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The Vuelta is Decided on the Bola del Mundo | Vuelta a España Stage 20 Analysis & Stage 21 Preview | THEMOVE+
00:41:38
Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin break down Jonas Vingegaard's statement victory on Stage 20 to seal his overall Vuelta a España win over João Almeida, along with the GC action further down the leaderboard on the brutal Bola del Mundo climb. They...
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- [00:00]
Johan Berniele
Spencer, listen, tomorrow. So tomorrow, the last day of the Vuelta. I mean, I mean, we all think, you know, if we think about what happened in the past, you know, I think we all think it's a lot closer, a lot more recent. It's gonna be 30 years ago when I was on the podium of the final GC in the Vuelta. 30 years ago, 1995 podcast. Almost half of my life ago.
- [00:28]
Spencer Martin
That's crazy. That is crazy. Everybody, welcome back to the Move Plus. I'm Spencer Martin. I'm here with Johan Berniele. We are breaking down stage 20 of the Volta Espana won by Jonas Finegaard over Sup Kuss. His teammate Jai Henley third. Tom Pickock fourth, Jolomaida fifth. He extends his GC lead slightly. He'll win the overall, essentially. Well, there's just a ceremonial stage left. He's. Once he finishes the stage, 116 over.311 over Tom Pitcock, who holds off Jai Hinley.341 back in fourth place. And then further down, Matthew Ricatello jumped Julio Pelizar to finish fifth overall and finally get that white jersey. I was quite excited about that, Johan, since I, I took a big bet out on that. That's big for Matthew and his career. And then when we're done breaking that down, we'll Preview tomorrow's Stage 21. If it happens, a few quick race notes before we get your take, Johan. The day started preparing pretty straightforward. UAE I. I was. I was thrown for a loop. They didn't put anyone in the breakaway. They sat back, just set a hard pace. The breakaway never got much of an advantage. They were just. It was like watching Visman the Tour, if you remember, like Plato to Bay stage and the Pyrenees two years ago. Just riding real hard the whole stage, trying to put kilojoules in Jonas Vinegard's legs. They crest the second to last climb. It was like a minute back from the breakaway. They go into the valley. Before they go up the brutal final climb, there was some protesters on route actually got. It was kind of dicey. They were hiding and then they kind of surprised the police. There was nothing the police really could do. They held them off best they could. People got through. A Movistar rider got held up. It ended up being okay, but it was pretty scary to watch. They get to the final climb. UAE J Vines leading it out. He pulls off and we kind of immediately see joelameda is probably not going to have the legs to drop Jonas Finnegaard because Jonas at Jonas. It kind of wondered Looked like. I wonder what I should do here. Jai Hindley attacks to try to drop Pitcock. Jonas follows him. Almeida goes into defensive mode. So this about with 3ish k to go and it you kind of right there knew that Jonas Vinegard's going to win this race eventually. Vinegard attacks on one of the steepest parts. I mean these pitches were like 17, 18, 19%. It was sustained. Kind of unbelievable. Terrible, terrible asphalt too. Someone texted me calling it Cement Climb and I had to agree with that. And then Vinegard held them off, wins the stage. Pretty impressive that sep Kusa's teammate is the closest one. Henley Pitcock. Almeida. Johan. What? And, and Jonas wraps up his third career Grand Tour win behind his two tour state, behind his two overall tour wins. But Johan, what is your takeaway of the day?
- [03:15]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, takeaway of the day. I mean the best rider won and today UAE did for the first time, I would say what they should do. They worked as, as a unit with, with just one goal. Make the race hard and ride all everybody for Jaw Almeida. Today has been proven, you know, that you can, you can use, try to use whatever strategy you want. You know, if your leader doesn't have the legs, it doesn't matter how great of a job the team has done. I think today UAE did a perfect, perfect, right. And you know, the intention was that Jawal Mehta would then set his pace as fast as possible. On the last 3km he started to do that. He did that like for one kilometer, but you know, he couldn't do the damage they were hoping for. So strategy through the window. You know, I was thinking a bit, you know, like what UAE did today, I think it made sense and also, it also made sense in, in, in the sense that we've seen Almeida and, and Vingard quite even, you know, that Jonas hadn't been dominating except at one stage where he broke away was a stage nine or stage eight. But you know, it, it could have worked. You know, there's nothing to say but it could have worked. But for Visma, it was actually a great day. And first of all, when they won the race, of course, but in other, other than that, they didn't have to do anything. Yeah, UAE was doing the job for Visma. Visma was happy to see that breakaway go because, you know, in the case they were equal, the bonifications were gone. But it turns out that after all the debates we have had and the criticism we had about the four seconds the other day and you know, didn't really matter, right? It doesn't come down to bonus seconds. It just comes down to having good legs on the days that matter. And Jonas won today and deservedly won the Vuelta, I would think. You know, it's clear that this was not the Jonas Wingergaard of his best days in the Tour. But as we said numerous times, it was definitely good enough to win the Tour of Spain.
