The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[chesterbells]

I felt sorry for Stybar as he had done brilliantly to follow Canc's wheel, however it has to be said he wasn't taking any pulls on the front at all so would he have been a deserving winner? Vanmarcke on the other hand perhaps did a bit more work than he really should have done, but I can't knock him for that, he just wanted to give everything. Either winner would have been fitting in the end, and as you say the track stand stuff was just pure drama and intrigue. Top ride from Gaudin too I thought, he really put a lot into that race.

I watched the highlights of Wed, Thu and Sat from Basque (Friday didn't record!). Not as much action as I was hoping for, no significant difference between any of the main guys until the TT was there really. Don't think it gave many clues as to how the TdF will play out, except for confirming that SKY are permanently on form, Movistar look increasingly strong and Saxo have a lot of improving to do.

Agree with 95% of that, but wasn't Stybar in the break of 2 that Fab caught up with? If so, he must have put a fair shift in earlier on (but could be wrong as I can't recall the exact order how it panned out). I think if you are in a lead group of 3 including Cancellara- with all hr has won-with only a few km left, knowing you're a decent sprinter, it's understandable he adopted the tactics he did. I know there are unwritten codes of conduct in pro cycling and all that, but I honestly think its harsh to attach any blame to him. If he'd beaten the hot favourite in a sprint finish, yeah I think he would certainly have deserved it!

Sorry Chester I didn't put across what I meant there very well really. I don't attach any blame to Sytbar at all, I agree completely that tactically it was exactly the right approach by him to sit in the wheel, that was the only way he could have the chance to win the race. Even if he did have a desire to do some pulls i'd imagine that's easier said than done when Canc starts to rev up the pace, and just being able to follow him is deserving of huge credit. All I meant was that because the other two did do so much pulling, it would perhaps be fairer more or fitting that they won it. You're probably right though, if you make it into that select company with 30k or so to go then you deserve to win it by whatever means you do.

Nice one pal. Agree with that 100% ;-)

 

[neilsonblue]

What an amazing race! Went out for my usual 25 miles today and steered clear of all news about the Paris-Roubaix until 9pm. Incredible cat and mouse sprint at the end. Cancellara was ruthless. This race is such a lottery and I guess a lot of riders stayed well clear with the stage classics coming up. I wonder what mechanical and tyre modifications are made for this race. The FDJ rider's fall was scary - the sign was well damaged with the impact. As usual, ITV4 really did the business with the highlights show. Ned Boulting seems to be getting quite a lot of football interviewing as well. And on that subject - Come on City!

 

[chesterbells]

What an amazing race! Went out for my usual 25 miles today and steered clear of all news about the Paris-Roubaix until 9pm. Incredible cat and mouse sprint at the end. Cancellara was ruthless. This race is such a lottery and I guess a lot of riders stayed well clear with the stage classics coming up. I wonder what mechanical and tyre modifications are made for this race. The FDJ rider's fall was scary - the sign was well damaged with the impact. As usual, ITV4 really did the business with the highlights show. Ned Boulting seems to be getting quite a lot of football interviewing as well. And on that subject - Come on City!

Yes, I do enjoy the itv coverage too, but having seen the Eurosport I didn't bother tonight.
Talking of which they said normal race tyres are 23mm wide , but for this race many use 27 (or even 29) and they are inflated slightly less than usual too to allow (slightly!) more cushioning

Edit. And I almost forgot my manners, welcome to the forum.
25 miles a day - not bad ! ;-)

 

[PowderBlue]

Van marke showed a lack of experience. He should have sat on Fabian more than he did, Fabian would have had no choice but to keep pulling as the favorite. He lost by a bike length having led out the Sprint. Great race but I hope next year it's a wet one for a change.

 

[chesterbells]

Van marke showed a lack of experience. He should have sat on Fabian more than he did, Fabian would have had no choice but to keep pulling as the favorite. He lost by a bike length having led out the Sprint. Great race but I hope next year it's a wet one for a change.

Enjoy the crashes do you? ;-)

 

[PowderBlue]

150 miles at an average speed of 27 mph on cobbles - its like thinking about space, my brain just can't comprehend it.

 

[chesterbells]

150 miles at an average speed of 27 mph on cobbles - its like thinking about space, my brain just can't comprehend it.

Ha ha, yes, I know what you mean.
They also said today's race was the second fastest ever. Always bothers me when I read stuff like that - now we are in the 'new post Lance' era ;-)

 

[Rascal]

150 miles at an average speed of 27 mph on cobbles - its like thinking about space, my brain just can't comprehend it.

Ha ha, yes, I know what you mean.
They also said today's race was the second fastest ever. Always bothers me when I read stuff like that - now we are in the 'new post Lance' era ;-)

It was mentioned there are more cobbles and the previous best was 1964

But i would look at Team Sky for evidence. If they doped they would not only be magnificent at stage races but they would be good at the one day classics too and Team Sky despite having a top team have never won a classic

 

[neilsonblue]

What an amazing race! Went out for my usual 25 miles today and steered clear of all news about the Paris-Roubaix until 9pm. Incredible cat and mouse sprint at the end. Cancellara was ruthless. This race is such a lottery and I guess a lot of riders stayed well clear with the stage classics coming up. I wonder what mechanical and tyre modifications are made for this race. The FDJ rider's fall was scary - the sign was well damaged with the impact. As usual, ITV4 really did the business with the highlights show. Ned Boulting seems to be getting quite a lot of football interviewing as well. And on that subject - Come on City!

Yes, I do enjoy the itv coverage too, but having seen the Eurosport I didn't bother tonight.
Talking of which they said normal race tyres are 23mm wide , but for this race many use 27 (or even 29) and they are inflated slightly less than usual too to allow (slightly!) more cushioning

Edit. And I almost forgot my manners, welcome to the forum.
25 miles a day - not bad ! ;-)

Thanks for the welcome and the info about the width of tyres. Don't ride 25 miles every day BTW. However, I've cycled through the winter this year and it really makes a difference - can't wait for warmer temperatures and lighter winds. The wife and I are taking the bikes to Brittany for our summer hols this year - not touring so it'll be great to cycle and not carry a heap of stuff.
What a result tonight by the way.

 

[PowderBlue]

Van marke showed a lack of experience. He should have sat on Fabian more than he did, Fabian would have had no choice but to keep pulling as the favorite. He lost by a bike length having led out the Sprint. Great race but I hope next year it's a wet one for a change.

Enjoy the crashes do you? ;-)

Lol yes I suppose but what I'm after its one of those iconic races where they are called in mud and its a proper war of attrition.