Gent-Wevelgem was High-Quality AMATEUR Racing

[@johnsenior478]

The thing is Pedersen and MVDP are racers- not calculators. They had a 50/50 chance of winning and decided they were good odds. Pretty obvs they were the strongest riders and based on their smiles at the end they enjoyed themselves. Phillipson didn’t seem to be on his best day either.. Great for the audience which counts if you want viewer numbers to rise and cycling to be sustainable and big enough to grow.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

For sure it’s great viewing. Everyone (except the sprinters;) prefers the two best riders in the race to fight it out all day long during a classic over a field sprint any day of the week but my job here isn’t to not point out or avoid telling you how ridiculous it was that MVDP pulled for 20k into a strong wind with Mads and Stuyvn sitting on MVDP’s wheel when there were other better option available to him and the Alpecin team beside entertaining the viewers at home. 🤔🦋👊💨🔥

[@rudemanpatti]

Pedersen didn't do so much.... maybe a little in the end.... MVP did so much, I knew he wouldn't win. I think he didn't realy care if he would win or not. He wanted to make is as hard as possible, exspecially for himself so he will be top for flanders ;)

[@Na-zj3uk]

@@rudemanpattiarh come on. Do you really believe that yourself ??

[@michaelgriffiths305]

I think MVDP was putting in work in final prep for this weekend. Off course if he got the win too that’d been ideal BUT he wanted to put in a brutal effort 48hours after E3. He’s not lacking confidence so was free to ride as he pleased. He’s raced like this before in classics leading into a monument. However, he will not be so generous in his pulls over Easter weekend… unless he’s riding solo.

[@pinquisitor9552]

@@ChrisHornerCyclingmight have been his last training before the tour de Flanders 😂

[@mattwall2180]

Chris - I watch your analysis on every video, and rarely disagree with your view on what would have been the most ‘efficient’ way to race, but let’s face it - racing these days is way, way more entertaining than it was ‘in the day’ because these guys want to race and not just sit in the group. Sometime the ‘knuckleheads’ are actually the entertainers that make the race interesting and unpredictable for us viewers! Keep up the great work - from the UK 👍👍

[@jean-jacqueslavigne3109]

For sheer entertainment value, we love KNH guys! Firstly they are fun to watch and secondly they are fun to see lit by Chris.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I agreed with you actually here 100% already in the video, if you want to look at the race as only if it was entertaining I said that I loved it (something to that fact anyways;) at the finish of the video. 👊🦋❤️

[@jean-jacqueslavigne3109]

@@ChrisHornerCycling in my racing days, in your KNH universe, I would have been a galaxy.

[@ronaldhoward7908]

Spot on take!!!

[@Asmodaeus89]

You call it amateur. I call it amazing cycling in the modern era where the greatest riders wants to win in the greatest way.

[@FreeMTrider]

Or maybe....just maybe, MVDP felt too good in a way he thought he could do everything and still win. The best have made that same mistake and they know it at the end. If you have raced bikes at any level, you might have had that same feeling. Haha

[@robertomcdonald2767]

@@FreeMTriderYeah - I heard King Kelly say the same thing for one of his Flanders losses...just felt so good he thought he was unbeatable.

[@KurtPreston]

I'd say 2-3 years Pithie might be a name we see in the finale in the classics; He is currently still figuring out how deep he needs to go!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

And no one would argue with you. 💪🦋👊

[@gandalf6700]

I think Mads P's tactic was to keep van der pool tired ,, thats why he attacked on the climb so hard .. so he was never really recoveret :)

[@davids1033]

Thank you, Chris and Garrett

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@nicolas2838]

It's crazy how Lidl turned their team within one year into a team with so much presence without relying on just one or two riders.

[@charlesblithfield6182]

In your interesting commentary Chris I’m learning from you the basic importance of smart tactical energy management in racing.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Coaching 👊🦋

[@sandervanelslander9964]

I think you need a knucklehead to break a knucklehead. Trek played into MVDP's winner mentality. They send Milan up the road, not knowing VDP would chase him but they tried and succeeded. Mathieu pulled him back, but at the cost of almost breaking on the second kemmelberg, allowing Mads to give him the first mental and physical blow of the season.

