THEMOVE - Juan Ayuso Strikes Back | Vuelta a España Stage 7 Analysis & Stage 8 Preview | THEMOVE+

Episode Date: August 29, 2025

Johan Bruyneel and Spencer Martin break down Juan Ayuso's incredible comeback ride to win the mountainous seventh stage of the Vuelta a España after forcing himself into the early breakaway. They touch on what to make of this turnaround, along with the GC jostling on the day's final climb, where Bahrain-Victorious' Torstein Træen managed to hold the race lead ahead of Jonas Vingegaard. Before they depart, Johan shares his thoughts on the Ayuso transfer rumors and previews tomorrow's likely sprint stage, discussing how he thinks the race will unfold and who presents the best betting value. Caldera Lab: Upgrade your routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference for yourself. Go to https://CalderaLab.com/THEMOVE and use THEMOVE at checkout for 20% off your first order Manukora: Go to https://MANUKORA.com/THEMOVE to save 31% plus $25 worth of free gifts

I think Almeida is in a good spot. I mean, he said himself that he feels great. Ayuso also said that, and actually Jay Vine also said in one of his interviews that Almeida is on great form. So, I mean, having those two teammates say that publicly means that within the team, they know that Almeida is in great shape. Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Move Plus. I'm Spencer Martin.

I'm here with Johan Brunel. We are breaking down stage seven. of the Valta, Espagna, one by Wano Yuso, a resurgent Wano Yusso, back from the dead, from the breakaway, Marco Frigo, and second, and then the G.C. group, minutes behind again, Tom Pickcock, let it home two minutes, 35 seconds back. Torsten Train still holds the red jersey, no time lost to Jonas Vindigard and Jual Ameda a little bit, just mini, tiny G.C. fireworks on the final climb, but again, another conservative breakaway dominant stage at the Valta. the end we will predict stage eight tomorrow's stage eight and who will win so stick around for that

but johan right up top i mean i guess here i'll give a brief brief brief summary of the stage it starts it's it's it's uh suddenly broadcast start to finish i did not see that coming but one of you so 24 kilometer long climb why is a one is so attacks from the beginning johan you told me that he did it because he knew he wouldn't be allowed in the break so he thought i will be the break you can't miss the move if you are the move he just it was an unbelievable effort he just is on the gas the entire time of this. It's like a four and a half, five percent climb. Crest the climb, but not much of a gap.

Who's chasing him? But Mr. Mads Pedersen. And then Pedersen pulls a group up. They connect with them. Once Pedersen is up there, he can blow the gap open because he's going for those bonus sprint points at the base of the final climb. The group kind of Jay Vine is in there as well. He's sprinting for KOM points.

He's driving the pace a bit and they get to the base of the final climb. Iuso gets those sprint points and Iuso says, see you later attacks drops everybody wins the stage but johan what is your take of the day take of the day well um first of all iuso did a great stage um we still don't know what happened yesterday but this guy was obviously on good form today um it's true that it's different winning a stage from a breakaway but if you look at his performance today man uh the first hour he just did everything by himself. He was, I mean, and I said yesterday on, on the podcast, I said,

Porto canto is, is a very annoying climb. It's, you know, proper for breakaways, for him to do that whole climb by himself. And the effort he put in, and then still have enough left in the final to go away from, from the breakaway. That's, that's impressive. And also, if you look at his performance on the last climb, he didn't lose that much time on the group of favorites. Okay.

It's true that the group of favorites, there was no continuous pace. It was attacking, slowing down again. But, I mean, I listened to his interview afterwards. He was, I mean, he was happy with the stage win, obviously. Three stages in a row for UAE, by the way. That's quite the performance. Yeah, not three stages in a row. Team Time Trial and then Jay Vine yesterday, today, Ayuso.

