Stage 4: "We had a different goal – but you can't always get what you want"

00:00:02: Inside Red Bull Bora Hans Grohe, the podcast from UVB online on The Tour de France.

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

00:00:18: Do you have questions?

00:00:21: Send them to Tobias.roofovbmedia.de And now enjoy a new episode!

00:00:34: four mountains and forty degrees in the shade.

00:00:37: The road to force demanded a lot from riders, A large lead group formed early including Nico Denz & Chantratnik form team Red Bull Bore Hans Grohe But In the end Mats Pedersen defies conditions best And wins the finish with a sprint.

00:00:53: Norwegian Thorsten Treyn also secures the yellow jersey after Peloton controlled everything today.

00:01:00: Yes, as always we look at all the action with our team manager on site and for that I welcome as always Ralf Denk.

00:01:09: Hello good evening to Rosenheim!

00:01:13: You said it yourself?

00:01:14: Good evening.

00:01:15: We are a little bit later today which brings me two questions right away.

00:01:19: There was long transfer yesterday And where am i catching you today?

00:01:23: That's recording a little more than usual.

00:01:28: Yesterday I had, or we did the podcast before The Transfer but today the internet was so miserable at the finish line that it was actually impossible to call To talk Today and That's why We finished The Transfer first.

00:01:50: That, as you credit Ralf.

00:01:53: The listeners will definitely forgive you.

00:01:55: and yes if it is not possible on site because the connection is too poor then we'll do a bit later.

00:02:00: We are flexible there!

00:02:01: The main thing that's to get hear something.

00:02:05: Second question which I still need catch up from yesterday was a question of listener.

00:02:11: He mentioned Tim from Bike looked not good at start of stage.

00:02:15: Yesterday said he hadn't been able speak with him yet.

00:02:18: Was there an update on that or can you say something about it?

00:02:22: No, everything is fine.

00:02:24: Sure everyone had to struggle yesterday after the two hard-opening stages on Saturday and Sunday but everything was fine.

00:02:34: he could do his job here in The Race so... There's no reason not be worried.

00:02:40: Wonderful!

00:02:41: So all clear from Team Manager Ralf.

00:02:44: let us look at todays stage.

00:02:47: We already mentioned it yesterday, the breakaway riders were involved today and very early on.

00:02:58: The

00:03:09: race situation played out exactly as I predicted yesterday.

00:03:13: A large group will fight for the stage win and if necessary, It was never suboptimal for us.

00:03:30: We were represented by Nico Denz and Jan Tratnik in the large over-thirty man breakaway group, we would have liked Maxim van Gils to be there too.

00:03:42: that was our very clear goal this morning at the meeting.

00:03:46: But you can see it's not a wish list here.

00:03:49: Who can ride and who cannot?

00:03:52: Maxim van Gils won very similar stage two days at the Criterium de Dauphiné three weeks ago.

00:03:59: He was one of top favourites with bookmakers for this stage today And no-one wanted him in that group.

00:04:07: That is why actually impossible, we just discussed again on the drive back.

00:04:13: Whenever I lifted my backside, i had ten-twenty-thirty people on the rear wheel.

00:04:17: So for him it was actually impossible to get into a group today.

00:04:22: many were against.

00:04:23: that is why he wasn't there and this result did not turn out as we hoped.

00:04:31: Okay, so the plan was different but you reacted.

00:04:35: Jan Tratnik rode away at a penultimate climb.

00:04:39: what's he idea behind that?

00:04:40: to somehow use two guys as you have them and if not Nico Denz would get more energy for it.

00:04:47: or what is his plan there?

00:04:49: The little track team represented up front by three very strong riders above all by winner Mats Pedersen.

00:04:56: beating him in sprint is impossible.

00:05:00: So the last hope was to find salvation in a breakaway.

00:05:04: And Jean Tratnik tried that, unfortunately he had Matthias Watzek from Little Trek with him but didn't do any of his work.

00:05:13: That means he did most of it alone and so this is just an attempt.

00:05:20: But in the end it's pretty hopeless because too few riders went with Jean when they attacked And then there was no harmony in the three-man group because Matthias Wacek from Little Trek, who basically waited for his captain refused to take a turn at the front.

00:05:44: So it's actually a hopeless endeavor but you have to try!

00:05:48: If you don't try if you head into the sprint on the finish line with Mats Pedersen... ...then that will probably only be finished second And that is why I can both Jan Hurt and Nico Denz, who was then the second rider from us in the lead group.

00:06:07: Who fought like a lion on the final climb against strong mid-mountain riders.

00:06:13: Unfortunately he could not quite keep up but i cannot blame him either As as a flatland rider or ruler.

00:06:21: there were simply nothing more for for the two of them in the lead group.

00:06:28: Yes, we saw today exactly what happens when you reach the final straight with Mats Pedersen.

00:06:34: In my view he did not even ride a perfect sprint because he started quite early but there was simply no chance anyone to stay on his wheel.

00:06:44: Since you just mentioned it, Letaltrack didn't do any pace setting because there were three of them and they knew that they had Mats Pedersen.

00:06:53: That's a valid tactic and clever right?

