Tour de France Stage 3 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show

Summary

Summary of "Tour de France Stage 3 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show"

Episode Release Date: July 7, 2025

In the third episode of THEMOVE titled "Tour de France Stage 3 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show," hosts Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Brunel delve deep into the intricacies of Stage 3 of the Tour de France. The episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the day's events, team dynamics, rider performances, and underlying strategies that shaped the stage. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

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1. Stage 3 Highlights and Initial Takeaways

The episode kicks off with Johan Brunel prompting Sir Bradley Wiggins to share his primary observations from Stage 3.

• Johan Brunel [00:49]: Introduces himself and Sir Bradley, emphasizing their expertise in dissecting Tour de France stages.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [01:24]: Highlights the significant events of the day, notably the crash involving Jasper Philipson. He remarks, “It was a sad way to leave the race. I mean, I've left the Tour de France like that when I crashed in 2011” ([01:24]).

2. Analysis of Jasper Philipson's Crash

A pivotal moment of the stage was the unfortunate crash of Jasper Philipson, which had profound implications on the race dynamics.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [01:24]: Describes the severity of Philipson's crash, noting the immediate reactions of the peloton and his own feelings: “You know, as soon as he crashed…they knew that this was serious” ([01:24]).

• Johan Brunel [02:05]: Recollects the image of Sir Bradley post-crash in 2011, connecting personal experiences of abandoning the race due to crashes.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [02:43]: Emphasizes the Tour's challenging nature, stating, “I don't think until you're in that position, you can imagine just how disappointing it is to leave” ([02:43]).

3. Team Dynamics and Criticism of Jonas Trina Vingegaard

The conversation shifts to the internal team dynamics of Jonas Trina Vingegaard’s team, addressing recent criticism from his wife.

• Johan Brunel [07:04]: Brings up an interview by Vingegaard's wife criticizing the team's management, alleging over-control and excessive altitude training camps.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [08:19]: Defends team leader Walt Van Aert, highlighting his selflessness and pivotal role as a domestique: “…he's great in the role of a team domestique at the Tour de France” ([11:09]).

• Johan Brunel [09:12]: Expresses skepticism about the criticism's validity, suggesting it might be a distraction orchestrated by certain media outlets.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [12:13]: Agrees that such media sensationalism is detrimental, stating, “they are a detriment to the sport in some parts” ([12:13]).

4. Decathlon’s Increased Sponsorship and Team Changes

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around Decathlon's decision to bolster its sponsorship of the AG2R team and the subsequent changes within the team structure.

• Johan Brunel [13:31]: Announces Decathlon's increased sponsorship to 40 million, positioning AG2R among the top three teams.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [14:51]: Connects the sponsorship boost to the team's ambitions, particularly with the inclusion of young talent like Paul Seychells.

• Johan Brunel [15:49]: Highlights the signing of Olaf Koi, indicating a shift in the team's strategy and international outlook.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [16:03]: Praises new team members like Luke Bro for their exceptional skills, enhancing the team's competitiveness.

5. Remco’s Performance and Potential Departure

The hosts discuss Remco’s struggles during Stage 3 and speculations about his future with the team.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [16:25]: Notes Remco’s subpar performance, attributing it to a lack of dedicated team support and unfavorable team strategies.

• Johan Brunel [16:44]: Confirms the likelihood of Remco leaving the team, suggesting that negotiations with another team are imminent.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [17:46]: Analyzes the chaotic run-in of the stage, pointing out organizational issues that could have contributed to Remco’s difficulties: “…a very strange one” ([17:46]).

6. Sprint Finish and Safety Concerns

A critical examination of the final sprint of Stage 3 highlights safety lapses and their potential consequences.

• Johan Brunel [18:12]: Criticizes the race organizers for poorly designed finish lines, emphasizing the dangers posed by high-speed sprints and inadequate barriers.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [18:12]: Agrees, reminiscing about past experiences where organizational oversights could have had severe outcomes.

• Johan Brunel [18:57]: Suggests implementing stricter penalties for organizers to ensure rider safety, advocating for measures like “dark orange cards” for safety violations.

7. Tim Wellens' KOM Strategy

The hosts delve into Tim Wellens' decision to pursue the King of the Mountains (KOM) classification early in the Tour, analyzing strategic motivations behind this move.

• Johan Brunel [22:58]: Presents an audio clip indicating Team UAE's directive for Wellens to target the KOM: “…Tim goes for the KOM” ([22:58]).