But yeah, he said, you know, he said, He attacked and he had to do the first hour, basically, in front. He said he knew that that's what he had to do to be in the break because nobody would let him go. So he had to be ahead of the breakaway when the breakaway was formed. So obviously he's out of G.C. I'm a bit. I mean, obviously, listen, it's nice for him to win a stage,

to bounce back after disappointment. It's great doing a stage. I hope. that UAE also will put him now in a helper's role because it looks to me more and more that Almeida is going to be the big challenger for Jonas Wigner together with Chicone for the moment. But, you know, he needs people around him. And Ayuso is one of those guys who could potentially be very crucial when they're on, not for the next stages, but, you know, on a mount on a finish.

And, yeah, listen, great win for him. You know, we said yesterday he's not a team player. I still think he's not a great team player, but what do we know? You know, we don't know what's going on within the team. I heard also that Almeida was very complimentary of Ayuso after the stage. There must be, I mean, personally, I think that the whole Ayuso debate about whether he's a great teammate, whether he wants to leave the team, whether this or that. I think it's just we, and if I say we, it's mostly on social media who are getting sucked into that debate and probably within the team, it's actually not so much the case.

That's what I think is happening. And of course, you know, it makes for great titles and great newspapers. And but listen, at the end of the day, he's a good writer, right? He's, he won a great. This was actually this was actually the stage. with the highest elevation of the whole tour of Spain today. Like the most elevation gained or the highest finish? Most elevation gain of the whole tour of Spain today. Yeah. This isn't bode well for the, uh, well, it's, I mean, you know, we know,

we have stages where the last climb is a lot harder and there will be more difference. But if you, you know, the overall toughness of the, uh, gained elevation over the stage, today was the hardest one. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I should say, what, yeah, impressive ride from Juan Euso, no notes on the stage win today. I mean, watching him just, it's a drag.

It's not really a climb, just like to motor of the drag like that. You have to be so strong. Great win. I think he's a good guy. Like, I don't, like, you watch, like, if you just watch these interactions between him and the teammates, they seem like great guys. Like, I don't think personally that they're like. You know, we don't know what's going on with the team. I mean, I've, I've.

I've experienced those kind of situations myself, criticism from outside towards the team. And yes, there are certain things that happen, but it's always a lot less than how it's inflated in the media. Yes. And that what I will say, however, having said that, UA kind of reminds me of NATO or, you know, it's like this alliance where you're like, yeah, we're kind of aligned. But like, are you trying to steal Greenland from us where it's switching? today where they felt a little spread

out, it ultimately didn't matter. Almeida was great, but he did attack on the final climb, and it's like, well, he's got two teammates at the road, I guess who in theory could help set up this attack. But it's like, it doesn't really matter that they're not there, but they're all spread out. And I assume, Johan, at some point

is this like you're letting them Vine wins yesterday. Iuso wins today. Everyone's eating healthy in the first week. And then do they kind of coalesce around Almeda later in the race? Is that the idea? I mean, I would, I would, I would think so. Let's say for the moment, it's also the case that UAE is not carrying the weight of the race.

I mean, if you look today, for example, it's either it was the team of the leader of Thorsten Train, Bahrain, who was in charge, or in certain situations, it's Visma, who clearly accepts the role of being the big favorite of this tour of Spain. So UAE is kind of, you know, they're in a freelance role. Listen, winning three stages in a row, I mean, let me tell you, for the morale of the team in Evuelta, which is already, it's the last big grand tour of the season, motivation is key, you know, in this, in a three-week stage race in September. So, I mean, any team that would win three stages in a grand tour is already super happy. And we're in week one. They want three stages. So from now on, let me tell you, the ambience at the dinner table at UAE is through the roof. I mean, we can say whatever we want about UAE and yeah, you know, they're not riding together.

