Lesser known races 2025 edition

[yaco]

I feel that was a high class sprint finale. The first two were classes above the rest.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Tim merlier the Belgian horse . Exemplary equestrian effort. To watch him in full flight is spectacular

 

[yaco]

I am certain that merlier will go three for three in the sprint as the Camel finish is right up his ally.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

It actually means that jayco does not have the second tactical card for stage four. Anyway, Dunbar should not have been dropped in the echelons.

Yes. It seems Dunbar gave up in the end (looking for space to attack to win the last stage?) as he lost 1:02, while guys like Kristoff and Iribar (top 10 in GC after yesterday) that were also in the second group lost only 23 seconds in the end.

Also Stefan de Bod lost 23 seconds, meaning 2 of the top 5 dropped out of top 10 in GC.

 

[ingsve]

Uno-X now with 3 riders in the top 10. Would be a very nice finish if they can all stay there past tomorrow.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Tim merlier the Belgian horse . Exemplary equestrian effort. To watch him in full flight is spectacular

A horse in flight does sound like a rather spectacular sight.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

A horse in flight does sound like a rather spectacular sight.

Close enough, it does look a bit like Merlier

 

[tobydawq]

A horse in flight does sound like a rather spectacular sight.

His nickname shall henceforth be Pegasus.

 

[RedheadDane]

Close enough, it does look a bit like Merlier

Who got really drunk and came up with that?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Who got really drunk and came up with that?

William F. Carver. Apparently it was a thing from 1881 to 1978. Wild stuff.

Almost as wild as Merlier. I've seen the sprint in replay a couple of times. Groenewegen is great placed on his wheel, but still have no chance. Can anyone bar Milan beat Merlier when he gets a good leadout?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Close enough, it does look a bit like Merlier

On today's edition of WTF, America: apparently this was still a thing in New York until... 2018.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Groenewegen is great placed on his wheel, but still have no chance.

Groenewegen said he was sprinting on a flat front tyre.

 

[yaco]

Groenewegen said he was sprinting on a flat front tyre.

I take it with a grain of salt when sprinters make these claims.. Groenewegen did a good sprint to get so close to Merlier which augurs well for the future, because there will be a race or two, where he will be in a better position.

 

[kingjr]

Who got really drunk and came up with that?

This is what we call a "Schnapsidee" in Germany

 

[Potomac]

I take it with a grain of salt when sprinters make these claims..

Yes, it seems sprinters always get mechanicals just at the of the race.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

On today's edition of WTF, America: apparently this was still a thing in New York until... 2018.

Yeah, and they're trying to get it back.

 

[Rockestar_33]

Crash looked awful for the Picnic guy, went face first

Merlier too fast, Dylan had the wheel but couldn't get out

I think only Milan is his equal, looking forward to them clashing in a few weeks

He's not even the fastest in his country, Merlier.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

He's not even the fastest in his country, Merlier.

That sounds like an insult, but it isn't really. It is also debatable whether Philipsen is clearly faster than him, unless Van der Poel is doing the lead out.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

That sounds like an insult, but it isn't really. It is also debatable whether Philipsen is clearly faster than him, unless Van der Poel is doing the lead out.

Meeus schools them both

 

[Samamba]

He's not even the fastest in his country, Merlier.

Of course he is. Merlier has dusted Philipsen ALMOST every time they sprinter (fairly) against each other last year. It was like 7-3 or something. Not saying he is clearly the better sprinter (even I tend towards that right now), but most people agree he is the fastest.

 

[Tim Cahill]

He's not even the fastest in his country, Merlier.

Het majestueuze paard uit Kortrijk looked faster towards the end of last season to me, but we will see, I think he's less reliant on his leadouts, some of those messy, isolated Giro sprints he was so impressive in.

They didn't have a Flemish option on google translate, wtf, the disrespect.

 

[yaco]

Merlier definitely has the fastest snap of 50 metres. What he has been able to do is be stronger in the last 100 metres.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

From teampicnicpostnl.com:

Immediately treated by race medical staff Nils was taken to hospital where he underwent further examinations. Team Picnic PostNL doctor Camiel Aldershof explained more about the outcome of those assessments: “Nils sustained a heavy impact in the crash, and he has broken one tooth and has a fracture in his jaw. For now, he has been cleared and discharged by the local hospital but when he returns to the Netherlands we will conduct further assessments on him here with our specialists to explore whether any surgery is needed. Due to the nature of the injuries we estimate that he will be off the bike for six to eight weeks, but of course this can all change depending on those additional assessments.”

phew!

 

[armchairclimber]

Fair play to Waerenskjold for staying away this year on ethical grounds.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Fedorov fighting for his damn life for that 7th.

I still blame Fabian for crashing.