Tour de France Stage 16 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show

Summary

THEMOVE Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Tour de France Stage 16 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Lance Armstrong
Guests: Sir Bradley Wiggins, Johan Brunel
Description: In this episode of THEMOVE, former cycling champions Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Brunel delve into the intricacies of Stage 16 of the Tour de France, offering expert analysis, tactical insights, and personal anecdotes that provide listeners with an insider’s perspective on one of cycling’s most iconic races.

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1. Introduction to Stage 16

The episode kicks off with Johan Brunel introducing the focus of the day: Stage 16 from Montpellier to Mont Ventoux, covering 171 km. Sir Bradley Wiggins shares his initial impressions of the stage's dynamics and the significant moments that unfolded during the climb.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [00:46]: "Welcome to the Sir Wiggle and Johan show, our daily show where we dive deep into the tactics behind every stage of the Tour de France."

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2. Key Performances and Breakaways

Bradley elaborates on the intense action during the final kilometers, highlighting Ben Healey’s remarkable performance and the unexpected resurgence of Enrico Mass and Wout Van Aert from Soudal. The strategic moves by Van Aert to maintain momentum were pivotal in controlling the race dynamics.

Notable Quote:

Sir Bradley Wiggins [01:25]: "I thought he was riding an E bike because I hadn't seen him anywhere on the climb. ... it was just enough momentum that he provided in that final couple hundred meters to keep the four guys moving."

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3. Tactical Analysis

The discussion delves into the strategies employed by the Visma team, particularly their tempo-setting with Walt van Aert and Simon Yates. Johan speculates on Visma’s approach to handling upcoming climbs and their hopes of finding a critical moment to challenge Jonas.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [08:07]: "I think they did the right thing. They're probably going to do the same thing. What else can they do?"

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4. Historical Context and Records

Bradley and Johan reminisce about past performances on Mont Ventoux, comparing current records to those set by legends like Iban Mayo, Chris Froome, and Lance Armstrong himself. The conversation underscores the evolution of racing strategies and equipment over the years.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [13:03]: "But you know, it's four and a half minutes slower than Pogacha and Vineyard today."

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5. Rider Form and Team Strategies

The hosts analyze the current form of key riders such as Jonas, Pogacha, and Ben Healey, discussing their standings in the general classification (GC) and their implications for the remaining stages. They also touch on incidents like Tobias Johanneson's collapse and its potential impact on his performance in the forthcoming mountain stages.

Notable Quote:

Sir Bradley Wiggins [27:09]: "He's not getting carried away with the hype of us wanting entertainment. ... he's actually racing it as he should be racing it now with a 4 minute 15 lead."

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6. Equipment and Technological Advancements

Bradley shares insights into the advancements in cycling gear, specifically the transition to super light aero bikes. He reflects on the early adoption of skin suits and aerodynamic helmets, highlighting their significance in enhancing performance.

Notable Quote:

Sir Bradley Wiggins [23:45]: "Every single brand is going to make super light aero bikes which is going to be used all the time now by the champions."

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7. Anecdotes and Personal Stories

Adding a personal touch, Johan recounts memorable moments with the late Robin Williams, highlighting how Williams’ humor and passion for cycling enriched their experiences during Tour de France broadcasts.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [05:01]: "I had to say to Robin, I said, Robin, I'm sorry, but now I need to do my job. I need to concentrate on the race."

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8. Predictions and Future Outlook

Looking ahead to the next stages, Bradley anticipates a bustling race environment with numerous breakaways vying for stage wins. He predicts tactical plays around the intermediate sprint and the subsequent climbs, emphasizing the strategic depth that teams like UAE might employ to maintain their standings.

Notable Quote:

Sir Bradley Wiggins [31:37]: "I think the race is very tired at the moment and I think, yeah, you know, there'll be a lot of pressure on a lot of teams now that haven't won stages."

