Jonathan Milan is the new sprint superstar

[Extinction]

Trek doesn't have a rider named "Pederson".
What have I said about Swedifying Danes...?

Mads, you know what I'm taking about.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

This is a level-headed argument and, in principle, I agree. All I'm saying is that Milan's level seems to be such that now is the time to see if he can become one of those generational sprinters of the sport. It's a window that doesn't remain open forever.

There's of course a chance that this will prove to have been his best opportunity ever. Getting to win a Tour de France stage in Italy might not be possibly again for some time either.

 

[Extinction]

There's of course a chance that this will prove to have been his best opportunity ever. Getting to win a Tour de France stage in Italy might not be possibly again for some time either.

So true

 

[Unchained]

So true

Starting to wonder how many peaks per season, these sprint performances by multiple riders have been absolutely outstanding .
Milan looking like Merlier looking like Philipsen looking like Fabio Jakobsen looking like Sam Welsford..it's like for a few weeks at a time guys are untouchable and then sort of calm down and ride human again. Cavendish is racing pretty human.. Milan does not look beatable for the immediate next days.. I hope that it's some no name at the TDF personally.

 

[ppanther92]

It's a shame. He should be at the highest event of cycling. Who will remember the Olympic team pursuit?

A lot more people, really way more people, especially outside the cycling fan scene, will remember a gold medal than being the leadout to Pedersen at the Tour. Like in Austria, Anna Kiesenhofer got huge commercial contracts exactly because of being a gold medalist.

So I guess for Ganna, Consonni, Milan that will be a huge goal. Defending your Olympic title makes you a national legend. I do not watch sailing. In general its niche in Austria. But a lot of people know Hagara-Steinacher cause they won gold in consecutive Olympic games.

 

[Oldermanish]

You must be joking. Sprinters must win sprints, however many they may be. Not being in the GC fight, it's their only means to justifying their salaries and the whole peloton knows it.

As witnessed by a jury of your Peers.

Reactions:jmdirt, Sandisfan and AmRacer

 

[Extinction]

Yeah but you said best sprinters (plural), which isn't really true. The best sprinter is at the Tour, but most of the other quickest sprinters are at the Giro, so Milan has basically established himself as the 2nd best itw (I think Merlier is as fast as Milan, but I also think he is as fast as Philipsen in a flat one day race, e.g.).

Well Philipsen is the biggest absence here for sure. No Jakobsen, who admittedly hasn't lived up to expectations. No Cav either, who is admittedly past his best years, but, as we saw at the 2021 Tour, can still produce some winning turns of speed. It's thus as much about the stage of the Tour as who isn't present at the Giro.

 

[Extinction]

A lot more people, really way more people, especially outside the cycling fan scene, will remember a gold medal than being the leadout to Pedersen at the Tour. Like in Austria, Anna Kiesenhofer got huge commercial contracts exactly because of being a gold medalist.

So I guess for Ganna, Consonni, Milan that will be a huge goal. Defending your Olympic title makes you a national legend. I do not watch sailing. In general its niche in Austria. But a lot of people know Hagara-Steinacher cause they won gold in consecutive Olympic games.

I seriously don't think Olympic gold on the track beats green at the Tour. Way more cycling fans watch the Tour than whatever audience Olympic track, Austria evidently and I'd imagine Belgium being exceptions. I could see your "way more people" if it were the Olympic road race, but not a track event, sorry. Nothing against the track, mind you.

 

[Unchained]

E...O, they're both vowels.
Stray off topic: I work with a Hansen and a Hanson who are married to sisters (not theirs).

I had $ex with the girl in Hanson

 

[Brullnux]

Well Philipsen is the biggest absence here for sure. No Jakobsen, who admittedly hasn't lived up to expectations. No Cav either, who is admittedly past his best years, but, as we saw at the 2021 Tour, can still produce some winning turns of speed. It's thus as much about the stage of the Tour as who isn't present at the Giro.

Jakobsen was here tbf

 

[Extinction]

Jakobsen was here tbf

Right! Sorry

 

[StevenReed]

There's of course a chance that this will prove to have been his best opportunity ever. Getting to win a Tour de France stage in Italy might not be possibly again for some time either.

Yes, you are right.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Thank you for acknowledging my brilliance, Mr. Bot.

 

[Brullnux]

He's pretty good yeah.

Obviously not near as good a climber as Pedersen, but he can hold his own well given that people took that climb pretty seriously, he came over the top near the front, attacked twice, and stomped the sprint.

 

[KZD]

Milan is on a roll, 4 wins in his last 6 race days.

Curious to see his TT tomorrow, I expect him to be one of the fastest riders.

 

[Brullnux]

Great performance in the individual pursuit at the track world championships. I wonder why he's never tried the omnium/madison/mass start races, he seems well suited to them.

Looking at the medium to longer term, I wonder also how much Lidl-Trek want him kept away from the track

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I don't follow track much but glad Milan is doing well there too. He is built like *** brick house, the other riders look tiny compared to him. When he goes into top speed he looks like a raging bull you don't want to get in front of... from the interviews I've seen he seems nice though. So, I'm a fan.

 

[KZD]

Great performance in the individual pursuit at the track world championships. I wonder why he's never tried the omnium/madison/mass start races, he seems well suited to them.

Looking at the medium to longer term, I wonder also how much Lidl-Trek want him kept away from the track

Omnium would make sense but since UCI got rid of the TT races there I don't think he will bother trying.

It would surprise me if Milan tries to expand his horizons on the track, he might still ride the pursuits again but I think he will prioritise road cycling and next year I expect him to focus on the Tour as the rumours point to 8-10 flat stages so with Pedersen leading him out he can win several stages and maybe the points jersey too. It could be the race where he stablishes himself as the best sprinter in the world.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Omnium would make sense but since UCI got rid of the TT races there I don't think he will bother trying.

It would surprise me if Milan tries to expand his horizons on the track, he might still ride the pursuits again but I think he will prioritise road cycling and next year I expect him to focus on the Tour as the rumours point to 8-10 flat stages so with Pedersen leading him out he can win several stages and maybe the points jersey too. It could be the race where he stablishes himself as the best sprinter in the world.

Milan with a Pedersen leadout is just brutal, a different kind of beast compared to his Giro train.
Maybe Madison with Consonni at the next Olympics?

 

[Red Rick]

Milan with a Pedersen leadout is just brutal, a different kind of beast compared to his Giro train.
Maybe Madison with Consonni at the next Olympics?

He's had some weirdly bad sprints at the end of hard races though.

 

[tobydawq]

I don't think Pedersen will do leadouts.

 

[Mayomaniac]

He's had some weirdly bad sprints at the end of hard races though.

I guess preparing for the TP at the Olympics does come with some specific work that isn't great for your endurance. His performances in DDV nad G-W (as a team player) were good enough to suggest that it shouldn't be a problem in a normal season. Also look at his climbing in the 2023 Saudi Tour and the hilly stages of the 2022 CRO race, he is surprisingly good on short, steep climbs.

 

[Netserk]

I don't think Pedersen will do leadouts.

Not regularly, but he will if he goes to the Tour.

 

[tobydawq]

Not regularly, but he will if he goes to the Tour.

He certainly should but I would think him to be a bit too much of a diva to get himself in such a situation. He would probably also target green again which would complicate matters further.

The team has quite a potential pickle on their hand.

 

[Netserk]

If Milan wins a flat stage and takes the 50 points instead of Pedersen's rival for green, that's as good as Pedersen getting 3rd and 20 points. The stupid 50-30-20 scale makes stage wins super important, and placing 3rd or lower not so important.