Stage 19: "Remco was really held up – there could have been even more in it"

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

00:00:09: For three

00:00:09: weeks we accompanied team manager Ralph Denk and the biggest and most successful German cycling team through The Tour De France.

00:00:19: Do you have

00:00:19: questions for Ralph DenK?

00:00:21: Send them to Tobias.rufvoofbmedia.de And now enjoy the new episode!

00:00:32: Dramatic, tough and spectacular.

00:00:35: The myth of Alpe di Ues part one lived up to its promise.

00:00:39: A large breakaway group pulled away before the legendary twenty-one hairpin bends And even gained a lead off four and half minutes at one point.

00:00:49: But Tadei Pogaccia takes over right at the foot of the mountain picks them off One by one and crowns himself the winner In battle for second place.

00:00:58: Remko Evernipole extends his lead.

00:01:01: As always we switch over to our man on the ground.

00:01:04: He is sitting up in Alpe de Huys, hello Ralph!

00:01:07: Hello and greetings from Alpe du Huys to Rosenheim.

00:01:11: yes Ralph We are analyzing everything as always And have to start relatively early this time because a large group formed right away which if you look at it In The end was actually not far From making It.

00:01:36: How hard did that make it for you right from the start with things really taking off up front?

00:01:42: Yes, it was actually a pretty good situation for us.

00:01:45: We had Mattia Cataneo up front and he didn't do any pace setting or very little pace setting.

00:01:51: It basically went uphill right from the start in gap So there wasn't rolling out.

00:01:57: we went straight into the climb end-up.

00:02:00: Then came they called the Noye The second category mountain today then along valley descent And then it was already heading towards Alpe Dues.

00:02:09: The situation was good for us.

00:02:12: UAE set the pace at their back, I don't think they were full strength due to illness... ...the team wasn't on their usual level but still managed to control the gap.

00:02:24: They didn't manage to reduce his lead, but they kept him in check.

00:02:29: And when Pogacar attacked at the foot of final climb The breakaway's lead was already too small and he really caught everyone.

00:02:37: But I don´t have exact ascent time for Pogace here yet.

00:02:42: It didnt look super effortless with him anymore either.

00:02:46: So you can see how hard last three weeks were.

00:02:53: Yes, I can at least give you an approximate one.

00:02:56: He beat the record set by Pantani in nineteen ninety five by about a minute so he was very fast up there.

00:03:05: Sharpo yes To follow-up on what you just said.

00:03:10: Sasha Witzke also observed that and brings me to a listener question.

00:03:15: That UAE was naturally bit battered did not chase with their full team strength.

00:03:22: But he said and you saw it from time to time.

00:03:24: You were very present up front even in the first section.

00:03:28: So his question is why did you do that?

00:03:32: Wouldn't It have made more sense To let UAE Do everything And not help them at all perhaps,to get del Toro Up there a bit earlier or something similar?

00:03:42: Yes, you have to know that when your riding relatively far up in the field and perhaps take a turn or two.

00:03:50: so if you help out bit at front then leading team UAE will let you stay there.

00:03:59: And we didn't want to take any risks.

00:04:02: That means if were riding in the top ten, twelve including our leader Ramco then will most likely avoid crashes that might happen on a pack because we are sitting so far forward and thats why you do it for strategic reasons.

00:04:17: So that send one or two riders through line.

00:04:20: but you cannot call hard pace setting.

00:04:23: It is more about presence To secure position at front of the pack.

00:04:28: Okay, let's jump right in where the show began.

00:04:31: At the foot of Alpe d'Huez there was still about three and a half minutes to the front.

00:04:37: Right at the climb Mattia Cattaneo drops back too later act as reference point for Remco Eventimpol I assume or we only saw it in snippets on the bag because then the big pogachal show begun.

00:05:09: Yes, we said in the meeting this morning if Pogacar attacks and it looks super easy then will try to go with Remco, but now I also know his climb time.

00:05:21: So one minute faster than the phenomenal record by Marco Pantani from the year nineteen ninety seven i believe.

00:05:30: so that records stood for thirty years.

00:05:33: But this means it was really fast and you take a risk if try match that pace.

00:05:42: And we didn't have too.

00:05:45: And that is why we first shifted the work to Decathlon.

00:05:48: so they would set pace and were relatively comfortable.

00:05:53: First with Jai Hindley, later with Mathia Kataneo who came back from front.

00:05:59: We sat in group but did not have to work.

00:06:02: That was actually a very good situation for us.

00:06:06: You just said that Decathlon took over.

00:06:09: You could see Paul Saxes at the front for quite a while, At least when it was cut back.

00:06:17: He also still had two teammates who would have dropped back but that only lasted short time before the final five kilometers of the top just before barriers appeared and got wider than Remko Evernopol said.

00:06:29: now is my time.

00:06:32: There was a brief moment where it looked like he couldn't get through properly because motorcycles were in the way and that's all too tight.

00:06:39: Did you follow this?

