Preview Part 2 - "We have the best time trialist in the world, of course we want to win"

00:00:02: Inside Red Bull Bora Hans-Grohe, the OVP online podcast for The Tour de France.

00:00:09: For three weeks we are joining team manager Ralf Denk as he leads the biggest and most successful German cycling team through The Tour De France.

00:00:20: Do you have questions?

00:00:22: Send them to tobias.ruf at ovbmedia.de And now enjoy a new episode!

00:00:31: The grand depart of the Tour de France, twenty-twenty six is just around corner.

00:00:37: Time for second part our tour preview!

00:00:39: This inside Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, this Tobias Ruff from OVB online and here's team manager.

00:00:49: once again.

00:00:50: Hello and welcome to Ralph Denk.

00:00:57: So, we dedicated the first part of our preview to your team.

00:01:01: Now let's look at Tour de France' twenty-twenty six as a whole!

00:01:05: Three thousand three hundred thirty-three kilometers from the fourth to the twentieth of July.

00:01:10: The start is Barcelona...the finish is Paris.

00:01:13: Twenty one stages are scheduled Seven flat stages Four on hilly terrain Eight mountain stages with five summit finishes One Team time trial and one individual Time Trial.

00:01:26: That is what's on paper.

00:01:27: How do you like it?

00:01:30: Yes, I think that this is a very balanced tour de France although also a difficult one as far the meters of altitude and gradients are concerned.

00:01:40: What i think particularly cool about it starts in Metropolis in Barcelona.

00:01:46: This is something different again abroad In big city lots internationality.

00:01:52: We have also had Grand Departes in France, more rural regions.

00:01:58: Yes the Tour de France should go there too but an international metropolis like Barcelona.

00:02:04: and I know from the tour of Catalonia that Barcelona is cycling friendly.

00:02:10: so it will certainly be a great start!

00:02:16: Otherwise we are touching on all five mountain ranges that exist in France.

00:02:22: We start with the Pyrenees, then the Massif Central, the Vosges, the Jura and finally finishing in the Alps.

00:02:30: And I said it before It is a very difficult tour de France if i look at from the perspective of the climbs.

00:02:39: But ultimately, there is no such thing as an easy or hard tour de France.

00:02:44: The riders always make the race and I am curious to see how the individual teams position themselves what tactics are employed?

00:02:52: And how each individual rider ultimately approaches it

00:02:56: exactly.

00:02:57: now We're doing things a bit differently today than in our regular episodes.

00:03:01: We usually look ahead to the next day's stage at the very end, but I want to talk specifically about this first stage on Saturday.

00:03:11: it is actually quite special.

00:03:13: The Tour de France begins with team time trial in Barcelona.

00:03:16: Good or bad idea?

00:03:18: A good idea because that will certainly ensure ratings both social media and TV.

00:03:28: And it is a special discipline, the team time trial.

00:03:31: So the teams have to work together homogeneously.

00:03:35: The course is just under twenty kilometers long.

00:03:38: It goes in any case.

00:03:41: then specifically In the second part through Barcelona You have to ride your bike in technically cool way and you naturally Have to prepare the team perfectly.

00:03:50: and not just prepare them in terms of performance, but you also have to prepare the team.

00:03:56: In terms of equipment, pacing strategy formation.

00:04:02: how do ultimately write?

00:04:03: who writes first second third?

00:04:06: Who takes which turns meaning How long each individual rider is in the lead that it's also determined in advance so that the team is as homogeneous, possible.

00:04:18: A Team Time Trial is like a puzzle for training scientists but also engineers and equipment suppliers.

00:04:27: All of this has to be in harmony.

00:04:29: That's why preparation for a Team Time trial is massive.

00:04:34: But I believe the fan was rewarded with spectacular race And that is why I think the effort definitely worth it and ultimately makes our sport more attractive and bigger.

00:04:47: How intensively was that trained?

00:04:51: We already did a kind of training race in Mallorca, January at the Mallorco Challenge.

00:04:58: They included a team time trial.

00:04:59: this year we wrote with our best lineup or nearly our best line up with Florian Lipowitz also with Remko Evenepol and we also won that team-time trial in Mallorka in January.

