Eugene Oppelt

Such cool behind-the-scenes footage. UAE also has cool background YouToob content after MSR.

MONDAY MOTIVATION: Either you run the day, or the day runs you. - Jim Rohn

6 x winner - remarkable. The most successful elite rider in Cape Epic history.

Stellenboschhh

This one’s the favourite now as autumn creeps in⚡

11 of the last 16 Monuments won by either Pogačar or van der Poel - remarkable

The audacity of to attack on the Cipressa - incredulous tactics by the rainbow jersey and his team. So close for Top Ganna. That was one helluva race by the turbodiesel time trial specialist. 17 editions, 17 different winners, until Mathieu doubles up with another victory. Great to see the champion show tears of joy. 3rd consecutive win for the team on Canyons. Sauce: Tiz Cycling

Hmmm... Pauline and Marianne did not seem have a team strategy in place. Or, assuming, that they couldn't execute. The finalé definitely suited the Dutch legend. With hindsight bias, Pauline could've supported Marianne and, possibly just possibly, mitigate the team strategy of a very well-executed SD Worckx-ProTime. “I should say that it’s only a bike race, but it’s an important bike race. It hurts to be caught at a hundred metres [to go], but I played my cards. I stayed calm until the last 2.5km. This is a nice race because the finale is so unpredictable. Chapeau to Lorena Wiebes and next time they’re not going to catch me”. - ELB

And ELB goes - perfect long-range strategy that suits her strength the best!

Cool drone video footage as a select group of women descends down the Poggio. 15 of the best on the day, including the legend that is Vos. The rainbow jersey too. Both of them have a solid sprint.

So hard to call the men’s race, hey Heart - Ganna Head - Mathieu vd Poel Left field surprize - Mads Petersen

Words, typed or spoken, have power: The little grain of truth is that you are responsible for being speculative instead of conclusive with the information that you shared. And, in a similar vein, you post "everybody gets personally attacked left right and centre" is also a disproportionate reflection of BIkeHub commentary; things are relatively chilled. Like I tell my 12 year old son often: "Don't get offended so easily; the world out there can be harsh. Chin up." A lesson for myself on my bad days too. Back to the racing and its crazy weather gods in the Western Cape. Pic: @epicseries

It’s a first for the Women’s World Tour in 20 years - who will be the first?

When you sleep in, you miss the sunrise

Remember to take your anti-gravity medication too for strength, shape and self-confidence; watch out for weight management while becoming soft and weak.

Hellington today hey. It’s a day for the inner warrior and where heat acclimation and endurance meets a constant swirl of carb drink between the cheeks. Yesterday, Klipheuwel, km 17: IMG_3228.mov

My office for the morning: Conditions are typical summer heat in early autumn with a mild southerly breeze that only dries the throat and not cool the radiator. A perfect day for a hydration pack, although I didn’t see too many on the early starters. I suspect the heat has, ironically, made riders opt for water points and not carry excess weight and keep optimal ventilation on the core area and back. Almost a 1000m mostly rolling terrain today, so pacing strategy and communication will be key.

My spouse have fallen in love with the Karoo. We are taking more and more local trippies to SkaapLand, as I call it. Glad you made the trip, Spidey. Hope you plan the next one soon-soon.

The South Easter is pumping here and bunch riding will be inevitable. Conserving energy and staying out of the red will be key by hiding a bit behind Matt. The course is dry, dusty and rocky. It’ll be tough for the aspiring amateur, especially the wall up to the Mast, with a moerse headwind.

MONDAY MOTIVATION The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting.”- Confucius

The cooler weather forecasted will really assist fatigued bodies on Stages 678, however passage to the cooler days will have to be earned with 40 degree days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Paarl, Boland is the scene for Wednesday's stage and temps at 37 degrees which will register about 43-45 on the measurement devices.

14 years of training together - priceless 💙

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow." — Mary Anne Radmacher

MONDAY MOTIVATION: You owe it to the world to deliver on what you are good and gifted at. That is your unique Gift to the world.

What incredible live footage and production value from the Tuscan hills. Demi Vollering and Anna vdB begin their promised duel that will last throughout the Women's WorldTour for the next few seasons. As her former coach, Anna is demonstrating her greatness early on after 3 years out of the sport. Unfortunately, several crashes on the dry loose gravel cost key racers like Kasia (recent gravel rainbow jersey) their chance to show off their hard work. PFP bringing in 3rd place for her Dutch-based team indicates that she is getting used to the WorldTour stage. Two weeks to Milan San-Remo, including the Women's MSR too. Can the rainbow jersey recover from his very eina high speed slide and resume his superb form. Teammate Wellens in 3rd after doing tons of domestique duty is one of the rides of the day, alongside Ineos's Connor Swift, Pidcock and the remarkable Pogaçar. As a 3 time winner, he will have a gravel segment named after him. He is the first to, I think, win in succession and he is the first rainbow jersey to win this brutal and beautiful race. Pic: Getty Sport Images