the race they put out. Also, Danish tv2 sport interviewed her but I have not seen as I do not have access to that channel.
Also, what a race, changed bike two times, the last time only 30 k before Mur de Huy and had to work like a mad woman to get back. And then still 2nd best after that. Legs must have been great.

 

[tobydawq]

Is it me, or does she actually look better (as in "prettier") with a helmet on her head, than without? Also amazing that it seems like there hasn't been taken a picture of her, ever, where she isn't laughing.

It's you.

 

[Dk one]

Is it me, or does she actually look better (as in "prettier") with a helmet on her head, than without? Also amazing that it seems like there hasn't been taken a picture of her, ever, where she isn't laughing.

Well, there is this one from the last km of Imola.

 

[tobydawq]

It's you.

But okay. Her good looks don't diminish much with a helmet on.

 

[el_angliru]

Any interview after her second place yesterday?

Edit: @ 4:11:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYGvJQKaiy0

 

[gregrowlerson]

Edit: @ 4:11:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYGvJQKaiy0

"And I was like, okay!"

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I do love her energy. A fantastic bike rider, too.

She would probably still be one of the most popular riders in the women's péloton even if she never spoke, just her elegant, easy climbing style and combative, gutsy racing especially when frequently outnumbered like yesterday would make her a popular figure nonetheless. I started taking notice of her for the gutsy, entertaining racing, before realising just how infectious her enthusiasm is.

Also comedic interview at LFWF there, as she bursts out laughing realising "oh, we're heading into catchphrase territory here" and pulling back from it

 

[Savant12]

She would probably still be one of the most popular riders in the women's péloton even if she never spoke, just her elegant, easy climbing style and combative, gutsy racing especially when frequently outnumbered like yesterday would make her a popular figure nonetheless. I started taking notice of her for the gutsy, entertaining racing, before realising just how infectious her enthusiasm is.

Also comedic interview at LFWF there, as she bursts out laughing realising "oh, we're heading into catchphrase territory here" and pulling back from it

Ditto! I appreciated watching her as a rider (thought her name sounded cool, too) before I knew what she sounded like and was giving those joyful interviews.

Loved her in the Cafe Ride series with Matt Stephens.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

She's the type of woman that would make jokes about getting married on the first date, and weirdly...you would still go on a second date.

Slightly misogynist joke aside, she's got a bright future ahead of her, and she could be a big selling point for women's cycling in the next few years.

 

[Broccolidwarf]

I wish people would stop debating an athletes looks

 

[Dk one]

She would probably still be one of the most popular riders in the women's péloton even if she never spoke, just her elegant, easy climbing style and combative, gutsy racing especially when frequently outnumbered like yesterday would make her a popular figure nonetheless. I started taking notice of her for the gutsy, entertaining racing, before realising just how infectious her enthusiasm is.

Also comedic interview at LFWF there, as she bursts out laughing realising "oh, we're heading into catchphrase territory here" and pulling back from it

Regarding being outnumbered, I hope her team strenghen the squad further for next season. She is frequently the only big name without a team mate with her in the finals. She needs someone like herself a couple of years ago when she supported Moolman-Pasio and was a threat in her own right. Muzic might get there but she isn’t stable enough as of yet.
FDJ aqf might announce a new Italian rider tomorrow if I am reading their teaser right, so let us see who it is..

 

[tobydawq]

I wish people would stop debating an athletes looks

Get over it dude

We had the same discussion about Cosnefroy yesterday

 

[tobydawq]

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I'm sorry Cecilie, i meant no offense or disrespect. I take back what i said. You look like a turd with a helmet on. And a real sourpuss.

 

[tobydawq]

I think she looks beautiful with or without her helmet, in cycling clothes or in normal clothes. I hope she doesn't take offense. I don't care if broccolidwarf takes offense.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Regarding being outnumbered, I hope her team strenghen the squad further for next season. She is frequently the only big name without a team mate with her in the finals. She needs someone like herself a couple of years ago when she supported Moolman-Pasio and was a threat in her own right. Muzic might get there but she isn’t stable enough as of yet.
FDJ aqf might announce a new Italian rider tomorrow if I am reading their teaser right, so let us see who it is..

I think they have the makings of a strong squad there though - Muzic is only 21 years old and has been best young rider at the Emakumeen Bira, top 15 there and top 10 (admittedly thanks to a final day time bonus, but she won the stage at the top of a climb) in the Giro Rosa, so I just think that after the Giro and then going to the top 20 of the Worlds, she's just out of steam to be there for Cille in the Ardennes when it counts. Brodie Chapman is a very strong ATV-type rider who can be there when it counts on the big climbs - 2nd in Colorado, 7th on Mount Baldy (although obviously with TIBCO she targeted those races more than most of the WWT might have done), 9th in Flèche in her own right last year - but this is her first year in the Euro péloton so she might have a bit of adaptation time, I think she'll be fine as a helper for sure. If Muzic continues her upward trajectory and Fahlin is back to where she was a couple of years ago, Cille will likely be fine. She's no worse off than she was last year with Bigla, and FDJ have definitely got value out of her this year's limited calendar with her, with wins in .1 races, WWT podiums and a good GC and QOM in the Giro plus a lot of visibility as she becomes a key player rather than an exciting fringe contender as she could have been considered previously.