When the unmovable mountain of experience meets the unstoppable W force of ambition, team managers get headaches.
That's what Jumbo-Visma boss Richard Plugge has no doubt been discovering this last week at the Vuelta a España. There, his trio of GC talents Jonas Vingegaard, Primož Roglič and Sepp Kuss have twisted themselves to such a degree to justify their various internecine attacks that Jumbo's trident of all-rounders is looking more like a warped garden gate.
But this is far from the first time this has happened. The plot often follows a familiar pattern: an established leader is overthrown - or at least run dangerously close to it - by a young upstart who wants their spot. Cycling may be a team sport but one rider stands atop the race podium.
As fans, meanwhile, we're grabbing our popcorn and relishing the added drama. The explosive collision of ambition and experience might have given Plugge and co headaches but the upshot was a firework display you couldn't take your eyes off.
8 GILBERTO SIMONI V DAMIANO CUNEGO
As Gilberto Simoni took the start line of the 2004 Giro d'Italia in Genoa he was confident of defending his title. He won stage three and took the pink jersey - everything was going to plan. Waiting in the wings, however, was his Saeco team-mate Damiano Cunego, who had caught the eye of the fans with his impressive victory at the Giro del Trentino earlier in the year as Simoni placed third.
"He doesn't pose me any problems by being in the team," Simoni said after taking pink. "On the contrary, he has given the team a real morale boost prior to this race with his victories."
The next day Simoni led out Cunego for the stage win, handing him the pink jersey in the process.
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 21, 2023-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
"We tore around the Sydney suburbs at 60kph in a terrifying, feral pack"
Fast, furious and furry tales from Australia
RIDDEN AND REVIEWED BROMPTON G LINE £2,499
A Brompton for running riot in both town and country
How do different gravel conditions impact your tyre choice?
There are a myriad of tyres on the market but selecting the right one is easier than you think
FEAST OF SWEDEN
Soon after landing in Gothenburg, I began to realise how little I knew about Sweden.
THE WORLD'S GREATEST GRAVEL EVENTS
Globe-trotting gravel racer Joe Laverick chooses his eight favourite events, from coastal Wales to the wilds of Kenya
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Tempted to embark on a long-distance bike adventure? Let former round-the-world record holder and author Julian Sayarer inspire you to strike out and hit the road
Saint Piran accused of using non-UCI legal bikes
Cornish team also alleged to owe former staff tens of thousands of pounds
JOE LAVERICK GETTING INTO THE FEED ZONE
I've ridden through hundreds of feed zones in my time racing a bike.
Lowden not ready to stop after retirement
Former Hour record holder eyes UK time trial scene
Pogačar makes history (again) at Lombardia
Slovenian makes it four in a row at the late-season Italian Monument