Analyst saw a moment that must’ve stung for Pogacar: "And then suddenly, you see Visma | Lease a Bike..."
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleStage 9 of the Tour de France didn’t look like much on paper, but on Sunday, it turned into a real thriller. Mathieu van der Poel came agonizingly close to the win after a heroic effort, while UAE had to deal with a setback. Time to break it all down with Belgians Renaat Schotte and José De Cauwer on Sporza.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Stage 9 was one to frame and hang on the wall,” Schotte began. “The second-fastest road stage in Tour history, with an average speed over 50 kilometers per hour. Only one other stage has ever gone over 50.” Of course, that had everything to do with the unbelievable team effort by Van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert.
Still, De Cauwer wanted to highlight the winner first. “What a win, and what a way to do it. This was the fastest stage I’ve ever seen between just two guys. It wasn’t a peloton or big group pushing the pace. Let’s call it the fastest duo stage ever.”
Read more below the photo!
“You just kept hoping Van der Poel would make it,” says De Cauwer
Did De Cauwer think Van der Poel could hold them off? “It was tough. Once Uno-X - I still don’t know why - and the other teams started cooperating, you could kind of feel the control come back. You still hoped Van der Poel could finish it off, especially considering the effort and the way he rode. But then it becomes a sprint, and of course you’re happy for Tim Merlier.”
“We’ve already said that Jasper Philipsen dropping out changed a lot,” the experienced Belgian commentator continued. “Otherwise those guys wouldn’t have attacked, and you’d have seen a completely different race. The same goes for Almeida dropping out,” he said, touching on another big moment from this Sunday.
Read more below the photo!
De Cauwer compares Almeida’s exit to Philipsen’s: “It forces you to reconsider some things”
Losing the Portuguese rider was a real blow for UAE. Schotte pointed out that Pogacar was often isolated in the peloton. “When Wellens drops, I expect someone like Nils Politt to be there. He’s got the body for that kind of job. I didn’t see Narvaez, or Sivakov either, so Pogacar was often on his own. And then at one point, you see Visma | Lease a Bike sitting there with four or five guys — Campenaerts, Affini, Vingegaard. That has to sting a little for Pogacar, knowing Almeida’s out,” said De Cauwer.
Does he think Almeida’s absence is as impactful as Philipsen’s? “I think so. It really forces you to reconsider some things. Before, you could count on having someone there. People sometimes call it a kind of GC backup. I wouldn’t say that. Almeida was a key support rider who, if there is trouble, would basically be the last guy with Pogacar. Now that role will probably go to Adam Yates. He’s kept a low profile so far. But Almeida still has a bit more body,” said De Cauwer.
Read more below the photo!
De Cauwer: “Soudal Quick-Step is fully back”
One team that seems to have bounced back from trouble is Soudal Quick-Step. “They’re back in full force with Remco and Schachmann. They were never really gone, but on that first day, you did wonder, ‘Uh-oh, what’s happening there?’ But now they’re sharp and ready.”
That leaves the question... how many more chances will Merlier get in this Tour? “We’ll have to get through the tougher stages first and see where things stand. Whether Merlier will still be there. It’s hard to say. But if it comes down to a sprint, and he’s still fresh, he’s clearly the fastest. And with Bert Van Lerberghe by his side... that’s a great teammate, a right-hand man, a friend, the whole package.”
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Vacek criticises Juan Ayuso's poor start at Lidl-Trek: 'Even the slightest mental lapse'
Sir Chris Hoy shares an update about living with stage four cancer: 'I'm doing pretty well really'
Primoz Roglic's contract options continue to shrink, but a surprise new team enters the conversation
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Latest Comments
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026
- Was Bernal’s 20th place really their best GC result? I thought he might have finished higher. Either way, it sounds like a rough Tour for the whole team.gearguru3310-11-2026
- Five days in breaks with no stage win is a painful stat. The team had chances, but they need to turn those opportunities into results.julien10-11-2026
- The Onley Vuelta example makes sense: a team with someone to rally around often looks much more cohesive. Hopefully INEOS can build on that rather than expecting a quick return to the Sky years.cadencekingm10-11-2026
- Thomas is right about the ambiguity. Eight riders all chasing stages can end up pulling in different directions, even if nobody’s deliberately working against anyone. They need a clearer plan once the GC leaders are out.robert6510-11-2026
- What a mess. The report makes it sound as though nobody properly explained the decision, and that’s hard to defend.jennifer1910-11-2026