Last year Jordi Meeus stole the headlines on the Tour de France's prestigious Champs Elysee stage as he beat out his good friend Jasper Philipsen to claim his first stage race. As Bobby and Jens battled the entirety of Europe streaming a football match - they caught up with Jordi from his training camp in Livigno after taking a year away from the Tour.

Following on from our mailbag episode where we questioned what sprinters gain from altitude camps, we find out what Jordi feels he gains from the trips to the mountains and explore the changing face of sprinting in 2024.

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Hello everyone, and welcome back

to another episode of The Odd Tandem.

2

My name is Bobby Jullich,

and over there in Germany,

3

we've got Jens back

from hanging off the side

4

of a motorbike for a couple of weeks

at the tour de France, Jensie.

5

How was it, man?

6

It was as good as always.

7

the way I try to put

it is being on a motorbike

8

in the race is almost like a comeback

without the pain in the legs.

9

So it's actually. It's pretty good.

10

You’re in there?

11

You can smell the air.

12

You can feel the wind. See?

13

And you feel the quality of the surface.

14

How the road bends.

15

You feel the love of the fans,

the passion of the fans.

16

It is pretty fantastic.

17

But also it's, yeah, it's long days,

you know,

18

you got to go to the start line,

got to got to be there.

19

Like two hours before for the riders

show up.

20

So three hours before the start basically.

21

Then sometimes A 1,2 or even 2.5 hour,

22

transfer like, you know, driving at six

until eight thirty dinner at nine.

23

You’re basically in bed by midnight.

24

But I'm not complaining.

25

Also, one thing is, you embrace

26

life really hard because you actually know

the chances little,

27

but the chance is there that behind

the next turn it is actually all over.

28

So you actually you embrace

life really hard.

29

It makes you feel alive.

30

Well, we're very happy that you survived.

31

one question, though,

32

because I used to drive the second car

or when I was out motor pacing riders,

33

like you said,

I got the sensation and the fatigue,

34

the mental fatigue of focus,

that I would have gotten in the bike race.

35

I just didn't get the physical exertion,

so, you know,

36

okay, my adrenaline was poppin

and everything was going crazy.

37

But then once the race was over,

I was exhausted.

38

Was that the same for you?

39

Once you got out of that bubble?

40

Of all the racers

and looking at all the fans.

41

Did that light switch just go off and

you just feel exhausted all of a sudden?

42

yes. Absolutely.

43

Like, like a tire,

like pshhhhh you're losing air.

44

But only if I'm if I'm in my room when

I'm out there, you know, you, like, go.

45

Okay, today's work is done.

Okay. Just walk to a car.

46

Somebody goes, hey, Jensie! Shut Up Legs!

47

And then hey, I'm

an entertainer I'm like Freddie Mercury.

48

I'm born. You know to entertain people.

49

I go, hey, here I am, I’m

50

the Jensie Even though you're, like,

completely tired, have no energy.

51

But, you know, some of these people,

they waited a year or two years

52

to see the tour de France.

53

And then when you see you,

54

at least you got to give them a smile

or little wave or little handshake.

55

Right?

56

So, yeah, but once, like,

you know, after dinner, I'm in my room.

57

It's basically I just have enough energy

to brush my teeth, and then I, I be in bed

58

and, like, completely done

and trying to recharge my batteries.

59

You're one of a kind man of the people,

you know.

60

So just to let our viewers know,

we had a little bit

61

of technical difficulties today

recording our guest.

62

And I'll let Jens introduce the guest here

after this, because of the European

63

semifinal soccer or football match

64

where Spain is playing whom Jensie,

ah France.

65

Spain is playing France.

66

So excuse us if we don't have

the video portion of the podcast today,

67

because it was a little bit tricky

trying to get internet connection,

68

like because we got about

69

500 million people

living in the entire Europe

70

and probably 385 million of them

were streaming to see the semifinal.

71

So that's why I guess Europe wide,

72

the internet was just a little slow

and caused problems of all kinds.

73

And our guest today,

74

Jordi Meeus,

was actually not only a great interview,

75

but he had the game on behind him

the whole time during the interview.

76

So sit back and relax

77

and listen to our great interview

that we had with you already today.

78

All right. Here we are.

79

Here we are.

80

Jordi Meeus, welcome to The Odd Tandem.

81

Thanks. Happy to be here.

82

Thanks for the invite, man.

83

You know, here we are.

84

You know the tour de France is happening.

85

tell us a little bit about where you are

and what you're doing right now.

86

Obviously,

I'm not in the tour at, at the moment.

87

I'm, in Livigno a little bit

outside of Livigno in, in Trepalle

88

on an altitude training camp to prepare,

the second part of the season.

89

And Trepalle is

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the the town above Livigno, right?

91

Yeah, exactly.

92

So I think the center of Livigno is,

93

around 1800 meters of altitude.

94

And, where I am at the moment is, 2200m.

95

So, it's a bit more optimal for,

for the best altitude, gain, let's say.

96

And is it full on chockablock there

right now

97

with, with cyclists

that, or athletes in general?

98

It's quite busy at the moment.

99

Yeah. A couple of teams are here.

100

a lot of teams are also down in Livigno.

101

But yeah, myself and a couple of other,

102

individual guys are, are here,

a little bit higher.

103

Do you by any chance

see any other Olympic athletes,

104

like runners training at altitude

105

from different nations or national teams

for different sports There as well?

106

Or is it just cyclist?

107

it's just,

I think the Olympic team from Denmark

108

is here from the track,

in the same hotel as I am at the moment.

109

And then,

I see quite some individual athletes.

110

I think there are a couple of mountain

bike riders.

