THEMOVE Podcast Summary: Tour de France Stage 4 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show

Release Date: July 8, 2025
Hosts: Sir Bradley Wiggins & Johan Bernal
Episode Title: Tour de France Stage 4 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show

1. Dominant Performance by Tade Bagacha

• Timestamp [00:00 – 03:08]

The episode kicks off with Sir Bradley Wiggins lauding Tade Bagacha's exceptional performance in Stage 4 of the Tour de France. Bagacha secured his 100th victory while wearing the World Champion's jersey, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Sir Bradley Wiggins [00:00]:
"Today's stage was a dominant performance by Tade Bagacha. His 100th victory in the World Champions jersey, which was phenomenal."

Wiggins compares Bagacha's prowess to the legendary Eddy Merckx, emphasizing his growing stature in the cycling world.

Sir Bradley Wiggins [03:08]:
"I mean, this guy is getting closer and closer to how we remember Eddy Merckx. He's Merckx-esque in terms of his greatness."

2. Tactical Breakdown of Stage 4

• Timestamp [03:33 – 07:10]

Johan Bernal and Wiggins delve into the strategic maneuvers that defined Stage 4. They discuss the early breakaway of four strong riders and the peloton's decision not to chase aggressively, leading to the breakaway being reeled back in due to peloton anxiety and subsequent crashes.

Johan Bernal [05:24]:
"They had two, three minutes and the peloton didn't chase. And just by the nervousness in the peloton, they got reeled in."

The conversation highlights the impact of crashes on the race dynamics and how Tade Bagacha's team maintained control until the decisive moments.

3. Impact of Crashes and Rider Resilience

• Timestamp [07:10 – 12:35]

The hosts examine specific incidents involving riders like Ben O'Connor and Florian Lipovitz, discussing their struggles post-crash and the broader implications for their teams. Bernal notes Lenny Martinez's impressive comeback after a rough start, showcasing his resilience and potential in mountain stages.

Johan Bernal [06:09]:
"And I think we're gonna see him in mountain stages probably, or a few of them. But I think he wanted to make a point and probably have a go at the polkadot jersey."

Wiggins commends Martinez's ability to bounce back swiftly, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of endurance sports.

4. Team Strategies and Rider Performances

• Timestamp [12:35 – 18:28]

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around team tactics, especially focusing on UAE and Visma teams. The hosts analyze Victor Campenaert's exceptional lead-out on a challenging climb, attributing his success to meticulous course study and team coordination.

Johan Bernal [13:09]:
"Victor Campenaert was a beast today. That lead out to that 800-meter climb was just incredible."

They also touch upon Matteo Jorgensen's calming influence on contender Eunice, emphasizing the importance of team support in high-stakes stages.

5. Historical Comparisons and Future Projections

• Timestamp [18:53 – 25:00]

Wiggins and Bernal draw parallels between current race strategies and historical Tour de France moments, notably comparing Tade Bagacha’s early aggressive moves to Miguel Indurain’s tactics from three decades ago. They contemplate the implications of such strategies on upcoming stages, particularly the time trial.

Sir Bradley Wiggins [21:15]:
"There was a hill in the dofenate time trial which was, you know, broke that the rhythm up a little bit."

Bernal predicts Remco Ramco as the favorite for the upcoming time trial but remains open to surprises from contenders like Eunice, highlighting the fluid nature of race standings.

6. Polka Dot Jersey and ASO Regulations

• Timestamp [25:00 – 27:21]

The conversation shifts to the polka dot jersey, discussing its change in possession due to Bagacha’s focus on achieving his 100th victory in the World Champion's jersey. The hosts express differing opinions on ASO's strict regulations regarding team skin suits, advocating for more flexibility to accommodate rider preferences for comfort and performance.

Johan Bernal [26:20]:
"He wanted to lose it because he wanted to win in the rainbow jersey."

They debate the balance between regulatory compliance and rider autonomy, underscoring the complexities teams face in adhering to ASO rules while optimizing performance.

7. Technical Aspects of Cycling Gear

• Timestamp [27:13 – 28:11]

Wiggins reminisces about past team kit arrangements, emphasizing the importance of a comfortable and functional contact point. Bernal echoes these sentiments, criticizing the rigidity of current regulations that mandate standardized skin suits.

8. Rider Recovery and Stage Efforts

• Timestamp [28:11 – 31:07]

The hosts analyze the contrasting recovery statuses of Jonas and another rider post-stage finish, noting Jonas's remarkable freshness juxtaposed with another’s evident exhaustion. This observation leads to a discussion on riders' energy management and strategic efforts during crucial stages.

Sir Bradley Wiggins [30:47]:
"It was, you know, he just rolled along and let the other guys come back up to him because his job was already done at that point."

9. Interactive Trivia Segment

• Timestamp [31:07 – End]

The episode concludes with the "Ventum Trivia" segment, engaging listeners with a question related to Tour de France history. The hosts encourage participation by offering a chance to win prizes and promote ongoing listener interaction through their website.

Johan Bernal [30:47]:
"What happened? The answer was many people thought it was about Mark Cavendish. It was not. It was Binyam Girmai who became the first black African to win a stage at the Tour de France."

Key Takeaways

• Tade Bagacha's Rising Legend: Bagacha's 100th win solidifies his status as one of cycling's greats, drawing favorable comparisons to legends like Eddy Merckx.

• Strategic Mastery: Early breakaways, peloton dynamics, and team tactics play a crucial role in Stage 4 outcomes, with crashes significantly influencing race dynamics.

• Resilience of Riders: Combacks from crashes, exemplified by riders like Lenny Martinez, highlight the unpredictable and demanding nature of endurance racing.

• Historical Parallels: Comparing current strategies to past Tour de France tactics provides deeper insights into the evolution of race strategies.

• Regulatory Challenges: Strict ASO regulations on equipment, particularly skin suits, present challenges for teams aiming to balance compliance with rider comfort and performance.

• Future Projections: Upcoming time trials remain a focal point, with key contenders like Remco Ramco and Eunice poised to make significant impacts.

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments related to sponsors such as Join and Ketone IQ, focusing solely on the core content discussions between Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Bernal.