Team UAE's Tactics Were DISASTROUS

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[@endaohalloran6649]

Never has Chris giving the label of 'Knucklehead' being more accurate than describing UAE today hahahah

[@forplexforplex8831]

Chris Horner oozes class & pro race experience on all his race reviews❤

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@Michael00000001]

Don't agree. We don't know the full truth. Interpreting Pogacar's and especially Mauro Gianetti's comments that was more like a trial stage for them and they didn't want every single team rider to work hard today.

[@SamuelBlackMetalRider]

@@ChrisHornerCyclingyou should trademark the expression at this point, it’s just perfect

[@filippocevenini6266]

Grosschartner gave a big zero to Pogacar😢😢😢 your analysis perfect as usual, Chris. Just a word more on Pogacar : Friday a Cyclist of his Team youth, died in a tragic accident in Slovenia. This why him had black band on him arm

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That was really awful news. 🥲🥲

[@sqmilenews7052]

As soon as I awake here in London, on comes the Butterfly Effect. You deserve your new sponsor for your outstanding and entertaining coverage Chris, but you do not allow it to dominate your excellent coverage and the bike racing remains centre stage. Class.

[@mmehysteria]

Confirmed: UAE don't watch The Butterly Effect 😂

[@LETOUR7TIMESFRANCE]

Excuse me Pogacar

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Hehehe. Nope 🤔🦋👊

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

😂

[@user-cz5jk4ne9o]

No they don't 😂

[@nichoybarra7420]

Chris Horner’s Knucklehead Report is right on point as usual.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@ArdGeal]

That rider not only had his chin on the bar but his tongue out...that could have been an utter disaster!!!

[@CyclistColinJ]

I can confirm that from my own very painful and near catastrophic experience... Descending a steep hill on my way to work I decided to see if I could hit 60 mph. I got aero, chin on stem... I watched the computer show 40, 45, 50, 55... then looked up and saw a damaged drain cover straight ahead!!! I hit it at 56 mph and almost bit the end of my tongue off! (I also slewed across the road and was only saved by the emergency braking of a driver coming at me the other way.) The pain from my tongue for the next few weeks convinced me not to do that again! Enjoying your race coverage as always, Chris.

[@robbchastain3036]

Chris, if they're not quoting you in the bus before each stage, they're not doing it right. 😀

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🚎👊🦋

[@tankredworst]

Where's that Briefing with Max in the Bora Bus from? Couldn't find it on KZbin...

[@captainclavicle]

The pic and speech bubbles at the end top off a sensational stage 1 wrap up Chris! 👊🦋😁

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

That was Garrett’s work. I was laughing also when I saw it. 😂🦋👊

[@Batods]

“Showtime” should be the nickname of tadej pogacar No matter the race, no matter the stage, not even matter if you loose or win, you always put up a great spectacle. You are a blessing for the sport. Keep it up man

[@jamiehiggins1462]

I disagree. When I see Pog dominating over everyone else at a race and go for solo wins a long way out, I don't bother watching the rest of the race. If he starts dominating the Giro, I won't bother watching the race. I know others are the same.

[@tonycrabtree3416]

@@jamiehiggins1462So, you’re mad because others can’t put on acshow?

[@pleasuresaint640]

I'm keen to see what strategy team INEOS would deploy today. Surely it's GT and NARVEAZ leading the team for the time being. Primarily NAV can shadow and mirror POG's every move, while GT and the Race Director get insights off that. It opens up any other rider in the team to ride off ahead in break aways and force team UEA to work. That way they can react to POG's counter tactics.

[@pekkajaaskelainen6011]

I’m speculating that the rise in knuckleheadism in pro cycling is probably also due to increased pressure from sponsors and team management to drive the show factor up in order to get the general audience excited about the sport and the sponsor’s brand. It’s not enough that you win by saving energy and only going for it where it really matters, it also needs to be done in the most engaging and entertaining way possible.

