The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[Shands]

I'd be very surprised if Kennaugh goes to the Tour, and I'd be equally surprised if Thomas doesn't. It also seems Wiggins and Henao are in an either or situation depending on how Bradley holds up at the Giro.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Did you see the rider who hit the central reservation?

That had to hurt, it was a french guy i think.

Either of you boys ride?

-- Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:37 pm --

Did you see the rider who hit the central reservation?

That had to hurt, it was a french guy i think.

Either of you boys ride?

Yes, been on and off since i was 13, and im 48! Only race crits and the odd road race now - am a second cat so have to race with elites/1st so i get destroyed on anything with hills. You?

-- Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:57 pm --

So so difficult to call this time. I'll go for:

Giro: Wiggins
Tour: Contador
Vuelta: Quintana

I will go

Giro - Wiggins
Tour - Froome
Vuelta- Porte

Sky Treble

would be good, but i cant see anyone doing Contador in the tour. I suspect thats why Wiggo will go for the Giro and is 'letting' Froome go for the tour.

From what I've seen so far Contador is being very cagey. He's gonna come good on one tour - he'll just have to avoid the steak suppers. But, the best can come off the bike!

 

[Churchill123]

Either of you boys ride?

-- Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:37 pm --




Either of you boys ride?

Yes, been on and off since i was 13, and im 48! Only race crits and the odd road race now - am a second cat so have to race with elites/1st so i get destroyed on anything with hills. You?





Been riding around 6months now on and off as the weather has been shite, but have always enjoyed watching the cycling on TV - I was also lucky enough to go to the velodrome for the olympicss and saw Chris Hoy win Gold & also the GB mens team win gold in the team persuit - it was an amazing day out and great atmosphere too :)

So as the sun is starting to come out more im getting out on the bike more regularly... Been out twice since sunday and am just enjoying being out doors in the country getting some fresh air after a busy day at work etc


So if you've been riding a while and you race etc i'm assuming you've got an incredibly tasty looking bike?

 

[Shands]

Either of you boys ride?

-- Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:37 pm --




Either of you boys ride?

Yes, been on and off since i was 13, and im 48! Only race crits and the odd road race now - am a second cat so have to race with elites/1st so i get destroyed on anything with hills. You?

-- Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:57 pm --

I will go

Giro - Wiggins
Tour - Froome
Vuelta- Porte

Sky Treble

would be good, but i cant see anyone doing Contador in the tour. I suspect thats why Wiggo will go for the Giro and is 'letting' Froome go for the tour.

From what I've seen so far Contador is being very cagey. He's gonna come good on one tour - he'll just have to avoid the steak suppers. But, the best can come off the bike!

There's no doubt about it, Contador is a long way off his Giro 11' peak level, and on current form he's not going to win the tour. The guys stood top step of the podium on 7 of his last 8 Grand Tours though and I can't help but feel that, by one means or another (fair means of foul), he'll make sure he's turning up in two months time in the condition to win it. We'll see though, it's six years now since his first GT which is around the life span of dominant champions, so perhaps his reign really is over.

 

[Churchill123]

Yes, been on and off since i was 13, and im 48! Only race crits and the odd road race now - am a second cat so have to race with elites/1st so i get destroyed on anything with hills. You?

-- Fri Apr 19, 2013 8:57 pm --


would be good, but i cant see anyone doing Contador in the tour. I suspect thats why Wiggo will go for the Giro and is 'letting' Froome go for the tour.

From what I've seen so far Contador is being very cagey. He's gonna come good on one tour - he'll just have to avoid the steak suppers. But, the best can come off the bike!

There's no doubt about it, Contador is a long way off his Giro 11' peak level, and on current form he's not going to win the tour. The guys stood top step of the podium on 7 of his last 8 Grand Tours though and I can't help but feel that, by one means or another (fair means of foul), he'll make sure he's turning up in two months time in the condition to win it. We'll see though, it's six years now since his first GT which is around the life span of dominant champions, so perhaps his reign really is over.

Can't stand the bloke... That is all

 

[leighton]

For the tour IF Dan Martin was a better time trialist I would go for him to win the Tour De France. I think he will win a stage for sure and might even hold onto the yellow jersey a top 3 finish for sure. Seems to be getting into that winning buzz at the moment.

I think saying a top three finish 'for sure' is a bit optimistic at this stage. He's showing great form and I'd definitely expect him to be in top ten contention, but there are numerous emerging riders who will also be in that mix. I'm hugely impressed with Martin's season so far, but as we all know three week racing is a different animal, and at this point there will be others standing on that start line who have better Grand Tour pedigree than Dan. That's not to say he can't produce something special but it's impossible to call it for certain.

He has experience in the tour. So unlucky last year he seemed to find every crash in the races and finished well down the field.

 

[Shands]

For the tour IF Dan Martin was a better time trialist I would go for him to win the Tour De France. I think he will win a stage for sure and might even hold onto the yellow jersey a top 3 finish for sure. Seems to be getting into that winning buzz at the moment.

I think saying a top three finish 'for sure' is a bit optimistic at this stage. He's showing great form and I'd definitely expect him to be in top ten contention, but there are numerous emerging riders who will also be in that mix. I'm hugely impressed with Martin's season so far, but as we all know three week racing is a different animal, and at this point there will be others standing on that start line who have better Grand Tour pedigree than Dan. That's not to say he can't produce something special but it's impossible to call it for certain.

He has experience in the tour. So unlucky last year he seemed to find every crash in the races and finished well down the field.

I know he does Leighton but with Contador, Froome, Wiggins, Valverde, Rodriguez, Porte, Quintana, Pinot, Van Garderen, Evans and a re-emerging Schleck - all of whom have top tenned Gt's - to contend with, it's going to be exceptionally difficult to podium.

 

[Churchill123]

Good result for Froome and great prep for the tour de france...

 

[Rascal]

Good result for Froome and great prep for the tour de france...

Yeah superb and the more i hear from him in interviews the more i warm to him as he comes across as a really nice fella.

I missed yesterdays stage due to being at the match but i gather he was awesome. If anyone has a link please post ta.

He must go the Dauphine next surely as that was Wiggo's route last year

 

[chesterbells]

Agree great for Froome today.

Anyone else read Walsh on Wiggins in the Times today?; a good piece; there were certainly questions to be asked. He's stayed with them 3 times over the winter so I certainly hope/ expect there is more to come.

Can't wait for the Giro to begin on Saturday - its feels like a bonus
this year: 6 weeks glued to the telly instead of only 3 like normal!

Interesting it looks like McQuaid could be up the creek with his re-election to UCI with the Irish calling an EGM to question his candidacy - lets hope so anyway; it really is 100% necessary if the sport is to move on with any sincerity for a better future.