Stage 14: "We are fully on track, because today we are only talking about seconds"

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00:00:32: Up or down Those were the only options on the fourteenth stage of Tour de France.

00:00:38: Four climbs, three of them first category rain showers and narrow roads.

00:00:44: At times several groups formed fighting for a stage win In main field.

00:00:50: however UAE said such high pace that top stars took over in final climb.

00:00:56: In the end, Tadeh Pogacar wins once again.

00:00:59: Florian Lipovitz and Remko Evenepoel fight their way to finish but lose ten seconds to one or two podium contenders!

00:01:07: I will discuss just how intense it really was today with our man on the ground... ...and with that i say hello as always to team manager Ralph Denk.

00:01:16: Hello good evening and greetings from France

00:01:22: Ralph, that was a tough stage today by the looks of it.

00:01:26: If I look at the result quite neutrally and i didn't see this stage then I read that Pogacar wins thirty-eight seconds ahead of Del Toro and Zepkas with Lipovitz and Remco Evnipol following forty eight and fifty seconds behind respectively.

00:01:45: Do I just read from the raw numbers?

00:01:47: That things didn't go optimally for you to die?

00:01:50: or am I reading that wrong?

00:01:52: No, well I had to disagree there.

00:01:55: Both Ramco and Flogen wrote a great phrase And i stand by my opinion that when we talk about the podium We're ultimately talking about minutes... ...and here today were still talking about seconds.

00:02:09: If you take look at general classification There is currently only one minute and twenty second gap between second and seventh place.

00:02:18: The time trial is still to come And we will then be talking about minutes, not seconds.

00:02:27: Both our guys are in the game.

00:02:29: they put up a great fight today and we're fully on track!

00:02:34: There is no bad mood for the team right now instead of focusing what's still to come so that we remain optimistic.

00:02:45: Okay, let's dive right into where it got really tough on the final climb towards the finish.

00:02:52: Pogacar held back a bit at first or so It seemed The cathalon was pushing the pace of the front and then came an attack from Florian Lipowitz.

00:03:03: That looked very brave At first.

00:03:05: Was that something you had planned in advance?

00:03:07: Or was he the spontaneous decision On his part?

00:03:11: No, we told both of them if you feel good.

00:03:14: Tried something on the final climb and Florian tried something.

00:03:20: so chapeau because the bass pace was incredibly high but he still went for it and was able to open up a gap such as I was then.

00:03:33: But first you need the courage to attack here at this immensely high pace.

00:03:39: Maybe he paid a price for that attack on top of the climb, but if you don't try anything then it won't make any difference and ended up losing a few seconds in the finish.

00:03:51: Remco also helped him out a bit.

00:03:54: He was very strong during his last five kilometers which were rather flat.

00:03:59: Dave, Lauren and Remco were in the same group.

00:04:02: They worked well together so Remco did a lot of leading work there And therefore it is not the end for us even though we lost a few seconds.

00:04:13: but we view this stage positively.

00:04:16: We must stay focused on what's still to come.

00:04:20: Yes, I felt that Florian Lipovitz's attack was the starting signal for others to do something.

00:04:25: After that Wingergaard took over at the front and also the phase where Remko Evernipol started having a few problems.

00:04:34: Let´s look again!

00:04:35: That is another steep section.

00:04:38: with some struggle.

00:04:39: He actually comes back.

00:04:41: We have seen this before too.

00:04:43: he makes it back then finishes really strongly on flat sections.

00:04:49: Is that something you really look at and say, okay what do we do with him when it gets really steep?

00:04:54: or how did you see them?

00:04:57: Yes.

00:04:58: Well first of all We have to say that two people actually said goodbye to the podium today.

00:05:04: That is Matthias Skelmose And Tom Pitcock who we also talked about yesterday.

00:05:11: They are actually if now they are over two minutes back Now in terms of the podium They have actually rather said goodbye there.

00:05:20: That means the circle of podium contenders has become smaller and the fact that Remco lets them go a bit, also shows how clever he is or well can success his own body And does not fully explode.

00:05:36: He just eases off a bit then rides his own pace and as soon it gets a bit flatter, he can use his time trial skills.