[@rajarunachala7516]

Even though Pogi didn’t win the stage, it showed exactly what kinda form other GC contenders are at. Plus some of them are now a minute down on GC. Also losing the first stage will hopefully make UAE eat humble pie and rethink tactics to not have Pogi isolated! Although kudos to Majka for riding like a beast! Kudos to Ineos for riding well today for the stage win even though they’ve lost Arensmen from GC. All hope pinned on G Thomas now?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I’m still waiting to if Narvaéz can climb better with this fitness he showed today. 🤔🦋🤞

[@xanarchynl]

@@ChrisHornerCycling never a gc type of rider. always good on these 3-5 minutes punches

[@anatithenai44]

Thanks, Chris. Great race today!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🔥

[@akwall47]

Love the shirt! Congratulations on the new sponsor!!!

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Thanks 👊🦋

[@MadsKlindt-ql5by]

I would love to learn a little about how race organizers think when they decide on the lenghts and profiles of the stages in order to maximize the unpedictability and drama of the race. Seem that this stage 1 og the Giro was pretty crafty. Maybe a topic for a "Beyond the coverage".

[@lucyhares8139]

Wow great stage 🎉 great win by Jhonatan Narváez. Very good start for Ineos

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

💥🔥🦋👊

[@jean-jacqueslavigne3109]

Maybe they do. Probably think they are above being smart (says the one who suffered double puncture early this morning -legs and lungs-).

[@TheDomL-]

Very insightful analysis Chris, as always. I have a question for you: Do you think Vingegaard is smarter (or at least less hothead) than Pogacar in the way he rides? I think Pogacar has very good instincts on the bike, like always well positioned on the bottlenecks or beginning of climbs etc, but then it is like sometimes he is unable not to race with his "heart".

[@aybudii7155]

I like watching the butterfly 🦋 effect more than the actual race

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Thanks 👊🦋🙏

[@recrevs963]

I watched your previews but I still don't understand why Pogačar needs to go for these beginning stages and be in pink? He will sap his energy as I think it would be better to chill until first or heck even second ITT and stay within striking distance. As far as the Narvaez fella goes he is strong as Ineos puts him in many one day classics and I still remember when he beat out Padun in that rain stage of '20 Giro. Awesome analysis it really helps to get an explanation from a seasoned pro. Cheers!

[@ArdGeal]

go to "Cycling Highlights"....funny commentary and explains how the route was "chosen" for Pogi to win it for his sponsors(infering they maybe do a backhander to the organisers??), as they've done before for other riders- ie the one they assume and want to take it has a route planned to suit their strengths....

[@recrevs963]

​@@ArdGealthanks for suggestion

[@Marcel-ib1wp]

Class act Chris. The advertisement interlude was genius level.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@ad9898]

Fantastic analysis as always Chris, thanks for this

[@stalinfontana]

The best comments on cycling...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🙏

[@silentowlscribe]

Said numerous times now: the UAE race director needs to be fired ASAP.

[@MeesterJ]

They should have bought Jumbo's sports director

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

I would love to sit on the bus during the meeting so I could see if it’s the DS or the riders during the race that are adjusting (or not adjusting to how the riders are feeling) the plan. 🤷🏼‍♂️🦋🤔👍

[@LETOUR7TIMESFRANCE]

@silentowlscribe What.The Italian Mister Clean does good😂

[@silentowlscribe]

I don't want anyone fired. But I mean, without Tadej, UAE would be in considerable trouble.

[@PeacefulRallyCar-pw3cs]

What shape will the team be in for the tdf? The first stage of an important but lesser race and they are redlining, and still losing the stage..

[@gbart981]

It would be nice if Adam announced golf. Thanks again, Chris.

[@robertadair6612]

Your commentary gets better and better Chris, informative, entertaining and hilarious!!

[@thomassciaroni6942]

HAILS!! Nice work on the sponsor, should be a good month, looking forward. Pogi will be dominant, I bet he can Giro/Tour double, with Jonas' injuries. Visma/Lease-a-Bike/Cervelo made an injury movie with nada on Jonas, all Wout.

[@user-yp7us4be8h]

Keep calling them out Chris! Good job!