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9. Audience Engagement and Trivia

The episode includes an interactive segment where listeners are invited to participate in a trivia contest related to Tour de France history, fostering deeper engagement and rewarding audience knowledge.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [29:08]: "Today's question is, in 2016, race leader and eventual winner Chris Froome famously ran up a portion of the slopes of the Mont Ventou. Why was he forced to run?"

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10. Concluding Remarks

Bradley and Johan wrap up the episode by reflecting on the day's stage, reaffirming the tactical brilliance displayed by the riders and teams. They express excitement for the upcoming stages, promising continued in-depth analysis and insider perspectives in future episodes.

Notable Quote:

Johan Brunel [33:22]: "We have two very, very, very nice stages. But Bradley, before we talk about how it developed at the end between those, those four guys today..."

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Conclusion

This episode of THEMOVE offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of Stage 16 of the Tour de France, blending tactical insights with personal stories to enrich the listener's understanding. Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Brunel adeptly dissect the race's pivotal moments, providing both historical context and forward-looking predictions that cater to both casual fans and dedicated cycling enthusiasts.

Transcript

[Johan Brunel]

There is not. I mean, in my opinion, there's not any sign of weakness. Have you seen something in.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No. I mean, he was pulling more faces in Jonas's first attack today than he has the whole Tour. And it's funny, you're right. We, we. I think we were doing the same thing. You know, we are. We are secretly hoping with a view that we have a big. We have an exciting race on it if Tade does crack at this stage. And also to see a glimpse that he's human because of the performances he has been doing. And the smallest thing we've looked for and found today was see he had to get out the saddle for the first time in this Tour when Jonas attacked. And he doesn't normally get out the saddle. I mean, if that's what we're looking for, it's crazy, isn't it? I'm the 2012 Tour de France winner, Sir Bradley Wiggins.

[Johan Brunel]

And I'm Johan Brunel. I directed my teams to nine Tour de France victories. Welcome to the Sir Wiggle and Johan show, our daily show where we dive deep into the tactics behind every stage of the Tour de France. Hi, everybody. Welcome back to our show. Today we are talking about stage 16 from Montpellier to Mont Ventou, 171km. As every day, our show is presented by Keatoniq. And as every day, I'm joined by Sir Bradley Wiggins. Bradley, what did you think of today's stage? What's your. What's Bradley's take of today?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Well, today was quite an exciting stage. I mean, such a special stage, isn't it? Montvantu always is. And I was sure to be here quite early to watch the full ascent. And so much happened on the climb in different ways, obviously, different. Different dynamics, different races that were going on. But I really enjoyed the final kilometers, you know, the four guys. Ben Healey, who was incredible again today, battling out for the stage win. It looked like Enrico Mass had a hold on it at one point, but then the return of Soudal's Van Walder, the Belgium who came out of nowhere. And he looked like. At the time, he looked like. I thought he was a spectator coming onto the route. He looked like he was riding an E bike because I hadn't seen him anywhere on the climb. I didn't even know he was in the race. And you saw him gesticulating to his teammate, and it was just enough momentum that he provided in that final couple hundred meters to keep the. Keep the four guys moving to nullify anyone who wanted an attack. Off that to set up the sprint with Ben Healey and his teammate, of course, Valentin. Par for the final sprint and first French, first French victory on this Tour de France, which was I thought well deserved.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah. And not on a French team, unfortunately. But yeah, yeah, yeah. Vuilder was also part of the breakaway, of the big breakaway. And I'm gonna guess the. I mean, yeah, you're right. There's two reasons he went to the front to keep the momentum going because they were stopping, going, stopping. And also probably out of fear that maybe either Vingegaard or come from the back, you know, because if they keep a little bit longer looking at each other, it could have been that they didn't sprint for, for the finish.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

But yeah, Von Builder was, was, was amazing. Really, you know, a split second decision and you know, as a real teammate. Yeah. Parapilator owes him the victory today.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

