American Flyers! McNulty & Barta Deliver In Spain | GCN Racing News Show

This week in the world of racing, there was a great American success story. Bradon McNulty won Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and William Barta endured a solo ride to victory in the final stage. In other news, the Strada Bianche route has been subject to a gravel takeover, whilst Saudi Arabia sneaks ever closer to solidifying plans for their cycling super league. What would this mean for the sport? Could it be the answer to increasing bike racing interest?
00:00 Intro
01:18 Saudi Arabia Super League
05:20 Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
06:50 Lidl Trek team triumphs
07:30 Brandon McNulty wins Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana
08:00 Will Barta solo rides to victory
09:07 Cédrine Kerbaol takes victory in Volta a la Comunitat Valencia
09:41 Étoile de Bessèges
11:38 Alula Tour results
13:43 Cyclocross World Championships
16:14 Strada Bianchi route change
Useful Links:
Everything Cycling. All In One Place 👉 www.globalcyclingnetwork.com
Visit the GCN Shop 👉 gcn.eu/gcnshop
Join the GCN Club 👉 gcnclub.com
GCN Training Plans 👉 gcn.eu/gcntp
What do you think of Saudia Arabia's investment in cycling? 🚴🏻‍♂️
Let us know in the comments below 💬
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound 🎵
Hallman - A Team
Vivaldi - The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 No. 1
📸 Photos - © Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images & © Sprint Cycling Agency
Brought to you by the world’s biggest cycling channel, the Global Cycling Network (GCN), GCN Racing brings you the best of the world’s bike races to your screens, wherever you are: the finest live race commentary, in-depth analysis and behind the scenes access from your favourite events are all here. So get involved, join us, and get ready to be in the thick of the action.
Engage with on the channel and across social media - we’re here to answer every question you’ve got on cycling racing.
Facebook: gcn.eu/FBGCNRacing
Instagram: gcn.eu/IG-GCNRacing
Twitter: gcn.eu/TW-GCNRacing
Watch our sister channels:
Global Cycling Network - / @gcn
GCN Tech - / @gcntech
GCN Racing - / @gcnracing
Global Triathlon Network - / @gtn
GCN Italia - / @gcnitalia
GCN en Español - / @gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / @gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Français - / @gcnenfrancais
GCN Japan - / @gcnjapan
GCN Training - / @gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - / @gmbn
GMBN Racing - / @gmbnracing
GMBN Tech - / @gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / @embn

[@robertdavenport6705]

And I will add , Strade Bianchi is so popular because it's kind of the perfect race- beautiful country , bit of sketchinesss , not too long , the riders love it , weather usually good , never can be sure who , or what type of rider ,is going to pop up and deservedly win it (bad luck can lose it , but it ain't good luck that wins it ). Leave la Bella Strada alone.

[@XR4turbo]

I want to see Mahoric vs Pidcock on Alpe D'Huez. Downhill.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

and Kevin Costner

[@rainingtacos5879]

@@bradford_shaun_murray Why hasn't American Flyers 2 happened yet....

[@johnandrews3568]

@@bradford_shaun_murray I don't think Costner even lists American Flyers on his CV. lol

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

@@johnandrews3568 I wouldn't be surprised lol It was a bit cringy, especially that dog scene.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

@@rainingtacos5879 ...agree, it shows how the film industry has lost touch with what the consumer needs...we need Flyers 2! We need it now! We need the version where a young guy from Texas with a love of blood products takes on the next generation of Russians in the sierra nevada mountains, complete with a new more dramatic dog chasing scene and not forgetting the throwing a banana on the ground, and the bike pump in the spokes on the deadly downhill scene!

[@KiangaBahati]

Mohoric is beginning to remind me of Sean Yates in the 1980s with the way he descends mountains.

[@clarencecorbeil1061]

I would have heard "Chariots of Fire" behind Mohoric's descent. He was really flying! That being said, the CX Women U23 was very good. Even though, Backstedt was flying too, I enjoyed the local rider Zemanova fighting for silver, and Isabella Holmgren flying on the course faster than Backstedt.

[@gcnracing]

We can't wait for more and more racing this year! Shame the CX season is almost at the end!

[@prestachuck2867]

It’s so cool that bike racing is not about who is fastest, it’s really about who is fastest at the right time and for the right amount of time.😊

[@JBmadera]

Going to be a HUGE year for USA cyclsits. So happy for Brandon and Will.

