What is your most interesting observation from the race so far?
Matteo Trentin – Mitchelton-Scott
As an Italian, it was interesting how in this first part of the Tour all the stages were won by a rider that comes from different disciplines than only road racing i.e. was/is a part time cx or track rider.
Teunissen: World Champion CX as U23
Alaphilippe: CX world cup winner as u23
Viviani: Olympic track gold
Sagan: MTB gold as a junior
I noticed that, especially because in Italy when the kids turn into the junior category they are basically obligated to leave all the other disciplines except road racing. The common idea is that it’s not good for them. More than one discipline is not necessary. With that I’m not saying that if you do CX, Track or MTB you are automatically good…but that a multidiscipline approach is more fun and makes anyone a better rider.
Who is the funniest guy on the team at TDF and why?
Lukas Pöstlberger – BORA – hansgrohe
It’s hard to say who is the funniest, we are a good group and a funny bunch of people 🤣
But the funniest in my opinion is our press officer, Gabriele Upoldi! He is not trying to be funny, he’s just telling true stories with his kind of humour 🤣
What is the biggest surprise from your first Tour de France so far?
Mads Würtz Schmidt – Katusha Alpecin
The biggest surprise is how big it is. There are so many people everywhere on the route. It’s amazing to be a part of and I’m enjoying it every day, every kilometre, every pedal stroke.
Photo: Alex Broadway/ASO
What sets the Tour de France apart from any other race?
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg – Team Dimension Data
The Tour is definitely the biggest stage in cycling. You can feel the atmosphere, everything that you do becomes magnified 10x compared to other races. It becomes like a pressure pot, where some people crumble, and others become diamonds. It is also when all the best riders are at their best form which makes it harder and faster than any other race. People come from all over the world to spectate. The TV audience is huge and winning a stage here, nearly is as significant as winning a Monument. –
In my opinion, what makes the TDF different to the other races is the public – the crowds are amazing. The media is much more than in any other race. And the tension and speed in the bunch, the average level of the riders here is amazing!
Carlos Verona – Movistar Team
Photo: Betinni
