THEMOVE Podcast Episode Summary: "Jonathan Milan ends Italy’s Tour stage-win drought | Tour de France 2025 Stage 8"

Release Date: July 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of THEMOVE, host Lance Armstrong, alongside notable guests Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir George Keppy, and Professor Spencer Martin, delves deep into the thrilling developments of the 2025 Tour de France. The focal point of the discussion centers on Jonathan Milan's monumental victory in Stage 8, marking the first Italian stage win since Vincenzo Nibali in 2019. The conversation weaves through tactical analyses, team dynamics, rider performances, and broader implications for the rest of the race.

Jonathan Milan’s Historic Stage 8 Victory

The episode opens with enthusiastic celebrations of Jonathan Milan's unprecedented win. As Jonathan Milan himself exclaims at the [00:00] mark, "Incredible win by Jonathan Milan. First Italian win since 2019. Like you said, his first Tour de France stage wins." Lance Armstrong echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the victory.

“Like you said, his first Tour de France stage wins.” — Jonathan Milan (00:00)

The hosts highlight Milan's achievement as a breakthrough for Italian cycling, underscoring the rarity and importance of such a victory in the modern Tour de France context. They reflect on Italy's storied cycling history and the anticipation surrounding Milan's performance.

“It's been six years since an Italian won a stage in the Tour de France.” — Lance Armstrong (02:14)

Team Tactics and Criticism

A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around the tactical decisions made by Milan's team, which have sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. Jonathan Milan voices his frustration about his team’s strategy, feeling that his energy was being wasted in breakaways instead of being conserved for a decisive sprint.

“But I, I'm actually pissed off. I had to, I had to ask... Why are you putting them in the front so early on?” — Jonathan Milan (10:47)

Sir Bradley Wiggins and Spencer Martin analyze the team's approach, questioning the rationale behind consistently positioning a strong rider like Milan at the front during the initial stages.

“He's the strongest guy, he's the strongest breakaway guy in the race right now.” — Jonathan Milan (11:59)

The conversation highlights concerns about the long-term sustainability of such tactics, especially with the demanding nature of the Tour's subsequent stages.

Insights into Other Key Riders and Teams

The hosts shift focus to other significant participants in the race, including Wild Van Art and Quinn Simmons. They discuss Van Art's resilience despite battling illness and predict his increasing influence in the latter stages of the Tour.

“Once this kid gets his momentum rolling, watch out. I think from stage 10 on, he is gonna play a major role in this race.” — Jonathan Milan (19:38)

Discussions also touch upon the team dynamics of Visma, highlighting the camaraderie between Jonas and Quinn Simmons, and speculating on team strategies moving forward.

“There's a lot of criticism going on with their tactics the last couple days, but I'm, I'm seeing this like quiet confidence.” — Jonathan Milan (21:13)

Sponsorships and Team Changes

A significant segment of the episode is dedicated to the evolving landscape of team sponsorships within professional cycling. Lance Armstrong and guests dissect the implications of Total Energy’s involvement with Direct Energy, raising questions about compliance with Tour de France regulations and the potential impact on team identities.

“There's a lot of speculation that Specialized is going to INEOS. That connect the dot you then would connect is Remco to INEOS with Specialized paying a salary.” — Spencer Martin (24:19)

The panel deliberates on the future of prominent teams like INEOS, discussing the potential shifts in team composition and leadership, especially with stars like Remco possibly transitioning to other powerhouse teams like Red Bull.

“He has the best development team in the world. And so if you're Remco thinking, well, now I'm all of a sudden I, I look around, I'm racing with 21-year-olds that are amazing.” — Lance Armstrong (28:21)

Comparison of Criterium Racing and Tour de France Dynamics

The hosts engage in an enlightening comparison between criterium racing and the grueling demands of the Tour de France. They highlight the extraordinary speeds and physical requirements of the Tour, often surpassing those of top-tier American criterium races.

“The first hour of the race, the Tour de France is faster than these big time crits here in the US.” — Jonathan Milan (35:55)

This segment serves to educate listeners on the unique challenges presented by Grand Tours, contrasting them with the more localized and shorter-format criteriums.

Technical Q&A: Understanding Functional Threshold Power (FTP)

Addressing listener inquiries, the panel discusses the concept of Functional Threshold Power (FTP) and its relevance to professional cycling performance. They explore how average cyclists might fare in keeping up with elite pelotons based on their FTP metrics.

“What's your current FTP?” — Spencer Martin (37:35)

This section provides valuable insights into the physiological demands of professional cycling, emphasizing the high levels of power output required to remain competitive at the highest levels.

Trivia and Engagement

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts introduce a trivia segment aimed at engaging listeners and testing their knowledge of Tour de France history.

“What's our question? Can an average Joe hang in the peloton?... I mean, none of us on this table would make it.” — Conversation around a listener's question (34:25)

Additionally, they pose a trivia question about the most green jersey wins in Tour history, fostering interactive engagement with the audience.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with forward-looking remarks about upcoming stages, particularly Stage 9's potential for intense sprint battles and the strategic maneuvers expected as the Tour progresses. The hosts express anticipation for subsequent performances and the evolving narratives within the race.

“If he can make it, it'll be a good sprint battle tomorrow.” — Lance Armstrong (42:15)

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Lance Armstrong and his guests provide a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the Tour de France, blending technical expertise with passionate commentary. Their discussion not only celebrates Jonathan Milan's historic win but also critically examines the broader tactical and structural elements shaping the race. For listeners seeking an insider’s perspective on one of cycling’s most prestigious events, this episode of THEMOVE offers an engaging and informative experience.