Lesser known races 2026 edition

[Netserk]

 

[AlfaLum]

It's a dumb sprint from both. How do you not see that coming if youre Van Gils?
Christen probably doesn't even know Van Gils is besides him cause normally no one would try to go that way in a sprint like that. Christen clearly looks towards Pidcock and tries to get to his wheel. DQ according to rules cause he endangers someone obviously, but not a super weird move imo, a bit reckless. And unlucky that Van Gils loses his balance there, touch was minimal. Hopefully he's somewhat ok.

They are side by side already when christen jumps to Pidcocks wheel. Where the hell can van Gils go? Should he just drop out to finish fourth?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Showing empathy requires having a brain, which Christen has demonstrated a lack of over and over. So I'm surprised that people are surprised he didn't go back to check on Van Gils.

 

[James M]

Closed him a little bit too much. He fell after touching that border because the gap was suddenly too small.

Yes dont wanne see that I hope Van Gils is okei. He has seemed good to start the season, one dont want him to be injured from this.

 

[Faserr]

He was even left of Pidcock on the overhead, just to close in van Gils.

 

[AlfaLum]

Showing empathy requires having a brain, which Christen has demonstrated a lack of over and over. So I'm surprised that people are surprised he didn't go back to check on Van Gils.

Fair enough, seems I am a bit too naive.

 

[Netserk]

van gils has an overlapping wheel from before pidcock goes, i think. he cant move to the other side of christen, and at that point hes on the side towards the middle of the road

 

[repre]

The worst about Christen is that i saw it coming. He always goes dirty on everybody, he needs Moscon treatment.

 

[postmanhat]

It's a dumb sprint from both. How do you not see that coming if youre Van Gils?
Christen probably doesn't even know Van Gils is besides him cause normally no one would try to go that way in a sprint like that. Christen clearly looks towards Pidcock and tries to get to his wheel. DQ according to rules cause he endangers someone obviously, but not a super weird move imo, a bit reckless. And unlucky that Van Gils loses his balance there, touch was minimal. Hopefully he's somewhat ok.

Luckily he seems to be ok, but agree that they're both a bit of a menace in any kind of close sprint.

 

[kingjr]

If Sagan got punished in 2016 20-something, when he tried to follow Demare's wheel and was actually unaware that Cavendish was coming up, then this definitely warrants punishment.

 

[Statze2]

Yes dont wanne see that I hope Van Gils is okei. He has seemed good to start the season, one dont want him to be injured from this.

They helped him standing up by taking both of his arms - so my conclusion is no collarbone broken. Maybe a broken rib/ribs?

 

[Samamba]

They are side by side already when christen jumps to Pidcocks wheel. Where the hell can van Gils go? Should he just drop out to finish fourth?

The overlap, but they really are not "side by side". Van Gils should go into Christens wheel and go to his right yes. Obviously Christen is gonna try to jump to Pidcock and not just gonna sprint on the right side. Perfectly normal thing to do in a small group sprint, hell in the past Cavendish even did that all the time in bunch sprints (ridiculously dangerous when you it there tho).

Not saying he shouldnt be DQ btw, in the end it's dangerous and against the rules, but I'm not gonna act like what he did is so weird and violent that he needs to be suspended. It was dumb, from both imo, but no need to go over the top here.

 

[James M]

hats off to wellens, deserved winner

Im thoroughly impressed of how strong he has become. This wasnt any less impressive.

3 in Strade last year and now 1 in baby strade in an impressive fashion.

 

[Squire]

They helped him standing up by taking both of his arms - so my conclusion is no collarbone broken. Maybe a broken rib/ribs?

Possible. He immediately put his hand to his rib area after he fell.

 

[Salvarani]

Jan cristen is racing so there's still hope for entertainment

I blame this post

 

[RedheadDane]

Randomly made-up Scandinavian rider of the day:

15

Mellby Joel

Lucky Sport Cycling Team

They helped him standing up by taking both of his arms - so my conclusion is no collarbone broken. Maybe a broken rib/ribs?

That's mean! They should give them back!

 

[Ilmaestro99]

He keeps moving left as van gils is more than halfway alongside him, clear DSQ .

 

[Tim Cahill]

Things happen in a sprint, sometimes even the best guys get one wrong with too much aggression, but the lack of perceived concern from Christen is a worry there.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Wonder if they can DQ Christen and give Van Gils third?

I don't recall a rider that didn't finish ever being given a sympathy placement other than Jakobsen in *that* Tour de Pologne stage.

 

[Salvarani]

Randomly made-up Scandinavian rider of the day:

15

Mellby Joel

Lucky Sport Cycling Team

Sweden best nordic country in this race

 

[RedheadDane]

Sweden best nordic country in this race

Not often that happens.

I don't recall a rider that didn't finish ever being given a sympathy placement other than Jakobsen in *that* Tour de Pologne stage.

Didn't he crash over the finish line?

 

[Netserk]

donovan : i think he was playing with me

 

[AlfaLum]

The overlap, but they really are not "side by side". Van Gils should go into Christens wheel and go to his right yes. Obviously Christen is gonna try to jump to Pidcock and not just gonna sprint on the right side. Perfectly normal thing to do in a small group sprint, hell in the past Cavendish even did that all the time in bunch sprints (ridiculously dangerous when you it there tho).

Not saying he shouldnt be DQ btw, in the end it's dangerous and against the rules, but I'm not gonna act like what he did is so weird and violent that he needs to be suspended. It was dumb, from both imo, but no need to go over the top here.

The overlap is very significant when he launches and increases when Christen approaches the barriers. Its not like the overlap is only the last 30 cm of Van Gils his bike at any point.

Nobody in van Gils his position would drop back to start sprinting on the right side of Christen in this situation.

 

[Offline]

Christen never been my favorite rider. But people on twitter totally overreacting now because they don't like UAE winning everyday. Don't see Christen doing something wrong tbh

 

[Netserk]

first image of the overhead