But before we go on Johan, I just want to talk about one of our sponsors, Elements. Of course. You hear me talk about it all the time. We do on the show. On the main show. We're all users of this product. Thousand milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, 60 milligrams of magnesium, no sugar, no gluten, no artificial ingredients, no bs. The real deal. And best of all, if you don't like it, you can give it to a friend and Element will refund you. The Element sample packs doubles down on our most popular flavors. Citrus salt, raspberry salt, watermelon salt, which is my favorite, and orange salt. This offer is available for new and returning customers. This offer is exclusively available through partners like the Move. You won't find this offer publicly anywhere else. We offer, no questions asked refunds on all orders. You don't even have to send it back. Get your free 8 count sample pack of Elements most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase of drink. LMNT.com the move that's drinklmnt.com the move and find your favorite element flavor or share with a friend. Be sure to try the new Element sparkling, a bold 16 ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water.

[Johan Brunel]

Okay, Bradley, I have another take of the day. Yes. My take of the day is when when I started to watch the the broadcast, I saw Richard Virank being the special invite special guest of ASO and Tour de France and who was a guest in the car of race director Christian Pridhomme Richard Varane. Also the last French winner on Mont ventou, I think 2002.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

23 years ago.

[Johan Brunel]

2002 from a breakaway. He was actually on the same team that won today. He was on Dobo Far Fritz, which is Patrick Lefebvre's team. Yeah, and I have a really nice story about that Bradley, you know, so we were in the lead. It was the same kind of stage, you know, easier stage. And then just the Ventou. And I was very fortunate to have Robin Williams, rest in peace, as my special guest in the car. And I was, you know, I was a guest of him being the comedian in the car. It was non stop, one man show, Robin Williams. I was dead. I was laughing so hard and I couldn't concentrate on the race. It wasn't really necessary because there was a big breakaway. The team had it under control until about 20k before the foot of the Mont Ventou. I had to say to Robin, I said, robin, I'm sorry, but now I need to do my job. I need to concentrate on the race. I need to give instructions to the guys. So would it be okay if you just don't be so funny anymore? And he just went from here to completely silent, didn't say a word anymore for that. And the whole vaunt he was super quiet. And as soon as we crossed the finish line and in the downhill because we had to drive down to the hotel, he was going again. So I still have that fresh in my memory. Such a special moment to have to be able to share with Robin Williams. Yeah, he was a huge bike fan.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I know, I know. I had breakfast with him once. We were at the start of the Tour of California in 2008. I was on the same team as George then high road and we were having breakfast overlooking, in San Francisco, overlooking Alcatraz. And, and Robin lived in San Francisco, didn't he? So he came along to see George and, and he, he had the whole of our table. It was eight riders from the race staff. And yeah, he had us all mesmerized and entertained for about 20 minutes doing impressions and he was doing impressions of Vladislav Ekimov in Russian and recounting stories. But it was incredible, a great experience.

[Johan Brunel]

It was a genius. He was a genius. It was unbelievable.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And he had quite a bike collection as well, didn't he?

[Johan Brunel]

Bike collection, yeah, exactly, exactly. Had a lot of, a lot of special bikes. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, the stage of today, Bradley. So we have a big breakaway from the beginning. Different groups, you know, first three guys, then a lot of guys get together, surprisingly. There's two Vismas in there. Maybe not so surprisingly, but also two riders from UAE who was Mark Soler and Pavel Sivakov. But, you know, I think, I think we kind of knew since Tish Benott and Victor Karpenaerts again, Karpenaerts in the break. The purpose was obviously not to try to win the stage, but to be there when Jonas.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And they both did, didn't they?