00:06:55: Would you say... They did everything right and really gave their all today.

00:07:00: or would you say okay..they could have used some support afterall?

00:07:06: No, we would have done the same if the roles had been reversed.

00:07:12: It is just well cruel myths or tactical games that you can play in cycling.

00:07:18: They went for this sprint The guys from Little Trek.

00:07:23: They had a clear plan.

00:07:25: And that is why I have to cover breakaway groups, they did it with Varcek but just didn't pull.

00:07:32: That's common and we are not angry at them so they deserve the win today.

00:07:38: Alright.

00:07:39: then one more sentence about the new wearer of Yellow Jersey Torstein Train from UNOX Mobility Team.

00:07:47: Can you tell us something about him?

00:07:49: He has a history.

00:07:52: He received the cancer diagnosis and now he is in The Yellow Jersey.

00:07:57: two questions on that.

00:07:58: first it Is probably a huge story for him.

00:08:00: And second, It also looked like Pogacar did not necessarily want to wear it For the next three weeks but was quite willing To give up.

00:08:08: Yes, as mentioned at the start it was the strategy of Tadej Pogacar and his team not to defend the jersey till the very end.

00:08:18: They did not do that!

00:08:20: That Tostin train I hope i pronounced his name correctly.

00:08:23: this wearing now makes me happy because firstly he already wore the leader's jersey for a long time in the Vuelta last year... He knows how that feels He is experienced there.

00:08:37: Secondly, yes he really had cancer and that in a career it's not so easy to process all of this then recover or come back.

00:08:48: So certainly great fighter although I do not know him personally And the Norwegian team where only Norwegians and Danes ride So they basically don't take any foreigners except for those two nations.

00:09:02: And well, the team has a great sense of national pride towards Norway.

00:09:07: to what's Denmark and it's only in its first year now In The World Tour.

00:09:12: They were promoted last year and Of course It is A Great Success For The Team To Be Wearing Yellow Jersey Now.

00:09:19: I know the manager Thor Husshoff personally, i am also happy for him and a great thing.

00:09:24: And cycling also benefits from stories like these.

00:09:29: Yes looking at it now eight minutes ahead he is a great fighter mind you.

00:09:33: eight minutes over Tadej Pogacar.

00:09:36: in between they also place two others but that's so much to say.

00:09:41: all within reason or perhaps not too little.

00:09:44: afterall

00:09:45: The cushion will hold for a few stages now, so that would be tomorrow.

00:09:49: Tomorrow we'll get to it in the moment!

00:09:52: It is likely their first sprint but I believe eight minutes will even hold up on the Tourmalet stage and i do not expect the wearer of the yellow jersey to be in the top five in Paris But he certainly wears this jersey for days.

00:10:11: Wonderful, we will take a look at that.

00:10:14: Ralph I need a sentence or two about what is going on over there?

00:10:19: There are brutal heat waves and i saw forty degrees showing many thermometers.

00:10:24: The riders clearly show the strain.

00:10:28: I also heard in an interview with NicoDenz that you were even penalized for yesterday, for handing out feedbacks where it wasn't allowed and despite the heat.

00:10:38: Tell me what is going on there?

00:10:40: These are extreme conditions aren't

00:10:41: they?".

00:10:43: Yes!

00:10:43: It's indeed very hot.

00:10:47: Normally you're only allowed to hand-out little bags some of you might know which contain bottles bars & gels in specific feed zones.

00:10:59: You are actually not allowed to hand out the bags from the car.

00:11:03: now, In this heat The bags often also packed with ice like the kind you can buy at our gas stations.

00:11:11: This ice is packed into pantyhose and the panty hose let cold water through And put that on your neck while riding.

00:11:20: That's how basically cool down your body core temperature.

00:11:25: And yes, we handed those little bags or pouches out of the car.

00:11:28: You are not allowed to do that.

00:11:30: you only allow it from outside and roadside.

00:11:33: in certain zones We got a penalty for this.

00:11:38: Then the rule was lifted anyway by UCI and organizer here because simply common practice For all teams.

00:11:49: No one followed regulations.

00:11:51: Everyone just had.

00:11:53: Everyone just had the interest in cooling their riders as best possible.

00:11:59: Whether we get the five hundred Swiss francs credited back, I am curious!

00:12:07: That must otherwise be in the team fund for some teams because practically everyone did it.

00:12:13: Well, what options are there if it actually gets even more extreme?

00:12:18: I heard from Florian Lipowitz earlier The riders also discussing among themselves of course.

00:12:27: Do you as a team have ways to intervene Be at different start times shortening the route etc.

00:12:31: is something like that conceivable in the coming days or how do you see it?

00:12:36: Yes, there is a sort of Riders Union.

00:12:41: The Riders union is in contact with the team union With the organizer and with the World Federation that controls the regulations here.

00:12:51: they established regulations And Of course There Is an extreme weather protocol?

00:12:57: There is currently no heat protocol yet.

00:13:01: Maybe that will be introduced at some point and we'll have to see what the measures are then changing something overnight, shortening it or moving start times.

00:13:11: That obviously involves a huge chain of consequences.