111

I also have seen some,

some people running

112

and, doing the, the skates already,

so I'm not sure

113

if they go to the Olympics, but,

it could be.

114

Could be, well, possible. Yeah.

115

Wow. So

116

to our viewers and our listeners

that don't know, Jordi

117

won the final stage of the tour de France

118

last year on the Champs Elysee.

119

Jordi,

tell us a little bit about that stage.

120

Your memories from that stage.

121

Yeah, I remember, starting

from from Saturday after the stage.

122

It was a really long, long transfer,

going to to Paris.

123

I think we had 4 or 5 hours

in the evening on Saturday night.

124

so we arrived at 12 in the hotel.

125

then we still had to have proper dinner

and everything.

126

So then I rushed myself to bed

as soon as possible.

127

then in the morning,

we had another, 3 to 4 hour drive,

128

and yeah, I remember, it

it all wasn't ideal for a lot of guys.

129

The, the tour was finished

already. It was just,

130

Yeah, let's call it the crit on the Champs

Elysee but,

131

yeah, for me, it was the last opportunity

to try to win the stage.

132

And, I remember

also was a bit of a strange feeling

133

was my first, tour

I would finish and, Yeah.

134

Then when the stage started,

it was all new for me.

135

the the picture of the,

the yellow jerseys

136

with the teams and,

the green jersey and all of those things.

137

And then from the moment we,

we came closer and closer

138

to the, to the city of Paris.

139

yeah. The,

140

the atmosphere got more and more tense

141

it was fighting for a position

and then from.

142

Yeah, it was basically,

a roller coaster going to, to the Champs

143

Elysee, doing the laps

and preparing for a sprint and, yeah,

144

also I the most of the images

I remember is from, video

145

images or pictures that I've seen because,

at that moment, it was,

146

it was all a little bit of, of a rush

and kind of a high.

147

I was in.

148

So, to be really clear,

149

many, many people

call it the stage on the champs elysee

150

the unofficial world

championships of the sprinters.

151

I don't think there's a bigger win

or maybe not many bigger wins

152

a sprinter can have.

153

Jordi that day you used

just the normal bike or you did

154

bigger tires, smaller tires,

less air pressure because of

155

little cobblestones,

bigger, smaller chainring.

156

Did you change anything on your bike

157

or was just entirely identical

like all the other days?

158

no. Normally I, I ride a 55 in front.

159

that day we changed to 56.

160

the big chainring, because, yeah,

we know with the cobbles

161

it's better to have one gear bigger

than to spin the legs a lot.

162

with the risk off of the back wheel

just jumping a lot.

163

And, we changed tyre pressure slightly.

164

We used the same tyres

that were basically the only two things

165

we have changed.

166

Jeez, but, I mean, you just said it.

167

It was your first tour de France,

and you win arguably the most

168

famous stage, but in your first tour

de France, you didn't know what to expect.

169

You had to have suffered.

170

And I'm curious not only about

your feeling of achievement,

171

but what did you have to suffer through

to get to the Champs in the first place?

172

Was there any 1 or 2 stages

where you were just like, man,

173

I, I'm going to bag this. I can't do it.

174

Yeah, actually, the first

175

time I thought about this was,

the first stage

176

already, I felt really bad, actually,

I have to say,

177

I don't know, it was something in the air

there in Bilbao.

178

The humidity was super high, and, Yeah,

I remember I, I was quite in trouble,

179

breathing and getting enough oxygen in.

180

then I remember I was with Cav

181

and I think 3 or 4 other Astana guys,

182

they basically brought me

to the finish line that moment

183

I thought it that it was going to be,

or a really long three weeks

184

or a really short, couple of days for me.

185

luckily, through the race,

I, I developed a bit,

186

then the second, second moment,

I had this feeling

187

was when, my teammates, Jai

Hindley took the yellow jersey.

188

It was up to us to, to lead the race.

189

And I was, trying to control the,

190

the breakaway on the tour

191

de so I was riding all the way

through the valley, to Aspin,

192

then on the bottom of the Aspin

my my job was done.

193

remember, I was really struggling,

holding up, with the big bunch.

194

I think it was.

195

Only Kevin

and Caleb dropped at that moment,

196

so a really small group

at the beginning of the stage.

197

then I was really struggling all day.

198

so Aspin was really hard.

199

And then we went, up to Tourmalet,

and then I think another one

200

other climb [Cauterets-Cambasque]

where we had to finish,

201

so that was super hard, but I knew,

it was from my work in the beginning.

202

And, yeah, other than that, of course,

I was struggling a lot, but,

203

I wasn't the worst climber in the tour,

so, that made it a bit more,

204

enjoyable, let's say.

205

the from

206

I have been in the grupetto 1

or 2 times as well.

207

Of course,

208

what I experienced, there's actually quite

some camaraderie there, right?

209

People

help each other. Hey, you want a bottle?

210

You need a power gel,

211

Hey, I have whatever - I have

another pair of gloves, a rain jacket.

212

If it's raining.

213

Is that still like this that people like

once the all in the same boat

214

and you just go on pure survival

to actually help each other?

215

Yeah, it's.

216

It's still like this.

217

yeah.

218

The first phase is it's a bit difficult

because everyone tries to find his spot

219

in the bunch, let's say.

220

But, for a couple of days, when you,

221

when you see, familiar faces,

then it's definitely still like this.

222

if if someone is thirsty, but doesn't

have a bottle from the team for sure.

223

other guys will will help him.

224

same with gels or,

225

I don't know, all these all these things

that, make our lives, a bit more easy.

226

I, I'm super interested to ask you

227

about the mindset that you had.

228

I know that your team has made some

changes, and maybe we can talk about that

229

a little bit later, but you were on the

the long list for the tour de France.