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [23:33]: Offers a perspective based on his experience, hypothesizing that Wellens may be positioning himself strategically for upcoming time trials: “…it may have something to do with the time” ([23:33]).

• Johan Brunel [25:27]: Reflects on the potential impact of this early effort on Wellens’ performance in subsequent stages, acknowledging the trade-offs involved.

8. Safety Improvements and Organizational Standards

Further discussion highlights the need for enhanced safety protocols in race organization to prevent accidents like Philipson's.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [26:50]: Shares a personal anecdote about altering team strategies to accommodate better equipment, underscoring the importance of preparedness.

• Johan Brunel [27:11]: Stresses the incongruity of investing heavily in aerodynamics only to compromise safety on crucial race days, calling for better organizational foresight.

9. Cycling Trivia and Historical Insights

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts engage listeners with a trivia segment, enhancing the educational value of the show.

• Johan Brunel [32:20]: Presents a historical question regarding a notable event from Stage 3 of the 2024 Tour de France, encouraging listener participation for prizes.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [33:06]: Recaps yesterday's trivia answer, adding a light-hearted closure to the analytical discussions.

10. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with reflections on the unpredictability of the Tour de France and anticipation for upcoming stages.

• Johan Brunel [34:28]: Expresses concern over the frequent crashes in the first week, highlighting the Tour's demanding nature.

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [34:41]: Agrees, noting that early stages in northern France are notoriously challenging and unpredictable.

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Key Takeaways

• Safety Must Be Paramount: The crash of Jasper Philipson underscores the critical need for improved safety measures in race organization, especially during high-speed sprints.

• Team Dynamics Influence Performance: Walt Van Aert's role as a selfless domestique exemplifies the importance of team support in achieving overall success, while internal team tensions can distract and destabilize leaders like Jonas Trina Vingegaard.

• Strategic Sponsorship Investments: Decathlon's increased sponsorship of AG2R signals a strategic move to enhance competitiveness, with significant implications for team compositions and performance.

• Rider Strategies Impact Outcomes: Tim Wellens' early pursuit of the KOM classification highlights the delicate balance between individual ambitions and team objectives, especially in multi-stage races like the Tour de France.

• Media's Role in Cycling: Sensationalist media coverage can adversely affect team morale and individual performance, emphasizing the need for responsible reporting within the sport.

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Notable Quotes

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [01:24]: “It was a sad way to leave the race. I mean, I've left the Tour de France like that when I crashed in 2011.”

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [11:09]: “…he's great in the role of a team domestique at the Tour de France.”

• Johan Brunel [18:12]: “…this was unacceptable. Especially if, you know, we're talking about safety.”

• Sir Bradley Wiggins [23:33]: “…it may have something to do with the time.”

• Johan Brunel [27:25]: “…if you think about it, you know, this is professional elite sport.”

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This episode of THEMOVE provides listeners with an in-depth understanding of Stage 3 of the Tour de France, blending tactical analysis with personal anecdotes and expert opinions. By examining rider performances, team strategies, and organizational challenges, Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Brunel offer a nuanced perspective that elevates the listener's appreciation of one of the world's most iconic sporting events.

Transcript

[Johan Brunel]

If there's anybody who has helped Jonas win the Tour de France, it's Walt Bernard. You know, he does have, of course, personal ambitions, but what do you think of that?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No, I mean, I think if it is directed to. Well, then I agree with you. I mean, wow. Is the most selfless rider that I think there is. You know, this is a man who has the last few years sacrificed his own personal ambition, I think, and affected his own personal ambition. He's not the same rider he was three years ago, but he's great in the role of a team domestique at the Tour de France. And we saw that in a Grand Tour. We saw that what he did and the job he did for Simon Yates at the Giro. And wout has been the main, the backbone of that team for the last four or five years at the Tour de France. 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. Okay, stage three of this year's Tour de France. Breaking down the stage into Dunkirk. Our podcast is presented by Ketone iq like every day. But, Bradley, what's your takeaway, your main takeaway of today's stage? A part of the final sprint, of course. Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I mean, there was so much that happened today, wasn't there? So much to talk about. But I obviously, the crash of Philipson and the way he crashed, you know, it looked a painful one that. And you knew straight away there was something wrong with him because, you know, as is, as is, you know, procedure, when things like that happen, a few teammates stop, they hang around for as long as they need to with a view of chasing back to the peloton, and within a minute, they, they were on their way again, which told you straight away they knew that this was serious and. And he was out the race. So, you know, very, very unfortunately he was my tip for today and he was mine too. It's a sad way to leave the race. I mean, I've left the Tour de France like that when I crashed in 2011.

