Teams & Riders The Red Bull - Bora - Hansgrohe team thread

[Berniece]

Why would Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe been seeking for new GT leader then, if Rogla still has it, isn't too old and doesn't crash more then others do?

As for who, for example you are doubting his performance at this GT, till stage 9 and the crash it was normal Rogla, the same as he been when winning other GTs. Especially week one was stellar.

Because his contract is up at the end of 2026?

I'm saying that nothing this Giro showed he is one of the best. I'm not saying that this isn't the case anymore, I'm saying this Giro didn't proof that. Also before Giro I said Roglic would win, after first rest day, I said Roglic would win, 2nd rest day I said Roglic would win, it wasn't until the 3rd rest day I said S. Yates would win.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Because his contract is up at the end of 2026?

And?

I'm saying that nothing this Giro showed he is one of the best.

He smoked all GC guys in ITTs and till the crash on stage 9 was in great position. Some started claiming del Toro is miles ahead and we seen on stage 16, on what happened after.

I'm not saying that this isn't the case anymore, I'm saying this Giro didn't proof that. Also before Giro I said Roglic would win, after first rest day, I said Roglic would win, 2nd rest day I said Roglic would win, it wasn't until the 3rd rest day I said S. Yates would win.

I mean injured rider obviously has less chances, winning. This IMHO really isn't a debate, it's common sense.

 

[Berniece]

And?

They are probably looking for someone to fill that gap?

He smoked all GC guys in ITTs and till the crash on stage 9 was in great position.

I don't feel riding a good ITT is enough. That's why I specifically asked a member if he thinks that is the case.

I mean injured rider obviously has less chances, winning. This IMHO really isn't a debate, it's common sense.

I agree.

 

[CyclistAbi]

They are probably looking for someone to fill that gap?

Why? If you agree that Rogla still has it, not too old and doesn't crash that much, compared to other GC riders. Why wouldn't they resign Rogla then?

I don't feel riding a good ITT is enough. That's why I specifically asked a member if he thinks that is the case.

I mean Rogla did stellar ITTs, best among the GC riders and if healthy there is no reason to believe he wouldn't do the same in mountains. He rode often against riders that are now performing great in mountains and most of the times finished ahead. That week in between, when del Toro was hunting for glory, that doesn't change much in regards to GC. Especially considering most of the time del Toro gained is due to other pre race favourites crashing or puncturing.

 

[Berniece]

Why? If you agree that Rogla still has it, not too old and doesn't crash that much, compared to other GC riders. Why wouldn't they resign Rogla then?

He will be 37 then and turn 38 in that season. If Bora still thinks he will win a GT at that age his contract will be extended. I just doubt that that will be the case. Then again, Horner also won a Vuelta so never say never.

I mean Rogla did stellar ITTs, best among the GC riders and if healthy there is no reason to believe he wouldn't do the same in mountains. He rode often against riders that are now performing great in mountains and most of the times finished ahead. That week in between, when del Toro was hunting for glory, that doesn't change much in regards to GC. Especially considering most of the time del Toro gained is due to other pre race favourites crashing or puncturing.

I don't feel an ITT is a good resemblance of a form to win a GT. With Evenepoel in Dauphine 2024 as my example.

 

[ppanther92]

if Rogla still has it

Debatable but I for myself at least would say he is clearly weaker than 2019-2021 (his peak) nowadays. 2023 was point wise a strong year, but then again - barely beating a past-it Thomas and finishing 3rd in the Vuelta (ok, that one is also debatable but in Roglic's favour) doesn't excite me too much.

isn't too old

He for sure isn't getting any better anymore at 35 (36 in October).

and doesn't crash more then others do?

Well, but he does.

 

[CyclistAbi]

He will be 37 then and turn 38 in that season.

So ageism after all? Not on merit of performance, but age?

I don't feel an ITT is a good resemblance of a form to win a GT. With Evenepoel in Dauphine 2024 as my example.

We all know that Rogla is a top notch ITTer and a mountain goat. I don't know on why some of you are now acting surprised. Like he is 21 and only starting, like del Toro, being a bit of an unknown. I mean what are we discussing exactly. If Rogla is top ITTer and climber? Jeez.

Well, but he does.

Two answers back i was assured that ageism and crashing a lot doesn't have anything to do with it.

 

[Berniece]

So ageism after all? Not on merit of performance, but age?

You are only reading the first sentence and not the rest after? A bit dishonest.

 

[CyclistAbi]

You are only reading the first sentence and not the rest after? A bit dishonest.

I mean, dishonest, have you read the last 10 replies? As for the rest i left it out as we already did it. For example:

I'm saying that nothing this Giro showed he is one of the best.

I mean at one point he was in pink and won both ITTs in regards to GC competition. What more should he have done, before week three?

 

[Berniece]

I mean, dishonest, have you read the last 10 replies? As for the rest i left it out as we already did it. For example:

Sorry, but can you quote me saying that Roglic is too old? I don't think I've said that this year. So stop with saying I'm being ageist. I literally said: "If Bora feels he can still win a GT in 2027, he will get a contract".

I mean at one point he was in pink and won both ITTs in regards to GC competition. What more should he have done, before week three?