230

You did the tour de Suisse to get ready

for the, for the mountainous stages.

231

what is it

232

like to be on the other end of that phone

233

when the team calls and says,

234

hey, thanks for winning the last stage

last year.

235

thanks for doing

236

everything that you've done this year

to prepare to be as good as you can.

237

But we've decided to take somebody else.

238

how how was that for you?

239

yeah.

240

I mean, I think we have to start, really,

almost half a year, back.

241

So in December,

we we have the team camp, there.

242

We already had the meeting about,

the discussion about programs there.

243

They already were pretty straightforward

that there was a really, slim chance for

244

me going to the tour again.

245

because

246

as we all know, the team has Roglic now,

and they really had one goal,

247

that was to win

the GC of the tour de France

248

and still is the goal, which I think it's

still possible, by the way.

249

But, yeah.

250

So I wasn't really preparing,

going to the tour.

251

the closer it came, the,

252

the more the team let me knew that I was

still was a reserve rider.

253

That's also one of the reasons

why I went to tour de Suisse.

254

So in case anything happened

with, one of the guys, I would go.

255

But, yeah, I have to say, in my mind,

I was I was never really part of of the A

256

team that was going, also because,

the team was, was quite clear about that.

257

yeah.

258

Earlier at the program discussions,

259

my question was a little lower down

my list, but I going to bring it up now.

260

It's an idea you can

you can call it stupid.

261

Feel free.

262

It's an idea

it came to me over the last year.

263

Wouldn't it be a good idea

to have a sprinter like you

264

as a personal bodyguard for Primoz?

265

That pretty much is, like,

glued to your wheel - they tell you.

266

Look, you already know sprinting at all,

but you always have Primoz.

267

On every flat stage.

You have Primoz on your wheel.

268

You bring him safely into the last

five kilometers or to the finish line.

269

Because, I mean, you're big, strong man.

270

You demand respect.

271

You know how to move to the peloton

and pretty much behind you.

272

Wouldn't that be the safest place ever?

273

Would that be a good idea?

274

Or you go, nah, that's stupid.

275

I'm a sprinter and I cannot do that job.

276

What is your opinion about that?

277

No, I think

278

it could definitely be an option.

279

but on the other side,

I think, the guy who is always

280

in the best position doing

that is a lead out for, for a sprinter,

281

which, that we have Danny Van Poppel

even in the team, he's used to

282

to keeping the space open for one,

one extra guy to follow as a sprinter.

283

you don't care how small the gap is.

284

You don't care

if if someone can follow you or not.

285

Actually,

you prefer someone not to follow you.

286

So the other sprinters

287

are not on your wheel anymore

while Danny, he is used to the opposite.

288

He also wants to be in the front,

289

but he knows he has to take care

of one more guy behind him.

290

I think I can do the job also,

but in this case, I think,

291

then he was the safer options.

292

And then it's always,

it's always hard for a team to to select,

293

only eight guys from, 30,

294

30 guy, roster,

which you, you need to have the, the right

295

climbing legs, the,

the right flat support legs.

296

so, yeah,

297

for sure,

I want to go back to the tour de France.

298

but I have to say, I wasn't pushing

too much to to go this year again

299

also because, it's not finishing in the

in Paris this year.

300

So, that makes it,

that makes the pill a bit,

301

less bitter to to swallow.

302

Very well put, very well put.

303

So you guys are out there

training at altitude, living like monks.

304

Are you

305

actually planning your training hours

so you can get back and watch the tour?

306

Are you watching the tour at all?

307

You paying attention to it?

308

For sure.

309

that's why I started cycling, because I.

310

I really love the sport, and, I still do.

311

It's, it's getting a bit different

when you're when you're into this world

312

yourself, but, yeah, I try to, to watch,

the bigger races, especially the tour de

313

France and, yeah,

they finish always quite,

314

a nice, hour in the day for us.

315

so mostly we, we leave around ten

if we have a really long day.

316

It's, 930, but we are always making time

to, to watch the finish, which is,

317

super nice.

318

And, when you describe

us, your day on the Champs Elysee.

319

You mentioned your 56 chainring.

320

I have been the first nine days

321

on the motorbike

for Eurosport at the tour.

322

And 55-56 is the new normal.

323

Why do you think is that it does.

324

Do the sprints go faster and faster

or is it.

325

You don't have to push the 11.

326

You can maybe do a 56, 57, 12

for a better chain line.

327

Or is it so fast?

328

You need all the gears you can get?

329

Yeah, I,

I wish it was, just off the faster

330

chain line, but, all of the sprints

I did were on the 11, in the tour.

331

So the pace is just so high.

332

I think it's, Yeah, we we all have the,

the most aerodynamic

333

bikes, the fastest suits, the,

the fastest helmets.

334

So, yeah, the speed is just so high that,

335

you run out of, out of meters.

336

Let's say if you use a smaller chainring.

337

Well, you just

mentioned that you're a fan of the sport.

338

The tour de France is one of the races

that got you into it.

339

You're watching.

340

Let me tell you, 16 years into retirement,

341

I get up every morning

and I'm watching every stage of the tour.

342

So I'm a super fan, even though I've been

in the sport a very, very long time.

343

And part of being a super fan and part

of getting up so early in the morning

344

was to see

if Cav could win his 35th stage.

345

And I know this is a podcast about you,

but I'm very, very curious to hear

346

what you think of sir Mark

347

Cavendish breaking Eddie Merckx's record.

348

you being Belgian?

349

what

350

what do you think about what happened

on the on the fifth stage this year

351

in the tour?

352

Yeah, I think, I

353

speak for for all of the, the sport fans

in the world, all of the cycling fans

354

in the world that it's just,

really unique that he actually did it.