This guy's not a good teammate. I mean, the laughs and the ambience at the team dinner is amazing. yeah i think i keep repeating this throughout the year but the vibes the vibes the vibes have got to be good do not underestimate the vibes there is something to be said for that just go out to get these wins everyone's feeling up motivated we also should mention j vine uh leading the k om probably will will win the kom if he really wants to that i would assume this all takes pressure off almeda is that correct like you just keep winning stages it's like now it's not like you know kind of visma at times of the tour it does feel like they're all staring at you and it's like you're going to win this

because we've no sacrificed a lot that's the case that's the case i mean i don't think almeida has any pressure um you know he's it's just up to him to be good in the in the in the hard uphill finishes and in the time trial um but you know as a team they don't have to they don't have the pressure um i mean they don't have the brim they're the best team in the world they've uh they won the sure they have no pressure, you know, whatever they do, it's going to be fine. Of course, they want to win this, but it's not like, you know, dead or alive, right? So, so, yeah, I mean, I think Almeida is in a good spot. I mean, he said himself that he feels great. I also said that, and actually Jay Vine also said in one of his interviews that Almeida is on great form.

So, I mean, having those two teammates say that publicly means that within the team, they know that Almeida is in great shape. He looks amazing. Yeah. Like, yeah. He also said that he expected the last climb to be harder, which also tells you that, hey, I'm feeling good. Because, yeah, let's be honest, the last climb, there was a lot of riders together still,

mainly because it slowed down a bit and they were looking at each other. But it was basically a small bunch print on top. up. Yeah. Well, let's take a quick ad break and then I have a few questions for you about that funnel climb. A few things we saw. We'll be right back. Everybody, this episode is brought to you by Caldera Lab. Guys, wouldn't you like to look a little bit younger? Maybe get a few more compliments on your skin or just feel more confident when you look in the mirror. That's exactly what Caldera Lab is here for their high performance skin gear is designed specifically for men, simple, effective, and backed by science. In a consumer study, 100% of men,

so their skin looks smoother and healthier after using it. You'd have to be a fool not to use it after that. They have a couple powerhouse products, but my favorite are the good, which is an award-winning serum with 27 active biotanicals and 3.4 million antioxidantal units. That's a lot. They also have the eye serum,

which reduces the look of tired eyes, dark circles, and puffiness so you look well-rested. Even when you're not, that's key for me. up for these early well at the stages, and the base layer, a nutrient-rich moisturizer with plant stem cells and snow mushroom extract for deep hydration, fast absorption, and no greasy shine. It's great for your face. Also good for those legs after you shave them.

If you're trying to get those legs shaved for the cycling, make sure you use the base layer. Skin care does not have to be complicated, but it should be good. Upgrade your routine with Caldera Lab and see the difference for yourself. go to Caldera Lab slash the move and use code the move at checkout for 20% off your first order. All right, back to the show. So, Johan, on the final climb, so before we start, we should say Torsten train stays in red. It looks very good. And you start to see the wisdom of giving the jersey away because the day like today,

you got that whole Bahrain team on the front, keeping the gap reasonable. I mean, they can't let it go out to 15 minutes because Juan Uso is up there. And so it will be now in the next stage. They, Bahrain will defend this. Yeah, it's just, you really start to see like, yeah, no, that was a good idea from Beesma. They really thought this to. And on top of that, Spencer, you know, I mean, their leader at the start, Antonio Tiberi has lost a lot of time. He's, I think he's 14, he lost 14 minutes or something.

Or 10 or 11. Anyway, he's out of DC. He was like almost 15 minutes he lost today. Yeah. So obviously that's their goal now also. I mean, it's going to hang on as long. long as they can. And this guy, I mean, he's riding pretty well. You know, I mean, he can be, I mean, he's not going to be on the podium. I don't think so. But he could be up there. You know, he could be fifth, sixth, seventh. Who knows? I mean, this, this guy is discovering him. Today, he did a great climb. Really good climb. Look, looked very good. Also, we have to say, though, today's climb is nothing compared to this. steep hard climbs that they're going to face in the second part of the Vuelta.

I have a question for you on that I've been thinking about. We've been talking. Everyone's talking about these climbs. But what happens on really steep climbs when people are close to the same fitness? You actually don't see big gaps. No, you don't. Think of the last time we went to the Angerloo. Vindigard finished with Roglitz, correct?