[Johan Brunel]

I remember 2011. Right.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I still, you go from image.

[Johan Brunel]

I still have the image. I see you sitting in the middle of the road, sitting there and you drop your collarbone, I guess.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yes. Yeah, yeah. And you go from, you know, all these expectations you have ahead of the race, looking ahead and what you may do, and it within a Minute it's over, and it's quite a feeling to abandon the Tour de France. I mean, I don't know. Did you ever band of the Tour?

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, I did, yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Oh, you did. Of course. In 97. Did you go over the ravine there in Rabe?

[Johan Brunel]

96. 96.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

96, yeah, it's quite. It's quite a. I don't think until you're in that position, you can imagine just how disappointing it is to leave.

[Johan Brunel]

The Tour de France. Yeah, it is for everybody. Because, you know, the Tour de France is such a big objective. But especially if, like, in your case, you were. I guess you were. Had the intention, the objective to win the Tour. You had one.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, I won the do before.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah. Yeah, so. And in Philipson's case, you know, green jersey, just one stage. You know, how. How it can change from one moment to the other, you know, for opposite. It's like, okay, from heaven. From being in heaven to being in. I mean, not in hell, but still, it's. It's. Yeah, it's a dangerous sport. I personally think, you know, it was just an unfortunate event, you know, that they tried to blame Kokar. I don't think Kokar did anything wrong or anything on purpose. It was just. He had to make a maneuver for the intermarshe guy and unclipped and. Yeah, I mean, it's crazy. But you. I agree. You could see straight away that this was gonna be bad. You know, he. He got up and when you saw there was almost no jersey on his body anymore, so, yeah, unfortunately, he was out, that was kind of a little bit a changing point, I think, in. In the race because you could see for like 15, 20k the peloton was shocked. Yeah. And definitely slow down. And, you know, they. They regrouped again. And then, of course, the other one of the big favorites was gone. But today, I think. I don't know what you think. Today was actually an ideal recovery day for most of the. Of the riders because, you know, headwind, it is nervous. You know, they still go 44, 45, but you could see that in the back of the. In the second part of the peloton. It was easy cruising, right?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was. You know, again, there was so much. There'd be a lot of tired bodies already from the last couple of days of racing. And it was a headwind most of the day. And you could see that on the. On the overhead shots. You know, the teams are spaced across the road using the full width of the road and, you know, no one could really take up the riding on the front and it couldn't really because of the wind and that, that caused problems in itself which most notably in the final when you know, it was funneling down into to roundabouts and things with makeshift, makeshift barriers and things like that. But yeah, they're the toughest days because you know, everyone's there and everyone is able to be there because the speeds aren't as high on the front. But nonetheless I think that would have been a welcome day for a lot of the riders that were sat back in the peloton. Yeah, for sure, because of the wind. So. But I agree, you know, after that intermediate sprint when Milan took it and the crash of Philipson, obviously riders will be riding along and news will be coming through back to the teams that Philipson is out the race and that that puts a nervousness amongst the peloton because people then realize this is real, you know. Yeah, yeah, that shows you how this race can just flip on a, you know, flip on a dime and it's, it's real at that moment in time. So I think there was definitely an anxiousness amongst the peloton after that.

[Johan Brunel]

For sure, for sure. Before we get into all the details, Bradley, I think you want to talk about our first sponsor of the day.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, Element. I mean I use this every day. I don't know how many sachets I have a day, but it's 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, 60 milligrams of mag. 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. How it works is the Element as a sample pack doubles down on our most popular flavors. Citrus salt, raspberry salt, which is one of my favorites, watermelon salt and orange salt. Two sticks packs of each flavor. This offer is available for new and returning customers. This offer is also exclusively available through partners like the Move. You won't find this offer available anywhere else, so get a free 8 count sample pack of elements most popular drink mixes with any purchase of drinkelement.comthemove that's drinkelement.comtheMove and find your favorite element flavor or share with a friend. Be sure to try Elephant sparkling, a bold 16 ounce can of sparkling electrolyte water element.