[@laamx]

Sempre grande Chris! 👊

[@pythor2117]

Grosschartners pull was like half a k...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly . They should have adjusted the tactics right then. 🤔🦋😬😱🤷🏼‍♂️🔥

[@tvsmed]

Pogacar took 14 seconds on his GC rivals already putting them on the defensive, two rivals were eliminated (Bardet & Ahrensman)the team doesn't have to defend the pink jersey and his domestics rested their legs for the last 25 kms for todays more important stage. Pogis mistake, as he himself pointed out, was that he started the sprint too early to win the stage. Otherwise, he was the winner today😊

[@barbaroacosta5335]

If I were vegetarian, I wouldn't eat tasty steaks.

[@user-rj4kh7dm4u]

Right

[@goatbloat8233]

Watching the immense anger and antics of calmejane right before he blasted off was amusing. The commenters on what I was watching literally called him "insane". He crazied himself into the blue jersey. His power meter was over 9000.

[@ulfbergqvist8250]

Watching your analysis is just as fun as watching the race. Spot on, as usual. I just can't understand how the UAE managers can waste so much energy for nothing. This is no small business selling hot dogs on a corner in small town. With all that money involved you would expect a lot wiser tactics than they showed today. Or do you think Pog wanted to accomplish something very special, wearing the jersey from the first stage to the last? I mean it's not often there is a possibility for a GC to do that, and he must be pretty sure he can win the race and therefore he may think he can gamble a bit on stage one.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Great show Chris

[@raykleiner3151]

Chris, you make us relive all those stages, I missed about 100% of what you can see!! Brilliant.

[@Bikezz364]

It’s was known 💯 % that Pogacar will lose after Narvaez didn’t let him go. It’s like taking Van der pole for a long sprint and WIN for yourself. But Pogacar will make it harder tomorrow.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Yep. Pogi is going to be mad now. 😂🦋👊🔥

[@erichgerber251]

It wasn’t known, given the sprint going slightly uphill.

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Van der pole 💈

[@krenmodelcek227]

@@Eirikkinserdal 🤣

[@milhouse53]

Chris, at 34km to go with some mtns to come and peloton halfed you got UAE sprinter and Oliviera and Laengen out the back? Thats not a crisis. Thats better than any other team. Then they got Bjorg light up the mnt and gets rid of Bardet and Arensman! Thats a big deal! Thats a win! Thèse guys - Bjorg, Groschattner and Majka and Novak are all going to rest on flat stages as there are 6 sprinter teams that gonna do the the work and catch break aways. So why is this stage tactic a distaster?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

He could have won the stage and gained more time. If you are not going to win the stage, then why not ride the stage a little easier for your teammates and just drop everyone like he showed he can do on the last 1.5k climb. If UAE had raced the stage a bit smarter, Pog wins solo and takes 30” on everyone. 🤔🦋

[@tvsmed]

I totally agree. Gianetti, the uae Team manager, was beaming and super happy with the result.

[@flyingberserker3965]

Remmber your coment on the third week when he will not have the team to help him

[@l.d.t.6327]

Pogacar is 3rd. In front are 2 guys he will easily take time on in either TT or climbs. He does have to do the maglia Rosa obligations and his team doesn’t have to work / control the race. I would say that, whatever tactics, this is the perfect scenario and any other scenario would take more effort out of pogacar or his team.

[@ahnnahargrove1354]

Totally agree...

[@denniscardakaris1997]

I thought it thinned out the GC peloton on an easy stage. He took time on a lot of guys. Only thing is that they could have held the pink all the way.start to finish

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Pog certainly gained time on the GC riders but, could he have had even more time. Plus pink. 🤔🦋💪

[@denniscardakaris1997]

@ChrisHornerCycling love the commentary from Australia 🇦🇺

[@philipkoop9411]

The team burned a lot of gas for 14 seconds. There's nothing they can do now about their idiotic decision to take a sprinter, but that just means they can't afford to ride as inefficiently as they did today.

[@TheFeatInk]

I think it was a great outcome, he's up on GC, can just play defensive for the next week or two, and his team doesnt have to work at all at the front. Less interviews, less stress, less fuss by not wearing pink the whole tour.