[@alecferguson]

Interesting discussion on the new cycling league. A 3rd consequence you didn't discuss is rider health. Racing takes an enormous toll on the body, particularly grand tours. It is imperative that the riders get sufficient breaks between races to keep them healthy for the long term. While Roglic vs Pogacar vs Vingegaard vs Evenepoel battles are great for us as spectators, let's make sure rider health comes first.

[@skylerschwendeman]

Great recap of a great week of early season racing. Thanks as always GCN!

[@tasty_fish]

Just wanted to mention that the person who died at the Volta Valenciana was Guillem Ramis, a 57-year old former Spanish amateur, who turns out was a bit handy back in the day. He was a driver for team Balears-Arabay, according to a statement issued by the team on X. Thoughts with friends and family 🙁

[@rivingtonandstanton]

Strade Bianche is already a great classic and fits well among other great classics. Fiddling with it will not make it a fundamentally better race.

[@thomasbailey6328]

NO, NOT, NO!!!! Politics of the Saudi rulers is pure $$$$$ . It’s all about building world opinion for their crude way of suppressing opinion and gender equality. “ We are really a nice couybecause we support Golf, F1, Tennis and booorrring early season bike races.” I’d hate the idea. And personally I like the idea of a break ( as I like F1’s season break). Sorry for the rant but I am tired of the wealth they have pushing more money their way. Personally I’d never want to visit Saudi Arabia ,can you guess, and especially now as I would most likely be detained for airing an opinion about The Family. Let have Trump by the way to run an over built hotel. That’s really what the are in my mind.

[@lukecarville]

Such a pity that the Étoile de Bessèges' race was 'Geo-locked Out' from DiscoveryPlus in the UK .

[@eetuhu]

There's no way to talk about a Saudi-backed initiative without going into politics and sportswashing.

[@mstrasser]

100% agree. you can't just "put it to the side" it's at the core of the initiative. Also "seeing the best riders up against each other more often each year" seems to have an undercurrent to GC riders, not to mention it removes what is so great about cycling. Not all riders are cut for ever parcours nor should they be.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

I will not watch, support or spend one penny to benefit any oil-money tyrants. All over the world citizens/voters go to the polls and vote their discontent with, and unwillingness to, give away their heritage, social norms and future to arabic/Islamic migration. Those same euros would be flaming hypocrites to spread their arms wide to welcome (and collect) middle-east bribes.

[@fanda6122]

all sports money is dirty and corrupt IDC if it's FIFA the NFL, LIV golf or Saudi cycling. the sport needs stability plain and simple. crying about where the money comes from is a disservice to the riders who stand the benefit the most.

[@mstrasser]

​@@fanda6122i'd hardly call saying "you can't disregard the funding source" as crying. it's stating that it's a legit thing that needs to be discussed. and from where money comes from, the corruption of FIFA and LIV (especially the latter) is IMO on another level to other sports washing. Same thing with some of the sponsors in the Peloton now. Especially Saudi related with such huge human rights violations to say the least. BUT, in my post i also outlined other areas that at least call out or show some differences in opinions to Dan's. "the best riders" for example. but i do agree with you sustainability for the sport is a huge must and this could help with that. albeit it could also limit the chances of younger riders gaining experience, teams signing younger or taking a chance with some riders which also can't be discounted.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

@@fanda6122 so, you follow the sport! I spend a small fortune on cycling every year, bikes, gear, racing, traveling, attending events (Glasgow last summer). I will not spend a penny to benefit any such league. Hope you spend more than I do, for those riders sake.

[@ethangodridge6833]

Don’t mess with Strade for me.

[@merckxy54]

Did I miss the results of the track world cup in Australia??????????

[@Astronomater]

the alula tour has some of the most beautiful scenery i've ever seen. don't sleep on this tour next year folks!

[@ChrisCapoccia]

I think the couple extra bits of "gravel" will be fine. Strade Bianchi was always a little gravelly before gravel was even a thing

[@palexander5090]

It's awesome to see Powless and McNulty doing so well, now. I've watched them for years, developing here in the US, at the Redlands Bicycle Classic (Chris won it a few times for Saturn). The "Colorado boys" (TJ, Sepp, etc.) must do a different race in Colo. somewhere perhaps, as they rarely do Redlands.