[Johan Brunel]

I love it. I love it. It's, it's the best I've tried so far. I mean I'm actually Out of element. So I, I ask elements here, please send me, please send me a package. Especially here in, in Spain. It's, you know, it's 40, just sweat, sweat, sweat and this, you know, there's a lot of, of course there's a lot of different brands but I have not found anything that replenishes and hydrates like this and also tastes really amazing. Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

Before we get into some more details of the stage, Bradley, I just wanted to point out one thing that we read in the, in the, in the press this morning. Yeah. And it's this surprising interview of the wife of Jonas Trina Vingegaard. She did an interview with the Danish, with a big Danish newspaper and surprisingly. And of course you know that I think probably this interview was done a few weeks ago and the Danish newspaper held it until, to release it now, until the Tour. But it did create quite some surprise and she was quite critical of this malise bike, Jonas's team. She said, if I'm not mistaken, to boil down the interview, that Jonas has to do too many altitude camps and that team tries to control his life too much because apparently the team was having problems with Jonas helping with some refurbishment of the house and then that he doesn't have the whole team at his service in the Tour de France. What do you make of this kind of interview, you, Bradley?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I mean, I mean I, I take it as verbatim as what she said. Really. I mean he must be a very good floor layer. You know, she's complaining that he wanted to lay floors in the house and I mean, it's a strange one, Johan. It's a strange one and I can't see how it can be very helpful. In the opening weekend of the Tour de France, Visma have played it down and said that the comments are, have been taken out of context and taken out, you know, a bit sensationalized. I don't know. I mean you and us is a unique athlete like Tadde is and you know, most team leaders are certainly with the talent that those two have and you and in particular he's a two time win of the Tour de France. I mean, you know, this is a strange one. You can only read it for what it is really. I mean, I know it's. I can't see it as being helpful, but at the same time she's entitled to her opinion and if that's her.

[Johan Brunel]

Opinion, then yeah, what's surprising is. Well, first of all, I think it's surprising that she gives this kind of interview. I mean she, we I think we all can see, you know, without knowing the details of, of course, of, of, of Jonas's family, but he, Jonas really needs her. She's the, she's the, the force of the, of the household. And I think, if I'm not mistaken, she's a psychologist also. So, I mean, I've spoke with somebody who interviewed her and, and he's. This, this, this journalist said that, you know, it was really interesting because she kind of redirected his mentality towards being stronger. I mean, Jonas has now, and we all seen a change in his demeanor, in his attitude, in his confidence. And I think that's majority thanks to her. I find it strange, that kind of interview, but I find it even more strange that the Danish media releases this because this is harmful for Jonas. You know, it destabilizes him. You know, you can say, okay, you know, I don't read the media, I don't read the press, I don't read anything, but it does affect you. And, and, and so, and particularly, I mean, you could say, okay, the, the critics about the training camps, okay, fine, I mean, listen, if you're a professional cyclist, that's what you have to do nowadays. The, the critics about the team wanting to control and not allowing him to do works at the house, that's debatable. He's going to do whatever he wants, you know, but, but I, I was shocked by the fact that she said Jonas doesn't have the whole team at his complete service. And I, you know, and in, in the, in the Belgian media, this has been referred to as a criticism to Walt Van Aert because there's nobody else in the team that has personal ambitions. And I find this a bit, a bit strong, you know, because if there's anybody who has helped Jonas win the Tour de France, it's Walt Van Aert. You know, he does have, of course, personal ambitions, but what do you think of that?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

No, I mean, I think if it is directed to. Well, then I agree with you. I mean, wow is the most selfless rider that I think there is. You know, this is a man who has the last few years sacrificed his own personal ambition, I think, and affected his own personal ambition. He's not the same rider he was three years ago, but he's great in the role of a team domestique at the Tour de France. And we saw that in a Grand Tour. We saw that what he did and the job he did for Simon Yates at the Giro. And Wow has been the main, the backbone of that team for the last four or five years at the Tour de France, aside from, you know. But we don't see. We don't see, well contesting bunch sprints anymore like he did four or five years ago in the Tour de France. Obviously he won the green jersey competition. He won on the Champs Elysees. I wouldn't say he's that kind of rider anymore. But what he does give you is what he did on Sestriere in the judo and win, win the. Win a Grand Tour for the team. And that's what Wild does. And that's what will do. Exactly.

[Johan Brunel]

A few years ago, you know, so.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

You know, that is. That is a bit of a strange direction of a comment if that. If that is towards. Indeed towards.

[Johan Brunel]

Well, and I did see.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I see it as nothing, as a distraction for the team, you know, and the team have put out a statement to say that, you know, that they've pushed back on it. But it will be extra questions asked, won't it? You know, as always, we know how many of the media at the Tour de France and. Yeah, but so far Yunus isn't showing any signs again today. He was there. Close, close proximity to everyone.

