Evenepoel and Van Aert, what a fantastic time for us. 
Pro Cycling 2020 **Giro d'Italia 2020 **
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
Was saying the same to my mates just now. After all the uncertainty that he’d be able to perform at this level again, with that horrendous injury, and then this... Just absolutely unbelievable. The sky is the limit for him, I can’t see him not winning Roubaix in his career.
This was such a great race already. Hoping for more of the same from San Remo next week.
I love Roubaix. Really want to go see it in person some day, while off my face on trappists.
Indeed. You’d bet against him in the Giro because he ain’t ever done that but I’ve said that so much in the last year that I’m not willing to bet against him in the Giro. Podium is absolutely realistic.Evenepoel and Van Aert, what a fantastic time for us.
We go there every year on the same sector to support our friends Frison and Biermans
. This year hopefully Phillipsen as well. Always welcome to join us if you wanna come!I grew up in Herentals so I'm claiming superfan status for Van Aert.
Maybe next year!We go there every year on the same sector to support our friends Frison and Biermans
He'll win Sanremo too.
Gonna be close. If he survives the Poggio he’s probably one one of the fastest ones of the pack. Primavera is 100km longer though - the strongest survive there and he’s super good in that respect.
Can’t fecking wait.
Think he’s actually from Poederlee or Grobbendonk maybeI grew up in Herentals so I'm claiming superfan status for Van Aert.
Nah seriously; nice one. Emigrated to Antwerp then? I work there but couldn’t imagine living there if you see the freedom and space in Geel.
Yup, moved here when I started working some 9 years ago. Technically I'm just from outside Herentals but went to school there from my +- 4 until 18 years old, so my young, social life all happened there. Went to school in Geel afterwards as well by the way, to the "HIK" as we still called it then. And did some more studies in Leuven and Gent as well, I've been all over the place.Think he’s actually from Poederlee or Grobbendonk maybe
Nah seriously; nice one. Emigrated to Antwerp then? I work there but couldn’t imagine living there if you see the freedom and space in Geel.
At this point I just couldn't imagine living anywhere else than the city, it's just whatever you're used to I guess. Although since covid-19, the city hasn't been all that fun anymore.That Fabio Jakobsen crash is very hard to see. Groenewegen, again. Such a fecking idiot.
Shades of Cavendish & Sagan from TdF 2017
I hope he isn't allowed to ride another race this year. Fecking cnut. He knew full well what he was doing, and he has history against him. Knobhead.
I was watching live on TV, worst crash I've ever seen. I immediately feared for the rider and that staff member's life. Simply horrific.
What a disgusting move by Groenewegen.
What a disgusting move by Groenewegen.
I’m not really into cycling but since this was in Poland I am well aware of what happened. Looked absolutely disgusting and it’s a year after Lambrecht died during same race. Does this Groenewegen guy have history of dirty moves?
Jakobsen in a coma fighting for his life apparently please no.
please no.He has yes, definitely not the first time he pulled something like this. That’s why a heavy ban is in order here imo. At 80km/h you could call this an attempted murder ffs.
It’s not even like he’s closing the door for Jakobsen, the view from above clearly shows that Jakobsen is already levelled with him and he just fecks him off into the stands. I’m disgusted.
Just saw the footage. Damn. Looking really bad for Jakobsen in the hospital apparently, heavy brain damage (link). That doesn't sound good for full recovery to me - assuming he survives in the first place... Groenewegen will have to live with this on his consciousness!
These things happen all the time in the peleton. Maybe Jakobsen has some history too? Just hope Jakobsen gets through this and that there isn’t a public lynching of Groenewegen, but proper measures taken to change the culture in the peleton.
Like feck do they happen all the time. And change what culture? Change the rule that's already in place that you have to keep a straight line, because some dickhead decides not to? There are clear rules for bunch sprints, and heavy sanctions if they're not followed as it is (e.g. Sagan disqualification from the Tour a few years ago).
Groenewegen can't be judged heavily enough for this. And he already is, by his own peers no less.
Yeah, as Robin said, you have to keep to your line in sprints. Groenewegen's line is a diagonal, that's just not acceptable. There is a reason he has been disqualified and the UCI is looking into further penalties for him.
Also: people fall, yes, but not usually in this kind of situation. These rules have been put in place because of the danger at falling at this kind of speed. And I don't know why it would matter if Jakobsen would have history (never heard of it, but either way). What kind of reason do you think would justify pushing him into the barrier at high speed, risking life-threatening injuries? (And yes, cyclists are aware of the danger.)
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Luckily its very rare. Groenewegen has a history with these things. It was a scumbag move, I hope he never gets to ride professionally again, I really do.
Shouldn't ever be allowed back. There's simply no coming back from this.