- [05:47]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, I mean, he did say he was sick too, which is kind of curious. You don't really know what that means. And if you're really sick, you say you're sick, Jonas Finnegard. And so if you're uae, I don't hate the idea. Right. Like, he's. He's been sick. Maybe we can crack him. We took time on him in the time trial. Who knows how he is? I think they did everything they could. We saw some from. From the chatter class. Johan. There was some criticism that UAE should have put people up the road so they could make the race harder in the final valley and have more teammates there to work so they didn't have to burn Mark Solaire so early. Mark Solaire, by the way, finally. He finally got a turn on the front in the GC group after. After three weeks he did it. But what. What do you think about that? Like, did. Should they approach this differently and put riders into the breakaway?
- [06:35]
Johan Berniele
No, no, I don't think so. Today definitely didn't make any sense. You know, having riders up front, what they call satellite riders. It only makes sense if the valleys are important and if there's damage done already. On the second last climb today, the stage was not appropriate for it. And even if, I mean, suppose you had. You have, let's say Oliveira and Michael Bjerg in the break, and they have them in the valley between the second last climb and the last climb. Anyway, Miklobiak was there anyways at the bottom of the last climb. Yeah, but. But it, it, it wouldn't have made. It makes no difference. It makes no difference. Especially for these kind of stages. You absolutely know where it's gonna happen. And, you know, the, the difference is so small between the. The first and the second and the. I mean, especially the first and the second, and then the third and the fourth was equally the difference. Very tiny difference in terms that I really don't see what a rider up front, having a teammate up front, in the case of ue, what they could have brought to the table more than what they have done today. I think it was just the best, was just try to have a hard pace in the peloton. And then hope that your leader can finish it off. And, you know, Omega just didn't have it today. He tried. He tried. I mean, I think they wrote perfectly today. UAE just didn't work out because Jonas was. I mean, he's a tough guy to beat, you know, I mean, this guy won the Tour de France twice already and was second in almost all of his other grand Tours.
- [08:34]
Spencer Martin
I would think he's not finished below second in a Grand Tour since 2020, his first Grand Tour.
- [08:40]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, well, try to shake that. Try to break that guy. I mean, it's like, and. And not being Talepogachar, you know?
- [08:47]
Spencer Martin
Yeah. I mean, you could have. I have a. I have strong feelings about. I think satellite riders are like. It's a people overuse. It's like Americans will know what I mean. The bubble screen in football where they throw this wide receiver screen every one one in 100 times. It's a big play. And then the rest, you're like, why are you doing this? It's just a wasted play. Satellite riders. Here's the thing, like, sometimes it works like wout Bernard at the Giro Stage 20. That's perfect. Platonic example of it working because he's a big rider, gets over a climb, can work for smaller rider in a valley, pulls them away from the smaller riders behind. That's a very unique situation because if you have to put someone in the breakaway to get up the road, it means they're not a strong enough climber to do work on the climb and put other people in trouble. So it just has to be a unique. And oftentimes you catch these guys like Sepkusa the do and they're so wrecked from being in the breakaway, they can't work for the leader and the leader is going faster than them and he has to leave them. But I think today, Johan, you could have given Joao made. He could have raced with the entire UAE team, everyone they have signed on their roster could have been his teammate today. And they're not cracking. Jonas Vinegaard. Because in cycling, if you're not stronger than your opponent, you're going to have a hard time winning on a big mountain stage.
- [09:59]
Johan Berniele
At the end of the day, Spencer, no matter what you do as a whole, as a team, you know, to. To put the hurt on your rivals, you also put the hurt on your leader. You know, because if it's. If, if. If it's to make the race hard, it's hard for everybody. You know, it's not like the leader of your team is in a. In A sofa. And the other guy, who, by the way, is in the leader's jersey and is already 40 seconds ahead of you. He's suffering, and you're not suffering. You know, I mean, it's. It's. Listen, tactics are overrated in today's cycling. I've said it already many times, and. And today is the proof they did it. Perfect tactic today. If you don't have the player at the end to finish, the job doesn't really matter.
