Stage 20: "We could have taken more risks for the stage victory"

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

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

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00:00:25: dr And now

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00:00:32: Richard Carapaz wins the twentieth stage of Tour de France after a dramatic finish.

00:00:36: Remco Evenepoel secures second place in general classification and also finishes second on Alpe d'Huez.

00:00:43: Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe plays decisive role at this stage, as always we will talk about that with team manager.

00:00:50: Hello to Franz Ralf Denk!

00:00:55: Well, it reads great.

00:00:56: Second place in the general classification is secured.

00:00:59: Remcoe strong finishing second on Alpe d'Huez.

00:01:02: Is there a bittersweet feeling?

00:01:04: He was incredibly annoyed at the finish line himself because stage win could have been possible There.

00:01:09: how do you assess it?

00:01:11: Yes well we are super happy with this stage.

00:01:14: The whole team did A great job.

00:01:17: We were represented in the lead group with Jai Hindley.

00:01:22: So the team really rode very, very well together.

00:01:35: You could argue for a long time whether we would have brought Jai back sooner to set pace so that we can catch the lead group faster because Karapas won from the lead today.

00:01:49: Should Remco have attacked sooner himself?

00:01:53: Yes, you can discuss everything but our primary goal was to secure second place and the general classification.

00:02:02: We could have taken more risks for this stage win!

00:02:05: We probably would've if we didn't already had two in the bag.

00:02:09: it is always nice to win a stage at the Tour de France But In The End Whether You Win Two Or Three Well No That Is Up For Debate.

00:02:18: But we would have had to take much more risk, either that Remco might still run into trouble or that we'd give it our all on the descent and saw how dangerous the descent was from the mishaps of SEPCAS.

00:02:34: Exactly!

00:02:36: We will talk about him in a moment.

00:02:38: so bottom line is very positive conclusion.

00:02:42: Let us stay with Remco for a moment, which was my thought just now.

00:02:46: I must admit i am actually surprised by his performance in the high mountains.

00:02:51: is this the strongest remco evenipole of his career so far?

00:02:57: I would say because he already third here at the Tour de France two years ago.

00:03:04: but overall level in professional cycling has risen again over.

00:03:10: That means even Remco would not have finished second or third today with his performance from two years ago.

00:03:16: And that is why you can certainly say this is the strongest Remco in the high mountains we've ever seen!

00:03:24: He has never lost time trial skills because he did win here after all and I only pay a huge compliment to my performance team who have brought out the very best in Remco right now.

00:04:03: Yes, well the pressure hasn't really lifted yet because we have a real bike race in Paris tomorrow.

00:04:08: Only then is The Tour de France over.

00:04:10: also there statement that this was the hardest mountain stage ever of The Tour De France today.

00:04:15: I don't quite agree with That.

00:04:18: it Was five thousand meters Of climbing but It was Also only In quotation marks.

00:04:22: one hundred seventy or one hundred eighty kilometers, I kind of miss old school cycling as they say having a mountain stage over two hundred twenty or two hundred thirty kilometers again.

00:04:35: Anyway it was super tough!

00:04:36: It was hard when our team at the highest level and ultimately that is what this all about

00:04:43: exactly.

00:04:43: let's talk about the team in their level right away.

00:04:45: i have question for you.

00:04:47: First regarding the strategic approach, Jai Hindley was right up at the front for a very long time.

00:04:55: Was there priority or also thought to say we placed Jai upfront so he can perhaps even go for stage win?

00:05:04: Or was primary idea to position him as relay station for Remko Evernepol?

00:05:11: First of all, a big compliment to Jai for making it into the lead group today.

00:05:17: It wasn't just a case of wishing to be in the lead-group because that group formed on their climb to the Koldegref and it was about how good you are!

00:05:30: And Jai was really good there... ...and he was able to keep up.

00:05:35: then There were two points for us which were open.

00:05:40: Is Jai strong enough to take the stage win?

00:05:44: He was not that today.

00:05:45: Karapas and Zepkus were better on the final climb, but he very important as a relay station.

