Tour de France Tour de France 2025 Stage 15: Muret – Carcassonne (169.3k)

[Didinho]

Finally, a win for the underdog teams. I love this Tour

And finally a Belgian win. It’s been awhile.

 

[Unchained]

Looks like Jonas teammates have started to give up on him, going for their own ambitions instead of riding calmly. In a sinking ship, everyone starts to think about their own self interests.

Don't think so.. Van Aert and Campenaerts are dedicated pros, if they were not given a green light they would be is service for Vingegaard. And Visma had a decent play today, post crash Vingegaard had help, times 4 and Victor and Wout with outstanding efforts and great results. w 2nd and 4th..so for one day at least a sketchy crash recovery turned out good for everyone.
Minor troubling signs for everyone else.. Sivakov looks healthy, normal race structure with Soler and Politt doing tons and tons of work.. didn't show. UAE finishing together in the 6:07 group with Pogacar, jersey, stage win..4 minute+ buffer on second, 8 minute buffer on 3rd..and Onley in 4th at 9+ minutes from causing any trouble.. and for all their work a day off..

 

[Oldman]

Sounds pretty painful and not everyone is as skilled at popping his own shoulder back in like Rogla. So, chapeau Ala!

His result was good but not exactly what he thought it was. Still, he deserved to celebrate after crashing and making into third place.
Not sure how he got confused, though.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Basically perfect day for UAE. Won the stage with the driekleur on the day before Belgian national day, were in the front group in the split so didn't need to chase, then let EF and Uno X take the reins to keep Rodriguez in check.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Q. Simmons was absolutely pissed with the motos. Honest a good interview

 

[awavey]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946977354829455376

View: https://x.com/itvcycling/status/1946977354829455376

 

[Sciatic]

So you mean different than winning in Charleston West Virginia because it's too big a hassle to travel and show up if you are European based? The irony is not lost that multiple national championships were up the road..Ivan Romeo raced excellent today also..

Very few national champions have a such an distinctive jersey where the whole thing is the national flag, and one that every team uses. The U.S. Nats jersey is also distinctive but also changes style/pattern frequently. So I don't think you understand what I was saying, especially given that I was describing my feeling about it--not what anyone else would think.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Cork lost, Rory is going to lose but at least Ala came 3rd and had the best celebration ever in a crop top.

So which was more embarrassing: Cork's second half capitulation or Alaphilippe's mistaken celebration?

 

[Sciatic]

Q. Simmons was absolutely pissed with the motos. Honest a good interview

I used to sympathize with that, but now I think that's just part of racing strategy. A rider can time their attacks knowing when the camera moto is in front of them, and are likely to get that benefit. Simmons made one of his biggest efforts to get away when the moto for his group was behind them.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946977354829455376

View: https://x.com/itvcycling/status/1946977354829455376

Worth playing through the video to see the size of his smile at the end: puts Chaves and Celia Uttrup to shame.

 

[topcat]

So which was more embarrassing: Cork's second half capitulation or Alaphilippe's mistaken celebration?

Cook's second half was just depressing. After a certain age, you don't do embarrassment. Ala's celebration was hilarious and adds to his legacy.

 

[Lequack]

Q. Simmons was absolutely pissed with the motos. Honest a good interview

Tim "the moto" Wellens, according to Simmons

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946998303197196367

View: https://x.com/ciclismpunctro/status/1946998303197196367

 

[Pippo_San]

I just can't stop laughing at this photo

 

[scribers]

I’m convinced ala is just trolling everyone. I mean other than the fact he can see 2nd right in front of him

 

[ppanther92]

Tim "the moto" Wellens, according to Simmons

https://twitter.com/x/status/1946998303197196367

View: https://x.com/ciclismpunctro/status/1946998303197196367

First of all, what kept Simmons from attacking?

Second, Wellens had 2 minutes lead at some point. Totally irrelevant if he gained a few seconds from motos.

 

[Filippo_3467]

First of all, what kept Simmons from attacking?