00:05:45: And often close gaps again.

00:05:47: We saw that too when finished third here at the Tour de France two years ago.

00:05:54: in similar way He was never quite with best on climbs but always came back which is just his riding style.

00:06:02: That's perfectly fine for us.

00:06:05: And it also did Florian good that Ramco came up from behind again and then they were able to work together nicely for the last five kilometers.

00:06:13: That means in general classification as you just said, It remains super tight!

00:06:19: That also mean's when already hinted You will keep calm & carry on like before I assume and not somehow panic and think How do we manage act differently?

00:06:31: To catch-up differently?

00:06:34: No, look here before the stage.

00:06:36: Matthias Gelmoser, Tom Pitcock and also Lenny Martinez were within striking distance for the podium but in my opinion they have said goodbye as contenders.

00:06:46: today The group of riders competing for the Podium has become smaller But there are still six riders left.

00:06:53: That is Jonas Wingergaard, that is Remko Evenepuels, Paul Secas, Juan Ayuso, Florian Lipowitz and Isaac Del Toro.

00:07:01: Those are the candidates who in my opinion will decide the podium among themselves on the Tour de France still has over a week to go And we'll be talking about minutes for those mentioned at some point

00:07:16: And perhaps that will happen as early tomorrow, which we can maybe cover again in the preview.

00:07:22: What I would also be interested it was obvious today That the name Lippo was shouted by fans very often.

00:07:30: He said he is grateful for this great support.

00:07:36: You noticed many German fans took opportunity to help tour move in right direction.

00:07:44: Well, first of all you have to compliment the organizers for designing The Wood so that yesterdays and today's stages met up again.

00:07:54: It was in general area around Balondalsas which is main mountain in this region.

00:08:01: You can ride it from left, right, back & front And we drove into the region yesterday and today as well.

00:08:11: That means it was relatively easy for the spectators with their motorhomes or in guest houses where they are staying, Or perhaps from a bit further away to enjoy these two days... ...and that is also what I keep bringing up because We need to centralize this so It's easier for fans To be there on site Perhaps not just one day but for two days.

00:08:35: And these two days now, they harmonized perfectly in terms of the route because the distances were short and that's why there was significantly more spectators than if we just drove over one mountain then drove to next.

00:08:48: Instead you positioned yourself well at yesterday or today together.

00:08:51: Then you might have seen the racers three four five times.

00:08:56: That is actually an interesting part!

00:08:59: There are many more spectator than usual on stages which was nice right at the German border.

00:09:06: And indeed there were many German flags and many Lipowitz signs on the road, that naturally gives Florian an enormous amount of strength!

00:09:16: He is quite a German fanboy here which I really am happy for

00:09:19: him.".

00:09:21: Definitely... That can only help!

00:09:23: Ralph, i would like to take look today at most prominent new signing you made just under one year ago.

00:09:31: It is about Remko Evnepole as a background topic.

00:09:36: Briefly to start for those not quite familiar with his history, few facts... He was very good soccer player in his youth came to cycling relatively late at around seventeen years of age but then made huge impact.

00:09:52: As a Belgian he was naturally branded a prodigy the successor to Eddie Merckx and so on.

00:09:59: The hopes were huge and he had success after success in the under-twenty three category.

00:10:04: In his first few years, He did not even need those because he signed with professional racing team Detsunink.

00:10:11: quick step at nineteen years old.

00:10:14: Then in twenty-twenty a minor setback for him, A severe crash at the Tour of Lombardy.

00:10:20: A fractured pelvis and with that...a long break!

00:10:24: But he fought his way back year later.

00:10:26: And then came the triumphant rides That many remember especially In The Time Trials World champion double Olympic gold medalist An absolute superstar even before He joined you.

00:10:39: My question to you, how did you first perceive him when he entered the scene and what was your first impression of him?

00:10:47: The first impression that wasn't directly from me.

00:10:50: That was back then our youth director Christian Schrott And he once called me from an under-nineteen race back.

00:10:59: Then I said hey there is a Belgian who Rides every stage alone out in front and then he has a minute, two minutes three minutes.

