+1
06:12
+4
06-04-2026 13:51
06-04-2026 13:21
06-04-2026 05:18
+2
24-03-2026 21:43
+8
24-03-2026 21:41
+17
23-03-2026 21:57
+0
23-03-2026 12:18
+3
23-03-2026 11:48
22-03-2026 00:30
Loading
+1
FredMan
For a while I've been thinking that Wout's struggles has something to do with his lifetime contract with Visma, which I thought might have caused him to lose some motivation. This result puts the question to rest. Congrats to Wout. Since I consider Paris-Roubaix as the culmination (or extension, if you will) of the cyclo-cross season, Wout winning over MVDP (never mind Pogacar) is quite an achievement. The WVA-MVDP rivalry is alive, once again.06:12
+4
FredMan
Race organizers apply UCI rules to ensure that safety and fairness are adhered to in the conduct of the race. In most instances, the application of a rule is compromised by the actual circumstances, like when the organizers themselves are guilty of not managing properly the flow of the race itself. If this situation happened close to the finish, it might have affected the outcome of the race, in which case disqualifications are warranted. Otherwise, no further actions are necessary. Organizers are not expected to penalize themselves.06-04-2026 13:51
+4
FredMan
IMO, there is an unwritten rule in road racing, which basically says "If you join a breakaway, you are expected to contribute to the effort, not be a passenger". Your breakaway companions are not your domestiques, they don't work for your glory. There is honor and respect in racing also, like when Vingegaard or Pidcock famously wait for the fallen Tadej in TDF or Strade Bianche. Nobody will accuse you of cheating when you take advantage of your opponent's misfortune, but it's close to it, and riders know who in the peloton commands respect.06-04-2026 13:21
+1
FredMan
IMHO, if this situation happened close to the finish, it might have affected the outcome of the race, in which case disqualifications are warranted. Otherwise, no further actions are necessary.06-04-2026 05:18
+2
FredMan
The "there is no tomorrow" attitude happens only in monuments or one-day classic races.24-03-2026 21:43
+8
FredMan
Top GC guys normally avoid the chaos of a bunch sprint, since only a few bonus seconds are at stake that could be easily overhauled in a single mountaintop finish. Very sensible mindset for Vinny, who notably survivod a near career-threatening crash in the past.24-03-2026 21:41
+17
FredMan
Erwann Mentheour? Who is he? Shame on CUTD to provide space for a disgruntled doper from a dark era to air his grievances at a time when the sport is just starting to recover it's glorious past. And he even had the nerve to say “This sport has lied, cheated, concealed, and destroyed reputations, bodies, and entire generations of riders.” when he is partly responsible for such an ignominious episode in the history of the sport. C'mon CUTD.. a bit of responsible journalism is called for here>>23-03-2026 21:57
+0
FredMan
if you're talking of favorites, remember that Tadej dropped MVDP in the Kwaremont the last 2 editions of Flanders.. I wonder if that counts?23-03-2026 12:18
+3
FredMan
As they always say, it's the riders who make the race. If we take out the 2 TPs (Tadej and Tom) from the roster of riders, it would have been a lottery among sprinters. But Tadej is the strongest climber in the peloton, and Tom is, likewise just as strong (remember he won Alpe d'Huez stage on his debut TDF). Still, they only put 4 seconds on the peloton, after 6 and half hours (300 kms.) of riding. IMO, there's no need to alter the course to suit any preferred result. It is good enough as it is.23-03-2026 11:48
+2
FredMan
I'm a Tadej fan.. but I'm almost sad he finally won MSR. And that's because I can already feel the heartache those Tadej haters will suffer because of this stupendous victory. Lighten up people.. it's only a race.22-03-2026 00:30