And Kus was not that far behind. is correct yeah yeah so it does make me wonder i mean i think torston train probably will get dropped on those climbs i don't think he'll be there for sure he will these these riders that are close to the same level it can be hard to actually pull out a lot of time on these ultra steep finishes yeah yeah and also i mean you know if one of the one of the things that i i i also saw is that Jonas, he said on Eurosport, actually, he said, if we wanted, we could have fought for the win, for the stage win today, but we want to save the team for the second and third week. So it's clear that they have a long-term strategy and don't want to waste any bullets

unnecessary. What did you think of Almeida's attack on the final climb? Was that just testing the legs? You know, he had to, I mean, he could try. I also, I also was, that was actually telling. So there's, there is this, um, rivalry line of, lack of like love, hate relationship. I mean, they don't, UAE doesn't like WISMA and Vizma doesn't like UAE. And today, for example, I also see, you know, Almeida doesn't like Jonas. He said, you know, well, Jonas doesn't pull very often anyways. He either follows or he attacks when he was asked a question when he attacked, you know,

if he had expected Jonas to collaborate. He was, I mean, he was, he said, well, he didn't really have to, which is correct. You know, that's their strategy. So, but you could see it was like a little, a little under the skin dig to Jonas, which, for example, this is also the difference. Like if this is the Vuelta, and I'm pretty sure that nobody will always nobody will pick up on this. if this quote is in the tour it is three pages it is a three page article like yeah you know pogachar criticizes yonas they don't like each other blah blah blah you know yeah it is i mean there was maybe he's past this but like old alma meta like potentially gets dropped on those

steep sections and then has to chase back on so like when he's going like that i'm like yeah maybe that's good like he guys you rides his own pace maybe it's his own pace is fast right now, go ahead and do it. And then I have another question for you. He gets, he gets pulled in. Vindigard's sitting on the wheel. He's not going anywhere. He sits up.

Scepcus, who is dropped by the initial surge, comes back on with Egan Bernal on his wheel, and then attacks. And would the move, the peer teammate move, would it not be, A, maybe don't pull Egan Bernal back. Maybe let Egan Bernal take some poles. And then once you're up there, maybe just get to the front and go as hard as you can, setting a place. That's something we've seen already from Sepkus in other occasions, actually.

I didn't really understand the move either. I personally think that, well, for the moment, it's clear. For the moment, it's Jonas and Almeida and Chicone, the three strongest guys whenever they go for it, full gas on the climbs. Or Jonas has probably not gone full gas yet. And then you had SEPCUS and Bernal just behind. Seppcus obviously was too fast for him. I would have said, okay, sit on the wheel of Bernal, let him bring it back. You know, if you're dropped there, you're not going to do much.

And the only thing you can hope is that it slows down. But the attack of SEPCUS, okay, you could say, well, it puts, I'll make. in a position that he has to close it down. But I don't know if at this point, if SEPCUS is really seen as a threat for the win. I mean, this is not the same SEPCUS that we saw two years ago when he won the world. Or is it two years ago? Yeah, two years ago. Yeah.

Yeah. So, I mean, he's obviously a lot better than last year. He's in good shape, but he's not in super shape, I think. So, yeah, I would say, I think the same, Spencer, let Bernal do the work, and then when you get back, set the tempo for Jonas, because it's clear that the whole Visma strategy is Jonas, only Jonas, or that's the way it should be, at least. Yeah, I don't know, yeah, it's not the first time we've seen it either. It makes me wonder if he thinks, if he's going for his own GC, another kind of perplexing

I don't think, I don't think, I don't think, I don't think he goes first. Is that his instinct then? Just like, he sees it, he sees it slow and he goes. Well, yeah. I mean, it puts the others, the other teams, I mean, nobody had a teammate. So you could say, well, if I attack, the thing is, first of all, if you got dropped and you attack, you know you're not going to make it to the finish. Yeah. And everyone else knows that, too.

This is a problem. And so, but it puts the other, I mean, the other riders without. the teammate in the position that they have to close it down. So it was up to Almeida and Chicone to close the gap. Yeah, but Chikone jumped right on it and then you're in the bad position of SEPCuse has now launched Chikone and Jonas is behind. It's like, well. Yeah, but you know what, Spencer, okay, we're trying to complicate things too much. I think when you see how Jonas was responding easily to the accelerations of both Almeida and Chikone, it doesn't really matter. You know, I mean, it's up to the other guys to, to, to attack.

