The irony is that in the last two or three editions, Bora was bringing a sprinter and changed their mind at the last minute, while, this time they were not bringing a sprinter and made a last minute change of plans.
The irony is that in the last two or three editions, Bora was bringing a sprinter and changed their mind at the last minute, while, this time they were not bringing a sprinter and made a last minute change of plans.
- May 29, 2019
- 11,033
- 11,563
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I mean if they took a sprinter it's a shitty outcome, for the crash to occur. So hopefully the sprinters side of the team is still salvageable. Somehow it does seem that sprinter section is not at sync at all, two riders sprinting for themself. So all in all i guess not much thought was put into this. For me personally it's obvious that any decent shot they have is regarding GC anyway. Winning the Tour can still save their season as a whole.
I don't understand your criticism. Why are two riders sprinting on their own? Yes, Danny as well as Jordi and Laurence had lost each other shortly before the crash. But in general, Danny and Jordi worked really well together. Danny also wanted a sprinter to come along.
I still think it was the right decision. Precisely because they didn't leave any mountain riders in top form at home. And Roglic seems to be having problems again. Just like in the Giro right from the start, he's not fighting for seconds. I don't know what happened before the Giro. He's ridden quite differently this year.
- Jun 30, 2022
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- May 2, 2019
- 812
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But overall if they don't crash in the next two sprint stages (a big if) the result is okay if you already had low expectations. Places one and two are gone as everyone knew before the Tour. Behind that it looked like a possible podium battle between Remco, Jorgensen and Almeida with possibly Almeida now out I think Roglic and Lipowitz could be the 6th and 7th best riders in the high mountains. I would think Gall will be better he can really surprise I think.
Vauquelin and Onley are beatable I think and the others are quite far back and didn't look in top shape e.g. Mas or Skjelmose. Fighting for place 5-10 was the realistic scenario before the Tour and they are in there. Not enough for their budget and the team performance is horrible but in the end it is in line with the low expectations.
Vauquelin and Onley are beatable I think and the others are quite far back and didn't look in top shape e.g. Mas or Skjelmose. Fighting for place 5-10 was the realistic scenario before the Tour and they are in there. Not enough for their budget and the team performance is horrible but in the end it is in line with the low expectations.
- May 29, 2019
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- Jul 27, 2023
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who will reach Hautacam first - Roglic or Lipowitz?
One of the more exciting questions for Thursday...
One of the more exciting questions for Thursday...
- May 29, 2019
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- Apr 10, 2019
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Slightly off topic, pparently nowadays common sense has prevailed and the guy next to the driver is operating the radio, no longer the driver. Took cycling long enough to do the reasonable, safer thing.
- Feb 20, 2012
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Expect Lipowitz. If Roglic is already better then it starts to look really good for him.
That's how it should be. In many cases, however, this is still not the case today. You often see this with Velon.
In addition, the driver is the one who has direct control of the car and contact with the riders at the car. I would think that there must be a reason for such a change
The current Tour is once again bringing a lot of learnings for the team. Some riders have been strong all year, but many haven’t found their form—whether due to various reasons or perhaps because they’re simply not ideal support riders.
That’s the case again on this Tour. The sprint squad hasn’t been able to make an impact, largely because of crashes. And of course, it was clear from the start that the team setup would offer limited support in the mountains. But when riders like Nils Politt are pulling at the front for days and staying in the peloton much longer than all of RBH’s helpers—even today—that makes you think. Or look at riders like Campenaerts. Or how impressively broad Arkea’s presence is, despite being a smaller team.
It’s becoming apparent that to aim for major victories in the future, there’s a lack of quality in depth—or maybe, in some cases, not enough willingness to give everything as a domestique and push just a bit further.
It was obvious that Vlasov isn’t in shape, and there are reasons for that. But if you put him in the breakaway group, he sprints for mountain points on the first climb, gets dropped twice on the descents, and beyond collecting rain jackets, contributes very little—then something’s not right. Either with the team or with him. If the form isn’t there, a different approach is needed.
I’m curious to see what changes in the run-up to 2026. The hope is that things go better in the Classics. There’s potential with Lipo in the Grand Tours, and hopefully Guilio continues to grow. And if Remco really were to join, then the team needs to be stronger in terms of depth. The riders are already there. But the form needs to be on point, and so does the determination. That usually comes naturally in teams where the atmosphere is right and there’s a belief that you can make a difference.
That’s the case again on this Tour. The sprint squad hasn’t been able to make an impact, largely because of crashes. And of course, it was clear from the start that the team setup would offer limited support in the mountains. But when riders like Nils Politt are pulling at the front for days and staying in the peloton much longer than all of RBH’s helpers—even today—that makes you think. Or look at riders like Campenaerts. Or how impressively broad Arkea’s presence is, despite being a smaller team.
It’s becoming apparent that to aim for major victories in the future, there’s a lack of quality in depth—or maybe, in some cases, not enough willingness to give everything as a domestique and push just a bit further.