[Johan Brunel]

Very, very, very. Yeah. And I think, I think the main thing is that Jonas knows that Walt is there whenever he needs him. He's solid. They interviewed Walt von Aert about this and Walt said, well, you know, if it's directed to me, I find it a pity. But I think the, the performances for the team, my performance for the team speak for it for themselves. He's a professional and I think if anything it will Jonas's peace of mind. But other than that, I don't think it's going to affect in any way the dynamics of. No, no, yeah, but it's, it's. Listen, this is also typical for the Tour de France, right? They always need to come with some kind of sensational article from anywhere. It's a bit, it's a bit a shame that it comes from Denmark. It's actually, it's against Jonas.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Right, I know. I mean, that's what certain elements of the press are like. You know, they. They're all blowhards that seek to make currency off someone enduring the Tour de France. And it's clickbait and it's, you know, they are a detriment to the sport in some parts. But another thing I actually was going to ask you about and I saw in the press this morning, is decathlon upping their sponsorship next year of AG2 R40 million.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They're in. They're in, in this. Seriously, the Catalan. And then so AG2R, who was actually the owner of the team, is selling the team. Yeah, because AG2R bought the team from, from Vincent Avenue. They were.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, I heard he didn't even receive any money for that.

[Johan Brunel]

Very little.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Very little.

[Johan Brunel]

I mean that's a completely different debate. I think the way they treated with his history of this for this team. It's, it's disgraceful. It's disgraceful what they did to him. But anyway, yeah, decathlon is serious. And then I have heard another. So AG2R is actually going away as a sponsor and apparently the one that comes in is L'. Oreal. I've heard a strange combination, but anyway, up to 40 million. So that brings them in the top three. In the top three teams. Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And that's with the view of trying to win the Tour de France with this young 18 year old French rider, isn't it?

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. With Paul Seychelles. Yeah. That's still a while to go but you know, he's very talented. I'm curious to see what they're going to do on the transfer market with, with that extra budget. You know, reportedly they've signed Olaf Koi for a big amount of money. I think a little bit overpaid, but good for good. For Olaf Koi. There's a big change in, in decathlon. Right. We've seen it already. Last year they had, they had a really good, good, good year. They're not the typical French team anymore. Yeah, you know, I mean, you've been on French teams, Bradley. My view has always been once you're on a French team and you're, you're performing reasonably and you're nice and you don't do anything wrong, you become an employee, you become like, you know, a government employee basically. Yeah, yeah. Decathlon is different. I think it's a different mentality, don't you think?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, it is. And it's gone way more international. I mean, they got someone like Luke Bro there now who's exceptional at what he does and always was on the bike, he'd be, you know, always my first ride on any Tour de France team that I'd pick the road captain.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And they employed his services this year for the classics and DS role and looks fantastic. But another thing, actually I was going to ask you about what you thought about. Obviously Remco hit the deck again today and Remco, you know, always seems to be a little bit down where the mess is happening, you know, in these Run ins. And part of that, of course is that he's not really necessarily got a dedicated team.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And Visma keeping their leaders well to the front because they're split because of the job they do familiar as well and having a disappointing opening weekend. So that added to, you know, the news this morning that there's the rumor mill starting again that Remco may leave the team next year. How do you see that one now, this so early into the Tour de France.

[Johan Brunel]

I think there's no question that Remco is leaving the team. It's not a rumor he's leaving. I don't know. I mean, I have a pretty good idea, but I'm not for sure where he's going. But he's not staying with that.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Okay.

[Johan Brunel]

I think there's an agreement found there with another team already. So, you know, you can try to put two and two together. Yeah. But yeah, I mean he's obviously not going to make an announcement during, during the Tour de France. I still think that he's going to have the team at his service. Yeah. There's Malir has Merlier has Bert Van and then everybody else is for Remco. I think today actually, Bradley, it was purely bad luck because you could see that Remco really was fighting until the five kilometer sign. Yeah. And then you could see him dropping back really fast. Way too fast. I think he went way back, way too far. And then. So, yeah, kind of in the middle of the peloton there, the crash happened. I don't think he hurt himself too much. But it's not good. You know, it's not good.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

But no part of that was the way that the running was, was directed, you know, with the, the makes it. The barriers spaced out with the tape in between and the funneling and the road traffic, the road furniture. It looked like a hectic run in today. A very strange one as well, considering the finishes they have used in the past in Dunkirk, which were big, wide open boulevards which, you know, helped for a safer passage. But today was a strange one.