So, I mean, no, I mean, we're reading too much into it, I think. Well, this is all taking us to the major question of the day. Why did Mark Soler attack inside the final climb? That's different. That's, that's different. That's, that is, yeah, it was typical Mark Soler fashion. First of all, listen, Duke, in his, in his credit. to his credit, amazing lead out, or setting the tempo in typical Mark Soler style for Jiao

Almeida. You know, he went faster and faster than Almeida attacked. Normally would say, okay, he's done. Mark Salad is never done. You know, he indefinitely not in the Vuelta. He just keeps going. Yeah, I mean, I don't know. That was not a good attack. I mean, it was, you got five seconds finally but what does it matter at this point i think at this point if you and these kind of instruction shouldn't even come from the car marxillard is experienced enough i know it's the weirdest part um was that it's the weirdest part of it it's like yeah i'm made as amade as the leader uh i use so n j vine are up front so they're not going to do anything for amada so stay with your leader man just stay there. Try to stay there in case something happens because the last part of the climb was

faster. It could be gaps. There's, you know, if there's a bigger bunch, why do you attack? I mean, he got five seconds. That doesn't matter. You know, he's not going to finish on the podium of the Vuelta. Well, I think I could think of his team's classification. No, no, that makes no sense. I mean, no, makes no sense. Well, let's say, guys, a second ad break, and then I have some more questions for you and I want to use it because I'm obsessed and then we will preview stage eight. Hey everybody. This episode is brought to you by Manu Kora Honey. Are you looking for something simple and delicious to add to your wellness routine? Well, look no further because Manu Kora Honey will change your life. It has changed mine. That's for sure. I used, I am throwing

this honey into everything that I used to, but I am feeling better. Tea, breakfast bowls, protein shakes, even salad dressings. It's rich, creamy and has a deep complex flavor that makes you want to eat it straight off the spoon. And my kids love it too. We're all hammering monochora when we wake up. But seriously, I'm doing a spoonful that I'm getting on the peloton. I'm watching the vault of stages and I feel less hungry during the day and I'm snacking less. And what really sets monochora apart is what's inside. It's packed with powerful nutrients that support immunity and gut health. Thanks to the bioactive rich nectar, the bees collect from the Manuka tea tree in New Zealand where the Monocora farm is. It even contains a unique,

unique antibacterial compounds called MGO and every harvest is third party tested so you know exactly what you're getting and you're in luck because it's easier than ever to try Manukura honey just head to Manukora.com slash the move to save up to 31% plus $25 with the free gifts with the starter kit which comes with an MGO 850 plus Manukora honey jar five honey travel sticks a wooden spoon and a guidebook I can personally vouch all these things are amazing I love just looking at the guidebook. That's monochora.com slash the move. The link is in the show notes to save 31% plus $25 with the free gifts.

All right, back to the episode. So, Johan, just to circle back to put a bow on a Uso. He wins the stage. Looks fantastic. Massive effort on that first climb. What does that tell us about what happened yesterday when he got dropped? What was that about? I think Yuzo reconfirmed today in the...

the interview that he knew before the start of this welta that he hadn't prepared it specifically that he was going to see how it went he kind of had doubts about his overall form um i mean listen if i use so today is if if i use so is in in contention for gc he's not going to have this freedom today to although he did a great performance uh i mean he was he was pretty firm on the fact that he's not in top shape and that he was just going for the win. I think it's a great bounce back. I mean, it's amazing. You know, yesterday is super, super defeat.

Maybe we are the ones who are most disappointed. He's probably less disappointed because as a writer, you kind of know where you are. So I think he was expecting something like this. And I mean, he proves that he's. a high quality writer. I mean, he has the, you know, the top pedigree. We all know that. He's still young. And now to win a stage in the Volta, it's probably, it's maybe not going to be his last stage win. Yeah, I mean. But that's not what he's paid for, I guess, is the problem. Yeah. Right. Well, I think Juan Ayuso is getting paid for the potential that, you know,

Let's not forget when he's turned pro, he was 19 years old, finished third. I think he was the first teenager to ever finish. I'm probably not the first teenager, but. I think, yeah, it's fun to say that. I do kind of wonder if it's not true, but it's a fun thing to say. At the time, it definitely stood out as unique. So we'll just, we'll just crown him. He's the first teenager ever finished on the Grand Tour of the Volta.

