Marc Hirschi breaks to claim Tour redemption, while the battle for the Green Jersey is far from over

09/10/20 • 11 min

Today Brad is all on his lonesome but that doesn't mean he's anything less than 100% committed when it comes to analysing another intriguing stage of the Tour de France. Stage 12 saw 22-year-old Marc Hirschi emerge victorious at the third attempt in this year's race.

For Brad Hirschi "rides with the confidence of someone who has been a professional for ten years" and he doesn't think the rising star is finished yet.

As well as Brad's musings on Hirschi's victory we also hear from Fabian Cancellara, who Brad calls one of the best time-trialists of his generation, as he spoke to Eurosport's Orla Chennaoui after the stage. At the age of 39 Cancellara has seen it all in cycling and he knows that there will be bad days ahead for his young team-mate. However, Thursday evening is not one of them and Cancellara was full of praise for the work his young colleague has put in as well as his positive attitude. As Cancellara says today Hirschi's "life has changed because he won a Tour de France stage during his first time competing in the race."

There's also just enough time to touch on Peter Sagan picking up a few points to narrow the gap in the race for the Green Jersey before Brad looks forward Stage 13 on Friday and he is predicting some fireworks in the GC.

And as a little bonus treat Orla caught up with another rising superstar, Great Britain's Tom Pidcock, after he won the baby Giro.

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For Brad Hirschi "rides with the confidence of someone who has been a professional for ten years" and he doesn't think the rising star is finished yet.

And as a little bonus treat Orla caught up with another rising superstar, Great Britain's Tom Pidcock, after he won the baby Giro.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

In defence of Sagan, and questions over G's Ineos future

There was controversy on Stage 11 of the Tour de France as Peter Sagan was relegated for a barge on Wout van Aert in a thrilling sprint finish in Poitiers, won by Caleb Ewan.

Despite coming under fire from other riders in the peloton, and notably Van Aert, Brad explains why Sagan did nothing dangerous and how his actions have been misinterpreted.

Sagan's punishment means Sam Bennett is now the big favourite to claim the green jersey but Brad says Sagan can't be discounted and, like Michael Jordan, he may just be fuelled by this perceived injustice.

In a fascinating segment, Brad also talks to Sean Kelly about Bennett's Tour so far, and when the King won his first Tour stage in Poitiers, 42 years ago...

And finally, Brad and Graham discuss Gregor Muhlberger having to abandon while ill, and what questions Tirreno-Adriatico is throwing up about the future of Geraint Thomas.

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Next Episode

Time running out for Ineos but Bernal not done yet, while Brits dominate elsewhere

Brad is joined by Graham Willgoss to reflect on a classic Tour de France stage in the volcanic countryside which saw Romain Bardet and Guillaume Martin crash out of the top 10 after a day to forget for the host nation.

Time is now running out quickly for the Ineos Grenadiers, Brad believes, with Egan Bernal showing the first signs of cracking under pressure while Jumbo-Visma continue to look dominant. But Bernal is not out of it, and Brad picks out a few reasons why he should not be completely discounted just yet.

Elsewhere, Simon Yates and Geraint Thomas have been producing some promising performances at Tirreno-Adriatico in what could bode very well for the upcoming Giro d’Italia.

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