- [10:45]
Spencer Martin
Yeah. And making the race harder today would just have helped Jonas more because he was the strongest writer. I feel like people forget that sometimes. I mean, you kind of probed this with Jonas. We're seeing. And this is probably because tactics don't matter as much. The same riders win all the time. Like, Jonas has not finished below second. And these are his Grand Tour results. Second, first, second, or second? First. First. Second. Second. Second. First. That's. It's all but one of his career Grand Tours, which was his first ever in 2020. The guy is like, money for podium. Oftentimes wins, only loses to Tadepogachar, and in the 2023 Volta, his teammate, which he kind of gave the race to. Yeah. Other than that, like, it's. It's kind of amazing to me. There's such a gulf between Jonas and then. Think of all these guys that are very good, like, Joel made a Tom Pidcock, Jai Henley. But it is. It's like a Grand Canyon depth. Like. Like there's almost nothing they can do to beat these top riders. And the top riders and teams, like, run away with all the wins. Like, why do you think we're getting much less wind variety than we used to?
- [11:57]
Johan Berniele
Yeah. I mean, listen, if you look at all the Grand Tours lately, it's, you know, it's your. It's Jonas. And today, they're the big dominators. Wherever they show up, it's, you know, a race for second. You know, then you have. Okay. Simon Yates won the Giro this year, by the way. You know, and I think we've talked about it already. You know, Visma. They've. Of course, it. The season is always overshadowed. If you don't win the Tour, right. Then this year, they were. They were second in the Tour, beaten, you know, fair and square by. By many minutes by today, Pogachar. But they win two of the three Grand Tours and the second in the other one.
- [12:43]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, not bad.
- [12:44]
Johan Berniele
It's not. I'll take that. I'll take that. You know, it's not bad.
- [12:49]
Spencer Martin
But even Simon yet to the Giro. He's a previous Grand Tour winner. And remember, week two of the Giro, we're like, wow, look. Look at these sparkly young riders. Why Don Uso, he's like del Toro. They're good. They're the stars. Nope. Simon Yates, the guy who's already done it and wins again, it's. It's kind of interesting. It's like if you've. And it feels. I mean, Joel made it, getting second at this race, that's big for him. That's his best Grand Tour.
- [13:13]
Johan Berniele
It's his best ever Grand Tour result.
- [13:14]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, yeah. Huge ride of his life. Unfortunately, he may never lead another Grand Tour because he's, by the way, also.
- [13:20]
Johan Berniele
I was surprised to hear that. I mean, today after the. The stage, he revealed also that he has been sick a little bit the last few days.
- [13:28]
Spencer Martin
It's like an SNL skit. Well, I'm sick. No, I'm sick.
- [13:32]
Johan Berniele
No, I mean, listen, I, I definitely, I can definitely believe that you feel sick. It, it's, it tends to happen, you know, after 10, 14 days in the heat, you know, lots of cooling down ice, you get a sore throat, you get a runny nose, you get a little cough. I'm pretty sure, like the last week of any Grand Tour, half of the peloton is sick. You know, if you're sick, obviously you can't be at 100. Then if you're lucky that your rivals are also a little bit sick, well then kind of evens it out a bit. But, yeah, I mean, I think it's. For Almeida, it's as good a result as it can be. You know, I mean, it's never been second. He's only been once on the podium in Grand Tour. Third in the Giro. Right. Was that when one.
- [14:24]
Spencer Martin
It was the Giro. Was that the year that pro cycling stats is down? So we don't know anything.
- [14:37]
Johan Berniele
He's been third in the Giro. I'm sure about that. No, it was when Primus Roklich won against Graham Thomas. Oh, my. That was third on you.
- [14:44]
Spencer Martin
You know, that was a bad Giro. No wonder we don't remember that. You're right.
- [14:51]
Johan Berniele
Yeah.
- [14:51]
Spencer Martin
Because it was that super steep. It's a podium.
- [14:53]
Johan Berniele
It's a podium. You know, there was. There was the stage Ono, I think he won a mountain stage. And then it was the super steep time pro at the end.
- [15:03]
Spencer Martin
Yep. 20, 23. Yeah.
- [15:06]
Johan Berniele
So, you know, third already in the past. Second. Now Jonas has won two times a tour. Logic has been respected, I think. But listen, shout out to Tom Pitcock third in a Grand Tour. I think if we would have, if Pidcock would have said before the Vuelta, my goal is to be on the podium. We would have said there is no chance. We would have said maybe top 10.
- [15:39]
Spencer Martin
Yeah. We would have said, what is this guy smoking? Yeah.
- [15:42]
Johan Berniele
So, I mean, to do this, to pull this off show, I mean, he's. And he's been fighting today. He's been suffering and fighting and holding on and only losing finally four or five seconds, I think, to Jai Hind.
- [15:55]
Spencer Martin
Five seconds. Yeah.