355

I think the last two years, three years

of his career was only with one goal.

356

that was winning this, 35th stage.

357

And, in the tour and,

yeah, let's say he,

358

he could win all the other races

if he didn't win his stage in the tour.

359

It was for nothing.

360

Let's say,

so it's it's really crazy that he did it.

361

And, I think,

362

we can only have a lot of respect for,

for the commitment he is still putting in.

363

And,

I was together with him in Tour de Suisse.

364

that was also with the goal

to prepare the tour.

365

And, I saw him struggling there every day

in the group,

366

the same as the other guys

that were there.

367

But, you know, for him, it was

it was super special

368

because,

he also knows that it is last year.

369

And, then to actually win

a stage in the tour, he's 35th already.

370

to win one is already super hard.

371

And then to think that he won 35.

372

This is really crazy actually.

373

So, Jordi, when are we going to see you

back Racing with a number on your back.

374

What is the second half of the year

look for you like?

375

Is the Vuelta on your program

or different races somewhere in between.

376

Some one day classics.

377

The Vuelta was on my program, but,

together with the team,

378

we decided to skip it.

379

there's probably only 2 to 3 sprint.

380

stages in this year's Vuelta

381

which is, not optimal,

for, for me personally.

382

So we decided to, to start again

in, Tour de Wallonie,

383

going to Poland, tour of Germany,

and then some one day races in Belgium

384

to to try to really, optimize the,

the sprints and,

385

go for, for wins.

386

And what do you believe

387

a sprinter can achieve training

at altitude up there

388

in Trepalle Livigno doing all the Italian

climbs down the other side.

389

what is the name of the pass

390

that goes the other way towards Italy?

391

Not towards the Gavia but,

392

it begins with an F.

393

I think the Forcola is.

394

So the only place where you can ride flat

395

is basically back and down on the lake,

396

basically underneath the altitude

or the avalanche shelter.

397

Right? Yeah.

398

So what what sort of training do you do

399

and what do you sprinters

hope to accomplish?

400

at altitude camps?

401

I'm just curious.

402

yeah, I, I know that some sprinters

don't like, the altitude camps.

403

they feel that, they lose

a little bit of, explosiveness for me.

404

I don't see myself as, a pure sprinter.

405

I know, I,

I need to be fresh in the final

406

to really be up there in the sprints.

407

so, yeah, the goal is just to

408

to arrive fresher in the finals and,

Yeah.

409

Then, of course, it's important to

to don't lose the speed in the legs, but,

410

yeah, this period, it's, it's

just about getting the hours done.

411

use some

412

intensity to to sharp the

the shape a little bit.

413

I know I need a couple of,

motor paced sessions when I get home,

414

but I always react quite, quite

well on altitude. So.

415

Yeah, the the goal is basically

416

just to get the general shape up

and then work on the sprints.

417

when I'm back at home in Belgium,

418

would it be an option for you?

419

You already to

to do some weightlifting in the gym,

420

like just a short session, like ten,

20 minutes, just like high weights

421

and like, whatever, three times five reps,

you know, was

422

was high weights

to keep the explosive power alive.

423

And you do weight

training during the winter?

424

Yes. I do quite a lot of weight training

during the winter.

425

once the races get started,

it's a little bit difficult

426

because you get so much,

muscle inflammation

427

already in the races that you basically

want to recover in between.

428

But in moments like this,

when I don't have a lot of races

429

and it's a longer training period,

then I definitely go to the gym.

430

not really to build the explosive

431

power again,

but really to, to maintain it.

432

that's also what I'm doing now.

433

And if you

434

don't mind, what sort of exercises do

sprinters do at altitude camps

435

when they're just trying

to maintain their strength?

436

in the gym?

437

I'm basically just doing,

squats and, step ups.

438

but like I said,

it's, it's not to really to build up.

439

So the sessions are really short,

but just to get yeah.

440

The muscles, that they get used to the,

441

to the intensity again

and to maintain it, the, the building up

442

phase is more in the winter where I do, 3

to 4 times, weight sessions.

443

now it's more, 1 to 2.

444

so yeah, then on the bike,

it's, it's also just getting the,

445

the fast

muscle fibers, activated with some via

446

to, feel two efforts

and some short accelerations.

447

So, you are there with the team, right?

448

You got a coach there, you got a massage

therapist and mechanics and everything.

449

Like the entire setup?

450

no, this is a personal camp.

451

so it's, own investment.

452

hopefully I get some return on it,

but, no, I, I like to be here.

453

I have my girlfriend here.

454

my parents are coming with the camper

for a couple of days,

455

so it's also a small holidays for them.

456

And, Yeah, I know, I know a masseur

457

here, cleaning

the bike is a job I do myself

458

after training, but,

Yeah, it's it's nice, I like it.

459

I always, it's good for the morale

here in Livigno I like it here.

460

I always return with a good shape.

461

So, I like to do it.

462

Yeah.

463

Is beautiful. Is the weather

okay up there right now?

464

Is because it's always kind of this

go from time to time in June.

465

Yeah, exactly.

one day is not the other here.

466

for example, two days ago,

it was raining all day, and today,

467

up here, it's it's 19, 20 degrees.

468

And in the valley, it's up to 30.

469

So, yeah, we have to take it day by day.

470

Overall,

I think, it was here two years ago.

471

then the weather was a little bit better.

472

But, yeah, we can complain today.

473

we did almost a six on the

all of our rides.

474

got quite the sunburn.

475

So, was a good day.

476

Yes. So.

477

I don't want to get you in trouble here,

but you are Belgian.

478

let's say on one of those rainy days

479

where you have a day off the next day,

480

during the off season or.

