Eugene Oppelt

My fire is already lit on a lekka chilly autumn Sunday and a 4 hour ride with the chain gang. Three days in Albania coming to a conclusion today. Then a rest day tomorrow. Today is gonna be one helluva stage, I imagine: 1. Mads wants to regain pink. Lidl-Trektor will be leaving it all out there. 2. The breakaway artists will want to make it count, hoping the GC specialists will want to conserve and control. 3. Several GC hopefuls, like Derek Gee, will want to catch up on lost time after a rough stage 1. 4. Pidcock is always an X factor and is, quietly, wanting to prove his GC credentials. Somewhat to himself, I reckon. Or is Q365 is hunting for stages? Did I miss a media statement from them somewhere, uhm. 5. Can Wout get that stage win after many 2nds, 4ths and all that this season? Here's hoping his health will allow him to search for glory.

Insightful always, with LM

Propper speed endurance there by Pedersen. This will be his first time in a leader's jersey, managing the punchy hilly segments after very good form in the Spring classics. Stage 2 - ITT. Feels a bit strange after Stage 1. Almost one day too late or just too early. And the former World Champion will be in that highly desired pink chronosuit. Pic: Getty Sport Images

Let's roll. That Pina' looks nogal cool in Colombian colours. Pic: Getty Sport Images

The term "toughest" is best used in marketing and promoting hype; that's about it. And, of course, there is no one truth. Everything is relative, that's why this thing called Life is so rich, nuanced, beautiful and helluva complicated. 💟

Rising early makes the road short. ~ African Proverb

Really want this racer to do well, hey. One more slapie.

Albania: Durazzo to Tirana Juicy first stage, shorter than usual, punchy business. It'll be one helluva contest. The stage winner earns the right to wear a cool Maglia Rosa speedsuit for the stage 2 TT.

MONDAY MOTIVATION: You’re not too old, and it’s not too late.

This content makes me want to go and ride long, hey The 560 route covers more than 10 000 m vert - that'll warm me up!

The other Yates bro leads Jumbo' - interesting performance challenge Will Primoz's TT make the difference between the maglia rosa and #2 on then podium? Likely. 52 something thousand meters of vert planned - will snow-covered passes impact the race? Probably. Pic: @roleurcc

The 2025 Giro d’Italia is set to be a battle between the young and the old, with a 13-year age gap between the two main favourites, Primož Roglič and Juan Ayuso. 7 days to go!

What a racer, Matthew Beers. 📸@roszko

“Cracked my wheel…” Wonder what Lachlan’s target was for Traka.

“Liege starts uphill. We're doing over 400w. just hear, 'Ah G Thomas'. It's Pog, just riding along. He comes up and starts talking to me. I was thinking, I'm doing 420w here. I don't really want to have a conversation. just want to focus on breathing. He's just riding another level.” ~ Geraint Thomas, Watts Occurring podcast

“If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s.” ~ Carl Jung

"Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." ~ Dolly Parton

About Kimberley le Court: Born in 1996 to a Scottish father and Mauritian mother. Her husband helped her to write many e-mails in late 2024 to WorldTour teams hoping for an opportunity. Natascha den Ouden, then manager of AG Insurance-Soudal, showed interest and Kim has demonstrated her capabilities since then with many top 10 finishes. After nearly 3 months of being away from home, she fights back on a hilly finalè and finishes top of the podium at Liege’. Most athletes would’ve been one foot on the plane back to Africa, tired from a cold and wet Europe, I reckon. Kim, however, had the grit and legs to cap off her spring racing with this breakout victory. First Mauritian in the WoldTour, far away from home, winning against the rainbow jersey, the ever-threatening Vollering and other top performers. Special stuff. She’s heading back to the north for the Tour of UK and the Tour de France Avec Zwift (did I get that title right?). Pic @roleurcc

The Earth has music for those who listen. ~ Shakespeare

LBL, Women: Kim le Court, she weeps. What a fantastic breakout victory for the former mountain biker. pic @UCI_cycling

Ben Healy’s first podium in the Classics after several 4th positions. Lidl-Trek had a great spring season with Cicconi finish on the podium to cap off a very consistent team performance. What dominance by team UAE and its champion racer, ending off Spring racing with a breakaway win in the way he started it at Strade Bianche. Gotta love the Spring Classics. Completely dominated by the rainbow jersey. Pogačar will now reset and prepare for the biggest annual sporting event in the world.

Always interesting the analysis by Jawnson

Uno-X bringing back the past with this special edition jersey for tomorrow’s Monument. Pogačar has won 20 out of 22 starts in races or stages with vert more than 3000 meters. Incredulous statistic. The last 4 editions of LBL was won twice each by Tadej and Remco. Primož won the last edition 5 years ago. No rain around Liege tomorrow. Temps in the teens and chilly. Pic: @ Team Uno-X

Mr Consistency - what a bike rider

06h55, 9 degrees celsius, Zone 2 training *loading*