Yeah. But you're like you, so you're the GC king, right? you know more about gc riding winning than almost anybody well i know not in today's well the day cycling's different but i was something i don't think has changed i'm curious to get your take on this how many big champions who like go on to win a lot of grand tours the thing that i just can't get past is could you see them just letting the wheel go like i'm not on a great day i'm going to sit up like logically sure that's the right move if you want to win stages but I don't know. Think about the way some of these guys are wired. Like Tade, like Jonas, they're like pit bulls.

You know, you'd have to pry Jonas off the back of a group with the jaws of life to get them to sit up. I just kind of worry about that getting ingrained in someone's mentality of like, it's hard. I'm going to sit up because once that disease is in your head, it can be very hard to get it out. That's what concerns me the most. That's true. That's true. It has happened. I mean, I mean, not because he's Belgium, but, you know, we've seen something similar with Ramco, even a pool now and then, you know, the same Vuelta at a tour or a little bit. So, listen, these guys, and Juan Ayuso is the perfect example. I mean, this guy has been winning everything since he started riding a bike, everything. He's been always the best until he turned pro. But he turned pro in his first year, he was with the best. And so it's an, they have to learn how to

manage this defeat you know it's you're not going to be the best all the time and and more more often than not you're not going to be the best or you're not going to be with the best so um it's definitely something that mentally they have to learn how to manage and what i would like i worry about with kids these days it's like i want to see you suffer to finish 40 seconds back as opposed to like i'm not even trying i'm going to set up and finish eight minutes back it's like yeah yeah yeah i don't yeah once that's an option it's hard to then take that off the table yeah agree so but last question is he going to little track that's the rumor today well that's yeah i've seen that too i don't know where those rumors come from for the moment i would say there's nothing indicating that he's leaving

um i it's it would be complicated it's a long-term contract i don't know how long if it's 2028 or 2029, I don't remember now. I think it's the end of 2028. Yeah. So there has to be some kind of mutual agreement. Never say never. Nowadays, we see that long-term contracts get resolved sometimes. But, you know, first and foremost, guys, I mean, just don't sign five-year deals.

If, you know, it's signed two-year deals, whatever, three-year deals, but not five-year deals. And the team's the same. Why would you sign somebody five years if you know that the managers, the agents are around it already like sharks? And I've seen this many times back in my days, you know, like agents offering guys, they just signed a new deal. And, you know, after the first year, you know, we talk about writers. And what about this?

I say, what about this guy? Yeah, you know, we signed a three-year deal. but we can talk about it. No, you can't talk about it. You signed three years. I mean, why would you then talk about them? So it's the rider, it's the agent, even the teams. I mean, the teams, the fact that teams are looking at riders who still have contracts,

it's an open market, basically. And there's always a possibility to find a solution. So don't sign five-year deals. Well, I guess, I guess if you're the team, even if you're the team, even if the rider leaves, usually get a nice chunk of change. That's true. That's why you would do it.

I mean, but this is not just an issue in cycling. Like we're seeing like Newcastle, like their best player is sitting out because he wants to leave the team. You know, he's a contract. And like the team. The money is different in the football and soccer.

Spencer. It's not the same. Yeah. Well, they rumored the buyout for one of use it was 100 million euros. Well, that is getting up. That is,

it is a rumor I've heard. I actually. I don't know if it's true. I wouldn't exclude it, but let me tell you, I mean, and I'm not a lawyer. Take this to court. That bias never going to be $100 million. There's no way. This is, yeah.

