Insane. By my math both he’s got the 10 mountain points as well, and Porte beat Carapaz’s climb time as well, which would have Pogacar winning every jersey but green.
At freaking age 21!
What an absolutely incredible finish. What a ride by Pogacar!
Way more movement throughout the top ten than I expected as well. Lopez had a horrible day and fell to 6th. Dumoulin leapfrogged Yates and Uran to get to 7th. Valverde drops two spots to 12th giving up some 4 minutes to Caruso, so I suspect he might be saving energy for the Worlds?
Official mountain point results are up and Carapaz didn’t actually get any while Pogacar got the maximum 10, so yeah every jersey but green for the kid.
I know traditionally they don’t actually race on the last stage, and even if they did I’m not sure Roglic could make up the ~1 minute. I believe green and polka-dot are set even if riders broke tradition.
It’s been a while since the last 3 jersey winner (too lazy to look it up)
Brian
I’m watching the replay on Flo and I’ve noticed a few things - I’m a bit behind, I had a birthday party to go to in the morning. Anyhow,
-During this stage, Pogacar looks much more fluid on the bike than Roglic and during the flat sections of this time trial, Roglic looked like he was taking safe lines and Pogacar was cornering like Senna - in that the bike was nearly flying off the road at the apex. Pogacar looked faster and smoother the whole time.
-When Roglic started the climb, he immediately jumped out of the saddle. You don’t get out of the saddle unless you are searching for power - or if you’re Contador.
-Tom Dumoulin had a ride that was confidence inspiring as a fan of his (I am), but he isn’t back just yet. He lost too much time on the climb to a guy he should beat to be back(I’m referring to Wout van Aert and he did beat him overall, but he lost 30 seconds on the climb). I know Jumbo needed to make a decision because Roglic, van Aert needed to bike change and they didn’t have the cars, but I wish he’d get over himself and change bikes in situations like this. I really hope he gives himself a few months and then gives the Vuelta a try. They are bringing Crushweak but having two can’t hurt.
I was listening to the Lanterne Rouge podcast (great podcast by the way) and they noticed that something was up with this helmet. It seems that Lazer had a new helmet that Jumbo was using in the time trial and if you look the helmet doesn’t really fit right and is bouncing around a little. Now to be clear, this isn’t why he lost a few minutes to Pogacar, but having a helmet that doesn’t fit is a huge problem aerodynamically. I’ve raced competitively a few times (at a MUCH MUCH lower level) and there is one pretty much universal rule - you don’t use new equipment on race day. You just don’t do it.
As much as I was cheering for Pogacar as I make it a point to cheer against the super teams (even though there are like 6 riders I love on Jumbo, I just can’t do it) I always feel bad for the loser in situations like this. Pretty crushing.
Great stage and great tour!
Nothing to add to what’s already been said except that this is the last thing I ever expected from what is usually not a very consequential stage when it comes to the top positions this late in the tour.
What was all this changing bikes at the bottom of the climbs?
More optimal gearing for climbs and likely lighter.
Aero is increasingly important the faster you go, so on the rolling part of the course they were riding 40-50 km/h where an aero position and bike is essential. The weight of the bike is not as big a deal on the flat, either - TT bikes are not lightweight in pro cycling terms. But a steep climb is more like 20 km/h, aero is less important and the power you can put out becomes the dominant factor. A lightweight bike would be nice as well.
The forward, aero position of a TT bike is really uncomfortable to ride hard on a steep climb, it’s just difficult to get the power out. It’s something even pros struggle with and only guys with specialist TT ability can manage to do it competitively - Dumoulin did yesterday and maybe Porte? I can’t remember as the coverage I was watching didn’t show a lot of Richie yesterday. So swapping back onto a road bike enables them to crush the climb in their most powerful climbing position.
So adding all that up and a good bike change might lose you 15-20 secs but you’ll still come out ahead. It’s still small margins, mind - a bad bike change could put you in a hole, and there will be a certain gradient of climb below which it’s not worth it to swap.
I have a couple general questions, as well.
- I’m in the U.S. When I watch international sports and see all the sponsorship, there will be names and logos I don’t recognize, but usually there will be some that I’ve heard of. Watching the TdF, the only sponsor I’m sure I’ve heard of is Trek. The UAE-Emirates team, is that Emirates Airlines; and is the Bahrain team sponsored by the country of Bahrain? The winner interviews are conducted in front a backdrop with several different logos, and I don’t think I’ve heard of any of them, either. So, is there something about top-level cycling that attracts sponsors with no American presence?
(Looking over the list again, I may have heard of EF; is that Education First?)
- Is there some macho tradition among cyclists to take their hands off the handlebars as they cross the finish, or is it written into their contracts that they have to do it so their team logo is visible in all the photographs?
Unless it’s a sprint finish, they will take the time to zip up the jersey and sit up to show off the team name/sponsor. The hands in the air thing and gesturing is just a thing similar to American football players being obnoxious in the end zone.
While cycling has become popular in North America, it remains a primarily European sport with European sponsors for the most part. Tour of California, for example, will look much more familiar to American audiences.
Just wait until they start spiking the bike at the finish.
With those arms, they should stick to spiking water bottles.
A true weight weenie bike will weigh less than the bottles.
I’ve heard that some of these bike manufacturers need to add weights to bikes to ensure compliance with rules. Current minimum is 14.99lb.
Yeah, but not every football player is a jerk when they score a touchdown.
I get that the riders are celebrating when they win a stage, but (unless it’s a sprint) they all take their hands of the handlebars. I’ve never seen a rider who could have, but didn’t. It’s so ubiquitous that I have to wonder if it’s more than just a spontaneous celebration; either a sacred tradition or a contractual obligation.
I’m sure it’s encouraged by sponsors when it’s safe for the rider to do so. Otherwise, “Tradition!” is likely the best explanation.