481

Hey, after you won the stage in, in Paris

482

last year,

what is your favorite Belgian beer?

483

I have to say, I like, Leffe

484

I actually, I, I'm

485

quite of, dessert guy,

so I like the more sweeter things.

486

So if I drink one, it's mostly a dark one,

a brown one, which, are quite heavy,

487

so I don't drink a lot of them, but,

Yeah, a

488

dark left is always nice

489

for our viewers to explain.

490

A dark Leffe for some of them,

they go up to 12%.

491

That is a percentage

492

like a glass of wine has just that

the Leffe you drink in a high litre glass.

493

So it is it is strong beer

and it's absolutely fantastic.

494

It's a good choice.

495

You already I had a few of them myself.

496

That is a good choice.

497

Jordi and this year's tour de France.

498

touch wood.

499

We haven't seen too many crashes.

500

Only four riders are forced to abandon.

501

Why do you think is it

that at this tour de France?

502

We see.

503

Fortunately, not the big mass crashes.

504

Is everybody getting smarter?

505

Is it just pure luck or you think

the organisers organised the race,

506

the finish lines a little better.

507

phwoa it.

508

That's quite hard to say.

509

for sure.

510

Everyone, is 100% focused in the tour.

511

Like always, the stress is super high.

512

But I think also,

we cannot underestimate,

513

how hard the first few days were.

514

I mean, when it was almost 40 degrees,

quite hilly.

515

yeah.

516

The, the gaps in the bunch

are getting a little bit bigger.

517

I think that

518

that could be one of the reasons

why there are a little bit less crashes.

519

But still, if you look at the television

images, it's still super tight.

520

And, yeah, it's

hard to say what the exact reason is.

521

I saw a few crashes already.

522

luckily, not so bad.

523

I hope it stays like this.

524

but what the real reason is

525

because, why there weren't

too many must crashes this year.

526

it's really hard to say.

527

I think.

528

Bobby can I have a follow up

question here already.

529

If you'll be a course designer

or race director tomorrow,

530

how would the perfect last five kilometers

of a sprint that day look for you?

531

If you had the freedom

to decide the last five, maybe

532

10 or 5km of a sprint that day

what would you do?

533

How would it look like

in a way that you think that's actually

534

a good circuit or a good finish for us?

535

I think it would prefer to be quite flat.

536

so that's good.

537

Definitely not, downhill,

538

because then the speeds are so high

and everyone, still wants to move up.

539

It's also easier to move up if you come

from the back out of the slipstream.

540

so I think it should be flat

and it could be a small,

541

small few bumps inside that, the guys with

542

the legs are in front,

and we don't have these, kamikazes.

543

Who who are there just to to be there

because, they they want to take risks.

544

and then

for me, I think it's not bad to have a few

545

wide corners inside that the bunch

gets a little bit stretched out

546

because we've seen quite a lot already

that, the last

547

seven ks are straight

on the four lane road.

548

And that makes it actually super dangerous

because everyone wants to come

549

in the last moments.

550

so let's say a couple of corners and then,

yeah, the last, let's say

551

7 to 800m, in a straight line,

552

let's say preferably, 2 to 3 lane road.

553

Well, back when I was racing,

Jens raced a little bit longer,

554

so maybe it's a little bit

different from him.

555

We only had the 1km rule.

556

Then they moved it out to the 3km rule.

557

And now it's like between the 4km

and 5km rule.

558

I remember being up there

559

bouncing around

right before the last kilometer

560

and a, a sprinter friend of ours,

561

Robin McEwen, looked at me and said,

562

it's about time

to get you the heck out of the way.

563

And I was just as soon as we hit

that 1km to go kite.

564

I was like,

yes, Robbie, you're absolutely right.

565

And, just a little funny side story here.

566

When we'd be getting ready for a climb

and he'd be up boxing for position

567

in the front,

568

I got him back and I turned around

and I said,

569

hey, Robbie, it's time for you

to get the heck out of here. But.

570

So what do you think of this

571

elongation of the

from the 3km rule to the 5km rule?

572

do you think it makes sense?

573

Do you think it makes it safer?

And do you think it.

574

Maybe that's one of the reasons

why we're not seeing as many crashes.

575

Yeah, for me, it's a good thing.

576

I mean, they have to see it,

case by case.

577

For me, it doesn't make sense to

to make the three rule, three k rule.

578

Now, if by definition A5K rule,

579

it also depends on the course, but

that makes no sense to, to make the trick.

580

A rule in inside of a 90 degree corner.

581

Very strict case.

582

So there I think it's good to,

to make it a little bit earlier

583

or sometimes a little bit later maybe.

584

I know they, they will not make it

closer than the 3km rule. No.

585

But I think it's really good

for safeness.

586

you guys have been in the bunch

long enough to,

587

to know that, the

the climbers just missed

588

a little bit of explosiveness

to be really short on the wheel or,

589

or sometimes the sprinters don't like it

when, when they're there.

590

So, yeah, I think it's good

to, to see it case by case.

591

And it definitely,

will improve the safety us

592

why we talk about rules.

593

There's a few measures the UCI is trying

to implement and trying to test.

594

One of them would be

the yellow card system.

595

So if let's say a sprinter

or some rider early in the race

596

misbehaves, it's a yellow card.

597

And I don't know

if these three yellow cards is a red card.

598

And you get relegated or something,

or you have to stay home for five days.

599

I don't know why what it will be.

600

Do you think that's a good idea?

601

Or you go and,

602

we only catch you people de caught on TV

and we don't catch the wants.

603

Do you push in the peloton without the TV?

604

You think it would help to make riding

safer and riders

605

would give more respect to each other

because you afraid of the yellow card?