[Johan Brunel]

No, it was, it was. I mean, like, you know, today, today, I mean, if you look at the finish, you know, they say, okay, you know, there's, there's, there's the yellow card system. Right. For the riders. I think today with this, with these slight bends in that last kilometer, I, I don't understand how they still. This is unacceptable. Especially if, you know, we're talking about safety. We know that the speeds are unbelievably high. They go 65, 70 kilometer every single sprint and these two slight bends and not seeing the finishing straight until 180 meters to go. I think that was the cause of that last crash. So in my opinion, yellow, not a yellow, I'm going to say a dark orange card already for aso. Two yellow cards and you're out as a rider. Right. So let's, let's also, let's also implement that for organizers and safety of the course, you know. Yeah. That was not, that was not okay. That, that finish was not okay. It was. I mean if you see that, that total energy rider being catapulted over the barriers, that was scary. He was the last guy to come in and he was all yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Another thing, I mean we, we should, we should of course talk about, about timberlid. Let's talk about him first and his, his savviness to win sprints. You know, with, with, with Jasper Philipson gone, obviously the opposing train was derailed. You know, Matthew van der Poel tried a bit for Katie Groves, but it was really little track. Who had, who had the lead ideally? Milan was positioned ideally and earlier was nowhere to be seen. He lost Bert von Lerberger and he all of a sudden out of 15th position. All of a sudden in 50 meters, he was in fourth position on the wheel of, of, of Jonathan Milan. I call him the, you know, the best artist in the world in the craft of sprinting. Yeah, it's, it's really amazing how he wins these sprints. Right?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah. I mean it was nice to see him win today. I still think they had Phillips and been there today. Phillips would have won. But nonetheless, you know, I think it was, I'm actually surprised that it's been four years since he last won the stage of the Tour defense, you know, and he's coming along in an era really where the sprinter sprinting, they're an all time high, you know, Cavendish last year, Jasper Phillipson with his 10 stages in four years. So you know, Binyam Gamai, I mean he's come along in an era where we're unindated with world class sprinters. But it was good to see him win today and good for Sudal as well, you know. But the first three stages to the Benelux regions which.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. And also if you look. So today's lead, today's winner, Tim Mlir won. It was four years ago now. He won. I think he won the first four years.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

21.

[Johan Brunel]

Right. And he was so Malir was let out that stage by the winner of Last year of yesterday and the winner of the day before, he was led out by Von Pool first and then Jasper Phillipson. Yeah, they were teammates then they were teammates on Alpecin. So. So yeah, I mean, I'm happy he wins. He wins. I mean he deserves. He's a pure sprinter. Amazing how he does it, you know. Then one, one other thing, Radley, My personal event of the day and I would like to know your thoughts about this. With about. What was it? 30k to go. We see that Tim Wellens goes up front, talks to some riders. He goes up front and. And initially, I mean, some of the commentators were thinking maybe he has his family up the road or something.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Because, you know, formerly George actually said the same thing. Yeah, yeah, formerly.

[Johan Brunel]

It happened that sometimes, you know when or deeper in the Tour already when you pass your region. But anyways, Wellens is not from the north, that part of Belgium, he's from Limburg. So it was clear after a while that he was going for the kom. And we have this little clip here. It's an audio of the Team UAE race car. So let's listen to this first and then I want to ask your opinion on this. And you will have just good. If you win the con, you will just mouse exertion. So guys, we go for the call for Tim. Okay, so we hear clearly that the director says Tim goes for the kom. Tim goes for the kom.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah.

[Johan Brunel]