[@dzomers]

Agree with all the knuckleheads, execpt Pithie. He knew he could never win but by doing his part of the work his marketvalue went up incredible. He is at the end of his contract this years…teams will be knocking at his door now

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yes. I 100% agree with you about Pitbie. But, that’s why I started the video explaining my tactics are about winning the race. Not about 2nd and especially not about contract value after the race is finished. That kind racing doesn’t need tactics, get on tv during the race and you have done your job 100% correct. simple and easy. 🤔🦋👍

[@justlucky13]

Thanks Chris and Garrett!!!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@HarryFunmaker]

It was weird that MVDP never played the Jasper card after Jasper just won MSR. There were times in his younger years when MVDP seemed overconfident and spent too much energy at times. This felt like a throwback to those days. I still expected him to win that sprint, though, so I guess I'm a knucklehead, as well. Intermarche has no excuse. I think they're happy if Bini gets top 10 places.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Intermarche was ridiculous. At least MVDP and Mads were at the front while being knuckleheads, yet still with a chance to win the race. 🤔🦋👍

[@jeroenschoondergang5923]

I think that with Mathieu people always confuse eagerness with overconfidence. Guys like Mathieu, Wout, Tadej and Remco love the game too much to just sit back and watch. They want to race and enjoy their day on the bike, even during competition. Mathieu has said that several times in interviews. He said in an interview post E3 that he needed some hard competition to get him ready for Flanders. He has also said several times that he doesn't like Gent-Wevelgem. I believe that Jasper is ok with whatever the hell Mathieu wants to do. The guy just gave him the chance to win a monument and he took it. Not to mention the work Mathieu did for him in last year's TdF.

[@MTw-ps2ds]

Sooo... we have "pro" riders that do not know about the most basic concepts of cycling and racing... I bet all of them have rich and/or somewhat influencial parents (oh and don't forget the juice which is also a lot easier to get your hands on and not get caught if your family has certain connections)

[@williambob111]

@@MTw-ps2ds who said he doesn't know? ghey comment.

[@alphaniner3770]

@@jeroenschoondergang5923 You nail it here Jeroen. Matthieu seemed to be having fun training and it was a bonus that ended up in a situation where he could afford to loose the sprint while showing off the rainbow jersey. He did not appear to have an issue with Pedersen taking the win - because that will guarantee that Trek will ride for the win in the Tour of Flanders - which suits Matthieu fine - and a lot better than the defensive riding Wout did during E3.

[@MeesterJ]

I guess Mat and Mads were really having fun😂

[@mikkelline11]

It's throwback to their junior days riding against each other. These two go waaaay back. Mads was the best junior in the world in 2013, also winning Paris Roubaix juniors. Sadly he only managed silver medal at the world champs that year, losing out to... Mathieu van der Poel 😄

[@leedsunited007]

" A bunch of knuckleheads in this race" Got me hooked like a greedy trout.

[@ragweedmakesmesneeze]

I remember the Alpine Valley Road Race (part of the Superweek race series) had pretty tough Wisconsin crosswinds that prepared me well for Belgian Kermesse racing. One year the officials stopped us in the middle of the race because we were echeloning and taking up the whole road. Unfortunately for us, like many smaller U.S. road races, there was a yellow line rule and they were intent on enforcing it. It put guys like me, cat 2s trying to make it to the next level, racing with pros, in an impossible position (literally and figuratively). Get in an echelon and break the rules. Or follow the rules and get dropped immediately. The glaciers that formed the topography of that part of Wisconsin, meant that shorter steeper climbs always crested, leaving riders in wide open farm country with nothing to block the winds...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I hated the yellow line rule. I understand why they had it but I still hated it. 😬🦋👍

[@jean-jacqueslavigne3109]

Organisers should select roads with poor markings maintenance…

[@swisstopia]

Team Horner rocks! 🦋👍

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🦋👊🎸

[@panospeter_pan4257]

Gent-Knucklgem Thats a proper name for the race.

[@safetyinnumbers-cardanolan745]

Finally someone else that sees the race tactics like i do. But i will add the reason why MVDP did his knuckle head tactics: simply because he wanted to win himself and to avoid being in the situation of MSR again where he is forced to work for Jasper Philipsen. That is the reason why MVDP wanted to make the race as hard as possible to tire out all sprinters. Afterwards some said: good move that MVDP tried winning by himself bc Jasper came second in the sprint. But they all forget that Jasper had no lead-out. If MVDP does his lead-out at the end Jasper wins with bike lengths. If the race is not hard enough after MVDP lets himself drop back at the peloton he knows with 35 k after the last Kemmel the 30-40 sec he can take on the Kemmel will not suffice

[@paulboudreaux7051]

Insightful analysis per usual. And perhaps even a few reverse backhanded compliments to MVDP vs. your normal fronthanded ones. Still, my guess is that he smashes everyone at RVV. Almost looked like he was trying to make the race hard on himself at both E3 and GV. Good training effect for the races that count especially given they were only his 2nd and 3rd races.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Wout will be back and ready. 🤔🤞💪🦋

[@freekfaro5606]

​@@ChrisHornerCycling Just one more to smash. Seems to me that the way Mathieu has been racing, and this was only his third race!, his goal or plan on de Ronde is to attack attack and attack again, and go solo. Second place, two days after the E3, by racing amateurish, not bad at all!

