The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[Rascal]

Yes, it was a great finish - but it looked like Thomas almost got in his way.
Been a bit busy so today was my first day watching this race, but I've just read they are doing the mighty Alp on Saturday - this really is the dry run for the tour isn't it.

I have never been to Holme Moss; hoping to have a reccy there this summer. If its that breezy hopefully that will be mostly on the (flat) top, and it'll be a bit more sheltered on the climb. Certainly hope so anyway, as I think it'll mean spending a long day up there waiting for the riders to arrive

Just checked the route and its from the Woodhead side, the drag up as i remember it is mostly sheltered but over the top it does flatten out and it can be very very windy. I think the decent will be very quick with a couple of really sharp bends down into Holmefirth.

As for the Dauphine some big climbing days to come, should be fantastic to watch with the big players all there.

 

[Shands]

Really excited about the next few days of the Dauphine Libere. I know there's a likelihood that the top guys may be holding something back and only going 90% or so, but even so it should be good racing.

Agree with what Rascal said yesterday it's nice to see Thomas and Kennaugh in good shape. I believe Heano has signed a new contract with Sky but that Brian Smith has indicated Stannard could me moving on.

 

[Rascal]

Really excited about the next few days of the Dauphine Libere. I know there's a likelihood that the top guys may be holding something back and only going 90% or so, but even so it should be good racing.

Agree with what Rascal said yesterday it's nice to see Thomas and Kennaugh in good shape. I believe Heano has signed a new contract with Sky but that Brian Smith has indicated Stannard could me moving on.

Where would be a good move for Stannard?

Last years TdF team from Sky was the Dauphine team minus Pate plus Cav and Eisel, so you would espect Stannard will be in the Sky TdF team. Or does he want to be on a team that does the classics well and Sky appear to just want Grand Tours.

I am finding the pecking order in teams fascinating as its fairly alien to me and i expect Henao getting a new contract means he has moved up a notch as Uran is going to leave.

 

[Shands]

Very interesting stage at the Dauphine today, one or two pointers towards the Tour De France.

In answer to your question Rascal, I've no idea where Stannard would go, though if I was made to bet i'd probably put my money on BMC.

 

[Rascal]

Very interesting stage at the Dauphine today, one or two pointers towards the Tour De France.

In answer to your question Rascal, I've no idea where Stannard would go, though if I was made to bet i'd probably put my money on BMC.

Yeah really enjoyed todays stage. Enjoyed it that much i have just watched the highlights. Froome looks magnificent. I think every time this year he has gone head to head with Contador on a climb he has beat him. Porte looked good and a brilliant ride from Kennaugh and well done to the young aussie Dennis in yellow for a very brave ride to stay in touch for so long.


Tour of Switzerland starts saturday and it looks like coverage can be found on that stream site i posted.

As for Stannard i hope he stays with Sky. I like to see British riders in our own British team especially in the British champions jersey.

 

[Shands]

Very interesting stage at the Dauphine today, one or two pointers towards the Tour De France.

In answer to your question Rascal, I've no idea where Stannard would go, though if I was made to bet i'd probably put my money on BMC.

Yeah really enjoyed todays stage. Enjoyed it that much i have just watched the highlights. Froome looks magnificent. I think every time this year he has gone head to head with Contador on a climb he has beat him. Porte looked good and a brilliant ride from Kennaugh and well done to the young aussie Dennis in yellow for a very brave ride to stay in touch for so long.


Tour of Switzerland starts saturday and it looks like coverage can be found on that stream site i posted.

As for Stannard i hope he stays with Sky. I like to see British riders in our own British team especially in the British champions jersey.

Contador finished ahead of him on one uphill finish in T-A and also dropped him once on a climb in Oman only for Froome to get back on the descent, but other than that it's been all Chris.

Froome looks really strong and must be clear favourite for the Tour BUT I think they'll be one or two concerns for SKY today.

The first is that Contador is clearly out of sorts this week, no way would he lose two and half minutes on a TT if there wasn't some issue, however while looking more uncomfortable than usual he still managed to all but stay with Froome today, and put in a fairly substantial attack. From these two days evidence I'd suggest there's potentially far more scope for improvement in Alberto's form over the next three weeks than there is in Froome's who already seems to be in peak condition.

The second concern is that Saxo looked much better today, Rogers and Hernandez outlasted all but Porte for Sky, and lets not forget Dani Navarro was there too who, though riding for Cofidis now, was for a long time Contadors key domestique and presumably will offer similar support if required come the Tour. With Roche and Roman K to come into the team too they suddenly look to have a strong unit hitting form at the right time.

Froome certainly looks the man to beat, but I don't think Sky will be feeling complacent.

 

[Churchill123]

Well Froome made it look easy today - As an enthusiastic road cyclist myself its just mind blowing how he can race up hills with what looks like absolute ease, and when you look at his facial expressions and his body language he doesn't even look like he's blowing that hard!

Come on Chris!

 

[Rascal]

Sorry Shands mate i forgot about the T-A as i was thinking that was just Nibali's race.

I agree that Contador has more scope for improvement and on commentary today it was mentioned he was suffering from hay fever yesterday and yes Saxo looked strong but i think in Porte Froome has the very best lieutenant in the pelotan. Just as Froome was to Wiggo last year i expect Porte to be to Froome this year.


Looking through Skys team for the tour of Switzerland i wonder if they are thinking JTL for the TdF for extra climbing help?

 

[Shands]

Sorry Shands mate i forgot about the T-A as i was thinking that was just Nibali's race.

I agree that Contador has more scope for improvement and on commentary today it was mentioned he was suffering from hay fever yesterday and yes Saxo looked strong but i think in Porte Froome has the very best lieutenant in the pelotan. Just as Froome was to Wiggo last year i expect Porte to be to Froome this year.


Looking through Skys team for the tour of Switzerland i wonder if they are thinking JTL for the TdF for extra climbing help?

I could be wrong but I can't see it mate. Informed opinion seems to be that JTL has really struggled with the switch to Sky's training methods and thus far is a shadow of the rider he was last year, so much so that's he trying to go back to his own preparation routine. It'd be too big a gamble to put him in the tour.

I still think Froome, Porte, EBH, Thomas and Kiryenka are nailed on; Stannard is very likely. The other spots are probably between Lopez, Kennaugh, Suitsou, Uran and Eisel (Unless I've forgotten somebody obvious?)

Saxo will probably be Contador, Roche, Kreuziger, Hernandez, Rodgers, Chris Anker Sorenson, Niki Sorenson, Paulinho, Tosatto.

 

[EalingBlue2]

I would like Uran and Henao personally I think contador has a lot of mountain support and Froome needs it too!