Ralph Denk

Latest comments

• YJKauf1328-01-2026
  Yates retired because Visma would not let him do the Giro because of Jonas Vingagaard. Plain and simple that's what happens when you become a rigid team like Visma.
• Mistermaumau28-01-2026
  Ah, sorry. Ok, rewind. The first guy annoys JV who decides to “try to get rid of him” (which I doubt he’d do if he’d been asked coz then he would have had the chance to say no and that should have been it). The video (am not going to watch it unless someone tells me there are other important details not mentioned in the story) seems to show distance but this in no way describes the previous episode (at least it seems the guy didn’t pop out his phone while on JVs wheel, which isn’t unknown). I guess we can also safely assume if the distance had been 100-150 all the time, JV would never have noticed or been bothered. Now, though it’s not very clear, it sounds like both riders stopped, the annoyer carrying on before the 2nd guy came? But (and put yourself in the situation of someone who just crashed hard in the middle of nowhere), maybe JV imagines the 2nd rider might be associated with the 1st? It’s not like he would have paid much attention to the number and possible relationship between riders around him in what seems like quite a short period. Interesting though that both amateurs’ versions were so quick to make the rounds to media.
• Mistermaumau28-01-2026
  Also, this is a pro’s job, training on roads (especially those they will be racing on). Other multimillionaires also drive their cars on the public roads Joe uses and expect not to have hoards of fans driving in convoy behind. Only multibillionaires can almost escape that with private aircraft, not exactly what society should be aiming to emulate. Maybe they should ask for payrises to build their own racing tracks?
• itsent28-01-2026
  By your rationale, people should also not be allowed to get close to the animal pen railings at zoos, or to approach a dog on a leash.
• itsent28-01-2026
  Oh, I did not forget. My experience has been that riders who are strong enough to stay on my wheel (or the wheel of any skilled rider who reads this site, I imagine) during high-speed descents are knowledgeable and respectful of road etiquette. Aside from this, giving privilege to pro riders opens the door wider to elitism, and no one needs that.
• Mistermaumau28-01-2026
  When they close them, which is not always the case. Often the public “participates” with the hope no-one will change. behaviour due to the situation or presence of the star(s). In any case, it is but one of several situations to consider when weighing how to behave towards others in general.
• itsent28-01-2026
  Sure, one can imagine the scenario with cars being a totally different scenario, since this article concerns bicyclists. Your film crew reference is appreciated, however it is noteworthy that film crews pay for road closure permits.
• Hills3328-01-2026
  No, I'm referring to the second rider, who both Jonas and the amateur following him had sped past, and who then asked Jonas if he could help when he got to the bottom and saw Jonas had crashed; Jonas told him angrily to go away. This rider was very understanding and sympathised with Jonas.
• Mistermaumau28-01-2026
  Do you know anything about pro cyclists’ working methods? Have you never noticed that almost ALL pro training crashes happen when they’re not with their team? How do you expect riders to ride together or with their teams almost the whole year when each has their home and family somewhere totally different. It’s even pretty likely that some have contract clauses forbidding them to do group rides with friends or non-pros without authorisation, already just for insurance purposes. Another reason many pros may be reluctant about letting any old anonymous amateur tag along. How can you trust his experience or skills in case of an emergency move or braking, especially when he’s got one hand reserved for his picture-taking?
• Mistermaumau28-01-2026
  “He was going down fast just to get rid of me” That kind of sounds like he didn’t appreciate the guy much before he maybe offered to help. So, angry, yes I get it. You expect him to say thanks to a guy without whom he’d have had a nice relaxing productive ride without the (future) stress of having another crash experience. Heck, I see people already getting nervous at the office when they feel someone behind their back is watching their screen and there’s ZERO danger.