It might only have been six seconds, but when Primož Roglicwon the Vuelta a España’s 7.1km opening stage time trial in Burgos in September, a third consecutive overall victory for the Slovenian felt inevitable.
Yes, he lost the red jersey on stage three, then again when he lent it to Odd Kristian Eiking (Intermarché-WantyGobert Matériaux) for a week. But when Roglicreclaimed the overall at Lago de Covadonga with the third of his four stage wins on day 17, he kept it for good, adding the final day time trial for good measure. The Slovenian’s five victories contributed to Jumbo-Visma being our team of the year, but they are far from the only reason.
Sport is the starkest of results-based hierarchies. The win/loss column doesn’t lie. But look for another ranking that has Jumbo-Visma at the top and you won’t find one, except perhaps in their own Dutch Service Course. The world ranking has them third behind Deceuninck-Quick Step and Ineos Grenadiers. And they won 22 fewer races than the Belgian squad, who also took more WorldTour victories.
So why is Jumbo-Visma our team of the year? Consistency, and the way they won their races, that’s why.
Denne historien er fra December 16, 2021-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
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Denne historien er fra December 16, 2021-utgaven av CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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CLASSIC BIKE - JOHNNY BERRY
Johnny be good at making beautiful lightweight bikes
UK SCENE - WUNDERKIND HUDSON WINS YORKSHIRE CX
Newly crowned junior hill-climb champ shows his versatility by winning round seven on the mud
WATT WORKS FOR ME TADEJ POGAČAR
The man himself - subject of this special issue - explains the key performance changes behind his record-breaking year
11 WAYS TO POG-UP YOUR PLAN
Tadej Pocačar's performance is out of reach but you can adapt his training to raise your game. Chris Marshall-Bell consults the experts to find out how
Why do modern aero bikes look less aero?
Are today's aero bikes really faster, or is marketing just getting better? Joe Baker investigates...
REVIEW OF THE YEAR
An Olympic year is always special and the cycling season once again delivered a year of highs and lows, from Pogi's triple to Katie Archibald's pre-Olympic trip
MEET THE PARENTS
What made Tadej Pogačar the phenomenon he is today? Chris Marshall-Bell went to Slovenia to meet his mum and dad, Mirko and Marjeta
HALF MAN HALF GOAT
Tadej Pogačar may have had a phenomenal season, but has he done enough to cement his status as the greatest of all time? Chris Marshall-Bell weighs the arguments for and against
Lefevere cashes in his chips and leaves cycling management
The news that Patrick Lefevere will step down as Quick Step boss marks the end of an era, after 22 years in charge
Mathieu van der Poel weighs up skipping Tour de France
Dutchman hints at missing Tour in favour of mtb Worlds bid, reports Tom Thewlis from Dénia, Spain
