EVERY DAY IS A PETER SAGAN DAY

World Road Race Championship, Richmond:

This most excellent picture has been making the rounds.

Then of course you've got this number.

I mean really, everyone out in their national kits, though at times confusing, is excellent.

Well today, possibly more than any other day, our hearts are pulled many different directions, but...

One thing's for sure.

Okaaaaaaaay, my heart exploded. What a lovely man.

And another. TOO CUTE.

I wish there was a Worlds Extra with Juan Antonio and Ashley. Watching highlights of the... car racing of some kind? isn't quite the same build up.

Nice one. I'd buy what they're selling.

Could we not have a Periscope sign-on or something?

Just got Ted killing us and reminding us about parties we can't go to.

I CAN'T WAIT.

... Every day is a Peter Sagan day?

THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE I want everyone to win!!

Cool. This is bullshit. Geo-restriction is such a bitch.

I mean why should ANY OTHER SPORT BE ALLOWED to be broadcast right now?!! NO ONE CARES.

OMFG tell us about growing up in Manchester playing on the grass, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?!

Managed to get the U23s and the Women on but CAN'T FUCKING DO THIS??

Legit now listening to some dude in his basement commentating on this.

But he's got a feed, soooo.

The original, slightly dull break has been joined by Representative of the International King Dynasty Ben King. BEN LOVES A LONG BREAK.

The Dutch are swarming already at the front.

ALLO GESCHKE'S BEARD.

Haiiiiii Kwiato!!

And a few indeterminate USAs.

Must be Lawson Craddock or something.

I mean actually this guy is better than a lot of 'professional' commentators.

"Go get your snacks. I'm hyped!"

Plus he's discussing the Elmiger Conundrum/Stybar Phenomenon, in which Vakoc would attack in the Czech champs jersey and everyone thought it was Styby.

Ben's pulling a bit solo...

I think he was just asserting his dominance on Libby Hill.

Ughhhh are people still arguing about power meters?? Get over it. We're not going back to wool jerseys and headbands.

TAYLOR.

Geschke's Beard near the front.

Man the peloton is about 4 and a half minutes back but it seems like aaaaaaaaages when they come through the finish line.

Feedzone not really a feedzone at the minute. Latvia just emphatically shouting hey at their dudes as they pass.

Somebody needs to do a study about colour association in the pro peloton. I CAN'T EVEN SEE people when I'm looking right at them cuz of these kits.

Presumably Eurosport isn't actually even showing this? I left it an extra hour. Still tennis.

The Dutch have mostly come off the front here. Just Jos Van Emden holding strong.

Possibly a few Germans behind him.

Spain is massing back there too.

Oh Jos has some buddies again.

SHOW US THIS! Adorable.

Ben loves leading on Libby Hill.

Belgium showing some face at the front.

I've sort of turned on this commentator now.

Mostly because he's not commentating. He's just responding to tweets on air. Which isn't exactly what I was looking for.

T-PHIN! What's happening?!!

Maybe he was just weeing. Like this other dude back here.

Is he having a problem??

I can't tell if it's neutral service or a team car. It's not emblazoned with eagles and stars and stripes so unclear.

He seems to be indicating issues with his bike though.

This dude's trying to get me back on side: "Don't we all just love-- I love Taylor Phinney!"

ALEX.

Thank you for wearing your garish helmet for easy spotting!

GB's keeping quiet so far.

TAYLOR WHAT IS HAPPENING?!!!?

He's having real issues with his bike here.

Why can't this be resolved!!? I'm so stressed.

Oh he's not far behind actually.

Chill out, me.

But can we just get him a new bike please!?

Gesink hopping off in the feed zone with some sort of bike issue too.

They seem to be duct taping his saddle??

OH CRASH. A Costa Rica is down.

What is going on? This is like The Curse of Lap 13.

More bike problems, for... Serbia?

Oh is it the dude from the break? Bad luck.

Well it was a bitch of a chase but he caught back up.

OMG another crash.

Germany! No!