00:05:53: And we then ordered Jai Hindley to drop back A bit.

00:05:57: When we saw he could not win this stage We brought him back.

00:06:02: Then did the pace work for Remco in the Remco in the Remco Pogacar group and it would have almost been enough for Remco to get to the front.

00:06:16: Jai Hindli, a strong Maxim van Gils, Remco Evinepool... So at start of tour I feel that first two weren't seen as strong yet.

00:06:25: so one can obviously ride themselves into better form during a Tour de France.

00:06:31: please explain this phenomenon to us.

00:06:33: Yes, well for people to get better during a three-week tour you have to have massive talent.

00:06:40: I think ninety nine percent of the world's population tends to get worse when they race bikes But those are exactly the examples of why these guys became professional cyclists.

00:06:56: Because they have a talent to, let's say in our language ease into it.

00:07:01: and looking at Maxim he struggled massively with his heat during first week.

00:07:08: He is not in love with heat of thirty degrees plus And Jai Hindley perhaps did not train quite as intensely between the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, because he still had to recover from that Giro.

00:07:26: That is why he got stronger in the final week!

00:07:29: But it was also a bit of strategy on our part, because we knew this final weekend would definitely decide the podium here at the Tour de France.

00:07:38: And that's why we needed every man here in the highest level and I think our performance team succeeded very well!

00:07:48: Let's briefly talk about todays winner.

00:07:49: He is one who feels like he getting stronger and stronger.

00:07:52: Richard Carapaz wins his second stage for this tour.

00:07:55: And then there is also this story with Sepkus.

00:08:00: I mean, when things aren't going well they just aren't doing good.

00:08:03: He was actually the strongest climber today.

00:08:07: Looked even stronger than Kaira Paas.

00:08:10: Then crashes twice within a few minutes.

00:08:13: Do you feel for guys from FISMA?

00:08:17: Yes!

00:08:17: For sure because... Well first of all, Sepkus Is great racer A great character and that second crash Was extremely dangerous.

00:08:27: right He almost landed right next to the safety fence and both of them would have gone over the edge.

00:08:35: So we are just glad he stayed up there.

00:08:39: but as I said, We briefly talked about that small descent before the finish line And how dangerous it was.

00:08:52: The whole team here also followed the stage on-on screen.

00:08:57: We were definitely a bit anxious too, not that Remco ends up crashing somewhere and then it is all over.

00:09:06: And we preferred that we played it safe and that RemCO did not risk everything for the stage win but instead thought more about second place in overall standings.

00:09:19: And there he stands now, behind Tadeh Pogacar and ahead of Isaac Del Toro.

00:09:25: Unless something extraordinary happens in Paris this will be the podium for the twenty-twenty six Tour de France.

00:09:33: Pogaca is often compared to Eddie Murks That Eddie Merckx was called the cannibal.

00:09:39: but when I look at approach, behavior and teamwork of Tadeh Pogacar in this tour it has absolutely nothing to do with being a cannibal.

00:09:52: It is really impressive how he put himself as his friend and teammate Isaac Del Toro.

00:09:59: Yes, it is nice that a real friendship between men works out so well.

00:10:05: Isaac Del Toro is seen to some extent as Pogacar's successor at Team UAE Emirates and Isaac del Toro has already done for today not just in this Tour de France but over the last two years.

00:10:21: And when Tadej Pogacar gives something back, you can see the class he has as an athlete but also a person.

00:10:49: But after this bike race your closing party traditionally takes place.

00:10:53: Where will you be celebrating?

00:10:56: Yes, we have something new and for the first time it was organized by us.

00:11:02: We have rented a beautiful location up on Montmartre And we have allocated three hundred forty seats there to partners but also two friends of the team.

00:11:15: The riders' families will also be there.

00:11:18: And the event location is already open during the race, that means our partners can watch the race while it's still going on and right at Montmartre.

00:11:32: Then after finish they'll join us too.

00:11:36: so we spend afternoon evening together tomorrow.

00:11:44: How long?

00:11:45: Yes, exactly.

00:11:45: I wanted to ask how long does something like that last into the night?

