The Pro Road Cycling Thread

[tornandfrayed]

There has been talk in the last couple of months that wiggo wants to concentrate on the one day classics next year.
It would certainly be less of a sacrifice with regard to training and time away from his family compared to a grand tour. Whether he is suited to them who knows - I would love to see him in the Paris - Roubaix though.

 

[Shands]

There has been talk in the last couple of months that wiggo wants to concentrate on the one day classics next year.
It would certainly be less of a sacrifice with regard to training and time away from his family compared to a grand tour. Whether he is suited to them who knows - I would love to see him in the Paris - Roubaix though.

It would make sense, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't do very well at Roubaix or Flanders and what an addition to his palmares they would both be if he were to win.

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

There has been talk in the last couple of months that wiggo wants to concentrate on the one day classics next year.
It would certainly be less of a sacrifice with regard to training and time away from his family compared to a grand tour. Whether he is suited to them who knows - I would love to see him in the Paris - Roubaix though.

It would make sense, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't do very well at Roubaix or Flanders and what an addition to his palmares they would both be if he were to win.

He has proved he can do most things if he sets his mind to it, so cobblestones, he might be able to go well on them. It has to come from him, as long as he is happy to continue, I think its a 50/50 at the moment. Winning the world TT might sway him, but will he beat Tony Martin in anycase?

 

[Shands]

There has been talk in the last couple of months that wiggo wants to concentrate on the one day classics next year.
It would certainly be less of a sacrifice with regard to training and time away from his family compared to a grand tour. Whether he is suited to them who knows - I would love to see him in the Paris - Roubaix though.

It would make sense, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't do very well at Roubaix or Flanders and what an addition to his palmares they would both be if he were to win.

He has proved he can do most things if he sets his mind to it, so cobblestones, he might be able to go well on them. It has to come from him, as long as he is happy to continue, I think its a 50/50 at the moment. Winning the world TT might sway him, but will he beat Tony Martin in anycase?

Difficult to know isn't it, on last seasons form I'd fancy him to give him a good run for his money, but alas this isn't last season is it. I know the road race course favours the climbers this year but I've no idea what the TT parcour is like, if it's lumpy then he might fancy his chances. I presume Cancellara is targeting it too, but he's doesn't seem to be quite the TT'er he once was. Mr Dowsett might be sticking his hand up as well and saying, hey what about me!

P.S Everyone knows the cycling clique is where it's at on Bluemoon!

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

It would make sense, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't do very well at Roubaix or Flanders and what an addition to his palmares they would both be if he were to win.

He has proved he can do most things if he sets his mind to it, so cobblestones, he might be able to go well on them. It has to come from him, as long as he is happy to continue, I think its a 50/50 at the moment. Winning the world TT might sway him, but will he beat Tony Martin in anycase?

Difficult to know isn't it, on last seasons form I'd fancy him to give him a good run for his money, but alas this isn't last season is it. I know the road race course favours the climbers this year but I've no idea what the TT parcour is like, if it's lumpy then he might fancy his chances. I presume Cancellara is targeting it too, but he's doesn't seem to be quite the TT'er he once was. Mr Dowsett might be sticking his hand up as well and saying, hey what about me!

P.S Everyone knows the cycling clique is where it's at on Bluemoon!

I'd say Tony Martin has to go in as fav, but as you say thats without knowing the parcour

Lol, spent most of my time on the Clique thread today taking the piss, no sport to side track me at work!! The cycling clique, i'll admit to being in that though ;-)

 

[Paul Lake's Left Knee]

Bjorne Riis has left Saxo. No real shock for me, i think tactics were very questionable in the big stages and some of his comments ill advised like "I cant inject form into Alberto"

The owner isnt happy. Since the end of the Tour de France, where Saxo-Tinkoff captain Alberto Contador finished off the podium in fourth place, Tinkov has criticized the Spaniard via Twitter. “Conta performance wasn't good. He need to change many things in his preparation and be more PRO. Will he do that? That's the question...” and later, “His salary doesn't match his performance. Too rich and isn't hungry, that's my opinion, and I deserve it. He must work harder”

Something different amongst all the further doping revelations recently, although it does appear most of the pelaton were on EPO in 98 and 99:

Zabel not yet prepared to comment on 1998 EPO positive
Jalabert acknowledges 1998 EPO positive but does not confess to doping
Belkin sports director Jeroen Blijlevens implicated in French Senate's report
Vance: I was not aware of any doping by Stuart O'Grady
Lance Armstrong reacts to French report into 1998 Tour positives

 

[Shands]

From what I can see now mate the story may have moved on after what you read. It seems Saxo are continuing as is (i.e with Riis as DS) but no association with Tinkov, so they will be looking for a new co-sponsor to replace him. Tinkov for his part is going it alone and starting his own team, at what level though I'm unsure.

The interesting thing is that by all accounts Riis asked Contador last winter to change the way he normally approaches a season and to follow Bjarne's training plan instead. It would seem it hasn't worked, but will Riis be stubborn and make him stick with it or will he let him do his own thing. Contador also said he wont be doing the Vuelta, where as Riis later said 'I'll decide if he does or it not'. Doesn't sound a particularly harmonious working relationship to me.

 

[Rascal]

Two races covered live tomorrow :)

Classica San Sabastian live on Eurosport at 1445

Race guide <a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,29224,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,29224,00.html</a>




Tour of Poland Stage one: Rovereto to Madonna di Campiglio – 184.5km live on Eurosport from 1630


Tour of Poland race guide <a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,29234,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,29234,00.html</a>

Thats tomorrow sorted. City then cycling :) Cider vaults full, nibble cupoard full, excellent.

 

[Shands]

Euskatel's days appear to be numbered. It will be a sad moment tuning into a race and not seeing those bright orange tops bobbing along in the peleton, especially when it comes to the Pyrenees. They've given a lot of entertainment over the years.

Urtasun, Verdugo, Astarloza, Martinez and Sanchez are all probably at the back end of their career's now, but I'd imagine a few teams could be interested in Anton, Nieve, the Izagirre's and Sicard.

Coverage of the tour of Poland has been frustrating, the lack of on screen graphics has made it difficult to follow.

 

[Rascal]

Euskatel's days appear to be numbered. It will be a sad moment tuning into a race and not seeing those bright orange tops bobbing along in the peleton, especially when it comes to the Pyrenees. They've given a lot of entertainment over the years.

Urtasun, Verdugo, Astarloza, Martinez and Sanchez are all probably at the back end of their career's now, but I'd imagine a few teams could be interested in Anton, Nieve, the Izagirre's and Sicard.

Coverage of the tour of Poland has been frustrating, the lack of on screen graphics has made it difficult to follow.

What a shame after Sky, Euskatel are my favorite team :(

And i agree with the Tour of Poland frustrations. Even the commentators are fed up with it as they are getting no info and so no help to call how the race is going. It was good to see Riblon win stage 2, hes getting quite a name for himself. And i havent spotted Bradley once on the coverage lol obviously easing himself back in.