You know, there's the sporting regulations and then there's the civil courts, the normal court of law. And, you know, in a free market, in commercial law, this doesn't stand a chance, I think. It does make me wonder if soccer team should be selling all their best players right now because eventually someone's going to challenge that in court and it's not going to hold up and it's going to mean all these big footballers can just leave. So I do wonder about the implications of that.

But let's preview tomorrow's stage eight, a real cracker. First, Spencer, before we go to tomorrow's stage, let's quickly touch on not not Tour of Spain related, but important race to the 11th year finished today. It's known as the Tour de France for the young riders. They're always,

they're younger and younger. Finally, Paul Seychas won the Tour de laveneer, the big favorite. He's the one that has already in the world tour finished eight, if I'm not mistaken, in the Dauphine this year. Yeah, I think he was. Second was

the Belgian favorite, Yarnou who won two stages, third North Hagen, Norwegian rider, already on Visma, Lisa bike. So all the best riders in the world of young age were there. And I watched the last, I watched the time trial, which was, today was very special. They was 40 kilometers in the morning, super hard, super hard stage. And then a 10 kilometer uphill time trial. And I have the stats here of all Sejas, 18 years old. So 10.10 kilometer time trial uphill, almost 7%.

6.63 watts per kilo for 25 minutes. Pretty impressive. And yeah, I mean, it was, it was a nice, it's a nice race to watch. It's national teams. Who else was up there? So Finn was up there. It was also one of the best writers in the world. And then there's this young Equatorian rider who's already now on the development team of UAE is Matteo Ramirez.

So yeah, I mean, really all the best young riders in the world. And then an interesting stat. So there was 158 riders at the start, I think, half of them. or almost half of them were 20, 21 or 22 years old. And only four of those older young riders were in top 20. So the majority of the top 20 were all super young. Crazy. Yeah.

The three, the top three, I mean, WIDAR and SES are 18 years old. So first year, yeah, first year, first year under 23. But no, VDAR is actually, I think WIDAR is. second year and 23 i think super impressive he wins we there is 19 yeah and uh and and back to back stages yeah the hardest two hardest stages of the race pretty impressive would this work in the tour that i thought this was an interesting stage today's first one 42 kilometers long starts with the 10k long 10% average climb and then basically descends another climb yeah would that actually would that what if they did that in

like a world tour right would that actually be interesting i mean yeah why not i think it could be good yeah why not it was pretty yeah i mean i didn't see any footage of that stage but it must have been i mean like start a 40 kilometer stage and start on a 10 kilometer climb 10 percent that's like wow yeah everybody on the home trainers for sure full gas it would be like must watch tv if they done at the tour yeah yeah i think it could be fun i mean i don't think every stage should be 40k at some point you have to add fatigue people's life that could be cool um yeah i i this guy pablo torres who was on your son's team recently right he he's not didn't win it but he finished seventh and then a lot of these like these mount stages he's right there yeah but he was better

last year he was uh last year in his first year under 23 he was impressive this year he's already on the world tour team so he's still is he 19 or 18 he's 19 so he's already on the world tour team signed another guy who signed a contract till 2030 obviously he didn't have the same form as last year this is the guy who did this amazing performance on color de finestre last year set the fastest time beat i think chris frum's fastest time by four minutes. I think it's been broken now by Simon Yates. But anyways, Pablo Torres, I think he had a bit of a difficult season.

And I actually spoke to his mother a few months ago because his brother races in the juniors on my son's team. And I saw them at the race and asked her about Pablo because he had a really bad crash a few months ago, very bad crash. where he hit his head he hurt his neck and i think it took him quite a long time to come back so he's definitely not 100% of his ability yeah i remember hearing about that so it's good to see him back racing well back to the volta stage eight johan i don't does the bulta know what a weekend is so they've they've served up a sprint stage for saturday 163 kilometers long unless there's some unforeseen crosswinds, and it is a windy region, it's probably going to be a sprint. I'll list off the favorites.

