The professional cycling thread
Discussion
In my opinion, a lot of the dopers could try to help the sport but they are too embarrased by their actions so they shy away from it all. If they havent already done so, they would have to confess and go through the questioning before they are in a position to be of any use. At least Millar has the balls to say yeah "I doped, I made a mistake now let me get invovled with helping you clean up the sport once and for all" because IMHO its clear that a bunch of suits in Zurich cant do it themselves... they need the input from the riders but the UCI have been too ignorant to realise this.
And that stage win in le tour last year was just epic...
And that stage win in le tour last year was just epic...
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 18th October 12:21
So what are people's thoughts on the route for the Tour in 2014?
I know it was being reported that Froome was not happy about the possibility of cobbled stages so I would imagine he isn't particularly overjoyed with the route.
Still as they are at the start should anything go wrong then at least they will have a good couple of weeks in which to recover any lost time.
However, I'm not a massive Team Sky fan so I hope that with only the one ITT this year and the varying terrain we may have more chance of seeing some other teams in the mix.
I know it was being reported that Froome was not happy about the possibility of cobbled stages so I would imagine he isn't particularly overjoyed with the route.
Still as they are at the start should anything go wrong then at least they will have a good couple of weeks in which to recover any lost time.
However, I'm not a massive Team Sky fan so I hope that with only the one ITT this year and the varying terrain we may have more chance of seeing some other teams in the mix.
Looks like a rider-friendly tour (maybe apart from the cobbles) as most of the finishes are near the next day's start so not many long post-stage transfers. 5 uphill finishes, so although the Alps are merely touched it's still going to favour the climbers.
Europcar team will be disappointed it doesn't go into the NW Vendee area.
Edit: Some comment/analysis on The Inner Ring
Europcar team will be disappointed it doesn't go into the NW Vendee area.
Edit: Some comment/analysis on The Inner Ring
Edited by ewenm on Wednesday 23 October 21:33
I think all GT's should be an all round test of a cyclist. However, both la Vuelta and Giro don't tend to follow this - but Le Tour, as the BIG one should be set up like this; something for all types of cyclists; sprinters, climbers, TTers, classic types, etc
I'd say it's a pretty interesting route, and the cobbles add an 'unknown' factor - and did in 2010. I expect the contenders with classics team mates to be at an advantage; though that didn't help FSchleck in 2010.
I'd say it's a pretty interesting route, and the cobbles add an 'unknown' factor - and did in 2010. I expect the contenders with classics team mates to be at an advantage; though that didn't help FSchleck in 2010.
I'm not even sure if J-Rod is targeting next year's tour, but even if he was, he'd have absolutely no chance as he can't TT for love or money. Great rider though. One thing you have to laugh at is the sheer hypocrisy of cycling. They strip Armstrong of all titles yet they remember a cheat like Indurain by holding the Bergerac TT in his honour, and they say they are serious about cleaning up the sport.
Another professional cyclist in I doped in early-mid 2000s shocker
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24751872
Ryder Hesjedal this time
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24751872
Ryder Hesjedal this time
Vocal Minority said:
Another professional cyclist in I doped in early-mid 2000s shocker
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24751872
Ryder Hesjedal this time
Not really a surprise, young guy in early career wants to compete with the big boys and gives in to doping in a bid to do it. I guess he was just waiting to retire before confessing but it came out too soon. Its sad as I like him and it will tarnish the 2012 Giro win during which I would assume he was clean given he was riding for Garmin etc etc but that wont stop the hyperbole over on the CN forums about this...http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/24751872
Ryder Hesjedal this time
Moncoutie?, Voight?, who is left to confess to any secrets?..... I think anyone riding in the early to mid 00s is under suspicion but as I have said before, barring a few dark sheep in the pro-continental teams (eg Vini Fantini), I think its clean peloton today. Personally I just wish they would confess and then we can continue to move on.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 31st October 10:24
just a quick question but assuming Hesjedal and the rest only started doping when they were in the pro tour teams, who back in the early 2000s when the proliferation and knowledge of using EPO effectively wasnt what it is today, surely it stands that they still got to the pro level clean?....
It's quite amusing that chicken has come out with his book full of revelations and stting in Hesjedal's nest. I expect more recriminations in the coming weeks and months - no doubt JV will welcome him back with open arms after his suspension. He should feel quite at home at Garmin seeing as it's a team full of cheating scumbags.
This is a very good take on him.
http://stevetilford.com/2013/10/31/remorseful-ryde...
Edit - oh and by the way I bet my life on that Giro win being dirty, no way he won that clean.
This is a very good take on him.
http://stevetilford.com/2013/10/31/remorseful-ryde...
Edit - oh and by the way I bet my life on that Giro win being dirty, no way he won that clean.
Edited by mcelliott on Thursday 31st October 16:58
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