Welcome back to the Lenton Rouge Cycling Podcasts to the recap of Stage 16 of the Tour de France.

I must admit both Benji and I was saying off air, we had pretty low expectations of this stage.

We thought it was probably going to be a Pagatcha smash job and done and dusted and really

remove all tension before this third week had before this third week, it even really started

before we do the proper Alp stages. And let's just say this was a, this was one of the best

stages of the tour. I mean, France, this is the deepest into a tour to France. France has not won

a stage. So that narrative is in play. We've got every team when you go on the break. We've

got hot conditions. We've got a mythical climb you go on the break. We've got hot conditions.

We've got a mythical climb. The climbing record hasn't been broken since Eban, May, of 55 mince plus. And we've got Vingegaard talking in the rest day like he wants to still try to win the Tour de France. And so let's, it's a big, it's an easy thing to say that. It's another thing to try and do it against Pog and UAE.

What were your expectations, Benji?

Well, first, now, an easy thing to say that. It's another thing to try and do it against Pog and UAE. What were your expectations, Benji? Well, first, I've got to say, I love the fighting spirit that Yonah showed on the rest of day in those interviews, saying the likes of, I'm willing to sacrifice second place to go for the victory, stuff like that. That is shit I love. But on the other hand, there's also the question of do I believe that rioter?

Are they just saying it to hold up a... is shit I love. But on the other hand, there's also the question of do I believe that rioter?

Are they just saying it to hold up a cover story for the sponsor and they're actually just

trying to keep second? That's also a possibility. So next to words, I want to see it on the road.

So today would be a first indication of whether Jonas is actually willing to go all out

to potentially win

this tour de France. In doing so, potentially risking, overextending, capitulating, losing second

place on GC, although that would have been kind of unexpected on a move on two stage. I'll be

honest. But expectations for today's stage, I'll be honest, I expected UE to control the breakway with

Nils Paulid and the breakway would be eaten up on Mavent 2 by Tade Pogacar. Who would win the stage?

That was my expectation for this. Yep. Because even if Pagatch is, let's say, not dominant,

you control the break, Vingerga's starting this week on four minutes.

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