- [15:56]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, that's quite the performance. And also, I mean. And I think, I mean, I don't really know, but if you, if I look at his season, this has only become a goal. I think very recently he did the Giro and I think he did the Giro because he had to be present because that was the reason why his team got invited. But he had done the classics just before, which, that, that was his objective of the, of the spring. The, the Giro tried to go for stage wins. Didn't really work out. He's prepared better for this, but he hasn't prepared specifically during months for a Grand Tour. So, you know, what are we going to see? Are we going to see a Pitcock who tries one or two seasons to focus on Grand Tours? We know he has a huge engine. You know, he's one of the biggest talents. Is this his limit? Can he go further? What do you think?
- [17:03]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, I don't know. I'm. I'm super impressed. I'm wrong, I should say. I did not think he could do this. Having said that, I'm almost. And I'm in awe of this result. I'm almost disappointed because it does. I do think he's now going to be on. Once you're third at a Grand Tour like this, you're kind of on that train. And he's even said it at this race, he's like, you can see he's sad at the end of the stages because he's like, oh, it's what you sacrifice when you're going for GC is stage wins. I'd love to be going for stage wins. Yeah. Yeah. He was a little rob. He was robbed of a stage win. He would have won stage. Was that stage 11 in Bilbao. He thought that he could have gotten away on stage 17 if he was just going for the stage win. So I don't, I don't know, personality wise if he's going to be happy.
- [17:47]
Johan Berniele
Continuing, I think personally in his career. Spencer, you know, listen, I mean, a podium of a Grand Tour beats a stage win in any Grand Tour.
- [17:56]
Spencer Martin
I mean, especially when it's out of left field like this. I, I didn't know he was preparing for this race. Yeah, in a gc.
- [18:03]
Johan Berniele
It's quite impressive. It's quite impressive. You know, he's a huge talent. Listen, we. He's a bit, sometimes he's a bit, you know, not. I mean, it's difficult to follow his objectives. Right, because he's for classics and then did the Giro, then he does mountain bike races and. But hey, man, first big attempt for a GC and being on the podium, that's, that's a big statement in my opinion.
- [18:30]
Spencer Martin
How does INEOS feel? Ineos sitting at home, how do they feel about this? This. They must have wanted to see this the entire time he was there. Right?
- [18:37]
Johan Berniele
Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean I think the, the pitcock at ineos, it was. The writing was on the wall. Right. It was not a happy marriage. And then.
- [18:50]
Spencer Martin
Shout out to Q 36.5. This result probably puts them in automatic bid territory for next year. For every Grand Tour, every monument, they get an automatic imitation.
- [19:02]
Johan Berniele
Not automatic because if you look at the rankings, they, they won't make it in the top three for. Of the.
- [19:08]
Spencer Martin
But who, because it's going to be Tudor will be the first second division team. Second will be probably Q 36.5. With this point tall it's going to be.
- [19:21]
Johan Berniele
No, the first, the first, the first theme will be Cofidis.
- [19:26]
Spencer Martin
No, no, they're below Q36.5 in the rankings.
- [19:30]
Johan Berniele
Oh, you mean, you mean and. Yeah, in the, in, in the year. So it's the. Yeah, it's just one year, right?
- [19:35]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, just the one year rankings. Because Cofit is in such a bad year, they're now below Q 36.5.
- [19:40]
Johan Berniele
Yeah. Okay. Okay, okay, okay. Yeah. I was checking the other day and I didn. I looked at the three year ranking. Yeah, correct. Once you start to look at the pro team level, it's, it's, it's the one year. So. So are they in the top three then? Five?
- [19:57]
Spencer Martin
They are, I guess. I mean this, this result is going to help a lot. They're going to get a big sock of UCI points from this third place in addition to this. All these stage results he's getting cous maybe could do a late charge. I mean, but Cofitis will probably qualify as well. I think the odd man out will be Total Energies. I don't see them putting a rally together at the end of the year because Cofitis will probably be the third team. Q 36.5 second, two door first. So I'd imagine all those teams will have auto invites next year.
- [20:29]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, that's pretty good.
- [20:31]
Spencer Martin
Well, I guess not. This is assuming that Arkea isn't.
- [20:35]
Johan Berniele
Okay, they're done.
- [20:37]
Spencer Martin
Yeah. Okay.
- [20:37]
Johan Berniele
Okay, they're done. Yeah.
- [20:39]
Spencer Martin
So, yeah, Shout out. And also, when's the last time the division team got a Grand Tour podium overall? We were.
- [20:45]
Johan Berniele
Well, we had a little debate about that. And it's actually, it's, you know, it has changed over the years. Right. So there's this pro. There's pro team now there's World Tour. Before it was called the Pro Tour. Before that was Division 1, Division 2, I think. I mean, I may be wrong, but it could be 2003. Jaroslav Popovic on Lambo Credit. That was definitely Division 2 team. He was third at the Giro. And then I checked another result. That was Sergey Gonchar, who was in 2004, was second in the Giro on a team called Denardi. As far as I remember. I didn't even remember this team, but I think that was a Division 2 team. But apparently the. The statistics say it was a Division 1 team. I don't have any recollection of that being a Division 1 team, but it's been a while.