Jasper Philipson, heavy favorite, minus 118, Ethan Vernon plus 350, Mads Pedersen plus 600, Casper Van Uden plus 1,000, Ben Turner plus 1,400, Elia Viviani, plus 2,200. It goes on and on, we'll come out if we need to. If you really are interested in betting, make sure you check out NXDbets.com slash bet outcomes. They'll show you where to bet wherever you live and the best prices and best sign-up bonuses. at each book. But Johan, how do you think this plays out and who's going to win?

I think it's going to be a sprint. It's one of the few sprint stages. So there are certain teams in this race who have to control Alpacin to name one of them. So I'm going to go with the heavy favorite, Jasper Philipson. Even if it's minus 118, I think he's the guy who's going to win tomorrow.

I also think that Philipson is one of those riders who he may have come in, the Vuelta, probably a bit lower on form after his crash in the tour. But he's had a week now. He's a strong engine, a big engine who, you know, gets through the efforts. And I think tomorrow, Philipson winning the stage. I could see it. I just don't love that price. Minus 118 for Philipson, you know, maybe he's been dinged up a bit on these mountain stages.

I do think he does this. He probably wins it. And then he goes home on the rest day. But minus 118. I just can't do it too steep. I'm going to go Ethan Vernon plus 350. I think Vernon's going to break through. He's going to win this stage.

It is, we should say slightly uphill, like 1.5% uphill final kilometer. That always makes it kind of a little funky. And it helps. I think it helps these, like, also call them slower sprinters. Philipsons are very, obviously, he's probably the world's best. bunch sprinter but when it slows down other guys can sometimes get the best of them so i'm going to go vernon yeah well following that idea my wild card for the for the moral sprint is actually much better son he's plus 600 um yeah one one and a half percent falls flat uphill so it's

it's a slower speed um he looks to be coming under full steam now today he was he was amazingly strong So my second choice for tomorrow is Matt's Pedersen as plus 600. I like it. I'm going to go even. I'm going to extend that further. I'm going to get the budget, Matt Peterson. Ben Turner plus 1,400. Oh, I'm actually surprised he's that low.

I actually got him at plus 1,600 on Fanduel right before he recorded this. So I've already bet on him. I'm going to go him to win to double up. The team will be behind him. He's really impressed me over the last few months. I think Ben Turner could get a second stage win here. Okay, good. I like it.

And here's two bets. I'm curious, I might just bet on these right now. So mountains classification, J. Vine, minus 125. He wins this mountains classification, right? If he's going for it, yeah, I were going to say yes. And then this guy was plus 1,000 to win Young Riders. He's plus 100 right now. Matthew Rickettello.

Who beats him in the Young Riders classification? I would need to check who is there. I'll read you the standings. It is slim pickings. It's Pelazari. He would, I guess, be the main one. Ricotelo, Raul Garcia, our guy, Junior Lacerre, Marco Frigo are the big ones.

Okay. I think it's going to be either Riccatello or Junior LeServe. Interesting. And he got time in that breakaway yesterday. Oh, LeServe? Yeah. I think he was up there. Wait, no, maybe not.

I don't think so. No, he's just doing it. I'm thinking of Louis Vavarca. Yeah. Yeah. But I think, yeah, the serf looks good. Let's not forget. He just won the, was, did he just won the Czech tour or something?

The Czech, the tour, yeah, the Czech tour against, he won the Czech tour against Oetabrooks, Junior Reserve. Hold on a second. Yeah, for sure. Oh, I'm thinking of, is there not another tour that Luke Lumpurty won? No, no, he won the Czech tour. Yeah. Yeah, Booderbrooks. Wow.

okay well he's plus a hundred so someone thinks he's going to win but i i think ricketto has it has a really good chance i mean there's if he's up there now already and there's i mean they're both isn't they're both tiny they're lightweights uh but rickettella has more experiencing grand tours already so i'd probably favor him okay all right joan we we'll be back tomorrow to break down what i'm sure will be action-packed stage eight and then preview let's start now to think about what we're going to talk about tomorrow I know I bet it's might be televised start to finish like why

okay well that stage on the weekend yeah well I'm not going to watch from the start but go out and do something everyone and then meet us back for that we'll describe to you what happened in the stage well thanks Johan okay Spencer thanks okay bye Thank you.