[@user-qj4sc8hl5z]

2:40 there was a way to watch all the races😢

[@KelvinSuddith]

Can we talk about the sportswashing? It only makes cycling look bad on all of us for supporting groups that shouldn’t necessarily be supported. It is a huge part of this conversation, as cycling is a sport all about history, as well as a sport that isn’t afraid to use the platform for positivity.

[@Liofa73]

It’s already happening in cycling. Look at the team sponsors. Nobody is talking about now.

[@montani3semper]

The US is due for a World Championship chemise

[@cb6866]

Thanks Dan and crew...nicely done ! I love to watch races , but the cost is becoming too much , subscriptions etc..what is going to make it profitable , yet let me watch ?

[@prestachuck2867]

I really hate the fact that in the US there is not one single channel for watching any and all of the road racing. Several expensive subscriptions, and you still don’t get to see some of the important races. The UCI could learn something from MotoGP.

[@cb6866]

@@prestachuck2867 Yeahhh. It’s a shame , if it weren’t for KZbin I’d not see any !

[@Paul_Paulson]

Come on GCN the big news in racing this week is Mattieu van der Poel’s hair. That’s a mullet, people!

[@gcnracing]

hot or not?

[@prestachuck2867]

Matthieu can do no wrong right now. Maybe that’s the source of his awesome power.

[@georgehugh3455]

Strade Bianche could use a new ending every so often BEFORE that one aspect becomes the defining (and somewhat predictable) aspect of the whole outcome _a la_ Alejandro Valverde and La Flèche Wallonne....

[@spiritualbohemian]

Shame you glossed over Zoe Backstedt’s win at the weekend, not even showing a clip of the win. She’s flying the flag for the GB and did it in just as much panache as the elite winners. Disappoimting.

[@rainingtacos5879]

UCI and current race organizers will hopefully see the Saudi league as a wake up call to clean up their calendar and work together for the good of the sport, teams, fans communities and riders. There seemingly isn't a reason outside of greed and ego this hasn't happened already and if the best 5-7 teams split time or defect from UCI I can't see it a good long term situation for anyone besides some possible money men and a few top riders. In a sport built on so much history it's hard to feel good about what the Saudi's are proposing. While the Idea holds some nice pieces it would be sad to think the existing power structure UCI/ Amaury etc, would be so blind and greedy as to let the sport fracture the way golf and some other seem to have. That's not even taking into account any moral/social/political issues one may have with this which is a whole other mess depending on your point of view...

[@prestachuck2867]

The UCI will probably just pass a new rule prohibiting competition by professional riders in non-UCI Sanctioned events, with the penalty being forfeiture of their racing license. The top teams and riders will comply, the new league will fail just as all the others have and will, and the status quo will remain.

[@robertdavenport6705]

One giant money source promising to make everything better , all the best always doing the same event , only one broadcaster. Gee , what could go wrong?

[@WesternUranus]

The superleague isn't a good idea. Top riders will be stretched thin competing against each other way too often and any suspens about who would beat who will disappear. In such a calendar, ou would basically know the winner of TdF before it even starts and races wouldn't have different levels of difficulty from year to year with a single field of top pros always going to the same races. Cycling, the way it is now, is varied and interesting with many young riders coming up and winning bigger and bigger races. Cycling must not become soccer.

[@urouroniwa]

I'm probably very atypical, but I don't actually want to see more head to head of the sport's elite. I think it's good the way it is. I like that they have to pick and choose their races. I like that I have to wonder, "Who is best". I like that I get to see other racers shine. I like that the Tour de France is an all or nothing race. And even if the Tour de France is the biggest race, it is almost never my favourite race of the season. I like that teams have to go for the Giro or the Vuelta. They don't become grudge matches. If the new racing league becomes popular, I think 20 years from now we will be looking back at this period as the height of the sport.

[@bleckb]

There's a danger that in having to determine a "true" champion, the sport could be gutted in the way American college football has been by the television powers.

[@macydavenport]

From LIVGolf to LIVCycling

[@antoniojimenez4928]

I would leave the calendar as it is. Plenty to watch and plenty to choose for teams and young riders

[@Liofa73]

If only we could still watch it on GCN.

[@antoniojimenez4928]

@@Liofa73 that was a terrible lost. Really a shame!