[@jonoharper4729]

I agree 💯. Probably treated it as a long zone3 training ride in preparation for RVV, with his mindset being..."train hard, and if I'm in the lead group at the end, give it a go, bonus if I can win"

[@Lion-wd1px]

​@@freekfaro5606yea MVDP looks better than ever, hope he recovers till RVV and uses some more tactics and less brute force so smash it (MVDP fanboy)

[@larshansen4557]

​@@ChrisHornerCyclingisnt mads best chance in Paris roubaix , and therefor maybe not blow him self up in flanderen ?

[@holmbjerg]

You are underestimating Jonathan Milan. He didn't blow at all when he was caught, so Søren Kragh Andersen alone could not have reeled him in. Jasper Philipsen would also have to work if MVDP didn't want to sacrifice himself again like in San Remo. And if they had reeled him in, Stuyven would attack. Deceunick-Alpecin were just outmatched today. There was nothing they could do about it. Lidl-Trek were just too good.

[@rossdraluck3882]

Chris! Throw this audio in a podcast! Additional opportunity to reach the public!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@gbart981]

Another informed perspective. Thanks a bunch, Chris & Co.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@unknown23hornet22]

In the US I have experience cross winds a few times. In New Mexico the wind can get quite strong across the plains. On the drive from Albuquerque to Las Cruces there are a coup wind socks to warn truckers in the canyons. Also in eastern Washington crossing some of the canyons you consistently get a crosswind. On Highway 2 crossing the the Moses Coulee is one that I remember on a bike. The blast of wind when you enter the canyon is something you need to be prepared for. On a side note, eastern Washington is not that flat. constant rolling hills across the deserts and farmland on highway 2 past Wenatchee.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. We got them but just not at the racing spots. 🤔🦋💨👊

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

Stage racing is so built into Chris that he actually called winning a oneday race “winning the stage”.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Hehehe. And I always make that mistake. Cause you are 100% correct. I loved the GC racing. 😂😂👊👊👊👊👊👊🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

[@carsick825]

If you watch the pre-race interview you see MVDP being asked what to expect from him during the race… the MVDP from E3 or the MVDP from Milano-SanRemo… his answer the MVDP from E3… seemed like he made up his mind before the race even started that he would try to take this one for himself so long as he was feeling good… it’s like Pog getting worked over by Jonas and Primoz at the 2022 TdF… too late to change tactics when all the matches have been burned and you’re left empty… The upside for cycling fans is it makes for great viewing on the Chesterfield!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Amazing viewing for sure. 👊🦋💪💪💪💪🔥

[@Michael00000001]

@@ChrisHornerCyclingand if Mads knew this he wouldn't be a knucklehead .. 🤣

[@TheCyclesport]

M.V.D.P. wanted to make the race his own way. I would have liked to hear what if anything his team was telling him on the radio. But it seemed obvious that MVDP was going to race like he wanted to. Work hard, work harder than anyone else, and have fun doing it while putting on a show for the crowds and television. Good for TREK to apply so much difficulty to him. So sad to see Soudal Quick-Step be so irrelevant. I think you are going to have to appreciate them doing all kinds of tactics and knucklehead moves according to you because that makes for some seriously exciting racing. I think there is no way there is ever not going to be knucklehead maneuvers in the racing going on, it is the way it works, racing is organic, and basically never going to be non non-kucklehead moves made. In fact, I think you made some of your own knucklehead moves over the years in the world-class races you took part in. Let me ask you, Chris, what do you think was your biggest knucklehead move in your career in the world tour races you played big roles in over the years??? I can think of a few offhand... 😉 I would however like to hear Chris Horner doing the major Cycling coverage announcing instead of Christian Vande Velde or Bob Roll. Chris and Bob would be a good pair I think.

[@larsbolomholt8870]

The winner is always right.

[@TheFlowZoneX]

That signed Telekom jersey gotta be worth some high value! Love it when you share the significance of the jerseys throughout the uploads. Surely I'm not the only one who gets left in the mystery when no mention of the jerseys 😅 Best of health to you @ChrisHornerCycling - thanks for another ever informative and entertaining video guys. Super pumped for the 3 big 3 weekers! Fingers crossed all these guys can stay healthy and on top form! Few questions. 1) Knowing what you know about timing of form and peaking adhd such, which individuals would you say are best placed to take out the major tours at this point? 2) Who are your current top 5 rated teams here on The 🦋 Effect 3) Where / does MDVP sit on your top 10 riders list?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

1) pog and Jonas are almost flawless. 2) I will wait on the teams for now until the classics finish. 3) MVDP is 6th on my list.