00:05:12: We were also able to generate a lot of learnings here.

00:05:15: The engineers worked closely with our equipment suppliers again on what could still be improved, and we also repeatedly practiced the team time trial discipline during individual training camps in between.

00:05:28: And it is not that easy during the season to always get the core team together and then just train the discipline.

00:05:37: You also need mostly quiet roads, often you go to race tracks to train for this because a team rolls at sixty kilometers per hour.

00:05:49: yes so... That's really fast pace!

00:05:53: Long curves quickly become tight turns and no cars can be coming the other way, so it is something special to prepare for.

00:06:03: I believe we have done our homework very well... ...and are heading towards a start on Saturday's highly motivated end with a lot of self-confidence

00:06:12: Exactly!

00:06:13: There're different rules in this team time trial than what you've seen before.

00:06:19: In the past, The time was taken for a specific rider and counted everyone in general classification.

00:06:26: For example they said when the fifth rider of team crosses finish line.

00:06:31: that is the time taken for the general classification And also benchmarked for stage win.

00:06:38: Now the Time Is Taken Individually.

00:06:40: So..in a way...is Everyone riding for themselves again?

00:06:45: No Well, you definitely ride on the course now up to the final climb and you have to know at The Olympic Stadium in Barcelona that is another from the city center.

00:06:57: Up to the Olympic stadium fifty meters in altitude And up to the foot of this small final climb, The strategy would definitely be To keep team as homogenous possible so that you enter the final climb with a lot people and then the captains will take over.

00:07:18: That means they'll ride their own pace.

00:07:22: I actually expect them.

00:07:25: Remco and Florian will most likely arrive together, then also get their individual time.

00:07:34: The modern format of the team-time trial is certainly up for debate.

00:07:40: there's a classic format where teams' times are taken at the fifth or fourth rider but this is the modern time trial.

00:07:48: it does not change overall strategy much For the viewer, it might even be a bit more exciting because everyone gets their individual time.

00:07:58: You say that's up for debate?

00:08:00: Let's change one to you and me.

00:08:03: what do you think about it?

00:08:04: personally I prefer they all traditional way but It can of course happen That if he were to cross the finish lane with four or five men Everyone gets the same time And in the new format, we certainly won't arrive with four or five men because we don't have to anymore.

00:08:22: I suspect from our perspective that Florian and Remco will arrive there together.

00:08:29: Correct me if i'm wrong but the benchmark time for the stage win is then also the fastest individual time?

00:08:36: Right!

00:08:37: That's a point which honestly bothers my a bit... I don't know if one could have said, hey we add up the top three somehow.

00:08:46: That gets a bit confusing and isn't as snackable nowadays for viewers.

00:08:52: but that is point that annoys me because in my opinion it loses character of team time trial.

00:09:00: What's your opinion on this?

00:09:01: Yes, I see it similarly because the team will work closely together until the final climb and then everyone will ride up as fast they can.

00:09:13: And for us that we'll most likely be Remco & Florian.

00:09:17: It is a mix between individuality and team.

00:09:20: As i said ,I personally like the old format better but in modern cycling now you also have to open to new approaches, it is a new approach.

00:09:33: It will be and perhaps I should say this upfront... ...it'll very exciting!

00:09:39: There's a lot of prestige at stake on Saturday regarding who wins the yellow jersey there?

00:09:43: And i think viewers like that format but one thing is certain The Tour de France won't decide on Saturday.

00:09:51: Absolutely Well..I don't like being proven wrong.

00:09:54: So for Saturday Is there already a goal to say, hey we have one of the best time trialists in the world.

00:10:01: In Remco and Of course off The last few years too.

00:10:05: can you go in that aggressively?

00:10:07: And Say yes We want to win this stage

00:10:10: We want To Win This Stage That is no secret!

00:10:13: And thats why we took the preparation very seriously.

00:10:16: Thats also Why we Took Parts in Team Time Trial at the Mallorca Challenge this year.

00:10:21: And yes, there is currently no one better in the world who's as good at this discipline than he is.