- [21:48]
Spencer Martin
It's been, I guess there was Kobo in 2011 and on the G Ox team, but that result didn't steal it.
- [21:55]
Johan Berniele
I guess, the Vuelta. And then didn't he get it taken away like 10 years later?
- [22:01]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, just recently. Yeah, like a year ago or something. Yeah, yeah, a few years ago.
- [22:06]
Johan Berniele
A few years ago, Yeah.
- [22:08]
Spencer Martin
I also thought we just did the summit finish. It was in 2012. We're watching that stage vividly.
- [22:14]
Johan Berniele
Spencer, listen. Tomorrow. So tomorrow, the last day of the Vuelta. I mean, I mean, we all think, you know, if we think about what happened in the past, you know, I think we all think it's a lot closer, a lot more recent. It's going to be 30 years ago, when I was on the podium of the final GC in the Vuelta. 30 years ago, 1995. Almost half of my life ago.
- [22:42]
Spencer Martin
That's crazy. That is crazy. It's also wild how fast I remember seeing you in the director's car in 99, and that was only four years after your third at the VTA. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wow. Let's take a. Let's take a quick ad break and then let's talk about Matthew Ricatello and the white jersey and a few other insta Tie up everybody. This episode is brought to you by hims. No one plans for hair loss, but through hims you can take the next step with confidence. Access treatments made with clinically proven ingredients like finasteride and minoxidil to stop hair loss and regrow hair in three to six months. No waiting rooms, no hoops, just ingredients with a track record of results. And if you've noticed anything about this welta about the cycling season in general, it is a lot of these cyclists have great heads of hair. Joel I made a look at that mop. If you want to match him, HIMS is the way to get that hair looking the way it once did. HIMS offers convenient access to a range of prescription hair loss treatments with ingredients that work, including chews, oral medications, serums and sprays. Dr. Trusted clinically proven ingredients like finasteride and minoxidil can stop hair loss and regrow hair in as little as three to six months. You shouldn't have to go out of your way to feel like yourself. HIMSS brings expert care to you with 100% online access to personalized treatments that put your goals first. No hidden fees, no surprise costs, just real personalized care on your schedule. Think of HIMS as your digital front door that gets you back to your old self with simple 100% online access to trusted treatments for real health concerns all in one place. For simple online access to personalized and affordable care for hair loss, ED, weight loss and more, visit hims.com themove that's hims.com themove for your free online visit hims.com themove Individual results may vary based on studies of topical and oral minoxidil and finasteride. Prescription required. See website for full details, restrictions and important safety information. This episode is also brought to you by Mint Mobile. You know what doesn't belong in your epic summer plans? Getting burned by your old wireless bill. While you're planning beach trips, barbecues, three day weekends, or maybe something abroad, your bills should be the last thing holding you back. That's why I have made the switch to Mint Mobile. With Mint, I can get the coverage and speed I'm used to, but for way less money and for a limited time, Mint mobile is offering three months of unlimited premium wireless service for 15 bucks a month. So while your friends and family are sweating over data overages, surprise charges, you'll be chilling. Literally and financially. You know what? I have a second phone for watching cycling and I often travel abroad with it and I have Mint Mobile on it. It I am Saving so much more money compared to my old provider. And guess what? The plan gets better. I'm getting better speeds, better coverage. I can use any phone with Mint Mobile and I can bring my phone number along with my existing contacts. Go ahead. Right now, ditch overpriced wireless coverage and get three months of unlimited service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. So this year, skip breaking a sweat and breaking the bank. Get this new customer offer in your three month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month@mintmobile.com the move that's mintmobile.com the move. Upfront payment of $45 required equivalent to $15 a month limited time. New customer offer for the first three months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gigs on unlimited plan taxes and fees, extra cement Mobile for details. All right, back to the episode. So Johan Matthew Ricatello. I had lost faith in this man, as my kids call him Nutella. That's what they think his name is. He goes from sixth overall to fifth overall. The significance of that is he gets the young riders jersey from Julio Pelizarri who crack. I mean that shows you the UAE pace was hot. Like they cracked Pelizarry early in that climb. It was, you saw like Mateo Jorgensen, my George Shane can't be Matthew Jorgensen. And Mateo Vanderpoel. You saw Jorgensen back there struggling like it was not an easy pace. So Riccatello impressively stays with that group. He finishes only 24 seconds behind. Vindegaard gets fifth, proves his team wrong. Who didn't want to bring him here didn't think it was a good race for him. How's he feeling right now?
