
TdF Amateur Hour
Today’s TdF Stage was fun to watch although perhaps less fun to ride as the riders tackled several Roubaix-like cobbled sections. Rather them than me.
With those conditions underfoot, punctures are likely and as is the real chance of a mechanical or electronic breakdown. And that’s what happened to Jumbo Visma today.
The image above must surely be a classic. Bikes down, 4 riders going nowhere, one rider crossing the road, a team car full of bikes, a team mechanic carrying a spare bike on tip-toes. What possibly could have gone wrong to cause this? (Answer in the video below).
TL;DR: A possible gearing failure required a bike change by Jonas Vingegaard. the first bike change was for a bike of the wrong size and so was the second. Luckily the car stopped.
It’s easy to lightheartedly criticise and yes I have taken 15 minutes to change a puncture.
UK readers of a certain age will appreciate the humour of the soundtrack to this video of the incident on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1544697494680002560
https://youtu.be/y6ZJR-D1bY0
Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.

the first Bike change was 2 minute before the Video started, they changed the bike because no Team Car was available but the Bike was to big for the rider who used the bike, so in the video is the back change of the bike
yes! I watched it live, it’s still fun to watch back