GB was getting held up too,  but upright.

It would bore me loads if Kristoff won.

Everyone racing for the base of the climb. Good lord.

NIGHTMARE BELGIUM!!!!

COKEY TOM!

Everyone's out of the car sorting him out.

Ok he's off again it's all good.

I think he just attempted to fistfight a car. I know who my money's on.

Ok he caught back on.

Someone on the Belgium team having a little laugh there mid-pack.

Poland representing at the front. Behind the Dutch, obviously.

Taylor. What is happening. He's done at least two laps back at the car here.

Ok it's happening now.

He glanced at the bike on the roof and is on to a new one.

I think I'm in love.

IN LOVE.

What is even going on here?

THE AWESOMEST TEAM. GO EVERYONE!

Jesse Sergent being cut out of his base layers for some reason...

Germany taking to the front of the peloton now.

I love this giant BEN KING blanket on the curve of the Libby Hill climb.

I would just fucking die (in a good way) if John Degenkolb won.

Hey Stevo! I see you in there!

Tony! Hi Tony!

Geschke's Beard chatting to Christian Knees up at the front.

The Gorilla spotted up there.

GB are chilling exclusively near the back.

Ugh Gerrans would be another snoozer of a winner.

It's too bad Carlton Kirby is such a fucking idiot.

Are people legally required to refer to Connor Dunne with the words: 'the tall, rangy figure'?

Fucking hell. Tell me more about this dual passports while you're at it.

TELL US ABOUT IT AXEL.

Mimosas hittin' hard are they? MAYBE IF WE WISH ENOUGH IT WILL COME TRUE.

Fuuuuuuuucking hell does Carlton Kirby have a thought processing issue?? like for real?

It's 'Libby Hill' isn't it?? Matt Stephens keeps calling it 'Libby's Hill'. Did I miss a memo?

Belgium putting some bodies near the front.

Poland too. The French, for the first time.

HEY TAYLOR. Good to see you in the pack.

Please stay there.

GO STYBY.

Good lord but this race is long.

Luke?? Where's Luke?

Oh hey Luke!

Ian has got to be the most recognisable rider the peloton. No one else has those shoulders.

This feedzone is awfully narrow. And full of shit that could trip you up. Christ.

Uran Uran would be another snoozer.

Just quicker to note who I wouldn't care to see win than the other way around.

HEY STEVE.

That's a good camera angle, wherever that is. Several others aren't very illuminating.

You'd think Ben King was going for the King of the Mountains here. He has taken the climb from the front every single time.

Why would you want the race to be shorter?? It's so brutal and awesome.

What's happening back here?? I see an American shoe coming unclipped back there.

TAYLOR IS HAVING MORE PROBLEMS

I don't know if this Canadian dude was throwing him off or what.

He got going again but like what the hell.

I mean that's awesome. USA! USA!

Hey Ian's giant shoulders.

WOAH that gap is DOWN. 1.20 now.

Ok LMNH let's not clog the twitter feed with randos' stupid predictions.

Fucking KIDOLOGY again. JUST SAY BLUFFING YOU MASSIVE BLOWHARD.

Getting quite a lot of picture break up all of a sudden.

The break possibly contemplating their future...

Or maybe that one dude was just looking for Ben King.

Kiry is also very recognisable.

K how bout instead of debating the definition of rocky road and droning on with inconsequential family stories you just tell us who is on the front of this group?

GERMANY. They are taking this climb by the balls.

Alex!

Ohh Ukraine being distanced from the breakaway now.

All getting a bit messy and pushy here mid-back of the peloton.

Yul-ian? He's not Spanish ffs.

Rafal Majka up front there.

Peloton regrouping after the feed.

Chad loves to throw shade!!

The Dutch talking charge again.

They are STRINGING THIS OUT

Oop glimpse of Andy Fenn there.

Sometimes they are so bad at commentating I could literally scream.

They should trial some of the Goggleboxers. I'd watch that for sure.

What team is this predominantly red with a navy stripe?

Bling there

Matteo!