00:10:33: Florian also goes well with his discipline and all others can do it reasonably well too!

00:10:40: That is why it was a big day for us.

00:10:43: I said before that lead lengths of each rider are clearly defined.

00:10:50: Remco gets a very long turn at the front.

00:10:52: Maybe he will ride twenty, twenty-five seconds even in the lead until he hands over the lead to the rider behind him and other racers like maybe Ajay or Maxim.

00:11:05: they might only stay on the lead for ten five to ten seconds.

00:11:09: And it is of course really cool when you have riders like that who do not slow down despite the long turns at the front.

00:11:18: That's why I am quite confident we will have a strong race on Saturday, whether there'll be enough to win in the end – but i think you need to keep us in mind!

00:11:28: So….

00:11:28: A very special stage at the start of Tour de France.

00:11:31: At the very end The route planners come up with something too.

00:11:35: The myth of Alpe d'U.S is written twice once on Friday, once Saturday and Sunday the tour ends again here!

00:11:43: Good idea with Alpe de U.S?

00:11:45: Yes I think that's great.

00:11:48: it's final weekend.

00:11:50: It always a bit of challenge anyway And i really have to say huge thank you to the fans.

00:11:56: I also have lot respect for the effort fans make just see the heroes off road often for just a single moment.

00:12:08: Yes, and there are statistics that the fans spends an average of six hours at the track to see when their idols drive past them very closely.

00:12:23: They sacrifice that day, sitting in the grass with their packed lunch letting themselves be entertained a bit by the advertising caravan.

00:12:33: But to experience that moment The Fan statistically puts up with six hours.

00:12:40: and when you offer The Fan weekend like this here in Alpe d'Huez, where they can enjoy it on Friday and enjoy it Saturday within a radius of ten to fifteen kilometers because we ride up from one side then the other.

00:12:54: Then that is great for fans!

00:12:57: And I believe such formats are also the future as it's simply more centralized.

00:13:03: Anyone who knows geography a bit at Alpe de Huez isn't the center.

00:13:08: There is no international airport in Alpe d'Huez.

00:13:11: The nearest one is in Lyon, which is one and a half two hours away or Geneva.

00:13:17: It's not that easy to get there.

00:13:19: Yes well when the soccer World Cup or some big tennis final it was much easier than to get to Alpe de Huez.

00:13:26: Nevertheless the mountain will be lined with hundreds of thousands people.

00:13:34: really a huge respect that I pay to the fans there, they take on such long journeys and if they can then enjoy it Friday or Saturday from my point of view is great.

00:13:46: I agree.

00:13:47: Well, it would be a while until we reach Alpe d'Huez after Alpe de Huez Paris and then It will be clear who won the Tour de France And what the podium looks like.

00:13:56: let's talk briefly about the favorites.

00:13:58: We spoke about Remco Evenepole and Florian Lipowitz Briefly today and in more detail In the first preview episode.

00:14:05: Hmm Let's look at the competition.

00:14:08: Is Tadeh Pogaccia The top favorite for you as he is being made out to Be by everyone.

00:14:13: Yes, a very clear yes.

00:14:16: If you look at his season so far he has won more or less every race and it is very impressive the way that he won the Tour de Suisse last week in such an impressive manner.

00:14:29: all of the classics he has one too I mean speechless truly respectable.

00:14:36: And to beat him now how do say?

00:14:39: He's The One To Beat.

00:14:41: That Is How You Say It.

00:14:42: And in a man-to-man duel, I think i speak for everyone.

00:14:46: I am not just speaking for our guys now Remco and Florian but I'm also speaking for Jonas Vingegardt For Primoz Roglic for Joao Almeida.

00:14:57: That is, I believe impossible.

00:15:00: What's possible?

00:15:01: We saw that last year too.

00:15:02: Is even Tadej makes mistakes.

00:15:07: It is three thousand five hundred kilometers from Barcelona to Paris and fifty thousand meters of altitude plus, we have different climate zones.

00:15:16: We have a high workload even for Atadej.

00:15:22: perhaps he too will get sick or not feel so well Or has some bike trouble at some point or crash like last year.

00:15:31: Then the others And I include our guys in that must be on guard.

