European Championship 2025: Men’s RR, October 5

[MotorRouleur]

To me this doesn't look as hard as Kigali. Nearly 70k less, 2000m more climbing - and in Kigali the ramps were relentless from start to finish.

Nothing is hard as Kigali, not just distance, climbs and cobbles, but altitude and air quality.

 

[Oldman]

Pogi will be the greatest humanitarian by winning the EC and saving everyone from wearing it.

Looks like Tadez will attack on the last Lerps, it's long enough so he can gain big time ~on~ the climb, not after. Then just maintain a minute lead. It's 75km from finish (a good range for him), but only 125 from start, so some fresh legs may follow him. If he does take 2 or 3 with him, he'll drop them on one of the smaller d'Enfer ramps, no later than the one at 40km. He won't leave it to 25km or 10 km.

If he has anyone that contribute to maintaining the gap he would be usually smart enough to do that until he doesn't need any help. He has other races to contest so; why overwork? He didn't at Worlds and that seemed to turn out great. Absolutely no point in piling on minutes purely for ego's sake.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

This will be the first time ever he rides for the national team as a senior. So I doubt that's the reason.

His wife made him.

Ba-dum-tshhh

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I did like this part

Belgian team has removed all the spare wheels from the car to make room for spare saddles.

 

[Pantani_lives]

I don't think a big solo is very likely in this race. The long climb doesn't look hard enough to create a big gap. The steepest part is in the first 2 km, so you would have to attack after 500 m already to drop everybody. This could lead to a more tactical race with a small group in the local laps. Outsiders like Skjelmose, Grégoire and Skujins might also have a chance this time.

 

[Jan the Man]

I agree that a big solo unlikely- more likely is an attack on the penultimate/final climb. Others need to be within 10-15s realisticay at the top especially if he goes on the last climb.

 

[Danskebjerge]

I don't see why that guy from Visma should question Vingegaard's shape if he didn't have something to base it on. So I'll lower my expectations and hope that Skjelmose can improve his 4th place from the other day.

 

[RedheadDane]

With Mads P. out, and Mørkøv having been unable to call in a replacement, Denmark is a man down.
Maybe they can convince Kloppenborg he's still Danish...

 

[Danskebjerge]

Looks like Tadez will attack on the last Lerps, it's long enough so he can gain big time ~on~ the climb, not after. Then just maintain a minute lead. It's 75km from finish (a good range for him), but only 125 from start, so some fresh legs may follow him. If he does take 2 or 3 with him, he'll drop them on one of the smaller d'Enfer ramps, no later than the one at 40km. He won't leave it to 25km or 10 km.

Yeah, so why watch this screenplay.