Oof. Been watching and today was painful to watch. I don’t want to give any spoilers if you haven’t already seen it. But I’m sadly disappointed and the rest of the race won’t be the same. 
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Haven’t gotten to it yet, but saw the headline. I’m still on Stage 7…
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I was actually on the trainer doing a no-vid workout and saw “it” as it happened. At first, just another crash… and then the shots revealed the true damage. I was mid interval and actually came to a stop.
I follow the Vuelta daily and have mixed feelings. Before, it was really just a question of how much he’d win by. Though a foregone conclusion, it was still somehow compelling to watch.
Now, it’s back to being a real race. People who would have never featured are officially in the mix. Primoz is once again a real threat. It’s much more captivating to follow, but oddly I don’t tune in live much. I just wait for my workout time and turn on the Peacock replay.
So, when it was boring, I streamed it live with morbid delight to see just how tight he’d turn the screws. Now that it’s exciting again, I wait for the replay, or worse just check up on the news. It’s funny and fun how one guy is defining an era.
I hope he recovers fast and that his directors have enough sense to cancel the rest of his season. Rainbows be damned.
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I was watching it live while riding my trainer, as well! My son was in the room watching me ride and the race. I usually watch most of it live while riding and then watch the rest during breakfast as I start my work day. I didn’t come to a stop, but I definintely gasped loudly when it happened and they mentioned who was on the ground. I always hate crashes and injuries in sports. Especially when its the leader and it seems so random.
It was definitely still compelling to see how many records he could break and if he could hold the red jersey for the entire tour which would really put a stamp on this dominance. That just something that never happens.
I’m hoping Mas can come out on top this time. There is definitely more drama now, tho.
Anyway, I agree, he needs a long rest to come back strong next season. Best to prioritize his health. Wout still isn’t quite the same since his knee injury at the Vuelta 2 years ago, even tho he’s still super strong. He just hasn’t been as strong as he had been. But at least this isn’t a knee injury.
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I got to it today during my trainer ride on Rouvy. It was a lot of anticipation knowing it was coming, but not when. I watch the full broadcasts while on the Kickr Bike, so I am always several days behind. I enjoy the tactics and little subtleties of racing that I want to watch the whole race start to finish. My favorite is when it starts at the very beginning and we can watch the break get established.
Regarding Pogi, only time will tell. Wout, Jonas etc. have demonstrated that the return to say 85-90% is one thing, but 100% is another altogether. Incidents like this create opportunities for those waiting in the wings, so let’s see who can step up to the challenge.
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I think Gunter should change his first name to “Wout.” The other two identifiers can stay the same…
Sheesh. What a monster.
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