[@joebriggs8422]

KNUCKLEHEAD O’RAMA: KNUCKLEHEAD 19 KNUCKLEHEADS 2 KNUCKLEHEADISM 1 TOTAL 22 In a 17:55 length video, that’s an impressive 74 kph pace (knuckleheads per hour) 😉

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very impressive. That’s why I never questioned their fitness. 😂👊👊👊💪🦋

[@Flum666]

you have the world champ racing the former world champ

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep 💪🦋👊

[@joseaphabaia1133]

The race is full gas no tacticts at all....thanks for your videos and analysis😅

[@Szwejkk]

Yep, and both are big time knuckleheads 😅 That could happen only in professional cycling😉

[@Asmodaeus89]

Modern era cycling is great. More popular than it's ever been. Instead of MVP dropping back and giving us a boring race. Duels between titans on wheels

[@krisbowditch827]

😂😂😂 true

[@TheMichelBrands]

MvdP used imo MSR, E3 and Gent - Wevelgem mainly for practicing/getting in form for the next monuments Ronde van Vlaanderen/Flandres and Paris-Roubaix. He said after MSR that he was not expecting to be that good already. Thats why he was spilling also a lot of energy in the last two races, to get the pace he needs to drop rivals like Van Aert and Pedersen in the end of the races, when they are tired. I think MvdP will win one of the next two monuments for sure, and maybe even both of them.

[@brentrasmussen2440]

Great take on things Chris, always learn something new from your breakdowns. In hindsight, I agree that MVDP should have sat up with 63km to go and gone back to the peloton to work for Jasper as this was the best chance for a team win. However, in the moment MVDP must have thought he could drop Mads before the finish line and take the victory. Even with around 25km to go he could have sat up and let it come back together to work for Jasper. Clearly, MVDP wanted the win for himself and not the team.

[@paulboudreaux7051]

Can't wait to hear this Chris!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@bit1564]

No crosswinds in the US? Chris, you're from Bend! Wenatchee Washington would like a word, and its not even a long distance call!

[@tgibb17]

Wenatchee definitely has crosswinds but with lower stakes I’ve seen groups just smash through it like it didn’t exist. No real thought or consideration - just people blowing themselves up. Up in Bellingham we’ve had some serious crosswinds but the air from the sound mixing with the mountains makes it so unpredictable. No true crosswind because it’s changing each gust. I’d reckon it’s similar all around Oregon and Washington.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

The only cross wind I felt before 1997 was at 89er stage race. Everywhere else the wind could barely blow the bushes. 😂👊🦋💨🍃

[@tgibb17]

@@ChrisHornerCycling man along the puget sound it’s not uncommon to lose power from fallen trees during spring windstorms. Bellingham is the only place I’ve ever ridden that ACTUALLY could have a headwind in both directions during a standard loop. Interesting that the bend area doesn’t have much of the same problems.

[@bit1564]

@@tgibb17thats definitely what I did last time I was there!

[@tgibb17]

@@bit1564 Honestly, that rocks. I can’t help it but I love when amateur races encounter difficulties like crosswinds then, instead of playing it with any consideration or tactic, everybody just starts smashing it like it’s an arm wrestling match. It’s great! You see it in track, cross country, and cycling. It’s something that’s mostly lost at the higher ends of amateur but damn is it entertaining (and fun to partake in)

[@charlesreeve3588]

Spencer Martin makes an interesting point-since the start of 2020: Pedersen 23 wins incl 10 WT and 6 GT stages; Van Aert 16 wins, 10 WT and 3GT; VDP 12 wins, 6 WT and 1 GT. (I think he also said Pedersen leads the WT in wins so far this year.) When you think about it that way, makes VDP's decisions even more dubious

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Let’s make it even more simple. Mads was clearly the number #2 favorite when the racing started. MVDP pulled for 20k the number two favorite in the race with two teams around. MVDp is a knucklehead for sure and I would have said that even if he won the race. Because I literally said Mads was a knucklehead also (not as big as MVDP though;) and he won the race. 😂👊🦋

[@jean-jacqueslavigne3109]

MVDP was set to do one thing: impress Pogacar and send a strong message: “see what you do, I can do too”. Well, that backfired. And that may backfire again soon.

[@bevillenz]

It was pretty obvious that MVDP was using Gent-Wevelgem for prep for Flanders. He was doing maximal work.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

All day long max. 😳🦋💪

[@gregtitus2467]

The knuckleheads make it so much fun! Let 'em learn the hard way, and then show us some real racing.