[Johan Brunel]

They both offered assistance and they both did. So that was actually, you know, that was actually great. When we get to the bottom of the climb, we have Visma in the, in the, in the, in the main peloton, we have Visma start to do a tempo with Walt van Aert who does an amazing lead out. And then Simon Yates a bit sepkus. Jonas attacks. But straight away we see that, that today is, you know, on the wheel.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Do you think. Yeah. Do you think the way Visma set up today, I mean, they did a great job in, in executing that plan, but what do they do differently between now and on the next two climbs? Laplania, Cordela, Laws, Glendon, all these climbs to come. I mean, because Jonas had, I think, one of his best days in the Tour today.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, he was really good. He was really good. I, honestly, Bradley, I don't think that there's anything different they can do. No, they need to keep testing today and hope for that one week moment which, which can happen. It can happen. Right. You know, we've been reading a little bit about lingering illness or, you know, sore throat. I don't know how much of that is true. Doesn't look like he's sick to me, the way, the way he reacts. But they did, they did things the way they should have done. You know, I mean, just, you can only try and put the pressure on and hope that. And maybe also the psychological effect of, you know, the Ventu was after all, the first time that Jonas dropped today in 2000, was it 21?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

21.

[Johan Brunel]

2021. Yeah. So. So, yeah, I mean, I think they did the right thing. They're probably going to do the same thing. What else can they do? I mean, what else could they do?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I'm not too sure. I mean, the only thing that they can hope for in executing a plan like that again is that there's more climbs before the last clim. Multiple climbs during the day, but obviously the risk of that is they blow themselves up and, and Jonas. But he's, you know, one thing I have respect for Jonas in doing is that he's not lying down and accepted second place in his Tour de France.

[Johan Brunel]

No, absolutely not.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

You know, he's trying.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah, I Think if they want to use the same tactics, I mean, and I think they will, the other two stages are probably more suited for it because, you know, if, if, and then Jonas would have to go on the second last climb because ultimately whoever you have in the break, Radley, it's going to be if it's Company Arts again or Bernard or even Walt von Aert, you know, on the last climb, whether it's Laplana or Col de la Loz, those are two really hard. There's not much they can do because once Jonas is at his speed, there's not much they will be able to do. So I think from that point of view they need to send riders in the break and then hope that Jonas can attack on the second last climb of the day. What is it? Is it the Model N or the Glamdon or the stage of Lalos and then the other one, I mean, I don't remember now this, you know, they're hard climbs, right? They're really hard climbs. Then again, you know, they're all on their limit, right? It's not like, okay, Jonas is definitely at a really good level, but you know, in order to, you have to be much better than your rival to be able to drop him and then keep, keep him in distance, you know, because I don't think Bugacha will be alone either. He will also probably have a guy like Sivakov or a guy like Solaire in the break or violence, right? But hey, man, they keep trying. That's, that's, that's the good thing. You know, I think the, the was, it was nice to see that. You know, he attacked three times, right Jonas? Yeah, yeah, today attacked once and, and saw that he couldn't, I mean, then at the end, but he saw he couldn't drop him. He had dropped him a bit, I think, but I think they're quite even actually for the moment. I think the, the difference is made. It's. What is it now? Four minutes, 15 or 15?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And then Jonas has got a five minute cushion to the third in Lipovic.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

So whatever he does try, you know, he, he's, he, he's not going to lose five minutes if he, if he cracks.

[Johan Brunel]

No, no, no. So he, so I mean the situation right now is that he can really play everything to win and not lose anything. He has. Right? So yeah, I think we're, we're gonna see two very, very, very nice stages. But Bradley, before we talk about how it developed at the end between those, those four guys today, the, the record was Broken of the Montvant. So it was, it was Iban Mayo who had the record from a time trial in 2004 was 55 minutes 51 seconds. So Dauphine, which is eight days. So I'm going to guess if I remember correctly, was the fourth or the fifth day probably after four days of racing and individual time trial. And today is after 16 stages and after a long stage and he broke it. Pogachar and Jonas broke the record by 1 minute and 10 seconds. I think, I think third and fourth and fifth. I mean. Or the guys who just came behind.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

Which was Roglich and Lipovitz and who was it only then the next guy only. Yeah, I mean they were also very close to the. Either they broke it or very close to the record of. Yeah, yeah. But if you compare this with other times and I think this, this is really amazing, you know. So if you remember Chris Froome one on the Von 2 when he dropped. Yeah, yeah. It four minutes slower. 58 minutes 47 seconds. Four minutes slower than today. Right. When Lance was there with Pontani lands in 59 minutes. Andy Schleck when had the fastest time in 2009 was 58 minutes 45. Do you remember your time?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I think I was a minute down on Andy that day. So sub one hour.