- [26:56]
Johan Berniele
He must be great. I mean, listen, fifth, fifth is, fifth is obviously a great result. The white jersey is symbolic but it's, it's a big goal, you know, and, and he's been fighting for it with Pizzari. I mean they're both of it have deserved it. They, they both did a great Vuelta but I mean we obviously have a preference for Matthew Ricatello. No, he, listen, he did, he did a great race today. He was the fifth, sixth strongest rider in the race and Bellizari didn't have a great day. You know, he, he cracked and so, you know, that's, that's what happens if mean it's wasn't, it's not even close. Right. I mean it's what it was like.
- [27:37]
Spencer Martin
Two minutes behind or something. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [27:40]
Johan Berniele
Was Felix Gal already in seventh or did he.
- [27:43]
Spencer Martin
Because he lost time again by five seconds to Sepkus.
- [27:50]
Johan Berniele
Is Sepkus in seventh?
- [27:51]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, Sepkus jumped to seventh.
- [27:53]
Johan Berniele
Okay.
- [27:54]
Spencer Martin
That incredible ride today because he didn't have to do anything, right. Because he was sitting on UAE all day.
- [27:59]
Johan Berniele
Yeah. Sipkus, man. I mean, that was quite the way to finish the Vuelta. You know, I mean, he's obviously, he's been on a really good level, but to be able to be second today was, I think it's, it's great for his confidence also and for his, you know, the future.
- [28:19]
Spencer Martin
It's.
- [28:19]
Johan Berniele
It has been a while, right, since we've seen Sepkus in the front of a big mountain stage. Obviously he's been, he's been doing his job whenever he was asked to do his job, as good as he could. But today didn't have to do anything and finally is able to, you know, jump everybody and finish second behind his leader. So what a date day for. For Visma. First and second, sealing the deal on the Vuelta.
- [28:46]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, not a bad day. Not a bad day for Visma. And they have, I mean, it clearly shows Kuss is kind of more comfortable in this support role and then he can oddly ride better.
- [28:54]
Johan Berniele
They have three guys in the top 10.
- [28:56]
Spencer Martin
No.
- [28:58]
Johan Berniele
Think about Kuss and Jurgensen.
- [29:00]
Spencer Martin
Well, yeah, because matteo Jorgensen is 10th. Wow. So, yeah, holds on for 10th. Even after. I mean, you could tell these Tour guys were tired. Felix Jorgensen even vinegard Sepkus. They were, they were hurting from that Tour. I'm just trying to think of. I was going to mention one chance you said Jay vine, at least Jay. I mean, whatever Jay Vine's doing, it's working because he did a great, he did great work today. I still can't see his time trial performance today.
- [29:28]
Johan Berniele
Jay vine was impressive.
- [29:31]
Spencer Martin
Took over.
- [29:32]
Johan Berniele
I think it was still probably. Was it like 6 and a half to 7k to go and you know, to, to do the tempo on. On those three, four kilometers, actually on the, on Nava Serrada. It's hard, but, you know, it's. It's a climb where when you sit at the wheel, you. It's a big advantage, you know. And then the way he came into that last, like when the right hand turn when the concrete started and he motor the first two 300 meters, that was pretty impressive. It was to a point where actually Joe Almeida had to let the wheel go.
- [30:08]
Spencer Martin
Yeah.
- [30:09]
Johan Berniele
And then he pulled off, you know, and I said, okay, that's it for jayvine. And then I was surprised to see.
- [30:14]
Spencer Martin
Him come in seventh, 47 seconds down. That was.
- [30:19]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, I don't, I don't really. I don't really understand maybe was he thinking that Jonas would win the stage and take his mountain jersey away or something.
- [30:28]
Spencer Martin
But maybe it also could just be.
- [30:30]
Johan Berniele
How many points there were.
- [30:32]
Spencer Martin
Is Jay vine. He might just be a racer like the numbers on I'm going because that is over. He must have ridden that so hard to finish.
- [30:41]
Johan Berniele
Spencer, there's not as a team there's nothing you can say anymore. The V I mean they don't need him tomorrow, right? Tomorrow he doesn't need to do a job. So. But it was a bit strange. You know, completely out of D.C. the mountains jersey, you know, done and still pulling off. Really being parked as somebody who has done their job 100% then takes a few breaths and gets going again and finishes seven in the stage.
- [31:10]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, pretty incredible. He's not going to be able to do it at UAE because it's not even clear if there's room for Almeida who just finished second to be a GC leader in the future. But I would be curious to see what vine could do as a leader at a team.
- [31:23]
Johan Berniele
I mean you know I think, I think, I mean there, there is room for, for a lot of people. I think Jay vine definitely has the qualities for a one week stage racer. You know, one mountain finish, one time trial. I mean like for example two of Romandy.
