CyclistComment: The gentle art of coming second in the age of superstarsOn Saturday 3rd August, one minute and eleven seconds after Remco Evenepoel had raised his bike aloft in front of the Eiffel Tower, producing an image so evocative well probably still be talking about it in fifty years time, Valentin Madouas crossed the line in second place. His hand covered his mouth in shock as he realised what he was about to do: claim an Olympic silver medal, have his name written in the history books, riding for his country, in his home nation. The chance of a lifetime realised.It was a rare sight not the celebration of a silver medal, which in the Olympic Games can represent many things from defeat to the fulfilment of a lifetime dream but the celebration of second place by a cyclist. In a sport where only one rider can raise their arms as they cross the finish line, where winning is everything. Or at least thats how it seems at first glance.The Olympic Games, and perhaps to a slightly lesser extent, the World Championships, are a rare example of a time when road cyclists can truly celebrate coming second, or even third. To stand on a podium at events like these and to take home a medal even if it isnt gold are some of the highest achievements a cyclist can aspire to. Its widely accepted that the Olympics doesnt mean as much in cycling as it does in other sports, where it represents the absolute pinnacle of success, however it doesnt render an Olympic medal any less significant. If a rider were to enjoy a decade-long career, they may be lucky enough to have three chances to win one of nine medals. Thats pretty low odds, even by cycling standards.But Olympics aside, it could be argued that Madouass reaction, while elevated based on circumstance, represents a broader issue in the world of mens cycling at the moment. Because to take on so-called superhuman riders like Remco Evenepoel and Tadej Pogaar is to accept that in many, if not all, cases, coming second is the best you can hope for.Group Two SyndromeXavier PereyronStep away from the pomp and ceremony of the major races and the plight of the above-average-but-not-superhuman rider is clear: you enter a race with Tadej Pogaar in (or dependent on the race: Remco Evenepoel or Mathieu van der Poel or Primoz Rogli if its the Vuelta), and you are effectively signing yourself up to lose. The statistics are clear.Of course, its never over until its over, and the myriad external factors that can and do occur on a race by race basis may turn the hand of fate against even the most accomplished riders. However probability determines that once one of these titans takes off on a solo jaunt for the win, the likelihood is youre battling for second place.So what options do the rest have once that days blistering solo attack is launched? From here, a decision must be made: work together to chase the leader in the vain hope that victory might still an option, or attack one another, aiming for the best outcome they can possibly achieve?This has led to frustration multiple times in recent seasons, as fans urge chasing groups to work together to catch the lone leader, as surely, however good Pogaar or Evenepoel are, physical laws still apply? Surely the might of the many can overpower that of the individual? But call it what you want mind games, brinkmanship, a societal breakdown in miniature the cohesion that would be required to orchestrate such a comeback is lost. Perhaps its lost after theyve actually worked well together for a time. Perhaps its lost the moment one rider stops pulling his weight in the group and they start to look at one another. In reality though, the psychological war has already been waged before a single rider has ridden a pedal stroke in anger. And its been won. Usually by the tufted Slovenian, the moment he signs his name and clatters his cleats across the presentation platform that morning.Its not as if breakaways are incapable of making it all the way even when Pogaar is in a race. Usually though, its a Grand Tour stage, and only after UAE have reluctantly loosened their iron grip on the race but Grand Tours are a different kettle of fish. In a one-day race its all-out power, all the way to the line, and the odds are never in your favour. And with every passing race, that certainty becomes more deeply embedded in the collective psyche of the peloton, leading to an ever-quicker relinquishing of hope, and a refocussing, as they prepare to take on those around them rather than engage in a fruitless chase for a victory thats already gone. Related Posts Pro cycling MVPs: Which team duos scored the most points in the mens WorldTour? What if Tadej Pogaar didnt exist? Pogaar vs Merckx: Who had the best season ever? Valentin Madouas Q&A: The one major objective for my career is to win a stage at the Tour de France Second is the new firstZac Williams/ZW PhotographyIf were honest with ourselves, this dominance is here to stay for a while, and after Pogaar has proven hes capable of attacking from 100km out and still not running out of energy, this pattern of giving up the chase and focussing on the fight for second place will become even more commonplace. Its a tough pill to swallow if the superhumans arent your favourite riders, even if youre impressed their exploits, but on the biggest stages in the Monuments, Worlds and on the top step of the GC at the Grand Tours these guys probably have a monopoly sewn up for a few years.Its time, therefore, to get comfortable in our discomfort. To begin to derive pleasure from the fun and games of group two syndrome as top riders do battle with one another to achieve the best result that they can. Yes, cycling has traditionally been all about the winning, but beloved riders like Raymond Poulidor and more recently Wout van Aert have become synonymous with that second place position, and rather than ridicule them for being the best bar one, why not celebrate consistent performances, top ten finishes, podium spots, and generally just having the skill and determination to be up there among the best riders in the world, in an era that truly is going to go down in the history books?After all, these positions dont mean nothing. For the individuals who build palmars to be proud of its something they can look back on after their racing careers and say, I was up there when Pogaar won his fourth Il Lombardia. In a more practical and immediate sense, for the teams these riders are a part of high placings are genuinely meaningful in terms of UCI points. With a three-year cycle of relegation from the WorldTour, for many of the teams who are launching their best and brightest up the road despite the infinitesimally small possibility of victory, theres plenty more to play for. The whopping 715 points gleaned by Ben OConnor for his excellent and also greatly celebrated second place to Pogaar at the Worlds road race will buffer the Decathlon-AG2R coffers despite his imminent departure. The 400 points for Pello Bilbao, second in the GP Montreal? Gratefully received by Bahrain Victorious, although not desperately needed they currently find themselves tenth in the UCI rankings but every place could mean a more attractive prospect for potential sponsors. The 225 points for Ion Izagirre in fifth place in the same race, by contrast, was desperately needed and likely well celebrated by a Cofidis team languishing at the bottom of the standings.From a fans perspective, and to the riders who we see giving their all for the win time and time again, winning may be the most important thing, but its not everything. To see Romain Bardet placing second at Lige-Bastogne-Lige at the tail end of his career meant so much to so many not least to his team, who enjoyed the fruits of his labour, 640 delicious UCI points to bolster their total, which they greatly required given their position second from bottom in the rankings. But much more than that, in a race where the Frenchman had stepped off the bike two years prior to help Julian Alaphilippe after a nasty crash, that best of the rest finishing position represented a reward for a good man in the form of his career going out on a high in his final full season on the circuit. It really meant something.To look back on your results from the year and see 2s, 3s, even 8s or 9s, could mean the world to a rider whether its the greatest achievement of their entire career or simply because in practical terms it may represent a healthy wedge of prize money or a pay-rise. And while as fans, well never give up hope of our favourites winning and those sweet moments of victory will remain the pinnacle of the fan experience, however few and far between lets cut ourselves, and the riders, a little slack. Lets celebrate second like its a win. Embrace a podium finish and recognise all the hard work that has gone into getting onto that step. And not simply begin and end our conversations on the weekends racing with number one.Personal BestsTim de Waele/Getty ImagesThe major racing season ironically concluded with Remco Evenepoel coming second, to Pogaar, and while both performances were worthy of great praise, it was third place at Il Lombardia that garnered more meaning that it may have otherwise, with Lidl-Treks Giulio Ciccone proving how much it meant when he attacked with a kilometre to go to ensure an Italian would stand on the podium. That third place meant something and these lower placements will continue to enjoy an enhanced level of significance in the years to come as they always should.Perhaps theres no finer example of the celebration of second and third than Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiales departing GC leader Ben OConnor, who not only openly expressed that his aim for the season was to podium at a Grand Tour (he did so at the Vuelta, after coming fourth at the Giro), but also celebrated that success as a win, because it was a fulfilment of an ambition and a proof of his self-belief.As OConnor and the like set themselves their own personal targets, free of the burden that being a history-defining athlete entails, its a reminder to all of us that however cruel sport can be, it also offers athletes an arena in which they can evolve into the best possible versions of themselves. To be able to witness these evolutions, alongside the incredible feats of the once and future kings of the sport, is a true, if not more subtle privilege, and one that can also be celebrated, if, like them, we are able to look beyond victory. Related Posts Pro cycling MVPs: Which team duos scored the most points in the mens WorldTour? What if Tadej Pogaar didnt exist? Pogaar vs Merckx: Who had the best season ever? Valentin Madouas Q&A: The one major objective for my career is to win a stage at the Tour de France The post Comment: The gentle art of coming second in the age of superstars appeared first on Cyclist.