[Johan Brunel]

You were. No, no, you were not. You were not. You were not. You were less than a minute. You're 38 seconds down. You did 59.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Okay, okay.

[Johan Brunel]

So you did more or less the same time as Lance in 2002. So. But you know, it's four and a half minutes slower than Pogacha and Vineyard today.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah, I'll tell you, I'll take that.

[Johan Brunel]

And, and, and, and yeah, I, yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Still faster than, still faster than Jean Francois in 1987.

[Johan Brunel]

Okay. Yeah, yeah. He was on his way to winning.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Which was a time trial also. That was a time trial.

[Johan Brunel]

It was a time trial. He was on, on La Vie Claire or Toshiba. I don't remember what, what it was. But yeah, he was on his way to winning the Tour and I think the day after, two days after he lost the yellow jersey. Not on a puncture. He had a puncture. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyways, we're going to talk a little bit about the way it developed. First, I want to talk about our presenting sponsor, Ketone iq. We all know that ketones are widely used in endurance sports. I personally use it all the time. This is my preferred format, the 10 gram shot, no sugar, no caffeine. And so it's been scientifically proven that ketones do boost the athletic performance in a placebo controlled environment with trained athletes. Ketone IQ boosted average sprint power by 19%, peak power by 13%. It cut fatigue by 10% and spiked blood ketones five times in 20 minutes. They also discovered that ketones help for a faster recovery. Ketone IQ recently teamed up with Visma Lise Bike. As we all know, they're the official Ketone sponsor and with the University of Leuven to explore recovery and high altitude adaptation. Their key findings are improved blood flow, higher muscle oxygenation for better endurance and stamina. So take your shot. Go to ketone.com the move and use the code the move at checkout for 20% off. So ketone.com themove using the code the move Bradley the way the stage was won. So we see Enrique Maas does an amazing attack. Personally, when we had those three riders who started together with and Rick Mass and Ala Philippe and. Yeah, who did you think was. Me too, me too.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I, I actually didn't think anyone from that group would win. I still thought that the yellow jersey group would catch them in some form. Whether it was Tade on his own or Tade and Jonas. But that, you know, obviously they got to within 40 seconds I think by the finish. But no, I did. I know how long Von 2 is and I know it's a long old slog, but, and, and really at that point, I think it had 5 minutes 30 when they hit that climb. I thought if Tade launches like he did at Hodakam or you know, Jonas starts attacking earlier than he did then, then that, that group, that gap would have come down quite quickly. But it wasn't to be. And the first attacks didn't really come to Chalet Renault. I don't think so. I still at that point didn't think that any one of those guys would hold out on the one hour climb.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. Well, finally, you know, it finally was none of those three, you know, like Ben Healy. I think Ben Healy is, is just on incredible form. He moved up in gc. Right. So he passed Rodriguez again, I'm guessing.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, he's up to ninth now. What a great tour he's having.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. And solidly in, in ninth. And he's even, I mean he's getting closer to Tobias Johanneson who by the way, I don't know if you read that, had a little problem after the finish. They had to kind of take him away with oxygen. Was carried away. Yeah, carried away in, in the ambulance. But then Afterwards, Thor Hussoft came out with a statement that it was a stomach problems and then he kind of. He collapsed in the bus, but that he was. He was. He was on his way back to the bus and he was. He was fine. But obviously, you know, if you have a hit like this in the next two mountain stages, that's not. Not good. We haven't seen him at all today.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No, no, we didn't see him at all. No, no.