00:11:10: Then you never see him again And then he wins.

00:11:13: He won everything there was to win on that tour and always with the lead of several minutes.

00:11:18: I said yeah Yeah i didn't take it that seriously To be honest.

00:11:23: And I saw Remco for the first time in twenty eighteen at The Cycling World Championships In Innsbruck and he won the junior race there even though He was several minutes behind the pack At first because he was involved in a crash.

00:11:40: And then he closed the gap of several minutes all by himself, rode through the field pulled away at the front and became Junior World Champion.

00:11:51: That was when I started taking his name seriously... ...and i was really impressed with how he won his races!

00:11:59: He turned professional relatively quickly, skipped the under-twenty three class as you said also quickly become Road World Champion Time Trial World Champion, double Olympic champion won the Vuelta but also one classic One Day Races like in San Sebastian.

00:12:16: And for me it was clear that he is an exceptional talent and does not come from cycling.

00:12:24: He did not spend his youth on cycling.

00:12:27: He didn't start racing in the under eleven or under thirteen categories, but only from the under nineteen level.

00:12:34: And perhaps we can make even more of him than he was already capable off and that is to some extent our calculation to definitely achieve equally significant victories with him.

00:12:44: Maybe we can also make him a bit better on the longer climbs and that is our idea, but I knew it was not my only one trying to sign him.

00:12:54: The entire world tour meaning there are eighteen teams in the World Tour they all wanted to sign his and he's still an exceptional talent with personality and cycling.

00:13:05: I call that an icon rider, because he also attracts the media and is polarizing.

00:13:19: What was your impression during his conversations with him?

00:13:22: He probably spoke to more than one team... But when he was sitting there with you and now, You have gotten to know him for a while.

00:13:31: What kind of guy is He?

00:13:32: because on the outside?

00:13:33: You already said it!

00:13:34: He's a dazzling personality.

00:13:36: The whole world is watching Him.

00:13:39: How do you experience Him in training camp or even When He sits infront Of you And you Have A conversation?

00:13:46: Yes, well as with all or not at most big sports stars here.

00:13:53: you know Remco takes his profession very seriously and he actually leaves nothing to chance when it comes training recovery nutrition everything else surrounding him.

00:14:07: Well sure!

00:14:07: He has massive talent but also a massively hard worker.

00:14:13: And only when those two combinations meet, then I believe the really big victories come.

00:14:19: So talent alone and a mediocre worker that is no longer enough in top-level sports today... ...and i think can even speak across all sports.

00:14:30: so you have to combine both!

00:14:32: You see it now too…I am not an expert on football but looking at someone like Harland or Ronaldo They are huge, huge talents but also huge workers and that is how I would describe Remco as well.

00:14:50: What has he already brought to you this year?

00:14:52: Do you notice a different level of attention especially from international media?

00:14:58: I imagine the Germans are focused on Florian Lipowicz But he's definitely brand.

00:15:04: we have already listed all his successes.

00:15:08: Do you notice that there is a different kind of focus on U.S.

00:15:11: team or has not much changed in that regard?

00:15:15: No, we are naturally more in the spotlight and we noticed too when at the races before start our bus when Remcoe's racing always besieged.

00:15:26: it reminds me of times Peter Sagan rode for us.

00:15:30: That was an iconic rider to me as well.

00:15:33: I thought about it.

00:15:34: Does this make sense to sign Remcoes?

00:15:37: And I also took a look at the history from when Peter Sagan was with us.

00:15:41: Two thousand nineteen, it's been very successful year for us!

00:15:46: We won forty-seven races in the year.

00:15:50: two thousand nineteen.

00:15:51: We took second place on World Rankings and Peter Sagen was in the prime of his career but he only secured four big victories that year.

00:16:06: big victories, important victories.

00:16:10: But in his slipstream other guys like Max Schachman, Immanuel Buchmann Pascal Ackerman and Sam Bennett also secured the rest of our victories.

00:16:22: so those guys brought him over forty wins.

00:16:25: that naturally helps young people.

00:16:28: The ones mentioned were all very young in twenty nineteen.

