Pedal Punditry
Pedal Punditry is a CyclingUpToDate series developed by Rúben Silva, in which we present a subjective view on some of cycling's most interesting topics and questions.
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- Pogačar has not won Sanremo and Roubaix unlike Mathieu who has won Strade
Rafionain-Glas14-03-2026 - This stage is dangerous, particularly Col de la Porte. Tomorrow's weather is not forecasted to be as bad, but there is still an 80% chance of rain (higher than today but snow less likely). The altitude is 1100 m and this is made worse by the road. The descent is eight and half kilometres long with around twenty-five hairpins, and it is in the sweet spot for speed (5-7%). The road surface is also not particularly great (it's not bad though) and the barriers by the side (there is a significant drop) are not very large and may not stop a rider going off the edge. It is also reasonably windy (some gusts can reach 50 km/hr or more). The road will be wet and slippery, and it is narrow, being only 4-5 m wide in most places. The climb is less dangerous but crashes are certainly possible (as we saw today) and the road is sheltered by trees. The climb is very inconsistent and many parts are in the double digits, requiring riders to go out of the saddle. Col de la Porte should be removed from the course because it is just as dangerous if not more so than today's stage. Removing it would also mean that Côte de Châteauneauf can't be used (there would be no way to access it without using new roads which have not been authorised, though unless the start is moved to the bottom of the climb near Contes), and so the only roads which can be used are the ten-kilometre long valley roads on either side of Le Var, and the thirteen-kilometre Côte de Linguador loop (which is done once in the original route). Rerouting the stage so that it features the valley roads in the beginning and several laps of the Linguador loop in the middle would be much better and will provide exciting racing if it can be done. Otherwise, if action is not taken earlier, then the stage will be cut off and we'll end up with a short procession. Or worse, it'll go ahead and we'll see some serious crashes, wity fatalities bring a genuine possibility.Rafionain-Glas14-03-2026
- Yeah, and he constantly keeps avoiding Pogi at Strade Bianche. On the other hand, Pogi came to his races ala Paris Roubaix, Milan Sanremo and Flanders... and when Pogi loses he keeps coming back again.Mou-Cro-HR14-03-2026
- Where's MVDP? Strange how the "GOAT" goes backwards as soon as the road goes upward.. haha.. He sprints like a gazelle, but climbs like a koala.. Oh yes, he finds mountain stages boring.. I understand.FredMan14-03-2026
- Terrible summary of the interview. Anyone who didn't watch it would have no clue that del Toro had mixed feelings because he had to deny his best friend Pellizzari victory in his home town. Today we saw some domestíques redeem themselves. Jan Christen made up for the previous day and Primo Roglizzo did a good leadout - not much, but it's a startRafionain-Glas14-03-2026
- somewhere Andy Hampsten is shaking his head with this article titlemij14-03-2026
- Come on... they should have gravel bikes with 45C studded tires in the truck along with their TT bikes 😁mrvco14-03-2026
- it will be such a great MSRmij14-03-2026
- Two cases: 1-Money 2-Arrogance (Ayuso case): thinking you're so incredibly good that it will be easy to overthrow the current super leader. Ayuso belongs to an upper-class, rich Spanish family. He doesn't need money, he wanted all the glory, being the captain of the team of Divas.
maria2024202414-03-2026 - I can’t see how any rider who really believes in themselves as an out-and-out leader would want to sit on the bench at that super team instead of actually racing against it.antipodeanpedalfan14-03-2026
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