Andy again.

USA coming to the front.

HEY TAYLOR

SITTING ON IAN'S WHEEL

DYLAN

KEEP THIS CAMERA ON THIS IS AMAZING.

Oh shit crash at the back. OH MAN did he hit that bridge underpass??

OOH the group is not far behind

Belgium leading up the climb with Geshke's Beard in second position.

And a giant Peter Sagan head being waved in the crowd.

Is Stijn Vandenbergh here? Must be him leading on the front, like the enormous giant man that he is.

They caught that Ukrainian who I assumed they'd caught ages ago.

Hard going up this climb.

Iljooooooooooo!

Moderate attacking here?

Or is Ben King going for imaginary sprint points as well?

Is this Costa Rican they're showing the dude who crashed?

Oh no. Never mind. He and that other dude out there in the distance are breakaways about to be swept up by the peloton.

Not before the other one gives a bizarre victory salute??

The hell is going on.

Who is this dude?

Spain, Poland, some of Belgium, and what I'm hazarding a guess is Norway en masse in front.

Oh has he given up then? Who are you?? Anyway whoever he is got off in the feedzone and hugged someone.

Ooooh it's the Serbian dude from the break. Anyway. Weird.

Netherlands pushing the pace again. Seems like Valverde behind, with Poland and a bit of GB for the first time.

Matteo having an intense chat with the team car.

IAN

ALEX

Ok considering he's ridden on the front of literally this entire race, let's not disrespect the man by calling him "Josh" Van Emden.

Snacktime for Ben in the break. A flapjack of some sort perhaps.

Tony, Alex, Ian.

Really obnoxious picture break up but getting some frozen glimpses of Ian and Alex quite a bit.

Ben is trying to captain the breakaway ship.

LE CROW

Problem for Tony??

New bike, he's going again.

Thank you for confirming four hours later that that is Norway. Ace commentating.

Stevo still on the back here.

Gap at 32 seconds.

100k still to go.

Belgium are everywhere. They have dudes all over this group.

TAYLOR

Who's this Canadian dude with the beard?

Oooh mess here, a crash.

Oh no an Italian!

Oss nooooooo!

Hard to figure out what the eff is going on with all this picture break but gaps are forming in this group.

Well we know Johnny D and Swifty are together, based on the finish line board.

Fans of other sports will never understand.

I don't know what group we're looking at here.

Unsurprisingly, the Dutch are at the front and pushing it. That's about all that can be confirmed.

Ok good the two front groups came together so that's somewhat less confusing.

Germany and Alex on their wheel are chasing behind.

Ohhh bummer Oss is out.

I think maybe everyone came back together now. Breakaway included.

Alexxxxxxxxx

What are you up to?

He had a little go there but back in the group.

Ohhh Jos has ridden himself into the ground and dropped out. WELL DONE JOS.

Belgium taking control now.

ILJO

Look at him, so so smooth. Am I commentating?

Greg VanAv with Tony on his wheel up this climb.

Ok I don't want it to rain cuz I don't want people to get hurt, but give us a reason for this picture breakup! It's like scenes from The Conjuring out here.

Belgium powering up the climb.

Taylor thrashing up the climb.

Belgium checking back as they crest the hill, making sure they got all their dudes.

Oh? Who are you and what are you up to?

There seems to be a solo Dutch dude out front, about to be caught. Where did he come from?

Australia now making their presence known.

Slightly. I mean, like one guy.

Oh apparently that was Gesink who made an attack that was missed out in all the picture break up. Anyway he's back again so..

Maybe if they'd let Michal bring his drones we wouldn't be having these problems.

Kosta, Guillaume Boivin and another dude have gotten away.

USA on the horizon

IT'S TAYLOR OF COURSE IT IS

HI TAYLOR YOU BEAUTIFUL MAN

Expect a movie about his life.

All of Germany at the front.

Belgium there, and Poland

BEAUTIFUL.

GB moving up to hang with Germany.

Someone attacking off the front of the peloton now

Don't know who it is but it's someone without teammates/countrymen.