00:11:48: is it two o'clock?

00:11:49: Is at four o' clock?

00:11:50: yes for me definitely won't go on that long.

00:11:54: Well maybe four one or two people But you also have to consider That it is not over on Monday.

00:12:03: all their vehicles and that is a lot of vehicles have to be brought back to our location and Remco also has to go back to Belgium because he is racing there on Monday, Tuesday as well.

00:12:19: Well that's how it is in the cycling circuit!

00:12:23: I know it from the Olympic Games, where i've often been able to experience myself that athletes from Norway or Austria would come by a German house.

00:12:31: Does something like this happen at the Tour de France closing party?

00:12:34: That someone from another team stops by ?

00:12:37: Or is really just an inner circle?

00:12:41: Yes!

00:12:41: It's more of an inner-circle because there are moments and I mentioned Ramco already racing in Belgium again on Monday & Tuesday.

00:12:51: Our staff doesn't just have Monday off, they have to bring all the vehicles back to Raubling.

00:12:57: Next Saturday we're at.

00:12:58: Remco-Evonopol is racing again!

00:13:00: We have our next World Tour race in San Sebastian and the Basque Country.

00:13:06: We cannot really, let's say go all out right now because we still have way too much to do and... ...we will do that more at the end of season party.

00:13:17: So we are looking forward to a nice evening but I think it would not be that ex-.

00:13:24: how do you say?

00:13:25: Extensive!

00:13:28: That might become excessive if ever actually win Tour de France.

00:13:32: Okay, good.

00:13:33: Let's look at Sunday.

00:13:34: let's look the finale The last twenty first final stage.

00:13:38: now the wildfires are causing changes again.

00:13:41: So my status Ralph correct me if you have further or different information.

00:13:46: so instead of one hundred thirty two kilometers it is eighty nine kilometers.

00:14:16: Yes, that is also what we have currently received from the organizer.

00:14:22: And yeah, it is what it is now.

00:14:25: You always need a certain flexibility and if something small changes on the twenty-first stage now It doesn't really make a difference to the level of effort here at Tour de France.

00:14:40: The last few days have been extremely exhausting anyway and today everyone has another long car transfer to Paris, so no one will be in Paris before midnight.

00:14:52: And there is still that to do.

00:14:54: the riders are taking the train to Paris Today So that small change on tomorrow's stage won't kill us either.

00:15:02: What is important, we ride in the Champs Elysees because an incredible number of spectators are expected there.

00:15:10: That also where all VIP areas from the organizer our own VIP area too and so everything takes place.

00:15:19: We can live with it just fine.

00:15:22: Okay Remco & Paris with Montmartre.

00:15:24: There was something there two years ago But do you take the risk tomorrow?

00:15:30: That is a million-dollar question.

00:15:32: I mean, profile wise he can handle stages like this...

00:15:37: Yes of course!

00:15:38: He did become an Olympic champion on a similar circuit.

00:15:41: those are naturally fond memories for RIMCO and has already mentioned that as well.

00:15:46: but our approach to tomorrow will also be similar today.

00:15:50: first making sure we get through stage relatively well And if an opportunity arises for us to fight a win tomorrow, then we will definitely do that because Remko and his team are racers.

00:16:09: And racers always want to fight for a win!

00:16:13: But primarily the first priority is to secure the second or the second stage at the second place overall... ...and then see what else is possible.

00:16:33: That is when we will do our review of the Tour de France.

00:16:51: Tomorrow, my co-host Kobinian Zauter and I will look back at the Tour de France.

00:16:57: We have come up with five categories that in our view defined the tour a bit this year.

00:17:03: It is small special episode tomorrow And usual regular lineup with Ralph Denk.

00:17:09: we'll be back on Monday!

00:17:11: Thank you for today.

00:17:13: Good luck to tomorrrow.

00:17:14: Have fun at the celebration once everything is hopefully wrapped up Until Monday dear Ralph.

00:17:20: Thank you.

00:17:22: My pleasure and hello back to

00:17:45: Rosenheim!