00:16:33: When you have a figurehead like that at the front, who takes pressure of whole team because when media is there they want to talk to Remco first.

00:16:42: In two thousand nineteen the media only wanted to talk with Sagan.

00:16:46: That means it was huge relief for them especially young riders.

00:16:50: so could really focus on their sport And then they started winning bike races, and from that perspective such an iconic rider for a team is always mega valuable.

00:17:06: It's of course not easy because there are only a handful but if you have one it helps the whole team.

00:17:12: What is not quite so easy, I imagine.

00:17:14: the other side of the coin.

00:17:15: Is that there's so much focus on him and he naturally speaks a lot with the media That it gives the impression... well lets lots of emotions run free.

00:17:27: He likes to argue in the field.

00:17:29: He also says publicly when something doesn't suit him How do you deal like this?

00:17:35: Or is it just part of the deal you accept with a driver like that, such an iconic driver as you call him?

00:17:45: I believe exactly these types are in demand because nobody wants a slippery character.

00:17:54: That has changed massively anyway since we have had social media.

00:17:59: It is much, much more sensitive regarding what the racers are allowed to say and what they're not.

00:18:06: That also applies to entire sport And if someone says something different it gets shared or commented on.

00:18:12: that didn't exist back then.

00:18:14: So one hand its harder for drivers find their right balance but I always think you have to stay relevant If you always just say, yes the race was tough and it wasn't quite enough when others were better.

00:18:28: And tomorrow we'll try again.

00:18:31: if you give interviews like that without substance or real substance then I don't think that's satisfying for fans but someone really also makes a polarizing statement or two.

00:18:44: Then certainly i think for identity of athlete the time is better than always give such slick answers.

00:18:55: Yes, polarized definitely!

00:18:57: Very very exciting this new signing you have brought in.

00:19:01: yes we are of course looking ahead to tomorrow.

00:19:05: it is another very tough stage including a summit finish at the plateau de gliaire...yes what do you expect from tomorrow?

00:19:14: after such a hard fight today that could be really draining again right?

00:19:20: Yes, tomorrow is a mega-difficult finish.

00:19:23: We know the finish from the criterium du Daouvinne.

00:19:28: It has finished up there before and the approach perhaps not quite as difficult today.

00:19:35: That means it's not quite that much of an up & down ride throughout.

00:19:39: I think that tomorrow there will definitely be a larger breakaway group, but i believe the final climb is too steep and we are back before the rest day.

00:19:51: That means everyone will give it their all again tomorrow.

00:20:00: So I believe the group of favourites will decide their win among themselves just like today and Pogaccia once again be there man to beat.

00:20:11: And, uh...I don't think that a breakaway will succeed tomorrow!

00:20:16: For us it's about getting Florian and Remco into best possible positions when the climb begins and final ascent starts then as far as legs carry And we talked about it before, there are six people currently fighting for two spots on the podium and that will be a tough battle.

00:20:36: We're talking now about seconds or maybe one of them will hit by minutes as early as tomorrow.

00:20:44: I hope not our guys!

00:20:46: It is definitely another very difficult stage tomorrow.

00:20:52: If you guys are feeling good again on attacks like the one we saw from Lipowitz today, conceivable.

00:20:59: Yes of course in my opinion attack is often the best defense and just waiting around does not make any sense.

00:21:08: now And Florian is currently in sixth place.

00:21:13: so Not On The Podium.

00:21:14: It Is Not Far To The Podiums But He Has to Make Up Seconds.

00:21:17: I hope he Feels Good.

00:21:19: Then He Can Try Something

00:21:22: Wonderful.

00:21:22: We will watch it again and of course talk about it afterwards.

00:21:26: for now have a safe trip.

00:21:27: I believe It is not a short transfer today, And then we'll talk again tomorrow.

00:21:33: No!

00:21:35: This

00:21:42: was the latest edition of Inside Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe The podcast from OVB online on Tour de France.

00:21:51: You can find the podcast on all common podcatchers and on the websites of OVB Media & IpenMedia.

00:21:59: Thanks for listening, see you in next episode!