Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast Tour de France 2025 - Stage 18
Jul 24, 2025
Stage 18 of the Tour de France brought thrilling climbs and intense competition. Key riders showcased their tactical prowess, with breakaway strategies making all the difference. Injuries and collisions raised safety concerns, prompting discussions on race dynamics. Emerging talents like Ben O'Connor made surprising moves, while established stars like Vingegaard grappled with pacing challenges. With tensions high, the spotlight turned to the implications for the General Classification as rivals prepared for future mountain stages.
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Pogacar's Pre-Stage Car Collision
- Tadej Pogacar had a collision with a Visma-Lisa team car before the stage start but laughed it off and continued racing.
- The incident was potentially dangerous and Visma apologized, highlighting risks outside race action.
Cheating with Sticky Bottles
- Lenny Martinez used "sticky bottles" to gain unfair assistance, pushing himself uphill illegally.
- This unethical tactic could warrant disqualification from the KOM contest though penalties were deemed insufficient.
Enforce Fairness in KOM Competition
- Always rigorously penalize riders who cheat, stripping dubious KOM points.
- Uphold fair competition to maintain race integrity and respect from fans and riders.