@jacobwhitehead.bsky.social
✍️ Reporter for @theathleticfc.bsky.social. Investigations with a bit of cycling and #NUFC. Read books, climb hills, make soup. 📚🏔️🥣
"When you can close the gap between the very best and the least developed, that’s where the magic happens.
"Most people can’t explain why Japan have become so good. And that’s because they don’t understand grassroots football."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
I've loved doing the Football Architects series this — here's the final instalment.
Tom Byer is the most influential coach you haven't heard of — the American who has been integral in developing the technical brilliance of Japanese football.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
Part five of Football Architects — it's a topical one....
This is how the implementation of the FA's England DNA project supercharged the national teams — women, men, and juniors — to the most successful period in their history.
W/ @liamtharme.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...
Unsurprisingly, Tadej Pogacar is skipping the Vuelta. Feels like a good decision for him.
Jonas Vingegaard becomes the overwhelming favourite, while the Joao Almeida/Juan Ayuso co-leadership challenge could be... interesting.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/652...
Best team, favourite stage, thoughts on Pogacar's dominance? A photo my mum likes of me on Mont Ventoux?
Some final reflections on the Tour, with @oilysailor.bsky.social, @chrisdhwaugh.bsky.social, and Tim Spiers.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Twenty-one stages, 21 photos, one Tour de France.
The story of the race, via the scenic route:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Here's our final briefing from the Tour — Stage 21 on the cobbles of Montmartre, neutralised in name but not in spirit. Wout Van Aert wins in a classic, Tadej Pogacar brushes off the impression he's tired.
With @oilysailor.bsky.social, who has done so much to help:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Few teams have had a better Tour de France than Alpecin-Deceuninck — so why is their long-term future in serious doubt?
Philip Roodhooft: "It overshadows everything — the way you experience this race, the way that you live — it’s completely different."
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
There is no chance I’d have fallen in love with the Tour de France without its coverage on ITV.
When I was growing up, it was July and the summer holidays. On its final day, I’ll miss it greatly. Chapeau.
Can’t agree more with this from Tim Spiers:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Stage 20! In the books. Everyone is exhausted on GC, but a thrilling squabble between the breakaway.
Outstanding first Tour de France win for Kaden Groves - wouldn’t have been given a chance on some of those climbs, amid that company.
With @oilysailor.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
In winter 2023, Tadej Pogacar sat down and recalibrated.
He had finished second in the Tour de France twice in a row, and was determined to wrestle the yellow jersey back from Jonas Vingegaard.
This is the inside story of how he did it.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
The Tour de France Femmes begins today. Nine stages, from Brittany to the Alps — and a full preview here from Jess Hopkins ⬇️
Demi Vollering vs Kasia Niewiadoma, will Lotte Kopecky only chase stages, and how much can Pauline Ferrand-Prevot challenge?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Tadej Pogacar has the yellow jersey all but won — Jonas Vingegaard was unable to mount any significant attack on the abridged final mountain stage.
Thymen Arensman takes the day again — and Florian Lipowitz looks set for third.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
At 22 years old, Oscar Onley is just 22 seconds off third place in the Tour de France.
He would be arguably the most surprising podium finisher over two decades. A piece on his startling rise: Strava files, low expectations, and OnleyFans.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Tour de France stage 19 rerouted due to the “distress of farmers” after cattle cull.
Will shorten final mountain day to just 95km.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
News: INEOS Grenadiers head carer David Rozman has left the Tour de France amid an investigation into alleged links to a doctor convicted of doping.
Relates to messages sent during the 2012 Tour, won by the then-Team Sky.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Fireworks on the Glandon and Madeleine, smothered in mist by the ramps of the Col de la Loze.
Tadej Pogacar gets revenge, but the race doesn't explode open on the final climb. The stage win to Ben O'Connor — and a tactical blunder from Florian Lipowitz.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
And here’s the accompanying podcast with @markcarey93.bsky.social.
Great to speak to Ian Graham and Sarah Rudd, amongst others.
open.spotify.com/episode/6MRs...
“All this data analysis in football is bulls**t, isn’t it?”
Part four of Football Architects - on how football’s data pioneers convinced the sport to take notice. Stories from the heart of #AFC and #LFC.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
Carlos Rodriguez abandons the Tour de France with a fractured pelvis. Came down in the final kilometre of yesterday’s stage. Was 10th on GC.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Today and tomorrow there is plenty of climbing in the Tour de France; that means there's a lot of descending too.
@jacobwhitehead.bsky.social speaks to those who have mastered going downhill fast about how they do it, and what still scares them.
Not heard anything 🤞
24.07.2025 07:04 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 2 📌 0
Vincenzo Nibali: “When I attack the downhill, I take a risk. It’s normal. It’s my work.”
Spent the past weeks speaking to cycling's best descenders about body positioning, grip, subconscious ability and fear.
This is the Art of the Descent.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
Jonathan Milan wins in Valence - and with it, all but secures the green jersey.
Plus, snippets on Decathlon’s new moniker and Tobias Halland Johannessen’s topsy-turvy Tour.
With @oilysailor.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/651...
I spent stage 16 of the Tour de France to Mont Ventoux in the publicity caravan. And it was every bit as absurd, bizarre and perplexing as I wanted it to be. What a day!
www.cyclingweekly.com/racing/we-ha...
Cycling is a sport where teams must confront their own mortality, never more than at the end of this year’s relegation cycle.
For several, the Tour de France is everything - their chance to escape, or a door slammed shut. Spent two weeks on the road with them.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
If cycling is a national obsession in the month of July, then Ventoux is the apex from which it ripples.
France finally have their first win of this Tour, Valentin Paret-Peintre finishing off a fantastic stage on the final ramp. Very lucky to be on its last bend.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
Before the Tour de France, Matteo Jorgenson paid tribute to each teammate. But what would he like them to say of him?
“Just that I’m fully committed.”
Loved speaking to him about journaling, cycling’s all-consuming nature, and battling with Pogacar.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
Mathieu van der Poel abandons the Tour de France with pneumonia.
Had said he was feeling ill on Sunday, taken to hospital in Narbonne on the rest day.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
What do Tour de France riders do on their rest day? They ride.
Why? It’s a little about recovery, but mainly about coffee. Really enjoyed this from Tim Spiers.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...