There wasn't much more to do because of the route, what does that have to do with showing that he is still a GT monster? The only "mountain" stage we had was stage 7, and he didn't show there he was at his normal self, because otherwise he would've stomped everyone.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Berniece

On Stage 7 the hardest part was not in an optimal place, came too soon and then the terrain flattened too much, on top of that the bunch was not reduced substantially. The idea was to stomp in Siena, that terrain was perfect, unfortunately most of the GC riders hit the deck prior to the finish line. And all in all this stomps are about some prestige, not about winning this GT. ITTs and week three was important for GC at this race. ITTs is on where Rogla was the best, among GC favourites, especially the second one is telling, considering Rogla was already riding injured, and so was Ayuso.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Seeing the team performing in week three, confirmation that they are on the upward trajectory. Hopefully at the Tour to crown all the hard work put into it.

 

[CyclistAbi]

As for the debate about Remco, have just read in his thread that a lot of his fan base doesn't even want him to join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. So it's rather pointless to put too much effort delving into this at this point in time.

 

[Rackham]

Pellizzari needs to work on his punch for next season. The base is there but he needs some sort of kick.

 

[Links2003]

Pellizzari needs to work on his punch for next season. The base is there but he needs some sort of kick.

RBH is in a bit of a dilemma. With Giulio and Lipo, they have 2 riders who can potentially finish on the podium in tours. However, the best young riders in the classification have one thing in common: they have a good attack and are also somewhat fast. That's the weakness of both of them. That's always a disadvantage in the battle for seconds or when you want to get away. If they can improve that, you have two great hopes in the team.

 

[Links2003]

Nico Denz! What a performance. Really well done. That saves RBH the Giro. The victory outshines the fact that the day certainly didn't go as planned. They really wanted another stage win. Today was the best chance for victory and then they only put 1 rider in the group of 37. At least the right one

If you then see in parallel that you only want to go for a stage win in Norway and then on the first day all the riders are left far behind. Uff.

 

[jmdirt]

Congrats Denz! The platoon gave the break a long leash, but Nico broke that leash for the win!

 

[CyclistAbi]

Nice stage win by Denz and i am rather confident now, in Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, to have somebody there, when the leader needs it the most. Riders are stepping up. Not Visma or UAE level just yet, but still.

 

[Filippo_3467]

Denz just isn't a world-class domestique as he has shown through much of his career. Of course he's very good but he's not Politt, Rowe at Sky, Laporte and of course no Pedersen/Van Aert when they are doing domestique work. That also doesn't have to be the goal, but Bora are still missing high-level domestiques to contend for the Tour. But they are also missing a leader who can win the Tour. So that's that.

I would like for Denz to geht more freedom to ride for himself for stage wins. I think he is one of the best break-away rider in the peleton for long hilly stages especially the transition stages in the GTs.

 

[Links2003]

After a very disappointing spring and a Giro that didn't go according to plan - only the smaller stage races were okay - I'm curious to see what the squad will look like next season.

A contract for 2026 has probably already been signed by 19 riders:
Aleotti, Denz, Fisher-Black, Hajek, Herzog, Hindley, Lazkano, Martinez, Meeus, Pellizari, Pithie, Tratnik, 2x Van Dijke, Van Gils, Van Poppel, Vlasov, Zwiehoff and new vom U23-team Thornley.

Do not have a contract yet:
Lipowitz, Roglic, Koch, Maciejuk, Moscon, Mullen, Palzer, Sobrero, Wandahl, Welsford.

If Lipowitz doesn't stay, that would be a huge loss. With Roglic, I'm curious to see how the team plans and what he has in mind. I think Wandahl will definitely go where he wasn't allowed to go to a GT again.
I could imagine Sobrero and Moscon staying, and possibly Koch as well. I think the rest will go.
My guess is that they will again only sign 29 and not 30 riders, so that riders from the rookies team have room to ride with the team.

I think the team needs a sprinter who can win a few (smaller) races. Of the rookies, I could imagine Janasch being promoted alongside Thornley. Possibly Boichis as well. Finn would also be an obvious choice, but I hope he'll stay with the rookies for another year and ride in a few races with the main team.

According to my calculations, this left around 6 places open.

 

[Remy55]

Lipo has a contract. Don't believe everything on PCS

 

[MLKarlos]

I think Roglic also has a valid contract for 2026 because a clause was activated or so.

 

[Links2003]

I think Roglic also has a valid contract for 2026 because a clause was activated or so.

I think that would be great for Lipo and Guilio. So the focus will be on Roglic and perhaps Jai and Vlasov. The 2 youngsters can grow and get their chance at smaller races. Like Lipo this year with the highlight captain at the Dauphine.

 

[CyclistAbi]

That also doesn't have to be the goal, but Bora are still missing high-level domestiques to contend for the Tour. But they are also missing a leader who can win the Tour. So that's that.

Do you even believe that yourself?

 

[RedheadDane]

Do you even believe that yourself?

I don't think anyone who isn't called 'Tadej' or 'Jonas' has much of a chance of winning the Tour.

And, no! That doesn't mean I think Bora should just ride for Koch...