[@MeesterJ]

​@@TheFeatInkexactly! Taking time on GC guys, and being second. He can just wait untill someone important attacks his GC position and his team doesnt have to work. HOWEVER, a guy like Pogi wants to win everywhere and have the honor of doing so

[@z3a3k3]

Well, yes, indeed, exactly! That's seems all I can say by way of comment on your comment, Chris; you've just sorted out what I had in my head but just wasn't sure ... 🤔, thanks so much 🙂

[@cb6866]

Thanks Chris. Papillon !!

[@maryhallisey1016]

Can someone explain how to replay a stage on max? I missed the live and it just says ended..no replay to be found, so highlights on KZbin it was.

[@paulwebster4499]

@Chris question. You've rode for Lampre, are they mad. I get the impression, that they will be encouraging Tadej from the car shouting "Campionissimo"etc.... I honestly think, that if Tadej, gets a two-minute lead and then rides like Lemond (follows) he has a chance of the double, but I feel that the UAE directors will be in his ear to win all of the big stages, leaving him worn out for the Tour. Tadejs "I'm not superman" comment, appeared to maybe support my theory. And yes, I'm writing this after today's win

[@forplexforplex8831]

Best review of pro cycling in the world - Chris Horner gives an excellent realistic race review🎉🎉🎉

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋🙏

[@zaahierstanley955]

Madness to waste his team like that. He could have kept his team in place till the last climb at least ... They really need better strategy. The only way it works a little is because he is such a good rider otherwise they would be gone a long time ago with race tactics like this in a grand tour

[@milhouse53]

Why does everyone thinks he wasted his team? What else would these guys do? They decided to win this stage and you cant win it differently. No other team will pull. Bunch of teams have sprinters so they save ot for flat stages. Pogi and the UAE did everything right except he couldnt shake off Narves because the climb was only 2k long . If i was Pogi i would drill thru the last 2k as well instead of slowing down to preserve yue seconds he gained on GC guys. He wasted that- thats the only mistake. But the team rode very well and Chris Horner failed to convincingly explain why he thinks otherwise. These guys- Bjorg Novak and Majka ARE THERE to do what they did today

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Exactly. Pogi patches up most holes in the tactics but today just like at MSR he arrived at the last climb without a team to help him start the climb and weaken the peloton. 🦋👊

[@tvsmed]

Uae tired out the rivals and took 14 seconds on them.

[@whocares4480]

​@@tvsmedsadly for Pogi they did not tire the domestiques of GC rivals tho

[@ethangodridge6833]

Spot on analysis and hats off to Jonny for the win.

[@mattpotter8725]

Great review of the action but then I expected nothing less!!! Whilst watching I did wonder if UAE hadn't put a rider on the front would teams have to pull back the break? I think some probably would. I also expect Ineos not to ride too hard, but I do expect them to try to protect the pink jersey without doing too much, I hope I'm wrong, because we you said they need to ride smart to beat Pogačar in this year's Giro. I just think there will be a lot of knuckleheads in the upcoming stages and Ineos could be one of them, I almost expect it.

[@nakawesiabia6311]

😂😂😂my eyes 👀 on 📺 to watch G and other knuckleheads

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Me too. But I can hope much like you. I remember two years ago before the TdF I was saying I hope G just follows for as long as he can and waits to see a mistake before he attacks. He did exactly that and dropped Pog on stage 11 after Pog bonked. So there’s hope. 🤔🦋👊

[@mattpotter8725]

@@nakawesiabia6311 To be fair to him I don't think Ineos overexerted themselves, G did about what I expected, was never going to be able to match Pog. I think he has to be patient and hope that Pog tires later in the race, but even if that did happen I think he'll be out of sight by then.

[@st14]

On point, as always.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@foundfoundfound1]

hold on. for years evil team sky bought their success with the most money, the best riders, putting them on the front, and riding as hard as possible. it was mindless, predictable, boring, and successful. knuckleheadism ruled.

[@ZVZ747]

Great job Narvaez 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨!!!!

[@user-yy5bp2qq9w]

I was waiting for this

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

🔥🏠👊🦋

[@psmejc]

UAE is a stacked team and to sent Pogacar race on giro with a team like they did I don't think if they understand what a rider they have. Or, not many riders want to ride for Pog that is another subject. How they are gonna chase breakaway riders with only 3-4 riders able to? The same thing happens with Sanremo classic every year. Pog has perhaps 4-5 reliable helpers on his team and here's where he needs to communicate more and UAE giving him more help.