It was obvious that Vlasov isn’t in shape, and there are reasons for that. But if you put him in the breakaway group, he sprints for mountain points on the first climb, gets dropped twice on the descents, and beyond collecting rain jackets, contributes very little—then something’s not right. Either with the team or with him. If the form isn’t there, a different approach is needed.
I’m curious to see what changes in the run-up to 2026. The hope is that things go better in the Classics. There’s potential with Lipo in the Grand Tours, and hopefully Guilio continues to grow. And if Remco really were to join, then the team needs to be stronger in terms of depth. The riders are already there. But the form needs to be on point, and so does the determination. That usually comes naturally in teams where the atmosphere is right and there’s a belief that you can make a difference.
- Jul 27, 2023
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Normally you would think a team with 2 riders in top 6 has good tactical opportunities for attacking the leader. But it seems not this year. As also not in 2004 for example.
- Mar 19, 2009
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Normally you'd also expect a team that has two riders in the top 6 of this stage to have more than these two riders who can do something in the race. But they haven't. It's all a bit strange, also how seemingly only Lipowitz really seems to have found top form of anyone on the squad.
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,773
- 44,101
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- Aug 29, 2009
- 7,801
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During yesterday's podcast, Denk said that the TT bike used was 7kg only (with a single chainring), and the setup was developed together with the Red Bull F1 team.
No wonder Woods thinks the differences between the teams get larger and larger
.
No wonder Woods thinks the differences between the teams get larger and larger
.- May 29, 2019
- 11,033
- 11,563
- 23,180
So far i would say that criticising them in regards to the Tour performance in terms of GC results is unfounded. Giro would be good too, not for the crashes, Vuelta still to come. Classics, over there it was explained, objective reasons, on why poor results this season, but the classics season is not over yet.
A good result says nothing about how it came about. If the Tour were over now, it would be a top result, but the team's performance would still not be top - or if you say it was and the riders can no do it better, you have to think about which riders you take with you in the future. A Nils Politt is in team no. 7 or 8 on the mountain - and is still there after a lot of work when the two captains are alone at RBH. As soon as one of the captains needs help because he has a small problem or because a competitor has broken away, things can quickly go wrong.
And it's also clear that many don't have the form, generally speaking not for the Tour team. The team was never planned like this. RBH will be the best team.
Even Roglic. He won a stage race this year and was lively. That was all gone at the Giro, even before the crashes. And also now at the Tour. Beside of that, of course, he's riding well.
And it's also clear that many don't have the form, generally speaking not for the Tour team. The team was never planned like this. RBH will be the best team.
Even Roglic. He won a stage race this year and was lively. That was all gone at the Giro, even before the crashes. And also now at the Tour. Beside of that, of course, he's riding well.
- May 29, 2019
- 11,033
- 11,563
- 23,180
@Links2003
In GT GC racing i would put them at No.3 now and i sense some trouble in paradise, when it comes to Visma. So maybe they can move up to No.2 as soon as season 2026. For UAE obviously that can't come overnight. All of them are now doing long solos, are national champs, win GC races consistently, on top of classics ... Such team should realistically not even exist. Still, after moving in No.2 spot, why not, lets tackle UAE too, as what else is one going to do. The idea is to become No.1 and hence there is no way around it, hopefully with Rogla still riding for the team. We'll see.
In GT GC racing i would put them at No.3 now and i sense some trouble in paradise, when it comes to Visma. So maybe they can move up to No.2 as soon as season 2026. For UAE obviously that can't come overnight. All of them are now doing long solos, are national champs, win GC races consistently, on top of classics ... Such team should realistically not even exist. Still, after moving in No.2 spot, why not, lets tackle UAE too, as what else is one going to do. The idea is to become No.1 and hence there is no way around it, hopefully with Rogla still riding for the team. We'll see.
So my first prediction was wrong, Wandahl extended his contract. He wants to ride a grand tour but put his focus on one day races. The team expect that he starts racing again in the second half of the season, nothing mentioned about the Vuelta.
- May 29, 2019
- 11,033
- 11,563
- 23,180
'Nobody believed us when we said we target the podium' – Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe playing the Tour de France long game with Lipowitz and Roglič
Florian Lipowitz on the provisional podium heading into the third week, and the team is quietly confident in their plan
www.cyclingnews.com
Bad timing with Van Poppel's youngster. He leaves the Tour before today's stage. The stage where the sprinters can still have hope and Meeus has probably recovered a bit from the crash. The sprints didn't really work out for RBH at the Tour - for various reasons. Danny would have been important today.
But of course it's right that he goes home. Congratulations!
But of course it's right that he goes home. Congratulations!
- Feb 20, 2012
- 53,773
- 44,101
- 28,180
Bringing a sprint leadout who's gonna leave the race if the missus gives birth (totally fair by the way) to a GC battle is like bringing a stuffed animal to a gun fight.
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