[@perryfeyk1449]

I am with many of the comments here on no to the super league. You just had a terrific story that you enjoyed covering about McNulty and Barta: you don't have that happen in a super league. Also, why must cycling be like formula one? it is not formula one, and formula one will always be better than cycling at being formula one. Stick with what is unique about cycling. And if the top riders are always competing together, the races get boring. We know how they will end. I love Wout, Tadeg and Van der Poel in E3, Flanders, etc., but it is exciting to see, say, a Pidcock or a Healy taking on a Tadeg in Amstel, which doesn't happen in a super league. Here in America, do we want the top three NFL teams competing against each other every week? No. Do you want your top Premier League teams facing each other multiple times before the championship game? Nope. And who would watch the World cup final against two teams that had played each other ten times in the past two years? The lack of head to head makes the actual head to head more interesting and exciting. Otherwise, let's just do time trials. And, MOST important, when you reduce the number/options on different races, you obviously do not need as many riders on the World Tour teams. So, the super league employs fewer riders. That doesn't help cycling. PS: I LOVE cyclocross, but the most exciting cyclocross races to watch were the ones without Matthieu: those races were actually competitive and interesting. In the super league format, it would have been only watching Matthieu win, unless he crashed.

[@claudiocampuzano7364]

Great to ‘see’ US riders performing. Quotes are because, of course, in the US, we can’t actually see them.

[@hutchy_4297]

Sepp might have started something haha

[@jonathanzappala]

Got to make strada bianche longer of it wants to be a monument.

[@parkysouthlondon]

If Dan thinks it's difficult to keep up with three simultaneous bike races, imagine what a Football pundit's job is like trying to keep up with all the matches going on in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany etc etc every weekend. Cycling is simple in comparison.

[@fanda6122]

almost as if one league and a truncated schedule would solve that problem

[@shahilj]

When you are South African and find out about the South African national championship and it’s winner, by watching GCN. Because there was no media coverage of the race in the local newspapers. Amazing.

[@ianzuniga2912]

Where is everyone watching these races???? I miss GCN+

[@bleckb]

In the US, I have resorted to Flo. Sometimes have to use my VPN for broadcasts available only in Canada. Much more expensive the GCN+

[@Liofa73]

It’s probably a good thing the Tour of Britain is has run into problems and a new organiser is found. Last year’s route was an absolute joke, every day bar perhaps one was a sprint.

[@martinashwell]

Saudi Super League ‘Sports washing and politics aside’ - how?

[@feedbackzaloop]

Those who complain about three races during one weekend day, never checked football calendar. If you want your sport to grow and prosper, gotta admit no single person could have a full grasp on it all. Something like "if you love it, let it go"

[@ericspmc09]

What about the women’s professional peloton? Even as is in the UCI, they’re treated less than equal…there’s no way a Saudi-backed race league would include the women.

[@robbchastain3036]

I think new money should fund new races, one each in several nations with each team sending four riders of its choosing and the overall champion being a team, ala ball sports leagues, based on cumulative placings. And it could all be complimentary to the sport as a whole, no need for division or denigration of long-standing events.

[@georgehugh3455]

Heavyweight Sprint of the Year: _Milan vs Ganna from 300-400m_

[@suew2144]

I agree with Dan that it’s hard to watch all events, especially before spoiler headlines on Google. One has to stay off social networks until caught up. In Canada, with spotty coverage, this is difficult.

[@johnevans6399]

I would suggest having a word with the premlership players before they sign anything with the saudies.

[@StephenCrimmins]

Instead of a super league, is there any way to make the UCI World Tour more important? If you moved a few of the dates around a little, it wouldn't be hard to avoid any overlap, and then there's already a premade 'super league'. If there's a way to give a financial incentive to having the best group of riders show up to all of the World Tour races would help (obviously, some sort of financial rejiggering may be needed for that). I also have doubts about the idea of having all the top riders competing together in a bunch of places. It sounds great in theory, but with the way cyclists peak, we'd end up watching top riders competing but with only some of them at the top of their form--that sounds disappointing. Add to that the fact that different types of cyclists are best in different types of races really means that variety in who shows up is a natural part of the sport. Plus, I have to admit having different levels of races is fun for those of us who watch more. It was fun imagining for a while that a rider on a Pro Team might be able to sneak his way onto the top of the podium at the end of a stage race last week in Catalonia. And even three World Tour riders passed him, it was great to watching Tonelli in the yellow jersey for a few days.