What do you think? I mean, for me personally, my first reaction would be, okay, why are they doing this? Is team uae, they don't need this. What I mean, they need to save everything they can. Okay. My. Then I was thinking it's a bit. It's a bit weird that a team like UAE goes for the KOM in the early stages. Then my second thought was, okay, maybe they want progress. Poacher was in the KOM and nobody was going to take it off him. Except, well, it's good to take it off him. Maybe Pull doesn't want to go to this, the podium ceremony, but I think you have another opinion on that.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Right? Well, so my other view on that is. And it only comes from personal experience, so when you're a leader of a classification in the Tour de France, you will bear in mind the time trials in two days. Time at the moment is second on gc. So he'll be second from the end. And as the leader of the classification of the king of the mountains, he will have to wear the skin suit, the race suit provided by the organizers, which this year the sponsor is Santini. So he'll have to roll down the ramp in a very important 33 kilometer time trial where he lost time at the Dauphine in the time trial. So this has particular significance, this time trial in the race organizer Skinsuit, which is made by Santini. And of course we know how important and how, you know, informed the riders are now and how important the aerodynamics and their race TT setup is to the riders. You know, they would have spent, you know, some of these teams hours in the wind tunnel, invested lots of money in the aero programs to make sure someone like Telepagaccio loses the least amount of time or gains the maximum amount of time, depending which way you go in the time trials with their TT set up, positioning on the bike and the biggest thing now is helmet and skin suit and the materials that they're made from, the fabric that they're made from. Now, I had this experience in 2012 when I was lead. I took the jersey on the Dofenail Stage 2. I lost the prologue to Derbrich, Luke Durbridge from Green Edge and I ended up taking the jersey on stage two and I tried to lose it on stage three before the time trial stage four because I'd have had to ride the Lecoq Sportif which was, you know, it was, I may, I may, may as well have worn a bin liner. You know, they were just not the best design and we of course had, you know, the team sky aero suits and things like that. So it, fortunately for me, it didn't, it didn't have that much impact. I won the time draw anyway. But you know, for these guys, this could, this might not be the reason why Taday wants to lose it, but I, I suspect it's got something to do with the time.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, I think, you know, you have a good point. I mean, I didn't think, I didn't think about that initially. I was quite, I mean, mind, I was quite critical. I said, why are they doing this? This is stupid. You know, like Tim Wellens is one of the key guys. Why would you want him to go for the king of the mountains? Okay. Personal glory. Okay, fine. You know, it's, it's, it's always good to give these guys something to be happy about. They will work a lot harder for the team. But, but still, you know, so early in the Tour spend that energy because even if he had a free pass, he went a lot faster than he should have during 8, 10 kilometers. Yeah, so, but now that you thought. Yeah, I hadn't thought about that, but that's, that's really a good point. It's still to be seen, of course, if tomorrow, with the final of the stage. If tomorrow, for example, is in the front. And let's assume, for example, for some reason Vanderpool has a problem. Whatever. He has an issue. Yeah. He will take the beat anyway, so he's, he's going to be in yellow, so.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah, but, but, but what I'm saying with that, they, they, they. As we did with Team sky, because by the time I got to the Tour de France, the first two time trials at Tour de France, when I won them both, we had our skin suit printed up with Lecoq Sportif in our material. So we planned ahead for that. I can't. So they will have today's skin suits in yellow made by UAE's people with Santini on guaranteed.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Something what they might not have planned for. What they might not plan for is a king of the mountain skin suit.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, exactly.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

So that may be why.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, that's possible. Yeah. But, you know, we already did that with Lance and in the early 2000s. Something tells me, Bradley, that lately the Tour has forbidden this potentially.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, I mean, I know they did.

[Johan Brunel]

Kick off a bit the year.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, they had something to say the year I did that and they took our skinsuit away from us after the first one and dissected it. And I mean, I mean, this, you know. Yeah, it's. Yeah, it's hard, you know, but at the same time.

[Johan Brunel]

Well, it's, it's actually, listen, if you think about it, you know, this is professional elite sport. You know, if you see these teams with this huge budget and you invest so much money in aerodynamics, wind tunnel testing the right fabric, you destiny a lot of resources to it. And then on the most important day of the year, you cannot ride it and you have to ride in another skin suit. It makes no sense. You know, that's just. Everybody ride their own with the right logos, the right publicity. But, you know, anyways, that. I think you may have a point there. I think that's probably the reason. Yeah, yeah. What else do we have? Yeah, we need to talk about our presenting sponsor, Ketone iq. Almost forgot. As every, as every day, Ketone IQ is supporting our show. I am a big fan of this shot here, the 10 gram ketones. No caffeine, no sugar. But as we all know, ketones are very widely used in the peloton. Almost all the teams, except some French teams, who would think that it's not relevant, but obviously It's a legal product and it's been scientifically proven that ketones boost athletic performance. Keaton IQ did a lab study with trained athletes and they found that it boosts in trained athletes the average sprint power by 19%, the peak power by 13% and the fatigue is quite less by 10%. It's also spikes the blood ketones by five times in just 20 minutes. Additionally, it's also been proven, and this is very important for cyclists, that ketones help with a faster recovery. We know that Ketone IQ has teamed up with Team Visma Lisa Bike and with the University of Leuven to explore recovery and high altitude adaptation. And their key findings are improved blood flow, higher muscle oxygenation and a better endurance and stamina. So with the code the move, get 30% off your subscription and a free gift for your second [e-mail] the move. So that's ketone.com the move for 30% off your subscription. What else do we have of today? Tomorrow? Tomorrow obviously is also an important stage, a tough stage, not a pure sprinter stage.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I think 2000 meters of climbing.