00:13:15: It involves team logistics, it involves television broadcasts' time so I don't think you can change that over night.

00:13:24: Whether that will be changed in the medium or long term and considered, I don't think now is the right time to discuss this during the Tour de France.

00:13:36: Right now you can really only hope it gets a bit cooler And there's perfect cooling strategy for riders.

00:13:45: Because one thing must be understood, cooling does not end after crossing the finish line because the body is so overheated and then it has to be cooled in order to initiate a recovery process.

00:13:57: That means that rooms where riders sleep have to be air-conditioned.

00:14:01: We also have our own additional air conditioning units with us.

00:14:07: After the race ice baths are taken to simply cool down the entire organism The whole body once again.

00:14:15: In addition to the whole cooling strategy we already have during the race, it is an enormous effort also for staff and extra efforts.

00:14:27: But we do as much as possible in order to make life as easy as possible for racers.

00:14:34: Yes I can give you a little teaser.

00:14:37: We will come back with this not just regarding what all of us are doing but perhaps how our riders prepare.

00:14:45: There is a lot behind that, but it would take us too far especially since I want to talk about something which was announced namely that Jai Hindley has extended with you long term as they say.

00:15:00: Can You Say Something About That?

00:15:02: It's happening right now while he is writing the tour de France for you!

00:15:06: He said you have become like second family to him...he won the Giro twenty-twenty two for you.

00:15:13: He is a guy who has become one of your most important writers, right?

00:15:18: Yes.

00:15:19: And from several perspectives.

00:15:23: first-of all still great respect and also gratitude for his first Grand Tour victory.

00:15:30: He won the Giro d'Italia for us in twenty-twenty two.

00:15:36: We had never won a three week tour before.

00:15:39: he was first Primoz Roglic, then second in twenty twenty four who won the Vuelta a España but that's truly milestone history.

00:15:51: Then on a human level, he is just an incredibly good guy.

00:15:55: You can rely on one hundred percent who loves his sport and always gives his all.

00:16:02: And then of course He's also blessed with With the talent that very few in the world have you know.

00:16:09: So weaning a grand tour finishing fourth at the Vuelta Spain last year and third at the Giro d'Italia this year.

00:16:18: Those are really very good, great results in three-week tours And he is also versatile.

00:16:25: He can write as a team leader or as domestic.

00:16:30: That's something you do not see often those who can fulfill two roles.

00:16:35: that why we reached an agreement with him.

00:16:39: I am pleased how he committed himself to it.

00:16:43: He is riding the Giro d'Italia, he will not sign anything beforehand even if he gets offers from other teams and we'll talk after the giro d Italia.

00:16:53: We did that!

00:16:54: And it didn't take long..and then we shook hands and now...we will continue for next few years

00:17:01: As you said, the next few years.

00:17:03: anyone who has listened in more often or reads their respective announcements knows that they never give exact dates.

00:17:11: Still I have to ask long term definitely means several years!

00:17:17: It is for several years and... And there is a reason why we do not disclose that.

00:17:24: Because the final paragraph of most contracts states, both parties agree to keep the contents confidential and contract duration part.

00:17:35: so I will not talk about it.

00:17:38: He'll still help you for awhile among other things tomorrow even if at first glance he already hinted earlier Doesn't look like many challenges, but rather a chance for the sprinters who are probably leaving Pedersen aside today.

00:17:58: He's a bit of hybrid model But the other pure Sprinters are likely craving a chance tomorrow right?

00:18:05: Absolutely, and they really didn't have it easy at this year's Tour de France.

00:18:11: They had a brutal start!

00:18:22: Pardon my language, but like picks the sprinters because that was super.

00:18:26: Super hard and some only just made it in before the time limit yesterday And today again nothing for them and tomorrow most likely the first sprint.

00:18:38: And I believe the teams that are hoping for something there will do everything they can to ensure there is a sprint.

00:18:46: That means no breakaway group, we'll reach the finish but rather than the entire peloton turn onto finishing straight tomorrow and then fastest win!

00:18:55: Does this mean protecting Remcoe & Lippowitz?

00:18:59: Making sure you keep up or have some other task?

00:19:03: We definitely have a mission tomorrow.

00:19:07: You can never say you don't have a mission in a race because you can fall at any meter and always stay focused, concentrated.

00:19:17: But primarily we will be happy tomorrow once the three-kilometer mark or time for general classification is effectively taken has reached provided that we haven't been involved with any crashes up to this point.

00:19:29: And then we hope for tomorrow that it will be a crash-free and relatively pleasant day, because the big Pyrenees stage on Thursday is already waiting.

00:19:44: Wonderful!

00:19:45: We'll speak again today.

00:19:47: – thank you very much!

00:19:49: Have a lovely evening in France!

00:19:52: My pleasure….

00:19:54: Best regards... A lovely evening back to Hosenheim.

00:19:57: That was the latest edition of Inside Red Bull Bora Hunscroll, The podcast from OVB Online on Tour de France.

00:20:07: You can find a podcast in all common podcatchers and on the websites of OVBMedia & ePenmedia.

00:20:15: Thanks for listening!

00:20:16: See you next episode.