The Race Communiqué: Milan-San Remo Magic, Superteam Debate & Commentary Clip Challenge

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Well, guys, it’s that time again; The Race Communique is back and, of course, we kick this one off by unpacking an absolutely huge edition of Milan San Remo!

Three absolute titans of the sport (me, Southam, and Durbo) come together to talk about the first monument of the season. We got to witness, as Pipo Ganna called them ‘Gods of cycling’ go toe to toe on the slopes of the Cipressa and the Poggio and, boy, did it exceed expectations. The confidence and arrogance of Pog trying to go from the foot of the Cipressa, the absolute ice man that is Van Der Poel responding to his every move, and Ganna showing what an absolute animal he is to hang tough with the big boys on the climbs. We talk all about it and, I’ll tell you what, I honestly think that’s the best edition I’ve ever seen. 

Durbo’s Pelo Chat takes a look at the ‘Superteams’ of the sport - the guys with cash to burn like UAE or Visma who can pick up the best riders; money no object. But are the superteams good or bad for the sport, and is riding for one of them actually all it’s cracked up to be?

In this month’s Talking Tactics, Southam fills us in on the upcoming UCI meeting to discuss whether additional wild cards should be issued for the biggest races. Now that some of the biggest riders, the likes of Pidcock, Hirschi, and Alaphilippe, have stepped down to ProTeam level, race organisers are stuck between a rock and a hard place if they want to keep the classic second division teams happy whilst also getting the fan favourites at their races. Plus, the UCI undermining all the hard work the lower ranked World Tour teams over the last few years to avoid relegation - it’s absolute chaos. 

Of course, we wrap things up with the Communi-quiz. Southam’s quiz master this month, and he’s bought out the race commentary clips for Durbo and I to guess the rider and the race. This is a real toughy, but you racing nuts out there will love it. 

You guys know by now how much I love sitting down with Luke and Tom to yarn about the races. As always make sure you sit back, relax, crack open a cold one, and enjoy this month’s Race Communique. 

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Cheers!

Mitch

 

Chapters

• 00:00:00 - Intro & Milan-San Remo Recap
• 00:17:19 - Rider of the Day & Big Surprises
• 00:20:51 - The Cobbled Classics Preview
• 00:32:53 - Pelo Chat with Luke Durbridge: The Rise of Superteams
• 00:35:08 - Visma vs UAE: Who Has the Upper Hand?
• 00:44:51 - Talking Tactics with Tom Southam: Wildcard Chaos
• 00:01:29 - Communi-Quiz: Guess the Race Commentary Challenge

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