Tour de France Tour de France 2025, Stage 16: Montpellier to Mont Ventoux, 171.5 km

[Boehmand]

I just learned there isn't a road down the "other side" of Ventoux, the only reason there is a road at all is because of the now shut down weather station up there.

 

[Rou]

The way Milan is riding there is a huge chance he OTLs Stage 18.

 

[Brullnux]

Would you be happy if you were the one who has to hunt them down every time? What is he supposed to do? Tell his team where to shove their strategy?

What are you talking about – the thing he's supposed to do is either just chase them down or set a pace high enough no attacks go. You can't scream at other teams for going up the road and doing their job? That's not remotely an acceptable reaction

 

[search]

if they got a bit better again over the past couple of days, I think on paper the stage suits Buitrago or VPP better than Arensman. But no idea what shape they are in now.

 

[Boehmand]

What are you talking about – the thing he's supposed to do is either just chase them down or set a pace high enough no attacks go. You can't scream at other teams for going up the road and doing their job? That's not remotely an acceptable reaction

The reaction is just frustration and despertion - people trying to make it about "arrogance" or something of that order have no idea what they are talking about.

The riders are human beings under immense pressure.

 

[Rob5091]

Red Bull/Bora actually up near the front so someone's feeling good.

 

[YavorD]

If he climb is marked as 15,7km, what's Mayo's time in the steep part?
Or do we have some mark to start checking times?

 

[RedheadDane]

How many teammates in the break for the GC Top 10?

Rnk.	Rider	Team	#
1	POGAČAR Tadej	UAE Team Emirates - XRG	2
2	VINGEGAARD Jonas	Team Visma | Lease a Bike	2
3	LIPOWITZ Florian	Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
4	ONLEY Oscar	Team Picnic PostNL	1
5	VAUQUELIN Kévin	Arkéa - B&B Hotels	2
6	ROGLIČ Primož	Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe
7	GALL Felix	Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
8	JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland	Uno-X Mobility	2
9	RODRÍGUEZ Carlos	INEOS Grenadiers	1
10	HEALY Ben	EF Education - EasyPost	1

It's Healy. Healy is the rider for EF in the break.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Big 6 Jasper would’ve sealed up Green today with double the points, Treks ineptitude has led to more entertaining opening races.

 

[Brullnux]

The reaction is just frustration and despertion - people trying to make it about "arrogance" or something of that order have no idea what they are talking about.

The riders are human beings under immense pressure.

I don't really care if they're under pressure, it's not an excusable reaction in other walks of life so why here? Remember, the other riders are simply... doing their job. Politt has no right to expect the others to fit their neat little plan, and he should be embarrassed for reacting the way he did. Perhaps the UCI can take a leaf out of almost every other sport's book and start fining people for behaviour like this.

 

[D. Pecher]

@reddane There is a RBH rider in the break

 

[Brullnux]

Let's see your anger management after two hard weeks of cycling.

If it's anything like Politt's, then I'd accept that professional cycling isn't for me.

 

[Red Rick]

Give Healy 30 minutes you cowards!!!!

 

[D. Pecher]

I don't really care if they're under pressure, it's not an excusable reaction in other walks of life so why here? Remember, the other riders are simply... doing their job. Politt has no right to expect the others to fit their neat little plan, and he should be embarrassed for reacting the way he did. Perhaps the UCI can take a leaf out of almost every other sport's book and start fining people for behaviour like this.

With all due respect, but that's a childish reaction. That the leading team dominates the stage's tactics is as old as cycling itself. The stage at that time already had an average speed of 50 kph, that's ITT territory. UAE had made it clear that they are not going to let anyone else go, so people insisting left and right to try although completely hopeless to succeed just wasted everyone's energy.

Other teams decided to start a pi**ing contest, and he took a dim view to it, because he took the brunt of the work.

A friendly hint. Never listen to team radio in a Formula 1 race. You might encounter some really bad language.

 

[Rou]

If he climb is marked as 15,7km, what's Mayo's time in the steep part?
Or do we have some mark to start checking times?

46:00 is the record of Pantani. Mayo was slower on that part.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

The way Lidl Trek have ridden today I'm half expecting them to do a lead out for Milan at the intermediate sprint

 

[Rob5091]

So UAE are 1 man down and they send 2 guys in the break and then put Politt on the front. Playing 5D chess, I believe is the topical phrase!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Choo-choo!

 

[Cycling111]

Another Arensman win.

 

[snipeheem]

If he climb is marked as 15,7km, what's Mayo's time in the steep part?
Or do we have some mark to start checking times?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1947396729319657819

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1947396729319657819

 

[Brullnux]

With all due respect, but that's a childish reaction. That the leading team dominates the stage's tactics is as old as cycling itself. The stage at that time already had an average speed of 50 kph, that's ITT territory. UAE had made it clear that they are not going to let anyone else go, so people insisting left and right to try although completely hopeless to succeed just wasted everyone's energy.

Other teams decided to start a pi**ing contest, and he took a dim view to it, because he took the brunt of the work.

A friendly hint. Never listen to team radio in a Formula 1 race. You might encounter some really bad language.

I simply don't care what UAE want or what they expect, and I don't like the traditional 'capo' of the peloton approach which, if we're being honest, was one founded on bullying and little else.

There's little to make this comparable to a message on F1 radio. This is more akin to a goalkeeper shouting abuse at a striker for scoring a goal. Embarrassing and petty, and only really understandable if you have the emotional restraint of a child.

Worth mentioning, too, that it wasn't a waste of people's energy: an enormous break went, with many of those teams represented. So, perhaps, teams are right to ignore UAE when they throw their toys out the pram.

 

[D. Pecher]

So UAE are 1 man down and they send 2 guys in the break and then put Politt on the front. Playing 5D chess, I believe is the topical phrase!

Those two men up fron are decent climbers. They will be in a perfect position to help Pogacar on the climb. They are not exactly doing any work to make the group's gap bigger.

 

[Boehmand]

I don't really care if they're under pressure, it's not an excusable reaction in other walks of life so why here? Remember, the other riders are simply... doing their job. Politt has no right to expect the others to fit their neat little plan, and he should be embarrassed for reacting the way he did. Perhaps the UCI can take a leaf out of almost every other sport's book and start fining people for behaviour like this.

That you don't care just means you have never experienced a similar pressure yourself

 

[DenisMenchov]

Can Mas actually finally do it?

 

[Brullnux]

That you don't care just means you have never experienced a similar pressure yourself

No, I just take accountability for my actions and have a modicum of self-control...