- [31:42]
Spencer Martin
Well remember Romandy this year he was third overall.
- [31:45]
Johan Berniele
He was strong there.
- [31:46]
Spencer Martin
No. Yeah. And there was it for a minute it wasn't clear if him or Almeida was the leader but he got dropped I think on one of the big mountain stages just slightly. Yeah, yeah. No you're right because there's a lot. I'm just looking at his. What he raced this year. There's a lot of one week races that he could target.
- [32:03]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, I think that should be his goal.
- [32:07]
Spencer Martin
And just winning you know a couple but also casual. Three grand tour stages whenever he starts one.
- [32:12]
Johan Berniele
The thing with the thing with riders like, like I mean type of J. Vine, I mean I don't know the guy but you know some of these writers, you know they, they, they pull out these unbelievable performances. But then when in, in when they're in the role of a leader and have the responsibility and the pressure to deliver, they don't have it. There's many, many, many writers like this now that's what makes these great champions so great. You know, they're there whenever they are expected to be there. That's amazing. I mean it's. I've always found that fascinating. Even when I was a cyclist, you know, sometimes I could pull Off a performance and be with the best, but usually not when I expected to be there. It just came as, you know, having a great day and you do a super performance. These guys are just there. Every single stage, all the time. They're there and they deliver. It's impressive.
- [33:03]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, it is impressive. And it's mysterious somewhat. I mean, I guess that's what makes sport interesting. I mean, just as an example, so Jonas Van Der Garde, since 2021, since 2022, has three Grand Tour stage wins the rest of the peloton at this race. I have to do this off the top of my head because we don't have pro cycling stats over that same time, I believe, has three total Grand Tour stage wins, the rest of the peloton. And that would be Jai Henley, Egan Bernal.
- [33:33]
Johan Berniele
Oh, yeah, you mean Grand Tour wins.
- [33:36]
Spencer Martin
Grand. Yeah, Grand Tour, sorry, Grand Tour overall wins in that entire time. The rest of the peloton is equal to Jonas Vinegard. Like, that is unbelievable. And shows you that he's pretty good at winning for whatever reason. Reasons we don't understand.
- [33:50]
Johan Berniele
Yeah. Now he's just. These guys are just that good, you know, I mean, it's, it's, it's. Yeah, they're just that much better than your average really good professional cyclist.
- [34:02]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, let's. Do you have anything else on this stage?
- [34:08]
Johan Berniele
No. I mean, you know, we could definitely see the toughness of the Bola del Mundo right. On the images, how steep it was, how rough the surface is. It's a bit. For me, it's a bit sad to see. I mean, because of certain circumstances, whether it's protests or other protests before the race, because of the ecologists that to see these mountains without spectators, that. I mean, it's a bit strange to see, but I mean, if you look at La Bola del Mundo, there's not that much space for spectators neither. You know, it's. It's a goat path, basically.
- [34:47]
Spencer Martin
Yeah. Yeah, it is. Weird. Well, let's jump over and Preview tomorrow's Stage 21. So tomorrow, Stage 21 listed at 100, 105 ish kilometers outside of Rome. Actually close to. Not Rome, Madrid. Close to your homestead, Johan, into the middle of the city. I'm frankly a little dubious if this stage is going to run, but I'll list the odds and then we'll predict who's going to win. Jasper Phillipson, minus 250. Heavy, heavy favorite. I tend to agree with that. Ethan Vernon, second at plus 700. Mads Patterson, plus 950. Elia Viviani. Plus 1100 Arna Marit plus 1500 Ular. Plus 1800 Ben Turner plus 1800 goes on and on. We'll call him out if we need to. And again, nxt bets.combet outcomes if you want to bet and you want to know where to do it and get the best signup bonus. But Johan, how do you think this plays out? We have seen some like, spicy racing here in years past. It's not as calm as the champs. And who do you think wins?
- [35:48]
Johan Berniele
Yeah, I mean 105 kilo, I think it's sprint. Spencer. The Castellana is not easy. You know, it's, it's, it's uphill.
- [36:01]
Spencer Martin
It'S.
- [36:01]
Johan Berniele
I mean it's a difficult sprint, but I cannot see anybody else. And then Jasper Phillips. And after what we've seen yesterday, this sprint suits him better, I think. And the team, you know, his team is amazing of bringing him in position and then leading it out. So even at negative 250, I think he's my big candidate to win tomorrow's stage and take his fourth stage win in this Vuelta.