606

I think it could, definitely help. Yes.

607

but it's a really hard task to,

608

to make the,

let's say the border where it's, time

609

to give a yellow card or or a, let's say

it's just below, for sure.

610

If you get the yellow card,

you will have, immediately.

611

Then the situations where you say, okay,

but then this guy also should have one.

612

So it's really hard.

613

But I definitely think that it,

it makes sense to get,

614

some kind of rule like this.

615

but yeah, then

616

you also know if,

if it's, three, three yellow card rule

617

and you don't have one yet that you can

you can actually do something

618

that is a little bit over the limit.

619

So yeah, maybe it's also better to,

to make it right or make it wrong.

620

So you only have two options and not to

to make it halfway and get a yellow card.

621

So it's definitely

something to think about.

622

Yeah I never thought of it like that.

623

That makes perfect sense.

624

But you already listen.

625

I know nothing about sprinting.

626

I was never even close

to winning a sprint in my life.

627

But, you know, due to the drone,

628

the TV coverage, the motorcycle coverage

and the armchair

629

quarterbacks up out there,

it seems like we're having

630

a lot more controversial

finishes in sprints.

631

And do you guys actually even have time

because you're up there

632

getting a lead out?

633

It's 200m to go, 150m to go.

634

You guys are maximum

heart rate glycogen empty

635

glucose down in the in the basement.

636

You're not really thinking straight.

637

And you have to make split

second decisions.

638

That could be the difference between

winning and losing.

639

how aware are you guys of all these rules

640

they've put in and all their critique

that some sprinters are getting recently?

641

Is it it just you're going on instinct

at that time

642

and it's happening at real time

instead of being slowed down

643

frame by frame, like what

what what are you thinking about

644

when you're in that that mix about ready

to launch your sprint?

645

Yeah, it's it's

basically a roller coaster you're in.

646

it's true.

647

Sometimes you

you get a reaction out of instinct.

648

most of the times

you have kind of a feeling,

649

if it was over the limit or not.

650

But then you, you realize

after the moment happened,

651

so, yeah, it's really hard.

652

And also, it's also a hard rule

to stay on your line in the last 200m,

653

because if you're a sprinter

654

that always wants to come really late

out of the slipstream,

655

you basically have to stay in

in the wheel of the guy in front of you.

656

So yeah, it's always really hard.

You don't.

657

You don't have eyes on your back

so you don't know who is who's behind you.

658

If it's on the left side of your real,

the right side of your real.

659

So it's super easy if you have the

660

like the helicopter images

and it's, definitely way harder.

661

if you're on the bike, there yourself

662

actually, Jordi,

663

I'm supposed to say hi to you

from one of his sport

664

directors, Bernie Eisel who was my expert

colleague here at Germany.

665

We working together all day

long. It's the.

666

Oh, say hi to Jordi And, Bernie

actually had an interesting explanation

667

about the sprinters earlier today.

668

He said the bike riders are all different

people

669

like Bobby, You and me were people

like in the sailing plane

670

without the engine, you know, like

just tranquilo floating in the air.

671

And sprinters are like jet fighter pilots.

672

Do you have a higher

situational awareness?

673

And I think he can absorb

he can process information at least

674

in the last kilometer quicker

than actually us could.

675

Would that be true? You think?

676

you are a

677

little bit of a of a cooler head

in the final ten,

678

like, as if whatever Bobby or me

would get involved in to a sprint.

679

I always feel the sprinters have much

more control and much more awareness.

680

Okay, he's coming there.

681

I see his wheel underneath my arm.

682

I can feel the shadow of this rider

coming up.

683

Is it true or is it just my idea?

684

I think one part of his. It's true.

685

But, for me, it's

also a matter of experience.

686

If, Bobby and yourself

were in the situation of a sprint,

687

or at least contesting for a sprint win,

688

let's say 150 times,

you you get the feeling.

689

And, the more sprints you do,

the more experienced you get, the more

690

the more action reaction you can do.

691

let's call it,

every sprint is different,

692

but from this high speeds,

you know, for example.

693

yeah.

694

If one goes,

695

if one guy goes on the right side

and the wind is coming

696

from, left in the front,

you most likely will get blocked.

697

So if you still have a lot of legs left,

you most likely will take the left side.

698

And, don't try to get the slipstream

with the risk of getting closed.

699

so for sure, I think sprinters are really,

700

really sharp

in these last couple of kilometers.

701

yeah, you have it or you don't have it,

702

but I think you can also learn it

to a certain, to a certain level.

703

And you have to have the, the power

to do it.

704

Like the reason why if I was there

150 times, no matter how much experience

705

I got, I'd still get lost in

the sprint was because my max,

706

my maximum power was probably,

707

Like, let's let's put it that way.

708

Jordi has more power in his right

arm than we had on our legs.

709

so, so I mean, you know,

it's kind of embarrassing.

710

Especially the older you get.

711

Like, if you see 1000W for one second,

you're like, oh, man,

712

you know, I still got it,

but what is your p max like?

713

What is what is the biggest number

you've seen?

714

for that one

to, you know, two second sort of, power.

715

I guess it's a couple of, months ago.

716

I'm, I'm not on on the same sprint level

now because also of the hard,

717

the classics and everything,

718

I didn't quite make it, so I was,

719

I was 1780 something ish.

720

but close to 1800.

721

Yeah.

722

so eight, 1800.

723

You would have been happy 1780 ish.

724

You're like, man,

I could do a little bit better.

725

I'm happy to go over 1000W.

726

I was still happy, but,

I'm always trying to go for the next goal.

727

So when I.

728

When I was hitting 16,

I thought, okay, 17 would be nice.

