[Luis Angel Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2023]
Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe discussed Jumbo-Visma's leadership struggle on the latest edition of their Watts Occurring' podcast, Thomas taking aim at Primož Roglič's apparent ambition to ride his own race, leaving Sepp Kuss behind on the Angliru stage earlier this week.
Jumbo-Visma have since settled on a whole team strategy of course, Kuss getting the help of Jonas Vingegaard and Roglič after something of a PR meltdown on Wednesday evening. Summing up the situation, Thomas joked: "Spain's for holidays, not riding a bike" and said Vingegaard has more to gain from winning a maiden Vuelta than his Slovenian teammate adding a fourth red jersey to his collection.
Thomas yesterday said he thought Kuss "deserves more respect" from the teammates he has helped on so many occasions and, during the podcast, added that Roglič "got nothing" out of pushing on and leaving Kuss.
"[On the Angliru] he continues to ride, maybe he was hoping to drop Jonas as well. He would have won the stage if he had backed off 10 watts and let Sepp stay in the wheel," Thomas said. "I'd say Jonas has more to achieve, as in, by winning the Vuelta he'd get more from it than Primož winning a fourth. Let's be honest, no one really cares if you've won three, four, five Vueltas. Spain's for holidays, not riding a bike..."
There was one major talking point on last night's pod: #JumboGate
Listen now to get the full thoughts of @GeraintThomas86 and @LukeRowe1990 on the wild last few days at #LaVuelta23pic.twitter.com/FSz1S7P796
— Watts Occurring (@Watts_Occurring) September 15, 2023
What about riding your bike while on holiday in Spain, G? That's a question we need answered...
What. A. Finish. 🔥
After a collision in the final 2km, it's Alberto Dainese who wins Stage 19 of #LaVuelta23pic.twitter.com/wQ2GHl1BMD
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 15, 2023
So close for that Filippo Ganna sprint win, just pippo-ed (see what I did there?) on the line by compatriot Alberto Dainese who in turn secured a very underrated achievement of a third consecutive Grand Tour where he's won a stage. That despite most of his dsm-firmenich teammates ending up in the crash that ended Kaden Groves' chances.
Tomorrow we go climbing one final time before Sunday's sprint procession in Madrid.
Glasgow SNP councillor Chris Cunningham has called the World Championships a "huge success", and estimated that 190,000 Glaswegians watched the event in their home city, Glasgow Live reports.
"If you look the numbers for the elite men's race on the Sunday, it was estimated that 190,000 Glaswegians came out on the streets and watched that event," he said. "It confirms the extent to which the event was a huge success for the city."
A pre-event survey had suggested that just 18 per cent of residents intended to go watch the road race events, the same survey showing that 43 percent knew Glasgow was hosting the event, and 74 per cent saying they believed it would have a positive effect on the city.
It's International New Bike Release Week' apparently. As much so I can keep up as informing you lot, here's everything that's been launched in the past seven days... *deep breath*...
> Giant launches "lighter, smoother and more efficient" Defy endurance road bike: first ride
> Bianchi combines light weight and aero credentials with updated Specialissima road bike
> Wilier introduces cheaper versions of Filante aero road bike
> All new Roubaix SL8 is the "smoothest" and fastest endurance road bike ever, claims Specialized
> Trek lightens entry-level Domane AL road bikes
> Ridley combines light weight and aerodynamics on new Falcn RS road bike
And breathe... for a 'fun' Friday night drinking game, take a sip every time a bike brand says its new release is lighter, faster or stiffer. road.cc cannot take responsibility for any hangover that results from playing this game...
It's been another week where Jeremy Vine's cycling videos have attracted millions of views and prompted thousands upon thousands of comments and replies in the never-ending social media discussion about camera cyclists.
> Jeremy Vine's lucky escape as bike run over by reversing driver who turned onto cycle lane
Perhaps the most famous sharer of cycling camera footage CyclingMikey has spoken about perhaps the most often heard accusation about those who record dangerous driving and road offences on their rides — 'it just increases hatred of cyclists'...
Last night Mikey, real name Mike van Erp, who has reported thousands of drivers using his GoPro footage, replied to the accusation, saying the "hatred has always been there" towards cyclists.
> Here's what to do if you capture a near miss, close pass or collision on camera while cycling
"All the people thinking that camera cyclists cause hatred. No, friend. You haven't cycled in the days before cameras. The hatred has always been there. Now at least cameras tame drivers to some degree. They don't fix everything, but they certainly don't make it worse. Unless you're the convicted driver. Then it's worse for you only."
What do you think?