- [36:34]
Spencer Martin
I, I can't argue with that. I think he's going to win as well. I mean, he just looks. There's a reason it was. Why does Jonas Van Der Garde win so many Grand Tours? Because he's better than everybody else. And Jasper Phillipson in this race, he's just better, he's a better sprinter than everybody. Like, if he gets a clean run at this, especially with this team, I think he wins. I'm going to pick him too. But let's say, I mean, I, let's just say, I mean, something weird could happen. We saw people in the middle of the road today and you know, Phillipson could have been one of the riders to get taken down. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. If something strange happens or even as a mechanical and he's not there to sprint. Who do you think could win in his absence?
- [37:13]
Johan Berniele
And sometimes some, I mean, I wasn't, I mean, I'm trying to remember now, two, three years ago, maybe, maybe four years ago. There was the, There was also, I think Ackerman was still on uae. He was on UAE for a while.
- [37:28]
Spencer Martin
No, Pascal Ackerman, he was on uae. Yeah, I remember the stage.
- [37:33]
Johan Berniele
They were leading out the sprint for him. It was actually Milano who won, I think.
- [37:37]
Spencer Martin
Yeah.
- [37:37]
Johan Berniele
The last stage, which was not the favorite at all. There's not so much to choose from if it's not Phillipson. And so since it's not A flat sprint. I'm going to pick Matt's Patterson as my wild card at 950. I think he can, he could win. I doubt it. But since we were picking a wild card, he's my wild card.
- [38:02]
Spencer Martin
Well, that was 2022. Sebastian Milano, the lead up man wins. Mads Patterson was second on this very course. So he's been up there. He could win. I mean you never know what's going to happen. Plus 950 for Mads Pedersen. I'm not above that. I would support that but just in the. I guess in the. For sake of being fun, I'm going to pick somebody else. And I, we didn't. We have not talked about this. We don't know. We. We're having a hard time coming up with wild cards for this. I think I'm going to go Elliot Viviani plus 1100. There's something brewing over. Is he on? Is he on Go for this. I can't remember what team he's on.
- [38:40]
Johan Berniele
He's on lotto.
- [38:41]
Spencer Martin
He's on lotto. I, I mean he got close that one day. The thing, the only thing is he really Phillips and was really out of position and he took him three pedal strokes to win. But if Phillipson wasn't there and I think Viviani wasn't relegated, I think Viviani would have won that stage. So just in case something like he's very technically skilled. Lotto is a good team like blocking and tackling on things like this. So I'm going to go Viviani plus 1100.
- [39:11]
Johan Berniele
Okay, that's good. Good wild card.
- [39:13]
Spencer Martin
I'm man now you have me down this rabbit hole of this stage. There has actually been some interesting. I find it more interesting actually than the Champs Elysees like the Caden groves Ghana Nico Den stage. I think where it might have been Ghana was away or something. But if the stage goes off without hitch tomorrow it could be. It is a. I think it's the most interesting of the processional stages.
- [39:36]
Johan Berniele
Wait, did Nico Dentz win this stage?
- [39:38]
Spencer Martin
Oh no, he was. He was third. I think he was off the front and they like sprinted past if I remember correct.
- [39:44]
Johan Berniele
Right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Correct.
- [39:46]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, yeah. So there is a.
- [39:49]
Johan Berniele
Listen Liviani. I mean it has happened many times and that's what makes a Grand Tour special. You know, the last stage, even in Paris there's somebody winning who's not the big sprint favorite. It has happened many times and it has happened happened also in the Vuelta. It's you know, after three weeks, I think the bodies can react very strangely.
- [40:11]
Spencer Martin
Yeah, I mean, you were. We were talking about this. Do you think they're staying at airport hotels? Probably tonight and then.
- [40:17]
Johan Berniele
Well, actually, it's funny because today we. I left Madrid. I'm not. I'm in the south of Spain. I'm in Merida, close to Portugal, actually. And we saw a bunch of trucks coming towards. Towards us. And they were. Many of them were staying at airport hotels.
- [40:35]
Spencer Martin
Not. Yeah. Nothing is says celebration like an airport hotel. So I bet there's some people having fun.
- [40:43]
Johan Berniele
The thing is also, Spencer, you know, I mean, you do a small team dinner, you know, but it's not like the Tour, you know, it's.
- [40:50]
Spencer Martin
Yeah.
- [40:51]
Johan Berniele
Whenever whoever does the Vuelta, you know, some teams, I mean, they won't go home because the stage is late tomorrow, but if this is an afternoon stage, a lot of riders would just want to go on the plane straight home the same day and not have anything to do with the team and your teammates anymore. You're sick of that, man. After three weeks.
- [41:12]
Spencer Martin
No comment on that. I think I felt like that recently. But I'll let you go. And we won't be back tomorrow, but we'll be back on Monday to break down the final stage and everything that's happened once we've had more time. Okay, thanks, Johanna. Thanks everyone for listening. Bye.