729

And then I was first going to 1650,

then I was hitting 17.

730

And then I thought,

let's try to go to 18.

731

But, yeah, at one moment

you also reach your maximum.

732

And then, since the matter

of maintaining it over a longer time, what

733

I guess standing still means moving back

because everybody else is moving up.

734

Right?

735

So it's a good thing that you always push

for more, better and higher.

736

Hey, Jordi.

maybe it's a difficult question.

737

What do you think is more difficult?

738

You have absolutely golden legs

and feel unbeatable,

739

but your team messes up

the sprint lead out

740

to forgive them or the other way around.

741

The team delivers you

in the perfect position and you don't win.

742

And they have to like.

743

Or you have to like talk to them.

744

What is more difficult to forgive them

for messing up the lead out?

745

Or to tell them,

oh, I'm sorry I messed it up.

746

You guys were great, but I messed it up.

747

I think it's easier to.

748

Yeah, it's really hard question.

749

I know, I know, yeah.

750

Depends if you if you're really

the top favorite and you don't deliver,

751

it's always a it's really.

752

Yeah.

753

Really sad feeling, let's say, because,

not only your teammates

754

but also the whole staff, the whole sport

755

director group, the sponsors,

they're there for you.

756

So it's really a lot of pressure.

757

I think it I think it's easier

758

to, forgive the team,

759

if they were not there than to.

760

Yeah, than to have to live with, with

the fact that you were not ready or not.

761

Not fast enough. Not good enough

762

simply

because just just of the fact that you

763

you still have the feeling and the morale,

the that you would have

764

definitely won if you have got the legs,

while if you're there getting beaten it,

765

it can be quite hard mentally

for for a sprinter especially, I think.

766

Yeah, the

767

mentality

of you sprinters is just an unbelievable.

768

But a little side story.

769

You know, I was a a worker

when I was on a certain team.

770

and I will not name the sprinter

that I was working for, but I would ride

771

or we would ride for 200km on the front

and he'd get second.

772

And he would

he would blame us, like you guys.

773

You guys rode too hard at the start.

774

I'm like, well,

we were out there for 200 K.

775

You could have told us to to slow up.

776

And I'm trying to think

maybe we didn't have radios back then.

777

It was maybe a little bit too early,

but this same guy, when we would ride

778

200m on the front and he'd win,

we were like his best friend.

779

And, man,

there was something that I'm like,

780

I know the risk that you guys take

and the commitment

781

that the team puts forth to make sure

that you're in, in, in the front.

782

And hey, man, if you win, that's great.

783

But like, if you get second or third, hey,

you know, you tried your best.

784

But that was

that was frustrating to me of, you know,

785

sacrificing myself and most

786

of the team and having that happen

and basically pulling for 200m

787

and having them win

788

and act like he was, you know, that

we were the best teammates on the planet.

789

So, you know, it's just it's just crazy

how that mentality of the sprinter,

790

you know, an inch a millimeter

and you win or lose.

791

And we've seen so many close

finishes as of late.

792

But you know today we had a rider, Jasper

Phillipson,

793

who has been getting second a lot

been getting in trouble a lot.

794

And then he wins.

795

Is there that little switch

796

that once you're struggling

and you get that win, that all of a sudden

797

like things get a little bit easier,

at least mentally from

798

from a sprinter standpoint.

799

Yeah for sure.

800

With sprinters you see a lot if they're

if they have the right momentum.

801

in the stage race that yeah,

most of the times

802

when one when gets two, two gets three.

803

so it's definitely the first one

is definitely the hardest one.

804

especially for Jasper.

805

he's a close friend of mine.

806

We live pretty close together

in winter time, so we're both at home.

807

We we basically train on, days together.

808

so, yeah,

809

he came into the tour

with a lot of pressure,

810

then to to finish second

811

a couple of times, was pretty hard

mentally for him, I think after last year.

812

Tour de France so winning

four stages in the green jersey.

813

So yeah, always

814

when you're on that

815

level you think it's your standard level,

but then when you look back on it

816

or when you're just a few percent off,

817

you think, I should have enjoyed it more.

818

so I'm really happy for him

that he won again.

819

And also on the on the sprinting side,

820

he does quite some tricky moves,

but I can assure you that, yeah.

821

It's just out of his reflexes

and, by heart, he's a super good guy.

822

Yeah.

823

And he's definitely not the to flick

someone.

824

He's just,

Yeah, that's just the way he is.

825

he's a super nice guy, but sometimes,

Yeah, he's he's just such a pure sprinter

826

that he he just sees he's on his own line,

let's say.

827

And, he, he forgets the,

the environment, the little bit, I think.

828

Well, in

829

his defense, from what I have seen,

I can back up.

830

What what you said he is not mean

or on purpose trying to crush somebody.

831

He might be wavering around a little bit,

but it's never.

832

Clearly, that's a red card. You out.

833

It is obvious.

834

It's.

835

It's just okay, but.

836

Wow. But it's still okay.

837

but you already. You already.

838

An easier question now,

839

from all the stressing and sprinting,

what do you do to relax?

840

You do Netflix, you read books,

or you listen to music or take a walk?

841

around the league?

842

what do you do to relax and, to ease

843

your mind a little bit?

844

yes. I watch quite some Netflix.

845

or just some, some Flemish, series.

846

it's always nice when you're a long time

away from home, in a different country.

847

Also, when I'm with the team,

when it's all, it's all English.

848

speaking, we do.

849

It's nice to to go to the room and,

listen to the,

850

to the, the,

mother tongue, let's say, on series.

851

So that's something I like to do.

852

And actually,

I bought the drone when I arrived here.

853

so I'm making some very nice videos

in the mountains here.

