State of the Peloton 2025

[Rob5091]

We had guys like Uran talking about young guys getting burnt out, and now unless you're on the autism spectrum, it's getting tougher for the young uns -
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racin...re-young-riders-turning-pro-too-fast-too-soon

“There were two main reasons: one, the danger of the sport has massively increased. We’re racing alongside people who we know might go on to lose their life in a bike race later in the season,” he says, “and two, there’s a lack of mental stimulation when you’re a pro cyclist.”

“trapped in a routine – cycling, cycling, cycling all the time. Outside of cycling, I saw no one. I had no social life.

Interesting comment about agents and teams -

“It’s all about making sure you don’t miss out on the next big hope – what’s driving the change is the fear of missing out,” says John Herety, the manager of Great Britain’s U23 team. The hunt for emerging young riders has led to accusations that teams and agents are participating in a form of exploitation to ensure that they land the signature of the burgeoning superstars. “It might not be the right word to use, but for me it’s a form of grooming, especially the predatory instincts of some agents when targeting parents of the riders,” Herety adds.

 

[Red Rick]

Another person who doesn't know what hypocrisy is. There is nothing hypocritical about the mighty forcing the weak to act differently.

Nothing hypocritical about pathetic examples of bullying.

 

[Red Rick]

One study with a modest 60g carbs per hour - one interesting point
https://www.endureiq.com/blog/carbo...te-durability-learnings-from-our-recent-paper


Of course it helps to have the best microchondria -
https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling...ngegaard-have-the-best-developed-mitochondria


and Campenaerts explains post Covid speeds -
https://www.precisionhydration.com/...-constant-for-pro-cyclist-victor-campenaerts/

Campenaerts is so full of *** lol. Only a small part of the peloton were flying like crazy post COVID, and most riders had to catch up. It also doesn't explain why we've seen major increases in performance every year, or why bigger jumps than 2019-2020 happened between the Giro and Tour of 2024 alone.

Finally, what he states defeats the entire idea of preparation races or it contradicts the fact that riders who come back from doping bans don't instantly perform much stronger than before.

 

[Froome]

I said some time ago that these guys from UAE, especially they're best rider, are a bunch of clowns.....yesterday was another example of that.

It makes me sick the propaganda and fake image they are doing around him.

 

[pastronef]

this bit really sucks

it sucks? I lived that. I lived on twitter and here the WILD 2014-2019 Sky years. the heat Pog or Jumbo got and get is laughable compared to the Sky years on here.
(it's an internet forum I know, it's a game, I didn't lose sleep)

 

[Netserk]

Nothing hypocritical about pathetic examples of bullying.

It's a bike race. The strong are supposed to impose their will on the weak. Telling a rider that he will be chased down if he attacks is totally fair, he can still give it a try and see if he is strong enough himself to force the situation.

 

[Rackham]

Is it too soon to talk about Visma having 'performance' problems? They were pretty active in Algarve during today's stage but WvA has no kick at the moment. Let's see what Vingegaard does tomorrow. Laporte got sick again as well.

They haven't started like UAE, that's for sure.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Is it too soon to talk about Visma having 'performance' problems? They were pretty active in Algarve during today's stage but WvA has no kick at the moment. Let's see what Vingegaard does tomorrow. Laporte got sick again as well.

They haven't started like UAE, that's for sure.

No, it's completely valid. Two of the three teams that were heavy on CO somehow are performing terribly. UAE being the relative exception, but one could make a case that's down to natural progression due to signing nothing but supermegatalents. Not to mention the team is led by the two bald frauds that have broken every rule under the sun.

Israel is yet to have one semi decent result, Visma look collectively awful. It's not just Van Aert, Kuss, and Kelderman stinking up the joint in Algarve, Uijtdebroeks looks like he's peaked as a teenager as well, while Tulett folded like a cheap tent. Meanwhile... Kooij is ill, Gloag is ill, Laporte is ill, Nordhagen is ill.

With the horrorhelmet and lack of mythical spray paint, wouldn't be surprised if they collectively stunk again tomorrow in the TT.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Is it too soon to talk about Visma having 'performance' problems? They were pretty active in Algarve during today's stage but WvA has no kick at the moment. Let's see what Vingegaard does tomorrow. Laporte got sick again as well.

They haven't started like UAE, that's for sure.

I will not be worried until I see Vingegaard's level in PN (alongside Matteo) but I already said WVA is a shadow of his former self.

 

[Froome]

Is it too soon to talk about Visma having 'performance' problems? They were pretty active in Algarve during today's stage but WvA has no kick at the moment. Let's see what Vingegaard does tomorrow. Laporte got sick again as well.

They haven't started like UAE, that's for sure.

UAE have more young talent than Visma, but Jorgenson and the young guy Nordhagen will step up alongside Vingegaard this year.

I hope Kuss can be better this year, it is worrying what is happening with him.

 

[Tim Cahill]

UAE have more young talent than Visma, but Jorgenson and the young guy Nordhagen will step up alongside Vingegaard this year.

I hope Kuss can be better this year, it is worrying what is happening with him.

Feels like he's riding pan y agua, won the Vuelta and got cold feet or told to tone it down, getting covid in the Dauphine can't account for how bad everything went. Winning on his 3rd GT of the season was absolutely comical.

As I said, I think more will be known about Visma after opening weekend, because Omloop is the first race that their riders are specifically targeting, and they are at altitude currently, where they usually spike several levels/do whatever it is they're doing. I heard a rumour that Per Strand Hagenes in particular is flying, but they could just be chatting mess. If Vingegaard is actually timing his form to be better later and they haven't just had their stuff confiscated then I expect Jorgenson at least to be in good condition.

 

[noob]

Feels like he's riding pan y agua, won the Vuelta and got cold feet or told to tone it down, getting covid in the Dauphine can't account for how bad everything went. Winning on his 3rd GT of the season was absolutely comical.

Has he talked about covid? Infections definitely can make you really bad for years. But so can no doping

 

[Tim Cahill]

Has he talked about covid? Infections definitely can make you really bad for years. But so can no doping

Yes he did say he lost some weeks training, though he was a bit rubbish in prior races by his standards.

 

[Rob5091]

Forget ketones, 120g carbs per hour and all that guff, it's cranks it's all about baby!
https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling...ainted-so-that-you-cant-read-anything-on-them

Het Laatste Nieuws writes: "His cranks have been filed down and repainted so that you can't read anything on them. In the peloton, it is whispered that Vingegaard has gone even lower than 160 millimeters, which is extreme. His cranks should even be specially developed by the manufacturer."

 

[zlev11]

wow Visma really looking rough without their CO

 

[Rackham]

wow Visma really looking rough without their CO

It's my fault, clearly. I knew this would happen as soon as I posted that yesterday.

That ITT helmet is still disgusting though, especially when paired with Vinge's trademark camel hump riding style in time trials with his back arched.

He's fast... but he's also unbelievably ugly on a bike.

 

[pastronef]

Malhao TT last climb: Vingo (Visma) 7:20, Gregoire (FDJ mpcc) 7:13

 

[E_F_]

Malhao TT last climb: Vingo (Visma) 7:20, Gregoire (FDJ mpcc) 7:13

That's not great from my man Vingo Starr.

 

[YellowSocks]

That's not great from my man Vingo Starr.

He didn't go to altitude camp... yet.