[@epincion]

Great review, fully agree that MVDP was a knucklehead and Lidl-Trek worked him over well both psychologically and physically such that Mads arrived at the final km with better legs. Problem is that MVDP is a racehorse and it’s not in his nature to sit back and play the patient game letting others do the work.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

MVDP is great at sitting back when Wout is in the race. He must feel over confident when it’s just Mads and Trek. 🤔🦋💪👍

[@mikkelline11]

​​@@ChrisHornerCyclingMads and Mvdp have raced each other since juniors so I don't think Mvdp in any way underestimates him. Mads actually won practically everything as a junior except at the World's when he came 2nd after... Mvdp 😄 I think there's a bigger sense of rivalry between Wout and Mvdp because of the Dutch/Belgian factor and their constant cyclocross duels

[@JasonAGregg]

A logical hypothesis@@ChrisHornerCycling

[@telapreta9795]

I think matieu was not thinking straight after his atack, he just thinked he could blow up everyone that time but didn't, trek just took advantage, was a really knucklehead race but milan was a card well played, sorry for the writing mistakes i'm brazilian, love your videos chris, learn a ton on what not to do hahahaha

[@filippocevenini6266]

In 2024 Pedersen 7 wins already. Impressive Chris's analysis is a masterpiece as always, btw

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very. 💪🦋👊

[@filippocevenini6266]

@@ChrisHornerCycling Chris, is not about this race but, if you can say, what you think on the fact that Uae, for Giro, want take in the 8 riders, Rui Oliveira and Molano ? For me very bad idea because these 2, in all the mountains stages, cannot help at all Pogacar.

[@jerrychicken967]

Is there a bit of an issue between Philipsen and VDP? If VDP goes back in to the group then he may be called in to service for Philipsen and VDP doesn't want that issue. If stays off the front then he's in the pound seat plus there weren't any more bergs for VDP to get off the front. If he goes back then it'll be much tougher to get out and he'll be heavily marked. Other than that VDP got a good workout for Flanders :)

[@charlestoddsullivanforpres6628]

I was curious when I watched the race if some of the riders were out there for a workout and not so worried about tactics and such.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

It was a big race but yes there could be some of that happening when the race started. Once you are in with a chance to win, those thoughts exit quickly. 🤔👊🦋

[@diditrainyesterday]

The best way too describe chris honer analysis! Its like watching the weather person, doing yesterday days weather, and still get in wrong.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Good thing you don’t use your name here so that your friends can’t laugh at you for this comment. 😂🦋

[@jascollinscork]

I wasn't sure why you called Sundays racing amateurish but makes sense now after watching 👍🏻👍🏻 I remember a few year ago Sagan was in MVDP situation with Quickstep, Sagan said F them AND rolled in for second 😂😂

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yes. Sagan tactic that day was good. If you don’t help me, I won’t pull you to the finish. Yet the press ate him up alive for that with basically saying he could only get second, which was not accurate at all really of how the race was played out tactically. It was in fact the press that didn’t understand bike racing not Sagan. 🤔🦋👊

[@ColdGrayMorning]

MVDP goal was training for Flanders - that's because soloing

[@zauberwort]

Mr. Hindsight at it again ;)

[@salbarriga]

Totally agree, hope MVDP watch TBE. Thats also when VDP relies in more than one big contender to facilitate his win.

[@salbarriga]

Thought, lets wait for Flandes so you can rearrange the list.. MVDP is the Best one day racer, thats my appreciation.

[@leenpels7646]

I read this as MVDP having confidence in himself (in hindsight overconfidence) after his epic E3 Saxo Classic ride and Mads calculating that MVDP would follow as soon as he attacked (don't think Mads would've attacked unless he was given a go-ahead from the team as Milan already had served his purpose). I mean MVDP's confidence must be up there with Vingegaard and Pogacar in these types of races... and for good reason.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. I agree he thought too. Use all muscle. 🤔🦋💪

[@kusalperera8839]

What a great analysis Chris. We are learning a lot just only being cyclists not pro

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@jaecheokkim99]

This race might be a prep for Flamders. That's why MVDP race at the front. 😂 can't wait to watch Flanders!

[@jjschmiedlin8813]

Horner is right on here. Watching the race, I wondered why MVP was burning himself all day when it would only lead to a huge disadvantage in the finish. Also, you had 2-3 guys there in that groupetto that should have been taking some pulls and did nothing. MVP should have drifted back right then and there…or attacked. If he’s gonna burn that much energy leading that groupetto, then burn it on attacking until it works. He had nothing at the end and all of this led to that point.

[@dr.merlot1532]

Chris I need your help. Why is it that whenever I see Egan or Primoz do well in races, I start foaming from my mouth and pass out in excitement?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Hehehe. You are to invested. 😂🦋👊

[@rickguerrero2282]

You crack me up……..so damn honest……which is admirable in today’s PC culture. Great commentary as usual.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Gets me trouble all the time. 😜🦋👊

[@erichgerber251]

LMAO 😂 - but on a serious note: Chris has got a few points, always does 👍

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s why we made the channel. 👊🦋🔥

[@stuffgps]

Where can I get the now much needed, "I'm callin' 'em all knuckleheads" tshirt, coffee mug, cycling jersey... collection?