00:06:40: Was is really the case, more could have been possible or how did see?

00:06:44: if?

00:06:45: Yes, that was a real shame.

00:06:47: I spoke with Remko in the elevator and he was definitely held up after his attack meaning he actually made two attacks.

00:06:55: He makes the attack opens a gap gets slowed down by the motorcycle With massive crowds on the left and right so he couldn't get past the motorcycle either.

00:07:06: Then the motorcycle pulls away again.

00:07:08: Remco accelerates again and still managed to maintain or extend the gap between Del Toro and Paul Seixas at the top, but he just said it caused him a massive amount of energy.

00:07:21: And that was a shame because otherwise there would have been more seconds.

00:07:27: Del Toro and Paul Sixers, who are basically those three people fighting hard for the podium here.

00:07:34: And one of these three mentioned will definitely not be on the podium!

00:07:38: That is why this battle was so fierce... ...and that's a shame for Remco but you cannot do anything about it now.

00:07:46: in hindsight

00:07:48: Looking back, wouldn't it have been a bit smarter to attack a little later since the barriers and spectators were right there holding things back?

00:07:59: So he basically has to attack twice.

00:08:01: Did not that in mind or why might be better to attack their?

00:08:05: did you say anything about that?

00:08:08: There is no rule book for when the final kilometers are fenced off and Remco didn't know that either.

00:08:13: Yes, so Remco did not know that!

00:08:15: Are there barriers set up four kilometers from the finish as in this case today or they only setup three kilometers just one kilometer before?

00:08:25: He followed his gut feeling and in that moment he told me, confirmed it felt good.

00:08:31: That is why he attacked then but unfortunately there were too many spectators.

00:08:38: the lane was to narrow so you could not get through.

00:08:40: It's still enough though which means I assume are leaving this stage with a very good feeling.

00:08:47: There are a few more seconds again to the two pursuers, Del Toro and Saksus.

00:08:51: They didn't gain much on each other.

00:08:53: Should Saksuses have done or did he do too much at start?

00:08:57: And couldn't keep up because of that?

00:09:00: How how you see that?

00:09:02: know well.

00:09:03: the Decathlon team went all in for Paul Sakses.

00:09:08: they were able today after The Start To Have Two Riders In The Lead Group.

00:09:13: They Were Basically Relay Stations.

00:09:15: That Dropped Back.

00:09:17: They still had one rider with Paul Sixers for a long time.

00:09:21: So they did everything right, but you could also see that the nineteen-year old Paul Sixer is a bit tired.

00:09:28: He's riding his first three week Grand Tour here So Hats off to where he is currently riding in fourth place as a nineteen-year old.

00:09:37: In his first three week grand tour, that was the phenomenal performance and it's completely normal that here's a bit tired now on the nineteenth stage perhaps not quite as fresh anymore but they fought like lions too.

00:09:50: only one person doesn't seem to mind at all.

00:09:53: there was lot of speculation.

00:09:55: Hey, the team is weakened.

00:09:57: Maybe there's a virus going around.

00:09:59: Tadeh Pogacar doesn't care at all.

00:10:02: I think he really wanted to add his name To The Legendary List of Winners At Alped US today and He did that very impressively.

00:10:11: Would you agree with me?

00:10:12: There?

00:10:13: yes definitely here up Here many great cyclists have won.

00:10:17: they Have been underdog victories here too but Winning at Alper de Huys, having that on your parmares when you eventually end your career.

00:10:25: That is something truly great.

00:10:29: I as a team manager or team boss have never won up here As a razor either but it is something honorable and You could see how besieged the mountain was by cycling fans And The cycling event of the year so far here and that is something very prestigious.

00:10:55: I would say this, a German victory at Alper der Hoers ist still missing So maybe you can tick all those boxes with your team?

00:11:03: That might be something for the future.

00:11:07: We make no secret of the fact we'd love to have Florian Lippowitz today And we missed him.

00:11:15: We are in contact with him, he is back home now.

00:11:18: He's doing okay but suffering along with us and we're suffering that he cannot experience these cool stages here for which he had specifically prepared his planning of the weekend.

00:11:31: I feel very sorry about

00:11:34: it Absolutely, especially since I've heard from many riders at the finish line how incredible it was again today.

00:11:41: Unbelievable crazy soul out.

00:11:44: nothing comparable across all sports.

00:11:46: as Shahindi said in an interview earlier You are on site too.

00:11:50: How did you experience that?

00:11:51: Today?

00:11:51: i saw there even a traffic jam this morning because There were so many people down there.

00:11:55: we're talking about A good half-a million People.

00:11:59: What what is going on there do have some impressions for us?

00:12:02: Well, the mountain has been closed to cars and motorhomes for two days now.

00:12:07: That means if you want to park your motorhome by the roadside If you want spend a few nice days here.

00:12:13: You have to arrive today's early.

00:12:15: Otherwise it is state of emergency parties.

00:12:18: I saw some pictures & videos yesterday.