That's what I initially wrote actually, but thought it was because of the heat of the moment speaking. Banning someone for life seems a bit over the top, even with doping that was almost never the case. Still though indeed he has the history, this was despicable and especially if Jakobsen won't ever race again (or God forbid, doesn't survive this), I'd find it difficult to watch Groenewegen ever race again, yes.
Let's just pray that Jakobsen gets through this, first of all. Can't even begin to imagine otherwise.
I'm not speaking from the heat of the moment and I honestly believe Groenewegen should be banned for life. His action could've directly killed 2 people (Jakobsen and that staff member). There has to be a line somewhere and almost killing 2 people is certainly beyond that line. There are no excuses. What he did is a criminal act and should be judged as such.
I meant we see riders deviate and lean in to each other in sprints all the time. Normally they get a way with a DQ. They should introduce a points system like in horse racing, something like that. This was a tragedy waiting to happen, could have happened to many a sprinters.
Yeah, that leaning stuff always looks pretty ugly as well. That happens when riders are should to shoulder though. Based on that overhead video that @::sonny:: posted, I wouldn't say it's what happened here. Groenewegen is cutting in already before Jakobsen is level, and is basically cutting him off. I wouldn't say he intentionally pushed Jakobsen into the barriers; maybe he meant to cut him off a little more and didn't realize Jakobsen was already level, or maybe he leaned in expecting Jakobsen to lean back, but Jakobsen didn't do it. Either way, it's very dangerous driving. It should also count that Groenewegen apparently has history with this sort of thing (per @RobinLFC).
News out of hospital that there is no brain or spinal cord damage. Skull is fractured mainly around face. Condition is serious but stable.
Great news. (Well, under the circumstances.) I might also add that Jakobsen was 'only' in an artificially induced coma, in case it matters.
Apparently he’s fractured his wind pipe.
This is Groenewegen closing the door on Naesen FOUR YEARS ago (last 20" suffice). And I remember another incident but can't find it since I don't know which race that was. He's a cnut and he's known for it in the peloton.
When you almost deliberately push a fellow countryman into the barriers, for a win in the fecking Tour of Poland, there is something wrong with you. Especially with his history. I can't understand why you would try and justify this. Cycling is and will remain a dangerous sport, and I see no harm in impeding your competitor a little bit but this was a completely different situation imo. He moved about 3-4 meters during the sprint until Jakobsen had absolutely no way to go. There is a reason he's one of the least liked riders in professional cycling.
Groenewegen's motto: Podium or Jodium. Smart move, idiot.
I’ve been following cycling for over 30 years and dangerous moves from sprinters happen all the time. There still seems to be a win at all costs in professional cycling and this needs to change. I don’t believe Groenewegen intended to injure anyone, he will be devastated by his actions and so will his team. Groenewegen should be severely punished and rightfully so, but he is not entirely to blame. I hope cycling finally learns from this and start appropriately tackling the dangerous sprints and that Groenewegen isn’t just spat out. But my primary thoughts right now go to Jakobsen and his family.
I understand his emotional reaction, but he’s been in charge of many a sprinter over the years who were far from angles themselves during sprints.
He literally pushes a fellow rider in the fences at 80km/h. He is a professional cyclist for feck's sake, stop trying to find excuses for him, he knew fully what he was doing and what the potential consequences of that action could be.
Don't believe he tried to injure anyone, my arse.
I’m sorry, but I find this post ignorant. Do you honestly believe any cyclist deliberately intends to injure a fellow cyclist in the sprint?! Do you have any idea how stressful & chaotic the sprints are? The reaction times needed? The difficulty of staying balanced con a bike when traveling at speeds of 80kmh? Groenewegen tried to close the door with a dangerous manoeuvre because he could sense a rider coming up from the inside, but he probably misjudged the situation and did not realize that Jakobsen was already besides him. That’s my analysis. Jakobsen should also have braked, not that I’m putting any blame on Jakobsen himself.
He literally pushes a fellow rider in the fences at 80km/h. He is a professional cyclist for feck's sake, stop trying to find excuses for him, he knew fully what he was doing and what the potential consequences of that action could be.
Don't believe he tried to injure anyone, my arse.
Did he wish injure on Jakobsen or deliberately wanted to injure him the way he did? No, of course not.
Should he have reasonably realized that he could potentially murder Jakobsen by doing what he did? Yes. I find it disgusting that people (not necessarily you) are shifting blame away from Groenewegen. Own up and take responsibility for your actions. He knew, or definitely should've known at the least, what the disastrous consequences could be. Irresponsible behavior at its best.
Also strongly disagree that it's difficult to stay balanced on a bike at 80km/h. And strongly disagree that he "misjudged the situation". He judged it perfectly and executed what he wanted to do. He didn't just close the door but gave him an elbow and pushed him into the gates ffs. Jakbosen wasn't "coming up" at all, he was already leveled with him.