Lol. Will anyone tell the old man that?
Ayuso still has a couple of good years.
Ayuso still has a couple of good years.
Pogacar has said repeatedly over last year that he wants to do less, heavy hints about retiring. I don't think that Pogacar wants to punish himself for TDF form something less is more. Isaac Del Toro and Paul Seixas are heir apparents but all of this is based on an imaginary positive future that has yet to happen, Seixas has zero experience, he was doing Avenier in 2025,
Del Toro has a little more experience but both guys make youthful mistakes, because he is racing so well, Isaac probably only has nightmares 4-5 nights a week waking up with Richard Carapaz standing over him with Yates waving goodbye..
Today's move was one of the best Del Toro has made yet, he ignored Giulio Pellizzari , another dangerous 22 year old, Del Toro decided to deal with him later but kept drilling it to get GC gap as big as possible, Del Toro like almost everyone in the world knows when you are isolated in a 3 man break with MvdP you are likely to lose. Brilliant tactics. Pellizzari also rode great and did just enough, excellent race. Both guys are going to benefit from the time, Pellizzari is 3 seconds back and Magnus Sheffield is in 3rd at 13 seconds off the lead.top ten is pretty tight
The only way for Del Toro to jump 9 spots and Pellizzari jumping 10 was bold racing. The idea that Del Toro could find an ally of the pedigree of Van der Poel was like a Hollywood make believe movie, I still can't believe he drilled it, both wheels got loose and he kept it up, even World Champion bike handling skills, needed to clip out to keep bike upright, and I have no idea, zero were that energy came from to contest the spirit.. Absolutely amazing.
@Unchained
IMHO he worked too much today and he will pay the price later on. Plus he didn't win the stage. He gained time on some of the GC competitors, that is a plus. I agree with that.
IMHO he worked too much today and he will pay the price later on. Plus he didn't win the stage. He gained time on some of the GC competitors, that is a plus. I agree with that.
Another view point.. Mexican green horn was trading blows with a world champion off road racer a guy who has won everything including worlds, Flanders, Omloop, multiple Paris Roubaix wins, guy has won stages at TDF, and some Mexican kid who just yesterday was from a place that specializes in cruise ship tourism, sardines, seaweed and tuna..The idea that the only way to get a gap was to ride risky frisky and he did, riders were laying all over the deck, slipping and falling or just backing off the throttle.. Del Toro didn't pucker, he punched it and rolled away from everyone except for 2 guys one being a proven killer, Del Toro wasn't even planning on going for the sprint, he looked like he did his days work and was going to sit up and settle for the new found time.. This guy has career photos others can only dream of.. He has a photo of Wout squeaking him at the line and now a bike throw photo losing to a cycling legend, Van der Poel.. Astounding progress in what seems like overnight.. He has come a long long way
It's like a dream
@Unchained
Of course, but is Isaac won't end up winning the overall then there is still some things to improve. We'll see.
Of course, but is Isaac won't end up winning the overall then there is still some things to improve. We'll see.
Yeah, if one doesnt win every race we must be critical. Especially, when the rider rides like today to try to win the race. We will wait patiently to be critical.
@Salvarani
Yeah, but he didn't win the stage today either. So if it was all about GC, then lets see if he end up winning GC, or not.
Yeah, but he didn't win the stage today either. So if it was all about GC, then lets see if he end up winning GC, or not.
He didn't have any choice today, no one else wanted to work as they knew Del Toro wanted a GC gap. He clearly tried a couple of times to get MVDP to take it on, but he didn't.
Either way, it was a good opportunity to take back time after the ITT. Cant be overcritical about everything. It was good racing.
For that part i already said above that i agree. As for the rest Giulio did all that too, with less effort.
So what?
This just feels very tedious and disingenuous to argue after a good stage. Good racing.
Whether he wins GC or not.
- Jul 7, 2013
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Pelizarri likely played Roglic card there. Del Toro did proper racing but could've asked MVP for more help.
I mean Giulios thread wasn't even bumped.
Learned from the master.
He tried that. MVDP was ice cold. Focused on the stage. Fair play.
Del Toro sitting up and letting everyone back would have just been stupid as well. He raced on, as the racer he is. Gained time. Race goes on.
- Jul 7, 2013
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I get what you are saying, my point is how he races not his results.
This has been his MO, he just goes for it and it doesn't always work out, Giro is an example of your point of view. So he did ultimately lose the race, was only Mexican every to hold the pink, lead the race like he did. He also won a stage..he elevated his position and popularity and ultimately used the overall loss to get a contract extension and pay increase.. So yes he lost the GC, but the way he lost impressed millions, and impressed competitors, his loss made an impression on UAE team ownership and management that they gave him substantial everything, including a groomed schedule to have him seek and destroy many races in Italy
Here's his move in his first race as a professional.. He hasn't stopped
Armstrong tweet is years old
Basically what i am trying to say is age is just a number. So now onto tomorrow.
@Unchained
He races like Pogi, now if that is a good thing, or not. Beats me. Ultimately the results will tell.
- Jun 17, 2024
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Wait whos saying Del Toro rode stupid today? He couldnt have ridden better. He closed the gap to MvdP after being left behind due to the Jorgenson incident, rode for GC with simon gerrans x2 on the wheel and still almost beat mvdp.
This difficult to understand for some?
Why bring up Giulio and say why no one bumping that thread in the middle of this discussion? What did that have to do with anything? That was just very revealing on intentions.
I think it is evident what you are doing and wishing what happens in the next few days. You got your post ready for that, if that actually happens.
That doesnt mean today was a mistake or Del Toro shouldnt have tried to take seconds here. It was a good move.
Now the race goes on.
But this was some next level type of narrative to start, about what was a good performance and stage no matter what happens next. Im surprised, but not surprised.
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