A organização da Vuelta passando trabalho#Lavuelta23#ciclismonaespnpic.twitter.com/ejD3JMiA0s
— O País do Ciclismo (@opaisdociclismo) September 15, 2023
I don't think I've ever seen this before? 👀 Spotted in Bath. pic.twitter.com/oAKHLtwpx5
— Ben Bowskill (he/him) (@BenBowskill) September 14, 2023
Ironically, spotted in Bath, where on Wednesday we reported a councillor had taken issue with the council's 'safety' decision to install 'cyclists dismount' signs on a National Cycle Route while works are undertaken. Saskia Heijltjes pointed out the road is a "major route for cycling east to west in a low-traffic environment" and "not every person on a cycle can dismount".
> Questions asked of 'cyclists dismount' signs on national cycle route during works
Earlier this month, a campaign group for disabled cyclists called upon North East Lincolnshire Council to implement clearer signage for a town centre cycling ban. Wheels for Wellbeing said the "just get off an walk" attitude, that one councillor told local cyclists, "only works for people who can" walk their bikes.
"If you can't walk without pain or risk to your health, it's not as simple as 'just get off your bike and walk'," they said, highlighting signage seen in Wandsworth in London that instead states: 'Cyclists dismount unless a mobility aid'.
What was that? You wanted to read a feature about all the different types of cycling-related signs? Your wish is our command...
When I say 'ceasefire' I mean with each other, not the authorities, anyway, we got some quick reaction from the big three immediately after yesterday's stage, but here's what they had to say a bit later...
Sepp Kuss: "It's an honour to have two such champions working for you. They have both won some big races in the recent past. So this is a great honour. I'm glad that I was strong enough to stay at the front. I always try to stay focused, have confidence in myself and ride to the finish as fast as possible. I'm grateful for the work that Jonas and Primož did for me today. It means a lot to me. Although it might be difficult to see from the outside, we have a clear plan."
Jonas Vingegaard: "That plan was to defend Sepp's leading position. As a team, we have done that with flying colours. We are in an excellent position, but we are not there yet. Saturday's stage is treacherous. It's fantastic to be able to do something for Sepp in this way. I will always remember what he has done for me. So, I wanted to give something back. Hopefully, we can bring his red jersey to the finish line."
Primož Roglič: "I'm happy with the way things are going. Today's stage was mainly about defending our positions in the general classification. Sepp is still wearing the red jersey, which puts us in a good position. In the next few days, we still have some tests that will require us to stay focused. Winning the Vuelta would be amazing."
Dare I say a slightly more polished line from Roglič than what was heard when he was asked by the TV cameras if it has been difficult to not go for the win... "Definitely," he replied. "I have my own thoughts about it but for sure I will try to make sure it [the GC] stays the way it is."
[Images: Rafa Gomez/SprintCyclingAgency©2023]
That’s a way to beat Jumbo Visma.
— Thomas De Gendt (@DeGendtThomas) September 14, 2023
The drama just keeps coming for Jumbo-Visma at this Vuelta a España. As good teammates (how quickly things change) Jonas Vingegaard and Primož Roglič took Sepp Kuss' thanks for their new-found loyalty, the aftermath of yesterday's stage saw a bizarre scene unfold, captured on video by Marcelo La Gattina...
Situación en el final de etapa. La policía intentando poner orden, empujó a un auxiliar del Jumbo mientras asistía a los corredores. La situación se puso tensa y terminaron en el suelo. El asistente no fue detenido, pero se vivió un momento desagradable. #LaVuelta23pic.twitter.com/WRKvhsKRcX
— Marcelo La Gattina (@MLaGattina) September 14, 2023
A member of Jumbo-Visma staff ending up on the floor, kicking out at three Policía Nacional officers. La Gattina reported: "The police, trying to establish order, pushed a Jumbo assistant while he was assisting the riders. The situation became tense and they ended up on the ground. The assistant was not arrested, but there was an unpleasant moment."
Another angle here:
Incidente en la línea de meta de La Vuelta.
📌 Un auxiliar de Jumbo se enzarzó con la Policía y tuvo que ser reducido en el suelo.
📌 Vingegaard ha ido después a preguntarle cómo estaba.
📌 Los agentes insistían en que las normas hay que cumplirlas.
🎥 @danielarribas96pic.twitter.com/LzQoXVPdEA
— Relevo (@relevo) September 14, 2023
So not an investigation into crimes against Sepp...
Anyway, the scene was similar to what was seen at the finish of stage 11, on our live blog from that day, a Cofidis soigneur perhaps overzealously willing stage winner Jesús Herrada to the line... and getting tackled by police for his troubles.
La Guardia taking down the soigneur is a new one for me. Probably Remco's fault. pic.twitter.com/PQWVd7Y3WA
— How The Race Was Won® (@Cyclocosm) September 6, 2023
Cycling once again being a completely serious and normal sport.
Today should hopefully be, for someone working for a cycling website at the end of a long week, relatively straightforward and uneventful, the peloton getting a rare flat stage for the sprinters (or perhaps even one of those breakaway days that annoy the fast men when everyone's tired at the end of a tough three weeks?)