Vingegaard, Giro safety and cycling’s salary problem - Domestique Hotseat with Michael Storer
Michael Storer has just delivered the best Grand Tour result of his career, finishing seventh overall at the Giro d’Italia for Tudor Pro Cycling. In this conversation, the Australian reflects on the race, explains why Jonas Vingegaard could beat Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France, and offers a different perspective on cycling’s safety debate.
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We start with the Giro. Storer discusses the breakaway that reshaped the general classification, the crash that ended Adam Yates’ challenge, his strongest WorldTour time trial performance yet, and why sitting at the back of the peloton can sometimes be the safest tactical decision.
From there, we go deep into rider safety. Storer questions the UCI’s proposed restrictions on cycling computer sizes, calls for greater transparency around the research behind new regulations, and explains why better roads, street sweepers, clearer warnings, and the removal of dangerous road furniture could have a much greater impact.
Then comes an unexpected idea. Rather than limiting the salaries of cycling’s biggest stars, Storer believes the sport should raise its minimum salary. He explains how low pay and short contracts can encourage riders to take greater risks, why two-year contracts could offer more security, and how reducing financial pressure may ultimately make racing safer.
Storer also takes us inside life on a Grand Tour, from time-trial recon and long hours on the team bus to reading Pride and Prejudice, watching Gossip Girl, and managing the mental fatigue of potentially racing the Giro and Tour de France back-to-back.
And finally, his Tour prediction: based on what he saw firsthand at the Giro, Storer is backing Jonas Vingegaard to beat Tadej Pogačar this July.
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