[Johan Brunel]

And then. So anyway, so Parapantra Healy and with Drago come back to Enrich Mass, there is clear that Henrik didn't have. Was headwind also at the end, you know, so that apparently from Shalena to the finish was headwind. But. But yeah, then, you know, you kind of think, okay, one of these three is going to win. But they kept going and stopping and going and stopping. Obviously. I mean, I think that the luck of Parepantre and Betrago was that Healy had an incentive to gain a spot or two spots in gc. Don't you think?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah. I mean. Yeah, you just don't know. I mean, you just don't know these. I mean, Ben Healy looked like he was. He was racing for the stage win and not. Not gc, which was incredible, really. I mean, after the. The Tour de France he's had. And. And also. Yeah, I mean, also watching that this morning, it was on again to get into the break. I mean, it was on for a long time, 50k an hour every day. And Nils Poet was again, once again doing an incredible job. And there was some talk on the commentary that I was watching that Neils might get a yellow card tonight for intimidation, which is ridiculous.

[Johan Brunel]

So fighting with someone else or something like.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Well, no, I mean, fighting, no styling. Just being a presence and making a nuisance of himself in terms of marshalling everything.

[Johan Brunel]

Okay.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

So I think it's difficult to get.

[Johan Brunel]

A yellow card for that.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, exactly. But it's. It's incredible how. How you even marshal that and how you even. Who decides that. But yeah, I mean, uae, they did a great job in letting that thing go this morning, but in the end, the big break went and to be honest, I never expected any of them to. To make it to the top that climb, but there was quite a few in there that did. Yeah, just about, because Tade and Jonas were closing down quite quickly.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. And. And also Bradley, I've heard on. On the. I mean, I'm always switching channels to listen to different commentaries and sometimes in different languages. And I heard today and. And also A few analysts, you know, like people saying, oh, you know, today, look at his facial expression. Look, he lost half a meter. You know, it's like we're trying to cling on something to find something that in my opinion, is not there. You know, Jonas is obviously back to his really, really top, good level. But there is not. I mean, in my opinion, there's not any sign of weakness. Have you seen something in.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No. I mean, he was pulling more faces in Jonas's first attack today than he has the whole Tour. And it's funny, you're right. I think we were doing the same thing. You know, we are. We are secretly hoping with a view that we have a big. We have an exciting race on it if today does crack at this stage. And also to see a glimpse that he's human because of the performances he has been doing. And, and the. The smallest thing we've looked for and found today was, see, he had to get out the saddle for the first time in this Tour when. When Jonas attacked. And he doesn't normally get out the saddle. I mean. Yeah, if that's what we're looking for. It's crazy, isn't it? I mean.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. I personally think, you know, you know, for all these people who are looking, you know, unless he's sick, I. I don't think it's gonna happen. Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

There was, There was even one comment today that, look, he's on his light bike. That must mean that he's looking for every possible piece of weight gain as opposed to a painted bike, if you have.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

But it is strange that that's the level of his dominance that we are looking at anything.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's. They, they did really a good job. You know, they. Now they got. Because when I was. When I saw the bikes there was for the stage of Hothkam, so he used the aero bike, but the painted one in the world in the rainbow machine told me they got it down to 7.1 kilos. Then he used a super light one for the time trial. And now this is, I think, a different one still, but it's down to 6.9 kilos, so it's only 100 grams heavier than the minimum weight. Plus, you know, if you. You would think on a stage like today, you know, especially if it's just one. One climb, a lot of flats. Plus on. On Mont Venture, they. Especially from Charlotte Renard to the finish, the. The speeds are also above 20 km per hour, I guess. Yeah, yeah. I think that's the end of the, of the climbing bikes. Every single brand is going to make super light aero bikes which is going to be used all the time now by the champions. Don't you think?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, I think you're right. I think it's, it's definitely. Yeah. Every. I mean even now riding skins. When we watch the frumi. When I watch the Froome stuff. They were showing the footage of fruit in 2016 climbing up there. So nine years ago and he's still got bib shorts at a jersey on now. Every. Everyone's wearing skin suits.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

On the climb.

[Johan Brunel]

You guys at sky were the guys who started with that.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

We started with filled in helmets and skin suits at the Giro in 2010 and I remember rolling out on one of the stages in the Giro for the flat stage. We wore filled in helmets and a skin suit and Filippo Posato came up to us and he's going, hey, cats of fire. He's got, you know, like, like we were crazy.

