THEMOVE Podcast Summary: Tour de France Stage 7 | The Sir Wiggo & Johan Show

Release Date: July 11, 2025

In this episode of THEMOVE, hosts Sir Bradley Wiggins (affectionately dubbed "Sir Wiggle") and Johan Brunhil delve deep into the intricacies of Stage 7 of the Tour de France. The discussion offers listeners a comprehensive breakdown of the day's events, tactical maneuvers, and their implications for the overall race. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key points, insights, and conclusions from the conversation.

1. Stage 7 Overview and Initial Impressions

The episode kicks off with Johan Brunhil and Sir Bradley Wiggins sharing their initial thoughts on the high-paced Stage 7, characterized by its demanding climbs and breakaway attempts.

• High-Speed Start: The hosts highlight the exceptionally fast commencement of the stage, noting an average speed that rivals hour record attempts. Johan remarks, "I haven't verified it, but I've heard the first one and a half hour was close to 54 kilometers per hour" (00:34).

• Breakaway Dynamics: A significant breakaway group formed with five riders, including Grain Thomas. Bradley picks Grain as his pick for the stage, celebrating his 19th Tour de France stage win for Team Ineos (then referred to as Telepagaccio).

2. Team Tactics and Strategies

A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around the strategies employed by the teams, especially the actions of UAE Team Emirates (UAE) and their impact on other contenders.

• UAE's Race Strategy: Johan shares insights from an interview with Arturo Van Dongen, a seasoned Tour director, who stated that UAE aimed to "ride our own race and make the race hard the same as yesterday" (00:00). This approach was perceived as a tactic to support their leader by making the race challenging for rivals like Tadej Pogačar.

  "We wanted to make the race hard... But is that not playing in favor of Pogalia? Of course it is." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (00:32)

• Impact on Competitors: By increasing the race's difficulty, UAE inadvertently made it tougher not only for Pogačar but also for their own team, questioning the benefits of such aggressive tactics on certain stages.

3. Breakaway Success and Challenges

The hosts analyze the breakaway's performance, especially Grain Thomas's role and eventual fate in the race.

• Grain Thomas's Effort: Johan questions whether Grain's aggressive move was strategic or a display of sheer determination, considering the stage's difficulty. Bradley responds, acknowledging Grain's bravery but pondering if alternative stages would better suit his capabilities.

  "He already knew they were going to get caught. So, you know, and then he probably said, okay, why bother?" – Johan Brunhil (08:32)

• Visma's Role: The team Visma Lisa Bike is scrutinized for their aggressive pacing and tactics, which seemed aimed at supporting their leaders but resulted in unexpected race developments.

4. Crashes and Their Implications

A pivotal moment in Stage 7 was the significant crash involving Joe Almeida, which became a focal point of the discussion.

• Details of the Crash: The crash occurred after the first climb, leading to multiple riders, including Almeida, being affected. Bradley expresses concern over Almeida's condition and the potential ramifications for UAE's strategy.

  "The biggest victim was Almeida, in my opinion. We'll see now, maybe as we speak, we'll be getting a report he was really beaten up." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (20:30)

• Impact on UAE Team: Almeida's crash is seen as a substantial blow to UAE, altering their General Classification (GC) strategy and placing additional pressure on Pulicar's leadership.

5. General Classification (GC) Shifts

The episode delves into the shifting dynamics within the GC due to the day's events.

• UAE's Position: Despite setbacks, UAE remains strong with Remco and Jonas in key positions. However, Almeida's crash has placed him on par with Simon Yates, complicating UAE's defense strategy.

  "Now, Almeida is at the same level as Simon Yates in GC." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (22:52)

• Emerging Contenders: New riders like Oscar, previously unnoticed, are making significant strides, indicating a competitive and unpredictable GC landscape.

6. Upcoming Stages and Future Predictions

Looking ahead, the hosts speculate on strategies and potential outcomes for the upcoming stages.

• Stage 8 Expectations: Predicted to be a flat 171-kilometer sprint stage with a slight uphill finish. Johan anticipates a traditional bunch sprint, while Bradley highlights the potential for sprinters like Jonathan Milan to seize the stage win.

  "We anticipate a bunch sprint and also, you know, a continuation of the chase for the green jersey." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (30:38)

• Team Strategies: Discussions include how teams like UAE will need to balance aggression with energy conservation to sustain their lead over the remaining two weeks of the Tour.

7. Reflections on Modern Cycling Tactics

Towards the end, the conversation shifts to broader reflections on how cycling tactics have evolved.

• Increased Race Pace: Both hosts agree that modern cycling stages are ridden at relentless speeds from the outset, leaving riders with minimal room for error.

  "Nowadays, man, they go so fast every single stage, that the guys who were hanging there in the back... We're all on the limits." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (20:24)

• Technological Advancements: The introduction of disc brakes is cited as a factor contributing to the severity and frequency of crashes, as they allow for quicker and harder braking.

Notable Quotes

• "I'm Johan Brunhil. I directed my teams to nine Tour de France victories." – Johan Brunhil (00:58)

• "The race is, the hard, the better support are they without him having to spend his teammates." – Sir Bradley Wiggins (00:42)

• "He was very worried." – Sir Bradley Wiggins about Almeida's crash (21:43)

• "They just ride smash and grab. That was it." – Reflection on historical cycling tactics (21:45)

Conclusion

This episode of THEMOVE provides an in-depth analysis of Stage 7 of the Tour de France, highlighting the complexities of team strategies, the unpredictability of breakaways, and the ever-changing landscape of the General Classification. Hosts Sir Bradley Wiggins and Johan Brunhil offer expert insights, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts eager to understand the nuances of professional cycling from an insider's perspective.

Note: Timecodes referenced correspond to the transcript's timestamps for precise context.