La Vuelta 2025

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

A good read on the problem of bike theft at bike races

http://road.cc/content/news/lidl-trek-manager-describes-bike-thefts-organised-crime-315611

"He said: “I think we’re getting to a point where we’ll need to hire real security guards at night, physical security. "

Really? We've hired private security for parking lots at many Porsche events I've been to and we didn't have Pro Tour budgets!!

[jyl]

I haven’t watched the last two stages, just caught highlights, but WTF is Ayuso doing? Yesterday he drops huge time, totally out of GC contention; today he does a monster solo attack to breakaway from the breakaway and win the stage. You can’t tell me his huge time drop wasn’t intentional, considering what he did the very next day. As a result, Ayuso can no longer help UAE attack and isolate Vingegaard. Vingegaard didn’t care at all when Ayuso went up the road. That means Almeida will have to take on Vingegaard solo, which is a tall order, probably too tall. Especially if he gets no help, like today. It’s like UAE isn’t actually racing for GC, but just for stage wins. If that’s the case, then might as well just crown Vingegaard and be done with it.

I can’t stand Ayuso. UAE have lots of talent; they don’t need to hold onto selfish talent. Why’d they even bring him? Del Toro is riding very well, give him the experience.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Froome injured while training. Damn. Get well soon, Champ.

http://www.cnn.com/2025/08/28/sport/cycling-chris-froome-hospital-crash-intl

Hurt pretty bad. I think could be career-ending, not that he can’t recover but in his situation, I don’t think he has time to come back.

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by jyl

I haven’t watched the last two stages, just caught highlights, but WTF is Ayuso doing? Yesterday he drops huge time, totally out of GC contention; today he does a monster solo attack to breakaway from the breakaway and win the stage. You can’t tell me his huge time drop wasn’t intentional, considering what he did the very next day. As a result, Ayuso can no longer help UAE attack and isolate Vingegaard. Vingegaard didn’t care at all when Ayuso went up the road. That means Almeida will have to take on Vingegaard solo, which is a tall order, probably too tall. Especially if he gets no help, like today. It’s like UAE isn’t actually racing for GC, but just for stage wins. If that’s the case, then might as well just crown Vingegaard and be done with it.

I can’t stand Ayuso. UAE have lots of talent; they don’t need to hold onto selfish talent. Why’d they even bring him? Del Toro is riding very well, give him the experience.

I'm with you. I don't get it UAE seems to have no GC tactics. Maybe they think that, ultimately, Almeida can't win so let's just go for stage wins and jerseys???? OTOH, Visma seems to be in complete control of the GC. And they've still got Jorgenson and Kuss within striking distance to use as 'decoys' or even GC competitors if necessary.

[herr_oberst]

It looks like maybe the talk of Ayuoso to Lidl-Trek in '26 might have some legs this go round.

I'm curious if he's just being a dick to get out of his contract that doesn't expire until '28. His fingers in his ears as he crossed the line yesterday looked incredibly petulant, no matter the reason he had for it.

(BTW, I think I'm in love with the redheaded woman that is at the finishing line surrounding the winner. She's got the calm in her eyes that Neil Young sings about.)

[rwest]

I’m happy that Jonas is more than 2 minutes down, not because I have anything against him, it just means at some point he needs to take back time rather than just finishing in the group, although with a time trial later on, he could take a bunch of time on that stage.

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by rwest

I’m happy that Jonas is more than 2 minutes down, not because I have anything against him, it just means at some point he needs to take back time rather than just finishing in the group, although with a time trial later on, he could take a bunch of time on that stage.

Exactly. I think it's basically climbs to the finish now and I'm looking forward to one of those stages where Kuss, Matteo, JV and the boys blow it apart.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Exactly. I think it's basically climbs to the finish now and I'm looking forward to one of those stages where Kuss, Matteo, JV and the boys blow it apart.

Yah but #1 on GC is not an actual contender, will melt away in mountains.

[jyl]

Are we supposed to believe that Ayuso got legitimately dropped from the peleton on a 1% grade before the final climb even started? What a jerk. If I were UAE’s DS, I’d pull him from the race, make him shop himself to other teams with as few results as possible.

Or, UAE’s DS has made the decision that Almeida is at best racing for podium, and has blessed Ayuso’s free-lancing.

Vingegaard is going to win GC, that’s already clear. But Almeida has a decent shot at podium. If he can’t pull it off, it could be a Visma sweep.

[CurtEgerer]

Ayuso kicked out of his contract at the end of the season (contract went to 2028). UAE is pissed. What's the over-under that he even finishes the Vuelta at this point

[jyl]

UAE should pull Ayuso from the race now. Racing a Grand Tour is a privilege.

Reports he’s going to Lidl-Trek?

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ Right. There must be some sponsor obligation of some sort to leave him in. What a jerk - he threw the team under the bus in an interview this morning while the team director handled it very well and even praised Ayuso's riding talent.

Maybe it is just that he's a Spanish rider and it would be bad form for the team to cut him loose in the Tour of Spain.

[jyl]

Feel sorry for Mads Pedersen.

Would be best if Ayuso goes to Movistar, as the Great Spanish Hope, and flounders in a team with no GC support depth.

[herr_oberst]

Where's Christian van der Velde this morning?

And, a big shout out to that candy apple green Madone that Pederson is riding. Beautiful color!

[rwest]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Where's Christian van der Velde this morning?

Just heard on Peacock that he is taking his daughter off to college.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

^^^ Right. There must be some sponsor obligation of some sort to leave him in. What a jerk - he threw the team under the bus in an interview this morning while the team director handled it very well and even praised Ayuso's riding talent.

Maybe it is just that he's a Spanish rider and it would be bad form for the team to cut him loose in the Tour of Spain.

I only saw and heard the press release from the team and about half of the interview with Ayuso, so ultimately I would defer to your take on the situation as you probably have seen more info than I.

My take is the team should have held off the announcement until after the race ended and their release started with a compliment, but then made comments about team unity/ teamwork, so a little “stab” as well. Once again I only have minor info, but it appeared that he was then put on the spot to respond.

[herr_oberst]

Stage finish cancelled due to protests.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Stage finish cancelled due to protests.

What a letdown.

Not sure why they didn’t just say that the 1km was the finish or somewhere similar? Maybe they didn’t decide soon enough to make it fair?

[CurtEgerer]

I feel bad for Tom Pidcock. He made a great move and had a legit shot at a win. Yeah, seems like the organizers had time to make a decision to move the finish. LOTS of effort from the riders all for zero thanks to a handful of sociopath bed-wetters.

[rwest]

UAE must not have lost all faith in Ayuso as Soler pulled for him to get him up the road for a stage win.

On a less race related topic, does anyone agree with me that the stuffed animals that they award to certain categories are much better than the lion at the Tour De France?