[Johan Brunel]

Are you. I mean pretty sure you were, you were, you were, you were getting laughed at. I am 100 sure. That was just.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And I was the first rider to do a warm down after a stage on a turbo trainer.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

We, we bought a lot of stuff in. But you know who the first rider ever to wear a skin suit in a road stage of the Tour de France was?

[Johan Brunel]

I don't know. Eddie Mur.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

1986. The Col de Bisque Sha. Stephen Roach.

[Johan Brunel]

Steven wore.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

He said it was a silk, silk skin suit. Cuz the stage was 40 km. It was a split stage.

[Johan Brunel]

Huh.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And he won in the morning and Laura Duke was of course, you know, he had a pursuit in there. Alan Bondou.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Said, you know, why don't you wear a skin suit for this, it'll be quicker. So Stephen went to the start with a normal jersey on over his good skin suit because he thought everyone would go hey, what you doing? You're crazy. Women. And he took it off during, during the stage. 40 kilometer stage. And he won solo that day. Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

Wow.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Wow.

[Johan Brunel]

Okay. Okay. So he was, he was the transfer.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

He was the first official. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you know Merc, where Merckx did the hour record that was first skin suits ever made.

[Johan Brunel]

Actually, you know what I was, I went. I know. I, I think I sent you the pictures a long time ago. I didn't have your number yet. We were communicating on Instagram and I paid a visit to my first team director when I was a pro. Was, was Ferdinand Bracker.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

Who was third of the Tour one of Vuelta and was had the hour record and he showed me he still had his skin suit. It was, it was, you know, handmade, specially made. It was basically a silk, a silk shirt was, was so to the, to the, to the pants. Yeah. And yeah. Zipper at the back. Yeah. That was for the hour record also. Yeah. Okay. Bradley, one thing I'm seeing about Pogacha, we've said it already many times, you know, like today was another example of, of him racing really more mature, more calculated, more conservative, especially because he doesn't have to. Right. Because we're all thinking, okay, if on two is going to come, he's going to go and gonna explode everything. He, he just doesn't. Do you think that's because he feels like he doesn't have the power to drop Jonas or just because he says.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Okay, well I, I think that he's won this Tour de France and he's won four stages and I, I, he's not getting carried away with the hype of us wanting entertainment.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

So he's riding as he should ride, you know, rather, you know, he's not, he's not, he's not a performing monkey, you know, but we all want him to, to go on every climb and break the thing to pieces and for our entertainment. But he's actually racing it as he should be racing it now with a 4 minute 15 lead with the team as strong as Visma. And so he's doing the correct thing with some really tough stages still to come in this race. And yeah, I mean, he's not getting carried away with, with our expectations of him because he's so great, because of his exploits in the last two years in the sport. You know, we, we have, we're putting a lot of expectation on him really. And me especially, you know, I'm, I'm wanting him to, to do everything on these climbs that, that all of us only ever dream of. Yeah, yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

As, as a, as a spectator, I would like him to, I would like to see that if I would be his director. I would love the way he's racing.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

You know, he is playing it safe. You know, he doesn't need to. And always keep, always keep a few bullets in case, you know, in case you need it.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah. And, and also he's now on the verge of history as well, in the sense that creating history. The first since Eddie Merckx. He's now nine points off the green jersey. He now went back into the king of the mountains jersey after today's performance. VDP Matthew's out the race, who was a big challenger for that green jersey. So now he's looking like a strong favorite to take all those jerseys over the next few stages.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, I think. I think that's his goal.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And.