Yikes I thought Taylor had a bit of a Tyler going on there but it was just his jersey flapping.

OMFG Taylor leading up Libby Hill is like the most beautiful image of America. Like it should be our new flag.

Sep is trying to get away!

Oh Sep is so often on the losing end!

I swear if he punctures at a race-winning moment this time he should probably just give up on professional bike racing.

Oh my god Stannard is chasing him. I mean, the man has no luck.

LOOK AT HIM!!!! Embrace the new flag!!!

THIS PICTURE BREAKUP IS UNACCEPTABLE. Seriously WHAT THE FUCK.

Oh Geshke and Ian were out in a little group apparently but we missed that and now they're back in the peloton.

Alright Richmond, don't be a bunch of dicks.

Also somehow suddenly the Cyclinghub feed has been subsumed by the Eurosport feed and goes to commercials now??? CAN I LIVE.

Taylor stretching his knee.

60k left.

The break has a minute 47 apparently. THANK YOU TWITTER.

Oh shit another crash!

UGH a Polish rider went into the hedges HARD.

THAT FEEDZONE HAS BEEN LOOKING TREACHEROUS ALL DAY.

Not clear who was involved really. Daryl Impey they said, and Lars Bak. Spain was on the floor in some capacity.

KOEN KNOWS.

BELGIUM. Doing something. Looks like that dude out in Denmark or wherever got the pirate feed back up while Eurosport is on commercial break.

Cyclingnews is reporting that a lot of lovely people were held up with that crash and are 15 seconds behind, so let's hope that sorts itself out.

WOAH what Aussie just came unclipped??

This fucking feed!!!!

WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN BUT YES AXEL

I feel insane what if he wins they'll have to shut the city down.

Spain is doing a bunch of stuff I think

30 seconds apparently for Taylor Phinney and apparently it's raining?

40k to go. Maybe. I mean maybe it froze so long the race is actually over and I don't realise it.

Entirely new team here at the front of the peloton. Denmark?

GB TAKING IT ON NOW

OMG too adorable.

Hard to tell if people are attacking on the climb or just riding it.

Well I guess all this shitty feed bullshit saved me from seeing Taylor being caught, which apparently he was.

OH T.

2 laps to go and Bauke Ian Tom possibly, KWIATO?!

An Italian, a Spaniard

Germany is chasing behind.

THE ITALIAN IS VIVIANI

There are a few others but away we have COKEY TOM, IAN STANNARD, KWIATO, ELIA, BAUKE.

26 seconds they have

30k

I'm gonna call these guys The Engine Room.

33 seconds at the next count

USA has joined in the chase behind

Also what looks like Italy but must be someone else

The Gorilla is doing all this chasing

He's let Ben King do a bit now

Bling is up there too

For reals. Tim and I are in mind meld today.

DON'T LET ME DREAM!!!!!!!

I think that is Italy but I think they're just staying close to the front for safety.

Belgium is doing the same on the other side.

23 seconds and 23k, Germany is still basically the only team chasing

I can't deal with these close ups of Cokey Tom. He is SUCH A DUDE.

Ohhh the Netherlands.

Perhaps it's time for Niki's attack!!

Oh hey Tom! (Dumoulin this time). Haven't seen you about much!

UGGGGGH These long straight American boulevards are SO HARSH when you see the peloton chasing!

COKEY TOM TAKES US UP LIBBY HILL

Under 20k

What's this??

The Engine Room has been joined by some passengers.

Elia looks like he's gonna vom.

In fact, everyone looks like they gonna vom.

The Gorilla and a German companion are dying on Libby Hill.

Greg VanAv now pulls the expanded Engine Room, which is like 20 people.

Looks like it's coming back together anyhow.

Well that was momentarily thrilling.

Matteo Trentin is a the front and the Netherlands is PUSHING ON AGAIN

Belgium is getting in the mix

BELL LAP

That bell ringer is way too chill. I mean I know she's a professional but I'd be like screaming and weeping and banging that bell.

