The professional cycling thread

The professional cycling thread

Author
Discussion

Matt_N

8,906 posts

204 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Is there a seperate ToB thread?

Not the most exciting of stages yesterday, but a good finish, Kittel made it look easy!

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

229 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Real gutsy ride by Froome yesterday, not pretty but dug very deep!
Contador might just have a big enough time gap to keep CF at bay.
He's only got a minute and a bit and it's an awful long way to go. My gut feel is that Contador has the edge, but that's certainly more debatable than it was this time yesterday.
Debate looks over!
In what way?

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

229 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Sway said:
I dunno.

Seemed very odd the three not quite amigos seemed more worried by Froome than anything else.

Not sure I've seen a stage where the leader was spending more time worrying about the guy in third 20s behind him than the bloke in second sucking his wheel.

Hopefully fireworks today!
All a bit strange really. Whatever you think about the dirty-doper Contador you have to love the way he rides a race. That said he didn't achieve a lot for 5km of attacking, and got clipped off right at the end. Still all to play for and a fascinating race.

okgo

38,362 posts

200 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
They never do. VAM is VAM whether you achieve that by constant changes in pace or metronome pace, it all means near enough the same thing near the end. He who can climb with the highest VAM is king.

Kermit power

28,786 posts

215 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
With the Vuelta and the TOB overlapping, I've just been wondering... What are the differences between a World Tour Domestique and a lower level team leader of the likes of Kristian House or Yanto Barker?

Could the likes of House and Barker hack it in the Grand Tours if they felt like it and they've chosen to be bigger fish in a smaller pond, are the top domestiques a level above them, or are they just different types of rider?

okgo

38,362 posts

200 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Big difference.

As proved by the national road race each year. The world tour boys run a muck and most of the domestic pro's don't see which way they went!


Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

229 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
okgo said:
Big difference.

As proved by the national road race each year. The world tour boys run a muck and most of the domestic pro's don't see which way they went!
Generally I agree. There is the odd exception though and Kristian House is one of those. Look at his rides in the ToB and other events involving World Tour riders over the years - not least his 2009 National Champs Victory

Grandfondo

12,241 posts

208 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Real gutsy ride by Froome yesterday, not pretty but dug very deep!
Contador might just have a big enough time gap to keep CF at bay.
He's only got a minute and a bit and it's an awful long way to go. My gut feel is that Contador has the edge, but that's certainly more debatable than it was this time yesterday.
Debate looks over!
In what way?
Maybe Froome was sandbagging and will attack today on the queens stage but it looks like it's between the Spaniards!

okgo

38,362 posts

200 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
I'd say stage 20 is possibly the most important day.


Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

229 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Real gutsy ride by Froome yesterday, not pretty but dug very deep!
Contador might just have a big enough time gap to keep CF at bay.
He's only got a minute and a bit and it's an awful long way to go. My gut feel is that Contador has the edge, but that's certainly more debatable than it was this time yesterday.
Debate looks over!
In what way?
Maybe Froome was sandbagging and will attack today on the queens stage but it looks like it's between the Spaniards!
Who knows what will happen?!? Hence my confusion at your assertion that there was no room left for debate...

Matt_N

8,906 posts

204 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Oh dear Brambilla just got kicked out!

jesusbuiltmycar

4,543 posts

256 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Matt_N said:
Oh dear Brambilla just got kicked out!
And looks like Rovny is joining him! - Mid-race punch up! Pity it has been removed from Youtube already!


Which one deserves the most aggressive rider award?


Edited by jesusbuiltmycar on Monday 8th September 16:35

VEA

4,785 posts

203 months

okgo

38,362 posts

200 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Great stage today.

I think that is the end of that to be honest.

spikeyhead

17,429 posts

199 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Could bicycle boxing be a new sport?

I think the only question left is can Froome take second place overall

Kermit power

28,786 posts

215 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all

Grandfondo

12,241 posts

208 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Rocksteadyeddie said:
Grandfondo said:
Real gutsy ride by Froome yesterday, not pretty but dug very deep!
Contador might just have a big enough time gap to keep CF at bay.
He's only got a minute and a bit and it's an awful long way to go. My gut feel is that Contador has the edge, but that's certainly more debatable than it was this time yesterday.
Debate looks over!
In what way?
Maybe Froome was sandbagging and will attack today on the queens stage but it looks like it's between the Spaniards!
Who knows what will happen?!? Hence my confusion at your assertion that there was no room left for debate...
They think it's all over well it is now! wink

Gizmoish

18,150 posts

211 months

Monday 8th September 2014
quotequote all
Tour of Britain TV coverage.

Low budget?



Dr Imran T

2,301 posts

201 months

Tuesday 9th September 2014
quotequote all
Grandfondo said:
They think it's all over well it is now! wink
Well nearly - great ride by Froome again. He just keeps on plugging away. He's only a few seconds behind valverde now and I am sure he will keep on challenging.

I have also really come to like him in the Vuelta - he seems really straight and honest.

Contador was did the sensible thing and sat on the wheel of froome then put in a big attack. If he does go on to win the Vuelta then a stage win is the icing on the cake - every GC winner should have a proven stage win smile

Was great to see Fab. descending at over 90+ KPH. Nice handling skills from the big guy.

Also, not had much of a mention but Dan Martin is having a superb tour at 6th overall. It was mentioned somewhere that he will decide after the Vuelta whether he will focus on grand tours or classics races.

Good to see A. yates still in there too smile


Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

229 months

Tuesday 9th September 2014
quotequote all
Dr Imran T said:
Grandfondo said:
They think it's all over well it is now! wink
Well nearly - great ride by Froome again. He just keeps on plugging away. He's only a few seconds behind valverde now and I am sure he will keep on challenging.

I have also really come to like him in the Vuelta - he seems really straight and honest.

Contador was did the sensible thing and sat on the wheel of froome then put in a big attack. If he does go on to win the Vuelta then a stage win is the icing on the cake - every GC winner should have a proven stage win smile

Was great to see Fab. descending at over 90+ KPH. Nice handling skills from the big guy.

Also, not had much of a mention but Dan Martin is having a superb tour at 6th overall. It was mentioned somewhere that he will decide after the Vuelta whether he will focus on grand tours or classics races.

Good to see A. yates still in there too smile
Good assessment. Contador looks the class of the field after today. Froome is definitely improving and should overhaul Valverde. Difficult to see him taking the overall. Great race though.