[Johan Brunel]

And I think the green jersey is going to come to him without even going for it. Yeah, he's going to score. He's going to score the points in. In those two mountain stages. And then, I mean, even if he has to try or if it's tight, there's the last stage, you know, to. To go for it. And especially with Vanderpool out, I mean, I'm not putting it past him that he would. He could potentially win the last stage in Paris. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

You went to scam. Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

No, no, no, no, no. Okay, Bradley, before we talk about tomorrow's stage, we'll do all our daily Ventum trivia, as every day. Yesterday's question was, which writer holds the record for the longest successful solo breakaway starting from Carcassonne in 1947? There was four potential answers. Louison Boubet, Albert Boulon, Jean Robic, or Andre. The correct answer was answer B. Albert Bourlon. He's the only guy of the four that I didn't know, but he won the longest breakaway in 1947 from Carcassonne. Stage 16 question. Today's question is, in 2016, race leader and eventual winner Chris Froome famously ran up a portion of the slopes of the Mont Ventou. Why was he forced to run? Why was Chris Froome forced to run? I still see those images. That was quite hectic. Right?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Incredible.

[Johan Brunel]

First he. First he ran, then I think he got a spare bike from the neutral car. And do you actually know. This is not part of the question. Do you know what happened? What. What the. The UCI commissaires decided after that?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah. Which was also a bit strange. They actually gave from the same time.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Let's remember that. Yeah, yeah. He technically lost the jersey that day to Simon Yates.

[Johan Brunel]

Yes. Yeah. Yes, he did. Yeah. Yeah. Simon Yates was on. On Green Edge. Yeah. Yeah. So send your best guess if you know the answer to ventumracing.com and you can enter into our contest to win this year's grand prize. It is $5,000 of store credit towards any Ventum bike you want to purchase on the side. If you don't want to wait for the end of the Tour, you can get 10% off the whole site during the remainder of the Tour de France using the code the move 10 and even more 20% off any NS1 bike with the code NS1 20. So ventumracing.com the move tomorrow stage. Bradley, what do you think? 160 kilometers from.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

There's a lot going on tomorrow, I would anticipate. I mean, everyone's going to want to try and get in the breakaway, aren't they? You know, it's. It's one of the last few stages where without it being a summit finish, that many riders and many teams can grab a stage. There's a lot of pressure on a lot of teams now that haven't won stages, but at the same time, 15.

[Johan Brunel]

Teams have not done anything.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, there is that intermediate sprint after 47km tomorrow. So you would imagine that little trick will go all in for that, for Jodo to Milan.

[Johan Brunel]

They have to. They have no other choice.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I mean, it could be a budget sprint tomorrow. I think the race is very tired at the moment and I think, yeah, you know, there'll be. I can see it staying together till that sprint because it's in a lot of people's interests. And depending what happens in that sprint with Jonathan, the race will. Then a breakaway will go on that climb afterwards, the fourth category, and that could be 25, 30 riders, and that could be enough to whittle down and take five or six minutes. I think UAE will be happy for the. Let that go. Yeah, they will ride and I think we'll see a very similar, you know, a group of 20, 25 riders five or six minutes up the road. UAE will hold it at that, and then the stage win will come from that group in some form where the riders attack again or not. And I think that's the most likely thing that will happen tomorrow.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, I mean, another scenario could be that obviously little crack wants to sprint the intermediate sprint, but they also need actually to be sure points at the finish. And they could be joined by Suzanne Quickstep, because Timber Learn still in this. Okay. There are two riders down. Right. And they have four stages already. But, you know, once you're in this winning mood, they might. I mean, it's.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

It's.

[Johan Brunel]

For Timur Lear, it's either it's tomorrow or the second last stage. Yeah, yeah. He has won two stages already. Right. So, I mean, yeah, I think that the breakaway scenario is probably more likely. Yeah, we'll talk about that tomorrow, as every day in our show. Thank you, Bradley, and okay, thanks, man. See you tomorrow. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. High interest debt is one of the toughest opponents you'll face unless you power up with a SOFI personal loan. A SOFI personal loan could repackage your bad debt into one low fixed rate monthly payment. It's even got super speed since you could get the funds as soon as the same day you sign. Visit sofi.compower to learn more. That's S O-F I.com P-O-W-E R loans originated by Sofi Bank NA member FDIC terms and conditions apply. NMLS 696891.