World Championships Montreal 2026 ***SPOILERS***

[matticus]

Naughty Demi given a 1,000 CHF fine, a yellow card and -25 UCI points for Using a non-compliant position or point of support on the bicycle

https://www.cyclingnews.com/pro-cyc...fter-world-championships-triumph-in-montreal/

No specific moment in the race, or clarification over what the illegal position was, is detailed in the race communique says the report.

The famous "Dutch Reach"?

 

[matticus]

Both Pidders and Matthews hinting in post race interviews that IDT may not have been entirely all in on chasing down his trade team teammate McNulty. Not sure I saw that really, IDT mostly looked cooked and the presence of Jorgenson and Simmons did more to scupper the chase IMHO

So, Ive just watched km 39ish, leading into VdeP being caught ...
Jorgenson clearly*, front of screen, drops back for a chat with IDT. Seconds later Isaac goes full in to chase the leaders, with Pidcock the first to get on his wheel. The VdeP group is reeled in shortly after, and the very next action is MaccyNulters making his race-winning attack.

From which I draw 2 conclusions:
- IDT was definitely in cahoots with the Yanks, to at least some extent.
- this sequence may have made little difference to the final outcome (given USA's strength in that group), but Pidcocks viewpoint would VERY MUCh have been that IDT was working for McNulty.
IMHO

*Annoyingly Saint Chris Boardman was rambling about something else, and seemed to miss this entirely!

 

[Domus]

How many chances will the rainbow jersey be given to “race” next year?

 

[M.R.M]

To be fair to Valverde, while his style wouldn't be described as exciting, he did win. A lot. A grand tour, a worlds, 4 monuments, and a heap of other races. He also top 10'd in so many races so was enormously consistent, but he had ways of winning that Matthews doesn't come close to having. I think Valverde actually has the 3rd most top 10 finishes of all time (behind Merckx and Kelly). An incredible 11 top 10s in World Championships, with 7 podiums. I'd say that Valverde was more akin to Sagan. Both top-drawer and super consistent.

All true, but that is in terms of results, not in terms of how they raced. Valverde and Sagan were nothing alike in the way they raced. Sagan was never shy of doing work, much to his own detriment.
I'm not finding fault. Neither with Valverde or with Matthews. Just making the point that some riders in group 2 increase the onset and power of group 2 syndrome much more than others. Simply due to the way they ride (in order to win). I don't know a single rider who was as much group 2 poison as Valverde, despite being an incredible winner and one of the greatest riders of all time. Remember Purito crying because Valverde didn't help him reel back Rui Costa? Valverde is the Pogacar of group 2 syndrome. 😉😛

He is also the best looking rider on the bike of all time. Ahead of Wiggins.

 

[M.R.M]

How many chances will the rainbow jersey be given to “race” next year?

Probably in a bunch of smaller races and 1 week races Pogacar & del Toro don't want to do.