[@MaxwellPowers666]

I'm not great at analyzing race tactics in real time. But MVDP chasing Milan with 80 k to go was such an obvious KNUCKLED HEAD move even I knew it as it was unfolding. Maybe I'm learning a thing or two from watching Chris Horner.

[@nichoybarra7420]

We have a sip of wine every time you say knucklehead. 🎉😅😵‍💫🥴

[@bobfoster687]

how about Last and Final???

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

You are welcome. 👊🦋🍷

[@michielvanbeek108]

Chris, could it be that MVDP just wanted to make it a hard race for himself to prep for RVV?

[@tommyrq180]

They have radios and GS’s. Who’s the knucklehead? I’d call it a shared title.

[@joebelmaati]

I'm a little unsure here...were there any knuckleheads in the race?

[@EMC2Scotia]

Perhaps it was a case of MVDP saying "No, I'm not racing for the sprinter this time (i.e. MSR)". Perhaps that is a tactic missing from his play book.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Possibly 🦋👍

[@URCHRISTIANOSUI]

Hey Chris, Can you please make a video on what’s happening to Biniam Girmay? Thanks 🙏🏽.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I would but I don’t why he’s not impressive at this moment. I would have to interview him to find that out because have seen no reasons (hard crashes, Covid, etc….)from his racing so far to explain it. 🤔🦋👍

[@paulvantveer6072]

Great race! Some deluxe training for Mathieu

[@mikkelline11]

GW is a prestigious classic, and one mvdp lacks in his crowded trophy cabinet. He was gunning to win it, no doubt about it

[@larshansen4557]

Be sure mati dont want to loose against mads 😊

[@paulvantveer6072]

@@larshansen4557 Of course he wanted to win

[@paulvantveer6072]

@@mikkelline11Of course he wanted to win

[@jymtym]

Could someone help me out? How did you watch this race? I couldn’t find it on Max or Peacock. Thanks.

[@madskarlskov1764]

Any Knuckleheads in the Chesterfield 🛋️ 😂

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂🦋👊🛋️

[@gobears6487]

What's the chin signal along with "in the red" ?? 🤔🦋

[@charliedillon1400]

means you're physically exerting into the "red zone"''; at or near maximum effort, which means you won't keep the pace up much longer.

[@gobears6487]

@@charliedillon1400 ROFL... I am an athlete so I know what it means... just curious what he was doing with the chin thing! 🤣

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

At the limit. 👊🦋

[@michaelhansen7516]

I'm with you. Trek played against mvdp's ego and it worked! mvdp has been reading too much press, with dreams of riding off the front to glory from way back.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@slayer6936]

Trek knew MVDP would follow them if they took off. And he fell for it and got worked.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. MVDP finally looked tired after a race. 💪🦋👊

[@mingszheng1301]

Hi, Mr.Hornor,please set your video 1080p better than 4k

[@ananovo8662]

Read the book 'Thinking in bets' to understand, just because something worked out doesn't mean it was a good decision- Like Chris says. Assuming so is called 'resulting'. All decisions are bets, and some bets have higher probability of success than others.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. Exactly. 👊🦋

[@louispastore7301]

All you do on every SINGLE show now is call everyone a knucklehead, every DS has no idea what they are doing and every racer is clueless and an amatuer. We get it Chris, you are smartest cycling tactician ever. You should teach a class every winter to all these knucklehead DS' and amateur racers....."how not to be a knucklehead and amateur"...... my name is Chris Horner, I'll be your instructor today.

[@gerbenvanderbliek7448]

Agree, the knucklehead thing got popular so that's his thing nowadays, it' s getting lame tbh

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I’m already doing that right here. It’s their job to tune in. And on top of that it’s free. 😂🦋👊

[@louispastore7301]

​@ChrisHornerCycling Look, I used to really enjoy your show.....I'm just saying all the CONSTANT bashing and negativity is really getting old, and I know I don't have to watch but you do seriously know your shit and I was super bummed to not see you on last year's NBC Sports coverage of the TdF, just not the same without you. A show that really compliments the racers, teams and God forbid, maybe pump up a DS or two..... well that would be really cool and quite refreshing from all the knucklehead bashing. You are good peeps Chris and a credit to the Industry. .

