State of the Peloton 2025

[MyFTP5.9w/kg]

The gaps are still huge. Just looking at the top 10, there's a five minute gap between 1 & 10. I mean... le cyclisme à deux vitesses has never been quite so well encapsulated as it is by this current era.

But 'people' do love a superman in sport so they'll gobble it all up.

The gap was big because they were not racing. How late did Healy attack? And he beat the group by a minute at the end.

 

[MartinGT]

Are we also ignoring the fact that van der Breggen who hasn't raced for three years comes out of retirement and finishes second? Or is that because she knows Vollering's power numbers. Something Hatch the sycophant never shut up about.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Is it me or are top guys slightly weaker this year? (compared to last)
Pogi is looking to be easily the strongest of all but even his level is maybe a bit lower.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Is it me or are top guys slightly weaker this year? (compared to last)
Pogi is looking to be easily the strongest of all but even his level is maybe a bit lower.

Yes definitely, races are better for it too.

 

[Gratemans]

Is it me or are top guys slightly weaker this year? (compared to last)
Pogi is looking to be easily the strongest of all but even his level is maybe a bit lower.

Certainly seems like it. Could also mean that in hindsight they realised last year was a bit over the top.

 

[wansteadimp]

Is it me or are top guys slightly weaker this year? (compared to last)
Pogi is looking to be easily the strongest of all but even his level is maybe a bit lower.

Are they weaker or is everyone else catching up?

 

[YellowSocks]

Apparently these Strade bianche were the fastest in history.
I suppose one gets used to these performances to the point they just look normal. Or even disappointing.

 

[Rackham]

Is it me or are top guys slightly weaker this year? (compared to last)
Pogi is looking to be easily the strongest of all but even his level is maybe a bit lower.

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Seriously, I was on a half-boycott this season because of the dull racing last year but reading stuff like this makes me want to tune in again... but knowing my luck, as soon as I do so some Visma rider with a goofy helmet will smash the field on the final climb. I just know it.

 

[noob]

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Seriously, I was on a half-boycott this season because of the dull racing last year but reading stuff like this makes me want to tune in again... but knowing my luck, as soon as I do so some Visma rider with a goofy helmet will smash the field on the final climb. I just know it.

Smash was right, but not the field but the head ;(

 

[Krzysztof_O]

Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Seriously, I was on a half-boycott this season because of the dull racing last year but reading stuff like this makes me want to tune in again... but knowing my luck, as soon as I do so some Visma rider with a goofy helmet will smash the field on the final climb. I just know it.

I can't promise that Teddy won't smash any races though

 

[zlev11]

looks like Ineos has really stepped up the program this year

 

[solo80k]

looks like Ineos has really stepped up the program this year

Unfortunately their wonderboys Bernal & Rodriguez probably won't be able to show anything spectacular because of injuries. I hope Ganna + Arensman can fight for the Giro podium this year.

 

[AttaqueDeRolland]

So, how many UCI wins are we looking at for UAE this year? 100? Everyone on that team is nuclear at this point, they're winning left and right. It's really sad to see.

 

[Peyroteo94]

So, how many UCI wins are we looking at for UAE this year? 100? Everyone on that team is nuclear at this point, they're winning left and right. It's really sad to see.

And they are without Christen. Someone said they didn't look so impressive this year... lol!

 

[AttaqueDeRolland]

And they are without Christen. Someone said they didn't look so impressive this year... lol!

Yes, and Yatesy is clearly still building up form, so we can count on him starting to win as well sooner or later, possibly next week on La Molina and Montserrat.

For reference, just in the World Tour and the Pro Series alone, they have already won 16 this season. Add the 1.1's and NC's and they're already at 19. It's stupid.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Yes, and Yatesy is clearly still building up form, so we can count on him starting to win as well sooner or later, possibly next week on La Molina and Montserrat.

For reference, just in the World Tour and the Pro Series alone, they have already won 16 this season. Add the 1.1's and NC's and they're already at 19. It's stupid.

UAE ended March with 20 wins in 2024. They are already at 19 with Catalunya and some classics to go.

 

[pastronef]

Del Toro smashing Superga record

 

[Rackham]

So, does anyone want to speculate about what's going on with Laporte?

Visma | Lease a Bike heeft slecht nieuws over Christophe Laporte

Christophe Laporte mist mogelijk het gehele klassieke voorjaar. De 32-jarige Fransman van Visma | Lease a Bike kan nog altijd niet het beoogde trainingsschema afwerken, waardoor zijn eerder gehoopte rentree in Milaan-San Remo niet doorgaat. Laporte is niet in conditie en een terugkeer in...

www.wielerflits.nl

Since exactly one year ago (when he DNF'd MSR 2024) there's been something very strange going on with this rider.

They say his current 'problem' whatever that might be hasn't been resolved.

 

[Netserk]

I think he is/has been ill. That's it.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Since exactly one year ago (when he DNF'd MSR 2024) there's been something very strange going on with this rider

Mate I'm not gonna pretend I don't think Visma is totally dirt, but you don't help yourself with these bizarre exaggerations. He was his normal self for most of 2024 after a small illness in the spring

 

[Rackham]

Mate I'm not gonna pretend I don't think Visma is totally dirt, but you don't help yourself with these bizarre exaggerations. He was his normal self for most of 2024 after a small illness in the spring

Really? I mean this whole 'doctor patient confidentiality' card Visma is pulling here is pretty much a really rare thing in pro sports. And FYI, this is the same team in which Nathan van Hooydonck had a heart attack. So... I'm quite 'okay' with my 'bizarre exaggerations' on this front.

If something smells off, I call it. This one smells off.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Today I think was the first "2024" display of the season, Extra Terrestrial time on that last climb from Del Toro and Ben Tulett too, it's like until now they've all been racing a bit with the brakes on.

 

[E_F_]

They even rode side by side for a bit - slowed down.

 

[Froome]

Guys like tullet and del toro doing more than 7 w/kg during 12 min. This really is the "ahahah era".

 

[Tim Cahill]

Little doping investigation going on in Belgium, breaking just now, anyone hazard a guess?

Huisarts met verleden bij profploeg verdachte in onderzoek naar mogelijke dopingpraktijken

Afgelopen donderdag zijn er in Vlaanderen drie huiszoekingen uitgevoerd in kader van een gerechtelijk onderzoek. Een van de huiszoekingen spitste zich toe op een huisartsenpraktijk in Herentals van een huisarts die in het verleden verbonden was aan een profploeg. Het onderzoek richt zich op...

www.wielerflits.nl

GP with past in professional team suspected in investigation into possible doping practices​

Last Thursday, three house searches were carried out in Flanders as part of a judicial investigation. One of the house searches focused on a GP practice in Herentals of a GP who used to be affiliated with a professional team. The investigation focuses on malpractice, but also on possible doping practices.

The Antwerp public prosecutor's office had previously launched an investigation after information about possible malpractice by the doctor in question. During the investigation itself, atypical prescribing behavior by the GP was noticed and there could be a case of doping practices.

The investigators of the Federal Judicial Police (FGP) Antwerp have collected information during the house searches that will be analyzed in a next phase. Sources have confided to WielerFlits that a general practitioner who was previously affiliated with a professional team is involved in the investigation as a suspect.