[@matthewbaynham6286]

I'm guessing this new Super League is not going to promote women's cycling and be either just as sexist or even more sexist than the current situation. Currently women's cycling is extremely discriminated against, historically it's been even worse. But I don't think the Saudi's will be improving the situation. And I would like to see more women's cycling.

[@benjones621]

🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

Kevin Costner!

[@leggitte5957]

Fem van Empel is not 22 but only just 21. So 2 world championships at the age of 21.

[@leonmontoya4886]

Dan, great show as always. One request though: Could you speak just a little bit more slowly. It is not tv, where time is a constraint. Your pronunciation and intonation are already excellent, not just for brits, but the speed does mangle it a bit for non natives like me. Thanks.,

[@greghart6310]

New league sounds disastrous

[@MrSlartybartfast42]

I'd say no to the super league if it results in less races because fewer races would mean fewer riders at the lowest tier of racing

[@neilr90]

so when Saudi league starts, all the other race organizers are going to choose to fold and stop having races? Not every pro team is going to join the saudi league. If anything this would just add an additional thing to watch instead of streamlining the amount of races. Saying this, it would be nice if there was an A team, B team... so all the based racers competed against each other at every race

[@fanda6122]

every world tour team and the top pro tour teams are being included

[@neilr90]

@@fanda6122 whos to say all teams will sign up? What about the organizers of the TdF and other big tours? Plus what about all those riders that no longer have a job with the streamlined league? I'm sure other "leagues" or something will form. The PGA didnt just fold because the saudi league came in

[@tomkompareus]

My worry with a new cycling league would be increased "burn and churn" with pro riders. Increased cumulative fatigue over the season, increased chance of injury, shortened careers. The pro peloton and their union should look at this with a wary eye. And, of course, the sport-washing cannot be overlooked.

[@Stickygoma]

There needs to be options available for "less prominant athletes" to get their legs under them while the stars get to race against each other. Triathlon as a case study; The new PTO T100 will feature the best while Ironman 70.3 will continue as a platform for younger athletes to prove themselves as viable for a T100 invitation

[@MichaelWilliams-iv6dj]

I can't say I am super excited about the new racing league. Too much concentration of events would put the squeeze on some of the really cool races. It would be a crime to put an end to races like Tro Bro Leon.

[@jrae5085]

The simplification argument for Saudi support is ridiculous. The possibility of Saudi support is in no way simple.

[@CadenzaCycles-GreveInChianti]

I think Strade Bianche is perfect from the start, don't change it! More money into the cycling sport is always appreciated, but not in the way presented here, as was mentioned smaller bike races will suffer and young talents will have a harder time breaking through. If the Saudis really wants to support and develop the cycle sport there are other ways to do that, and by the way, the big guns will race against each other when they want to, no money can change that. For all those 250 mln € they should develop a WorldTour for Juniors and Under23, men and women. Show some care about the young talents.

[@notsocrazybrit]

Very disappointed- Zoe Backstedt as a new British world champion, And long time friend of the channel, deserved more than a passing mention.

[@mlk702]

With women's cycling growing from strength to strength, bringing more viewers, how can this be squared with big cycling money coming from a country that doesn't allow women to ride any bikes at all, let alone race. The hypocrisy is screaming and GCN doesn't say a word about this, so disappointing.

[@chrisridesbicycles]

I‘m very critical about the super league. Cycling is not watched by people still in their bibs from their morning ride and not by drunk blokes in the pub like „premium“ sports like F1 and football. Each of us has their own favourite races and all of them have a right to exist.

[@D2traveller]

So, to summarise Dan’s comments: What’s good about the super league? More opportunities to see the top few riders go head to head. What’s bad about the super league? Everything else.

[@henrikandreasen7455]

No LIV tour Pls. Its Only about money, no culture, tradition etc.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

First F1, then Futbol, then Golf . . . now Cycling? Voters around the world say NO to Arab immigration, Arab religion and Arab culture - please say NO to sportswashing.

[@fanda6122]

the sport needs stability cry some more. the races are the same.

[@isitrachelorj3953]

@@fanda6122 you can be bought off cheap, huh? Or are you a supporter of one of those disgusting, corrupt regimes. Love having UAE and TBV (and the cheats who run those teams) in the sport - it gives me someone to root against.