Jonathan Milan has broken the 4km individual pursuit world record to win gold at the UCI World Track Championships in Copenhagen. It was the second time today the world record had gone, with Great Britains Josh Charlton beating Charltons new record was 0.332 seconds faster than Gannas, which was set in 2022. However, though Charlton []The post Jonathan Milan breaks pursuit world record to win gold at Worlds | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

The 2024 European road season will come to an end this Sunday, October 20th, at the Veneto Classic. The Italian one-day race will feature a number of big names hoping to end the season on a high.Included on the provisional startlist are notable names such as: Samuele Battistella, Gianluca Brambilla,...

Lara Gillespie has put in an aggressive bid for a medal in the points race, the last event of four in the omnium, at the UCI World Track Championships in Denmark this evening. The Irish woman started the points race in 6th, on 80 points and just over 20 points off the lead. However, with []The post Lara Gillespie in aggressive ride in final of omnium at Worlds appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong wrote one of the greatest stories in the modern history of Tour de France, even if both their names have a bad sound in the current cycling world for obvious reasons.At the brink of new millenium, Ullrich finished runner-up five times, winning only once in 1997 at the...

Back around the end of September, The Pros Closet (TPC) announced it was closing its doors come October. Well, I just got an email from Gabriel Prado, the Founder and CEO of LocalAuctions.com with a press release announcing the liquidation and public auction of everything in TPCs old facility. See below for details.If youre interested in taking part in the auction, you can check out the online-only auction on the Local Auctions website. Bidding is taking place now through Wednesday, October 23rd at noon. If you are local, you can preview the items in person on Tuesday, October 22nd from 9 am to 3 pm. The address of TPCs facility is: 1900 Taylor Ave, Louisville, Colorado, 80027The winning bidders are required to pick up and remove their items on Thursday 10/24/24 through Wednesday 10/30/24 from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information and to view the items in the auction, visit the Local Auctions WebsiteLocalAuctions.comThe post Everything Must Go! TPCs Entire Inventory is Now Officially Up for Public Auction appeared first on Bikerumor.

Great Britain win five medals on day three: one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes

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