238kms, 4600 vertical meters, 40.1kms/hr average speed.
That is really fast. Faster even than in 2021 (0.5kms/hr faster).
In a few years, they‘ll ride this in >41kms/hr, average.
It gets faster all the time. Gladly also bike handling skills improve.
When I see these 180 riders pelotons in the one day classics, in the opening hours, I always hope everything goes well. The scenery, the roads of these prestigious, great classics actually aren’t made for 180 guys hammering through the villages and curves there. It‘s actually quite unsafe.
The good thing is, riders are strong and skilled, and the bikes are marvels.
I‘m glad for Pinot he enjoyed it, one last time. I never liked him this much, because he too often did not let the legs do the talking, but he even won this race once, so he can be proud.