00:12:20: Deep into night The cycling fans were partying Here.

00:12:24: It all very peaceful.

00:12:26: that is impressive.

00:12:27: well...you can When you see football fans, as when two teams meet it usually doesn't end well or you can't let them near each other without police protection.

00:12:40: That is different here in cycling.

00:12:42: It's much more peaceful and a celebration Here!

00:12:46: It is unique And anyone who is bit of a cycling fan has to have seen this live because we go many corners We ride up many mountains but Alpe d'Is is Alpe di US, and it will be again tomorrow.

00:13:06: We would get to that in a moment.

00:13:08: perhaps quick note or rather message reached me.

00:13:12: there were definitely fans of the podcast on site because I received picture where said in bold with Red Bull logo best regards back to Rosenheim.

00:13:23: Well, I think there were definitely some people who follow the podcast regularly even on that legendary final climb.

00:13:31: The greetings are hereby delivered!

00:13:34: That is nice to know and I am pleased.

00:13:37: Ralph let us look at tomorrow... Even then Alpe d'Huez remains.

00:13:41: Alpe de Huez.

00:13:43: We are riding a big loop tomorrow, but we have and it will be even tougher.

00:13:49: three climbs of the highest category before.

00:14:01: Yes, first of all a quick word on the route.

00:14:13: A short descent from the Koldu telegraph, then comes to Koldugalybje again with sixteen-seventeen kilometers.

00:14:27: Then back down over the Kuldulotaret along this end through the valley and up the back way to Alpe d'Huez Going up to alpe de Fritz on the back is not comparable to road we rode today.

00:14:39: it's very narrow And I'm really curious how the organizers will manage that tomorrow, because you've seen a lot of campers and tents and cars along the roadside.

00:14:52: There's absolutely no room for that tomorrow – it would be difficult when two cars meet one coming from above or below if nobody is currently in them And the mountain is something special.

00:15:05: It's not quite as much elevation gain, we rode up today because you turn off further at the valley but it will be a phenomenal farewell to the Tour de France.

00:15:18: and yes... We are looking forward!

00:15:21: We are also quite optimistic for tomorrow because Remco showed good form today and my conversation in the elevator with him earlier, he didn't really make a broken impression on me.

00:15:33: And we will see how the race goes!

00:15:35: We saw Pogacar's level again today, but we don't need to be the first to go on the offensive now because we have enough of a gap.

00:15:52: two third fourth and fifth place.

00:15:55: And will watch how the race develops over The Great Alpine Giants.

00:15:59: The Elevator conversations are encouraging!

00:16:03: I

00:16:06: have some information for you that might be interesting today.

00:16:09: Pogacar said at the finish line, he secured a win to Alpe d'Huez.

00:16:15: tomorrow He will go on full attack together with Del Toro To secure white jersey and podium.

00:16:22: That's what i gathered.

00:16:25: Does it mean something different?

00:16:28: If Pogaca becomes a super domestic again or does change nothing?

00:16:35: Primarily Del Toro also has to follow Pogacar first and one could see that he was not the freshest today either.

00:16:43: Well, for us this strategy with Pogachar as a hungry for victory rider or Pogacha super domestic it won't change anything.

00:16:54: we will ride our own race and I have to pay my team a compliment today.

00:16:59: They stayed relatively together for a long time on the final climb, so we will stick to our own tactics but are going into tomorrow with more

00:17:08: confidence.".

00:17:09: The advantage is that you're right there!

00:17:12: The start would be at bottom basically in the entrance of Alpe de Huys.

00:17:16: As far as i understood it correctly You were at top like most teams.

00:17:21: Does this also mean a bit more capacity?

00:17:26: No, the whole weekend is a logistical nightmare you really have to say.

00:17:32: We started an hour and a half south today.

00:17:36: You could almost see The Mediterranean this morning.

00:17:40: The trucks had a meeting point at eight o'clock this morning down the foot of the mountain, so they could drive up here.

00:17:49: That's the route that the racers drove up later.

00:17:52: So these whole weekend as nice it is the cycling festival but for us as teams It was an immense effort.

00:17:58: We have to brutal stage tomorrow.

00:18:00: We are also traveling to Paris by car tomorrow and the riders are taking their TGV.

00:18:06: So, the day tomorrow will be extremely long again... ...and we'll all be a bit relieved once we have reached Paris!

00:18:15: I can imagine as fun you naturally imagined it to be much more pleasant than when you were there But that is what we have for you.

00:18:23: Thank you very much Ralph for today and we will of course look at AlptiHue as part two together again tomorrow, then with my colleague Tobias Ruf.

00:18:31: I would therefore like to say goodbye.

00:18:41: That was the latest edition of Inside Red Bull Borah Hansgrohe, The podcast from OVB Online on Tour de France.

00:18:50: You can find the podcast in all common podcatchers and on the websites of OVBMedia & Ipenmedia.

00:18:58: Thanks for listening!

00:18:59: And see you next episode.