La Vuelta 2026 ***Spoilers***

[mididoctors]

Pog still feeling the 50 k break imo

 

[wakemalcolm]

Pog still feeling the 50 k break imo

That's no good, he's got another stage to win tomorrow and yet another one on Sunday.

 

[Pross]

That's no good, he's got another stage to win tomorrow and yet another one on Sunday.

He then needs to find another 7 to take the record for a single Vuelta. Those bored of his dominance would have really hated the 1977 version. Hard to think of the Vuelta being so sprinter friendly.

 

[wakemalcolm]

He then needs to find another 7 to take the record for a single Vuelta. Those bored of his dominance would have really hated the 1977 version. Hard to think of the Vuelta being so sprinter friendly.

Not sure there's too many options when your GT starts in April.
Seems weird to think that it was only 2 years earlier that Spain was a fascist dictatorship.

 

[mididoctors]

Stage 7 Vall d'Alba > Aramón Valdelinares 149.8 km

Up and up.and up n up. Short distance to control but hard terrain

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Not sure there's too many options when your GT starts in April.
Seems weird to think that it was only 2 years earlier that Spain was a fascist dictatorship.

Whereas now it's ruled by a representative of an autocratic monarchy who insists on punishing his enemies and oppressing all that challenge him...


Sorry, did I say that out loud?


🫢

 

[Dorset Boy]

Whereas now it's ruled by a representative of an autocratic monarchy who insists on punishing his enemies and oppressing all that challenge him...


Sorry, did I say that out loud?


🫢

Haha.
The UAE is not a single autocratic monarchy though is it? The UAE is made up of a number of them - Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjaj being 3 of the 7.
I'd also say they are fairly enlightened states by middle eastern standards.
I get the feeling people often confuse the UAE with Saudi Arabia

 

[CarbonClem]

I think Pog could have let Mas have that without any aggro. I wasn't convinced he was going to take it, he was underfueled and under pressure. Mas had been considerate to him and respectful. I know Pogs there to win, win, win and its sure now that any 'old traditions' of letting other riders have some spoils are out of the window (team mates aside) , but it would have been a decent thing to do, and would have made a big difference to Mas (see also Hayter Stage 1).
I reckon when Pog starts to fade, he'll have to pack it in pretty quickly as he will have very little goodwill in the peleton.

 

[Pross]

I think Pog could have let Mas have that without any aggro. I wasn't convinced he was going to take it, he was underfueled and under pressure. Mas had been considerate to him and respectful. I know Pogs there to win, win, win and its sure now that any 'old traditions' of letting other riders have some spoils are out of the window (team mates aside) , but it would have been a decent thing to do, and would have made a big difference to Mas (see also Hayter Stage 1).
I reckon when Pog starts to fade, he'll have to pack it in pretty quickly as he will have very little goodwill in the peleton.

My thinking is he'll quit before then. Maybe get the records for Tour GC and stage wins and then call it a day (although he may want to get P-R on his palmares too). I was a bit disappointed he didn't allow Mas the win but it's difficult to do that without making it obvious and then people would accuse him of patronising his opposition. Easiest way would have been if Mas had attacked him on the run in and he could have acted as though he couldn't respond. Also, as a reasonably top flight pro I'm not sure how I'd feel if someone let me win - it's a bit different with a domestique or rider coming onto the pro scene who gets few chances.

 

[Exlaser2]

I think Pog could have let Mas have that without any aggro. I wasn't convinced he was going to take it, he was underfueled and under pressure. Mas had been considerate to him and respectful. I know Pogs there to win, win, win and its sure now that any 'old traditions' of letting other riders have some spoils are out of the window (team mates aside) , but it would have been a decent thing to do, and would have made a big difference to Mas (see also Hayter Stage 1).
I reckon when Pog starts to fade, he'll have to pack it in pretty quickly as he will have very little goodwill in the peleton.

That’s the way I saw it too. It was very strange as most people on here were telling me a couple of days ago what a kind, considerate, compassionate and well rounded person he is . 😂😂😀

 

[Dorset Boy]

That’s the way I saw it too. It was very strange as most people on here were telling me a couple of days ago what a kind, considerate, compassionate and well rounded person he is . 😂😂😀

That doesn't mean he doesn't have a "killer instinct".
I was expecting him to gift the stage (but only because Mas assisted him on the descent), but then you'd be among the first to criticise him for that too.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't, especially by the 'haters'.

 

[matticus]

I think Pog could have let Mas have that without any aggro. I wasn't convinced he was going to take it, he was underfueled and under pressure. Mas had been considerate to him and respectful. I know Pogs there to win, win, win and its sure now that any 'old traditions' of letting other riders have some spoils are out of the window (team mates aside) , but it would have been a decent thing to do, and would have made a big difference to Mas (see also Hayter Stage 1).
I reckon when Pog starts to fade, he'll have to pack it in pretty quickly as he will have very little goodwill in the peleton.

Agree with all that .. EXCEPT I had zero hope he would gift it. The precedents are too numerous.

(although as you mentioned Stage 1 ... I do think his interview was a strong enough hint that he would happily have gifted it to Tarling (i.e. not to Hayter). VERY exceptional circumstances, of course, probably never to be repeated.)

 

[matticus]

That doesn't mean he doesn't have a "killer instinct".
I was expecting him to gift the stage (but only because Mas assisted him on the descent), but then you'd be among the first to criticise him for that too.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't, especially by the 'haters'.

Yup. I like to think someone could be a "kind, considerate, compassionate and well rounded person" and still try to always win when they are competing in their sport (which also happens to be their career).

 

[mididoctors]

Roll out ... 1 min silence for king Harry of Norway

 

[matticus]

Roll out ... 1 min silence for king Harry of Norway

Really?!? Does he have connections with the sport/race/teams/rider(s) ?