My first Lombardia HTRWW in four years did not disappoint—strong teamwork all around, fantastic individual performances, plus it’s just so darn pretty up there (though it still might make for better racing when it rains).
Thanks again to Eurosport Cycling for making this happen, and don’t hesitate to click the “no, please help!” link in the upper right of the video player especially if you live in France or outside of Europe as you are likely to have issues with the video if you are in these places.
Great work Cosmo. Glad you’ve partnered with Eurosport Cycling.
The most entertaining analysis around.
Great video as always! But isn’t there anything more to say about Pinot dropping Nibali on the Civiglio? It was such a weird moment, with Nibali looking like he suffered from cramps or something.
Excellent stuff as usual Cosmo, particularly liked the Salvodelli reference. Was anticipating some snark regarding the Pinot speed bunny-hops, though. My preconceptions were running riot during the descents. Every Pinot wobble drew a sharp intake of breath, but his Nibs could skid his back wheel without the slightest increase in my heart rate. But after all, every HTRWW regular knows that ‘Nibali can descend better than you’.
Hey Cosmo,
Great video as always! Just wanted to remark that I’m pretty sure Pinots O-gesture meant that he wanted a bottle from the neutralservice, but specifically one with sugar. In the Danish coverage Brian Holm was the pundit, and he said It’s the now universal pro-lingo you give to the neutral service. It’s flemish in origin, but I dont remember the whole anecdote..
On French TV, Cédric Pineau explained that Pinot’s O-gesture meant that he wanted pure water, without sugar. “Eau” in French, pronounced “O”…
About the high fives, it was Pinot’s teammates Jérémy Roy, William Bonnet and Matthieu Ladagnous on the side of the road. Roy explained how they ended up there on his blog (in French): https://jeremyroy.fr/index.php/actualites/item/479-la-derniere-semaine-de-ma-carriere-etait-aussi-la-plus-incroyable
Cool beans, that sounds like a more convincing explanation:) Though it still puzzles me that Holm should be wrong, given that he is an ex-pro and a current sports director at Quick-Step. I’ll ask him if i ever bump into him; we live in the same city.
Chapeau for reviving the breakaway chicken, at least for a moment…
Brilliant, as ever. Many thanks.