Stage 8: "You Don’t Win Races with a Torn-Up Shoulder"

Show notes

In the latest episode, Denk talks about the eighth stage of the 2025 Tour de France. “Our sprinter Jordi Meeus is struggling with the massive consequences of his crash. With that kind of pain and such a torn-up shoulder, he can’t win races, but we’re hoping for his ability to recover,” says the 51-year-old.

He is critical of the rather uneventful weekend ahead at the Tour. “I don’t quite understand the organizers’ approach either. But as teams, we’re not consulted when the routes are planned,” Denk analyzes.

The background topic focuses on various listener questions that came in during the first week. Subjects include the Tour of Austria, the future of the grassroots scene, and technical details.

The final section previews the ninth stage, which will be held on Sunday. Riders will cover 174 kilometers from Chinon to Châteauroux, with no categorized climbs. Everything points to another bunch sprint. “If the wind doesn’t unexpectedly play a role, I expect a sprint. Hopefully Jordi has recovered enough to contest it,” Denk concludes.

The original version of this podcast was recorded in German and translated with the help of artificial intelligence. OVB Media accepts no liability for any translation errors.

Photo: IMAGO/Fotoreporter Sirotti Stefano