854

so basically, I've been flying

855

all day for, every day

for a couple of minutes.

856

so that's also something,

I like to do with this moment

857

and with the drone.

858

Are you looking at a monitor

or do you have, like, those goggles

859

that kind of, come down over your eyes?

860

No, I saw them.

861

maybe I will, get them also, but so far,

862

I just have a controller

with, with a small screen in it.

863

and it it surprises me how well it works.

864

I have one more question, because you

you kind of

865

alluded it to it with with your team.

866

You know,

the team has recently got a new sponsor.

867

We all know what Red bull was.

Red bull is.

868

But to our U.S based

listeners and viewers,

869

what is Bora and Hansgrohe?

870

What is Bora-Hansgrohe? Well,

871

as a sponsor, Bora they,

they started with,

872

how to say

in English, in the, in the kitchen.

873

You always have the,

steam from the cooking.

874

They started with, with the extraction

875

inside of the, the cooking, plate.

876

Let's say.

877

So you don't really have this, this,

air sucking thing above,

878

which makes the aesthetic the aesthetic of

your kitchen, way nicer and way cooler.

879

over the years, they, they have developed

to, more kitchen product.

880

they have an oven now.

881

They have, yeah.

882

Some teppanyaki

plates in their, assortment,

883

and hansgrohe, they,

884

they have basically all of the things,

for in your bathroom.

885

So, yeah water tubes?

886

all of these things.

887

The Bora is actually is pretty cool.

888

It sucks the steam from cooking down,

and it disappears downwards.

889

It's pretty cool, actually. How?

890

How it works.

891

I have seen a few commercial videos

of that.

892

It's pretty cool, isn't it?

893

And now, Jordi put the hand to your heart.

894

You have a Bora piece at home.

895

you don't have to answer.

896

I would like to have one.

897

Not yet, but, for sure it will come.

898

I'm not really a fan of the products.

899

Every year we have the, the photo shoots,

and yeah, it just works, super.

900

Well, I don't say these

because I have to say it,

901

but it's really nice, and it's,

definitely, yeah.

902

A plus for for your kitchen.

903

Jensie,

904

do you remember when we had a sub sponsor?

905

I think it was Italian called Nibali.

906

and it was also kind of like faucets,

handles all this stuff

907

and, I think it was Ivan Basso

who was building a house at that time,

908

and he had that.

909

Do you remember the name of it was

it wasn't

910

Nibali like the rider,

but it was kind of Nobili, Nobili, Nobili.

911

Yeah I say Nobili, Nobili

almost probably the same kind of company.

912

Correct. Yeah.

913

So like you just kind of assume

like I would assume

914

that you have a giant freezer

of a refrigerator full of Red bull now.

915

Right?

916

Like they sent you

a big refrigerator filled with Red bull.

917

Right. Jordi?

918

yeah.

919

We actually,

we had already in the team bus

920

quite some,

some Red bull since, two years.

921

from the moment

that the team signed, Anton

922

Palzer was already, with

923

he was one of the guys that he was riding

with a Red bull helmet in the bunch.

924

So since then, yeah,

we were already a little bit more familiar

925

with, the Red bull cans

and, busses, but, yeah.

926

Now, when we we want something at home,

I think it's it's not a problem.

927

Hey, Jordi.

928

something I noticed immediately

when you came on onto camera.

929

The something on your head?

930

question one.

931

What is it, girlfriend?

932

See to that. And question two.

933

How do you explain that to people

you meet on the street?

934

Let's say you go and want to buy

some baguettes in the morning in a bakery.

935

how do you explain that

to the people in line with you?

936

Actually, not one of them,

937

asked me how where does it come from?

938

sometimes I see people,

looking a little bit strange,

939

because also in my neck,

I have the, the thing

940

for tightening the helmet,

which you see quite obvious.

941

so sometimes I might see them,

watching me,

942

and I see at their faces that they think

it's quite, funny or strange,

943

but, actually,

no one is asking me so far, and, Yeah,

944

my girlfriend isn't the biggest fan of it,

I think.

945

But, Yeah.

946

When when we

947

go for a coffee in the afternoon,

I try to to get them a little bit more.

948

So you don't see

it that, that much anymore.

949

That's funny.

950

That's funny.

951

Well, Jordi, thank you so much for,

sharing a little bit of your off

952

time up there in Livigno

We really appreciate talking to you.

953

And we can't wait to watch

954

how that altitude training works

for you in the races that you mentioned.

955

good luck for the rest of the season.

956

And thanks again

for coming on the odd tandem.

957

No worries guys, thanks for inviting.

958

Was, it was a pleasure being in.

959

And, we stay in touch.

960

Well, that's everything for this week.

961

Now, remember,

please to follow us at Odd tandem

962

on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

and wherever you get your podcast.

963

Thanks to Jordi Meeus for being our guest.

964

And remember, if you want to see

the video version of this podcast,

965

it's up on our YouTube channel right now

966

youtube.com/@OddTandem.

967

And if you want the full uninterrupted

968

version of this podcast and you name it,

the Titans, just head to our Patreon

969

where you can sign up for $5 a month

and keep this podcast going.

970

That's patreon.com/@Oddtandem.

971

And thanks to our Patreon members Scott,

972

Steven Kimbrough, Marie Teixeira, Jeff

973

Kralik, Brian Colon and Chris Merritt

who have done just that.

974

And remember, if you want your question

in our next mailbag episode,

975

make sure you keep sending us your

questions to OddTandem@Shockedgiraffe.com

976

or any of our odd tandem

social media channels.

977

And please

remember to keep sharing the podcast

978

and keep leaving your reviews

wherever you're listening.

979

It really helps us to build our audience.