Dumoulin talking to someone and taking to the front

TOM IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH YOU

DO SOME WORK. He shakes his head.

DON'T YOU LAMPRE THIS, LAMPRE

Olivera was trying to go solo but some others have hitched on now

They're not far ahead but there's a Belgian there. Cuz Belgium is always there.

Ahhh it was Tiesj Benoot! But they're caught now.

Italy massing at the front.

Australia too

11k to go

Attack by Belarus

And AMERICA FOLLOWS

USA burying himself. I think it's Tyler given that riding style.

Ah yes his man bun sticks up when he puts his head down

Well I thought it was futile given the camera angles but they're getting a little away. Under 10k.

It would be utterly hysterical to me if Tyler Farrar won this.

Oh it's Kosta!

I mean it's totally preposterous and not worth entertaining but I wouldn't mind if Tyler won, cuz he was really good friends with Wouter Weylandt.

Well 6k and they've got 8 seconds.

Peak hipster.

Nah Italy's got these guys.

Italy swarms from one side and Belgium from the other. Terrifying.

Tyler really doesn't want to give up.

But give up Ty, it's over.

IT IS A MESS UP HERE

4k

LIBBY HILL

I DON'T KNOW WHAT COUNTRY THIS IS

Germany is following and then Belgium

OH MY GOD OF COURSE IT'S STYBAR

AND JOHN OF COURSE AND GREG I DUNNO MAYBE

NIKIIIIIIIIIIII

GO SOLO NIKI NOW IS THE TIME

I'M SERIOUSLY GONNA VOMIT

3k

What Belgian are you??

PETER OF COURSE YOU'RE THERE!!!

He's supertuck descending on what doesn't even look like a descent!!

PETER LEADS AT 2k!!!

I DONT KNOW WHO'S CHASING I DONT KNOW IF I WANT THEM TO CATCH HIM

HE'S AT THE FLAMME!!!!!!!!

He's got such a gap can he hold it!!?!!?!

THEY'RE COMING FOR HIM

BELGIUM SPECIFICALLY

HE IS A BEAST MAN

HE'S GONNA DO IT I THINK

THEY CAN'T GET TO HIM CAN THEY?!!?!?

PETERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

He hops off the bike and throws his arms into the air and high fives Cokey Tom and hugs Styby

And throws his helmet into the crowd

They're like physically prying him and his girlfriend apart.

Ahh well done Bling for second!

(And therefore by proxy, GO ADAM!)

Oh my god this Eritrean guy is being carried on the shoulders of all these fans. This is mental.

What amazingness is Peter going to gift us with in this post-race chat?

I think he's trying to make a statement on the refugee crisis. I mean it is deeply unclear, but... I dunno... PETER SAGAN FOR PRESIDENT.

I had my brother with me, Juraj.

I think he also said he was 'in the crazy'.

I just eat, eat all the gels what I have.

I did just one attack, and I think it was the right attack.

His final comment was basically like IN YOUR FACE HATERS. I see what you say about me on the internet and I'VE GOT RAINBOWS BITCH.

OH PETER!

Oh he's got a giant flag!

WEAR THAT RAINBOW PETER!

Bling is gesturing that the flag is just over to the left.

Odd little anthem, that. It's sort of dark and dramatic and then ends on a jig.

Obviously had to freeze that one last time when there are no doubt excellent podium antics going on.

BUT YOU CAN'T BRING ME DOWN.

This is like an image off the Pope's US tour.

Did I ever. Taylor's time is coming, just you wait.

Oh my god, beautiful. That was one of the greatest things ever.

Johnny D wins the Male Modelling With Pippo Pozzato Award NO CONTEST.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!

Meanwhile, have you seen my belt? I can't find her anywhere.

OMFG I didn't think it could get better.

This is amazing.

Ohhhhhhhhh Return of the Vengabus!!!!! JEALS.

Or maybe a quiet night in.

Fucking BEST EVER. I dunno which is better: him completely pitching over or that teammate's massive gold hoop earring?