Last year, it was the Mighty Degs taking the Roubaix stage of the Tour de France – and his emotional interview afterwards. But what was the spine-tingling moment of this year?
Voting ends on 14 December 2019 at 11.59PM, GMT. If you think there’s someone who should be on the list, there’s a write-in option on the poll at the bottom of the post!
Alaphilippe and Pinot making a break for it
Kathi: There were a lot of spine-tingling moments in this year’s Tour de France but the one that I remember so clearly and made me jump right out of my seat when it happened was during Stage 8 when Julian Alaphilippe decided to get the maillot jaune back and Thibaut Pinot decided to go with him when he jumped away on the final climb (around 2.00 in the above film). The French duo – who would do this again on the Tourmalet in stage 14 – rode away from the peloton and though they didn’t catch the stage winner, Thomas De Gendt, they did set themselves up to be the heart and soul of the entire race, bringing passion and panache that made our hearts race. That the heightened emotion carried on right to the end (Thibaut’s tears and existential crisis and Alaphilippe’s tears in the arms of his father during the final presentations) made it the most exciting Tour in years – and made me realise once again why I love cycling so much.
Mads Pedersen, World Championships Elite Mens Road Race
Both Lukas and Midge picked Mads Pedersen’s Worlds win
Midge: Rarely have I been struck dumb watching a race unfold before my eyes, but it happened on Sunday 19th September 2019 when I realised Denmark’s Mads Pedersen was racing into the finale of the World’s Road Race with Stefan Kung and Matteo Trentin. In an attempt to keep my heart rate down my brain was chanting, “Trentin has this, he’s got to be the favourite”. But the closer they got to the finish line, my heart took over and I remembered all the times Pedersen had raced smart, hard and with the heart of a lion. Trentin opened his sprint – I stood up. Mads powered past him – I’m waving my arms about in silent support. Not until he thundered over the finish line did I start cheering. Every time I think about that finish and that day I can’t stop that thrill of excitement rushing through me again. Watch the stage finish in Danish (above) … there are tears!
Lukas: Just to add – Michael Valgren finishing sixth, looking up at the results screen, and realising Mads had won! It’s in the video from 19:42. Just a couple of seconds, but such a great moment!
Ion Izagirre winning Itzulia
Sheree: Professional racers enjoy riding in the Basque country largely because of the fantastic support they receive from the fans. Fans who’ve been waiting since 2003 for another Basque rider last to win their beloved Tour. Fittingly, this year the younger Izagirre brother obliged. A fourth place on the final stage, after his team had given their all to distance the race leader, was enough for 30-year-old Ion Izagirre to take the lead on the overall classification. Of course we had tears of relief post-race and the rider confirmed:d
Winning the Itzulia 2019 is very special for me. When I crossed the finish line and they told me I was the winner, I wanted to wait the official results. But when it was officially confirmed that I was the winner, I was thrilled. The Itzulia is the race of my homeland and I love it. Winning here is amazing.
When the ‘Dis won a stage at the Vuelta
Euan: This won’t make the grade – it’s too personal. [Yeah, but for all of us at VeloVoices, it’s almost always personal, so this entry stays … ed]