So I will try to explain, if I am wrong, write it to my comments.
So simply today’s finish and the final photofinish were so close and logically the comments immediately came with questions: Why does Ciccone look like he’s riding a children’s bike? Why does Remco’s bike look longer? Etc.
I won’t hate anybody who asked those questions, because not everyone understands how it all works, so here I will try to explain. So here’s why:
A cycling photofinish is not a normal photograph. It scans a single vertical plane, essentially the finish line, over time. The horizontal axis therefore represents time, not distance.
That’s why bikes, wheels and riders can look completely distorted. The bottom of the wheel is moving very slowly relative to the road at the contact point, while the top is moving much faster, which can make the spokes and rim look dramatically curved.
And there’s another detail many people don’t realize: the photofinish camera isn’t necessarily positioned directly on the black finish line. It is usually placed on the white area immediately before it, because trying to distinguish black tyres from a black finish line wouldn’t make much sense.
So the image may look strange, but the leading edge of the front tyre (the point that determines the result) is recorded accurately.
And at approximately 3,500 frames per second, the difference between Remco Evenepoel and Giulio Ciccone was then about just 0.00028 seconds. Insane…
The most important quotes from the biggest protagonists of the World Championships:
1. Brandon McNulty:
"I've been able to win some races in my career, but I've never been a superstar. It was more about having special moments to be part of races and be with Tadej winning monuments.“
"It's been a long ride, I never really thought this was something possible. It's absolutely crazy. It was my dream to be in the WorldTour even as a kid. But to do something like this is unbelievable.”
📷: @pipecano_photo #Montreal2026
THE LAST DAY OF POGAČAR IN RAINBOW
Thank you, Tadej, for the beautiful ride in the rainbow. Two Tour de France wins, 7 Monuments, 2 Strade Bianche, one more World Championship and European Championship, 12 more Grand Tour stages and 44 more pro wins since 2024 Zürich win. What a chapter of the career it was.
THE LONGEST SOLO WIN THIS CENTURY: 175 KM
I need a little training a week before Worlds vibes.
Mathieu van der Poel attacking immediately after the neutral zone and nobody saw him again.
This Škoda Tour of Luxembourg stage will be one to remember 💚 #SkodaTour
TADEJ POGAČAR TO STILL TRAVEL TO CANADA 🇨🇦
The Slovenian national coach confirmed that Tadej Pogačar will still travel to Montreal with the Slovenian team to support his teammates, as well as Urška.
Uroš Murn: “Tadej said he will come here to Canada on Tuesday, during the week of the road races, and he will stay there until the end of the event.”
“It is definitely a handicap because we don’t have Tadej, but this may be an opportunity for everyone else. Also for Roglič, who is in excellent form in Spain. Tratnik and Omrzel are also perfectly prepared. After Tadej’s injury, there was quite a bit of discussion about adjustments. If Omrzel is not in Canada, no one will go there in his place, as Domen Novak will compete with his team in Croatia.”
“Primož is now really in shape, like he hasn’t been in a long time. He probably still can’t believe in himself, and I believe he will be able to take advantage of that. The climbs in the race suit him, and the route is technically not that demanding, as the roads are wide. It will be important to position him in the group and protect him at the front, while making sure he has the help he needs.”
“For me, the favorite is Remco Evenepoel, but I think there will be friction within the team because Wout van Aert, who is racing exceptionally well in the Vuelta, also wants to win.”
I can understand neutral fans not enjoying this dominance, but I’m waking up happy every day that I get to watch Pogi do his magic.
What a time to be alive. 🐐
📷: elite_cycling #LaVuelta26