[@thebikeracer]

Spot on. I hope Ineos just ride along and make the other teams ride. That would be awesome

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Sure would be entertaining. So long as Ineos keep UAE climber out of the break UAE have to ride if they want to win. 👊🦋

[@masashinakazawa4775]

I called my wife a KNUCKLEHEAD and she threw my bike in the dumpster. That was a knucklehead tactic by me. Please tell when I should and shouldn't use the kmucklehead tactic Chris

[@xander0901]

I don’t think this stage could have gone much worse for Pogacar. The tactics were horrendous and the weaknesses in their roster were fully exposed. This could turn into an ugly Giro for Pogacar if they do not rework their tactics.

[@KevinKimmich44024]

Narvez did a great ride. Maybe the UAE knuckleheadism will keep the Giro GC battle interesting.

[@birdofprey108]

Chris have you considered coaching a pro cycling team? Sincere interest. You've got so much experience & insight that it could have a butterfly effect on pro cycling.

[@ericvonhellens8822]

2nd Didn't expect to see Bardet get dropped that early. I'm glad UAE doesn't have pink right now. They don't have to defend yet. Rest as much as possible. Ineos played it right and wheel sucked on Tadej. Now they need to protect pink. Tadej my go for it tomorrow though.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Wheel sucking is the only option when ever pog is in the race. 😂🤪🦋👊

[@Eirikkinserdal]

Uphill finish on stage 2, so they will have to defend from stage 3 😅

[@erichgerber251]

I agree with a lot that you’re saying, Chris. But given the different character of stages 1 and 2, not being warm-up stages, I am not so sure that engaging his team to 100% (well, maybe 90%) is a knucklehead move. I expect them to do the same on stage 2, or even more, as Pogi is definitely unhappy about not winning. It will be interesting to see how much the peloton gives the breakaway in stage 2, as they are set to lose more time on the final 10 k than on a flat stage. Depending on that, UAE needs to work longer hours. I can see them resting up on stages 3-6.

[@frankgallagher5786]

Yes unhappy perhaps but thats also a problem. It really was a tactical error as suggested here. Everyone is edgy and so many riders want to show their stuff before the fatigue sets in. Pogis moment will come soon enough.

[@erichgerber251]

@@frankgallagher5786 This will always be Pogi's problem - but that's what we love him for! Somehow reminds me: where is actually "my man Victor Campenaerts"? It's been utterly quiet about him ...

[@erlendsteren9466]

I dont have top-athletic experience and therefore I doesnt know the cost and consequenses of the UAE effort in stage 1 (I always have less power the day after a max effort, does the pro-riders have the same problem?). But I guess that Vegards effort was so heavy that he probably needs to go easier on the next stage, but when they saved Molano, maybe he can do more hard work and Vegard can go easier?

[@pleasuresaint640]

More than anything else, i want to see how Arendsman rides today

[@StephGorz]

I can not think of a worse fate, than to be called a “knucklehead” by Chris Horner.

[@doctornrsfnly]

UAE's poor tactics rescued by Pogi's genius... The best possible outcome would be for INEOS to have the jersey and for the rest of the GC to lose time... Both happenned so UAE can rest his troops and get ready to snipe the TT's and the 40-50min climbing efforts... INEOS will defend so as long g as TP does not try to go for it unecessarily tomorrow... He can win any stage he wants, on any day over any terrain...He has already dispatched his GC rivals and burned maybe 1/2 a match.... Not pretty, and TP was clearly isolated on the last climb but the job got done... Pogacar has to try to win the Giro at the slowest possible speed that allows him to win in Rome given that his team is not the strongest and cannot support him on the climbs...

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Well, clearly pog can’t win any stage he wants. 🤪🦋👊

[@doctornrsfnly]

@ChrisHornerCycling very true Sensei Horner! Let's say that TP can at least PODIUM on any stage he wants in this Giro😊👍🏾 No other GC man can say the same...