[@jonathanzappala]

More recent series will not make it better for the casual fan. I say that as someone who only cares about big ones.

[@Rodador24]

Making Strade Bianchi longer and harder seems most likely to encourage riders to be more conservative and ride more defensively. That's exactly the opposite of what makes a race exciting. Bad idea.

[@michaelnewman4302]

How about not leaving the politics and sportswashing aside? I won't watch this league.

[@mbatley]

Time to start calling Strade Bianci a new, "monument." The longer distance only underlines this.

[@markdwelchforcongress4456]

I wouldn't mind seeing the current race calendar cleaned up a bit, but I am hesitant to see the Saudis do it. I don't trust their long term intentions. Perhaps the UCI and Asos can respond with improvements of their own to counter the Saudis.

[@LovetheIPAs]

So less cycling is preferred???? Four races held on one day is a problem???? Say it ain't so. Reality is never what the salespersons describe. "All the best cyclists" is never the same from year to year, indeed, the surprise of a new talent adds so much to an event. Under the proposed format, how many years would it take before we'd see Isaac Del Toro in a WT event? I could go on for paragraphs. In short, less cycling, fewer races, is a terrible idea.

[@IamPapaShaw]

You can’t set aside sportswashing and politics. Geopolitics are complex and rife with moral gray areas. However, there is no gray area when it comes to a regime luring in, murdering, and chopping up a man’s body with bone saws. Remember Jamal Khashoggi.

[@RobinT346]

I think the cons you listed for the new super league far outweigh the pros TBH especially when you add in sports washing and politics which we honestly can't divorce from the situation. I'm not saying the current way things are done is perfect and doesn't need a bit of an evolution but all the pros just sound like scrambling to justify a "solution" nobody needs or asked for and that has the primary goal of lining people's pockets not promoting and sustaining the sport.

[@whatwelearned]

I have to say that Tabor was a terrible choice for the 'cross champs; pure power course that resulted in the most boring worlds I can recall. Humbug!

[@scrossman8991]

Agreed, didn't encourage racing. Being greasy didn't help either.

[@stephenfortune4632]

..and don't even talk to me about how badly the planks were positioned :(

[@WerdnaLiten]

I think it's the third time since 2010 that they've hosted the CX Worlds........Need more countries to host them; GB hasn't since Bradford 1992....... far too long.

[@stephenfortune4632]

I asked a friend who is the know about cx uk and said we are not willing to pay the fee asked for. Agreed it would be a great event though.

[@goozerboozer8543]

'against the Philipsens and Merliers'. Why Merlier? Kooij, Groenewegen, Jakobsen are all better sprinters.

[@Shellewell]

I disagree. You can't just talk about the impact on the sport without addressing the politics and the sportswashing because that is the central idea behind the league. The proposed benefits for the sport are only there to convince people into letting the sportswashing and politics happen.

[@barneybarney9124]

I used to able to watch all races on one platform then it all went Micky Mouse.

[@mbdelker]

I’m conflicted, look at futbol, football or any other professional sport. The best athletes in those given sports don’t play against each other every game/match/etc…. There are multiple events happening all the time that you have to pay attention to. Why should cycling be streamlined down? You’d essentially end up with the same event on rinse and repeat every however often with only the location changing. I think it would get quite boring rather quickly!!! Just look at golf

[@skinthekat0530]

All sports converge to "fantasy league format" for gambling. #pathetic

[@robanderson9565]

It would be wise not to deal with the Saudis no matter how much $$$ they throw at it

[@space.youtube]

How exactly do you "put aside the sports washing and the politics" and expect to form a valid opinion? It's like saying "never mind the turd in the bowl, tell me what you think about the punch?" That you're framing the discussion in such terms is really concerning. You haven't been offered or accepted any saudi $$$, have you? 🤔

[@superstrada6847]

The riders are humans, not machines, thus frequently lining up against each other would be too much to sustain. Dumb idea; This this is not F1 racing. I unfortunately understand your incentive though.

[@sveng5319]

Plugge and the Saudis… I don’t expect anything good for the sports out of it.

[@AlessioPunzi]

Bike races, especially stage races, have to be boring sometimes. It’s supposed to be a slow burner. Hope we don’t mess up a beautiful sport to try and follow the supposed tastes of a goldfish-attention span generation.