Second, Wellens had 2 minutes lead at some point. Totally irrelevant if he gained a few seconds from motos.

If Simmons and Campanaerts close him that's probably it for Wellens as he wouldn't have won in the sprint and it's harder to get separation from a smaller group. The moto was absolutely key but also Wellens was freewheeling for a lot of the day when Storer and Simmons attacked one another and closed each other with Wellens playing theater a few meters back. i think the biggest problem for Simmons is that he is so strong that he just thinks he can ride away and win Healy-Style but that is not always possible. You have to take some tactical risk and letting Wellens close attaks from others and also don't let him linger all the time alone in the back would have been important. Storer looked at wellens beeing two big lenghts behind the group a few seconds before the attack. You have to ride smarter but motopacing is also a big problem in cycling and honestly it shouldn't be as much.

 

[red_flanders]

This is one of the grumpiest, calling-people-out-est interviews I’ve seen in a long time. Can’t argue with too much of what he says, but dude. People aren’t generally going to ride cooperatively in a Tour stage. Every man for himself.

This stuff will wear thin. Grow up a bit.

That said, I’m rooting for anyone in the Stars and Stripes. 👍

 

[CyclistAbi]

Congratulations to Tim Wellens for winning from the breakaway.

Too bad a crash determined the formation of a breakaway as a lot of cyclists had this stage underlined.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Congratulations to Tim Wellens for winning from the breakaway.

Too bad a crash determined the formation of a breakaway as a lot of cyclists had this stage underlined.

Well, the crash didn‘t deter Alaphilippe (worst affected) or riders caught behind like Quinn Simmons or Vlasov or Storer or Carlos Rodriguez or Barguil or many others…

 

[CyclistAbi]

Well, the crash didn‘t deter Alaphilippe (worst affected) or riders caught behind like Quinn Simmons or Vlasov or Storer or Carlos Rodriguez or Barguil or many others…

Formation wasn't done yet and there would be much more in terms of the battle involved, now it came more down to luck. That is fair too, but still.

 

[peterfin]

I just can't stop laughing at this photo

Van Aert thinking out loud "Are you stupid or blind or what?"

What he actually said to the press: "I told him he was third," Van Aert grinned. "He should’ve taken another turn at the front. He wasn’t the smartest."

 

[Danskebjerge]

I have to admit that the pre-race comments from Vingegaard's wife seem more and more valid. Why should a team's captain sit and chase a group in which all his strongest team mates are present? There are more examples from earlier stages.

Visma has never excelled at supporting the Dane. It's getting increasingly obvious that the team has a Belgian agenda.

 

[Pippo_San]

Anyways.
Tim Wellens is a monster.
Can we all agree on that?

Beautiful job by UAE. I don't like the sponsor, I don't like the management, but they are THE team in cycling right now. Brilliant.

 

[Gratemans]

Looks like Jonas teammates have started to give up on him, going for their own ambitions instead of riding calmly. In a sinking ship, everyone starts to think about their own self interests.

Lol, well I know who you're a fan of, but there's no need to twist reality just so you can pretend the opposing team are in total chaos. And again, I'm not a fan of either team. I'm just of the opinion that both UAE and Visma can be pretty content with todays results.
Vingegaard got held up but made his way back pretty quickly, Van Aert and Campenaerts were allowed to go today. In the end, both goals had no effect on eachother. Vingegaard just cruised along with the peloton, Campenaerts got 2nd place.

Kudos to Wellens btw. Nice guy, absolutely great rider. Well deserved victory.

 

[Oldman]

Cook's second half was just depressing. After a certain age, you don't do embarrassment. Ala's celebration was hilarious and adds to his legacy.

Julian's allure is that he's totally enthusiastic about racing...sometimes beyond what he can control. He also has done phenomenal things and it's cool he has the passion for racing to see the greatness in this effort. Getting off the deck and finishing is one thing; being wrecked like Primoz and then winning a field sprint! That's a memory for the grandkids.