[@captainclavicle]

I'm not sure it was genius. He burnt a LOT of matches to salvage this stage. Those sort of efforts over the closing kms will add up and he will potentially pay the price at some point. For him to have to put in SO much on day one of a grand tour is not great. I hope they rethink how they use their team.

[@erichgerber251]

Aaand he will throw in some muscles on stage 2, being pissed as he is now

[@Zephyr653]

Great tactics breakdown Chris. The other GC favorites shouldn’t concede any time to Pog on stage 1. Pog is gonna solo on the heavy mountain stages.

[@jernejp7579]

One thing you didn’t mention Chris. Pogacar didn’t look as exhausted as the others 💪

[@mattpotter8725]

I know it's not the way Pog does things but considering the Giro and Tour are so close together and he could win this race without overexerting himself for the full 3 weeks here, taking time on certain stages and taking it relatively easy the rest of the time, wouldn't it be better to just have a quiet first week, acing the first time trial and taking it from there? Even if I think today wasn't that bad for him and knuckleheads withstanding he could win this race by not having a team and just following his GC competitors to a certain extent what he's doing (assuming this isn't a one off for the opening stage) he's making it easier for his competitors who are only going to the Tour?

[@MeesterJ]

I think for him it would be best to take time in the first week (as far away from the Tour as possible), but then have some low level guys take a lot of time in the breakaway. Then he would have time on GC contenders, but not the pink jersey untill third week.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Agreed. I like waiting a bit longer or even just going hard into the final 1.5k climb today and then taking seconds without destroying your whole team earlier in the race. 🤔🦋👊

[@mikec2505]

Open season on all other commentators is declared by Chris! 😂

[@HuGenitals]

Kinda glad he doesn't do live commentary. That's hours out of the day i simply don't have. Not to mention I'd start to think I was smarter than I am and probably argue myself into trouble

[@Legionarivss]

With a bit of luck Ineos will do some work as well today to make sure that Narvaes has a chance at maintaining GC. Would personally as Ineos don't do that. Just let the break away get a lead and let UAE do all the chasing. This longer climb should give Pogačar enough of a lead to take the pink jersey. After that 4 flat stages, where they can let the sprinter teams do the chasing. Followed by TT, so the team has relatively a bit of breather again after this stage.

[@fulviopolce9785]

Non capisco perché... Per me sono mancati i corridori, a parte Tadey ma la la tattica è stata molto buona.

[@cyc00000]

Buycycle looks interesting. I thought maybe they were tied up with that store software from Aussie, but they aren't. It looks much better, interesting.....

[@TheFlyingDogFish]

The knucklehead report, not the butterfly report.

[@abdotemo26]

Great analysis.

[@filmevoncosima]

The first mistake of UAE was to have a sprinter (with lead out guy) at the Giro! If you have this huge goal to win the double you have to design the entire team arrount the GC rider - absolute nonsense to look after sprint stages on top! And then burning the few riders they have for Pogacar at the first stage for nothing… that must be one of the worst team tactics in cycling history…

[@marcostevens4086]

Chris your skills as a tactical race analyst are supreme. UAE could use you as a DS . I’m sure many more races could be won with you on board . Just saying

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Chris putting UAE strategist to the sword. A very bad report card. Let’s see what UAE does on day 2.

[@filjas77]

Brilliant performance from Chris Horner today

[@milhouse53]

Another point where IMHO UAE could have done differently is let the break go 2-3-4 min and let them win the stage. Pogi then lights up just like he did on the last climb puts 30sec on G. Thomas and Co. But Pogi is greedy and he wants a stage, ok. Then when he was 1st down the last downhill, dont look back- you couldnt shake off Narves, so just attack him on the flat and TT for 1km. Maybe you win, but if you lose, at least you get that half a minute on GC guys. Instead Pogi slowed down, then lost the stage anyways and let Thomas only lose 10 sec? Thats not good tactics and Chris you did not mention that! :)

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Very true. If he just let the Break gain more time and rode his team easier until the final climb then he still has a fresh Rafal to set the pace hard on the 1.5k climb. Gains more time then 14” on all the GC riders and doesn’t have to ride tomorrow until the last summit climb. 👊🦋

[@tubetiz]

Uae wanted the Pink jersey from Day1. All their race evolved around this. Pogacar wanted to dedicate the Win to the passing of the young cyclist from the development team.