[@secretagent86]

I totally agree with your analysis. I made lots of mistakes racing (junior in the 1970s… part of the reason i only one a single road race [also crap sprinter]. However i did win many TTs.. strategy? Whats that.. go hard lol

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂👊🦋

[@s2pacific]

Knuckeheads all round, but that's racing & everyone can still learn. Awesome analysis. Everyone going full gas, it's not easy to think tactically, so knuckleheadism understandable 😊.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

What’s DS’ excuse. 😜🦋👊

[@cheechorino3710]

Was waiting on this one 💀

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@terbinos56]

As a team Intermache were the biggest knuckleheads. Unless Bini wasn’t feeling well but didn’t seem he finished 7th.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Then Bini could help pull on the front. Bring the group back earlier and let his teammates attack so that they have shoot at the win. 🤔🦋👍

[@TymanBert]

I’m glad MVDP kept pushing in front. If he goes back to the peloton hes riding for Phillipson.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly. If he went right away though maybe not because there was still more climbs left. But if he went back after Mads attacked it’s too late and then it’s Jasper’s time. 🤔🦋👊

[@johndirom8999]

IMO, if you had been in Alpecin's car as team boss - and if vanderPoel had been prepared to listen to you - he would have been better placed to win that race, and perhaps would have; he nearly did after his 'knucklehead' ride. So, the question is: do the ppl in Alpecin's car know what they're doing, or does vanderPoel just do what he wants? I can't believe that he was using this as a training ride for an upcoming race, he could have won this race and the one coming up. I love your analysis on this race,very insightful and thought-provoking. To the layman - me - it did look like arrogance on vanderPoel's part, but i didn't notice how many other tactical errors other riders/teams made. Thank you; keep up the good work.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Thanks for commenting. That’s why we do the channel, it’s to show the viewers another way the races could have been played out. Coaching really, for a more simple explanation. Now you viewers can talk about the racing more in detail with your friends who only heard while watching the race live how the two strongest riders in the race MVDP and Mads were unbelievable/impressive. 🤔👊👊🦋

[@craighamley3669]

Love your analysis... You should be a director with your own team in Europe! Can't wait to see what you have to say after Flanders and Paris-Roubaix...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🙏

[@44cma]

Maybe some knuckleheads in the team car? Isn't that where the boss man sits?

[@333wheeler]

If MVDP had dropped back Milan could of eased off then started a two up rotation with Pederson as a counter measure . Who knows if that would of worked out any better for them.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

When I said “sit up” you took the words to mean that I said, “just let every one go”. When MVDP sits up he will just ride behind the two trek riders of Mads and Stuyvn, they won’t pull MVDp so everyone gets caught except Milan, from the peloton that was only 25-30” back. 🤔🦋👊

[@didierlegall2184]

Good resume! 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 i may add that at least Mathieu should have gone solo with 5k to go cause of Mad sprinting quality.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Agreed. Try to attack earlier or just sit on Mads at some point near 10k to go and tell Mads that you have the fastest sprinter in the world in the group behind called Jasper the Disaster that’s going to win for sure. Now Mads has decide if he goes back to the group or Mads pulls MVDP to the finish for 10k. But you are correct that MVDP has to attack or stop working with Mads who is a sprinter. 👊🦋

[@stevesmith866]

Intermarche? We’re French we don’t do tactics. We ride around looking good, check out the scenery, then go to dinner. Rinse and repeat.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

They are a Belgium team. so right now in the Belgium press it can not be pretty for them. 😬🦋😳👍

[@rothbj1]

Knuckleheads Ahoy!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@harrisr.7979]

Nice to know that even the pros ride like knuckleheads 😂

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I did many times. 😂👊🦋

[@markyoung950]

It is like that are beginners racing at the industrial park

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂🦋👊

[@jeroenschoondergang5923]

Like José de Cauwer said during the race: it is a junior race with some very scary junior riders in the front

[@S0ulinth3machin3]

I'm not 100% certain that van der Poel was all in to win. I think his main focus is Flanders and he was just trying to get in a hard day. He has a pattern of doing that the weekend before a big target. If he wins, great, if he doesn't win, also great, he's ready for the main objective. This is pure speculation on my part and I could be 100% wrong. But: pointing out the knuckleheadism is correct, I'm just not certain it wasn't intentional. The other purpose served by not winning is there's less of a target on his back. If van der Poel takes Gent Wevelgem, then who's going to work with him? No one. Losing Gent Wevelgem makes him mortal. Again, this is pure speculation on my part. I could be totally wrong.

[@tristramjones7554]

If MVDP had sat up when you wanted him to, Lidl could have sat Milan up for 20 seconds and then had Milan, Stuyven, Peterson off the front with Pithie and everyone in the peloton trying to find a way not to haul MVDP and Phillipsen to the finish.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

No. MVDP would have been sitting on their wheels. I never said just let the group go. When I said “sit up” I didn’t mean just let the group go. All would have gone back together with the time gap only at 30”. 🤔🦋👍

[@AnnieB8844]

I know vdp was training, but what I found really stupid, is that the other teams have around a 30 second gap before the last Kemmelberg, with MULTIPLE riders in the group, and they dont pull and close it. They gave pedersen and vdp an extra minute. If you give the world champion and former world champion an extra minute, of course you re never seeing them again. You lose anyway. Unreal.