[Johan Brunel]

2000 meters climb in the final. The final is very, very difficult. I think it's a bit similar to yesterday's stage. No.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, yeah, the climbs a little bit steeper in that final and they come short, you know, quick and fast.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, yeah. So we actually finished 2012 the same.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Finished.

[Johan Brunel]

15, 15, 20 riders together. Probably tomorrow. Tomorrow. Fun fact, Bradley, you as a historian of cycling starts in Amiens and I have a very good memory about them. Yeah. Do you know what it is?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

You had the fastest record average speed of a Tour de France stage when you won in 93 there?

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah, I, I won the stage in 93. I think it was stage six, finishing in Amiens. And it was by then, back then it was the fastest ever. It was.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And I remember. Do you remember who finished second that day and thought he'd won because he didn't know you were off the front?

[Johan Brunel]

Mario Cipollini. Yeah, yeah, I have a fun story about that. Actually. A few years after I, I raced in a race in, in Germany with a mixed team. I was on Rabobank. And so I, I, it was just actually, you know, it was 96, just before the Atlanta Olympics. I went to the, to a race in Germany, Coca Cola Trophy. And so we did, we did a mixed team and I was on the team with Mario. So he sat there, he said, you know, I remember that stage in 93. I came to the finish, you know, no, of course, no race Radio. So he had no clue he won the sprint, you know, raise his arms and he said, then I saw you there drinking from a bottle. And he said, what is this guy doing here? Did he get here? He abandoned and he came here by car. So he didn't know. He didn't know I was. I was ahead. But yeah, tomorrow, Tomorrow, starting from Amya.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, tomorrow. Another. Another anniversary tomorrow as well. Johan. 8 July 30th anniversary of your stage within liaison when you went away.

[Johan Brunel]

Oh, man, you know, you know more than I do. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 95. Yeah. Oh, 30. Wow. 30 years ago. 30 years. Yeah. That was a big day with Big Mig.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Yeah, I can still remember watching it.

[Johan Brunel]

Did you watch it? Were you watching it?

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

I was 15.

[Johan Brunel]

15. Wow. Okay.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

That was me doing my master's degree in cycling knowledge, you know, watching those.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

It was a surprise to everyone.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah. Let's finish off with our daily Ventum trivia. Yeah, let's do it. Yesterday's question for stage two was what was the distance of the longest ever Tour de France? Not. Not the longest Tour of France stage. The longest ever Tour de France. The answer was, or the answer is, is 5,745 kilometers in 1960. So that's about. What is that? 3,002.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

570 miles.

[Johan Brunel]

Yeah. But it's 3,000. No, it's 2,500 kilometers more than nowadays. Yeah.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

And they did that in 17 stages that year.

[Johan Brunel]

That's crazy. That's crazy. Yeah. Yeah. The question for today.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Question for today is how do you spell Bradley? Now, what's today's question?

[Johan Brunel]

Today's question is history was made at the finish of stage three of the 2024 Tour de France. What happened? It's a tricky question. It's not what everybody would think. Send your answers or Best guess to ventumracing.com to move to be entered to win this year's grand prize of $5,000 of credit towards any Ventum bike. If you don't want to wait for the end of the contest, we're going to draw the winner at the end of the Tour de France. If you don't want to wait until then, Ventum is also offering a standing discount during the whole duration of the Tour, you get 10% of the whole site using the code themove10 and 20% of any NS1 bike built with the code NS120. So NS120 at checkout, you get 20 off any NS1 bike for Rantum. So that's it. Yeah. Tomorrow, another stage let's hope, Bradley, that we, you know, these crashes, man, they freaked me out. You know, I mean it's, it's crazy to, to, to watch them on screen. And when you see the helicopter view, unfortunately, that's the Tour de France. Right? The first week.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Hey, we, we all knew this was going to be the first week, didn't we? Yeah. When they, as soon as they announced this route, anything in northern France, going across the top of northern France, you know, it's, we anticipate this and it's.

[Johan Brunel]

Still, it's still a while to go. I mean, I mean normally the, the time trial in the middle there is going to probably calm down things a little bit or it, I mean it usually did. I think that's not the case anymore neither. Nowadays it's just full guys, every day. Yeah. Anyway, we'll be back tomorrow for stage four and thank you for joining us, Bradley. Speak soon.

[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

Okay, see you later. Bye.

[Johan Brunel]

Bye. Okay, bye.

[C]

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[Sir Bradley Wiggins]

You were made to have strong opinions about sand. We were made to help you and your friends find a place on the beach with a pool and a marina and a waterfall and a soaking tub. Expedia made to travel.