[@DavidSaundersPosts]

Ineos has an interesting decision to make but they should 100% stay with G and not pull on tomorrow’s stage. Navarez can’t TT. I hope the teams don’t start playing for 2nd place, at least for the first week.

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Me too. 👊🦋

[@vinssenclark5018]

Goodie!😅

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

👊🦋

[@didiscores]

Translate Knucklehead ? Matxin ! The man who lost 2 "Grande Boucle" is preparing to lose another one.

[@jayc3648]

At what point would they get promoted to knucklebutt?

[@brianford8493]

You should be running a team mate ✌️

[@robertomcdonald2767]

The knucklehead count is off the charts! 😂

[@RobertFuertes]

Was the UAE/Pogacar driven by the death of a Pogi Jr team member the day before?

[@joesguitarshop8194]

Can you make some t shirts that say “knuckle head “ ?

[@10ktube]

I'm thinking Pogi shouldn't have wasted the match for the first stage. If he could have waited, I'd rather he had done it on stage 2, or later. He's got 6 weeks of Grand Tours on his calendar, possibly 3 more if rumors come true. And came up short so it's not even a worthwhile match in the grand scheme. It's such exciting racing to watch though.....

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

Arensman getting dropped might be blessing in disguise for Ineos. As Hong as his form doesn’t collapse. Less leaders to protect, one more climbing domestique dedicated to protect and help Thomas.

[@user-bw9wz1jd9l]

Arensman is looking really washed

[@suisinghoraceho2403]

@@user-bw9wz1jd9l After today, I would ride grupetto if I was him. GC over🥹, time to recover as much as possible and get ready to help Thomas.

[@kaj4501]

When I have to agree fully with Chris, I know it's very exciting😂 Big props to Garrett for the bittersweet meme.

[@dorgam5187]

I think UAE must play it for the long run , doing the minimum for Pogi to win , then the real battle is the TDF

[@user-bw9wz1jd9l]

Pogacar already 99% won both lol they can do whatever they want!

[@EnochTheFirstProphet]

At least the other teams made UAE do all the work, but can they stay that disciplined for 3 weeks?

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

No. But we can hope for a few stages. 🦋👊

[@TheCyclesport]

I think in the end UAE has done things perfectly. They do not have the PINK jersey so they do not have to control the race tomorrow. But they still gained time on most of the rivals. I think perfect for UAE.

[@cyc00000]

Lilli call me jane rode like a legend.

[@CycoWarriorx]

UAE’s strategy today was bizarre…

[@cyc00000]

Thymen Arensman rode in at 47th and would have probably won if his teams mates dropped back to support him like they should have.

[@CFCMahomet]

The knuckleheads on max might be trying to steal the butterfly effect but other than McEwen it’s a poor imitation.

[@charlesseeley7605]

Pogacar isa monster,his team though needs to get on the same level as him

[@k-towncinty]

UAE really need to hire another useful strategist, their strategy sucks as usual.There is no way pogi could defeat the other teams all by himself like a superhero everytime.

[@janefreeman995]

Call me Jane.... :D

[@ChrisHornerCycling]

Makes me laugh every time. 😂🦋👊

[@janefreeman995]

​@ChrisHornerCycling The French pronounciation is, of course not even reminiscent. I looked him up and he's from an area where I spent a few months. There's a women there, a former pro who now has a cycling club there. I had dinner with her and other guests and spent the next day tagging along as a tourist while her husband campaigned. It was fun. I hardly understood a thing! Jane

[@jordanburns4041]

The team were Knuckleheads today but im not sweating with Pogacar he's got plenty of chances and i think he's the favorite for the 2nd stage and i think he'll drop Narvaez this time possibly in my opinion and the stages are gonna get harder obviously🤔🦋🦋

[@jamiehiggins1462]

I think the Max commentators really are biased toward all things Ineos. They are always defending Ineos' knucklehead move of always pulling at the front for absolutely no reason. Adam Blythe is particularly annoying. Glad you called him out!