[@GOlone9597]

This is just MVDP testing his limits 😁

[@1dree1]

Didn't get Intermarché's tactic either. Ok, for a time they had Petit up on the road with Turgis and somebody else...but only for short and what was that all about anyway? They weren't gonna catch the two leaders for sure. And then they got another 4 riders ...why not provide more support for the chase?! Didn't make any sense. On another note: Lidl Trek looks amazing at the moment. It's not just Pedersen, Stuyven and Milan: Kirsch is always there or thereabouts ..seems to have the shape to follow many moves. Skuijns looks ace all through the month. Then there are domestiques like Theuns, Vergaerde looking really good and Tim Declerq is always a force when they bring him in again. It should be noted that they had 4 riders in the top 11 in E3! With Jumbo Wisma losing riders left and right it's not going to be easy to chase everybody. That may open up options for Lidl Trek.

[@ChristopherOuzman-m3z]

Mads Pedersen IS not a pure sprinter… He is a good sprinter after a hard stage or race, but does not have the top speed of Jakobsen, Phillipsen and others like that… Neither does he claim he is a pure sprinter in fact, by his own admission not really suited for easy races or stages… He has however very good staying power and a decent punch… One of the stages in TDF he just dropped Two of the World best TT riders (Kung and Ganna)- so his recovery is also quite good… And he is spectacular in rain and hard conditions… He does howver have one of the best lead out trains with Kirsch and Styven, but in an easy race Milan would be a better option than Madsen… He has in fact won many races by going solo (became 2 in FLANDERS by doing that) and that would be rare for a pure sprinter…) I do agree with some of your breakdowns - BUT I do believe it would have been a mistake for MvdP if he had “just” taken Mads wheel… with Mads he had 50% chance but Jasper had a huge group with all the sprinters, so that would have let in a lot of other teams in and in hindsight Jasper was not even a close 3 or 4 and Tim Merlier was a huge disapointment with all the work His team had done…

[@MattiasThyr]

looks like everybody now days only can do offensive moves and tactics.Very undynamic racing since these strong boys appeared. Hey it's a team sport but it looks like the podium celebrations are the teams celebrations. When defensive racing starts to happen again they will not be so friendly on the podiums I think. Now it looks like everybody is happy to finish. Like in MTB ... or gravel

[@adamhindle9215]

Gent-Bubblegum is fine to chew over but the real meal is Flanders on Sunday. Predictions Chris? Can MvdP hang with Pog or not?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Pog will not be there this year. 🦋🥲

[@larshansen4557]

Well mads crosed the line before mvp, thats a win

[@pureblood5903]

MVDP is either not thinking or he doesn't trust his team. The biggest knuckleheads were Intermarché,

[@davidmcguigan5497]

Looked like a lot of missed opportunities, teams not pulling, revving it up too late to make the catch. I don't think Phillipsen was on MvdP's mind for one second. Wished Trentin had been able to bridge. Thanks, Chris.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Too bad for Trentin. 🥲🦋

[@colinjockgraham]

You should be charging them for your wisdom lol

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Instead I’m hated for pointing out the obvious. 😂👊🦋

[@brippie]

This was a high-quality amateur video

[@tgibb17]

Certified yapper butthurt by a video title commenting 5 minutes after a 17 minute video is released

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That’s the budget, so don’t forget Patreon when you are clicking through. 😂👊🦋💵

[@werb24]

MDVP was trying to work. He did the same thing a couple years ago and lost to Bini. I don’t think Gent is the prize for him. These are for guys like Wout, Bini and Mads to get excited about. This is a training ride for him.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Then Jasper should be upset. Because he’s a sprinter and would love to have been given a shot at the win here. 🤔🦋👍

[@werb24]

@@ChrisHornerCycling I mean, tough to disagree but he helped him win a much more important race a week earlier

[@werb24]

@@ChrisHornerCycling ok. Until Wout actually wins a two more monuments, 1. No more “best one day racer” nonsense. That ship has sailed. No human will ever look back at their careers at this point and even make an argument for him. 2. MDVP is a better cyclist than Wout. Since recovering from the back injury he’s dominated the match up. Wout’s current claim to fame is as a stage hunter and a super domestique. That’s it. He’s a guy who can win when the other guys aren’t there and can win the second tier one day races. To me the current pecking order in one days is: 1. Mdvp 2. Pog 3. Remco 4. Wout 5. Mads