00:15:39: But if we only hope for man-to-man, I believe it will be quite impossible to beat him that way.

00:15:48: What about Jonas Wingerger?

00:15:49: He chose a different approach this year first the Giro which he won and now the tour...

00:15:56: Yes!

00:15:56: It remains or is exciting to see how would have recovered from the.

00:16:02: Gero did actually help his form Or there already some fatigue seen?

00:16:08: He is a world-class racer who has already won the Tour de France twice himself.

00:16:14: I believe it was good for him to come through the Giro d'Italia, he will be in top form but i don't think that his top form is enough to succeed in a man-to-man duel against Pogaccia.

00:16:30: Everyone is talking about a nineteen-year old Frenchman making his tour debut.

00:16:35: And well, as it's the way these days and I'm part of this media industry myself he Is being hailed As The New Pogacar.

00:16:42: How good is This Paul Sixers?

00:16:44: What can we expect from His Debut?

00:16:47: Phenomenal talent also A Good Racer In The Junior Classes Meaning in Under Seventeen Under Nineteen.

00:16:56: We Also Had Him On Our Radar To Sign Him Very Early on But you have to say, he was not outstanding in the junior classes.

00:17:05: He was very good but didn't win every race and at end of last year beginning this year just made such a leap that is now definitely to be counted among extended circle favorites.

00:17:18: It's exciting for everyone!

00:17:20: How will he as Frenchman handle media hype?

00:17:24: He rides for french team Decathlon also setting bar high here.

00:17:29: There is massive pressure from the French company De Castelon.

00:17:34: Then his contract expires in twenty-twenty seven as there are killer offers on the table for him, what does that do to a nineteen year old?

00:17:45: Does he stay totally cool or does it actually affect him which ultimately hinders his performance?

00:17:53: so um...there are questions upon question.

00:17:57: I cannot answer them, but um i am also watching with great anticipation to see how the boy reacts.

00:18:05: So a good kid!

00:18:06: A nice kid.

00:18:07: and uh...I wish- I would wish The French success there With Paul's success.

00:18:14: But it is to some extent very difficult even for me who Is very close to it To foresee Yesterday or the day before he posted a training ride on Strava that was very, very impressive over six and half hours with an insane wattage output after five point five for five-and-a-half hours of fatigue.

00:18:41: That training ride really impressed me.

00:18:43: so it will be at start in top form.

00:18:47: but Yes, the media pressure will certainly be enormous too and I am very curious.

00:19:14: And then it gets really exciting who is the second best and third-best racer.

00:19:19: That's a very interesting question that you can't predict right now, I hope one of us will be among them regardless whether Remko or Florian are among top three.

00:19:32: As i said others only hope Pogacar makes mistakes somewhere.

00:19:37: If he make no mistake its difficult if not impossible to challenge him.

00:19:43: We will take a closer look at that over the next three weeks.

00:19:47: That was our preview here on Inside Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe for The Tour de France, twenty-twenty six starting Saturday.

00:19:54: we'll be back in our usual rhythm shortly after this stages.

00:19:58: Ralf may I speak with you again?

00:20:00: We are very pleased about it and i know there many listeners out who even happier than me Subscribe to us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

00:20:10: Check out OVB online and wherever else you listen too and find podcasts.

00:20:16: give us a like and follow because yes it will be special tour!

00:20:20: You really took us along for the ride, Ralph.

00:20:23: And we are looking forward to it!

00:20:25: Follow the social media channels of Red Bull Bora Hans-Grohe and also our new Instagram channel from OVB Online For The Tour de France.

00:20:33: I will also link the inside tour de France podcasts in the show notes.

00:20:37: So We Are Equipped We Are Prepared We Are Ready To Go Ralph Thank you very much All the best for the start In Barcelona.

00:20:50: That was the latest edition of Inside Red Bull.

00:21:17: Bora Hansgrohe, the podcast from OVB Online about The Tour de France.

00:21:23: You can find the podcast on all common podcatchers and on their websites of OVBMedia & Epenmedia.

00:21:31: Thanks for listening!

00:21:32: And see you in next episode.